lightguy, thank you. I actually went back to read old posts on and around this topic, and in doing so saw that you do go to bat for the MR16s. Something else I thought interesting is the possibility of switching the bulbs for LED lamps down the road, when they become available. I'd be keen to do that. Something else you posted somewhere also caught my eye: you were responding, if I recall, to a poster concerned with buzzing LED lights. You said you had not encountered that, and it suggested that there was something funky going on at the wiring end of things, rather than owing to the luminiere. I think this is what I am worried about in making the decision to use MR16s, against the advice of my contractor (who is not the electrician) who would have me use the line-voltage GU10 lamps because he says the MR16s will buzz and blow out. I'm wondering if the wiring has been done in some kind of way that would make this more likely, hence his push-back. And, of course, if we go against his advice and all this comes to pass, we've no recourse but to do it over ...

Hi Sweet313! Yes, went with RT for kitchen and feel fortunate that we actually got our install and it worked out ok for us. The only exception being that we don't have any kind of warranty and when they shut down, they had our 1/2 slab that was left from the kitchen on hold as well as our $250 deposit. We got the money back via our CC, but lost any savings we had on the 1/2 slab (since we had bought it at the same time as our kitchen). Wow, the devistation they have left behind is unbelievable, saw at least 4 people in the shops today that had lost $$ to them. I'm so glad you did not go that route! We found two really good places in Shelby Twp that sit next to each other on 23 mile. Hard Rock & Detroit Granite, both were unaggressive sales, seemed VERY professional and accepted my terms of payment (10% deposit, 40% at measure & 50% after install). Both had a version of the granite we wanted at the same price, but we fell in love with the slab at Detroit. I think I'm going to have to go back over there to get a photo, it's just so pretty. It cost a lot more than we were expecting to pay, but wow, it's going to be the piece of resistance in the room! I can't wait! BTW, I've been watching for you to post but don't recall seeing anything...can you give an update on your granite? Did you find some, if so what did you choose and how do you like it?

What do the roots look like? Does it start with the newest growths. There is a nasty fungal disease which affects the roots and cuts off supply of nutrients to the newest growths. As they die the older growths attempt to send out new bulbs but they become affected and eventually die. This continues until the entire plant dies. It affects Cattleyas and some dendrobiums. I have run into it and it devastated a number of my most favorite plants. It was hard to get a diagnosis but I eventually did. The treatment is to pull the plant, soak the roots in a fungicide, Thiomyl, and repot in new, clean mix. The plant should be sprayed with Thiomyl once a month until new growths form normally. It is hard to get rid of and you have to decide if the plant is worth the work. It is contagious and is spread by water splashing from one plant to another. Not sure if that is what you have. The photo you posted does not show a shriveled looking growth. But your description sounds like what I experienced. If you are a member of the AOS, their website has info on it with pictures. They also discuss it in one of their recent webinars. Also, it was discussed by Sue Bottom in a past issue of Orchids Magazine. Don't remember the month, might be earlier in the year. Nasty disease and not easy to get rid of. Jane

You can't determine what type of HVAC system is currently installed and what thermostat you need by looking at the thermostat and the wiring. Most thermostats can handle furnaces and heat pumps. If you bought a new thermostat, you either have to look at the equipment, or go into the settings to determine the HVAC system configuration in order to install it. Is there anything wrong with this thermostat? You could operate it in a simple configuration of on/off and hot/cold. I recommend not turning off the heat in the winter. You should set the thermostat no lower than 50 degrees to avoid pipes from freezing.