I read Bill's comments, here are my additions: A double layer of 3/4" ply, it looks like the sheets of ply are gapped, and it looks like they actually held to the proper fastening schedule. That's good. Plus I think the diagonal layout will help since the grout lines will not be parallel to the plywood seams. IF they used a properly modified thinset, which to me is not bagged modified, but bagged unmodified that I modify myself with latex admix, that can help. But to me there's still a HUGE difference between ceramic over ply and stone over plywood. I see this possibly working with ceramic. With travertine I'd not take a chance. With stone it's a crap shoot. The installation can work. Or the installation can fail. One little thing that sort of bugs me is that there is no thinset on the ply where the work has stopped. To ensure full coverage I'll usually thinset just past my grid layout line, then if stopping work, scrape the substrate clean with the edge of the trowel. Which won't be "clean" clean, but there will be a 1" or 2" wide feathered smear of thinset on the plywood where the tile stops. Not a big deal, but if I'm being asked to critique, well, there you go.

Casper- I would offer to meet with her and if she declined I wouldn't get too offended. She may still be adjusting to the relationship. Honestly as much as I know you hate to hear it there isn't too much you can do in this situation. Even if the woman is a cruddy person do you think your Ex would stop seeing her just because you didn't give her your stamp of approval? I'm not trying to be nasty here at all, I just don't think there is alot you can do unless the woman can be proven dangerous. You are going to worry yourself sick over a relationship you are powerless to hault. I know you are concerned but this is a losing battle. If you get to pokey in the relationship you will come off as the "bitter ex" and then the relationship between you and the GF will be forever icky. Give it a little time. It may turn out that you were worried over nothing. Dealing with the ex and children from previous marriages can be uncomfortable for some folks, that goes DOUBLE if they have never dated a person with pre-existing children. When I started dating my now husband I had never dated a previously married man who had kids. It took me a little while to figure out what my role was and how to deal with his Ex wife. She was a nightmare to top it all off so it was a really tuff time for me. Maybe the new GF is having some uncertainties on how to deal. Maybe you scare her even...who knows. Relax and give it some time. Maybe she won't even be around that much longer.....

Oh Don, I'm so sorry. It is so disappointing. I know how much you love your fragrants---and all your hosta. I suffered hail damage last year. I felt so helpless watching those ice pellets come crashing down and then in an instant it all stopped. It's like a nightmare. On another note, I am so happy that some of your gardens were saved from hail damage. That is what happened in my garden too. That year I chose to concentrate my energy more on the ones that were unharmed---looking at the good/beautiful rather than the bad/ugly---and hoping that hail would not return again for at least a few years---or better yet---never!!!! I like what Babka said---the strong roots are still there---and we know that is the foundation of the plant. I know, I know---but still . . . . So sorry.

Mike your trees are beautiful!! I hope that I can put a couple of trees inground too but my husband is still working on my greenhouse foundation so I am not sure how it will be in the end. Oh I am in love with your gardenia! Is gardenia easy to take care of or are they fuzzy like camellia (beware I am a camellia serial killer!!)? Mike, I can see in one of the picture that you use air root pruning pot!! I have a few trees with these kind of container but I didn’t repot them yet. They seems happy so I will let them be until this fall ( or when promix will be in sale lolll) but I am quite curious about what their roots will look like compare to those in traditional pot. Did you see a difference with these kind of pots?