Urbanized animals, which have learned to adapt very well to humans and their homes, aren't usually phased by dogs or dog scent, or if they are, it won't last long. The temptation of an easy meal is too strong, so its tough to deal with these types of animals. I have several neighbors with dogs, and it has no effect on skunks, raccoons, rabbits, chipmunks, or squirrels, and trust me, one of my neighbors dogs used to pee on my young spruce & pine trees, and I used to gripe about it, because it kills the trees. Anyways, these trees are 10 feet from my garden, and it never stopped the pesky animals from stopping by. I have done plenty of nice things for the animals, in the way of trying passive methods to get rid of them, and nothing works long term, and it just causes you more hassle then anything. The only true way to get rid of pesky animals is to literally GET RID of them. Joe

One particular treatment that was done in the 18th and 19th c. when it came to paint, was to paint the entire room in the same color, trim and all. The modern interpretation of this would be to do a higher sheen level on the millwork. This could address the issue of the different sizes of doors and such and minimize the horizontal banding effect of a wainscot. * * * * Mount Pleasant, a Georgian house that has slowly been taken back from colonial revival notions of what it looked like to what it Really looked like --based upon physical analysis-- had very Interesting paint treatment: The entire room, including all the heavy Georgian detail, was painted in one color (a rather drab gold if I remember) The cupboards had a bright paint treatment on the interiors, and there was a brownish black band of paint that ran around the lower 6-9" of the perimeter, intersecting EVERYTHING: door jambs, doors, fireplace, etc...a cut line straight across. (Apparently to hide the splash marks from washing the floors and muddy clothing and such)

The tan knob at the top looks like the vacuum break. Here's what I would do at this point... I'd turn the water off at that shutoff, and then replace the entire assembly (frost proof sillcock). You can get the whole thing for $30 at big box hardware. Note that if you go this direction you need to unscrew the sillcock from the copper pipe while holding the copper pipe from turning (so two wrenches). Frost proof sillcocks come in various lengths - match what you have. Also match the end that connects to the plumbing (is probably 1/2" male threaded). While you are there at the hardware store you will need a small roll of teflon tape to wrap on the pipe threads before you assemble again to prevent leaks. You will also need a can of "Great Stuff" or similar foam. With the new sillcock connected and properly in place, foam the opening around the sillcock from the inside so it's sealed up and keeps out air, bugs and critters. You don't want foam outside, so the new sillcock should be positioned tight against the house. If foam does get outside, don't mess with it until it's dry... then cut it / clean it up.

Lin, I'd be happy to send seeds of "Konjac" when they are ripe. Konjac not only grows easily from seed, but multiplies nicely from bulbs. The mother plant dies after setting seed and divides into several little potato like bulbs. I sometime reuse potting soil and have them coming up in the strangest places. Once a plant went out the hole in the bottom of a large black nursery pot I had inside a decorative pot and came up the side between the pots. I thought -- where the heck did that come from???? It was determined to grow! Pam, I'm fairly certain that all the plants you mention above would have no problem regrowing if you cut them back. I know Greg's mist flower can take it. And the others come back from the roots here in the spring. I'd do it. Nothing makes a flower bed look worse than half dead looking droopy plants -- definitely 'not working'. Anyone else want to venture an opinion on Pam's question?