"If my reward for that kindness is to have to deal with unscrupulous creeps who feel entitled to do as they please with my work, then something needs to change." But, it really is the bad percentage that we often react to, isn't it. I'm sure you've had a ton of profiteers stealing your work, but are they really the majority of people using your work? (and by using, I mean, visiting your site, reading your site, looking at your photos.) I would guess the majority, were people who -didn't- take your stuff, and just really enjoy your website. (How many hits does your site get and how many instances of copyright violation are there?) I can totally see how you'd get tired and frustrated from having to protect your copyright. Your site was one of the first that I found when I was looking for more information on Old Roses. (Google quite likes you as I'm sure you know.) And it's your choice. So please don't think I'm blaming you. But something doesn't necessarily "need to change". It has to change for you because that's where you're personal line of "enough is enough" is, but it's a choice. All the emails I've gotten over the years, and the friends I've made from being online and the unusual opportunities,... those to me outweigh my personal profiteers. Everyone has to make their own choices as to where that "worth it" line is. Like I said before, I have friends (who are artists) who don't post their work online for these reasons. campanula - I think if someone owns the copyright to something, it should not be stolen, according to the legal rules of copyright (whatever that is in each instance). I don't think that it's related to how famous or even how talented the owner of the copyright is. I don't really understand why we even have to argue the worth or how "professional" something is. If you create a work of art, you own the copyright. Even if it is hideous or amateurish. on the notion of taking photos of people's private gardens without permission. I must admit that over the past few months, when I drive by a house with a particularly beautiful garden, I stop and quickly take a photo. I've been saving these photos in a private folder on my computer. At one point, I'd thought about posting a thread sharing the photos so that other people could admire or be inspired by them, but then, I was also worried that perhaps by chance, one of the garden owners might see the thread and somehow be annoyed that I'd posted a photo of their garden without permission. So I haven't, and probably wont.

Davesgarden has half-accurate info blended in with contradictory user contributions. Read with great caution and realize that some people's experiences or negative comments on plants are based on their brown thumb or limited experience since they killed their plant the first time by bad care or site location, etc. Do google image searches for various key words, or just go to the bookstore and finger through tropical books for one rich in photos that catches your eye and meets your aesthetic.

Karen - good idea, I never would have thought of that. Personally, I am used to doing cut-and-paste all the time so I don't give it a second thought. And on the topic of tomatoes in pots, I have finally finished the... Container Growing page. Just got it done today. All you container gurus, let me know if I've left out anything important. Steve - I thought I posted a reply to your offer, but apparently I didn't. I thought I would need more pics than I actually did...maybe later this summer, I can put up a photo or two of my own fully-grown container tomato. Thanks!

I hate to ask this, but if you have no idea of what to do with the space then why are you doing the renovation? Also, when working with large, open rooms the general idea is to partition the space into smaller units using furniture. Think groups of sofas, table and chairs, etc. You will need to choose furniture which looks good from all sides (which can be difficult with case goods). And you will need to place some plugs out in the middle of the floor. Regarding books or websites, try your local library - look for books about loft interiors. Good luck! Paul