I've heard of a mom who taught her very young daughter to read by using the wooden blocks that have imprinted letters! Start with letter sounds and then combine them, I guess!
We always start in 3rd grade and haven't had a lot of problems. It takes a lot of work off of my shoulders. However, I always scan the all lessons that were completed that day and sometimes with a few questions, I can get a pretty good feel if the wrong answer was corrected just because 'the answer key said so'. If that's the case, then the student needs to find the answer in the workbook and a highlighter is used to highlight it.
We wash our down comforter. I was scared to, at first, but it seems to work out all right. I hang it on the washline and it looks awful, all clumpy and spotty! : ) But when it's dry, it's as good as new!
I usually list for around 60% plus shipping and have had good success. Ebay fees take a nice chunk out of final total sometimes, but you can list for free at $.99 or below!
Not sure that I can answer your question of 'why', but I can commiserate! Our plant had a little rotten zucchini on it, too. So disappointed! But, yes, I would take the rotten ones off the plant.
Best wishes for your garden! Way to go!