It depends on the contractor. One should hope that a contractor who works with stone would know stone better than a homeowner who does not. But, I would agree that this can much more a hope than a reality. The contractor has to work with it. It would be quite annoying to have a homeowner pick out stone that is hard to work with or because he thought he knew more about it than someone who works with it everyday. It could be add difficulty to the project, weaken the structure, and even seem a little insulting on top of that. I would suggest that you might be diplomatic by saying that you would like to go along and see what is available with him. Are you paying him to supply the materials, or are you paying the supplier directly. A lot of guys do not like to reveal their sources in order to protect their sources, especially if supplies are limited. Another question is whether it costs more to waste stone or to pay a mason for time picking each stone. Usually the labor is what kills you.

Noticed it, too, hu, Kat!!? LOL I didn't - I was so excited to see her website that I just skimmed right over it. Summer pointed it out to me. (Maybe everybody will check out her site, now, just to see what the grammer mistake was. You know, kinda like "Where's Waldo?" LOL)

I know I am ridiculously late on this discussion, but in case some crazy person comes and rereads it the way I did, I'll still post my thoughts. I had some comments on the original question of why Kathy is blind to Ruth's faults, but also some ideas about Kathy and Ruth's relationship (as was mentioned above), and the character of Ruth in general. Kathy and Ruth's relationship, and the way Kathy was blind to Ruth's personality flaws irritated me immensely throughout the novel. As many people have mentioned, perhaps Kathy is "blind" because she has been conditioned to accept the fact that she doesnÂt understand everything. From the time she was young, there were facts about Hailsham, her future, and about her life in general that she didnÂt know. Yet questioning was discouragedÂperhaps not explicitly (Kathy notes that the guardians never forbid it), but at least de facto. The students would punish each other for curiosity, so Kathy learned to keep her mouth shut and not to spend too much time wondering about it either. She doesnÂt question, she accepts. Perhaps that is why she doesnÂt analyze or look deeper into RuthÂs actions, doesnÂt realize how selfish motives are governing RuthÂs decisions. She just accepts that that is the way Ruth is, it is only when Ruth makes her angry that she confronts her. RuthÂacting manipulatively and selfishly throughout the novelÂirritates the hell out of the reader. Or at least me. Probably most people have known a person like Ruth, had a friend that was domineering, nice on the surface, but secretly deceptive and selfish. If I am honest with myself, I realize that, although I dislike it, I can identify with RuthÂs emotions and motives...if not her actions as well. Ruth isn't an unusual child. On virtually any playground, you could find a child who wanted to be the "boss", the one in charge. Especially among girls, it is common to find one child who establishes her importance by blatantly displaying and calling attention to some possession or quality that she has and the others donÂt. (RuthÂs horses and her knowledge about the plot to kidnap Miss Geraldine). It is also completely natural that the girl would then proceed to solidify her power and her importance by exercising control over the others. For example, which girls are "cool" enough to spend time with her, or which students are "favored" enough to play with or even look at her special toy or possession. In my opinion, it becomes clear to the reader throughout the novel that RuthÂs precious displays of her own importance are merely compensation for her insecurity and her fear that she is insignificant. (Which is completely logical when one realizes that they are seen by society as "creatures" not humans). This is subtley shown in the way she manipulates the other girls and alludes to being Miss GeraldineÂs favorite,. It becomes obvious during their years at the Cottages as she tries to impress the veterans. ...

I have been burned several times buying seed from big box stores ! ........Many times its because a weedy "off type" grass ends up in a seed blend, which pretty much ruins the whole blend ! 'Scotts' perennial rye was one such blend. Most of the blend was beautiful , dark green, and low growing- but 10% or so , was a common pasture type rye. The same thing happened on two occasions - with Bermuda grass blends. 'Vigoro' bermuda seed- burned me super bad ! This blend contained the most god awful off type bermuda plant i have ever seen in my life!