Yes, I'll never forget her, her name was Lois Raulerson. I grew up in the country, but the school was in a little town about 15 miles away. She lived in town. Later on when I was in Junior high, her husband had to go to a TB sanitarium in Orlando Florida and my sister that was 2 years older than I and I would ride with her some weekends so she wouldn't have to go alone. We had an aunt that worked at the sanitarium. Our aunt had never married. And I got into trouble once trying to tell someone about her. I said she was an Old Maid and tried to correct myself by saying she was just a maid and that still came out all wrong. We would stay with her in the dormitory and she would buy all kinds of candy and junk for us and take us to fancy restaurants. I'll never forget the Duck Inn. I remember we had fried shrimp and Strawberry Shortcake. It was delicious. My sister was Wanda, and I don't think mother ever saw Wizard of Oz as we had no television. I think it's coincedence that we were named for the witches in Oz. But all the way through school I was called Wanda because of my sister. Then after I was out of school and had various jobs, I was still called Wanda by a lot of people that didn't even know I had a sister called Wanda. And to this day I occasionally get called Wanda. Like I said we did not have televisions, telephones or indoor bathrooms. Never had any of these until after I got married. We used to go to town with our mother every Sat. and she would let us go to the movie theatre while she bought groceries. Sometimes we would get to go to the museum while she shopped. My first job was at Woolworths while in high school. I worked behind the counter where records and sewing notions were sold. And sometimes behind the candy counter. When I got into 7th grade we moved into a brand new high school. So a couple of years ago they had a 50 year reunion for all the grades that started school there that year. My Home Economics teacher was there and I was amazed how well she has aged. She still goes to the gym everyday there at the country club where she lives. Her name is Evalena Cates and I loved her. The summer between 11th and 12th grade my parents divorced. I used to dream that if my daddy remarried it would be to her. At the reunion I got to sit down and reminisce with her. She is as sharp as a tack!! Got a kick out of me telling her I used to dream of her as my step-mother. In Biology class my teacher was Mr. Jones. I really liked him and loved Biology. Used to play a game called Zoology, like Bingo. Had cards with definition of biological terms and he would call out the words. First one to get them all won. Of course if you didn't know the meaning of the words it was hard. I won everytime and never had to take any tests. I even liked disecting the bull frog even though I felt bad about killing the frog. And my English teacher was Mr. Emory and I really liked him and did very well in his class. Straight A's. Then there was Miss Robarts for history, American and World and I did well there. Don't even ask me about Math. Don't even remember the teachers names in math classes. It's a good thing I never had to take Algebra, Geometry or any foreign languages back then, I would have flunked out. I remember the Air Force coming out one time and testing us to see what our abilities were. They suggested that I was qualified to be an "Air Traffic Controller."LOL When I graduated I got my first real job at the University of Fla as a filing clerk in the On Campus Housing office. I stayed there a year, got married and then left there to go to work for the telpehone company as a long distance operator. Did that for about 13 years and then worked in the Switch and Data Administration office for another 9 years and left there to go to work with my husband. Been doing that ever since. Glenda

I wouldn't worry what others are doing. I found at our markets that we sell what we sell for what we decide before we get to market. I see alot of vendors pretending to visit your stand and are actually price checking. I feel it is rude and they are not confident in their product and pricing. If you want to know what someone is selling for comparison be upfront and ask and say you just want to be comproable. I personally check our state department of agriculture website and the USDA website for pricing in our area for produce. If you look it should give the general prices for organic and non organic produce for each month of the year. USDA does it weekly I think. That can give you a start and if your not selling then lower your price some. Also make your produce sell itself by keeping it neat and clean and display in baskets or attractive layout. We have found if you display them nicely people look more and buy more. You dont have to spend alot. Just collect things around home and from friends and neighbors - everyone has a million old baskets and tubs and stuff around that you can wash up or paint to make a nice display. We find alot at yard sales. We are vultures on anything we can use on the table.I bought probably 10 baskets last summer for like $1.50. Also gather and collect used plastic grocery bags from everyone you know. People want things bagged up to carry if they dont have their own market bags. It is a good way to recycle and people like knowing your recycling bags and not buying new plastic bags to package in. We have several neighbors bring them to us as well as we save all ours. Some of our usual customers bring us their extra bags when they come to market. Saves plastic and money. Also - always keep plenty of change on hand. Nothing like having someone buy something and they pay with a $20 or $50 and you cant break it. We always keep a base amount in the top of our cash box but I also keep 6 extra $5's and $10's and $20 in ones under the drawer in case it is one of those days when people all pay with big bills. Ummm. Label every thing clearly so people know your prices. People dont always ask if they dont see a price they just walk away and buy somewhere else. They want to know the cost upfront. Bring a everything bag. We have a big huge totebag with extra tape,maskingtape, duct tape, scissors, string, markers, pens, stapler, and anything else under the sun you just might need in a pinch. You never know you needed it until your at market and dont have it. We keep this bag stocked and ready. Papertowels is a big thing. We have to clean produce that somehow didnt get cleaned enough or clean ourselves or wipe up water after a rain shower. I think those are our big do's and don'ts. Just be proud of your work and enjoy it. Department of Ag and USDA is a good way to base your price fairly.

Our new $20 bills were just released this week. Our paper money is being replaced with a plastic/polymer material. It lasts much longer and is harder to counterfeit. The problems are that they don't stay folded as paper money does, and if you have some in your pocket, because they are so slippery they easily ride up and fall out. The 100 and 50 bills have been out for a while. Just the 5's and 10's to replace and then we're done. The strip is clear with halogram images imbedded. We've had $1 and $2 coins for years now.

Hi Neil, nice plants you have. Wish I could make the trek to San Diego, but muchas grande too far- I'm north of Lake Ontario near David and Rina...and to David re. Toronto C & S show- I was there last year, and going again this year. So, some tips and advice---Bring cash- liquidate as many belongings as you can if you have room for many new acquitions, you will need the cash. And speaking of cash there is no plastic transactions, if I recall, so 5's, 10's, 20's, Loonies, Toonies, ( plants are priced at even dollar #'s i.e. 4$, 5$, 6$, 12$ 21$, etc...- there is lots to buy). And it may be too late, but start working out. Begin with lighter weights, then incease to your maximum ability---the crowd is ferocous, so you will need to be fit to compete with the c &s starved crowd. Ovaltine works too. It's a beautiful place with lots of other demonstration gardens inside the greenhouses...and stay out of my way, I've been working out in anticipation :)