Thanks for all the comments and information! I've been overwhelmed with other business the last few days, but I got to look around for some information last night and found some very similar pieces through ARTFACT.com. Tomorrow I hope to get to the library. TrueGrits -- It's interesting that you say you have an almost identical secretary, as we spied one very similar at our neighbor's home down the street. It's very odd to come face to face with something so similar to something that you know (Or thought!) is in limited supply in this world. Although I guess this was a very popular style, given all the examples I've seen. Also, interestingly enough, last night on Ebay, I found an auction from January for the exact same book we have that dates to 1695. It sold for only $1500 or so. :( It's actually the one peice we've considered selling, but not at that kind of price! It's truly an amazing book by Otavio Scarlatini; here's just a portion of the description: "describing and depicting the human body in its details and in its entirety in every aspect conceivable, from the anatomical, rational, moral, mystical, political, legal, etc. point of view, and furtherrmore as used in emblems, morals, mystics, proverbs, language symbols, prognostications, pictures, statues, history, rites, reflections, customs, numismatics, dedications, signatures, literary allegories, epitaphs, fables, wonders, medicine, dreams, etc." Can you imagine? We got our copy from DH's brother who got it from his father who was a well-known editor in NYC in the 70's. He apparently got it from a writer friend in lieu of payment for something (?)...don't remember the details, but as I recall, there's a typed letter in the book. Or maybe that's to the writer from whomever he got it from? Dunno... Anyway, here's a link if anyone's interested: Susan Here is a link that might be useful: Homo et ejus partes figuratus & symbolicus, anatomicus....

Darn, ... I lost a whole post ... I think. Can't find it. Got reminder from management about no commercial stuff. I'd asked if anyone wanted to buy a retirement home in FL .. ... heck, we were even thinking of making it a KT clubhouse! Actually, it was mostly a reiteration of a message posted on another (little used) forum - just helping out a fellow poster on THS. Have a fruitful weekend, everyone. ole joyful

Your neighbor is blessed to have someone like you next door. I hope he takes your note to heart. My new neighbor got a new dog and doesn't have a fenced yard. The dog was a half grown pup. The dog started going into the pasture and barking and nipping at my horse. It was also chasing cars. I wasn't as diplomatic as you about the situation and marched over one Sunday morning and told them they needed to keep their dog out of my pasture. They ended up chaining the dog and then another neighbor called the city. The dog is no longer there and I feel pretty bad about the whole mess. Now their son is driving way too fast in our neighborhood (narrow streets with lots of turns) and 2 of us have paid visits to the parents about the situation. I feel like the mean-old-lady-at-the-end-of-the-street. I have never in all my years had neighbors who weren't basically responsible and considerate so I'm at a loss. Good luck, Jen. LindaJ

Thank you - all of you - for commiserating with me. I think I'm still in shock. I know this has happened to so many other homeowners and it does seem like there isn't much you can do. My husband has surprised me with his somewhat resigned attitude to the whole thing. His comment is that we have a 1 in 3 chance of being selected and maybe this time we'll luck out. And he agrees with all of you who have said that we won't win against the power company, especially since the Federal government has mandated an upgraded transmission line to prevent the rolling blackouts that occured in NY and NJ. Marilyn c - we did ask about a continuing lease arrangement. That way as property values increase the payments would also. But they want a one time settlement. Flamingo - We are worried about the effect the electromagnetic field would have. It means my husband can't erect his 40 foot Ham radio tower - it will ruin his signals. But more importantly we asked them what this would do to a pacemaker and defibrulator and would they guarantee in writing that it would not effect it. They told us to check with the manufacturer and the cardiologist. Neither the cardiologist nor the manufacturer are willing to guarentee that a third party's transmission line would not impact the effectiveness of the heart equipment. And I certainly don't blame them. Gayle. I think we will sell. PPL should make a recommendation to the PUC in August and then there will be 1 year of hearings in Harrisburg. Construction starts in 2010 and will be online in 2012. So we can enjoy it for 2 more years at least. Patti, Azzalea, Duck,Sherrmann, Stargazer - well since you've been through it you already know it's probably a losing battle. Socks - We are working on an environmental study. We found out that we don't actually have to have an endangered or threatened species actually on our property. If we can show that the habitat is suitable and if there are populations of these species near - then our property could be considered as supplemental. Many of the other property owners are fighting this too but most of them probably figure there's not much they can do. So we're praying they pick Plan B or C. And if they go ahead and pick Plan A maybe they'll consider moving the transmission lines off our property and erecting them on the undeveloped property behind us. Thanks again everyone. I'm keeping my fingers crossed -(which of course explains my typos!)