Victoria,

I tried what you said, and I thank you immensely for the hints about replicating and scattering..  I tried it all out with the palms again and using the layering.  I thought it was working until about the seventh rendering and then they shot back up to the sky again.  

Now...how do I re-install to save all my content?  If I un-install in my add/remove programs won't I lose everything, or do I just re-install the proggie without un-installing it?

(I'm too old for this...lol, but at least I learned something wonderful today)  Thanks so much.

Jude