tks dirtdiggin:-)

Aw, you guys are cheating the good old USPS out of honest stamp money. I did it the old fashioned-probably kinda stupid- way and sent a bubble mailer inside my bubble mailer. And paid postage both ways. But I like my mail person and enjoy meeting my neighbors as we exchange the mail she misdelivers (always magazines- I think she does it on purpose- get the "Sail" guy to meet the "Car and Driver" guy).

So thanks for the tip.

Mine will go out with Wednesday's mail. I've added a few extras that may help fill some wish lists. These are the extras: Black Cherry, Costoluto Genovese (lots), Kellogg Breakfast, Nebraska Wedding (2 packs of 12) Tiger Like (lots)

Danincv - me too.

Hmmmmmmm

Sometimes the most simple things escape my heretofore technical mind. I can memorize dozens of electronic schematics and logic diagrams of very complicated computerized devices and simultaneously coordinate and stuff hundreds of lines of computer language code in my brain as I develop a program ......... and never lose a tick of the clock.

But I can't remember why I got out of my chair and walked into the storage shed.

It just don't make any sense, does it?????

LOL

:>)

Ted

Please get seeds in soon....tomorrow is the technical deadline...

Don't make me send

LOL Earl..What's his name?

No package or e-mail lately from farmerron361 or grovespirit :(

I started sorting but any that requested seeds from the above players may not be available if I package and send soon.

There were also duplicates so that lowers the trade numbers...however many seed packets had more than 12 seeds and there were many extras packets...THANKS!

I have broken into many, many seeds in my collection and will do the best I can.

This will still be one of the best, easy swaps you have done in awhile :)

TIA, Earl, for all of your effort and planning. For my part the two that didn't come through had nothing on my wish list and I hope they are OK- things come up. I remember one trade I did where I sent my seeds off and got nothing back for a month. I was about to send a email "zinger" but sent one asking if he was OK? Turned out he and his wife both had major health issues that month but he was getting better. When he sent his side of the trade he included several extra pkgs of seeds he thought would do well in my kind of climate. Since that trade I have always included a little something extra from my end and don't have any worries if nothing comes back. What goes around comes around.
Thanks, again.

Sorting is finished, just have to put in your envelope and double check that I don't give YOU something that you gave...lol, especially when extras are passed out.

Lots of great trades....wish we had everything on the wish list but together we can solve that.

At the end of the trade I will include my website/forum so you can post needs and keep that available and fresh in our minds.

Earl-thanks for trading!

Earl, I also want to thank you for emceeing this show.

You might have a lot of extra Cherokee Purple, given that both Dan and I sent a bunch. I wouldn't mind having one of Dan's packets sent to me. His version seemed to be setting larger fruit than mine.

In any case, I'll be looking for this show on next season's listings. Your ratings were off the scale this year.

:>)

Ted

I received an e-mail on Ron...one of those frustrating computer crashes. Let's pray Ron gets restored. There are many priorities higher than a tomato trade, IMO anyway.

Hope to hear from you soon Ron.

Your packages are ALMOST ready...in the meantime. use this link to get information on many of the varieties traded.

Those requesting seeds from Ron or grovespirit are out of luck...I have been substituting from extras and my inventory. Thank you for your patience.

Tomato Varieties
Click here to view the Tomato Variety List in alphabetical order
Click here to view tomatoes by the country of origin.
Click here to view tomatoes by fruit color.
Click here to view tomato listings by other categories (i.e., growth habit, fruit size, leaf type, etc.)
Click here to view a list of the 100 heirloom tomatoes, described in the Carolyn J. Male's book "100 Heirloom Tomatoes for the American Garden".
Click here to view a list of the heirloom tomatoes, described in the Amy Goldman's new Tomato book that was released on August 5, 2008: The Heirloom Tomato: From Garden to Table.
Click here to view Tom Wagner's tomato and potato varieties.
Click here to view Brad Gates' tomato varieties.

Aloha all, this was posted in the Seed Exchange Conversations forum a while ago. Reposting it here. I would have put it here sooner, if I had known which swaps Grovespirit had joined.

Because of a sudden health crisis which worsened progressively during much of October, my dearest (Grovespirit) has been unable to get several seed trades out on time.

The problem is still ongoing; she went back to the hospital Nov5 to see a specialist. Several more tests have been ordered. Some of these tests have waiting lists, and we cannot do much for her until the results are all in.

We hope that she will still be able to send all the seeds owed, eventually. If you were expecting one of Grovespirit's tomato seed varieties, she might still be able to mail it directly to you once she recovers.

Iris (Grovespirit) is struggling now even with the most basic things such as cooking, sleeping, eating, and walking, because of how the illness is affecting her.

