drone cells

No matter what you do, or how you manipulate your hives, the bees WILL find some place to draw out drone comb. It's easier to go with the flow as long as the ole queen is laying plenty of worker brood as well.

It is a survival thing...the bees know the drones are needed for mating. Don't fret the drones...the girls will keep the balance. If you start seeing frames of drones, I would be concerned, but a couple rows (usually at the bottom of the frames) is normal.

Drones are essential. If they want to make them that is great and shows the hive is healthy.
If there is nothing but drones then something is wrong but otherwise don't fret.

>So, the girls want to make a certain amount of drone cells to spread the queen's genetics and then what, stop at some point and make some useful life forms?

If they didn't the species would not have survived this long.

> I saw good patches of worker brood and some drone on most bars.....does some amount of drone placate them?

During the peak of swarm season drones will reach about 25%. Then taper off for summer and drop to virtually nothing for winter... yes they have a threshold they are trying to meet.