It's very interesting, but it still doesn't look like petrified bamboo to me. Here is why I think that: 1. The rounded nodal joints don't have the structure that bamboo does (take a look at some closeup photos of bamboo nodes and you'll see) 2. The node spacing in relation to the length and diameter of the object differs greatly from that of most any bamboo I've seen 3. The totally uniform color and glossiness are unlikely for a petrified object 4. You mention mineralization, but I don't see any evidence of the mineralization I would expect with something petrified. It looks very new, and my best guess is that it's a bone or resin carving that is the artist's interpretation of a piece of bamboo. I'm curious what the ends look like and how weighty it feels.

Thanks everybody! You as daylily people would understand. I went to clean the mess, and found out two fans of Linda's Magic are still in the ground, yay! Though bent, and of course all buds are gone from both. I put the broken fans in the water, one time I did this with a fan of something that was hit by a lawnmower and it grew tiny little white roots! I am actually very sorry for the tree. It was topped, they didn't have a saw big enough to completely cut it. We are thinking of somehow decorating it, maybe make it into a bird feeder holder or something. It is just standing there, remains of the big trunk, sad to see. But we have way more sun now, but afternoon sun so we need to move hostas somewhere. Not sure if I could plant daylilies there, there's another big (walnut) tree that provides shade all morning. About deer. Sure looks like deer, but I'm 99% sure it isn't. We are in the middle of a city, surrounded by chain-link fence, and neighbors yards from all sides, and a road in the front. There is no parks or woody areas for deer to live around our neighborhood. I've never seen one. Polymerous, I read your thread, good that your daylily (Victorian Lace?) is alright! Maybe it's raccoons, I know they are here. It is just that we have tons of squirrels, that's why I think it's them. The only question is - where are the buds? Oh and by one of the daylilies there was a weed, they buried either a walnut or an acorn. I thought about digging it out and forgot. It was gone, and they left a small hole. That's why I think it's squirrels too. I don't know what woodchuck is, I'll look it up. Or could it be.. crows?

If it means only removing some drywall to replace the on/off valve, not too big a deal to make that repair. It's when the key is located in the brick veneer is when it's nasty trying to match up the brick if one or more is damaged when removing. The only other hassle would be how it's plumbed. Having your plumber take a look with the scope is probably a good idea to see if it is accessible after drywall removal, or if you would have to get to it by other means,( exterior of the wall, crawlspace/basement, etc.).

Sorry to hear about the broken bone, yikes....But, glad to hear you're doing well... A week ago, my oldest son was working on a car and dropped the radiator on his foot...Yep, broken pretty bad, can put no weight on it and is on crutches...Tell a 60 yr. old not do anything, yea right! He hasn't sat still for 60 years... When I was 13, broke my femur in 3 places, in traction for weeks and then in a body cast for months...But, while in the hospital, met the patient in the next room and 5 years later we were married....So, watch out for those broken bones you never know what you might catch, lol.....But, 60 years later, he's still here, so I guess I'll keep him for another 60.....