Despite the original posters overly extensive post, with certain questionable content, the central point is still quite vaild. We as a nation spend more money on grass than on any other crop. That by itself should be reason enough. Read up on the history of lawns and you'll find that they were orginally created as a means of demonstrating wealth (aka, I have this big area and I can afford to do nothing with it except grow grass I can't eat) Regarding the comments of junegem13 and zachslc, you might want to read up on the legal history of this movement. As it turns out, most weed laws (ones based on hight, not on noxious weeds) are unconstitutional. Nonetheless, if you are in a city or subdivision and decide to do a wildflower meadow where there is not an reasonable ordinance, then you should notify your neighbors and the city about why you are doing and the legal preceedants. The EPA has all this information. Regarding property values, that was the original complaint neighbors made against one landowner when she converted her lawn into meadow. When they were unable to demonstrate an actual decrease in property values, the city ordinance was ruled unconstitutional. Afterwards, the neighbors decided if they couldn't beat her that they'd join her and replace their own yards with meadows. Property values in that one neighborhood are now some of the highest in the city (Specific names and places, are available if you want them). Time and time again, lawn alternatives done correctly have shown to raise values, not lower them. In Charlottesville, VA local government is working on an ammendment to exclude native meadows from our weed ordinance. Other cities are doing the same very quicky, especially since the weed ordinance as written by many localites constitutes a legal liability to local governments.

Hi folks... I had a blast today at the swap. It was great fun to see so many long time friends and make some new gardening friends too. We had over 100 people and over 2000 plants for sharing. Awesome! At our first swap in 2001 there were 28 people... it's was so fun to see some of those same people at the swap today. Thanks to everyone for coming with such a kind and sharing heart - that's what it is all about. Everyone seemed to go home with lots of new plants. :-) Murray and I came home with some tomatoes, sedums, lillies, coneflowers and many more. Thanks so much. Of course, thanks to folks for bringing a wonderful array of tastey potluck food! I say this every year... gardeners sure can cook and bake. Thanks to folks that donated door prizes. We always get such a neat array of goodies to choose from One last thanks to everyone who came with a kind generosity of spirit. Good gardening to you all! Beverly

I lived in Boynton Beach FL for 8 years - 1 year in Deerfield Beach. We never had a pool for a gator to wander into, but what I remember was people who lived along canals having their dogs snatched and eaten by the gators. I think you'll use that screened in area - I remember the mosquitos and love bugs making outdoor activities bothersome at certain points of the year. When picking out your new home choices, keep in mind your air conditioning preferences. In FL, unlike CA, it is very humid. You need to run your air almost year round - maybe not so much in the winter, but the humidity gets into your house and the air - even if you keep it high removes that moisture from the air. I personally love travertine floors in homes in florida, or good indestructible tile. Laminate isn't a favorite of mine because I don't like the clicky sound it makes when you walk on it with shoes. I'm sure there's some better than other ones out there, I'd just be careful of any with wood backing if you're not an air conditioning kind of person. My husband is dying to move back to Florida! I told him we had to wait until DS3 graduates as he's a big hockey guy and hockey teams are pretty scarce in Florida. So, he's greasing the skids talking DS3 into going to college in FL so we won't feel bad moving away and leaving him if he goes to school in Ohio!

Sounds like a pretty typical inspection report for a home built in 1930. Seems to me that this wanna be buyer doesn't have a clue about old homes and thinks they are being cute by posting this report. For a price in the ballpark of 150,000-165,000, I'd think this is a very fine house!