I wanted it at the original level, but the soil kind of fell off from around parts of it, hope it didn't rip any roots out. I expected to see more of a root ball as big as it is. You have no idea how I babied that thing all winter. Who knows what's in my soil? I dug a hole, broke up the dirt and planted it. That is a horrid place with dryness in the summer, drains very well, and I'm running out of places to put things until I get my next project underway which will mean rototilling. That will help a lot. The soil was nice and moist and broke up well. We'll just have to see how it does, sure hope it makes it. I was tired from other digging and just wanted to get it over with. I'm not used to this at all. I'd better get used to it, huh? Thank you for giving me hope about that. It has a lot of leaves on it, probably needs all it can get though.

I would also venture to say one of the key factors in why the bottom died back is due to the extreme heat being generated by that first air unit. The intake of the unit is pulling all that heat in the atmosphere around it right through the plant and then the exhaust is blowing the air right back into it again, even hotter. I can understand the desire to cover the view of the units with an evergreen so the leaves won't block the units air vents, but you've got to get something more vertical and not locate it quite so close so the unit can get better circulation and breath better, saving you electricity in the long run. mark

Lav: It's just that fridge and big sink on that wall seem to eat up all the countertop. Plus, the fridge needs like, 4" minimum clearance against a fixed wall... I wish that wall were a little longer cause I'd love to have the fridge to the left of the sink like that. I always seem to want to prep to the left of the sink. I don't know if I can change that habit, can I? I get having a prep sink closer to the stove, but this copper sink is made for prep with the cutting board that sits on the ledge and the drain tray. Not to mention that after what that thing cost, DH will probably throw up if I mention getting another sink, lol. Bellsmom: I was told that having the whole wall open is a problem with structural stuff. That's why DH wants a rustic railing with upright beams in part of the opening. I can't tell exactly but the island makes the walk around about 30"... seems too close to the step down for safety? Rosie: Your words are food for thought. I am definitely a sink/window prepper. I tend to live in front of the sink for some reason. Don't really see myself doing too much between the fridge and stove (in the original layout) And, as I said above, I tend to want to work to the left of the sink. Angie's idea is very appealing though. I like the smaller area to cook in and less walking around. I like the fridge out of the main area, so anyone can get something without, 'excuse me'. The one thing DH does is make adult beverages (killer old fashioneds for those familiar with Wisconsinites) and we're always in each others way when that happens. I thought a bar sink over by the window could double as a kind of prep sink and I'd have mondo storage over there, too. But, it does close up the room somewhat, at least for traffic, but maybe not in a bad way. Idaho: thanks for the info and I was kinda thinking that empty corner could be a safe cubby or something like that. Keep our Cracken in there, lol. Marcolo: are you saying to leave the fridge as it is in Angies plan? I'll have to play around with that configuration, too. Thank you...

The partial eclipse lasted from 1:06pm until 2:30pm. I sat on the back porch. Actually more of the sun became covered than I expected. It was hot, so around 1:45p I came in the house again, back out at 2pm, then back out again at 2:15pm when I had to stand for the remainder. It didn't get dark, more like a storm approaching but not the blackish dark, more grayish. If I looked around I could still see pockets of sunlight shining here and there on shrubs. Definitely got cooler. Plus I heard crickets but I couldn't remember if they were singing before the event or not. The grasshoppers and cicadas were. My one cat laid in the yard and watched me, wondering what the heck I was doing just standing there. I didn't see any of my neighbors out -children or adults. Perhaps they were involved with other eclipse activities with their kids elsewhere.