Cynic I should just leave it alone, but against my better judgment I will answer your question as to what I found so offensive. 1) the use of the words "small community" in quotations, which to me has an accusatory feel. 2) referencing that there was a lot of deaths when there were 2 deaths, which is not even several let alone many. Considering these are the only 2 deaths of parents in the almost 3 years that I am aware of I would hardly make a statement implying it's extraordinary. 3) Taking a post that is about the loss of a life and posting a small, abrupt comment that is highly unclear as to the meaning behind it. While it may be "on topic", just for one moment actually put yourself in my shoes and view it from my prospective as to what a comment like that comes across as given the position I was in. Perhaps if he had of 1st said, "Gee, that is terrible" or continued his comment with more explanation. He jumped to conclusion and didn't even know of the facts. Concern did not come across in that post what so ever. My husband is very good about telling me if he thinks my views on things are an over-reaction and he's extremely level-headed. The fact that he too viewed the post as inappropriate I feel my reaction was justified and obviously there were other people that felt that same reaction. You may feel differently but it doesn't mean that the reaction isn't justified. It's easy to go back after the fact and try to explain away what you really meant. If someone is often finding themselves in the middle of it due to off the cuff comments, perhaps the problem isn't with the people who are reading it, but with the communication skills of the poster.

Hi Colleen! I would love to see pictures as you go through your master bath remodel! I'll eventually be remodeling my main bathroom and the 1/2 bath in the master. In the main bath I'm taking out the tub/shower surround and replacing with a "petite" claw foot tub, no shower. New toilet, new vanity/sink, and a small baker's rack for extra storage. Putting in a medicine cabinet/mirror, frosting the window so I don't need a window treatment, and a new towel rack. Also new flooring, paint, fan, light. I'm not sure what I'm doing in the 1/2 bath, except I know I'm stealing a little room from the bedroom to put in a walk-in shower. SO...I'd love to see your progress and hear about the whole experience! Do you have colors and flooring, etc. picked out yet? Haha! Cathy--so true about the garden tub. :-)

I love this site, and don't know where I would go for a garden-friends fix if it were gone. I'm still working full time as a Hospice and Palliative Doc, and my current job requires an hour commute each way. So, I don't get to be in my garden, much, let alone on line. But, it is so wonderful to know there are like-minded folks across the country paying attention to the peril facing all of our insect friends. I was enthusiastic over the winter when Washington had a big campaign to support pollinators, but that news has faded behind the much more crowd-pleasing election campaign news. I fear the world is going to get the message far too late to make a difference. Miss Sherry, I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's illness. Unfortunately, I can imagine all too well what you are facing. Please consider getting in touch with a Hospice or Palliative group sooner rather than later. Every day I hear people say they wish they had done it sooner. No one will hasten the end, but only assist you both in maximizing his enjoyment of what time he has left. In fact, studies show that many patients live longer on hospice, because they avoid infections in hospitals and also complications from treatments that can't really help, any way. If you would like to speak to me, I would be honored to answer any questions you might have. I haven't had time to check my Houzz messages in months, but if you check in here and warn me, I'll go there. Martha

Fish fertilizer was a total fiasco for me. It attracted badgers like mad. These critters were extremely destructive,digging up roses, moving stepping stones, dispersing my wood-chip mulch which had cost me so much labour to apply (and money to buy, too. It's not free here in Italy). They are unbelievably strong. Since badgers are also VERY territorial, it was also extremely hard to get rid of them, even when I had long ago stopped with fish fert, bone meal, etc. , It took me two years of hard work, plus a lot of money, to attatch a sort of double "apron" at the bottom of my garden fence,along with other physical barriers to finally dissuade them. So beware of this type of fert if you garden in a wild area. It's only adapted probably to gardens without serious "critter" issues.