Planning ahead for straw structures My husband and I recently purchased a 3.25-acre property near Pincher Creek, Alberta. I saw a copy of Acreage Life at a Calgary library and was very impressed. Though we won't be moving for several years, your magazine and website offer valuable information as we plan and prepare for acreage living. I have a suggestion for an article. We plan to build a straw-clay house and a straw bale garage/workshop. We're trying to compile as much information as we can. - Amelia Lamb Calgary, Alberta Rhubarb barbs Re: your rhubarb-strawberry pie recipe (Summer 2006, p. 23), even the sweetest rhubarb needs some sugar. There is no amount listed in the recipe. How much do I add? - Irene Laird Via e-mail Our faces are rhubarb red. We left out 1 cup (250 mL) of sugar. Wunnerful, wunnerful We want to let you know how wonderful we think your magazine is. We have been in the drop zone for a year, and I just signed up for the mailing list. Since we missed the summer issue, I guess the drop has moved on. I don't want to miss an issue. The articles are always timely. I anxiously await the next issue. We are new to country life, and we always seem to be wondering about some issue or other Ñ and there the answer is, in the very next issue of your magazine. It's almost bizarre. Everything from septic system information to windbreaks and dog fences. Thanks again for an excellent publication. - Kim and Ed Bertuzzi Shelburne, Ontario Landscaping and wildlife tips Here are some ideas I'd like to share with other readers: To camouflage the opening to our in-ground septic tank, my husband built a "wishing well" fitting over the top. The diameter permits the tank cover to be removed for pump-out. To discourage deer and raccoons in our garden, we play all-night talk radio. We smoke out moles with engine exhaust. I really liked your past articles on good and bad insects, butterflies and birds. And Mark Behrend's humour pieces always make me laugh out loud. Keep up the good work, and keep your magazine coming. - Barb Vandenberghe Killarney, Manitoba Write to us at: The Mailbox, Acreage Life Box 2500, 2310 Millar Avenue, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2C4 Or e-mail us: acreagelife.editors@producer.com