The only tree I had removed before was on our large riverfront lot. It was a pine just like these, struck by lightening though, and the limbs were rotting and starting to drop. After our house was torn down (victim of Katrina), they felled the tree in one big drop. It was about 100' tall! We did not have the luxury of space to take out these trees, and the man who did the climbing and roping off to lower the tops, said they were every bit of 90-100' tall. No wiggle room at all. We realize that we will miss the trees very much. And, it will be apparent this summer when we get the power bill. However, we now plan to put in trees which will minimize the problems of maintenance and potential storm damage. I am a fan of tropicalesque landscaping, so shade is an important feature. Not every plant appreciates the kind of heat and humidity and of recent times, the drought, of south Alabama summer and fall. So trees are definitely in our plans. Also in our plans, solar panels on the roof!! And tankless water heating, a garage turned into a greenhouse and space for an Endless Pool IN the garage. I should live so long. :)

Maybe mine is too old and sticky with other stuff? I tried the just brushing with alcohol and it didn't seem to do anything at all. Maybe the shellac layer will melt that a little? Mine is in such a variety of states - I think that is what is bugging me most. Some looks great and some parts look absurdly shiny and some looks dull/tired/ancient. All on the same pieces of wood! - I guess it was how the light hit things and what they did to it to clean it up (banisters must have been hit with something Pledge a lot since they are waxy/sticky). columbusguy1, try and it and report back! Inquiring minds wanna know! If you are sure it is shellac, I don't think you can damage it with this method!

Can you work a thin blade, like a putty knife, under the rim of the fixture and pry it out? It might be held in with spring clips.

This is one of those situations where you have to decide on the level of risk you are comfortable with. The guidelines would strongly recommend the under-processed jars this old (beyond 24 hours and especially 5 weeks old) be disposed of intact without opening. This is because of the safe presumption that botulism toxin has developed in the contents and out of concerns for contamination of other surfaces during the attempt to salvaging the contents. Identifying and Handling Spoiled Canned Food That's the official position. The choice is yours as to whether to follow it or not and any MFP is required to advise you to do so. Just be very careful doing whatever you decide to do. So all I can add is that some of your rationalizations will hold up to safe scrutiny, others that you mention don't. mold is not the issue 2 .botulism toxin has no odor or appearance change 3. It is true that the toxins can be destroyed with 10-15 mins. of boiling but the spores themselves are not so the food is not sterilized. 4. Only pressurized cooking/canning will kill the spores themselves. 5. Some foods would deteriorate by further pressure cooking/canning but this is a particular food which would not be harmed in any way by reprocessing. 6. Freezing does not neutralize either toxins or the spores much less kill them, only pressure can do that when done before freezing. So read the above linked guidelines and make a well-informed decision. Dave