You've nothing to lose. Stick them in the ground. If they are good, firm bulbs, they will make roots and foliage. Blooms will be a bonus if they appear this season; they may wait until next year. Never waste a bulb because it might not... it might. Nell

Once again, thank for all the compliments! ncshabbybeach - now there is an idea that I have not thought about - the silicone and the sand. I actually had thought about silicone but I was afraid that it would not flow, but maybe I can fill the holes with it and push my pieces in place and then let it cure - then come back and trim any areas that might be too high and add another layer with the sand. That would be a more economical solutions than having to get a 50LB container of polymetric sand. As for covering the whole thing - naw. I can always go back and reseal the pieces with the One-Time stuff as they should last for 5 to 7 years as they are now. The background boards, which I will finish ifen it ever stops raining around here, will still fade in color a bit in the next few weeks - again assuming the sun can shine on it for several days. When I looked this morning the appearance was as though I had just waxed it. Rain water beading everywhere which is exactly what I want it to do and the One-Time stuff is supposed to.

My Dad was the same way, Lazypup. Not with the hair and beard, since he was bald and couldn't grow facial hair because of facial cancer and a tissue transplant, but in the way he dressed when he was out with his cameras. He was a physician, but photography was his passion. He took black and whites, and would go out every chance he could and snap all day long. Not only did he dress for comfort, many times he would have his very well behaved dog Max (an Australian shepherd) with him in some of the roughest parts of Chicago. He was never bothered with that dog by his side. Stay true to yourself!

LARA, It's the same math: If you have 99 ( 8 feet is btw 96" , not 99 ) " and you have a light that IN TOTAL mount and fixture uses up 26 inches, you will have 37 inches from the bottom of the light to the counter top. If you have 96 inches...now you have 34 inches to counter top. If you want to know how it will look, on any you select? You get yourself a ruler, and you draw it out, using one inch, to one foot scale. Chain is easier than stem......so you really need to pay attention to specs, and mounting details. The length of your island must also be VERY much considered. Any solid shade will read heavier and larger than an open lantern or glass shade. Solid shades will direct light to the counter top, and more open or clear fixtures will give you more dispersed light.