We ,also, keep a dishpan in the kitchen sink to collect water to shower plants that are close to the house by tossing it out over the deck rail. This had been our habit for a number of years. A pomegranate that was a recipient always looked deficient, but I didn't know what to do about it. This last year we started brewing Kombucha. Sediment collects in the 16 oz. bottles in which it is stored. I rinse the dregs out into the dishpan, so the amount of microorganisms is diluted in a ratio of 1000s if not 1,000,000s to one. Eventually, I noticed how much healthier the pomegranate had become. The leaves were dark, glossy, and green as opposed to the anemic yellow green they had been previously. It took me awhile to realize that the only differential in the pomegranate's regimen from the previous years was the miniscule amount of Kombucha in the shower water. This spring I decided to foliar feed another pomegranate that is far from the house and that also had looked deficient. It was sprayed as the buds were opening, and, now, in full leaf it has the same appearance as its counterpart on the other side of the house. One of the main constituents of the probiotic content of the Kombucha is Lactobacillus Bacterium. The general idea behind what was observed with use of the Kombucha is reflected in the initials BIM that indicate either Beneficial or Biological Indigenous Microorganisms. A search will turn up additional information, and ways to cultivate local microorganisms. In the last year or so, I also came across information on Effective Microorganisms (EM); the work of Dr. Teruo Higa (http://emrojapan.com/). The work indicates that the addition of EM to septic systems can remediate the tainted water. In one instance, Dr. Higa relates that the effluent from the septic tank at the Gushigawa City Public Library on Okinawa was more pure after passing through its three stage system than it was after rainwater from the library's roof was introduced into the holding tank. The water is then used for irrigation. (p.148 of An Earth Saving Revolution Sunmark Publishing Inc.) From what I can gather, the first two stages of the library's system are equivalent to the systems used in the U.S., while the third stage pumps air into the effluent to, further, the decontamination to the point where it is more pure than collected rainwater. It would seem that the safety issues are eliminated when there is healthy soil around that include the microorganisms to make use of gray water a non-issue, and with the supplemental use of concentrated microorganisms even black water can be made useful. The information that came my way in the last year or so on Kombucha, Effective Microorganisms, and Terra Preta do Indio / Biochar are some of the most hopeful things I have come across in some time. Terra Preta do Indio http://www.css.cornell.edu/faculty/lehmann/ research/terra%20preta/terrapretamain.html Terran Here is a link that might be useful: Kombucha

beb0622-While Schneider had a significant number of samples in the showroom, they had a much bigger selection in the granite yard. River Valley wasn't even on display inside, but they had 5 polished slabs & 3 leathered ones in the yard. Definitely make sure you select your own slabs and depending on the unique characteristics of each one you choose, you may want to be there when they template to help with placement of cutouts. I'll try to get some better pics of the island and the granite top in our oldest son's bathroom to give you examples of what I mean on the templates. From your post, I take it you have already selected your cabinets & finish. Definitely take a sample of your cabinet doors with you when you select your granite. You also might consider calling the granite place & asking when they typically get new slabs in--I got the impression at Schneider that they get theirs all at once and once they've sold most of it another round comes in. You'll want to go when they have the best selection available. dekeoboe-The tile was not rectified, but it was darn skippy close. Brandon at Fla. Tile said he thought we could get by with 1/8" but that was too wide for my taste. My Dad has done alot of tile work when he was doing renos and he advised just getting with the installer and insisting on the 1/16" joints. When the tile showed up and we met with the installer, he took a look and said 1/16" with unsanded grout was not a problem at all based on the edges even though it wasn't truly rectified. That's why I mentioned that you might have to push for the tighter grout lines if that's the look you like. Some installers may be set in their ways and tell you that you have to use sanded grout and have to have wide grout lines and that's just not true. What type of flooring are you going with in your baths?

Sorry this is so long. Some of you might not want to read through the whole thing! ok..here goes..first a disclaimer-this is my recollection and there are countless variations of the theme in the different sub-cultures within hinduism! The ceremony is usually held on a full moon day either at dawn or dusk. The night before or early that morning, the house is cleaned with new brooms and the floors are mopped with lots of water(easy to do with the concrete/tile floors in india)! In the morning, the landing just outside the front door is also washed thoroughly. Then, gorgeous designs(google "kolams") are drawn on with dry rice flour or rice paste. This is supposed to be a "welcome" sign at the front of the door..not only your guests but also the goddess of prosperity! Simple rice paste designs are also drawn across each threshold in the house. All the residents of the house have to shower and clean their hair before getting dressed in new clothes. The mini version of the actual ceremony can be done without a priest. All the windows in the house are kept open. The front door is never closed till the ceremony is over. Incense sticks are lit and placed such that the smoke moves through all through the rooms of the house. This is supposed to clear out all the bad spirits. The first thing one does in a new kitchen is to boil milk with sugar and let it spill over, again symbolizing good prosperity. Then a simple prayer to the gods is said(hindus are big on idol worship-so each house will have atleast one pic or replica of a hindu god!). Here's when one lights the camphor and praises the gods and ask for their mortal souls to be purified. One also offers fruit, flowers and the boiled milk and some milk based sweets as an offering to the gods. At the time of lighting the camphor, small bells are rung to announce the auspicious time and also to drive away the bad spirits. In some sub cultures, conches are blown for a similar effect. There is also a metal container filled with holy water(usually from the river ganges in india) that has camphor and saffron dissolved in it. After the offerings to the gods is complete, you sprinkle this water around th four corners of your house signifying the house has been blessed by the gods! Then you share the sweets with your friends and family. This is usually followed by a traditional feast. A more elaborate ceremony involves a priest and a 'havan'. A havan is a BIG fire pit built out of bricks and (don't gross out), dried cow sh$t. On this pit, usually sandalwood or some kind of treated wood is burnt with lots of clarified butter(ghee). This is followed by a mind-numbingly long series of prayers in an ancient language(Sanskrit) offered by the priest. The offerings are on a much larger scale but essentially the same format. I am sure you wouldn't want to light a havan and bring your fire department in on your first day! The smaller ceremony is more intimate and more meaningful in my opinion. Gosh, I haven't thought of all this in sometime. It brings back memories! Vinaya

ROTFL!! Jcoxmd, that pig does look proud!! Krycek, your frog is wonderfully ridiculous!! And very homey. I mean, you could use one of those plastic baseball helmet ice cream cups or a Heineken bottle with the top cut off and polished, but it takes a creative mind to go past the expected. The green does indeed pop against your red wall and the whole frogginess of it prevents thoughts of Christmas. And how could someone reach into the lilypad for keys and not smile? :)