Muddymitts said:Arlyn and Tom -- can I pick your brains just a little bit more about the tractor stuff?

Tom -- you suggested a block heater. Arlyn also mentioned a block heater. I was especially interested in the magnetic one you mentioned, Tom.

So my question is this -- is there an advantage of the block heater over the electric dipstick? What I want most is NO PROBLEMS. When it's time for me to go out there and do my barnwork, I don't need any additional work in order to *get to* my work. See what I mean? So I'll get whatever I need to set myself up for problem-free.

Thanks for any advice.

Tom's correct...the "dip stick" heater (as well as the plastic pads you 'stick on" to the oil pan) warm the engine oil (and, by *heat transfer*help to warm the other engine components. A *block heater*, whether it's one that's installed into a 'freeze plug' on the engine block, or one that magnetically sticks to the outside of the engine, heats the engine block, and , the coolant inside the engine, and, again by *heat transfer*, the engine oil that's in the pan. Either of those would do a better job of *pre heating* the engine. The "freeze plug" installed type, would, IMHO, be the best (they actually have a heating element that's in direct contact with the engine coolant, and, in effect heat the engine block ,engine oil (by heat transfer) and also, through the circulation brought on by heating the coolant, the coolant in the radiator is heated, as well.
Downside to that type is your service man would need to install it ( not a big job...only takes a short time)as it's not something you would want to tackle yourself. You could have it done the next time you have the tractor in for service.

Sherry - is the seedling a perk of being Joe's neighbor? Sorry for the losses. I bet all the water after such a long drought is really playing havoc with the rhizomes.

We are going to have a small amount of snow tonight, followed by most of tomorrow day under freezing rain. Then snow is suppose to come back around on Saturday. Everyone is preparing for being without power around here. I will be avoiding the chaos of the grocery stores today, but wish I had some bread. May need to bake some tonight. Along with chicken and such to be eaten cold.

Thanks Arlyn -- I appreciate your advice.

Leslie -- sorry to hear about the ugly weather heading your way. We're in for about the same thing, just a day earlier.

Hope your power stays on Mary Ann. And Gabe, and Bonnie......

Sorry for your losses Sherry.

To the rest of you....Stay safe and warm!

Safety wishes for all. We are on the upper edge predictions-I to 3 inches, no sweat. We had enough last year. I keep looking at the rhodendron branch which hits me at the top of my head. Resting on top of the snow last year.

Just a little coating of ice here so far. I hope that is all I get. The kittens are really confused. they have learned to climb the tool rack on the garden shed, jump from the top of that shed to the hickory tree and then up onto the house roof where they cavort in the early hours of the night sounding for all the world like 'haints'. Today it was climb, jump, climb, jump and.... whoosh, flying cats. The roof must be slick. I should not laugh, that could be me.... except not from the roof anyway.

No, no, no! Definitely should be them, not you!!!!

Bonnie, don't you wish you had a trail cam on them! I can envision the antics though.

Thank you for using the word 'haint'. We lose such good words in our language. You created quite the vivid image of your kitties. !!

Hope all is well with tornadoes in your area as well as the crazy cold weather.

Kittens are hilarious! I'd love to watch them flying!!!

Best wishes to all in the track of the storms.

tveguy3 said:It's always the ones you want most that seem to loose it. How did you come by one of his seedlings?

This is not a brand new seedling.. We have two club digs. One is at Joe's, and one is at a member's house who does some hybridizing. So I'm guessing Joe shared it with that member to help with his hybridizing.Someone handed it to me and said that I needed it I got a lot that day that were deemed too small for our sale. This was at the member's garden...

People in the know grow plants that would not be offered for sale. this is ISMs show year next year is sale to the public. We always have an auction of new introductions. That gets them into the members' gardens. Sooner or later they turn up in the sale.

Bonnie - loved your kitties description!
There are so many more predators this year that I get a bit crazy
when my two cats haven't come in and it's getting dark! A new thing to worry about!

My kitties stay inside. Too much of the worst predator out there - cars.

Kitty is an inside cat too. Leslie, How is your new kitty doing?

Miss Felina and I were starting to bond.... then I had to trap her to take to the vet. She hasn't forgiven me yet but is getting pretty demanding for her breakfast. Such a silly girl.

I'm sorry with the set back. I'm sure giving her time (and a hungry stomach) all will be forgiven.

She's beautiful Leslie! Love that face!