Actually, I would say that most humans try to do whatever they think is best for themselves and immediate family, without seeming to impinge too outrageously upon others. Just short of official censure, IOW. Obviously a significant minority are utterly selfish and do not stop even at directly harming others and/or their prospects. I agree that every bit of extractable fossil fuel will be extracted and used, presuming our capacity to do so persists long enough. I don't think it will, for a large number of factors: climate change, environmental degradation, costly conflicts over land and resources to name a few. These will likely reduce human civilizations to subsisting on annual sun-fall before we get to all coal and shale deposits. The richest societies will likely manage a partial shift to renewables via best technology but that savings will be engulfed and then some by the ravening horde. It's gonna be a wild ride.

How did the templating go? I'd love to hear more about the Neolith and your thoughts on its color tones. We're more-or-less planning on the calacatta for our countertops, but I want to see a full slab to get an idea of what cream/yellow would work for cabinets and the dealer and distributor are so non-responsive that I'm about ready to throw in the towel.

Thank you all! (Thank you, viper114, for your fine compliment). I have taken these photos several days ago. The Mango Tree seems to have lost its last few green leaves by now...this is so sad. However, our helper says it's still alive. Perhaps it is? The problem is that there seems to be a large hole beneath the uprooted soil. A member from another forum says that I could try putting compost and then watering it. Would you advise this? I have tried scratching the bark off the middle of the trunk. The wood underneath is dry and brown. It does not seem to be greenish, as you say. However, do trees actually have a "Greenish" layer beneath the bark? From what I know, it is normally light brown in color. I hope this tree is still alive. I feel so sad for great, beautiful things that go. Here is the roots section (you can see the hole underneath): Thank you once more for your advice! I do hope this tree sill has hope.

Honestly, you can get more finishes than you think from the outset if you're willing to put in the time, creativity and legwork. Are you at all handy? We are far from DIY experts and did quite a bit in our first home including installing dentil crown in our living room, changing out lighting and ceiling fans, painting several rooms, painting the walls and floor of the garage and sealing the cracks, and installing beadboard and chair rails in two of the bedrooms. We also shortened some IKEA Billy bookcases so they fit perfectly on a wall in our sitting room. Everyone who saw them thought they were built-in. Just by doing those simple DIY projects ourselves we saved thousands of dollars. Become familiar with when different stores and websites have their major sales and buy things then in advance instead of waiting until you need them. A friend of mine has a master spreadsheet of everything she needs for her build along with dimensions, budget for each and photos of the look she's going for. She cleaned out her attic and garage to store her purchases. Each week she makes the rounds at the local ReStore, Sears Scratch and Dent and other places. She's gotten to know the salespeople so well that some of them will alert her when sales are about to occur or when something comes in that she might like. For example, when the annual Elfa sale occurred she ordered all of her pantry and master closet shelving because she had already designed them online. When IKEA had their kitchen sale she bought cabinets for her laundry room. She found the perfect sideboard to convert into a guest room vanity at a church rummage sale. She can barely still get her car in the garage but her builder is shocked by how much under her allowances she is so far even though she's thus far gotten everything she wanted.