Messages

1801

Pond Chat / Re: Planting Black Taro

« on: August 26, 2006, 09:14:33 PM »

I always get so jealous of Ya'll in warmer climates.  :'( I bring mine inside, and keep them in the Bay window in my kitchen. They get quite leggy because of the lack of light (Chicago winters are miserable), and I spray the aphids off them around Jan-Feb.
This is my first year with Imperial, so I'm excited about that.

I had some plain Green Taros that I bought at the veggie stand and grew from tubers- they actually did the best this year after being stored bare-root in the basement. None of them get big like the ones in the South.

Did anybody see the Taro segment on the "Dirty Jobs" show? He (forgot name  ) was on a Taro farm in Hawaii and had to propagate Taro plants. According to him, Taro is the 13th most farmed food crop. It was interesting how the plant was ripped out of the mud, all the leaves cut off (for selling as a tortilla-like food wrap), the stalk was cut off at the meristem and replanted for a new cycle of growth, and the corms collected to be sold as a root crop (to make Poi).

Not a dirty job that I would mind! In fact, I didn't think it was that dirty at all. Maybe that guy should come over here and repot all my mucky lilies. 

1802

Chit Chat / Re: I'm taking a road trip

« on: August 26, 2006, 08:57:50 PM »

Steve, you better stop by on your way home! I can reciprocate your wonderful meal and feed you dinner (or lunch, etc). Of course, you are more than welcome to crash here. Still have our number?

My "motherly" instinct is kicking in- Are you sure the bike is in good enough condition for that kind of drive? 

Got saddlebags? I've got a shovel... 

1803

Chit Chat / Re: Poop ID, please!!!!!!!

« on: August 26, 2006, 08:51:46 PM »

So THAT's possum poop, eh? Thanks- that is good info. I have lots of poop around here, so it's always nice to ID it.


Now that I have a nice sized Concord grape growing all over my pergola, we have some new poop we need to ID. Whatever the animal is, it climbs up the pergola, and drops grapes & poop all over the deck. I'll take a picture next time it happens and post it here for the poo poo experts. 

1804

Pond Chat / Re: Congratulations Craig!! best new waterlily 2006!!!

« on: August 24, 2006, 08:43:25 PM »

Nice. 

Congrats!

1805

Chit Chat / Re: Ever feel like you've been run over by a truck?

« on: August 24, 2006, 08:17:39 PM »

Esther, best wishes for your Dad. He sounds like a strong man, and able to withstand such injuries and come back like a Champ. Good for him! I'm glad he is doing so well.
Best wishes and prayers to your Dad and your family.

1806

Chit Chat / Re: Today was my last Chemo!

« on: August 24, 2006, 08:13:17 PM »

Ahhh. I'm so glad, and so relieved for you. Congrats!  Our entire family hopes the best for you.

1807

Chit Chat / Re: The Tragedy of 9/11, a power-point presentation

« on: August 24, 2006, 08:47:29 AM »

I tried downloading & installing the 2003 power point viewer, but it is not working.

I'm going to send this to my hubby at work. He'll be able to see it.

Thanks for posting this, Louis. I completely agree with your rationale. 

Edit- Got it to work. Very moving. It appears that some of the pics are slightly out of chronological order. I was moved more by the single-person images than the large scale images. Don't know why, because back when it was happening I was struck by the large scale. I suppose that "now", I am more struck by those single images more than anything. Like the woman who was so covered in ash that she looked like a marble sculpture. And the black woman leaning on a shoulder: to me that was an expression of pure pain. Not to mention the gal sitting on the sidewalk covered in blood. Nope, I won't ever forget.

1808

Pond Chat / Re: Savio skimmer w/brushes modification...

« on: August 24, 2006, 07:30:16 AM »

Rocmon, nice job. I need to get over to KP and do some research, as I've been wanting to modify my Savio since day 1.

So you completely removed the UV sleeves, or just stuffed them with brushes? Mine are empty right now.
I've been thinking about doing what cfarm mentioned and filling the weir voids with foam. Don't like that void, and find frogs hiding in there all the time.

I've added several BK brushes, and modified the pad slightly, but more needs to be done. Should have added a drain when installing, but did not and now I pay at cleaning time.

1809

Pond Chat / Thanks, Livetogarden! Look at my present!

« on: August 23, 2006, 10:38:19 AM »

Livetogarden Cath sent me this adorable frog. 
Thank you, Cath!

It has a bobbing tongue, with a little fly on it. I think he/she really likes my pond. 



The people I've met through here have been the nicest people anyone would want to meet. Pond people are good people. 

