Thanks. It has been a very vigorous, healthy tree but is quite the sight now. Harvestman, I did exactly what you prescribed this year. In March, I gave it a dormant oil/copper spray. It later got two sprays with Immunox and Triazicide--altho' the last may have come too late. It is strange that none of my other apples were affected at all. Still, we had an unholy amount of rain/cold weather followed by near 100 degree days. We had terrible ice last winter and severe storms all spring and have had wind damage to a lot of my trees' new growth. I have never done much fall spraying but may give at least this one a dose.

I would think that after two years, the gas is too stale for the car to even start or run - so best of luck here.. An excellent idea,lamguy, pull the plugs and shoot some oil in the cylinders - but this should have been done two years ago ( a fogging operation).. Best to change all the fluids before running the car.. Maybe pull the rotors and drums and remove the rust - if necessary... If the car was stored in a conditioned area, you are in good shape...

I think Haley is right, a 6 year old shouldn't be unsupervised when getting ready for school. I don't think she meant he should be dressed by his mother, only she should be there and awake waiting with him, making his breakfast and making sure he gets on the bus. If not for the prior problems I would give the mother the benefit of the doubt on not waking up, once. I still get my kids up and when I am home I stay awake till they get on the bus. They're older now but when they were younger they went to the neighbor's house on days I had to work or go to school so an adult supervised them. I still call most days when I'm at work to make sure they are doing ok and made it home from school. It's just not normal to leave a 6 year old to fend for himself.

I have been driving a Mercedes station wagon for years. Love it. It has all wheel drive and drives so smooth. However, the maintenance can be tough and expensive. We also just recently bought my son a Subaru. We absolutely love it. It has all wheels drive as well. All of them do. Also, if you compare, the gas consumption (and money saved) of a Subaru with the extra money you have to spend to get a hybrid, the Subaru will be a better deal. Yes, you still burn gas with a low gas car, however, you also have to charge a battery with a hybrid, which uses resources, etc..... Just my two cents