from New Orleans, we'd see termites eating their way up a pine stud, and then they'd come to a cypress beam and it would be untouched. Really impressive the first time, and then we got used to it. By now you know that termites can eat up from the ground and Formosan termites can live up in a house-wherever there's water- and never contact the ground. At the north side of the old cabin an old-timey hydrangea and Seven Sisters rose have lived for over a century. Up here our house is a 200 year old cobbled together farmhouse that started as a story and a half 17' by 17' log cabin. The frame sits on stone piers that are roughly put on top of each other- none were termite conduits. The coolest part of the house (W/O air contitioning) is the old solid log part of the house. Some of the original chinking survived and the windows were/are over a hundred years old. Solid logs beat the heck out of modern high R-valued insulation. I still can't imagine how those pioneers ever lifted the big logs. One other thing- both cypres and pine are soft woods- never wear high heels on them when used as flooring. (Ask a NOLA neighbor of ours how I know this about her carefully re-milled cypress floors.)

"Sudden Oak Death" is actually a different fungus (phytophthera) from Oak Root Rot Fungus (armillaria). I am afflicted with armillaria in my front garden. In 1998 I planted 70 roses in that 25' x 60' area, and in 2002, the first one inexplicably died. After a few nearby roses died shortly thereafter, I had my county extension agent come out for a diagnosis, and he confirmed armillaria. Ground zero for the dying roses was the spot where we had an 80' pine removed and ground out the previous year. The roses continued to die in an outward pattern from this spot over the next few years. We have multiple theories about why this fungus is so active in this area, which I won't go into here. Anyway, armillaria fungus is endemic in many areas of Calif. I have since replaced all of the in-ground roses in that area with 15 gallon potted ones sitting on stepping stones. I was sad to lose my in-ground roses in that particular garden, but as a trade-off, I now have 180 roses in an area that I used to have 70. Gotta love that smaller footprint in some ways. It's pretty spectacular. The ancillary in-ground plantings are variable in their susceptibility to the fungus. Many things resist it quite well, although I lost some of my hydrangeas to it. It's been a very long 5 year journey of research and dealing with it. I could write much more on my experience with it. Hope this helps.

Hi all! Hi Bill-it isn't any fun replacing plants in our landscaping because of this freeze we had. I still have a few to replace....I'm waiting for a warmer day to do it though BUT I still need to buy the plants first (LOL). That would help, huh? Beaver: Here IT is...coming around the corner..... The Power of the Mind is coming.......WARMTH WARMTH WARMTH WARMTH WARMTH!!!!!! Do ya feel it??? You got what you asked for before (lots of snow!!!) and now you're asking for "more" (Geez-LOL). We felt the same as you waiting for some warmer weather (I know..we don't have it as cold as you do) AND we finally got them. It was in the high 59 today...are ya jealous? Hehehehe....a heatwave for sure. Well, we are getting cooler weather again. :( I know we won't have any snow or ice and believe me-I am very glad of that. You can have it all. I don't think you are a dork. Funny saying though-I used to use that word a lot too hahaha. Soooooo here you go-enjoy it!!! I have been outside but not really working in my yard lately because of the winds blowing cold. I do see some pansies blooming now they look really beautiful which makes me happy. My tulips are growing taller each day. I had crocus bloom already. I have some daffodills coming up too. I did go to a nursery and bought some flowers a few days ago. Planted some and am waiting to finish planting them after these winds go away. (No drooling now-you'll be out there working soon enough) Seacliffsand: I don't have climbing roses but I do know there is a special way of pruning them. Lisa, do you know it? I would call a local nursery for the how to on doing it asap. Not sure where you are but Plant World and Star Nursery in Las Vegas are great with advise on everything. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Beca~

As others have said, it sounds like a mortar/mud bed. In my 1970s home, when I removed the tile (white with harvest gold speckles) surrounding the tub/shower area, there was a very thick layer of mortar (cement) over lath (metal mesh). The lath was attached to the studs and then a layer of mortar was spread over that and then the tiles were attached on top. It was close to an inch thick and very heavy. I completely removed this down to the studs. I then did a fresh installation of tile from there. Perhaps some of the experts can chime in on whether it would be best for you to do as I did and remove it down to the studs and start from there or if there is a way to apply tile on top of what you have now (especially since it's been painted). Would you DIY or hire a professional to install new tile?