Thank you, Cath. I will take good care of him/her.

1810

Pond Chat / Re: pond landscaping imput.. help for next year....

« on: August 20, 2006, 10:17:53 AM »

I think it looks nice, and agree with the others.

However, when I get a bare spot like that, which is dry, I've had great success with water plants. Seriously. Just get a waterproof container, fill halfway with dirt & fert, then add plants. Then top it off weekly, just like the pond (or however often you like). A tall Papyrus would look good there, some water Cannas, umbrella palm, or a lotus.

I did that with a dry patch next to my driveway this year, and it totally changed the character of the area. It was just a leftover lotus, but it looks a lot better than the ugly dry patch of crabgrass that it was.

1811

Chit Chat / Re: Finally!!! They Arrested someone for killing JonBenet

« on: August 17, 2006, 09:53:15 PM »

Cath, your 17 YO son is very insightful. It really causes me to pause, too. It seems obvious that the little girl was quite beautiful & talented, but the cost far outweighed any kind of reward. I'd love to see the pervert who killed her put away forever.

So sad. :'(

1812

Chit Chat / Re: Neighbor doesn't understand

« on: August 17, 2006, 08:10:51 PM »

Loony, That's funny, cuz the neighbor closest to me always comments on what a green thumb I have, and how everything looks so nice. The simple fact is that I don't have a green speck on my body, much less thumb. Whatever grows grows, and whatever doesn't grow dies. Yet, my sister never has anything nice to say about all the work that goes into it. She can only say how nice her own yard looks, with virtually no time invested.
She does have pretty grass, though. 

1813

Chit Chat / Re: Finally!!! They Arrested someone for killing JonBenet

« on: August 17, 2006, 08:01:07 PM »

I don't believe media hype. I'll believe DNA matches, though, which I hope comes to pass. Hopefully, this investigation will put away the criminal and put to rest the rumors.

I do think the little girl was beautiful, but find it a tad strange that her parents  exploited her so much. I would never want my kids involved with any of that "pagent" type of garbage, although there are certainly parents out there that think it's normal. Strange world.

1814

Pond Chat / Re: Lily suggestions please...

« on: August 16, 2006, 09:52:48 PM »

I guess I have it bad..   just stop now.

tinkster

    

Yup!  Just STOP! 

1815

Chit Chat / Re: Just wanted to say how much I appreciate all you guys!

« on: August 16, 2006, 09:45:37 PM »

Louis, I did the train from NY to Ca, and it is no picnic. Don't do it. Just get over it and fly.
Imagine a bunch of old guys in a bar car across hundreds of miles of plains... not fun at all.

1816

Chit Chat / Re: I know I'm too young!!!

« on: August 16, 2006, 06:22:39 PM »

Ouch. Teresa, your "day of reckoning" is approaching soon. This is the day when your child drives off (by herself), and you have that horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach... wondering if you've done a good job.
Time flies. :'(

I wish you well.

1817

Chit Chat / Re: Just wanted to say how much I appreciate all you guys!

« on: August 16, 2006, 06:18:59 PM »

Are you kidding? I'd be more than happy to repot lilies... no room or car necessary. Just me, a bunch of nice dirt, and peace & quiet. Ahhh, there's the rub. No peace & quiet allowed for Mom.
We just got back from our short "vacation". Kids had a blast. We are absolutely exhausted. 

1818

Pond Chat / Re: Stocktank Waterfall Filter

« on: August 13, 2006, 09:08:16 PM »

I like the newer design. Ours was a "version 1.0" and the drainage comes out of the side instead of out the bottom. Someday we will upgrade to "version 1.2", but I'm sure that by that time there will be a "version 4.1". 

1819

Pond Chat / Re: A little cutie...

« on: August 13, 2006, 09:04:50 PM »

 "The leaves remind me of pickeral, altho a little more fleshy."

There are over 1500 species of pickeral in the USA. 

Hi Marilyn!

1820

Pond Chat / Re: Filtered water lily pics

« on: August 10, 2006, 06:51:57 PM »

Sorry for picking your brains so much, but I really am a "point & shoot" gal, and have real problems with photography.

Louis, Well Butter My Butt And Call Me a Biscuit! There really is a white mark on the lens!
"take the photo 90 degrees to the sun and point the white dot or pin to the sun."

OK, I get pointing the white dot, but not sure I get "90* from the sun" part. I have never been very good at that kind of thing. Do you think you could give me a simplified example of what you mean? I'd really appreciate it.

Cindi, When doing that, do you use the regular viewfinder or the LCD screen?

