OPPALM, that is very interesting what the hotel manager told you: Specifically, that the fire department considered heating the palms in the enclosure as a fire hazard. I realize you probably don't know enough of the details of what their precise objections were, but I think that is a serious statement by the fire department. Because, I suppose the implication is that what a lot of us on this forum are doing to preserve our plants over the winter might be considered a fire hazard by the Des Moines Fire Department's standards. And if those standards are reasonable and applicable, I'd like to know more about this, because while I like growing a palm tree in Minnesota, I don't want to risk my and/or my neighbors property in the process. Perhaps the hotel was considering some kind of heavy duty heaters, and that is what the fire department objected to? (But if that were the case, why not try wrapping them with lights underneath?) dln949

I hope I get to see you the next time - Kevin and I usually go about once a year, and for some reason, I didn't find this thread soon enough. Plus on holiday week-ends, the hotels generally make you stay longer. We've been staying in Desert Hot Springs lately because we like the spas there, and it is less expensive, although there are practically no restaurants worth going to there, except for one decent Thai restaurant and a pizza place that is pretty good - at least it has a brick oven. I have a bunch of dates in the fridge, and so maybe I'll make my own date shake. I bought them to put in my granola, but I've been using other dried fruits. Can't see your picture here at work, but I'll check for it at home. Lars

We are planning on buying in the Palm Springs area next year, I will be looking for an open plan. It will be a second home, smaller than our main home. Our current house is a partially open floor plan. LR and DR are open to one another, step down to LR. There is a 6 foot doorway between the DR and KIT, the kitchen is open to the FR, the FR is 5 steps down from the KIT. Overall I like the open feel, occasionally it can get a bit noisy when I am cooking and DH is enjoying TV, but I would buy the house again. Our previous home was a closed floor plan and it was fine too, but I had never lived in an open floor plan at that point. I think I prefer a partially open plan overall. In a larger home it would be nice to have the ability to close off rooms. The same concept as hotel ball rooms or schools use.

I looked at Launderette and liked what I read about it - I will try to go there. I also want to go to the Phoenicia Bakery & Deli on 45th and Burnet Rd, which is close to our BnB. They have muffuletta sandwiches on their menu! We will go to Pappadeaux's for lunch on Friday with our sister. I talked with my sister on Sunday, and it was not a very pleasant conversation - she seemed very testy and argumentative - I think this is because she is having trouble adjusted to her husband being gone. They were married for a long time - I think since 1983 or so, which would make it 40 years. She would never come to visit me without bringing him, once they were together. Near the end, she had to retire from her work in order to take care of him, and now she is no longer working and does not have him to take care of. One of her husband's granddaughters (from Huntington Beach, CA) will be staying at her house while we are in Austin. I don't think I've met her, but I'm sure I would get along with her, although I do not expect to be around her that much. I really want to limit the amount of time I will be around my sister - at least during the time that she will be with Jack's family, as I do not know them that well and am not close to them at all. I do hope that Kevin and I will be able to spend some time with Karen by ourselves, but I don't know how much of that will be possible. I think if there are too many people around at the same time, it could be tense, partly because Jack's family is dysfunctional - my sister's term, not mine. I know his family will still be grieving a lot - as will my sister, and this is a situation that I have very little experience with. I mostly want to stay out of the way so that I can avoid conflict.