To further add to George K's wonderment and confusion this plant is probably known to some as Winter Creeper. Although highly invasive it does have its uses.

In our case, our drive gives way to a steep drop before the back and side yards start. We stabilized this with heavy rock and then to keep that from rolling into the yard we planted Winter Creeper which has grown to a nice two foot shrub like appearance and being Evergreen remains attractive year round. The fruits are similar to those in the picture but a little more on the orange side.

The nps.gov site describes is as follows:

Euonymus fortunei (Turkz.) Hand.-Maz.
Bittersweet family (Celastraceae)

Origin: China, Japan, Korea

Background
Winter creeper, or creeping euonymus, is an evergreen perennial vine that was introduced as an ornamental groundcover.

Please note that any queries re: the abbreviations above (Turkz. Hand.-Maz.) should be forwarded to Billy Joe Fudge.

- Jon Halsey Knifley --jon halsey

Thanks to all who responded to my photo of the bittersweet vine. After further review of the vine/tree itself and careful reading of all of the input from my friends I have concluded that the confusion over whether it's an Oriental Bittersweet or an American Bittersweet can be blamed on both me and mother nature. First, the photo I sent was really not a very good representation. That's my bad. But Mother Nature my also be partly to blame. According to Google "It is expected that Oriental Bittersweet might hybridize with native bittersweet." So it's possible we have an Ameriental or an Orientican Bittersweet and everyone is right. Sort of. --George Kolbenschlg

Beyond the daily staying just alive,
both stances -- working for and taking from --
attract the diligent who briskly strive
to match their hopes or shine with trinkets dumb.

Beyond the comfort of enough success,
both urges -- normal needs and wild desires --
contend within unsatisfied who dress
to show their strengths or hide their weaker wires.

Beyond the settled habit and routine
both outlets -- other self and fated one -
determine to create the crowning scene
to demonstrate controlled or freeing fun.

Acknowledging that more than self sets course
enables life adjustments to each force.

- Robert Stone, 11 November 2012

Remembering Jean McLean: she loved and worked hard for Columbia As Gary Lane recalled, I, too, will always remember that Jean McLean had a heart for service. She worked hard for the restoration of downtown Columbia. We shared a love of our heritage and a goal to see the buildings restored and used again. When I see the wonderful work done by her son Dan Antle - which sparked a renewed and ongoing interest in downtown - I alway think of his mother, Jean McLean, and all the many other contributions she has made to our community. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She brightened my day, each time I saw her. What a treasure she's been! What wonderful memories of her we cherish. - Linda Waggener

We have lost a prominent member of Columbia's society, Saturday, November 10, 2012: Smokie, a close friend and companion of Dan Affolter (of the Breeding community) passed away this morning.

To those of you who were "Smokie Watch" friends: Be assured you have had the privilege of meeting and knowing one the finest example of man's best friend.

To Dan: I'm truly sorry for your loss.

- Jim Hitt

"On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as 'the Great War.' Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars." source -- : history dot com site

The clock reads four AM,
Rubber boots set by the door.
Coffee, the only prelude to
Silent feet upon the floor.

Outside, silos, concrete monuments
Stretch toward reddened sky.
Security lights begin to dim
As cattle groan and blow nearby.

The day, now placid and calm
Will soon erupt into song.
A tune played over and over
On days that are hot or cold and long.

Then the serenity is ruptured
By vacuum pumps, bawling calves and coughing.
Each "old friend" communicates by
Standing still, swishing tail or stomping.

Summer days filled with seed,
Fertilizer, diesel fuel, sweat and dust.
Filled with paper work, silage,
Tractors, hay and sometimes disgust.

Wintertime is dark, long and cold.
Its drop cords, starting fluid and ice.
There's frozen pipes, swollen udders,
Mud and darting, big eyed field mice.

Yet, thank God, there's peace,
Purpose and eating out on Friday night.
Church, little league, friends
And baby calves-what a sight!

A wholesome life of rook parties,
Neighbors and cokes at country stores,
Seminars, deer and quail and
Short vacations on distant shores.

Now the clock reads 10 PM,
Rubber boots set by the door.
Only two things that can be heard-
An I love you, and a snore.

-Billy Joe Fudge-

Hazardous Weather Hazardous Weather Outlook 3:51 AM ET SUN NOV 11 2012 "STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE TODAY AS THE PRESSURE GRADIENT TIGHTENS AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING STORM SYSTEM. EXPECT SUSTAINED WINDS BETWEEN 10 AND 20 MPH WITH GUSTS BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH. USE CAUTION IF PLANNING TO BE OUTDOORS ON THIS WARM HOLIDAY.

A SOLID LINE OF SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP ALONG AND JUST BEHIND A COLD FRONT TOWARD DAWN ON MONDAY. ANY THUNDERSTORM THAT DEVELOPS MAY CONTAIN GUSTY WINDS...HEAVY RAINFALL AND CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. IN ADDITION...CONTINUED STRONG GRADIENT WINDS ARE EXPECTED JUST AHEAD AND BEHIND THE COLD FRONT. EXPECT WINDS OF 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 25 TO 30 MPH."

The National Weather Service in Louisville, KY, has issued the following forecast for Columbia, KY. This forecast from at Update on 11 Nov 5:15 am CT

Veterans Day - Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. .

Tonight - Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4am. Low around 58. South wind 13 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

For complete current National Weather Service forecast: Click to National Weather Service for Columbia, KY

The Kentucky Mesonet is The Commonwealth's Official Source for Weather and Climate Data.
Mesonet stations are live in: Adair - Casey - Cumberland - Metcalfe - Taylor

• Tom Chaney: Of Writers and Their Books - Around the Track Once More
• Billy Joe Fudge: Poetry - Poetry by Billy Joe Fudge: Rubber Boots Upon the Floor
• Chuck Hinman: Wartime Reminisences -Scared Spitless - a story for Veterans' Day
• Robert Stone: Poetry - More than self, a sonnet

I was wondering if a person has to be present to win the quilt. It is beautiful! - Carolyn Gaskins