We have no idea when Iris will be well enough to get all caught up with hobby stuff such as various late seed trades. Patience is appreciated. :)

The way things are going with Grovespirit's health, she may even need to stop or reduce all gardening and related activities for a while, to save time and energy for treatment.

Sincere apologies for the inconvenience,

Grovespirit's other half.

I wish Grovespirit the best! Hopefully, the doctors will get a handle on things, and she will be back into good health again soon. Make sure she takes care of herself, and for Pete's Sake, don't let her worry about tomato seed trades!

To Mr. "Grovespirit", I really hope that Iris will feel better. I am sure all of us will say a little prayer for her! Please let her know that seed trades are the last thing she should worry about. It was nice of you to let us know. I hope she gets better soon! Christy

I'm so sorry to hear about Iris's health issues (grovespirit). She was one of the first people I ever traded tomato seeds with on GW and it was a very happy transaction. Wishing her well soon, we all have some experience with bad health and know how hard life becomes.

Earl
If you are short any seeds please send me less. Lord knows I have too many to grow anyway :-)

I, too, wish for a speedy recovery for Iris (grovespirit). If there's anything we can do, please don't fail to let us know. And, PLEASE, don't worry about seeds. Take care of yourself.

Earl, how about a weekly update on where the 12/12 swap process stands.

a weekly update...hmmmm
I was thinking of finishing in the spring or maybe at Christmas break as I'll have more time...I know Thanksgiving is out, I'll be deer hunting :)
Let me ponder on this for awhile.

Maybe I missed the humor. I am holding off other trades until I see what this one brings. I'm not trying to be too anxious, but two weeks ago you posted that "Sorting is finished, just have to put in your envelope and double check that I don't give YOU something that you gave...lol, especially when extras are passed out."

Then on the 7th, you posted, "Your packages are ALMOST ready".

Now it's 12 days later and there has been no word of how we're doing. Patient, I can be. But incommunicato I'm not comfortable with.

A simple answer or short explanation would do wonders. I just got my wife out of emergency surgery, and my stress levels say that I'm not really up to playing a guessing game. If I'm being too harsh, then I apologize. But I sure would like some idea of when you expect to be mailing out.

Ted...
I just e-mailed you on the particulars.

Earl

I'm sure that Ted and I aren't the only ones curious. While I understand that it takes time, I also have put off trading on some items as I'm completely unsure of what will arrive. Not to mention, I was thinking of using some of the items that may be duplicates as Christmas gifts.

Please give an update that I can understand. Not sure if you were joking or not, but I think Christmas is a bit on the unacceptable side much less Spring. Is there something that is holding things up?

Earl, I've sent multiple emails and only have received 1 response. Not sure why emails aren't coming through on your end, but my last email, I asked if you wanted some of the seed that I received from Farmer Ron. Please let me know. Thanks :)

I just apologized privately and now will do so publicly. I almost lost my wife this past weekend, but thanks to some great care and some top-notch surgery at Northeast Georgia Hospital, I still have my high school sweetheart - my bride of 45 years here with me. My comments in the above post reflected my stress levels and not my true thoughts and feelings. This thread just happened to be the point of my focus when the stress had to be relieved. My most humble apologies to anyone who might have been offended by my actions. Sorry folks, I had to explode somewhere.

Earl had provided a most welcome service by hosting this trade and he has my fullest support and my most sincere apology.

Ted

Earl, if you're reading this, I just read your email and I again want to offer my most humble apology to you. I do this in the public forum because I need to. I've been a wreck here.

I'm the oldest generation in my family now. That means I should helping my younger family members thru things like this. Everybody needs family to go to when the world isn't a nice place. Family will understand and forgive. Well, I came here. I hope you folks can understand and forgive my outburst of pain.

Ted

Players, please check your e-mail for Dozen Dozen closure.

Earl

Please post as packages arrive...
condition and comment
good
bad
or indifferent

Thank you Earl for all you hard work! I cannot wait to receive my package, which I am sure you worked very hard on! And that is much appreciated!
The reason why I joined in on this swap, is because of all of the positive feedback I had heard on it from last year, mostly due to its host (Earl). So even though I have not posted much here, please know that I do acknowledge the time, effort, and sharing of your own collection that has personally made this swap such a sucess!
I am sure everyone here means well, no matter what has been said, either way! I am sure nothing was said to put down or purposely hurt anyone! So please, lets all get back to the fun! Christy

My seeds arrived! They are in great shape. I love the varieties and handmade seed packets. There are several non-reds and some early maturing varieties that will be especially interesting to me. Maybe I better go start enlarging the garden right now :) Thanks to all who shared, and thanks especially to Earl both for his time and his generous sharing of his own seeds.

