Regarding the bee crisis: Organic Gardening magazine (Nov.-Jan. issue)had a cover story on this--very enlightening. They had a balanced view of the situation. Apparently, the native bees, which mostly don't colonize, are picking up the slack in pollination along with other native pollinators (like flies, moths, hummingbirds). We can help this situation by doing what all of you here have been doing so diligently--avoiding harsh chemicals, planting flowers for all seasons, providing "housing" like wood or bare soil, and water. Your eco-friendly ethics are what will save this situation. There are about 4,000 species of native bees (like bumble bees, orchard mason bees, squash bees) and most of them are harder working than the European honeybees and that's saying something. I had a beautiful bee in my garden that had a blue-green metallic body and made its home in the sand. Turns out it's a sweat bee and a very good pollinator, non-aggressive. It makes me sad to think people will spray the heck out of their yards and hurt this little guy. Makes me glad I'm too lazy to mix up that smelly stuff. I have learned so much by hanging out with y'all and I'm proud to be among those who have such care for the environment. Julie in WPB

Did you give him a down??? Has the builder already scheduled dig? Or is he working on permitting in your area Normally like you said the 3 days buyer remorse period is up and you are stuck. It is unfortunate that you got caught in this but it does happen. I am not saying he is a bad builder only that it seems as you were rushed through the contract. If he is a reputable builder then he will sit down with you and go over the issues and probably work out a resolution. I have run into the misunderstandings before and normally there is a compromise. No builder wants his customer leary of him from start of project. As far as the design. My designs sometimes have items (upgrades) in them at time of sale that the customer does not want to pay for upgrade. It is what is on the contract that holds up in court. Good Luck, David

Oh, please don't feel bad! It makes me feel good to know someone "gets" it. The whole situation is such a mess. Yes, the Yale man expressed the academic viewpoint. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I think he might be open to considering data that contradicts it. The consumer groups trying to educate the public sabotage themselves sometimes, I think. After hanging out on their message boards for some time I backed off because it's hard to know what to believe. They often blame everything on ticks. They may be right, but it sounds like lunacy at times. Also, they place a lot of importance on going to Lyme-literate doctors (LLMDs). Unfortunately, anyone can call himself--or herself--an LLMD. I discovered that the ones in my area (within 100 miles, none close) don't take insurance, and all charge big bucks. And I didn't see anyone posting about being cured. Post after post talked about switching meds, adding meds, trying a new med, going for IV meds, adding supplements, giving up certain foods, exercising, reacting to meds, feeling better, feeling worse, noticing no changes, etc. It was dizzying. My own doctor is a good guy. He admits he doesn't know much about tick-borne illness, but he reads what I give him and trusts my judgment. So I learn all I can (which is how I found myself talking to the Yale researcher), but there are no clear answers. I was on Doxycycline a total of 5 months. Doxy is the least risky of the recommended antibiotics. I'm sure I'll be on it again this spring or summer. It helps, but it's not a cure. The best book I read on the subject is Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic. The author, Pamela Weintraub, is an experienced medical journalist whose family was severely affected by Lyme and its co-infections. She goes on antibiotics periodically as symptoms return.

Help?! How have the pottery barn york sofas and the sunbrella performance tweed fabric worn over time? Cushions keep their shape? I have the chance to buy a 2 year old pottery barn york sofa in sunbrella performance tweed - ash for $1600. It seems to be in very good condition. I have two 25 lb dogs who will be on the sofa.