I agree with adding the column. What is the overall style of your home? In our neighborhood, there are many "vintage open floor plans," circa 1900-1930, and all have columns between the living and dining rooms. I love the combination of connectedness and distinction between the spaces. The square column pictured is in the style of our area homes. But if you have a more modern aesthetic or neighborhood, perhaps do a search on Houzz to see examples of simple and more creative columns. Personally, I really dislike pony walls. They're elbow-catchers, clutter-catchers, etc. I agree they look unfinished, and they are structurally suspect. We have one in my organization's recently-renovated open workspace, and people are forever running into it. The contractor tried to talk our management out of it -- said that it always leads to dissatisfaction because they inevitably get knocked loose (this one's stand-alone, not anchored to a wall). It's not wobbly per se, but it does not inspire architectural confidence. Plus, all us office drones end up leaving piles of files and coffee mugs on it (it's a little higher than bar height, perfect for leaning and chatting and leaving things behind). Good luck and have fun!

I too am having a big party on Christmas Day (now over 190) and do not cook like you all do. I have to have help. I like to have a cleaned up kitchen at all times so things move easily through to the party. Garbage and dirty dishes need to go away. My tips are: Start with an empty disihwasher and garbage cans. Have a covered tub or tubs that you can put the rinsed off dishes in that can't go in the dishwasher and keep it off to the side. Keep the dishwasher going the whole party and empty it and add. At the end of the party, if this works, you have a lot less to do. That's what I have to offer.

Mariannese's comment is EXACTLY what the concept of my post (well, actually the WashPost blogger's post) is meant to imply. Not a book for someone who has never read a book, by his or her own choice. But a book that has moved you to some great extent -- whether by teaching you a lesson of compassion or love or understanding, or encouraging you to follow a dream, or simply by transporting you to a different world that you would probably never have the opportunity to experience. The kind of book that you know you always want on your bookshelf to reread over and over again -- one that you must own. And for a child, the ownership factor can mean a great deal, esp if that child comes from a poor (financially speaking) family. (The first book, for a child, that I thought of was Dr. Seuess's "Sneetches.")

First I want to apologize for my carelessness about the un-intended link. It seems that Houzz does this automatically when un-knowingly I type in certain combinations of letters; I can't see any editing option on the post so I can't take it out now,but I will try to be more careful in the future. Secondly I'm really glad I posted this on THIS forum as well as on "Vines" because the responses you are all giving me is what I was really hoping for...that is, I was hoping to "discuss" the question with fellow gardeners. So thank you all so much!!! I love wisteria, but am very confused. Back when I put in my first wisteria plant (Chinese one, Prolific), I read that it was "suitable for xeriscaping",extremely vigourous and even invasive, etc, etc. So I planted it on a hill with shallow, rocky soil,that was covered with broom, wild clematis and blackberries, thinking that the wisteria would be macho enough to compete. Not so! Eight years later, that plant is still only about 7-8 feet tall. Last year it almost lost all of it's leaves; I saved it by cutting away all the invading weeds, mulching, and watering. It's a bit better this year, though didn't flower much of course, due to the stress,but still seems to be struggling. This one has been very beautiful in the past,but I'm not considering moving this one, since I have other "Prolifics" elsewhere,planted in deeper soil, which are thriving (though one refuses to bloom so far...) Now, this Macrobotrys is a different story. I only have the one plant. It has produced a few flowers, so I know for sure it's not a "mule". These are 2 good reasons for trying to save it actively. The cons: mainly,I've got to face up to my physical limitations : digging it up would be a LOT of work. Also, it's never yet done anything to make me fall in love with it,though this may well be due to the bad conditions. I guess I think/thought that moving it to deeper soil would be the surest way to "save it actively",since that seems to be the most effective course to take with roses, but Cassandra's comment gives me something to consider (that little dryad is SO beautiful, btw!!!) I so long to obtain the effect that Anne is talking about,but haven't done so yet, not even with the better-placed wisteria...Cath, your post sounds very sensible,but why do you suggest layering this older plant instead of just buying a new one? Would a layerd baby from this one be a guarenteed "non-mule", perhaps? or is it just for economic reasons?