Never having lived anywhere coastal in my life, the concept of 'fog' was usually the horrible pea-soup versions of my industrial northern childhood - I think you would call it smog. Nonetheless, fog is a phenomenon in our woodlands (we are actually below sea-level) and for the first few times, I was amazed and bewildered by this white rolling haze drifting around the water meadows and dissolving the lower levels of the poplars in a misty blur (much like my permanently fogged brain). The somnolent cows which use the grazing marsh throughout the summer mutated into vague hazy lumbering shapes - only the continual lowing moans gave the game away since they seem to stay motionless for many hours (also rather like myself). Could have been mistaken for some mysterious fen standing stones. Have had to refrain from declaiming stanzas from the Ancient Mariner (in a suitably deep mournful voiceover) but I rather enjoy wafting around in an old waxed trenchcoat or pretending to be in a Henry James ghost story (although I look nothing like Deborah Kerr). A very evocative little film, Fogs, and much appreciated here in the true fenland (where, apparently seafogs roll inland for days at a time)

Two photos of damage. Don't know what to conclude, but the neighbour's dogs are curious, so it won't be snails. Twigs too small for possums. No other animal predators here except for small rodents. This is a large NZ Meyer which has been damaged over some weeks, also for the very first time. You can see many new blossoms as it is late spring. Lots completely denuded and then they drop. Too many branches and foliage to hide in, so pruning to open it up should help.

Thank you so much for the response! I am really happy to hear this! We are looking at rift and quarter sawn white oak in 7” planks. We will also have a humid on the furnace. We run a portable dehumidifier in the basement and use hygrometers as well (had problems with cupping in previous house with crawlspace. We had an hrv in that house too but aren’t planning to do that in this home unless needed. If needed or we get nervous, we can put a dehumidifier on the furnace for humid times of year. The humidity worries me a little as it takes a year or so for new homes to dry out (lumber etc...). Even in summer with dehumidifiers and a/c on, we would stay at aroun 50% or 55% humidity a lot. Not sure how accurate the cheap hygrometers are. I know too dry doesn’t physically feel great for me! I prefer 50-55%. That said, maybe I should stick with 5” boards. Never had trouble with these cupping. If we decide to go with the 7” planks, they will be nailed and glued. Our builder uses an installer from. Chicago so I don’t think we will be able to change this. Thanks for the offer! Our cabinet guy is from Arthur! He’s great!

Carl Hiaasen wrote Hoot, a young adult novel about those burrowing owls in SE Florida. They made it a movie, too, but I didn't see it. I did read the book with my 12 y/o. (Hey, you're never too old for mom to read to you!) Kids work together to save an area of nests about to be destroyed by developers. It's very funny, he uses wit and irony to tell the story (and a few 4-letter words, FYI). Great for kids 12+ with an interest in environmental causes, and a sharp sense of humor. Good contemporary YA books. The characters and situations appeal even to kids who don't love to read (like my DS). They are "real" and have their dysfunctions. But they are motivated by a strong sense of right and wrong. Sorry, I took a tangent there. I do that when I've had coffee too late in the evening (and other time, too).