Tigernach, Disclaimer or not, your post sure seemed like a slight on Mexicans. There's an increasing trend to hire any warm body who has no experience with plants, Mexican immigrant, or more commonly, American teenager. Take both side by side and ask a plant question. Reaction: from the Mexican, maybe blank stare while he tries to comprehend your question, but cannot due to the language barrier, and yes, he probably doesn't know the answer anyway. But he is there to help you carry your selections up to Britany at the register, and then out to your vehicle after you've paid, and to work hard at doing what he's directed to do to keep the plants in good shape for you to buy. Now the reaction from the American teenager: blank stare, maybe an "I think so", "I don't know", or "It should be OK". No offer to find someone who knows the answer, no interest in finding the answer herself so that she'll know next time it's asked. Just a quick nonanswer in the hopes that you'll accept it, pay your money and leave so she can get back to being busy at not thinking. Last year I found an interesting variegated geranium which I'd never seen before. It was unlabled, even without a price, by the hardworking apparently all American staff at the nursery. At checkout I asked the friendly senior American gentleman what this was called. His exact answer, with authority he says: "This is some type of geranium." I thought, silly me, for not asking what type of geranium from the outset, but it wouldn't have changed his lack of knowledge, or prompted him to care to see that I got an intelligent answer to my question. My point in all of this is to please not single out the Mexicans. Many who I've seen are extremely hard working. They just want to be here to get a better life for themselves, and work hard to to it. They do take jobs that most Americans don't want to do. I know that we're talking about horticultural knowledge here, but it's not quite fair either to say that most don't have any plant experience. The thoudsands of migrant farm workers in the fields and the landscapers who work on gardens for all the rest of us to enjoy have more than their share of a different type of plant experience. A general comment about inexperienced nursery staff would have gotten your point across, without singling out a certain group. Personally, if I had a choice, I'd prefer to be helped by the Mexican. At least I'll expect a communication challenge and a high probability that I won't get my answer. From the American teenager, not only will I not get my answer, I'll get horrible service to boot.

Yes some Ruby-throats do overwinter in the gulf coast states. The southern half of Texas, Louiisana and Miss. along with Florida and Alabama do host a lot of hummers over the winter as they seldom have prolonged freeze damage. Usually only a little frost so they are able to maintain a lot of hummer plants in addition to feeders year round. One of the reports on Journey North was removed as it was confirmed that it wasn't a Ruby throat and may have been a western vagrant which also overwinter along the gulf. The second report is in Hammond La. which is only about an hour or two out of New Orleans. The 3rd and most recent is in Monroe La. which is in the Northern part of the state. From all indications this may be a Rufous that overwintered along the gulf and is starting his migration west or a Ruby that overwintered and is starting its migration a bit early as there have been no confirmed reports from the banders along the gulf yet of any ruby-throats that have hit land. The Rufous migration usually starts a week or two ahead of the Ruby-throated. Penny

LOL Well, not much time to answer everything so I won't try but yes, I am having a great time reading this. Curious how the first to stomp is also the avid defender of telemarketers! Shall we start a thread on them again? Ruthie, you're quite a surprise. Didn't know you were one who likes to block aisles and doesn't understand the term "excuse me". I was raised to move if blocking the aisle and someone said excuse me. Perhaps it's a local thing? I guess we learn something every day don't we? Must be having a bad day when you have to make up things to complain about. "...post a long diatribe about everything including the number of hours the employees are allowed to work..." Uh, exactly where did I talk about employees long hours and the like! Did you accidentally get some fiberglass in the washer with your underwear? Fall down in the cockleburrs? Sheesh! LOL And of course the tyrades by the "holier than thou" who feel they should decide who posts, what they post about, and their overworn cliches, well it's interesting and dang amusing to read the posts. Don't worry. I'm not offended. If you haven't learned by now I have a very thick skin! Political correctness isn't high on my priority list. Being an old cripple I learned a long time ago that there's two things about certain people I don't like - their face. Curious to see how many must use multiple mirrors! Since this forum is so often the cyber church it's only appropriate isn't it for another deity to come out. The Walmart worshipers are likely on their knees praying to their deity-du-jour, pop open a bottle of Sam's Choice for communion, making up things to throw temper tantrums about and more. Guess following forum rules is a buffet thing these days. Take the ones you like and leave the rest. :) Happy shopping people!

In all the Aldi stores I've seen, they carry several different levels of hamburger fat content. Why pay for it? Well, I've yet found a store to discount for it! LOL Nor do they discount for the "water added" in hams, or the "gravy packet" in turkey breasts, and they just get thrown away too. :) Plus many people want a higher fat content for certain things. If I'm trying to cut the fat a bit more, I'll cook the burger in some water. That makes a big difference. Obviously you need to do some math to see how much meat you're getting for your money when you do that. Sometimes cheaper is the better value, sometimes the expensive is the better value. Grainlady those bags are interesting. But the problem I've run into is some of the cashiers deliberately try to make things more difficult. I don't quite understand why but often if you put a box or bag in there, they'll refuse to put it in there.. I know you got them as a gift which is nice. They'd be nearly $10 each so I guess I'll just keep on with doubled paper "handle" bags I keep a stack of in my vehicle. I also keep some plastic bags in there too. Guess I need to bring an extra person and have them put the stuff on the conveyer and i'll pack it myself. But that's a waste of another persons' time too. Oh, one interesting little tidbit: I was there one time and grabbed my cart as usual. Got into the store and it was jammed. As usual only 2 checkouts going and people were lined up halfway down the aisles! Don't remember, maybe was close to a holiday weekend or something but everyone's cart was jammed too. Well, try to take the cart back out the "in" door and the wheels lock. Much like some places where if you put them on an angle, like going down the curb, the wheels lock then too. I didn't even get out the door with it, I got within about 3 feet or so and they locked. So I dragged it through the store and switched with one of the spares at the checkout and went and got a quarter back. Didn't go back there for a while either. That's the problem I have with Aldi, and for that matter Walmart, and back when I used to go to Scam's Club occasionally. I hate the lack of checkouts so if it's busy I won't stand in line to give people my money. Just one of my pet peeves.