Carl18 Having spent my formative years in the garden state we really are on opposite sides of the fence peaking over. There is nothing better in my mind than a Jersey peach or tomato. Welcome Schenley Thanks for the nice thoughts. In regards to composting I have finally bit the bullet and bought a shredder for my soft garden waste and leaves so this will be the year I become a successful composter (I hope). I still feel a little uneasy about running a chipper ( I canÂt get a news story out of CT many years ago when an airline pilot used his to dispose of his wifeÂyikes). Welcome ctyankee_40 I donÂt know if there is anyone from NW CT but you might keep your eye on the Tie That Bonds thread for other nutmegers in your area. Welcome sunshineboy Your lush little oasis sounds like a true labor of love. I would love to hear more about your gardenÂwhat tips that you picked up on GW that worked or didnÂt work for you. Welcome gillianma I thought your thread was very interesting and certainly a problem that more and more of us will be facing as title 5 catches up with more and more homeowners. In regards to your woodland garden have you read Rick Darkes "American Woodland Garden" ? It is a fabulous book he has an extraordinary understanding of light in the garden. Welcome

Although it's getting OT I too think this is bringing up some interesting discussion. Before going off, I'll comment on: Definitely better the devil you know. So many are poor workers, thieves or worse so if it's a small issue then probably better to do little or nothing but the whole point I tried to make before is if it's a big thing to you Jae_tn, then for your sake, something should be done. And BTW, glad to see you posting - I remember seeing you around the forums! Hope things are well with you. Now for the off stuff! I guess being normally pretty moderate leaning in most things, pragmatic on virtually all and try to be guided by common sense and other values of "Cynics", I know that it's good for the world to try to conserve resources but there's practical times when it makes more sense to do things for my benefit. I use a water filter on the kitchen sink but also I buy bottled water and won't hang my head doing it. Fiscally it's responsible for me since I buy it for anywhere from $1.50-$2.50 per case of 24. I also try not to exaggerate things. The water I buy is *not* simply "tap" water from someplace. It is filtered, sometimes I buy spring water. I do not buy much in the way of soft drinks, though I have been getting hooked on the iced tea from Aldi. The bottles are convenient to take with me and I don't buy drinks when I'm out, even if I go through a drive-through for eating. One saved can or bottle pop purchase pays for about 1-2 months of bottled water. Good tradeoff for me. Plus with physical limitations, it's not as easy as for most to just "get up and go to the sink". And BTW, I recycle all of the bottles so they're not going into the landfills as so many try to say too. Please don't blame the bottles when people won't recycle them! I sometimes use cloth, sometimes paper, for cleanup. I use CFLs for nearly all of my lighting and bought LED lights for Xmas decorating. I do not buy or use disposable diapers. Now these are *not* recyclable and they *do* all go into the landfills! What a waste of resources in so many ways! I could see using them on occasion, similar to using cloth and paper cleaning items but diapers are a big peeve of mine, especially when someone complains about resources. Many are quite hypocritical there IMO. I don't do 20 loads of laundry a week. I'm willing to wear something more than a few hours. Heck, if I'm just sitting around I'll wear the same shirt and pants for a couple days. I'm not a surgeon needing to change gowns after each operation. I don't need to shower 2-3 times a day most of the time. And I don't have to marinate myself in colognes and sprays to keep myself from offending peoples' olfactory systems. I'm quite proficient at offending people in other ways! :D Along with money, keyboards, phones, steering wheels, doorknobs, TV remote controls are all grubby. Period. Few people, admittedly myself included, clean them often enough though I've always had a thing about a dirty phone. That's where I approach "OC". People also seldom realize some of the filthiest parts of the body are eyes and ears. People wipe them all the time and (shudder), well you could probably be better off bacteria-wise to scratch your butt! I like to use tongs or scoops for things when multiple people will access it. I keep sanitizer by the computer if I am going to eat by it. I keep some sanitizer in the vehicle too but I don't use it all that often. I know what it did to Howie Mandel, but that was his own OC that got him into trouble. Misusing things isn't the responsibility of the product. And also I'll use certain resources but I also contribute in other ways too. I use reuseable bags at the stores often, but not always and never for drippy meat. I have planted literally hundreds of trees, and saved trees on properties which helps clean the air, save moisture, promote wildlife and other things. I don't use tons of fertilizer & weed sprays. I think an occasional dandelion is just fine. And I haven't run a sprinkler on my lawn in 20 years. Rain and snow wash my vehicles. So if I use a paper plate or two, and enjoy the convenience and savings of a bottle of water I'm able to sleep at night! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get a sandwich and a salad (from a plastic bag) put it on a paper plate, grab 1/2 a paper towel and have my din-din! :D

Hi and thank you for the welcome. I usually lurk because I don't get here often. I find that when I get on the internet - and especially this site! - that I can spend an enormous amount of time. So while I enjoy checking in to see whats going on, or what is new, or new photos, I also check out the money saving tips, or crafts and painting. I actually don't fit in too much there either as I paint on canvas, but don't do crafts or decorative painting any more. But, I still enjoy seeing what others do. Everyone in these groups are very friendly and I know that if I occasionally have an answer or thought about something, it, nor I, will be rejected. I say silent prayers for those in need. Laugh at funny remarks, and have a great time. I have my cuppa and occasionally grab a refill. Rhonda

Good grief I evidently hit some nerves. I definately don't feel superior nor would I want all to be like me. I feel just the opposite. I love our diferences! Feel that I have grown as a person from many here believe it or not. I kinda celebrate our diferences. I love the KT yes it has evolved, it had always welcomed new people that's the fun of it I think. I have been trying to find a better way to convey my "fun" remark so it doesn't sting anyone since it seems it has. I can't explain it. It was not just us posting, we interacted on a diferent level. I miss it. Simple enough. That shouldn't be wrong nor should it make anyone feel any kind of anger toward any that feel as I do. It doesn't mean I like the kt any less. Good grief. Being attacked for feeling a certain way just reminds me of what some called the meanies. It's not nessessary doesn't change anything. I hope new people continue to come...also that old timers would return.