I was wondering about the Bear Claw variety and wasn't finding much about it. Then I looked over this thread and discovered Earl's photos of it right here. WOW! It's a monster. I better start lifting weights before next year's harvest :) It will remind me of northern Michigan when I grow it. I had to look to find out exactly where Earl's town is located. It's near the eastern tip of Michigan's lower peninsula where I wouldn't be surprised to hear that bears come visiting and leave some claw marks. I'm down at the 43rd parallel in the same state as Earl so I expect my seeds had a quick trip. The rest of you are in for a treat real soon!

Seeds arrived today, package was in great shape. My wish list had 18 varieties, Earl and all of you good people came through with 12. Fantastic! A 667 batting average. Time to buy more cages. Actually, if you had sent all 18 I wouldn't have anything to do all winter.

Thanks, Earl for hosting this and thanks to all of you fellow traders for a great swap. I've been like a kid waiting for Christmas.

The seeds arrived in the mail today. They look great! Thanks a million for hosting the exchange and for all of the hard work.

I'm jealous! My tomato seeds were not in today's mail :( The suspense is killing me.

I received my package today and really didn't know how to respond.

After sending in nearly 70 pkgs worth of seed and extra bags I can only assume that the package I received was done in error.

In the package I received 4 items that were on my original request list, 2 items that I sent in to the trade, 5 duplicate packages 2 commercial packs, 3 packs of extras (sub arctic plenty, roma and Siberian) and one package that has a name on it with a big question mark. I guess Im a bit confused. Forgive me if I sound ungrateful, but did I miss something?

This is what I went by...the original sign-up.
Post the names of the dozen varieties you are GIVING.
Once someone posts a variety you must choose another, first posting commits to send that variety.
Secondly, provide a list in ORDER of preference for your seed WISHLIST.
First come preference,no guarantees
You may GIVE more than 12 varieties, but you are only guaranteed to receive 12 varieties.
A minimum of a dozen seeds for each variety are required!
You will receive a dozen seeds of a dozen varieties!
You may send in more than a dozen seeds or a dozen varieties however. This really helped to get everyone the requested seeds last year. Many were very generous.
Must send in either a SASBE, postage or cash to cover the return package.

YOU WANTED:
Anna Russian
Big Rainbow
Box Car Willie
Brandywine pink
Giant Italian Paste Ron's no show
Marianna's Peace out
Siberia
Stump of the World out
Tommy Toe
Tony's Italian Paste Ron's no show
Soldaki
And suprises are great :)¨

Did you get the marked ones?
I don't have my sheet in front of me but an error may have been made (I made up two envelopes for you perhaps) I will get the exact fact sheet(my notes) over the weekend and use the computer at work to help resolve any error. Receiving FIVE duplicate packs??? What were they? And an unnamed pack???something is NOT sounding right.

Trust me, if an error was made I will correct it AND if anyone can get those seeds you did not get, it would be me... now I REALLY need a new host to step up...also I if two people requested the same item...first person signed up had priority as I explained at sign-up. There were many requests that simply ran out.

Hi Earl,

I recieved...

Soldaki
Anna Russian
Big Rainbow
Boxcar Willie

Received 5 pkgs of Cherokee Purple

Not an unnamed one but a pkg that says Brandywine Pink Sudduth with a big question mark on it...

the three that I mentioned earlier (Siberian, Roma and Sub Arctic Plenty) that someone sent 11 packages of...

And two commercial packs...

Caro Rich and Yellow Perfection...

I also received

Caspian Pink - Which I sent enough for everyone
And Aunt Ruby's German Green - Which I also sent.

I'll send you another envelope DD :)

Hi Earl,

I was so happy to see my package waiting for me when I came home from work yesterday. No...we do not need a new Host to step up here! My package/seeds arrived in perfect condition, my original list also enclosed with your notes of the varieties that you sent/could not send. Earl, I really appreciate all of your patience and hard work with this swap. Everything was very well coordinated - as with last year's swap. You have done a great job again this year....thanks so much for everything and thanks to everyone who participated! - Lisa

Thank you Earl and Dan, for your kind offers. I'm sure it was just an error with all the little packages...I probably would have sent the wrong packages to the wrong people...then would have had to have each person mail the right ones from there. So I'm certainly not griping, just thought it was a bit odd with the duplicates and ones I sent in.

Earl, would you like me to return some of them or maybe send some to Grovespirit? I could easily send the two that I sent in...and maybe some Cherokee Purple of each type? I see there are 3 or 4 different Cherokee Purple's from different people.

Thank you again,

Toni

Hey, brought the wife back from the surgery followup today and my envelope was in the mailbox. I have absolutely, positively, and unequivacally no - I repeat NO - complaints at all ---- only compliments. Earl, ya done good, son!!!!

I am still very embarrassed and seeking forgiveness for my un-needed (and I'm sure unwanted) outburst. But maybe time will be the great healer.

