No offense to Old Hazza, but the eggs we raise are the best I have ever tasted in my life... They are laid by 100% free range chickens. They eat all that is available on our small farm including fibrous grass, bugs, and other such things... I think that the difference might be that they are happy chickens. We have 16 laying hens and each has their own personality, likes and dislikes, etc. I have a favorite named Phoenix because she is fire red. She sits on my shoulder while I mow the grass... As content as can be. They roost in the trees at night and scratch around all day. They visit with us and chase the cats and all sorts of funny things. They are great producers and fun pets. We don't weigh or measure their eggs or rate the shades of the yolks, but we eat them everyday and breakfast just seems like one big dessert! In my life I have never enjoyed a more rich, hearty, creamy, delicious egg from any other source. Can it not be true that happy hens just produce better "quality" eggs? I know we need large farms and such but that just don't settle well with me... It makes me feel bad to think about the mundane lives that they have... Just sayin...

True Value! I stopped into the Litchfield store and purchased 5 packs for $1! They are American Seed and they have flowers and veggie seeds. There are lots more but I got Cosmos, Single Sensation Zinnea, Lilliput (I love the small zinnias and they blossom quickly! Zinnea, Dwarf Pumila Sprite Mixed COlors Zinnea, Giant Cactus Mixed Colors Zinnea, Giants of California Forget-Me-Not Gypsophilia, Covent Garden California Poppy, Orange I just love Zinnea!!!

Gracias, ajsmama :). Now it all makes sense. At least till I forget what I just learned; occupational middle-age hazard these days! Re. the ebay/thrift store relationship--do you think that the now ubiquitous online markets (EBay, Craigslist etc) have hurt, harmed or not affected bricks n mortar thrifting? Years ago (I was working PT, had more time to do fun stuff like this) my MIL and I enjoyed going to local bazaars,yard sales and church rummage sales. There were fairly often some nice things dumped in there. Now I suspect many more people are doing what flyleft encountered, shopping in order to then resell. I think there is a whole new 'entrepreneur' niche, at least I've read about people who make their living or at least some income from selling online. Dunno, just wondering what folks who are more in the know think about this? Ann

"I don't think it has one iota to do with "the Home Depot Reputation" or the "Lowes Reputation" at all. Or Talbots.." I think it's pretty clear that there are company/store initiatives and policies driving the behavior of the staff at some stores. You will find each store has its own personality, same phrases repeated, same routine each visit, a fairly consistent experience. Large companies often have a company motto to drive the culture and a CS initiative in place. I don't go to department stores often anymore but also notice they don't have staff around anymore like in the old days. It's a real hunt, lol. And agree, the constant interruptions at some places that have their CS vamped up can really be annoying. By the time I've left, I feel like I've been bombarded by sales people. Now Talbots can be unpleasant. I know more than one person who won't go in any more. Sounds like it hasn't changed. But what I really don't understand, is some of these people who need these jobs, why don't they take an interest in what they're doing? Instead of standing around or whatever, get to know your products. Some of them have been there long enough to have done some research, even if it's their own on-the-job or at home training. They guy in Appliances has been there for years, internet access in front of him, and he still doesn't know product features.