That's a neat idea, GT, but when it comes to these kinds of books, like my C&S books, I want to have it to refer to when I get a species that's new. I know with the internet, you have lots of resources - thank goodness for that! You young'uns are so lucky to have all this information at your fingertips. Back when I started collecting, it was so hard to find ANYthing out there to read about Hoyas, let alone the actual plants... So don't get me wrong - I'm grateful to have the resources I do have! And thank you, GG, for the little surprise in my e-mail this morning. Bless you, lady! Denise in Omaha

Someone gave me a bag full quite a while ago. I sliced them and sauteed them in some olive oil. In my opinion, they were absolutely delicious! The rest of the family said they were "okay". So I ate most of them. No pain, but the noise was terrible and the stink ferocious! I did cook them again, but never on a night before a work day, LOL.

My mom is 83,widowed, ,not in good health. My brother lives with her,rent-free. He's a dead-beat dad,owes thousands in back child-support. Mom bailed him out once, to the tune of $20,000 he owed his kids, who live in another state and are now over 18. He is also the executor of mom's estate. For many reasaons, I don't want her to die. She owns a home worth probably $200,000, a colonial in a good neighborhood but the house is a fixer-upper at this point. The roof is bad, water leaks in the basement, kitchen was never updated since 1963. She also has about $250,000 in savings. I am worried that when she passes, my brother may try to get more than his fair share of the estate. There are 4 kids, 2 sisters, myself (another girl) and brother. So a four-way split will be involved. I have two worries: that brother may try to get more his share and that his share will be snatched away by the courts. Further, there are a few household belongings I would like to have for sentimental reasons, not greed. I once asked Mom if I could have a pair of lamps that used to be in my bedroom. She said "no, those are mine" so I have never asked for anything else. I don't want to upset her in any way, so I plan to get an attorney after she dies and try to see if another executor can be named, and to see exactly how "probate' applies. Anyone know of a good book that explains wills and estates? I assume laws vary depending on the state. We're all in New York.

I live in Canada. In Canada, pets are chattels. I am terrified that my husband and I will die together, leaving our pet without family. (My husband has family, but they would not take our dog.) We had our wills redone, naming our executor as the person to take in our dog - and left a sizeable amount of our assets to her for his care - and in gratitude to her for taking him in. But should we die together, her circumstances may have changed and legally not be able to take in our dog (too many of her own etc.). Or she could die. We have listed a Plan B person -also to receive a sum of money. The lawyer thought we were nuts - and had us sign a form indicating we were going against his advice. Funny, when we did our previous wills, the lawyer was wonderful - he had a much loved dog as well - and did caution us though that in Canada, the person can take your money but has no obligation to take your pets. This we knew so it is necessary to pick your people wisely. The second lawyer was indignant and kept asking us how much money it could possibly cost to raise a pet - obviously he didn't have a major little chewing Hoover at home - and besides it isn't just about medical bills and new sofas it is about gratitude. So if we go together in an accident (I hate flying on same plane as my husband) our first choice now gets double the initial amount! Unfortunately, many people think that their children/grandchildren etc. will take in their pets - just speak to people in rescues - many of the beloved pets are dumped by family after they pick up their inheritance checks. We are in our late 50s - in good health - but you never know what will happen. Our dog is 4 - we did not intend 4 years ago to get such a young dog - it just happened. He will be our last dog as I am too scared of what would happen should we die. Pets to me are people and have always been my family. Not everyone shares my view - but many do - and pets sure are nicer than my family ever was. I know there are places in the states that are setting up retirement homes that you can endow so that your pets will have a nice place to live for the rest of their lives. Personally, I would like us all to go tegether. My dog is a breed that does well with his own family - and a few chosen special people. This breed does not do well in shelters and I worry about this. I do not intend to have a funeral and I do not want an obituary and sure hope that if I do die first that my husband honour's my wishes - as stated in our wills and in separate documentation. But if I did have an obit - our dog - and especially my 2 soul mate dogs who hopefully are on Rainbow Bridge - and there had better be a Bridge - would be listed as my pre-deceased family.