I have found that there are two kinds of market goers. The "regulars" and the "sight-seers." The first will be there in a thunderstorm in 45 degree weather and will buy a good amount every time. The others hardly ever buy anything. You can here the sight seers say things like "Wow, its the same price as the grocrey store!" I want to wack them and scream "TRY IT! Its a heirloom that tastes fantasitic and it was picked less then 24 hours ago, so all the enzymes and nutrients have not started to die yet!" They carry a bag with mostly baked goods and crafts, a $2 cookie makes more since to them then a $.50 zuccinni or $3/# heirloom toms. But the regulars are always there and they will buy until the last day of market. These are your gold! We actually have diverted a few of these people to our CSA. But these are your late season buyers, so try to get your own regulars as early as possible in the season and it will help you later. (Typically there are also fewer farmers after first frost, you can grab their regulars to, and if you are there early enough the next year, maybe make them your regulars the next year.)

The best answer probably is, "because it's illegal and I could get in trouble". If your state is like mine, kids have to be 13 to be left home alone. Of course, even at 13, it's not a really good idea on a regular basis. Unfortunately, teens without adequate supervision usually find a way to get into some sort of trouble sooner or later. And the homes where kids stay home unsupervised--at least in my neighborhood--seem to turn into the hangouts. I know a couple of mom's who would be very upset and disappointed if they knew exactly what was going on when their children were home alone. And I'm not talking about horrible kids. Even good ones at that age, don't have the sense to always do the right thing. I've actually seen a lot of women giving up their jobs (or rearranging their hours) so they're home during the hours when their teens are home. In some ways, parental supervision is even more vital when they're beginning to flex their wings, and learning to make decisions. Especially considering that teens brains aren't fully mature. Until they reach their mid-20's, they don't usually have the ability to make logical, well-thought out decisions--that's a medical fact. Teens are working on pure emotion--and you know how much trouble that can get one into You're definitely doing the right thing by seeing that she doesn't have too much time on her own, unsupervised. Even though she may complain now, you're the parent, and making sure she stays safe and healthy now will pay off in the longrun.

Thank you, Bill. I'll do that. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to tell baloney from lobsters, but having a backup system of people who work with the stuff would relieve my mind. Besides, this'll be an interesting learning experience. Tony would be mortified. Sometimes I think, "If only I'd called three weeks earlier...". He was very proud of the work. I was sorry to see this happen. I really appreciate the time and effort you guys have spent educating us non-professionals. The first job I had Tony on was to finish laying a slate landing. I ended up having him pull up my own slate installation after I saw what a pro could do. It made my work look like p**p. heh. He just laid the Pennsylvania slate out on the floor and the design was just incredible. He used color and shape to create such a pleasing pattern. Plus, his slate didn't "pop up". heh. I never could get my mortar the right texture. I kept mixing too dry. I loved reading that one thread, "A little more water. A little more mortar. A little more water. A little more..." Thanks again, -a

bpathome, I feel for you. We've used the peppermint for years now with no mice until recently. I'm sure my hubby has not been as diligent as he once was about placing it and there could very well be somewhere they are now getting in because of hail damage summer before last that we've missed. To day an itty bitty mouse was seen twice in the Ladies Parlor. At first I thought Joey, our largest male cat, was after a bug until I saw the darn little thing. He later came back and laid on my desk. When I asked if he caught the mouse he looked forlorn so I assumed he didn't get it. I had a little talk with him telling him that when he saw it next it was his job to kill it as it didn't belong in our home. Well, he must have understood me because he did kill it. Our son found him looking even more forlorn laying in the Sunroom looking at the pour little, darn dirty, but oh so cute critter in front of him. I totally understood his feeling. As much as I don't want them in my home, they are still God's creation as much as I am and I felt terrible the dear little being lost his life so young. It's just not right, but what are you to do? And now I'm sitting her crying because I told my cat to kill!