Hi Roger,

Yes, I do know about that center line. I was just saying that when I was in the thought process of calculating the number of tiles I used the graph paper and thought I had it, but I forgot that the tiles had to join each other, corner to corner. So anyway, the edges are what I have to work on. I have six doorways into the hall, so you can well imagine how much cutting and trying to fit that's involved. Gosh.

Did you ever try to paint your patio in two colors and make it look like a tile floor with the diamond edge facing the main viewing area? Well, I've been at it for months as I had a lot of ugly old gray cement. Now, the outdoors is similar to the indoors, but marvelously refreshing to view.

I don't think I ever mentioned it, but my father was a carpenter and brick mason. I had 18 plus years of watching him at work. I am surely no where near a skilled tradesman, but I can surely hold my own in carpentry skills and landscaping.

I try to keep 3 projects going at all times, then I don't get bored and I always have some indoors and some out, so depending on the weather I always have something to work towards.

Oddly enough, when I work on one project to the next and learn as I go, it makes learning seismology easy. As in all area's of life, one has to explore the very nature of the matter at hand, try to formulate ideas that may prove useful later and in time, your mind becomes organized in a thought pattern that makes it all more understandable. Of course, at first the language is a bit of a challenge though.

You should tell us if you play a musical instrument. In my random discussions with scientists I found the successful ones played some type of instrument. For instance, Leon Knopoff has a degree in musicology. He plays the piano. Not unlike earthquake sensitive people, they to have their common traits, they are almost all gardeners. Different, yet similar.

Thanks for the notes on the floor, it never hurts to be reminded about important first steps. Do you live far from Petaluma? I think Don needs a rest and if you are accomplished at walkways made in small cement blocks, I have one thats nearly half done. Or how about plumbing? I have a few leaks here and there. Mind you, I'm excellent cook, so Don is always rewarded by my favorite of BBQ. However, Don is a terrific chef and makes a fine steak and baked potatoes.

Petra