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Mar 28, 2008 | 7:50 AM PST

Today, I leave to spend a long weekend at my dad's house in eastern WA. I am not crazy about E.WA (went to college over there), while we are almost experiencing spring on this side-they are freezing over there. I packed my 'Under Armour' and ski gloves so I can still run. They retired to Selah twenty eight years ago, so it's my second home. My step-mom (72yo)has metastasized esophageal cancer (6yrs), time is of the essence-hers on this earth will end soon. I am looking forward to the time spent, hopefully soothing her and making her load a bit easier.

Brownthumb had suggested to Gardenbug8 to select a plant to remind her of her sweet sister, Anna. So, I plan on making that a joint decision with D so she is aware of the love that surrounds her. We have a lovely lace leaf maple planted for T, my late husband (died of ALS)-I think of him every time I see one! It will be interesting to see what we come up with for D. D loved to garden, she did it big-never bought a few bulbs, she would buy 500 or 1000. My love of cannas came from her, though I only recently ventured to plant any.

I have the kindest husband in the world who offered to care for my mother w/Alzheimer's (who lives w/us)so I could visit D....bless him! My 17yo promised to keep the castor beans & luffa seeds moist so all that's really left is opening the garage doors for those plants(brugmansias & plumerias, etc) to become more acclimated. The plants in the courtyard waiting for homes are covered in burlap during the night due to our cold snap-hope one of them remembers to uncover during the day....

Oh, and my puppy is staying home, now that could be the issue. She is so quiet, it's quite possible nobody will remember to take her out!!!! Thankfully, we have mostly hardwoods, slate or cork floors & a gallon of Pet Ayre!

This was kinda about gardening-more rambling than gardening though. Looking forward to what God has in store this weekend! See ya next week~Andrea

7 Member Comments

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bsmitch	Mar 28, 2008 \| 8:39 AM PST We have a lot of parallels, your family and my family. We took care of Sandy's Mom who had Alzheimer's until she died. Sandy's brother died of ALS. I am a cancer survivor. My son lives in Maple Valley, Wa. I have a big problem or worry when I hear that you are growing caster beans. Although they are a very beautiful plant, they are very,very poisonous and dangerous to have around children and pets. The beans are the source of ricin, one of the most poisonous substances on this earth and has a contact relationship with ALS. I have done a lot of research on this and I advise everyone to stop growing them. You are my friend, so I feel compelled to write this warning. You have a great day and happy gardening. Bill Mitchell
RKayne	Mar 28, 2008 \| 1:13 PM PST Have a safe trip, you are missing the snow HERE, lol!
kerryh	Mar 28, 2008 \| 2:53 PM PST Bill whats the deal with caster beans and Als. I have never heard of this before. I work with the ALs everyday . How interesting. I knew they were bad ,so I have never grown them nor nightshade plants.
bsmitch	Mar 28, 2008 \| 4:41 PM PST When I was researching ricin and where it came from, the connection came up. Years ago , when they pressed the caster beans to extract the oil, they used the left over dry pulp for cheap commercial fertilizer on golf courses and ball fields. They think Lou Gerhig may have contracted the disease through his contact with the dirt and grass from the fields he played ball on. Go to this link. http://tpals.org/ricin1.htm Your friend, Bill Mitchell
humphreyhufnagel	Mar 30, 2008 \| 5:12 PM PST I'm sure your time this weekend will be well spent. It's so good to have supportive people around you!
garden98011	Mar 30, 2008 \| 8:11 PM PST I am back-thank you for your comments. Bill, thanks for the info. I emailed Dr. John Ravits-national ALS guru (& T's neurologist)about the Ricin. I'll let you all know his response. Rachel-Crazy, crazy weather while I was gone. I stopped @ Wells Medina & Molbak's on the way home. Beautiful sun @ Wells then was caught in the hail at Molbak's! Kerry-will have to look up nightshade plants... Humphreyhufnagel-it was an oddly wonderful weekend....sooooo happy to be home!~Andrea
garden98011	Mar 31, 2008 \| 10:34 AM PST WoW-Dr. Ravits replied asap, probably because I am sending red vines for his response (his weakness)! This is it: In answer to your question, I am not aware of any toxicity from castor beans. The only plant that I am aware of is a tropical nut called cicad that has been investigated mostly in association with an epidemic in Guam in the 1950's...Thanks you for the info Bill, over the years I have spent countless hours reading about ALS(especially prior to the diagnosis & during T's illness), but there is always something else popping up. I am going to inform others to wear gloves when handling the seeds~Andrea Last edited by garden98011 on March 31st at 10:36 AM.

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