@Ashley George - if you’re asking about the photo right before your question, I’ve seen many of these for sale. The least expensive option that has good reviews is starting with IKEA pieces of furniture. I’ve never bought anything from IKEA but am trying to decide about how to arrange a media wall. IKEA has some pieces that can be floated even though they aren’t marketed that way. Some of their consoles are meant to be hung on the wall. I am still considering this option: Samsung - the frame TVs. Really cool. Come with a lot of art loaded. You pick your frame. TV sits flat against wall.

I think we can all agree that tv over fireplace is not the best idea. I am planning to lower the mantle at least 10". That will lower the tv probably closer to 20" since it is mounted several inches above the mantle now. That shoud take care of the sore neck issue. It does get uncomfortable when sitting in certain spots now. I think of the tv like any other appliance. I am trying to work around it as attractively as possible. It is our home, not a showroom. Thanks funkyart for that affirmation! We're looking for televisions over the next couple of weeks. I would like to find one as simple and streamlined as possible. You're right that a 55" tv won't be 55" wide. Once we find the right set, we can sit it on the mantle while we plan the mantle and surround. I love our trim and woodwork. The builder did an really incredible job. This room is a little too done though. I look forward to simplifying the fireplace area a bit. I like the traditional lines in the inspiration photo a lot. I had already figured out the right paint color (BM Caldwell Green) last year. Thanks so much for everyone's input!

US car companies have struggled to produce successful diesel engines, It's funny because their subsidiaries abroad (like Ford and GM's Opel in Germany) have been selling diesel engined passenger cars since forever. I've had at least one, sometimes two, German made diesel-engined cars continuously since the late 70s. They're fast (turbochargers), fun to drive, get great mileage and last forever. US versions are bound to be better now than before, but I'm not sure what their problems have been. I'd avoid bio-diesel. Vegetable sourced diesel fuel contains one or more substances that can cause parts like hoses and seals/gaskets to break down. I know in the two cars I have now, it's a no-no. There is a blend called B10 (which is 90 % conventional, 10 % veggie) that's supposed to be better tolerated but I, frankly, can't think up an advantage to using it. Good luck with your new toys.

Our heater came on last night, Jennifer, and this morning. Oh you have dresses, don't you? Of course you do. LOL The strawberries at school are stretching up, too. I ran in this morning to see how things looked (wet in the low spot, but great everywhere else. And then back here to mow, and then weeded a bit. But on days that I mow, I mostly don't do a lot of other stuff. And sometimes NOTHING else. Garry had to get under the deck and put a cinder block under the steps supporting beam, as the steps had sunk some on one side. That was just about an all day project. Now we need to go get a couple pieces of lattice. And I need him to get the deck power-washed so I can get to painting. I am shocked--rain tonight and in the morning? Wow. I had a BUNCH of petunias coming up in the wheelbarrow. This morning I noticed they were all stripped to the stems. What is odd is that I have larger petunias in many other containers and they are untouched. I sure hope they STAY untouched! Do any of you have any idea what could have stripped those? It was a great day for mowing, but every time I went out just to sit, too chilly, so then I'd have to go walk around. There's not much action in terms of color. Stuff is happening very slowly. Verbena bonariensis, spider wort, hollyhock zebrinas are filling in, and the nicotiana, petunias, astilbes, and rose campion are JUST beginning. The hydrangeas are enormous, but taking their sweet time to bloom. Since they've been here (this is their fifth year), this is the latest they've been; usually by now they're in full bloom. I'm kinda liking this. I was looking at photos from 2 yrs ago. We are a couple weeks behind we were then. All's good out in the vegetable beds. I am a little freaked out with the flower beds. Remember, I panted SO many things last year. Sort of knew this could happen. . . . I see stuff coming up. Not remembering what I planted. Being fairly certain what's weeds and what's not. BUT just because I realize something is not a weed, doesn't really mean I have any idea what it is! There's a clumping plant out there--an obvious member of the mint faily (wow! Way to narrow it down, right? LOL) But it has no scent whatsoever. Rule out most herbs, right? The tiny worrisome part is that it is also sprouting in the veggie raised beds. . . What did you do now, Nancy! I know I have hyssop out there, several basils, but what else, no idea. No excuse for being in this position. Oh, wait. I have a list of stuff I planted out there in all the beds. I will have to retrieve and figure it out maybe. THIS year I was very careful to plant the labels with the plants. And then got the green beans mixed up with the okra, and now I'm not sure which is which. No matter--they're in styrofoam cups. I expect they'll let me know who is who. I soaked them all first, so they're sprouting up in record time--like 3 day was the earliest. I had ordered five aster tataricus from this obscure (obscure to US in OK--might be famous as all get-out in northern CA) nursery called Digging Dog Nursery. I ordered them in February. When I researched them and searched for sellers, this was the first one I found after much time looking. So it was a complete crap shoot. Then my debit card had a couple unathorized charges in Feb/March, so ordered a new one. Got an email from DD that my number didn't work; didn't see the email until maybe 7-10 days after they sent it. So called them frantically with new number. Then nothing.. . . 7-10 days later, got a voice mail from them saying perhaps they got the number wrong, could I call them. Well it was in the middle of a bunch of other stuff--plants for the school, phone calls from church people, and some family stuff. I totally forgot. But when the plant didn't arrive about when they should have, I called the nursery and wondered what the status was. She reminded me she'd left me a voice mail. I tell ya, friends, I am losing it!! BUT!! My plants arrived two days ago. They look healthy and perky. Do you all remember when I SO wanted my burn weed (which Jason identified correctly, of course) to be the aster tataricus. Well. At least the burn weed led me to the aster. I'm excited to see how it does. https://www.finegardening.com/plant/tatarian-aster-aster-tataricus Isn't it a riot to see the pains we all go through to get the plant of our dreams!! And of course, it's a toss of the dice.