Mary Diamond

Go to: Why do men still have nipples? I think it is the same answer ~

Bilgemunky ~ whack the plant back to about 6" - should come back strong and more dense this summer. A grow-spot bulb will really help get it to a nice size before you move it back outdoors for the summer. A high nitrogen fertilizer will also help produce lots of beautiful new foliage (and will replace nutrients lost/used last year). My 5 year old red banana (grows easily 6' every year) - I cut it down/even about 10 days ago. My pre-greenhouse area in the laundry room (tropicals + seedstarting) Caraccioli ~ I am pretty sure store bought banana seeds are sterile! So they won't germinate. Better to pick up a tropical from the local garden center this season. If you do decide to still try to germinate the seeds, pick up a Planters Pride Heated Greenhouse kit from Menards for seed starting, about $25 - it has a seed-starting trays and lid plus the heat mat, so all you need to pick up is the seed starting mix. Cheaper than ordering them online, pretty consistent 72-75 degree temps, saves you money so you can also pick up the grow-lights. By then you could have bought 2 banana plants! But growing from seed is rewarding ~ Michigan ranges from Zone 2 (Lake Michigan edge and eastern U.P.), to Zone 5 (very southern edge of Michigan) - the majority of the state is Zone 4. Good Luck!

I believe you will need a heat mat, uv light, and high humidity ~ most will require some scarification as well to break the seed coat. Do you know what variety you have? I have my red banana in the "growing room" (corner of the laundry, close to the furnace, converted to mini-greenhouse) to get it started for the season. Doing quite nicely with the hot spot light on it ~ doesn't do as well without the intense heat and light. Chicago Zone 5 ~

Unnhh, lessee, that's 600 for the fin, 500 for the paw, 100 for the eye, but his policy is overextended for the year, per his PPO (Pengiun Privateer Option).

Wow! What a topic for pirates to get involved in ~ I repeat, I am a strong supporter of the environment and conservation. I quit my high paying job in the city, and now just get by, working at a job in the green industry, where I can help educate the public. I drive a 13 year old vehicle that has always gotten 30 miles to the gallon. We recycle/reduce/re-use everything. My husband is a fleet manager in charge of 1400 vehicles - taking my cue, has converted his ENTIRE fleet to bio-diesel. Nagging pays - the garden center/landscape company I work at is going to be recycling everything (plant pots, pallets, as well as aluminum, paper and plastic) this year. The list goes on. I acknowledge that humans play a large part in the many environmental problems seen today, and am working to do my part to reduce my impact every day. However, there is a very basic rule which we humans, self-centered, short-lived and egotistical beings that we are, are forgetting: the Sun. The Earth is a living organism, of which we are a part. We need to take into consideration the Sun is going through change as well ~ some of which may impact us here on Earth, as well as other planets. But, I am not a scientist. I'm a horticulturalist, and I hope every day that, by educating the people I come into contact with, I can make a small difference to improve the way we treat the Earth.

I strongly support conservation and the environment ~ and I believe we are definitely contributing to global warming, species eradication, and waste of limited natural resources (etc.). However, I also feel global warming, like so many things, it is unlikely caused solely by human error. Have a look at the Little Ice Age (in conjunction with the Maunder Minimum - a time period of reduced sunspot activity), which covers several hundred years, occurring after a warm period - the Medieval climate optimum. Think of extremely long term weather patterns. The Earth is not as stable as we might think - events just happen on a scale which is difficult to comprehend.

I agree - John Raven McCray, most pleasing to the ear ~

^ Not since we got Diamond! She's caged in the kitchen overnight ~ < Hmmm, forgot what goes next Ok, now me n my cold tootsies are off to find my unsuspecting hubby ~ g'nite.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZ Huh? Oh, right ~ V Favorite cheese? (mmmmmmmmm cheeeese)

^ Historical fiction (more fun to read), or Shakespeare < Wish I had 4 lifetimes to do everything I want to ~ V What are you doing still awake?

I should be able to come up with something!

Maeve, my dear! Such lovely and thoughtful plunder, with a new plunder box to boot! Perfect, as I needed a small box for all my pyrat baubles which I wear to events, so I won't keep misplacing my jewels! And the crow ~ how perfect! with the lovely baubles (the pin - oh my!) ~ a wonderful treasure indeed. Keep an eye on next weeks post for your plunder!

My goodness! What a refreshingly alternative perspective! I haven't been in pyrates long myself, but the vast majority of newcomers are in the "it sounds fun" category (myself included). You, my friend, are someone I would like to get to know better! Perhaps a new topic thread on the subject, as time permits? I, for one, would be quite interested in the mercantile aspect ~ Lead on!

