Fun thread. Cute kids and dogs. My youngest is 38. Just lost my cat Lucy in August of 2005 at age 21 and Tasha about age 16 April 25 of this year. This one I felt sorry for and made friends with him. He only seems to trust me, and sneaks up on me when I'm working outside and plops in the dirt near me, doesn't feel threatened by my gardening tools (or camera lol). I thought he was gone for good as he disappeared for a whole week when Tasha died, but she was an indoor cat and didn't like him. I put away his bowl and the food out for the birds. Then there he was again. He's like that. He looks more mature now, he must have been a young cat that summer, homeless, or it is possible he has another home, but I rather doubt it. This photo was taken in August of 2006. When it got cold I scooped him up and made him come in, so he does stay in more when the weather is bad. I named him Sparky and got him his shots.

Thanks to this thread, I started watching Broadchurch. The second season is just coming to an end in the UK; The newest episode is available every monday night at Couchtuner.eu, which is the free streaming site I have been using. I have also watched two seasons of "The Village", another UK period drama. In some respects it is better than Downton. "Luther" is very, very good, but very dark. I have been enjoying the Doctor Who spinoff series Torchwood, and one US produced sci-fi thing The Last Ship. I really enjoyed "Welcome to Sweden" and I hope they make a second batch of it. Casey

Khalid: Thank you for answering my questions on your soil & rootstock performance. I'm very happy with what you wrote: "Today is the 46th day without smoking. I still feel ok and I am determined that I will not smoke again. I am enjoying my morning walk / jog much more (coughing has reduced a great deal). I hope I stay determined. I have seen people restart smoking even after many years and I don't want to do that. That is why I have purchased an E-cigarette which is sometimes use when I feel too much craving for a cigarette. Its better to take a puff or two of e-cigarette once in a while instead of restarting smoking again ... After sometime, there should be no e-cigarettes too." I really admire your going without cigarettes for 46th day, very happy for you. God is a loving Father. If only we know how much our Creator & our Guardian Angels love us, we wouldn't harm ourselves with stupid habits. I can't believe that I chewed gum until my jaw and teeth hurt !! What a stupid habit. So glad that I kicked my chewing gum habit for good. I cut gum down gradually, from one stick few years ago, down to a tiny sliver a day, but that still hurt my teeth, so I cut it out COMPLETELY, and I'm so much happier. There are many enzymes in RAW fruits and veggies, but once we cook it, we destroy these enzymes that regulate healthy body functions. There's serious enzymes in the kale-smoothie I drink. My saliva flow is fantastic after a kale-smoothie. It's like a miracle with kale-enzymes solving my dry-mouth problem. I started chewing gum 2 decades ago due to dry mouth, but chewing gum made me thirstier & hungrier. If I had known that kale-smoothie would solve my dry-mouth problem, I would not be dependent on gum. MANY THANKS, KHALID, for starting me on drinking smoothie. I once consulted a doctor on my dry mouth, zero luck. There are many enzymes in RAW fruits and vegetables that regulate many metabolic processes in our body: from mood-regulators, to salivary glands and digestive enzymes. Last Dec. flu-shot reaction was bad, I was coughing constantly with 2-months pneumonia. Medications didn't help, but what helped was the RAW cherry juice from my tree for sleeping better, fresh lemon juice for my inflamed throat, and a friend brought meals over. I was so sick that I could not cook, and she even brought desert: fresh pineapple. Oh, how wonderful that was for my inflamed nose & ear & throat. I completely lost my sweet tooth, lost 8 lbs., but craved for pineapple during my flu-shot reaction.

For me, the absolute champion, never-to-be-surpassed series is Game of Thrones. Great acting, great writing, intriguing plots, and beautiful locations. True, it is very violent, so I - hating "blood 'n guts" - spent a fair amount of time peeking between my fingers with squinted eyes. That said, it is epic, a story of human foibles and weaknesses and occasional courage. If you can cope with limbs being lopped off, of everything that could go wrong being shown on screen, and if you can follow the convoluted plot and myriad characters - I recommend it. imo there's nothing else like it. The dragons! DH and I also loved Mad Men. We came to it toward the end of its run, so there was a lot of binge-watching to catch up. It would have been my favorite but for GOT. We've watched many of the above-mentioned shows, especially enjoying Foyle's War.