Barbara, I will try to read or at least skim over that book (have difficulty concentrating for too long now) and next time I'm at the hardware store will get a respirator then, oh with glasses, goggles and that, it is not going to be easy. They are a little more helpful and knowledgeable generally than big box stores. I stuffed a bandanna into the masks, know from reading about other things small particulate especially liquid still can get through, but I'm old and if one thing doesn't get me it's going to be another, none pretty. I feel I'm ok for now, feel sorry for people who do that for a living. I know for fact the young guy who I FINALLY got to come in years ago and spray for cockroaches and fleas got some pneumonia-like affliction, and we both agreed it was probably from his work with chemicals. He used no protection other than pants and long shirt IIRC and did it all day, every day, inside and out, much of the year. I've always hated any sprays in my house for anything, one reason I like to stay independent because you have no choice in almost all community living situations. They spray on a regular basis; it's mandatory, and I'm not real confident they have but minimal concern for the occupants or people who do it, just so things "look" nice. Sometimes there is no other way. But it seems they spray routinely as a preventive. In spite of taking so many precautions and doing my homework as best I could w/new equipment and things I've never attempted before, I ran into several little problems. The spray itself once you get it going is easy enough, but anything can go wrong at any time. It's just faith that the dial actually delivers the correct dilution. I'll only mention a couple of things but there were more, that is nasty stuff to work with and hard to clean. I need some longer rubber gloves as found one unused pair left of surgical gloves, and by the time I was done, my hands felt slimy, could be from sweat, but I think some got in, washed several times with soap and water. The other thing was maybe stupid on my part but the way they tell you to clean the dial container. I could work at the faucet with that because there's bare ground, but you have to unscrew it while the spray part is still on the hose, rinse out as well as you can, on the other side of the two-way diverter I have there, and it takes several rinsings to get it out. NEVER unscrew the dial part from the hose connection until you've got it as clean as you can, why later. Then you screw it back on and clear out the spray part and uptake tube, says two short bursts (and even rinsed those other parts under running water, don't think instructions said. I did five bursts and maybe shouldn't have. But either way, when you finally think you are done, turn off the water, start to unscrew at the hose connection, the pressure left in the hose squirts water. And I noticed in spite of my care, there was still slight evidence of milky liquid in the container, much diluted but still there. Being alone, few people or pets ever come into my yard. I let the cat out for the night, he's back, hope he didn't walk through that area, it can take awhile to dry and for things to develop. So it's a good thing I quit when I did and not attempt anything in the front. Maybe from now on I'll just do those several specific plants I did and probably not as often as necessary because I procrastinate anyway. No way could I have suited up and done that if it had been hotter, so that's a future consideration. I don't know how other people deal with this stuff. It was quite the learning experience. If somebody locally could convince me that organics really work and show evidence of clean roses like I see so much here (this was mostly to save my cherry trees and a few other congregating plants that aren't blooming), it won't seem like as much trouble because spraying is trouble, too. Kelp I don't worry about any of it, practiced with that in my pump sprayer. Well, since I've done another one of my diatribes, I was thinking about writing a blog in our local paper about my experience with iminicloprid. The Bayer product for spraying that has evidently flown off the shelves. Here we are with no honeybees, and we want to keep our pretty blooms and kill bumblebees and other pollinators? At least I thought of them and took off the blooms or targeted things that aren't blooming now. Madness. But I think I'll hold off on that because I don't feel comfortable writing on one of those things, few read them anyway. My neighbor across the street says he has no JB's.

Val, I am always a sucker for clump sots. Salty Skipper started out with several blooms, and it is covered with buds, but no bloom today(/Sunday). Maryl, thank you. Not only is that dark purple "delicious" but as rare as the proverbial "hen's teeth" here where purple usually translates to red. Chris, I swapped Salty skipper with Ruth in Texas for Wild Cherry Wine. I seem to remember offering you a start od Salty skipper last year. It has done really well for me, and I could still send you a start if you like. kay

Boxo, I was going to race back and recheck for AD photos, but my Memorial Day was actually done around 1:30 a.m. before I had to crash out and get ready for the Memorial Day trial. Eluane got a Lord-Blessed Miracle 1st Place. As soon as I get a breather we'll be posting her photos. It was sooo cute because she did not want to leave the competition when everyone had already packed up! She looooves the agility comps and practicing and pulled against the side of the leash and smashed her whole chest against the floor with sad eyes, and head against the floor, not wanting to leave, I was so shocked- if only I had my camera with me!!! it was so cute Boxo. Anyway, I only have a few nice blooms going because my baby roses are hating the heat and won't open up properly in the actual blooming stage. Your Don Juan will have to help keep me from going insane with my DJ, haha! But Climbing Okie has taught me to sit down and stop my Belly-Achin' haha! I am enjoying DJ's fragrance but geeee I hate our blasting suns roasting the blooms. We are having drought and heat sooooo early (2 months ahead of schedule) but I'm sure you'll get some nice weather once your niece's baby shower begins! The Garden will be SPECTACULAR! Be sure to post your favorites so we can celebrate at our Gallery and many congratulations to both sisters! One for being a Mom, the other for being an Aunt! Yes, Boxo, I do remember you not having children, but what a Blessing you've been for your nieces- your "daughters", really and truly! Many Hugs and will talk soon. I'm so thrilled to be back STALKING AD, and he still has fabulous timing! I will never forget what a gorgeous bouquet he made on my Birthday too, haha! That year was a real bad year for me gardenwise and you really helped cheer me up with AD!!! So I know for sure he will indeed go full blast and make a Gorgeous Present for your nieces on the Baby Shower Event too! And yes, I can't wait to see the red companion roses going with AD! :D Oh, so yummy, on the Korean barbecue...James also loooves Korean barbecue ribs. Eluane wants the cartilege ends! and is wagging her tail at the very thought!

CoolVT, My problem is EXACTLY as airqual is describing his - mine doesn't block with EVERY poo, just....errr more with mine. I'm male, maybe that's it. Sorry for the detail. A pen or similar object would do exactly as he's describing, water past, no problem. Small poo, no problem, tp usually no prob, and it'll break up quickly. Big poo, is where it happens. Water doesn't go down, or if you're really lucky, water will go down mostly, you second flush. Bowl overflows. Ashlander, I'm in BC and our town uses river water but it's now highly filtered and treated with very little hardness that I can see, but I've seen discolouration round the rim so will try unblocking for fun. I suspect the problem is similar to yours, poor bowl design with too tight an angle. Like I said, the toilets in Australia/NZ have a larger opening - probably 4" or 100mm and the bend is larger and simpler. Blockages hardly ever happen. Double flushing? I'm very water conscious, even here where we throw it away (ironically, this is basically desert here, not much more than 12" of rain per annum, but we have the river.) Almost all toilet cisterns sold in Australia are dual flush - the half button gives you half a flush for wee, full for #2. Sorry for the bluntness. I wouldn't be double flushing myself except for this toilet being so touchy. I may well consider changing the toilet if I don't find this phantom bic pen or whatever it is.