Becky, the lowest we have had is 3 degrees this winter but this was only for a day or two. I have had to wear long pants and a jumper to keep warm only on and off for 10 days I would say.

Actually now is our coldest month because of the strong cold westerlies - of which there is no sign so far! It is warm and has the feel of spring.

Elaine, my experience is daylilies like the blazing sun. Just watch they are adequately watered though. I have tried shade here but the performances of the clumps are quite unencouraging. I get a bit of summer dormancy but in no time they are off and running again.

That is 3 degrees Centigrade?

Yes about 38 Fahrenheit.

Glen, isn't it sad that we Americans have no clue as to centigrade or the metric system at all? When I was in about the 3rd grade (I'm 57 now) they said we were going to HAVE to learn the metric system b/c the rest of the civilized world used it & the US was going to begin using it very soon so we would have to learn so we could make the switch over when it happened. In 4th grade, they actually began to teach us some of the metric system. And that's the last of that. Never heard another word about it. No more metrics were taught. And by now, I have forgotten what little they did teach us. Too long ago for this memory.

So we slog along, depending on everyone who uses the metric system to translate for us into terms we can understand. We are an arrogant people as has been said of us. We should learn the metric system so others do not have to translate for us.

Ann, metric was easy to learn. The only trouble I have is imagining how tall some one is if it says they are 172 mm etc.

Gleni said:Ann, metric was easy to learn. The only trouble I have is imagining how tall some one is if it says they are 172 mm etc.

That does seem odd.

I have trouble when Brits say how many stone they weigh. That's such an odd concept.

Oh I still do it. 14lbs = one stone. I am pushing 18 of them again since giving up smoking. Sob.

Two stone gained here. I just kept telling myself the weight was healthier than smoke in my lungs. The weight is healthier...it worked eventually.

I grew up under the British system of things. In 1969 we converted from pound, shilling and pence to dollars and cents. As far as metrics, we are only a click away from a conversion chart. There are just a few formulas that we need to know in regards to the metric conversion. I try not to sweat the small stuff.
Glen did you saw the super moon this weekend? I heard that it passed real close to AU this past weekend. We were cloudy all weekend.

Mike it was cloudy all weakened, alas.

And I was born and raised in Canada, where we actually made it all the way to converting to metric. My family is still there so we visit quite often. There are still - or again? - things in the stores measured in pounds and ounces there, and most people (at least my friends) talk about distances in miles not km. I suppose it takes the older generations to die off before everyone can get on board a big change like that.

But I'm lucky, being just a little older than Ann we were taught the conversions all the way through high school, so it comes fairly easily to me.

We also had to learn French, and all signage in British Columbia is in both languages, while the school kids in Quebec did not have to learn English, and they have signs only in French which has always irked me. Sorry, I digress.

I didn't get to see the Super Moon either, but I'm going to try again tonight, although it's not absolutely full, it's still pretty close and pretty bright! Hm, that reminds, me it's garbage day . . . off to set out the bins by moonlight! It may be light enough for me to pull a few weeds on the way back in, too!

I am a teacher and many of my acquaintances are teachers also. A colleague, science teacher, said it best about the US moving to metric, he said, "We are moving to metric one inch at a time."

Elaine, there is definitely an advantage to be able to speak more than one language. It is becoming more and more essential in the USA for sure. I work with a lot of metric measurement in the auto repair industry.

Glen, how are you? You've been quiet. Is that construction depressing you?

So true, Mike, but I do wish I spoke more Spanish than French which is pretty useless to me, living in Florida. My French does make it easier to learn Spanish, and I have a little bit, but (now that I'm out of practice) not enough of either language to hold a conversation.

Debra, I just came from Glen's post in the Tropicals forum about what he's been busy with. Here it is
The thread "Attempting to save a Screw Pine Pandanus from death from a leaf-hopper infection" in Tropicals forum

Thank you, Elaine.

Debra, yes, the home construction is depressing me and, as Elaine said, I have been preoccupied with trying to save my Pandanus.

Last Friday I had trees next to me and now it is a desert.



I tried to be positive. First I got a large pile of mulch from the tree clearers. Then I got a large log from the earthmovers for a feature and finally I got two scoops of soil from them too (I will use to extend my daylily bed in the northeast.

I took hours to mulch the Pandanus leaves yesterday. Despite gloves, my hands are a mess from the spikes of the palm leaves. I couldn't play golf this morning.

But guess what, I can see three daylily scapes coming on!!!

You found Ginger's silver lining Glen.