annpat -- I don't mind multiple applications of boiling water or vinegar. I was saying I didn't want to try six different things in a row if the first five aren't going to work---that's why I asked in this forum if anyone had good luck with the water, the vinegar, or anything else out there. I do hate poisons and rarely, if ever, use any. And only then with the smallest amount possible and never with wind. I'm 99% organic, more than most people. As it so happens, I hacked and pulled all those weeds (way more than the photo shows), no poisons involved. I will try vinegar on top, for good measure, to slow their comeback. However, not everyone is physically able to pull a lot of weeds out of cracks like I did, although I do have back problems. Some people are elderly, disabled, etc. And not everyone can pay someone to do it, either. Sometimes, extra help is needed. That's why I was asking around in this ORGANIC forum for an organic alternative--the purpose of its existence, I believe.

I would never suggest that one "seal the breather hole in the crankcase". You would run the risk of turning some oil seals inside out. There are a couple of ways to evaluate the "health" of piston rings prior to doing any "fooling". The best way is to perform a cylinder leakdown test. In this test, the cylinder being tested is held firmly at its TDC Compression stroke while compressed air is applied to cylinder using a "Leakdown tester gauge" via the spark plug hole. The leakdown gauge tells how much loss of air pressure and volume (as a percentage) is occurring on the cylinder being tested. It still requires some sleuthing to determine if the loss is occurring due to ring wear/damage, poorly seating valves (in combustion chamber) or if it's due to a leaking head gasket. Another way to tell if the rings are losing the pressure is to perform the ole "dry & wet" compression test. This test is done by performing a proper compression test, proper meaning "ENGINE WARM and THROTTLE BLOCKED WIDE OPEN, MINIMUM of 4 compression stroke registering on the gauge. Perform the "dry" test first, recording the pressures observed on a scratch pad or note pad. Then add about 2 teaspoons of clean motor oil to the cylinder through the spark plug hole. Cautiously (don't be in front of the spark plug hole))spin the engine a couple of turns to distribute the oil and expel the excess. Now perform the compression test again. Record these results beside the dry readings. If you see an increase of compression that amounts to 10 to 15 MORE PSI than the dry readings, your rings may be worn out, have lost their "tension" due to overheat, or they may be stuck in the grooves and failing to inflate properly under compression...........or a combination of conditions. Typically, the wet test will not show an increase of PSI if the loss is from poorly seating valves, or a blown head gasket. Of course one can always do a tear down and inspection, but aside from finding actual broken rings, or rings that are worn badly on one end area and not the other (would indicate the lightly worn ring was "stuck" to the piston) just looking at the parts post mortem probably won't toss an answer in front of you.

I have had hardwood in my last two kitchens and plan on extending the hardwood you see in the picture into our new addition (kitchen). I may be biased as I sold and designed hardwood floors for several years. Ours is a natural grade (one up from rustic, no knots and full warranty) 3 1/4" Birch with a satin finish. A satin finish is JUST as durable as a higher gloss but it is more forgiving. Your natural colored (unstained)woods will show any potential damage less as will woods with more color variation and grain. We're raising two kids and Gideon Greyhound on this floor. Does it have marks and dings? Absolutely. The difference between damaged vinyl, tile or laminate is that they don't get charactor when they are damaged. 99% of people who see our floors don't see the 'living' marks on them, they just see a beautiful floor. Those other 1%? Well they probably aren't people I'd like to associate with anyway! We're putting in mostly ginger-toned cabinets to pick up the darkest colors in the floor.

Most play activity in puppies is part of developing hunting skills. You see the same behavior in wolf pups, lion cubs, etc. The difference between dogs and wild animals is that behaviors can be redirected---as in the bird ignoring example. All play behavior is not bad as it also develops muscle tone and coordination. A good way to start understanding a dogs behavior is to learn the breed characteristics. Here is a short description----The Bullmastiff is an impressive dog that carries itself with poise and stature. A cross between a Bulldog and Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs were originally bred as a gamekeepers' dog, and today are still prized service dogs that help the community through police work and a prized hunting dog. The breed was originally trained to track down poachers, but was trained to intimidate, rather than attack. Early Bullmastiffs were bred for utility and work rather than their looks. They did their work at night and their dark coat color was bred for this work; they were nicknamed the "Gamekeepers Night-Dog." As poaching began to disappear, the Bullmastiff was more in demand as a guard dog and the lighter brown color became popular. Looks became important for breeders, and they focused on creating a beautiful dog that was established as a pure breed in 1924 by the English Kennel Club. The original Bullmastiffs were fierce and threatening, but were trained not to bite the intruders. The modern day breed also has a very gentle, fiercely protective streak. Because of this breeding, the Bullmastiff is both a masterful watchdog and a friendly family companion. I have two mixed breed dogs, both aggressive breed mixes. They are three and two, the three year old is an Alpha dog. Both are very dog aggressive and would chase anything they moves if I let them. The two year old has found nestling birds out of the nest before they were old enough to fly. He grabbed them and then had no idea of what to do after that. He would need to be taught to do anything more. I make sure that does not happen. He still fixates on birds/rabbits/bees, but I redirect his attention. BTW, he is a Lab mix---the mix part is pit bull. So, his instincts are to fixate on prey more so than the other dog---a Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix---who generally ignores birds, but is interested in cats/rabbits/squirrels/etc. Both are unneutered and stay inside when we are gone---confined to four rooms. They play a version of tag and tug of war---under my supervision. The only problem between them is when food is concerned---or rawhide chews. My point is this, with proper training and pack behavior conditions in effect, most dogs can be taught to get along. Exercise is super necessary---walks are imperative. Letting the dog loose in a yard all day does not do anything for pack training, nor is it proper exercise. I cannot properly walk my two, so I bicycle while they run. The key is the exercise is done under my control---I am the pack leader. I am quite confident foosacubs dogs behavior is normal play---and what you are doing is redirecting any bad behavior quite well.