Thanks, Bill. I have gotten lots of recommendations on hardibacker and
will ook into it. I was just at HD last night wondering about the
mastic since it seemed easier than the thinset. Does the mastic do as
good a job keeping the water out?

BTW, are you the same Bill who posts over at GardenWeb? If so, thanks
for all your posts on tile backsplashes! They really helped us finish
ours last year!