we would make "crutches" to help hold up the laden branches, when we had our certified organic orchard. Take a 1x4, (or something close), cut to needed length, notch it in the center of one end and prop it under a branch. It holds them up beautifully until you have harvested.

Steal away timshel!!! I'm sure I 'stole' it myself! And I love how you put it: "at some point they were where I am now... at some point I'll be where they are now" It really makes it all so clear! And regardless of the bank "owning" a property, really you are joint owners. You have some hard earned $$ invested, not to mention sweat equity. I stopped watching TV 35 years ago- one of the best things I have ever done for my well being. And stopped being a news junkie. I try to keep abreast of current events, just not immersed (under the guise of responsible citizenry). Like Cheryl stated, I feel so much better. Another quick and easy "soda" is to mix any 100% fruit juice with sparkling water (start half and half and then adjust to your personal taste). My current favorite is 100% black cherry juice with bubbly water; also unfiltered apple juice.

I've lived by the motto *Peace Begins With Me* for a long, long time. I can't control what corporations, governments, and other people do and think. I only have control over my own thoughts and actions. Have I had the thoughts you have? You bet. They creep in. What's important is to not get stuck in them. We've all had something that helped us to wake up. It looks like Zeitgeist was a really major catalyst for you. Yay!! Now you can decide what you will do. That "underlying feeling" can lead you to self empowerment and right action. Good for you guys to be building the way you are. Families judge us "nuts" when they don't understand or have a hidden fear of the truth behind our lifestyle choices. We've also been self employed for decades. Our insurance is good healthy food, keeping active strong bodies, channeling our thoughts, frustrations, anger, fears, etc into right action. Laughter and joy. There's no guarantee we won't get seriously ill. But this is what we can do and we feel good doing it. Put that effort into your property. Grow some food. Act as if. Allow yourself to be the change you want to see in the world. Peace begins with you.

How to keep a cat close to home? In a word: food!! Our cats have always been both indoor/outdoor. We have a cat door that gives them the freedom to come and go. They are great mousers. We use a clicking sound that we've associated with food. Anytime we click to call them in they get their meal or a treat if it isn't mealtime. We never click without some sort of food reward. It works like a charm, to get them to come to you when you want them. And a cat will stay close by when it knows it's food source is there. It's not really an issue, them using the beds as a litter box. But we do use cayene in the early days when we are training a new cat- sprinkled around where we don't want them. after a couple of cayene laced paw lickings they learn quickly to not step there!

Oh Happy Day! We're glad you were born!!!