A new pic, taken today....Here's my latest purchases for the new house. Closing on it Monday and doing a whole house remodel. It was built in 1963. (Kohler shower & tub faucet, mirrored curtain rings, ceramic built in soap dish/we're using plain white 4"x4" tile, purchased and sitting in another pile, Keeping the white pedestal sink & cool retro faucet already there). For all you deal shoppers: Soap dish: I paid $1.80 http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Recessed-Shampoo-Soap-Porcelain-White-Glossy-Small/23056957?gpid=18283950120&gpkwd=&goog_pla=1&gclid=CM795IjUhskCFQUGaQodvAwPGg

No, it's hearthstone castle...gillette's is still fine. Sounds like they are going to try to preserve a wall, but they have to figure out how much of a wall and how to stabilize it and how to keep it from becoming a climbing wall with associated dangers. But it will no longer be a building. As it is now, I can see how hazardous it is...looking inside, it's amazing the graffiti is in places where it is, and people have climbed inside and had to be rescued. The interior floors have completely collapsed and there's been a fire.

One of the Mute Swans that has become established in Chesapeake Bay (one of the few areas they are "countable" on a birding list).

I remember what happened to us when we had our starter house built. To save money, we did all the interior painting and finishing of the flooring. One day, after a full day of work, we arrived at the house and began painting the wall of the living room. It was nearing time to stop and with one wall left to paint. We were tired and loopy, but elated about our first home. I had a little paint left and we decided to let go and do something we'd never do - draw a picture on the wall. It would be painted over with the same color paint, so what's the harm? I drew a pastoral scene with rolling hills and trees. We laughed, remarked that it might be nice to have a mural on that wall someday, and left for a late dinner. The next evening, it was time to finish the paint job in that room. I painted the wall covering yesterday's drawing, so I thought. As I stood back - Horrors! - yesterday's drawing shone through. The paint was double thick over the brush stokes for the drawing and single thickness over the remainder of the wall. The dang drawing stood out when viewed from the side. Three coasts of paint later, it faded enough to pass but I could still see a faint outline of the drawing when viewed at a particular angle. Was I glad I had not put a profanity there.