If that soil in that geographical area doesn't have ANY worms and shouldn't have any worms because of naturally occurring conditions, then fine, it could be good soil without them,(and good for what?) but I find it hard to believe that there is soil that supports other insect life and plant life devoid of ANY type worms anywhere. And when I say worms, I mean just that, worms, not worm I.E. Eisenia foetida, there are many types of worms on this earth and as long as there is one type of life, there is almost always another. I have found that when a GARDEN is devoid of worms there is a reason. On the compost farm, I searched for weeks for Eisenia foetida and found none, I did find worms in the soil near by,(about 1/4 mile away) but not many. on the farm the soil was tilled and and compacted and all manner of farm chemicals were used for decades before I got there and I am sure this had a effect on all the life that would/could occupy that area. I would also say that if an area is completely devoid of ants or spiders or beetles/grubs or mice or rats or whateva that would naturally occur and if it is devoid of those creatures because of something happening, usually humans can be connected to the absence. AND I am not saying that Eisenia foetida are pure good creature that do no harm, imho they are just another example of an invasive species just trying to live and prosper like good ole Darwin sez. Just my two cents plus a nickle. IALBTC Here is a link that might be useful: A Note on Invasive Worm Species

Actually, they are ornamental sweet potatoes. Remove the plant from the pot, if it hasn't already been removed. Put the plant on some newspaper or something on the ground, porch or deck and let the foliage die back (it's supposed to rain Monday, so make sure they don't get wet). After the foliage is dry and brown, pull it off or remove the foliage from the tubers. They look like sweet potatoe tubers. I heard this from a lady on another forum - once the tuber is good and dry, put them in a stocking (hose), and hang them in a cool closet, basement, or garage (where it won't get below freezing or 50 degrees). Next year, just plant them in the ground or pot outdoors after last freeze. Some people say this works and others say it doesn't. I'm going to try it with mine this year, and you saw them! Susan

Corgimum, I like what you've done! I will have to check and see if the opening is wide enough to have two rows of wine glasses. The space with cabinet frame dwindles down to 8" wide. I think that would be enough. We kept it up higher because she thought she might want to keep a coffee pot or some other mini-appliance hidden back there. She didn't want it too closed in. But I agree, I like it down lower like you've done. I will show her your drawing. THANKS!!! Mayflowers, I love plate racks and that was one of my first thoughts. But the space is only 11" wide...factor in the framework and it's only an 8" wide opening... so would probably only hold a few plates. Being that it is an old home...unexpected, quirky places like this add charm. She's going for a cottage look, so something cute here will actually look pretty cool. Thanks all for your help. I'll let you know what she ends up with! KOMPY

Thank you for the feedback. I do think I'm out of my depth with this, though. I had to look up what an inset panel door is! I found examples of that type of door with a beadboard panel. Do you envision the frame of the door to be like a regular frame, with the panel being beadboard? The frame will make it more visible but that may be what we need to do. The beadboard is only 1/4" thick so not very structurally robust to be used on its own. My countertop installers are not likely going to be up for creative carpentry to solve this problem for me on Wed, so what I may need to do is get the shelf put in the recess in the support wall, let them go ahead and install the raised bar, finish out the wall (cutting me a hole to access the shelf) and then I can get with a carpenter to finish out what I want on the opening and door.