This is a chilling bit of news. I suppose industry is planning to make this regulatory rewrite a model. I downloaded the pdf of the report, but found it totally illegible on my Mac version pdf reader. The font and spacing make look as if it is written in a foreign language. The other pdfs are readable. Highlighted in the OpEd pdf is this: "Farm-saved seed is protected. Sensitive topics, like farm-saved seed for "own use" can be prone to misunderstanding or misinformation. For example, contrary to the beliefs of some, modernising Canadian PBR legislation will, in fact clarify, affirm and reinforce "farmers privilege". This "own use" privilege is not defined in CanadaÂs present PBR legislation. ThatÂs why the representatives of Canadian growers on the CFIAÂs PBR Advisory Committee support moving forward with amending the current legislation. ItÂs also important to note that updating CanadaÂs PBR legislation will bring us into compliance with the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, or UPOV Â91." This must be the language which outlaws exchange or sale of farmer-saved seed. Marshall, or anyone else, what do you know about UPOV '91?

Coconut - I am so glad you enjoyed your box. I had a lot fun putting it together after I got over my confusion that the local gallery closed for the season. Then I realized I could go shopping in my attic. LOL! The verveine is languishing on my windowsill waiting for spring. I love the smell. I bead a lot so have a large collection of really strong thread - I was wondering whether tissue would survive shipping. Have you ever been to Roosevelt? It has an interesting history. It was the only town in the US with a synagogue and no churches - not sure if that is still true. Ann - LOL! I can count. It seemed like the other boxes were stretching the meaning of three too.... And I felt like I didn't have one big thing. I will do better next time. Mabeldingeldine - Isn't the mill amazing? Did you go to the cafe as well? Or the yarn shop.There are a few of my mom's paintings around the jail and in the cafe. Next time you are in Skowhegan let me know. I live about 15 minutes away. I am thinking of going to the kneading conference this year - interested?

floorguy - I think I would have been much happier had you installed my floors. The things you mentioned -- minimizing the dust mess, culling out damaged planks, replacing dented boards -- are all the "right" way to do things in my opinion. That's what a contractor who has pride in his work, and who wants the customer to be satisfied, would do. By the way, the defects I mentioned are not things like mineral streaks. On some of the planks, there is a concave portion about 1/2" from the short end, so that the very end of the plank is pulled up slightly higher than the abutting plank. It looks like a "smooth dent", if that makes any sense. When I pointed this out to the installer, he said that the finish is stronger than the wood, and when it dries it sometimes pulls the end of the plank up. His solution was to lay another plank over it and smack it with a hammer so the end didn't stick up so far. It's slightly less noticeable afterward, but is still an obvious flaw that has nothing to do with the natural characteristics of the wood. You also don't sound like the kind of installer who would inadvertently leave many dents. And if you did leave dents, you would probably notice them and replace the dented planks on the spot, rather than either not noticing, or leaving this "surprise" for the customer to discover. Unfortunately the number of significant dents I've come across (at least 3 in every room) have raised a red flag. I asked the installer about the most egregious of the dents, and he admitted he should have noticed that during the install (and offered to replace the plank if it bothered me). floorguy, do you agree that having those planks cut out and new ones glued back in shouldn't be a problem? There are 5-10 planks total that would need replacement. I'd be mostly concerned that the glue wouldn't hold up as well as glue + staples, so that the plank would be more likely to work loose than the existing dented (but stapled) plank. If glued-in replacement planks are not such a big deal, I will ask the installer to replace all the ones that really bother me. And finally, what's your take on the expansion gap issue? The poster 'boxers' agreed that leaving an expansion gap is part of Hardwood Floor Installation 101. My installer made it clear that he doesn't think the expansion gap is needed, and that I'm worrying for no good reason. Yet many of the planks are butted right up against the drywall, so that when I walk the perimeter of the room I hear a lot of groaning and squeaking. Should I insist that he come back with a toe kick saw and add the gap? Maybe it would be worth hiring a floor inspector to give my opinion a little added weight? Thanks for all your replies...you've been a big help!

Well, you've asked two completely separate questions! The simple one, at least from my perspective, is the one of material. Butcher block is incredibly durable. Treat it according to your needs (food safe treatment, or hard impermeable sealer), be prepared to accept SOME reasonable amount of wear, and you'll enjoy it as long as it exists in your house-- very simple! Your second question's a lot more complicated, and depends entirely on your space and how you live. If your family would be happy gathering around two sides of an island to talk and eat, then go for it. If your family won't be happy without a table to gather around, eat and talk, and you can't figure out how to make that work, then post your current plans, and I can guarantee the Kitchen Gurus around here will give you a ton of suggestions to help your layout work for you.