The critters that show up are often able to find a way into our lives and we have to take care they don't become dependent on us. When we encourage them to interact with humans we are not doing them any favors. Not long ago I had a big problem with a group of raccoon that someone had obviously been hand feeding. Its not always a human problem though. Right now I am having a nightly argument with our cat who wants the young possum in our back yard to come into the house. We didn't realize we had a visitor until DH mentioned the cat was cleaning her dish rather well. I looked, it was polished, I started searching. Sure enough, it was in the laundry room. It took 30 hours of trying to corner it while keeping the cat out of it. At one point when I was attempting to shoo it out a door, two raccoon came charging in to get the bowl of cat food I was using as bait. Fortunately I had my cane in hand and was able to shoo them back outside but not before they emptied the bowl. I was finally able to grab the possum by the tail after tossing a towel over it's head. I took it outside but an hour later it strolled into the living room. The cat had popped a different door open. This time the chase was not as long but I'm an old lady and I can't move as fast as I used to. Thank goodness that tail works well to control them. (I have a long history catching possum by their tails. I just wish DH was not so squeamish about critters). While a turtle doesn't move as fast and doesn't hide as well, they can be as stubborn as the possum and raccoon and their bite can be nasty. Try not to interfere if you can avoid it.

Hi aezarien! Thanks so much for your reply. I'm so sorry I haven't checked back-- was told we'd have wi-fi on vacation but had no reliable signal. Are you still interested? If so, I'd love the thyme clumps... if you don't have them, I can certainly still send hosta! Again, not sure what varieties they are, but I certainly have a lot. Unfortunately, to in the interest of full disclosure, they WERE left on my porch for about 2 weeks in their paper bags and paper shreddings... as I explain in the post in the hosta forum, we had a week of heavy rains, and then went on the vacation. (We'll see if the folks in the hosta forum seem to think they're still viable.... or do you have any ideas?) Thanks again.

Are these the variety that actually grow wild? I remember them as a child. The self-seeded and were wonderful snacks on hot summer days! I would love this plant too if it is the same one.

Mash the plums, add just enough water to cover them and boil until softened. Then you will need to strain the liquid to remove the seeds and skins to make jelly. Use a jelly bag or some muslin (washed) or several layers of cheesecloth to strain it all. Measure how much juice you end up with and add amount of sugar needed and the pectin. Linked the instructions below. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: NCHFP - Plum Jelly