sinfonian, if its because of space, why don't ya do the bucket thingi? then you could grow all 3? i seen ya have that privacy fencing, i'm sure ya could have one of those 2x4's up on it caddi corner. then hang a 5 gallon bucket thru the board, after of course planting your tomato bush, upside down, man, that would be awesome, have a bucket there for when they fall. Hee Hee ya know, for just in case. but that wouldn't happen in my yard. LOL my kids would eat them all up!! LOL but that would be great!! and you can get them for free at walmart in the bakery, they just give them to you IF you ask nicely :') i just got 4 of them w the lids. and they washed them. i told them they didn't have to. with a big smile. but the mean ol lady in the back told the young girl to wash them. usually they don't. just to let ya know. they are frosting. LOL **big grinn** man, my kids go for that!! sometimes i do. LOL ohhhh ya. but you cut the hole in the bottom of the bucket and put the plant there, then fill with the dirt and walla!! water from the top and it supposedly works like a dream. i always forgot to water them!! LOL it was a busy year. pregnant and all. maybe i might try that thisyear. LOL ~Medo

Well, I've seen geese the past few days... but today I hit the triple-header (comes from being able to work with a window for a change, perhaps): snowdrops are blooming away, the grackles are here, and my first robin in a very long time made an appearance and broke into song. Unfortunately, the snow melt revealed I've got moles or voles in my front bed, home to columbine, astilbe, crocus, tulips, hyacinths, coral bells, and some jacob's ladder. ARGH!

Yes, when money is collected for a group gift, there is always a card for the folks to sign. I did purchase two cards the other day, just for this purpose. In the past, the honorees for various events have always done Thank You cards -- usually individual cards for those who gave an individual gift and a group card that gets passed around, to thank those who donated towards the group gift. I can't recall a single occasion when an honoree hasn't done Thank You cards.

I would remove it from the damper handle but put it on the fireplace screen or someplace right by the firebox. It's so nice to have a reminder that the damper is open (so you can close it for draft control) or closed, so you can remember to open it before you build another fire.