The Garden Shed

12:55 AM

@Sue Mods can see all their site's chat rooms, even deleted ones. If the person you want to talk to is a moderator on a second site, they could set up the private chat room for you there (but then the other mods on that second site could see it too). SE chat isn't really set up for truly private conversations I'm afraid.

Bamboo

10:40 AM

@stormy ne''er a truer word was spake! counting one's blessings is valuable, but to me paved streets, lots of mixed peoples, shops, restaurants and street lights are blessings!

4-K

1:00 PM

@stormy wait. You want me to go to the river? that's more than 9 miles :O

Quick question:

@Bamboo @stormy Can I use Perlite with Clay? I only have clay.

Sue

5:12 PM

@NiallC. Thanks. I did contact the mod on that site, and was told, as you said, that there's no full privacy, although he offered to try to figure something out if there was no other way he could help. He also said that you guys (mods) generally respect locked rooms, which I think you had told me before.

Actually, the second site thing can be a good idea in a case like this, where the mods from the second site wouldn't be directly affected and risk misunderstanding or getting hurt feelings.

I didn't want to use names, but that mod couldn't help me without links to the things I wanted to discuss. I didn't want to go looking for help and end up tying the hands of my helper, so I just decided to say what was on my mind as nicely as I could. I'm sure I could have done better, but at least I tried. I was treated very kindly and it was a fruitful discussion.

A mod's job is hard, and annoying users can take up a lot of your time, but he assured me I hadn't been a pest, as you've assured me too when I've needed you.

@Bamboo @stormy - sorry to drag you in here for personal advice, but could one of you brilliant ladies tell me how poisonous pokeweed really is? I have a lot and usually just let it be, but hubby wants to get some out of the way. Some of the things I've read say you have to practically where a hazmat suit to even touch it! Thanks!

I've looked at the questions here on the site, but am still not sure. It has fully gone by if that's helpful to know.

Bamboo

6:08 PM

@Sue mostly fine so long as humans or livestock don't eat it, though its probably advisable to cover your skin when dealing with it so the sap doesn't get on your skin, link here, scroll down a bit for toxicity info oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/single_weed.php?id=112

Niall C.

7:48 PM

@Sue I may be living dangerously, but I've always just used my regular leather gardening gloves when taking it out. I usually have a couple in my yard every year.

stormy

8:12 PM

Hey there Sue! I know that parts of pokeweed can be eaten but only old timers know enough to eat this plant. Birds and other animals are able to eat this plant with impunity and that makes me want to go learn more about this guy. Toxicity, poisoning, and mortality[edit]
The information with regard to the overall and significant toxicity of this plant and the risks to human and mammalian health it poses is consistent and pervasive.[3][10][11][12][13] In summary, with regard to distribution through the plant: the poisonous principles are found in highest concentrations in the rootstock, the…

Sue

8:34 PM

@Bamboo @stormy @NiallC. Gee thanks for all these responses so quickly! Some of those pages Bamboo and Stormy quoted resemble things I've looked at. My inclination would be like Niall, to just grab some gloves and protect my hands. Reading about the animal part made me start thinking about my bunnies, chipmunks, squirrels. They don't eat it, so I haven't worried a lot. Now I'm wondering though, if I pull some out, if the soil where the roots have been be dangerous.

Anytime we turn soil, the birds, bunnies, chips, squirrels, ants, and all other critters immediately check out what may have been uncovered. They dig up and munch on anything that has been tucked away. Some roll around in the fresh dirt, or plant acorns or sunflower seeds. Chips, especially at this time of year, dig where the tunneling is easy while they prepare for winter.

I suppose since I've never seen a dead animal in the area, I'm probably over-reacting.

We humans can take care of ourselves, but the other guys are our responsibility.

Thanks for all the advice, here and on the site itself. I must run because there's a bunny just outside the window munching on some clover and I have to take some pictures to add to the hundreds I already have. Our children have stopped wondering why our animal pictures far outnumber our family pix, that's just the way we are.!

Stephie

@Sue we want to see bunny pictures, too!

stormy

@4-K How funny!! Yes I do! It is free stuff! Maybe I don't understand India and travelling in India. I've walked that far (not happily). From seeing a bit of the exchange for these hundreds of (?) to equal a few bucks...is it really a huge deal to purchase over the internet? Grins...I am loving finding out how things work in another country, and remember, I know you're not some backward country!! What is it that you do for a living? Don't need to be too specific...

Stephie

Hey @stormy! We haven't been here at the same time in a while! How are you?

stormy

@Sue Arrrggghhh! If you send your bunny pics I'll send mine! Wow. I lost my beloved feral kitty a year ago and then in retribution (grins) I started feeding bunnies!!

@Stephie I am just fine, Ms. Steph!! Thank you for asking! I've been reading your comments here in chat and you sound like you are doing just wonderfully. How many kids have you got? Did you take them on the plane (that flew over London and Bamboo)?

Stephie

8:50 PM

Glad to hear you're fine!

I have two kids and actually we were in England twice this summer.

The first trip was by car, the whole family, travelling all over the country. And we loved it. One of the best holidays ever.

And then hubby & I wanted a few days "grownup time", booked the kids at the grandparents and flew right back to London.

stormy

@Sue Wild animals don't (sadly) need any help from us humans!! In fact I am learning that a little interference really imbalances everything!! Do not worry about wild animals...just domestic cats and dogs. Seriously. They know what to eat and what not to eat!! I LOVE my bunnies...and am having to try real hard not to get attached. Started with 2 baby bunnies and now I have at least 20 plus. The death is about 9 of 10 baby bunnies die. Otherwise we'd have 50+.

@Stephie You are one smart cookie, Steph. Seriously!! I am glad you made some remember forever memories! You eat well, you understand plants so frickin' well...what a life that YOU have made!! Kudos kid!!!

Stephie

@stormy thanks - that kind of compliment is a rare treat for me. If you are in the middle of the rat race, you tend to forget to step aside and observe what's really going on.

stormy

@Sue It is so tough NOT to notice the babies. How can any other creature be cuter than a baby bunny! Yet, they were born as predator's FAST FOOD. I love the thumping, too. Fascinating that they KNOW they are fast food, procreation is their best defense...that and their zig zag running. Once they become a 'teenager' the dangers are mostly equalized.

@Stephie Ha ha ha, I have stepped 'outside' of the 'rat race' a few years ago. What a major relief. No makeup, no taking showers twice a day, no meetings, being very reluctant to work at making friends. We are just too different from most here in this podunk town. Old age is not for sissies, let me highlight that!! Very amazing how life turns out but strength is in adaptability!!

@Stephie ...and having a spouse who knows you, will always see you as a young, beautiful you and going through old age together is critical. Couldn't imagine being alone NOW. Used to be just fine for decades alone but my goodness, gotta have someone you can make laugh, laugh with and be able to fart freely!!

Stephie

9:08 PM

@stormy I expect to go back soon - then it will be makeup and meetings for me again. I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I need to get out of the housewife rut, on the other, I'm not sure what I'm to expect and how everything will work out.

@stormy I couldn't agree more. After well over 20 years, we very much rely on each other. I once said we are like two trees, that grew up together and now are intertwined.

stormy

9:35 PM

@Stephie Just read my words, Steph! You slow down and work at enjoying every moment being a HOUSEWIFE. Or you'll regret not being more aware during this period of your life. The roles you'll play later are waiting patiently. One can work their butt off trying to do both, mommy and money maker...get educated up the ying yang and then discover all that work was irrelevant in the big picture...EXCEPT for being mommy, wife, partner...house keeper and great cook!!

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