First I want to make a correction of a mistake I did not notice when I posted that statement. I mentioned in the P.S. part that it takes years for brussel sprouts to mature. Although one of the plants she is planing to grow is brussel sprouts (seeds already sprouted). But I was thinking of asparagus when I said it takes years to mature. She wants to grow asparagus also, I like asparagus. But anyway that was me getting two different plants mixed up. I do agree that there's something to be said for the effects of light depredation. Like the long winters with little sunlight up in Alaska (other places also), even in Antarctica. I do know that depression under such conditions is much higher. I myself have wanted to move to Alaska for decades, and know that the long extended (low light) winters can take there tole. P.S. I'm not familiar with the winters in Cincinnati, other than it's normally cold, windy and snow all winter. But I'm truly glad to hear wordwiz that you are not dreading this winter, but even looking forward to your crops. I know you will, but I would suggest to share what your doing with everyone you can (especially neighbors, friends, co-workers etc.). That keeps you excited, gets other people interested, and gives you new ideas along the way.

macv - Thanks, so much for the reply. Well, with the 42" x 30" opening, our ratio is 1.4. If we had gone with the 36" opening, we would have hit 1.2 on the head. I know I should have paid more attention to previous discussions on fireplace proportion. darn. All of the imitative stone chimney enclosure is above the roof surface on the rear of the house. I think only one neighbor will have any kind of view of it during the winter when the leaves are down. Due to the slope of the lot from the road to the house, only the very top is visible from the road which is why we want this to have a nice treatment like the one you showed in the picture. I just talked to DH and he & the fireplace guy have come to a mutually agreeable to solution to trade some aesthetics for avoiding potential water issues. He said that he would write that up for me so I can post it. The corners won't be visible at ground level. However, we are using the same real stone thin veneer which will be at "foundation" level below the Nichiha shakes. DH says that there are corners for it. I know you were upset when you had to have your stamp removed from that project, so I'm sorry if I stirred up unpleasant memories. However, thank you so much for the insight. It really helps. Jo Ann

This was awesome cawfe. I could not have put it all better myself. I guess some people on here say things to tear apart a thread, and then will say the opposite in order to tear apart another thread. And why do they do it all? Who knows for sure, though I have a good idea. Its sad how some people have so much hate inside and spew it out all the time on complete strangers. I can imagine what must come out in their own lives to the people they know. As much as I dislike the way they act on here I do feel bad for them. Their lives are filled with so much misery and hatred it is eating them up! Their whole life revolves around this misery and anger, that can not be productive for them or for their children! Hatred is not a good value to pass on, though from what they have told us here about "being honest" to their children and what they discuss with their children it is almost inevidable that they passed that hatred onto their children. Sadly they probably did it to keep their children from liking their fathers becuase they were wronged by him. How selfish it is to make your child dislike their own father because of your personal issues with him! Get a friend to complain to about your ex, do not use your children! Oh well. When I log off this forum I go back to my wonderful husband and all 4 of OUR wonderful children. Oh ya, I said OUR becuase they all live with us full-time and we are the custodial parents. We raise them. My son sees his dad often, but I do ALL mom stuff for the stepkids while their mom sits on her a$$ at her house, across the country, with all her "new" kids not paying attention to the ones she left behind. That was her choice to abandon her children. I go back to my happy job. And I enjoy my life. And at night I cuddle into bed with my dh. Sure beats a cold bed and thoughts of hatred!

This version of Poldark was much better than the original one which I watched some years ago - perhaps it's the brooding intensity of Aidan Turner. They are now filming season 2 and the BBC stated that Poldark might be the long running drama they're seeking as a replacement for Downton Abbey. There are 12 novels in Winston Graham's Cornwall series covering the years 1783 to 1820. No air date set yet but they hinted maybe spring 2016. Outlander is also filming and just switched locations. Ron Moore did a Q&A last week and said while he's not in charge of scheduling that we should anticipate late March or April 2016.