Answers

Lynne: Pam bought the vase at Kittelberger's, in Webster.

Bonnie: Here's Kathy's answer about drainage in the shoe planters.

"Great question! The shoe planters don't seem to require any holes for drainage. Many of them are natural materials that breathe but even the vinyl ones seem fine. Because they are a "small container", they tend to be dry rather than stay wet for long. With all the rain last spring, I simply would pour out any excess water that collected and they did fine. Because they are more dry than wet, the hens, chicks and sedum as plants do great. The shoes can also winter over and I've had some here at home for years. I put them in a protected place in the winter, but make sure that they get enough moisture (snow and rain) so they don't dry out too much. When I plant in rubber boots, I fill the bottoms with stone and sand to help with drainage - these would be easier to put holes in if you so wished. Hope that this is helpful to you!"

Von: There are two holes on the sides of the grill that the birds use to enter the grill. Even with the canvas cover on, they manage to get inside. I grilled a steak tonight so I moved the nest to the top of the (outside) of the wall air conditioner unit. The steak was good and boy, do I loves me some fried starling eggs. I made a little hollandaise sauce .... mmmm!

And I showed my bird-loving friend, Sherry, the pictures of the nest and she offered to buy me a new grill too! It's interesting to see what the nest is made of - largely hay from the surrounding fields, some bird feathers, some bits of black plastic.

Geri Reddy

Our first year in this house, I found several tiny nests that had fallen out of trees and I sure want to believe they were hummingbird nests. There was lots of cow hair in those nests, which was pretty cool. I kept several for quite a while, in our family room, which is pretty much bird decor.

I know I've shown you this before - a robin's nest that I found on the ground a couple of years ago and now it sits on top of the verticals in the family room.

Since I know you're dying for a medical update, I'm happy to report that this is the first day since April 13th (I looked it up) that my voice has been relatively normal. I'm taking this to mean I've turned a corner and will sleep pretty well tonight. Steve and I are about to go in the hot tub for a few minutes. That always loosens things up nicely.

These menopausal mood swings aren't horrendous or anything, but I feel like I have full blown PMS. Since I started taking Effexor 4 years ago, I haven't had a drop of PMS. Fluctuating hormones. What a bitch. This morning I was mopey and sad or something. By this afternoon I wanted to punch someone.

This too shall pass.

I went to the eye doctor this morning and my up close prescription changed a little so I'm getting new glasses. I don't wear my glasses for up close stuff so I guess I really didn't notice much. But then I remembered that when I was reading in bed the other night, I was thinking of the joke about my arms not being long enough to hold the book at a distance at which I could read comfortably (without my glasses). Good thing Steve wasn't in bed or I'd have propped the book up on his head to be able to read. I'm having them put new lenses in my current frames because I still like them quite a bit. And finally - I get to have Progressive bifocals - no lines! I don't know what possessed me to get the kind with lines last time. Well, actually, I do. The doctor told me his wife preferred the lined bifocals, especially when doing stitching while watching TV. I don't think he knew I do that kind of stuff, but I fell for it hook, line and sinker. Even after Mom told me not to. Always listen to the mama.