Tree_Fall

My experience is that dwarf mondo stays in it's nice clumps and never (7 years) spreads out to form a cover. Regular mondo (monkey grass) spreads slowly, but it does form a good solid cover. Another option is Liriope. I have areas where it's a spreading cover and other areas where it remains clumped. It has more partial dieback in winter but can have a nice flower. In damp locations Florida betony can take over all 3 of these.

Metairie is so flat that you are correct worrying about drainage 1st. Be sure to get a company with a long history there. If the pavers are stable and do not have a sand base you might be able to pour 4" of concrete over them.

Any cut of meat that has a lot of sinew an cartilage on a bone joint are great. I especially like fresh pork shoulder with a few smoked hocks included. It took me a while to learn how to limit the braising liquid to keep a nice balance between the flavor of the meat and the gravy. Sometimes a smaller pot is better.

Avoid LAX! Last year a consolidated car rental center opened. The rail shuttle serving it has not opened. The interim shuttle bus system is irregular and over crowded.

Also, driving the LA freeways can be one of life's less enjoyable undertakings. Delays seem to pop up at random any hour of day or night.

An alternative is Palm Springs, but layover times will eat up your hours.

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Australia is massive

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Spent 3 weeks flying in to Melbourne returning out of Sydney. Tasmania on the cool south to Darwin & Cairns on Tropical north. Personally enjoyed smaller Melbourne over vast Sydney. Uluru offers a full range of accommodations. Book a tour around the rock and a camel ride through the predawn bush to see sunrise on the rock. Skip Alice Springs unless you want to catch Gan train up to Darwin. Your family might enjoy trains as there used to be in US.

Rain forests are more easily enjoyed than Barrier Reef. Swimming in a "stinger suit" to avoid potentially deadly jellyfish stings takes some of the joy out of it.

NZ is a grand country without the vast arid areas of Australia. Save it for a separate trip.

Cut leg quarters off and remove backbone. Smoke those longer than breast.

Jomax has a number of active ingredients that bleach lacks including a fungicide/algaecide, a detergent, and an additional surfactant that makes it more effective. Use according to the label.

Discolored siding may stay wet and beginning to rot. Check for spongy soffit and siding. Replace as needed. In addition to being on the shady side of the house, you may have a roof-edge moisture problem or an overhanging tree.

My recollection of that era is that black population saw Wallace as honest and unambiguous in his beliefs. It had to be suspected that most other White politicians were lying racists.

The Very Large Array on US 60 is a low-attendance fascinating visit. It's on your way if driving out from Louisiana...LINK

The sight of 27 9-story tall parabolic antennae spread out on tracks 13 miles long aimed up listening to outer space is extremely impressive. You or your kids may have already seen them in sci-fi movies. We used to do some damned good stuff without our tax dollar.

Flea Market - Most well-establised ones have a vendor or two selling used tools along with fresh-from-China shiny stuff. Stick to the bins full of whatever you need. Used premium brands are usually a bit higher but nothing like new. With luck you'll also find a canvas tool bag.

Many states have closed down the public rest stops except welcome centers. It was mostly to save money, but I've been told that the gas station, truck stop, convenience store, tobacco lobbies were all for shutting them down to increase use of their facilities.