There is a lady whom I've known forever, who was a dear childhood friend of my mother. She is a prolific letter-writer and used to correspond with Mama over the years, or we'd visit when we had a chance to go to my mother's birthplace. This lady is in her later eighties now and is shut-in for sometimes weeks on end and many of her pen pals are now deceased. I have kept up written correspondence with her for a number of years and especially since my mother passed away. I can't keep up with her on sheer numbers of letters sent, but keep in touch by pen and ink (or printed on my puter printer) with only occasional phone calls. It's a dying art, and this woman joys in getting mail in her box to pour over perhaps several times and maybe even stow away as physical evidence of her friendships. Sitting at her desk and sharing her thoughts are an important part of her day and her mind is as sharp now as it was ever and I think the letter writing has been part of why. In addition to that, I have gained some really precious insights to my mother's life when she was a young girl, especially since it was a different perspective than the stories my mother would share with me. Now, that as they say is 'priceless'. So yes, I keep an active pen and ink habit. I also will surprise my three cousins with a rare letter even though we do phone each other on occasion. Now, when I lived overseas it was at a time when phones were not mainstream in homes in those places and very, very costly to make long-distance calls and there was no email. I had several friends in America with whom I would send mail. It took about two weeks each way, even airmail. So new news was old news by the time each of us would get answers. Patience, patience..............it's also become a lost art, no?

Kimmsr wrote: > ....1/2 inch mesh galvanized hardware cloth in the same size is about $350.00. Kimmsr, that's not a good price. Here's a much better price :-) A 4-foot-tall, 50-foot-long roll of 1/4-inch mesh galvanized hardware cloth on Amazon is $73, which includes free shipping. It's the best price I've found anywhere, except for the occasional seller on Craig's List. Here's the link: Amazon's 4x50-foot, 1/4-inch roll I got mine through Craig's List from a great local farmer who had some new stock he had never used or opened. It was a quick 35-minute drive to his place in O'Fallon or Shiloh, Illinois, really close to SWIC. I'm in Missouri. A 1/2-inch mesh roll is $13 more on Amazon for some reason. A 100-foot roll of 1/2-inch mesh on Amazon is $155 to $177 which includes shipping: 4x100-foot roll of 1/2-inch mesh I'm a cheap guy so I searched everywhere before buying the hardware cloth like: Froogle.com PriceGrabber.com The Big Box stores Ebay.com Local hardware stores like Tru Value (did you know different local Tru Value stores sell at different prices. I guess each is individually franchised. Thanks for the Bennecky's Tru Value tip, Robertz6--Bennecky's Tru Value has better pricing than the Tru Value close to me.) Amazon.com and Craig's List and maybe a couple other places I've forgotten.

I would like to chime in here too!!! I originally thought of this swap because someone else wanted to start it & then no one heard anything else about it. I was already gearded up & excited about being in a swap but when it became obvious it wouldn't take place (& no other sucker volunteered), I decided to host one. I had alot of family problems going on, alot of stress - dealing with an alcoholic, 2 pre-teen & teenagers, a brother with bipolar disorders, etc. - I just wanted to go to my mailbox & pull out something NOT a bill or credit card application or a letter from someone wanting me to hold their millions. A little something to wonder about, does it come today? everyday when I go to the mailbox. By the response of the original thread I wasn't the only one. Money's tight for me but I do have a "gardening budget". Sorry Secret Pal, but most of my stuff comes from places like Big Lots, Fred's, & other dollar-type stores. Or out of my yard or from the woods or ditch around my house (my kids are so embarrassed because I carry a shovel in my car). I don't want anyone to think they have to spend alot of money because it looks like others have spent & sent alot. Have you seen some of the trade lists some of these traders have? Some of them are like little nurseries themselves! I agree with everyone posted above. DaWiff, you & a few others have volunteered to be second pals. I got alittle confused with who were the foster pals & who weren't. I didn't want fosters to have to turn around & send to second pals. I've reassigned pals on an as needed basis. Pals not sending after a few months has been let out of the swap. I can only take your word for it if you say you mailed to your pal, but if your pal tells me they didn't receive something than I take their word. I can only give someone so many chances. As you all know, I don't have access to a computer all the time. My computer modem was fried in a storm & we haven't been able to buy a new computer. Therefore, I go to the library to post on GW, but since they don't allow email, I go to my sister's & her boyfriend's about once a week or so. So, I can't very well complain when people don't respond to my emails as soon as I'd like them too. I'm not able to respond as quickly as others would like me to either. I do however have a problem with someone never responding to an email or emailing another person. I believe I emailed everyone the rules of this swap back in the beginning along with information about their pal so that all the information would be in the same place if you wanted to print it out or something. It isn't fair for someone to receive something & then not send to their pal. As was mentioned above, life gets in the way so maybe one month you're late or can't send as much. I have asked that you at least send a card. I do not check your name off as receiving for the month until you post on the thread or email me. So if I have listed a name as not receiving than that person needs to post or send me an email. I emailed several people a day or two ago about this. Cassie, I am so sorry for your recent losses. I won't say all the normal stuff because I'm sure you're sick of hearing it, but I will say this: Remember that God doesn't give us anymore than He thinks we can handle, and every trial we have to endure makes us stronger. SandysGardens, I'm sorry I can't email you privately. I was under the impression that your pal was sending something & possible January & February in the same box. I was told your pal was very busy the month of January & just forgot. I know that's no consulation when you get nothing after sending something. I will clear this up & possibly reassign you to another pal - depending on your pal's reasoning. I am sending you a box (hush! yes I am!) because even if you do receive from your pal, two months is a long time to wait. I do hope you will decide to stay in the swap & give it another go, but I will understand (like everyone else)if you decide enough is enough. But I really hope you decide to stay in! Let me say how good it makes me feel to pick out something for my pal. I can hardly wait for them to get it & post on GardenWeb so I know if they liked it, hated it, whatever. I don't understand how some people can get things in the mail, knowing that they should send something out in return, & not do so. Maybe I've gone overboard giving people chances - I will more than likely stop because I'm not the one who's getting a raw deal. I thought I had stressed & restressed to everyone to please post or email me when you receive something. I understand that sometimes you forget, but do it when you remember. I can honestly say that I probably will not be hosting another swap unless I get another computer (which the hubby says will be soon, yeah!), maybe never. I apologize for this being so long. I wish I could take away the hurt feelings, resentment, & anger traders have gotten because of this swap. I will do my best to straighten any screwups. Kathy

Luvstogarden--your info should be arriving any time now as it was mailed out with the others. I don't know about the return addr. thing. I did it with my box before and PO lady said "Any reason why this is the same addr?" I told her it was a secret swap thing. And she just said OK. But, due to terrorism, like Dusty said you might end up having the PO go through your stuff. As of right now I have 2 trades that were supposed to be sent to me that are MIA. One time I had a bubble envie returned in a plastic bag - it was ripped up. Guess it went through the shredder! I have sent things without writing my name and only putting my addr. That's an idea as well.