Of those, I grow Saturnia and Purple Beauty -- and both require spraying here. Looking at the bloodlines of the other four you mention, I can see that they likely will also require spraying (strong Pernetiana and Charlotte Armstrong influence in the heritage). It actually looks pretty obvious from where I sit that these are not blackspot resistant roses that would be compatible with an organic/no spray gardening regime. We don't do blackspot here, but most any rose susceptible to our mildew here will also be susceptible to blackspot elsewhere. I can't think of any rose that mildews but does not blackspot, in appropriate geographical locations. For most areas (just not here), blackspot is the more severe affliction. Interestingly, there are a few roses that do get blackspot that do not mildew -- so it seems to be a one-way equation, as far as I can tell. You might want to concentrate on newer roses, if you are committed to the organics/no-spray course of rose growing. The reason is that, in the past, lesser air pollution controls -- the burning of dirtier coal and the spewing out of whatever into the air -- meant that roses received a sizable dose of sulphur (a very effective "organic" fungicide) just by virtue of growing in a populated area. Therefore, the older roses' breeders did not have to care very much about fungi in selecting which roses to introduce. That has all changed in the last twenty or so years. Generally speaking, with respect to "modern roses" only, the newer the rose, the more disease resistant. So, if you are "organic" and you want not to spray anything, even the "organics," then either go with the really old -- those survivors from cemetaries and so forth -- or the really much newer plants. Most anything from mid-century will be a disease problem for you. It wasn't that the breeders then were any less concerned about the health or beauty of their roses -- just that fungus-based disease was not really something they had to worry about. As I sit here, I'm trying to think of any modern rose introduced between say 1940 and 1980 that doesn't require spraying and I'm not coming up with much, which, I guess, is a large part of Vintage's problem. Vintage is however carrying quite a few rare, but newer roses now, including most of those recently imported by Eurodesert from Europe. Maybe you could look through that group. As a side note, the reason I put "organics" in quotes here is because lime sulphur, although officially an organic, is quite a bit more toxic to humans and wildlife than, say, Compass as a fungicide, and must be used more often and in higher doses to control anything. Good luck (although I'm sure that is not what you wanted to hear and sorry to be the bearer of bad news -- please don't shoot), Kathy

Happymommy, I think you got good link to info on architects already. I will be in similar position soon, and here are some of the data points I plan to consider before choosing one: 1. Is the architect ready to get involved in construction supervision if needed? (For a fee, however some don't want to). 2. You should check out some of his work. Specifically, whether your style is understood by him/her. I have seen some work by other folks that is brilliant, but traditional, consistently, and not my kind! 3. If you are not planning to use an interior designer then all the more reason to choose an architect who understands your taste. (I know one guy locally who is also a member of ASID. That helps! Of course this guys also told us to not get more than one bid from contractors so again, I am not sure....) 4. Has the person built houses similar to yours in size/specs? For example, here in SF bay area I know architects, who routinely build on 1+ acre, mansions that are 4000 sqft! I think on that lotsize, you can build 8000sqft of structure at least. Whereas my limit is ~1500. Of course I want a guy who can squeeze every square inch out for me! Surprisingly, not everyone can design space efficient plans. 5. Can you get along? It is gonna be a long working relationship and it needs to be smooth. 6. Fee structure. Totally T&M, % of total project cost, flat fee etc. I have heard of people who charge flat fee for drawing plans and then T&M for supervising when constructions is ongoing. 7. Of course, references.

Why does the Association want a copy? Personally, I wouldn't want anyone to have a copy that doesn't need one/isn't legally required to have one. One thing I don't like about where we live is that anyone can go to town hall and get a copy of a plan. So someone can figure out the best way to break into my house without even having to scout it out. Think about it, some custom plans even have rooms labeled, "Baby's room, "Katie's room, "Dylan's room". Not good for that to be public. Where we lived before you had to give your name and address, show and ID, and wait a week or so to get a copy of a plan. Technically, any copying of a plan without permission is infringement. What the Association wants, I assume, is one of the 10+ construction copies you have. Just like you probably had to give one to the town. There is no copyright infringment if you give the association a copy. The infringement comes about if they copy that, or let someone copy it (and the copier would be infringing also). But you wouldn't be infringing.

Thank you, cyn, and thanks to everyone for your kind prayers and energies... Here's an update: acc. to her DH, J. is moving in the right direction every day, evidently not hurting anywhere near as much, is back walking a bit, and if she keeps improving (it's a *long*, tricky process) over the next couple of days will get put on "the 5-day process" and then back home. Not sure what that last part means but I don't want to bother him. Basically, the direction of change is now positive. Heparin is a really tricky drug...I remembered that when I had my MI, I got clots in the vein in my arm where the heparin drip had been. Luckily, it was a superficial rather than a deep vein, so for some reason it either just dried up as a vein and my body worked around it (my memory is foggy but I do remember the hand guy saying something like that) or the clots resolved themselves without any help. But I remember the discomfort from just having clots in that small size vessel. And DD is pretty much back to normal -- the county and the camp have now decided to *close* the camp for now and investigate further, so no one else gets sick, because another group of campers who came in after us, *senior citizens* (for whom such a virus could be very serious--although any seniors who could go camping in central Oregon are probably tougher than I'll ever be : )), got sick too. Interesting to see public health at work. I'm just happy that DD wasn't nicknamed "barf girl" or anything when she went back on Friday : )