Figured I'd post here since it includes the links for the West Jefferson, Ohio McDonalds. Went there tonight hoping for a female imperial. As soon as my car door opened, I saw the shadow of a big moth. Grabbed my net and in less than 60 seconds, I had my female imperial. Hopefully she has already mated but I have her outside in my birdcage just in case she is still calling. Also caught a male IO, male regal, female dobsonfly (one of the ugliest big bugs you will ever see), and a bunch of katydids. Spent only 1.5 hours there since my son has a doctor's appointment in the morning (just a checkup). KC

I like the dark too, but think you should do a natural finish. To me this means stain it how you want, waterlox it or something else that will wear and can be easily repaired, or that can just wear and get some patina. My sister and sister in law just bought beautiful tables that have a fancy finish, and on the first use there were tears when something spilled or a child's fairy wand scratched it. There was really no great way to repair it because it was a hard finish at the surface and that was damaged. For your table, you want it to be well loved (I have one like this too, I posted it on your last post on this topic) and it will get scratches and spills and it should be a great place to gather and hang out vs. a "keep away from the precious table" kind of piece. So, look for something that soaks into the wood -- I used this product 15 years ago by Minwax (they don't make it anymore) that had a stain and a sealer all in one. Every couple of years I take a cloth and wipe on another coat and the table is rich looking again -- I don't bother to sand out the scratches and stuff --- but could. It doesn't require a furniture refinisher. Also, my sister who bought a fancy table and had the fairy wand incident found a website called the furniture butler. They have lots of waxes and finishes that can do wonders.... even repairing her situation. Good luck, can't wait to see it! It is already beautiful! Here is a link that might be useful: the furniture butler

Being the dork that I am, I just had to dig up some dirty clothes and try again.. No issues this time. The first load was much smaller. So I think it was too much detergent and the lack of clothes tumbling upon each other..the baffles seemed to just whip up to a froth before

Paul and Christina I like your thinking! :-) Paul, the common/shared balcony does get some weather but not with the same force or as much rain as mine. I've never noticed a power outlet on the shared balcony, but I wouldn't use it anyway because we have a lot of people here that have absolutely no idea of safety. We have another balcony directly above ours the same size as ours, so there is better shelter from the elements. My balcony also has a small balcony above, the same size as mine. Oh my goodness! I have the same sort of shelving in my room, of the first image from your link lol. I bought expensive ones so they can hold more weight than I could ever manage. I did put the small one outside for a short while but it started developing surface rust pretty quickly. But I've noticed recently much cheaper ones of the same design. What type of store is the BBS? I wouldn't like to tie or even chain anything from the balcony fence above and we have asked permission to get hooks for hanging plants, I even offered to pay to get them to get professionally done, a firm no :-( By the way, I have often used zip ties with far greater success than even strong wire, and cheap enough to replace often if needed. Christina, I love the lockable wheels thought! Then I could even take them from the shared balcony to mine and vice versa. And even inside if needed. Just had a thought! We have a walkway across to the next building/wing of the complex, that I've noticed gets full sun for quite a few hours in the middle of the day. I also have a few trusted friends on my floor who's balconys face north so should get the hottest sun for many hours. So...... cheap shelving with wheels, maybe 2 if needed. Roll the plants all over the place to get the best conditions available for any season lol. Equals - I may be able to keep and add to my Succulents after all!!! Woooo hooooooo :-D Also very spoilt plants lol. Also equals a very long post. Sorry guys. But thank you so much!!!!