zhotster, Went to HD and picked up another bag of starter fertilizer, a bag of winterizer fert for November and 2 bags of Milanorgite for October (middle of the month). I would just recommend that you check the soil temps before using the Milanorgite in mid October, it is considered an organic and won't do much when the soil temps go below 55 degrees. Please do not get me wrong, it is wonderful stuff and I plan on using it myself as I want to go organic, it is just that soil activity (those little micro buggers)slow down in cold weather. Just to double check, you did get the Winterizer WITHOUT PLUS 2 WEED CONTROL. I am curious what everybody else was going to use going forward (next year)? Is anyone else going to switch to organics? I will still use the winterizer as a final shot in November.

You certainly brighten my day Lucy! Along with your pix of the day, I also try to start my day with a laugh. Here's one from things kids say: POLICE -- While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, 'Are you a cop? Yes,' I answered and continued writing the report. My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?' 'Yes, that's right,' I told her. 'Well, then,' she said as she extended her foot toward me, 'would you please tie my shoe?'

That's ok Donna, it is hard not to worry when you don't see them. Because I feed the Blues they alway end up bringing the babies to the feeders until the leave in the Fall. I would worry about them too if they left after fledging. I really don't think the Dees are in the woods by our house. I went down to the park today where I monitor nestboxes. It is about 2-3 blocks from my house and the closest woods other than our small one. The park is 32 acres, 10-20 wooded, I would guess. I was rewarded with seeing two chickadee families in the trees showing the little ones how to hunt for bugs. I couldn't tell the difference between the adults and the little ones but I could see some feeding the others. I watched them for awhile and a great crested flycatcher flew into the tree by them. Then I turned around and noticed a huge tree further off the trail in the woods, got the binocs and could see a racoon head sticking out of a hole in the tree, it was sleeping. Later walking out I saw a doe and a fawn the exact same time they saw me and they were gone in a flash. Just had to share that. lol! Anyway I around here the Dees are not at the feeders in the summertime even though they are here year round, the summer is for bug eating so I am sure they just took their little ones in the bigger woods (maybe one of the families I saw) and are showing them how to hunt bugs. Come late summer they start showing up at the feeder, I sure won't know if they are the ones that nested here but I will be glad they are back. Do you know if the Dees like to renest where they had a successful nesting, I am wondering if this pair will nest here again next year. Donna

I always thought it meant something was finished, or unchangeable. Like wood that's cut and dried, it's done, not changing. Maybe that's the same thing as "already prepared"?