Fruitnut, I don't know how long the scion would remain viable...there was a surprising amount of frozen sap at both the top and bottom of the girdling, so the tree is already losing water...hard to believe if I cut wood now it would hold until suckers are ready in early summer...??? Harvestman, I can't be sure it was voles. but the damage was all very low and I believe only under the short snow cover we had during thanksgiving. Rabbits have started to become a problem here over the last couple years. There were none and then we had a neighbor let some "pets" go....now I commonly see tracks/scat and have lost several young grapevines, and an apricot to them....entirely possible they did the peaches too. Olpea, I appreciate the offer on budwood and may well take you up on it. I am pretty limited on what cultivars have a fighting chance up here and I know most of those are not "choice" for you folks who are in a more appropriate climate. but if you have some candidates I am open to suggestions. Generaly it seems like only 4-5 get brought up again and again..Reliance, Veteran, PF24c, Mckay,..possibly contender and redhaven.

I love this site, and don't know where I would go for a garden-friends fix if it were gone. I'm still working full time as a Hospice and Palliative Doc, and my current job requires an hour commute each way. So, I don't get to be in my garden, much, let alone on line. But, it is so wonderful to know there are like-minded folks across the country paying attention to the peril facing all of our insect friends. I was enthusiastic over the winter when Washington had a big campaign to support pollinators, but that news has faded behind the much more crowd-pleasing election campaign news. I fear the world is going to get the message far too late to make a difference. Miss Sherry, I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's illness. Unfortunately, I can imagine all too well what you are facing. Please consider getting in touch with a Hospice or Palliative group sooner rather than later. Every day I hear people say they wish they had done it sooner. No one will hasten the end, but only assist you both in maximizing his enjoyment of what time he has left. In fact, studies show that many patients live longer on hospice, because they avoid infections in hospitals and also complications from treatments that can't really help, any way. If you would like to speak to me, I would be honored to answer any questions you might have. I haven't had time to check my Houzz messages in months, but if you check in here and warn me, I'll go there. Martha

I feel like a semi-expert on DW, lol. Of course I went as a child several times, but have taken MANY trips there in the past 10 years, mostly bc of sporting events my kids were in at Disney’s Wide World of Sports venues. Anyway...for the type of trip you are doing, all first timers and multi-generational...definitely stay on site. Not only is it more “magical” for the children (lots of “hidden mickeys” in the rooms and resort properties,) but so much easier logistically! An older person can just take a quick monorail or boat ride back to the hotel to rest if the others are still going strong. There definitely is a big difference between the highest and lowest priced Disney resorts! I’ve stayed at the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary, and the Caribbean Beach resort. The Grand Floridian was by far the nicest. We stayed there when my parents took us & the kids (the kids first time.) It was magical, really, for them. Dd was 4 and truly felt like a princess staying there, lol. The Contemporary was nice, too, but not quite as nice as GF. Both, plus the Polynesian, are on the monorail which means no buses to monorail station...you go straight to park. Caribbean was fine, I guess...I stayed there for cheer competitions a couple of years. Rooms were not that great, but the tropical setting was pretty. You had to take Disney shuttles to monorail station, but the buses are frequent & if you don’t really care if your room is small they are less expensive. I have not done a Disney Cruise, but a friend has done both. She said the cruise was great...but NOT better than DW for young kids. She recommends it for families with slightly older kids who love Disney but want a different experience. I second using a Disney travel agent. There are travel agents who specialize in just Disney 24/7. There are also websites completely devoted to Disney trips. Warning...they can be a bit frightening if you are new to Disney stuff...these people are really into Disney and use all sorts of abbreviations and lingo! I’d just let your agent handle all of your dining reservations (if you want meals with characters, which is a very big thing, you need to make these a precise # of months in advance.) Not worth the stress of doing yourself, agent can do it for free. I used Marvelous Mouse Travels which I think is nationwide. You literally can tell them your budget & when you want to go...and they can give you options, and explain all of the crazy details (like FastPasses, which still confuse me but are essential!) Good luck & have a blast! When we went that first trip when the kids were little it was right after New Years. The GF still had some decor up and oh my, it looked so gorgeous! Christmas really seems like a lovely time to be there!

friedajune, I agree. And with the rediscovery in recent years of craftsmanship and artisanal work -- whether one is building a house or making beer or cheese -- there is considerably less stigma. I was a liberal arts college graduate from NYC who married a carpenter/farmer 25 years ago, and there's never been any stigma; in fact, most of my college friends have said over the years some version of "I wish I could ditch the office for carpentry or farming." Our sons, who've recently graduated from high school, are going to be starting their first and second years of carpentry at a nearby trade school, and will be third-generation carpenters. Earlier this year CBC Radio in Canada had an interesting feature on students leaving PhD programs for the trades. I'd also recommend the following books for anyone interested: "Hammer Head: The Making of a Carpenter" by Nina Maclaughlin, a former Classics major who was working as an editor at The Boston Phoenix when she answered a Craigslist ad for a carpenter's assistant. "Shop Craft as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work" by Matthew Crawford "Making Things Right: The Simple Philosophy of a Working Life" by Ole Thorstensen As a reader of any of these books will note, there's a huge difference between doing this sort of work because you see a value in skilled work, craftsmanship, and a job well-done -- and for many too because it's a necessary outlet for creativity, just like music or moviemaking or writing or sculpture -- and working without particular care only for a paycheck.