Thank you for the welcome complement, campanula, however underserved! I do grow an alba foliacea, which I had from Pickering. I had thought it was another of the semiplena/maxima sport family. I will say I am beginning to think it was not the best idea to buy albas grafted, because the grafted plants seem to loose the stately growth habit of semiplena and maxima. However, foliacea was available no where else. I have been told, on this forum, some years ago, that the rootstock does not influence growth habit of the scion; based on my own observations, I would beg to differ. My AF has not yet bloomed, so I cannot speak to the flower shape and fragrance. Growth seems to be the usual vigorous bush of the semiplena/maxima family with a bit more laxity of cane, owing, I am convinced, to the influence of the root stock, multiflora in this case. All my albas have been subjected to rabbit attack in winter, so blooming has been delayed. Pity I never learned to shoot. My father, who was a crack shot, didn't think it appropriate to teach girls about firearms. What with the woodchucks treating my vegetable garden like a buffet and the rabbits in the roses...I did see a large red tailed hawk circling the other day; if only I knew how to lure them to hunt in my yard!

Anything bred by Sequoia is probably better for your climate than mine -- it is hot and dry there. I have ALWAYS found that if you choose a rose that is bred as nearly as possible to your climactic and disease pressure conditions, those are the roses that will do best for YOU. It is simple really -- roses bred in the southeast do best in the southeast, and so on. It is because the breeder was selecting from all his thousands of seedlings with just your conditions in mind. Never mind the AARS tests that attempt to find roses good everywhere -- no such thing.

If you are thinking about the 220V 6K 1986 and can get a one you might consider it. I've had one since 2003 and it has performed flawlessly. It has many of the features of the older models, and yet is still more configurable than the 1215 which followed it. You can select a tap cold pre-wash that is heated to warm to deal with stains and then it will change the water and continue with whatever temp you have selected for the rest of the cycle, and this can be added to any cycle. It has a soak cycle that can be adjusted to last up to six hours. I've used this once. It does not have a 150F or 168F wash. It has Cold 85F, Warm 105F, Very warm 120F, Hot 140F, and HOT 190F. Some cycles like silk, woolens, and dedicates will allow cold 85F or tap cold. It has an extended option which increases the length of all parts of a cycle - good for heavily soiled whites, but I usually use the regular cycle which, with my incoming hot water of 115F, has taken 49 minutes with extra rinse for temps of 105F, 120F and 140F, and 56 minutes with extra rinse for 190F. Sometimes cold water is mixed into the fills even though the heater will then start some minutes later. At 190F you can hear the water near boiling during the tumbling pauses and the glass will get too hot to touch so I never really worry about how hot it really is. Temps over 120F will cause a cool down to occur before the wash water gets drained. If you select perm Press at 85F - no cool down will take place. Perm Press at 105F water will run in to cool down the wash water. Perm Press at 120F or above and some water will be pumped out, then cold water runs in to begin the cool down. It will also adjust the cycle length to the load size so if you have a smaller load it takes less time. Like the W4840 the door will lock at temps over 120F. It will also lock when the water level is above the bottom of the door during the rinses. The manual advises you NOT to use chlorine Bleach. I have never used and don't need it to whiten, remove stains, or sanitize anything.

Am finally back after a lot of sleeping, and once again, many thanks for your replies. It all helps! Your suggestions sent me back to the internet, so I learned more about tactics for this battle/skirmish. Jlc - I was surprised to read of young people commonly having this, but actually I know you are right - the dang thing is everywhere now. And I will ask my doc (when he's back from his ill-timed vacation lol) about a nutritionist; am sure he'll know someone. Never thought of myself as being immune-system compromised, but now it's a fact, isn't it. Deee - I'm sorry that your relative has this. It really is an odious thing to have, not just on one's body, but also in the back of one's mind. I've filed manuka honey; it apparently is only for open wounds, but sounds good. I would much prefer a natural remedy anyway. Probably I should have some in the house jusr in case. And I understand about taking care with ordering from Amazon; I would stick to a name recommended by someone I kmow. Annie - Am also filing your article about essential oils; I know people who swear by certain ones. Lemongrass oil on one's hands and feet sounds lovely! Regarding meditation, it's something I've daydreamed about for years, as I also have about yoga. I know that you have extolled its benefits here often. It would need to be something I could do by myself, as am dreadful at attending classes that do not lead to a degree > : > ), but am pretty good about schedules at home. Am a bit of a hermit that way. Will look for something online! Localeater - I am sorry that you had to learn about this because of your son. Those years must have been a nightmare. Our DS1 had ten years of catastrophic asthma and was on and off pred for the whole time. Back then there wasn't much being done on "Integrative Medicine", and pred did save his life more than once. Side effects barely came into consideration. Today he is much better, no more pred, takes good care of himself and does employ elements of oriental medicine. I'm glad that your boy is also better! I will check online for NCOLIS. And will have to think of a tactful way to ask my doc about alternatives! Kwsl - Will look for thyme oil as soon as I finish this and add it to the file! It sounds like something good to use in the bathroom. One could top it off with a thyme candle! Thanks! Neetsiepie - Welcome back! You are sounding happy, and it's wonderful to read about your childrens' successes, especially about your son! But I am sorry to read that you have staph/mrsa in addition to other maladies. Yes, have gotten the message about cleanliness, have a bottle of Hibiclens in the kitchen and one in the bathroom, and am dutifully laundering the linens in hot water, the towels almost every day, really beating them up, don't like doing that. But I appreciate your many suggestions, especially your admonition to take it easy and rest, which removes the guilt from curling up and watching Law & Order marathons. Take care of yourself, too! Neetsiepie - One more thing. Saw the picture of your beautiful new cat. He's what the British call an orange marmalade. They have a reputation, especially the males, for wild high energy. We "baby-sat" two over the years and it was like having a hyperactive 3-year old in the house. Constant motion! Enjoy him! Thank you again, everyone - Sable