As I might have said I do genealogical research, and I've had my genes sequenced btw and jumped on that research early on so I am seeing it unfolding. If you go back to the dawn of humankind, there have always been migrations for at least the last 65K years. Entirely too early to have assigned any particular traits to any particular country. Not only have the groups with similar genetic sequence clusters moved around, and left individuals with the same genetic fingerprints in every place they ever roamed, but their offspring mutated and added new sequences to the mix. It would be a stretch to even think that any particular 'country' hasn't been mixed since antiquity. That is not a new phenomenon. My particular sequencing has been pegged as originating in the Middle East, but is now found most heavily in the area where Europe meets Asia in the far north and in every other population on earth in very small numbers. That's because my maternal line has been 'everywhere' in the last 65K years and given birth to many of the mutations of the 'modern' genetic lines. This is why it's simplistic to say any 'country' anywhere has genetic traits expressed in occupations or skills. Add to that that I am not the expression of just this sequence, but have had untold generations of other lines mixed into the pool with their own unique differences. It supersedes any modern 'country'.

Mine has been in the ground a few years. They were selling little starter plants called firesticks that had red to yellow top growth at Walmart. These are just a color variant of pencil cactus. Mine would be as tall as the house, but I prune it way back on occasion. The main trunk is very woody at this point, but the limbs are fragile. I think a lot of times we are told that plants should not go in the ground. Many plants like dry roots, and will not tolerate too much moisture in the soil. I do believe that most florida soil (read sand)drains better than any potting mix. Because of this I do not fear putting plants that many parts of the country can't grow in the ground. Even my desert roses do very well in the ground. Just don't plant in a low lying area that is prone to flooding. The pencil cactus should be a plant it and forget it plant, very easy to care for. It is a euphorbia, so more likely the latex is toxic, not an allergan, but I would not worry about it, just don't get it in your eyes or mouth. Bill

I would use it as a little table next to the bath-but never as a shower seat. it's too small and will get very slippery. unless you'll use it only for storing things/shaving, then i guess it's fine. but i wouldn't use it as a seat per se, not in a wet zone. i have two-theoretically they can break but they're so heavy i'll break faster than them:) they also can scratch the floors when you move them..if you have real marble-i'll think twice, even if putting one just for beauty. unless you don't care about scratches, and it's fine then.

I have the dual fuel. I love it. It has been a great range for our family. I wrote this on the link but if you don't have time to visit the link here is my quote.. I have a Bosch duel fuel range Integra 700 with warming drawer. I love it. Bosch makes an induction cooktop that I wish I had considered before rushing to buy this. I researched many ranges in my price range. ... I researched on Epinions.com too. I urge you to check this out because this really helped me choose my range. What I love about my Bosch... I love the heavy grates. You can put them in the Bosch dishwasher to clean them. Awesome for me. I love the large knobs and the look of stainless and black. I like the convection oven options, the dehydration for fruit or meat options, I like the racks and how they pull out very far for me to baste, marinate or check over stuff. I like the warming drawer to keep stuff warm for a busy family. I lvoe the quick convection broil, or conv bake or just regular bake. I love how fast my burners boil water. We were staying at a friends ski lodge over MLKing holiday. They have an old stove in their place that was so slow by the time it boiled water I did not feel like hot chocolate anymore. I realized how fast my range is. I like the time cook plan and the auto on or off. I like how fast the oven warms up. My son prefers to cook his snacks in the Oven and used to be a Micro only kid for his corn dogs, nachos, hot pockets, bagels bites.... I don't like the gas on glass feature. I am told it is easier to clean than a stainless with gas grates. However glass really is a pain to clean because you have the burners to content with. BUT, the sealed burners are wonderful. If you have ever had food boil over onto a burner you know too well the horror that is to clean and make the burner funciton again. But the sealed burners mean when hot melted velvetta cheese boils over because your dimwit daughter wasn't paying attention it can not ruin the burner. My daughter never has to worry about boiling over velvetta cheese again because Bosch has this cool opti simmer burner. It doesn't boil over. Well, lets just say she can text, listen to music and be distracted from cooking and the cheese has not boiled over yet. Best of luck on your search. ~boxerpups Bosch vs GE Profile http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/appl/msg031438357072.htmlWall Ovens Appliance Choices? Bosch, Electrolux, Miele http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/appl/msg0221102417792.html?6 Any Oven complaints? Monogram, Bosch, Electrolux/Electrolux ICON? http://www.thathomesite.com/forums/load/appl/msg1023434531563.html Here is a link that might be useful: anyone have a Bosch range? Like it or not?