Thank you.

1821

Chit Chat / Re: Infrared Cloudscape.

« on: August 10, 2006, 06:38:50 PM »

It is indeed surreal. Looks like it could be another planet, or antarctica.

1822

Chit Chat / Re: I Won! I Won!

« on: August 10, 2006, 06:36:13 PM »

I remember that. You were justifiably mad, IMO. Good for you! 

Avon used to make a perfume that I liked very much. It was called Fantasque or something, by Louis Something. Quit buying it when my friend died, she sold Avon. 

Enjoy your well-deserved cruise! 

1823

Chit Chat / Re: Woke up to a flat tire . . . .

« on: August 10, 2006, 08:42:26 AM »

I have the perfect solution.

You know those small bags of air people use to ship things? Take the small bag of air, and tuck it behind hubby's rear tire. When he goes to back up out of the garage (or driveway, etc), he will run over the bag and pop it.

May sound lame, but it makes a large popping sound and usually wakes a person up real quick. He will think his tire popped. When he gets out of the car and realizes his tire is not popped, he will then have to inspect the entire car to figure out what went wrong.

It's a great joke, but not to be performed on anyone with a heart condition.

1824

Chit Chat / Re: New Airline Restrictions

« on: August 10, 2006, 08:37:40 AM »

I thought medicine and baby formula were exceptions?

I guess the best way to know for sure is to call the airlines well ahead of time and clarify what is allowed.

1825

Chit Chat / Re: New Airline Restrictions

« on: August 10, 2006, 08:34:38 AM »

I heard no electronics on both local and national, but don't know how in the world they're going to work that one out.  Could you imagine standing in line for hours this morning, only to be told you must leave behind your laptop, cell phone, bluetooth, and blackberry? Yikes.
Maybe those items can be checked, but not carried on? Hope they don't ban antiperspirants/deodorants. 

My brother & family just got back from Denmark- they had a significant amount of delays & re-routes- but they actually got home within an hour of their expections and with ALL their luggage. Amazing, considering that their luggage took different routes than they did. 

21 people arrested so far... way to go! I'm glad they caught this. 
It may have been a different discussion this morning...

1826

Pond Chat / Re: At the request of Tinkster

« on: August 10, 2006, 08:25:11 AM »

Beautiful! I love the falls, and the little cherub too. 

1827

Pond Chat / Re: Filtered water lily pics

« on: August 10, 2006, 07:17:50 AM »

Rocmon and Ky Kim you are both right. I took the first pic, put the filter on, then took the second pic within a minute.

The filter has a thing that you turn, presumably to get the best filtering. I suspect that I'd be better able to judge if I were using the eyepiece instead of the LCD. I'd appreciate your input, if anyone can explain how it works. 

I resurrected this lilly this year, it had been sitting it it's pot for 4 years (neglected) and I was going to toss it into the compost. I've been through the "identification" process several times with this one, and could never figure out what it was. The pic makes it look a little more orangy or reddish than it is in real life. It's more of a buttery yellow, with just a few flecks of red at the bases of some petals. Marylin once suggested that maybe it was a seedling of Texas Dawn.

1828

Chit Chat / Re: Culinary Genius- a Manly Cake

« on: August 09, 2006, 07:56:07 PM »

Steve, oh no- I didn't make it.

If you go to blackwidowbakery.com, it looks like a gal who recently went to culinary school and is setting up a web bakery. I personally like the "wierd" stuff, like her Steak Cake, Zen Garden, and Colon Cake. Not everyone's cup of tea, but definitely different and very creative.

I liked the commentary, too. How funny!

1829

Chit Chat / Culinary Genius- a Manly Cake

« on: August 09, 2006, 07:23:04 PM »

http://www.blackwidowbakery.com/demo/meatcake/

I am going to make this for my kids. I'll tell them that we're having cake for dinner. They will be so excited, happy, and amazed that Mom would make real cake for dinner.
Then, as the pieces of cake get slapped on to their plates they will be filled with horror.  I am such a bad Mom! 

I'll bet they eat it, though.

1830

Chit Chat / Re: WHen I couldn log in to the forum My first though was oh no not like AWG....

« on: August 09, 2006, 07:08:02 PM »

Actually, I really did think that it was related to the problems Sean was having recently with speed & such, so didn't worry too much. I saw a few different error messages today when trying to access the forum. It was very nice to see one written by Sean- that's when I knew he was on the case.
Really, though, it's like having an antidote IV ripped out of your vein.

What does AFK mean? Hope Jerry's OK.