Except for a couple days in March, St. Louis weather has been cold and wet. Cannot till and cannot plant yet. Bamboo shoots came up early in the yard, then went into a state of suspended animation during the cold snap. Some even had that transparent look from being frozen when I trimmed a few to stir with some pork and chile. The big ones in the main grove are awaiting warmer weather to pop up. When they do, we shall take them to the nearby Chinese Restaurant to have their magic worked on them. We shall cook a few ourselves. George Nelson