There was a nice lady, a minister's widow, who was a little old fashioned. She was planning a week's vacation in California at Skylake Yosemite campground (Bass Lake, to the uninitiated), but she wanted to make sure of the accommodations first. Uppermost in her mind were bathroom facilities, but she couldn't bring herself to write "toilet" in a letter. After considerable deliberation, she settled on "bathroom commode," but when she wrote that down, it still sounded too forward, so, after the first page of her letter, she referred to the bathroom commode as "BC." "Does the cabin where I will be staying have its own 'BC'? If not, where is the 'BC' located?" is what she actually wrote. The campground owner took the first page of the letter and the lady's check and gave it to his secretary. He put the remainder of the letter on the desk of the senior member of his staff without noticing that the staffer would have no way of knowing what "BC" meant. Then the owner went off to town to run some errands. The staff member came in after lunch, found the letter, and was baffled by the euphemism, so he showed the letter around to several counselors, but they couldn't decipher it either. The staff member's wife, who knew that the lady was the widow of a famous Baptist preacher, was sure that it must be a question about the local Baptist Church. "Of course," the first staffer exclaimed, "'BC' stands for 'Baptist Church.' " And he sat down and wrote: Dear Madam, I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take the pleasure in informing you that the BC is located nine miles north of the campground and is capable of seating 250 people at one time. I admit it is quite a distance away if you are in the habit of going regularly, but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of people take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive early and stay late. The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that right now there is a supper planned to raise money to buy more seats. They are going to hold it in the basement of the 'BC.' I would like to say that it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, but it is surely no lack of desire on my part. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, particularly in cold weather. If you decide to come down to our campground, perhaps I could go with you the first time, sit with you, and introduce you to all the folks. Remember, this is a friendly community."

I cheated and bumped it up so it wouldn't get lost in the shuffle - LOL. The electricians were here to finish up yesterday for the time being: I still have to decide about undercab lights - what is the difference between t4 and t5 lights? Today, we have a beautiful new white oak floor and the kitchen is beginning to look like a real room! Here it is in process. The floor installer came this morning and it only took him a few hours. He was done by noon. It won't be finished-finished till everything is in. Then the floor guys will come back and do the whole downstairs so everything matches. Anyway, we had a roof leak 4-1/2 years ago and have never gotten around to redoing the great room floor. Just as well. We still have the money from the insurance for the floor, so that's good. Here is where the floors come together: the yellow board just before the blue tape at the top is the floor in the other room. The new floor looks beautiful and smells delicious - ahhhh. Tomorrow, Michael comes back to patch the sheetrock and I will be taking my husband for his cataract surgery in the afternoon and coming home in rush hour and predicted snow. Oh joy.

Sorry Teppy that I didn't respond sooner...I did not have internet connection for a couple of days. Something to do with IP address... Here is the link to the venetian blend with the red sea stone. They aren't a true red color but I blend of different shades of red. This blend has the flax stone, the red sea stone and I had added to this blend the hem color tantrum tile and the antique bronze. I told them to delete the adobe color glass tile (change it with the hem) and the grand mamier tile (change it with the bronze). Will see...hope I like it! It is funny what you did to the exeter tiles!!! This is something that I would have done myself as well...I'm glad that at the end you achieved the look you were looking for. Thanks for the tip about dry brushing some paint on the tiles...I'll keep that in mind if I get surprised once my tile arrives..Also, if you don't mind sharing what you got as the liner for your wood hood...do you like it? Is it quiet? Here is a link that might be useful: Venetian blend with the red sea stones

As far as efficiency of fuel use, I'm not so sure I agree. Prorate the fuel of the plane vs the fuel to drive, keep in mind the plane will probably travel a shorter distance than the car will since you're dodging Great Lakes and subject to various roads. The trip is about 1640 mi. as the buzzard flies and yes the plane probably will take a little less than direct route but let's leave it at that for now. Driving via Duluth/Grand Forks is 1978 mi. (according to Streets & Trips), and assuming no detours or anything that's a best scenario. Going via Duluth/Fargo shows 2021 miles. Often winds up being longer. I'd sure like to see you Ed, but I think you're better off to fly. Now that doesn't mean you couldn't get a flight with a stop or two along the way! Or each way. I'm quite a bit south of there, yes, but might just be willing to make a drive to meet somewhere. I haven't had a vacation in a while. I wouldn't mind picking some other(s) up too in that event. Kind of depends on timing. Probably have to work around some therapy sessions but those could be rearranged too and I'm only going in every other day now so it's possible. And a lot depends on what route you'd take. The Fargo route shows going through Brainerd which wouldn't be too bad a trip for me to catch you there. Although I wouldn't mind catching up with you in Duluth or Grand Rapids. Or somewhere else. But I'm still going to suggest flying... You could pick up feathers, form some cardboard wings and flap your arms for 1700 miles! :D Well, maybe not.