I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get back to this post. We were out of town getting repairs on the motor home and did not have internet access. Patti, I wasn't aware that there had been a vote last year, but I did have a couple of people privately question me on how I was going to handle it this year. I just did like I have when I did the exchange in the past. If there is anyone new who wants to sign up, I will be happy to share with you the addresses of those who have indicated they are willing. For socks and mimi_boo, email me with your KT name, real name, address. I will add you to the list. Approximately Thanksgiving weekend, I will divide everyone into groups. The size of the groups will depend on how many sign up. Usually between ten to fifteen. I will email the list to those who have signed up ONLY. I will not share your names and addresses with anyone else. Please send cards to those in the group your name is included in, then, if you choose to do so, you may send to as many others as you wish to. You must send to those in your group first. Many wish to decorate their homes with the cards, so we try to set a deadline of, say, maybe the end of the first week of Dec. That should give you about two weeks (with out me looking at a calander at 11:20pm!) to get the cards in the mail. Please remember that cards from the US to Canada take at least a week to arrive, and cards to Europe and Austrailia take up to two weeks to arrive. In one of my other posts on the exchange, I have postage listed from the US to Canada and Europe/Austrailia. Ont_gal kindly posted what postage is from Canada to the states. If it is needed, I can look it up tomorrow. At this point, after being on the road all day, I'm not even sure what I am typ8ing!! LOL So, please forgive any typos, ect. Beth, welcome to the table. I'm not sure I have seen you here yet, but internet has been very hit and miss on the road the last two weeks. If you would like to participate with some of us, please email me thru my page. As you can see, there are several of us who would be happy to do exchange cards with you. Did I miss anything? If so, add you comments or questions and I will get caught up ASAP! We are home again for a few weeks at least. Tami

I haven't used it yet, between work and PT, reading up on my new instant pot, wrapping Christmas gifts, have been busy. I did open the box and it has more pieces than I thought it would. I put it back in the box and will look at it tomorrow. I have the day off but also have to take my dog to the vet early in the morning and then have PT in the afternoon in the city. I also have to pick up some Christmas gifts some time tomorrow. Will let you know how it does. I think my dogs are going to freak out over it. They didn't care for the instant pot air release lol.

If anyone needs a new tub diverter, Moen Branford model 3857 chrome finish is on sale on Amazon for $44. It’s ”sold and shipped by Amazon” which usually means you can return it. I paid $57. Amazon’s dynamic pricing is at work here here. Price fluctuates. This tub diverter model is the nicest I’ve seen and has an old world look and is easy to install. It looks like brushed satin in photo but it’s actually a shiny chrome. Other finishes have different prices. It will be in stock soon. Worth the wait. Keep in mind it does not come wth installation instructions or a hex tool. Moen is trying to reduce its environmental footprint. Installation instructions are online. I’m posting it below. If you need it, their customer support line is friendly and helpful. Moen customer support 1-800-289-6636.

"Nothing priggish about it"  "Of course that's your view."  Of course it's my view. That's my point.  I am allowed to express my own views. BTW, your experience of Europe is similar to mine: they shop more often, and are fussy about where and what they buy. And they do place a much bigger emphasis on seasonality than North Americans do.   Your understanding of apple harvesting and storage  is simply incorrect. If you eat apples year round  you're not eating freshly picked apples for a good part of that time:  you're eating apples that have been kept in Controlled Atmosphere storage. The US has a picking season that only lasts for about 3 months in autumn. After that you are eating apples that have been in sophisticated, species specific, controlled conditions in which they essentially hibernate. Look it up if you don't believe me.  Start here: https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/11/26/668256349/thanks-to-science-you-can-eat-an-apple-every-day The apples I buy are stored in similar fashion.  They are Australian products and labelled as such.   As for eggs, I didn't mention a 30 km drive. I mentioned buying the eggs from a vendor at the farmer's market. He brings eggs to the market every Wednesday. My travelling distance is about 500 metres. All on foot.