Chickmom, you are correct that the hybrid seeds are the result of two different types of zinnias. Whether or not the offspring of any seeds saved from a hybrid comes true or not, is luck of the draw. Laura, so far I haven't seen any powdery mildew on the plants, and there is plenty of it on other plants in my garden, so they must be pretty resistant to it. Tiffy, the grasshoppers are bad every year here, but they have done more damage this year, than previous years. I try not to use any chemicals, and I have even put out grasshopper bait the past two years, but there is just too many empty lots surrounding our property, so it's not very effective. Echinacea 'Summer Sky' with grasshopper eating away, right in front of me ... the nerve! I don't know if you guys remember the picture I posted at the beginning of the summer of my sage plant blooming. Well, this is what it looks like now, after the grasshoppers arrived. I've heard that rhubarb leaves are poisonous, due to the oxalic acid ... apparently, it doesn't effect the grasshoppers. Can you even recognize this plant? It's a mum, or what's left of one anyway. The Scarlet Runner beans, winter savory sprouts, and all of the parsley were eaten completely to the ground. They even ate some of my onion tops, a couple of peppers, several of my basil plants, and some of the leaves and flower petals on almost all of my perennials. Every time I look around at all of the damage they have caused, it just makes my want to cry. I probably squish a dozen or more every day, just 'cause it makes me feel better, but it's not really putting a dent in the population. Next year, I may have to find some kind of organic spray I can use. Anyone have any suggestions? Bonnie

The first time I highlighted my hair I was startled every time I looked in the mirror because it was so different. Now I like the lighter effect and get it done twice a year. Give it some time before you change it. The second highlight job was too chunky...too young for me. I've since changed stylists and go with a very natural look. Pictures you when can! Lori

This really happened to me. I colored my hair golden blond at home and didn't like the color. So I went to the beauty supply store and bought something called "color remover". I thought it would restore my hair to its natural original color. NOT. It stripped it to a nasty gray-white. I headed to the nearest beauty salon and the operator said "You've ruined your hair." She applied an ash blond toner or rinse which then turned my hair gray. I hated it! Took about a year till my own hair grew out.Now I only have my hair professionally colored.

I get highlights and lowlights every 6-8 weeks for about $150CAD. I have a fair amount of grey (enough that it's a "percentage" of head now instead of just "a bit") and I keep a lot of the grey in with the other color. My hairdresser also leaves my part natural which helps extend the length of time between color sessions. I am terrible with my hair but have gotten a few compliments on the color - people seem to like the mixed grey/blond/brown approach! I always get her to cool down the highlights as my natural color is very cool ash and the grey is obviously cool as well. To my mind it's better for a lazy person like me than a full head of color because when lots of grey grows in, you get the "barcode effect" around your part, whereas this way the grey growing in looks a lot more natural. I tried going 100% natural with the grey and brown but it ended up looking very dull and flat - my grey is dispersed too evenly and just made my whole head look taupe. I wish it grew in big chunks instead! I have gone too long (about 2 months) with lots of sun, sand, and salt in the hair and it has lightened up considerably over the summer. I need to go in for fall lowlights soon! Here's a photo showing the multicolour approach including a lot of grey.