Careful where you be swingin', mate. A lot of quality material was pulled together very quickly by very few, in case you didn't notice how exhausted the Archangel crew was ~ a bit of tolerance, if you please. From a marketing perspective, a bell is a very recognizable tone, which can serve to bring groups to areas for demonstrations, events, etc. i.e. "Be sure ye swabs be back when 4 bells are rung, for the attack on the fort" (or whatever). People may not have a watch, or forget the time, but they will remember when they hear the bell rung.

Welcome, sweet Red Clover ~ A rum for m'self, if you please, while I listen for tales from afar ~

If I might be so bold ~ I recommend you contact Hatcrafters for your hat. Considerably more reasonable than anywhere else I have found, they custom make the hat for you, to your size and color specifications. They carry an extensive selection of wonderful hats available in a wide range of colors (swatch card available upon request). This link is to one of the 20 pages of hats they offer - 22 hats on this page alone! http://www.hatcrafters.com/page5.htm My advice: call them directly, or email them the image - they may add the extra dent in front for a small fee. The lady I spoke with was extremely knowledgeable and service oriented. Hope this helps!

Ah, correct ~ Thank you, Hurricane! I should have said Wednesday flight out ~

What sweet plunder the post has brought me today! Fyne adornment indeed, handmade items from 2 talented ladies. Thank you both, Ransom and Duchess! Sparkly bits for my lobes, and a lovely pin for long tresses ~ both fit for a Queen!

Ha! See Rats, told you to listen to me Mary, yes we should do our best to arrange travel as a group. Although I'm the one who will be the pill & insist on taking a direct flight. If nothing else, I really want to meet with others at the airport & head to Key West as a group. Right now I lean towards the bus because it's cheapest & convenient but if there were enough people to pack into a car that could work too. I intend to ship everything and only fly with my little carry on. I don't *do* checked baggage. Just don't trust it not to disappear. Agreed, Chole. I am also in favor of a direct flight ~ The extremely tentative plan for us: fly out of O'Hare Thursday Nov 29 early morning (before 10am), arrive Miami early afternoon (before 2pm), drive to KW to arrive early evening/dinnertime (before 7pm). Hope this helps ~

? What about the weather? It is hot, humid, and sunny, just the way I like it, with lovely breezes ~ definitely linen weather, if there ever was, for anyone warm-blooded (that would not be me ). At least, that is what I remember from last year. The only downside was it rained the last day.

Yay, Rats! That would be AWESOME! Hope everything works out -

Rats, Chole and any others potentially attending/travelling thru O'Hare ~ Seems like there might be enough people heading down from O'Hare to justify working out schedules and such for a group trip? Last year for PiP we flew into Miami, which was a real easy jump onto the highway, and nice drive down through the Keys. I wonder if there is such a thing as a group rate for airlines? And what would it consist of? I am planning on building my sailors chest to airline standards for checked baggage, in case I decide to go that route instead of just shipping it to Harry.

During our visit to Italy for the 2006 Olympics in Torino, we made a side trip to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower, then just up the coast to Viareggio for their Carnivale ~ Look closely at the center of the photo - you'll see the DJ, which gives you a better idea of how massive these moving floats are. Makes Macy's look like kidsplay.

Ah, fond memories! Braze and Cascabel were kind enough to introduce us to Goode Captain Finbar and his wonderful wife. Welcomed aboard the Wolf and brought to the beach for the attack ~ they made us feel like part of the family. I am SO looking forward to attending again this year!

Mustn't forget we had that glorious waxing gibbous moon (almost full) and clear skies last year ~ so the grounds were fairly well lit. This year we will be in the last quarter, so we will have significantly less moonlight even with clear skies. I expect unlit trips to the loo by the lit might become a little more interesting ~

Boots and Red Cat ~ Happy to hear everything has reached you in good order! I do like to share my experiences, and am glad to hear they are well received. Boots, dear, thank you for wonderful treasure! And gemmies, too ~ ah, glorious sparkly color, perfect for my little treasure chest. The pin and tartan are wonderful, and I will proudly wear it. I have traveled Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the western US - I do believe the beautiful postcards you send are beckoning me to explore our eastern states. Perhaps we will meet at PiP 2007? Sweet Jacky Tar, I see why Red Cat is so fond of you! Your treasure is thoughtful, beautiful and absolutely perfect. Such perfect timing ~ my crocus, tulips and hellebore are all blooming, and the urge to get out and work the soil is nigh on irresistable. This brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart ~ well done! and thank you ~