Yes, we use a lot of pound-in metal posts. But corners, gate posts, and every 5-6th post must be pressure treated wood, sunk in concrete, in order to have something to stretch the wire from. You can't stretch from a metal post; it will just bend. Some of our metal posts could be pounded in. About 1/3 of them had to have holes dug to get the rocks out of the way. You can't pound them through rock, and you can only move them so far trying to hit a spot without a huge rock. Pound in posts can hold trellis for beans and peas, but not for grape vines. The grapes are too heavy and need more support. Pound-in posts won't support cedar raised beds. That needs pressure treated fence posts set in concrete. Nearly $600 this year for a hole driller to bring a drilling truck with a rock bit to drill post holes. Then some of the holes were crooked and had to be chipped out with a rock bar. But at least, once fence is done, it's done and should not need any more work for years to come. (three more raised beds to go, but the hole driller drilled the post holes for those, so all they need is the mud cleared out, and a million wheelbarrows full of dirt moved into them.)

Kennebunker wrote:- I'm of the older generation, and what I know of computers I've been picking up along the way these past few years, so please keep that in mind. Sometimes when I hunt for computer info I understand what they're talking about and other times it goes right over my head. Ah so you are approaching middle age then LOL. I too am part of the grey brigade or as the English call us, the Wrinklies. When this activity on the computer is happening can you easily get behind the computer tower and disconnect the internet cable? This might cause a window to pop up giving you a clue - of course it might do nothing which might indicate that the activity is within the computer and not controlled by outsiders. You could also go online for a scan to see if any bad guys have overcome your defences. I use BitDefender, linked below. You need to use Internet Explorer to do this as it fails in Firefox or Opera. Any time you do not understand things ask for an explanation, ask again if the second response is not clear. This is the big advantage of forums such as this, you can have different people giving you ideas and explaining if you fail to understand the first reply. Here is a link that might be useful: BitDefender free online scan

I've already posted the coral fabric a couple of days ago; see above. It won't look any different with the fringe applied. I cannot believe no one has commented on my white (but not antique white) windows (or mantel). I have to paint those still. I've been waiting to paint them until I removed the old drapery rod. Now I can do it. Good news today: Calico Corners extended its 25% off fabric sale through 1/26, so I have time to wait for my samples to arrive before committing to the RL Foxberry plaid. I would get it somewhere else and feel less pressured, but CC's price is more than $20 less than even places in fabric row here in the city because I've been told that CC has special RL pricing (on top of which I can get the 25% off). I ordered a bunch of memos of the discontinued fabric from Robert Allen today. They have to be sent from SC, so it'll probably take a few business days.

This thread was massively helpful and insightful.. Definitely challenged me to look at some of my personal habits. I think clutter/hoarding or the lack thereof is definitely a reflection of the life you've led and continue to lead. For me, I've always associated material objects with a strong emotional attachment. I had things from middle school still! It was pretty ridiculous. Boxes and boxes of paperwork and sentimental stuff. I also had weird odds and ends -- massive amounts of band aids, post-its, paper clips, pens, etc. Long story short, events occurred in my life where I was forced to live from a suitcase for over eight months. Definitely made me realize how little you actually need to live (and live well for the most part). Put a lot of things in perspective. I think I was always worried I wouldn't be able to survive hardships in life without a massive supply of crap. It came from self-doubt. I thought, "Oh my gosh, what if I throw out this (rather useless and derelict) lamp and find out I needed it??" Or, "You can never have enough band-aids. I should save them all, even the band-aid sizes I never use! You never know." Btw, you can have enough band-aids and then some. So, long story short.. I had to change my ways and break a lot of old ingrained misconceptions (material items equals safety and security, unhealthy emotional attachment to objects, etc.) to declutter my life. I feel so much better now, too. Anyway, thanks.