I have sometimes suffered some phototoxicity apparently from applying oil between 10 and 14 days following Captan. The label of either the oil, Captan or both clearly warns of incompatibility but there is no written indication that residue from Captan could create a problem this much later. Only certain varieties, particularly Tomkins King have had this kind of response to so late an interval between Cap and oil- also pears are particularly sensitive. Oil probably wouldn't leave as lasting a residue-it evaporates very quickly, at least if you use some kind of summer oil. I like Purespray. The 10 to 14 day interval for PC protection is for Imidan only. Most other available materials will require a tighter interval and at least an additional spray unless you are very attentive or lucky. Imidan is exceptionally rain-fast for a non-systemic. The manufacturer doesn't even recommend a sticker. As far as historic PC protection results, you never can be sure what your chemicals are doing for you unless you see the PC in your orchard and then spray. In recent years in the Northeast PC has become somewhat less predictable on some sites based on my observations. In 2 of the last 4 years I have seen unsprayed sites produce apples without PC damage. These are large trees with lots of apples. PC often leaves the russeted old-strain Yellow Delicious alone as well. Too bad I don't much like them although they're a lot better than the new strains. PC disagrees with me and attacks those newer strains. Imidan is not nationally restricted and the government is stearing its use away from homeowners because they don't trust them to follow the label. It now has a 3-day REI, probably because it can be tracked indoors, especially off a dew covered grass. Once it is brought indoors it is almost as durable as DDT, outside it breaks down quickly. I wouldn't do any hand thinning of fruit until about 2 weeks after a spray myself which is very inconvenient. On varieties I'm almost sure will overcrop I remove a lot of flowers because I don't use chemical thinners. The Imidan label says not for residential use but according to code I now believe this means indoors, from what I read while studying for certification renewel. I called the NYDEC and was told that it is OK to use in resedential areas. In NY it is restricted to commercial applicators unless you are a commercial grower. In CT it is sometimes available from suppliers catering to commercial landscapers and is not restricted. It can legally be sent through the mail 1 package at a time. I can even have it sent to NY from another state even if I don't prove I'm licensed to use it here. Of course it would be illegal for me to use it if I wasn't licensed.

After I read the FAQ's you recently read, I too decided to apply compost. Luckily, it's not something that's required to do often, because it's quite a labor intensive, backbreaking proposition. When I did mine last spring, I found compost in 40lb bags at a local big box store for around $2.00 each if I remember right.....it was pricey too! I'd used approx 70 bags! If I had it to do over, I'd absolutely brew some ACT (aerated compost tea) & apply that. The primary reason for adding the compost is to introduce the microorganisms and the application of compost tea will yield the same result at a far lesser expense and with far less labor involved. That being said, the added organic materials applied when adding compost aren't added when using ACT, but as long as you're using the grains and mulch mow, you'll have chow for your microherd! You can put together a brewer for around $20 & you can use the excellent home-made compost you're making right at home. I'll put a link for tea instructions. Obviously, this is just a recommendation, but you should definitely consider ACT. Good day, Dan Here is a link that might be useful: Deuley's Little Texas Tea Brewer

I looked at your Flickr albums and will say that the kitchen & bathrooms look great. I think asking a few agents is a good idea, but in the end, you also have to use your own judgment. my mom, though 72, works out at the gym 6x a week and still works FT, so *right now* stairs are not an issue. Of course, this can change at a moment's notice. You're right. My neighbor's lady friend in her 70's had a freak thing happen, now she can barely get out of the house. Thankfully she has a rancher. My neighbor has been fine and very active like your mom, he also had a freak thing happen. He was in a garage & fell. That was two years ago, it's slowed him down a lot. They both now have back problems that never bothered them until they had the accidents. You mention that a lot of people build up. Is it possible that if you don't, your house will be more desirable to someone that can't do steps? Your gut is telling you to move & it's possible that your gut is right. You might want to start looking online to see if any houses on the market will suit your needs. If so, that might be your answer. Do you have a garage? There are some people around here that are turning their garages into living spaces for their parents. Some leave the garage doors just in case the next person wants to use it as a garage again. Good luck. I know it isn't an easy decision. We also toyed with the idea of adding on but decided not to because living in the house during construction would be the pits and it would not be worth it to do so in our area.

Olychick, since when is expecting adult children to check on an elderly parent such a burden to the children? When were they at one time not a "burden" to the parent, too? For many, many years! In fact, no mother on earth ever quits worrying about her children, regardless of their age. I am speechless. I'm not talking about coming daily to give meds or baths or other personal care (although I have had many friends who did do this for a parent in the past). A daily check-in phone call will take far less time than these same adult children undoubtedly spend on social media. It's a very strange world to me where children feel they should be relieved of all responsibility for an aging parent short of putting them in a home or hiring outside help. I am quite capable of taking my many meds, bathing myself and getting dressed. I also pay my bills - nothing wrong with my brain at all. But it would be nice to be checked on regularly to be sure I'm okay. Frankly, I'm far less worried about falling and dying than I am about how long it might be before it's realized I'm MIA and someone needs to check...for the sake of my TWO DOGS!