Chris2U.....I used a concrete sealer to keep it waterproofed. Most of the paint I used is concrete paint and it self-seals. Although, about 7 years ago, I painted my front porch with acrylic craft paints and it's still just as good as it was. Yes, everything has felt pads underneath....even my plant stands! Too much hard work to have it all scratched up!!

Whitecat, In keeping with the title of this thread, I killed my first three phals and most of an oncidium--then I received a phal as a gift, and for 3 years it refused to die, grew and bloomed despite neglect--then I decided I should learn more about orchids, and take better care of it...needless to say I nearly killed it, over fertilized I think, burned the roots right off, three pairs of leaves got all limp and wrinkled I kept it that way for about 6 months before I got the nerve to repot (from tight sphagnum moss to a bark mix) would you believe it perked right up, two months later the leaves are firm and upright, there are several new roots and two spikes that are about 6-8 inches long... Now I have 20 orchids scattered around my living room, half are phals, one phrag, three onc, 2 catts, a vanda, a paph a zygo and a tolumnia. I've rebloomed most of the phals and the phrag, most of the others I've had less than a year, so we'll have to wait and see. I'm putting together an order for some seedlings from Byrd's... nick

Thanks again Guys, Yes, this is the first time ever(!) I have taken an engine apart ...or partially apart. A beginner isn't going to figure this out within 30-60 minutes. I'm on the web for hours learning just one thing, like what a key is. Then another hour for how pushrods work and which is for exhaust or intake (steel vs. aluminum). Every little thing about an engine, I had to learn for the first time. The HUGE BREAKTHROUGH wasn't one for all mankind, it was my breakthrough on the discovery of what the problem was. A computer geek with degrees in philosophy and mathematics actually diagnosing a non-running engine for the first time felt like a huge breakthrough after all the things named that could be the cause. :-) Mo: I didn't get the names right on a few things when I look back, but I am never offended when someone knowledgeable corrects me. I have my strengths and others have theirs; I am all ears when I need correcting. I have been on the other end too in the 1980's when workers started using PC's, they'd call their computers "hard drives" or "CPU's." When describing a problem in words, it IS very important to use the correct names for everything, so I do not take any offense. One sentance story: I had a lady whos PC had an expansion card cover missing on the back of her PC and she thought she was losing files through it. :-O ...RC would have a HAY DAY with her, LOL. -Tony

I agree with others here who have suggested mosquito dunks. There are also smaller pellets that you can sprinkle in the water called mosquito bits that contain the same active ingredient, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) bacteria. This bacteria is lethal to mosquito larvae, but is harmless to humans and animals. If you use mosquito bits, simply sprinkle some on the surface of the water until the surface is covered. Getting a water pump for your bird bath is another way to discourage mosquitoes from breeding in the water. The added bonus with that solution is that you'll attract even more birds, because birds love the sight and sound of moving water. Best of luck!