Outsmarting the tree rats (squirrels) around my house is a full time job. This past spring I hit on a new idea. When I plant a container I invert an empty wire hanging basket over the container and the plant gets sun and can be watered but the squirrels can't dig in it. Another idea: I bring in a lot of plants to "over winter" under lights in my garage. I have so many that it is hard to reach my hand under the lights (4 shop lights) to the middle for watering. So I bought a pump sprayer with a long wand and it works great! In late winter I add a little liquid Dawn detergent, few drops, to each gallon of water and not only does the soil get wet easier but the worms that are waiting to hatch into distructive pets just don't hatch. Don't know what it costs me to run those four shop lights all winter but I don't care. It is a small price to pay to be able to "garden" every weekend in the garage. Many people have mentioned that they mark their outdoor plants with a "permanent Sharpie". In my experience there isn't a "permanent Sharpie", they all fade and quickly too. A grease pencil/china marker or expensive "no fade" garden center marker are the only markers I have found that won't disappoint you by fading. Eight years ago I decided to learn about gardening so I tapped into my local library. I checked out nearly every book they had on gardening and learned so much. The Gardenweb forums are also a wealth of information and entertainment. There is always something new to learn and I appreciate all of you who take the time to write in your ideas. One last idea from me...I keep a small notebook on my computer table and jot down any idea I find that's new and I will want to try. Little pieces of paper get lost but I always know where my notebook is and also use it when I order "on line" so I will remember the name of the company and the order date. Tina or Trowelgal

My glasses arrived this morning. Good news and bad news. Rob, thank you for linking Eyebuy Direct, they did a GREAT job! The good news is that my vision is crisp, clear and much better than it has been for several years, with the glasses. A real difference. The bad news is that now when I look in the mirror using the new computer glasses (I got a pair of bifocals and a pair of computer glasses) I can see every eyebrow hair, pore, and unevenly applied makeup job and what I thought was an acceptable makeup job clearly is not, so I'll be spending a tad more time applying stuff.

If you are dissatisfied with the plant, you can return it to HD if you have the receipt, or if you bought it with a debit or credit card within the last 90 days. (HD plants can be returned for one full year, so the receipt or card is needed to prove the date of purchase.) Neonicotinoid pesticides are systemic; although they are used as a seed coating in some cases, they are widely used in the nursery industry as a foliar spray or soil drench. The insecticide is taken up into the tissues of the plant and is present for a very long time. Months or longer, depending on who you ask. My recollection is that HD, and some other retailers, are looking to ban plants treated with neonics if possible. In the meantime, they are requiring that plants so treated by the grower be labeled. Please note that HD does not treat the plants with the pesticides, the growers do it. Those same growers also sell to many independent garden centers, which may or may not have the same labeling requirements! So you could still be getting a toxic plant. If 'Cherokee Sunset' is a F1 hybrid, do not expect the seeds to "come true" - they may/probably will revert or may be sterile. I've never tried growing these from seed, maybe someone else has. If you're debating about when to sow, I would suggest winter sowing at least some of them - check the Winter Sowing forum for details if you are not already familiar with this wonderful technique.

A good friend of mine knits while travelling. For the first few years after 9/11, she was unable to use knitting needles, but now people can do so. Ambien. I've never tried the stuff, but I've heard so many stories of diverse reactions, l certainly wouldn't want to experiment in the air. Alcohol. If you can handle a drink or three on the ground, go ahead, but note that high altitudes will make the stuff go to one's head much faster than on the ground. Cut yourself off sooner. Unless you like airplane toilets, cutting back on diuretics may be indicated. Although, yes, it's a good excuse to get up and move occasionally. If you are sensitive to any foods, avoid those. Those compression socks sound like an excellent idea! Reading material is essential. A magazine or two, a paperback, an e-reader... I'm not afraid of flying (momentary holding of breath as we take off and land aside). My problem is the extreme discomfort at being folded into seats not meant for tall people with bad knees. Hence I always aim to get aisle seating. Since my last flight, I now have a bad ankle. At any rate, due to my size and leg issues, it is impossible for me to sleep on planes. I suspect not even morphine would do it... i do try to sneak a leg into an edge of that aisle where it won't trip anyone, and drowse a bit, but that trolley (which needs the full aisle) comes by every 30 minutes! At 2 am, really???