I’m an instructor and these are all good points. One other I would mention is not to talk during the class. It happens a lot (especially this time of year) that two friends will decide to try a class together and then spend the entire class chatting with each other. Its very distracting. It might seem an obvious point…

Just like with human health care there is wide disparity in the rates that are charged by different vets for the same procedure. I can definitely pay to shop around.

Set a goal. The goal should not be to work out 2 or 3 times a week or lose 5 pounds. Set a goal like run a 5k, or a 10k or whatever. Ride a bike 20 miles or 50 miles. Accomplish something. Results are what you will remember and what will motivate you, activities will not.

+1 for anything Mark Bittman writes. His book "How to cook everything" is excellent for learning how to cook simple, tasty meals from fresh ingredients. He also did an article a couple of years ago on 101 simple salads for summer that I still refer to. Its at [www.nytimes.com]

I have never seen cats or rats bother vegetables. I can't say about opossums. Rabbits however are a different issue. I have good luck keeping rabbits out with a motion activated sprinkler called a scarecrow.