Ediej Thanks for the recipe link. I'll definitely try the melon sorbet! I'm going to see if I can make chutney with the melons, too. We eat it with shrimp curry. I think Major Grey's chutney has mangoes, so maybe melons will work, too. Anyway, I found a recipe for mango chutney and will just substitute melons for mangoes.

I too started here, reading, trading, growing. Let me share what I have done/learned. First off, as of yesterday I am the official keeper of over 200 varieties of OP tomatoes. That does not make me an expert, but it does show my involvement :) Let me tell you that, for one...I have a similar climate as yours, 45th parallel near Canada. I grew in two ways last year; containers and raised beds. My first year to incorporate containers...3-7 gallons. In the containers went farm dirt, taken from a former dairy farm. Raised bed #1, which I will be referring to was screened topsoil as I have clay and many ROCKS. Some mulch has been added to bed #1, but it is NOT farm dirt. The containers produced fruitful. I grew Farmer Reds...I have some to trade but can't find any information on them, they were more an orange red and about 9.5 oz and good to eat, I also grew Gardener's Delight (cherry), two others but the memory is fuzzy this morning. I keep a small notebook and do recommend that you document as well, as much of what I will share is right straight from my notes :) Bed #1 got these in order (I even drew cute little pictures :) -Brandywine Pink, Mr. Stripey (yellow with red streaks), Rutgers, Marmande, Gardeners Delight. Across from them in order-Brandywine Pink, Roma, Gardener's Delight, Yellow Pear, Amish Paste. These were started in the peat pellets and up on March 17th, I was ancy with spring fever. All other plants came up later. I used indoor lights in a homemade stand using a heat-controlled electric warmer that I get at resale shops for like $3. They were the healthiest plants and I put them in about 6 weeks later (calendar is not close to me). We still had frost going on...I hardened them off maybe 2-3 days then planted them. When frost warnings came. I used styrofoam cones and rocks to hold them down. All survived and thrived. This bed actually produced plants over 7 feet! It was a chance though...the rest of the plants in other beds all matured and faired well. Additional plants grown in other beds last year were; Beefsteak, Large Red Cherry, Orange Banana, Gold Currant, Yellow Cherry, Brandywines, Italian, Delicious, Black Prince, Evergreen, Sunburst, Silvery Fir. In one garden went unidentified mix of colors from a packet...I don't recommend that-not knowing what they are until maturation. I also ended up with a beautiful unknown pink paste (I did save seeds). Now how did I like them? For me the best sandwich slice went to Mr. Stripey...wow, I never had a tomato like that. Gardener's Delight, Yellow Pear and Gold Currants were yummy candy. Brandywines were good...I enjoyed their size and taste. Rutgers, Marmande, Farmer Reds, were always there to be picked, a matured earlier and very similar. The green one (Evergreen) was the best green salsa ingredient ever. Used that with the type of Mrs. Wages salsa mix that calls for cider vinegar to be added. Sunburst was pretty but bland. The currant and other small cherry (not mentioned) wore me out picking. The best pastes I grew-Amish, edible off the vine. I will update my inventory list of seeds Monday (three days from now). I do TRADE! I have every variety I think you mentioned trying. I will enclose picture to this thread hopefully. This year is a radical growing year for me, not only will I try new ones at the homestead in beds, but I am now the catalyst for a community garden with access to 8 acres...garden one will not be that big I ensure you. BUT...I can try all 200 tomato varieties...MAYBE :) Earl in Northern Michigan

quirkyquerus: I totally agree. We don't really have any pet stores to speak of in my area other than Petsmart. I have never gotten a pet from a petstore except for hamsters and guinea pigs and fish. I think when people buy at a petstore it's more for convenience. They decide they want a pet and they go shopping. I tend to buy from breeders unless I can find the specific breed I want from rescue. In the past I have gotten rescue animals but what I learned is that sometimes you really do need to pick an animal that will fit with your family better. This is a long term committment. Too many people buy because the breed is popular or cute and then they find out it doesn't get along with kids or cats or whatever and the dog ends up being abandoned. Research is really important. I spent a year and a half researching my current dog before I got him and he's better than I could have hoped for. My last dog was with us for over 14 years (a retriever)who was perfect for our family then.

People bred the pit to be aggressive and now people are upset that they bite. Until laws get passed against the PEOPLE who breed and misuse them nothing will change. If pits are outlawed the idiots will find another big dog to make aggressive. Some people just love the idea of having a big dangerous dog and some sick people get off on watching them fight. I have rescued and euthanized 3 dogs for aggression. Two were pit bulls, one was a German shepherd and all had been abused. Two other equally abused German shepherds are the world's sweetest dogs and my pit girls are dolls. Every dog is different and you just can't lump them together by breed, which is what BSL does. They need to be evaluated as individuals and aggressive dogs do need to be removed and even that gets into that slippery slope of taking away our rights. Izzie, no dog attacks out of the blue. People may not know what the trigger is and we can't ask the dog. I use an animal communicator, something most people scorn. But something made that collie bite the little boy. What a pity it cost so dearly in harm to a child and death for a dog. livvysmom, if you or your children has a friend with one of the breeds who has been known to be aggressive and they do not keep the dog far from the children you should not go there. They are not being responsible and your child is not safe. I KNOW my dogs will not bite. When a child comes over they are not allowed near the child with the exception of 3 of my dogs who I know adore children and then only with supervision. My son was raised with my Dobermans, German shepherds and rescue dogs without incident, but not everyone is so fortunate. By the way, the worst bites I've gotten have been from those yappy little toy dogs. My Shih tzu/Yorkie is the most aggressive dog I've ever owned. Fortunately at only 12 pounds she doesn't do much damage and the big dogs just think she's funny.