That's the challenge I'm finding, Minnie. Trying to get the optimum tunnel width from the standard size materials. And also figuring in walk paths. I'm still wading through the calculations, but I've about come to the conclusion that it is cost effective to build a sidewall out of wood (most folks would have to use pressure treated but we have a cedar saw mill locally) for the extra height that lets me go wider without going to a third pipe joint. And being able to roll up or remove the sidewalls seems like a real plus.

maybe it's bad manners to answer your own post, but I guess I just didn't give my question enough careful thought. I got to thinking that if this is indeed a beetle larva, and given that there are so many of these dang holes, it seemed logical to assume that I must surely see hordes of the adults around at some point. So I sat and thought about the insects most common to me from this creek. I ruled out the diving beetles amd most of the aquatic possibilities because most of their larval stages were totally water-loving, not high and dry like the mystery suspects. Then I thought of the tiger beetles! THere are HORDES of tiger beetles in this creek.... I flipped through the field guides and there it was, a pretty close description of my subject, although I had to go back on-line to find actual pictures of the larvae themselves. So I guess I have my solution, and one more piece of the puzzle that finally fits. Amazing how little resemblance the "youth" have to their adult forms!!

Run cold water over sore wrists and hands for the fastest relief from soreness. It only takes a minute or two under the water tap to see if it will help you. If you have enough swelling to pinch a nerve then you may have a minute of intense pain as the cold water takes the swelling down. Repeat the cold water every hour or two until the pain is gone. Calcium supplements help me survive working in a factory. I'd be crippled without my daily calcium pills. If it hurts you should see a doctor. Pain is telling you something. If the pain returns you should probaly see a doc. Taking asprin will help a one time thing but you should get professional help if the problem continues. Nobody wants to see you put a bandaid on a real injury. LOL!... did I mention see a doctor? Cold running water for soreness and doctors for pain... only you know if it is just sore or really serious. Gina is right about different chairs. I have two chairs for my computer and swap them back and forth every few days. My cats love having their own chair right next to me. I have a split keyboard and refuse to use anything else for more then a couple minutes. Hope you feel better soon! : ) lyra

Hi flyleft, I am just catching up with this now. My incision was about an inch, maybe a bit more. I had the stitches out last week (16 days after surgery). It was a relief to be rid of them. Also, having my hand bandaged all that time was very bothersome. I unwrapped the ace bandage to let my hand kind of cool off. I was constantly sticking my fingers under the bandages to let my hand breathe and to give it a mini-massage. I fished out a revolting piece of gauze that was bothering me (sorry, hope that's not tmi).I was so glad when he cut off the bandages. After that, he covered the incision with tape, and said it was okay to get it wet. Of course, after three days of showering, it came off. After that, I covered it with big bandaids. Now I don't cover it at all. I was also told not to put any pressure on the incision. It was all scabby, but that is gone now, too. It's been healing well, but I am impatient to have a normal functioning hand again. The incision still hurts and certain movements are painful. The only way to tell what that might be is when I feel that zing of pain. Nothing unbearable at all. It seems to mainly involve anything that requires the use of muscles in my palm. Yesterday I got out in the garden and kind of overdid it, so today my hand feels stiff and sore. Most of the painful tingling is gone from my thumb and pointer, but the middle finger still tingles. I no longer have the painful numbness or freezing cold sensation. No, I didn't have the pain you describe going up to my elbow. I did have horrible pain, tingling and numbness in my arm, but wearing the brace at night helped that even before the surgery. The worst pain was in my hand and wrist. It's been 3.5 weeks from my surgery, so I would allow 4 - 5 weeks to feel close to recovery. I am doing pretty well now as long as I don't overdo it. I was led to believe that this procedure was "nothing" -- a small inconvenience and it is more than that, but certainly not major surgery or recovery. Here's a picture of my hand that I just took. I hope no one is offended by looking at my incision, but I don't think it looks too gross. I apologize to anyone who might think this is inappropriate. Hope this gives you an idea of what to expect. There is dry skin on either side of the cut. If you look closely, you can see that my palm is still bruised-looking. Please ask me any questions at all. I was very glad for the info I got here. Maybe I will live longer since the scar is on the life line of my palm, which makes the line longer!!