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I have been pondering your comments about the TIPs program and your concern that it may be abused ... coupled with your thinking that it is incumbent on us all, as citizens, to report something we think might be useful in fighting the war against terrorism.

Recently, I realized I was in a position where I had to make just such a decision ... and made brief note of it here ... by reminding us all that, for the most part ... we are reasoned and thoughtful people ... though I admit that I occasionally stray from those vaunted traits ... HA! ... and we should trust our instincts.

To my point ... my concerns were taken very seriously ... response was immediate ... and, here's one of the most important things to remember ...

Equal time was spent making sure I didn't have a calcified Aunt Trudy stuffed in a trunk in my attic ... or a spacecraft made up entirely of dried Canna fronds and duct tape stashed not far from the bomb shelter I am digging with a spoon ...

Once those concerns were resolved ... things moved very quickly ...

My experience proved to me ... these are professionals ... and in a time of war ... they do not take chances.

I realize that I live very close to DC ... and this might have made a difference ... still ... ALL ... please ... please make the call!

Let others sort it out ... fall on the side of safety ... truly ...

Ok ... I wasn't going to mention this yet ... because it is a trial run and this is the first season ... and I really did not build an adequate control group to make this scientific in any way ...

But I see that our lysie ... whose heart is strong and pure ... but bruised, this day ... with the news of another lost kiddo ... needs a perk up ... a lasting thing ...

Years and years ago, my Uncle Al told my Dad that the best way to get a good crop of 'maters was to plant .. soup bones ... 'neath the plants when you install them. YES!

Oh! The debate which followed! ... For my Dad thought Uncle Al was off his noggin ... and Uncle Al thought my Dad was closed minded with the growing things ...

I only this Spring remembered this hot and heated debate ...

So, I tried it ... and, really ... I have never ..... NEVER ... had so many 'maters growin' in my cages ... it's to the point I have had to rig a system to support the new ones drippin' over the cages and climbin' over the beans ...

I have never been at a point where I think it a plan to pinch wee 'maters ... ones the size of ping pong balls ... just to give the poor plant a rest!

POLs ... I can hear Uncle Al and my Dad ... up there ... debatin' these results ...

"Told you!"
"Oh, just go back to your dandelion wine , you old coot ... it nearly killed us all."

Glorious life continues ... though heartache follows, sometimes ....