Ohhhhhhhh them...my sister-in-law has them in her house. Now I know...but never smelled one..don't rightly care to either. Thanks Carol.

I don't squash them, and have given up taking the occasional individual outside.  I just keep a Pringles can by my computer, and whenever one wanders past, in it goes 
Carol

I don't think I ever came across a stinkbug, if I did, I didn't know it.

http://www.nj.com/homegarden/garden/index.ssf/2009/10/stink_bugs.html
nasty little things, they're a (*(*%*^$!! nuisance 
Carol
WV

Beautiful 
Now, can someone please breed a variety that eats Stinkbugs? 
Carol
WV

AND I had Meezers for over 20 years and didn't know that!  Way to go Carol!     I did know that most domestic cats have a strain of Siamese in them, and I did get into some of the genetics with my Bali (long-hair Siamese), but not like this.  Rich is going to be in awe when I read him this!   

Yes, it's a single gene, and a recessive, which is why it can be carried without being seen.  It's present in a lot of mixed breed cats, a single copy doesn't show, but can be passed on to offspring, making them carriers as well.  Then if a carrier breeds with another carrier, the kittens may get TWO copies, et Voila! Pointed kittens.  That is why someone's non-Siamese Moggie may produce little surprises   Interesting factoid: The Siamese Blue Eye reflects in photographs as red eye, whereas the non-Siamese Blue, and other eye colors, reflect green.  Google Tapetum Lucidum for yet more info     And an Odd-eyed cat may have one of each, really a trip in photos.
The long hair gene is ALSO recessive, hence the occasional Bali surprise from Siamese of uncertain ancestry.
As they say, Recessives Are Forever...
Carol
fascinated with the wonders of genetics

I have no tolerance for animal cruelty. It is senseless and completely unnecessary. That's why I'm dedicating my column to The Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust that are offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for illegally plucking out the tail feathers of an injured golden eagle.<snip>
DWR Lt. Scott Dalebout said in a press release the case is being actively investigated in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These agencies need the public's help so please call with information about this case to the Help Stop Poaching hotline at 1-800-662-DEER (3337).

I don't think I could have said it any better than Kelly Peterson, HSUS Western Regional Director,  <snip>

Once again, the H$U$ manages to get its name in the papers by inferring that it is connected with a case.  Just as in the case of the Michael Vick dogs, H$U$ infers an association with a case in which it is in no way involved, to garner yet *more money*
Kudos to the Utah DWR and US Fish and Wildlife for their REAL assistance in investigating this nasty incident, and Boos to H$U$ for yet another trip aboard others' coattails.
Carol
WV

there are actually several different forms of pigmentation disorders, both of which can result in partial coloration. 

The well-known Siamese color pattern seen in cats results from a faulty (incomplete) albinism gene, in which the color fails to develop in areas of normal temperature, but develops in cooler areas, ie: Points.  That particular gene is also the cause of the Siamese blue eye, which is not the same as the blue eye in a non-Siamese.  It is also not the same as the "dominant white", which hides other colors.  Genetics is fun :-)
Carol
Tokira Siamese and Orientals since 1970
(retired)

Mary and Wayne are some of the nicest people I've ever known.  Mary and I started breeding and showing Siamese, particularly Tabby Point Siamese, in the early 70s.  Her cattery name is Thaison, mine is Tokira.  We were both very active on the Cat Show scene in the Northeast Region of CFA for many years, yet our paths seldom crossed at shows. She was in CT, I was in NH.  I turned her on to KFalconcam a few years ago, so now you all have been able to enjoy her as well.  She and Wayne have been very fortunate to have each other for life partners.  We will all miss him terribly, and hope that, with the help of her wonderful children, she will have some good times still to come.
Carol
sad in WV

Mary -- I'm so very sorry to hear that your Wayne has passed away.  There's nothing I can say to make it better, but remember you have many friends, who care for you more than you can know.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Remember to take good care of yourself -- something that's hard to do at times like this, but so important.

Your friend,
Anne (in Toronto, ON Canada)

Adam said the other day that Mary is behind on reading e-mails, to the tune of 900 or so...
A message in the Guest Book on the CaringBridge site will be more likely to get to her.
So sad, the whole family are lovely people.
Carol
WV

From Adam Tyson (Mary's Son):
> For updates on my father and mother, Wayne and Mary Tyson, please go to
> this site and set up an account.  Please share this link with anyone you
> think might want to be kept in the loop.  The more good thoughts and
> prayers, the better.
>
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/wayneandmarytyson
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/wayneandmarytyson
>
>
> Visitors do not need a password but they do need the URL, and they have
> to set up their own user ID and password to visit.

Carol
WV

http://baetzler.de/humor/snow_shoveler.html

Another try...
Carol

Not exactly part of this thread, but I couldn't find any place else for it...
These people are regular customers in my Home Depot:
http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=239804&format=html

Carol
WV

LOL Ei! After digging my cars out for 1 and 1/2 hours this am, the *&%$ PLOW came back back and pushed all the snow back to where I just dug out. SOOOOOOOOO, I had to do it all over again.      Um, yes, I flipped him as he probably laughed all the way to the end of my road. "NO MERCY". Then I had to go babysit all day..."SCHOOLS CLOSED" but I'm here and all is well, SO FAR! Thanks for noticing. I'm trying to catch up now.

Wow!  That a LOT of whining for the gal that couldn't wait for snow    I am finally back at work - one week later! 

Ah come on Janet...wouldn't you be mad too? Not saying I didn't like the snow...I  it but there are downfalls to the snowfalls.

They kept pushing us back in for a week, but our road is clear, so I'm viewing it as the price of admission    Also, I worked so hard and so long moving snow and moving more snow that Rich bought me new diamond earrings (figured it was cheaper than the dishwasher I want)   

I still hate snow!  Now, have I tossed the bird and a few snowballs at the plows over the years    That would be very correct.  Buses, too, in my younger days.   

I found it: http://<http://baetzler.de/humor/snow_shoveler.html>

Carol
up to her ears in the stuff in the beautiful Potomac Highlands of WV

Poor birds 
This is what he have today here:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
906 AM EST WED FEB 10 2010
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-CHARLES-WARREN-CLARKE-LOUDOUN-
PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-STAFFORD-KING GEORGE-
NORTHERN FAUQUIER-SOUTHERN FAUQUIER-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WASHINGTON...WALDORF...FRONT ROYAL...
LEESBURG...MANASSAS...MANASSAS PARK...FAIRFAX...ALEXANDRIA...
FALLS CHURCH...WARRENTON...MARTINSBURG...CHARLES TOWN
906 AM EST WED FEB 10 2010

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE...SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...6 TO 12 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS EVENING. HEAVIEST
  SNOW IS EXPECTED THIS MORNING.

* TEMPERATURES...MID AND UPPER 20S.

* WINDS...WINDS WILL BECOME NORTHWEST AND INCREASE TO 20 TO 30
  MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 45 MPH. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL
  REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO BETWEEN ONE QUARTER OF A MILE OR LESS
  AT TIMES...PRODUCING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND STRONG WINDS
WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS.

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS
AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT
CONDITIONS...MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET
STRANDED...STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE.

Carol
buried up in the beautiful Potomac Highlands  :

Thanks, Donna!!!  I'm not watching the superbowl either so it's cool to see an ad

I once committed an unpardonable sin at a Super Bowl Party.  Good friends, good food, etc., and I'd been working long hours.
Sitting on the couch between three guys, in the middle of the third quarter, I went sound asleep, as in Zero Zero 

Still there 
http://outdoorchannel.com/Conservation/EagleCam.aspx

Carol
about 12 miles from it...