I do have one very minor comment. Two of your homemade packets had a "not so square" corner glue-up and that left the corner slightly open. I had three seeds loose in the main envelope. And you know, no problem. I'm actually kinda looking forward to growing them out and trying to determine which variety they are. I think I know, but it will be fun to "document" their growth. Anyhow, I get to start with a short list of possibilities. I mean it's not like the entire product list from Tomatofest or something. Again, this should be fun.

Thanks again for hosting this. Taking so much of your personal time away from your family had to have things very crunched up. Hosting this was a lot of work.

I truly hope there IS a next time. My wife doesn't have a gall bladder to mess up my head in the middle of things anymore. So, my behavior will be much more adult and civilized. She's my everything. I hope it shows.

Ted

Dirtdiggin,

The Brandywine with the question mark is probably from me. It is definitely Brandywine (Pink) but I'm not sure whether or not it is Sudduth strain. It is very tasty, though.

Thank you slo...I'll test it out, so I received 5 on my wish list :)

Just another question...if I could either send a package to you Earl, or get Grovespirit's address, I have 4 or 5 items on her list of wants. They may not be 12 seeds each, but at least it would be some of her wishes. I'd be happy to send them on to her. Please let me know. Thanks.

Hubby, our little one and I went out mushroom hunting this afternoon and I have to say, what a wonderful way to clear your head. Came home with some of the most beautiful big golden Chanterelles...hubby is cooking dinner lol :) bless his heart.

dirtdiggin - ready to start diggin in the dirt!

From Grove's list, I have Tumbling Tom Red, Red Robin, Husky Cherry Red and Silvery Fir Tree. Only need an address.

From Dirtdiggin's list, I have Stump of the world and Tommy Toe. Let me know.

Anyone else?????

From Grove's list I have

Japanese Black Trifele
Totem
Bradley
and Black Prince

An address to send to and I'll have them on their way.

I just got my seeds in the mail, and I am so excited! This is better than Christmas. There are all kinds of fun, new varieties in there. I got almost all on my wish list (which wasn't that extensive) plus lots of other stuff to try. Thanks, Earl and Everyone! The only problem is where I'm going to plant all of these...

I have Emailed Grovespirit's Email address and also posted a request over on the Seed Exchange Forum to try and get Iris' mailing address.

In searching, I found she lives in Hawaii and is very much loved and respected as a trader and a gardener. There were many, many comments about her generosity.

She does have one trading quirk we need to observe. She only likes SASBE for mailing seeds. We need to respect that wish as well. Hopefully, someone will help us send her some early Christmas Presents.

More, if and when I know something.

Ted

I now have the address. PM me if you wish to send seeds. Don't forget, she insists on everything being shipped in Bubble Envelopes. I think maybe some early Christmas Presents might help cheer her up.

I'll check my Email about every two hours to expedite getting the info out to you.

Ted.

First off, I think it is great what you are doing for Grovespirit and by all means send me an address.
Secondly, I apologize for the mix up on sending two of yours back DirtDiggin.
Now to get you squared away, I understand that a player is sending you Marianna's Peace, if not I can send you some.
Siberia I do not have extra nor Stump of the World.
I sent you extra CP because you wanted to try Ted's. Since Ron did not send the pastes, I substituted different CP seeds from different growers (Dan's, mine, trades).
I then added Siberian, Roma and Sub Arctic Plenty because of there not being any SIBERIA.
I then added what I thought were extras; Caro Rich and Yellow Perfection from Seeds of Change.
That makes six of your request.
That equals 15 if I count right, plus two of yours were mistakenly added. So did you get 17 or...??? Not counting yours..?
Players may be able to help with what you are missing....please keep me informed. I just redid my inventory list and when I get that updated, I will send my page link and you can pick from a BIG list of extras I have.

By the way, players who sent only a Dozen Dozen received more back. I did not sort players by how many packs sent...giving is just that-giving. If you got the list of what every player received...you would note that many got way more than they sent and that I certainly sent out...well let's just say that I didn't even keep track but I did send many packs that I took in trade to fill in the niches and even sent some 45TH Parallel packs of fresh seed from growouts. If you got my BearClaw you got the second place seeds from the contest over in I Dig :) Just let me know what I can do to make it right.

also...still waiting to hear from many of the players, please post here.

thanks, Earl

Earl, I'll Email Iris' address as soon as I finish this post.

I'm sending dirtdiggin some Tommy Toe and Stump of the World today. They're in the mailbox to be picked up now.

I'm also sending Iris the four I listed above. Remember, everybody, to use Bubble Envelopes when sending her seeds.

Ted

Hi Earl,

I've been blessed with some very kind traders offering different seeds and have traded for some wonderful varieties in addition to what I had on my list :)

Not counting the two varieties I sent in, I received 15 total packages of seed. 11 total different varieties with 5 from my original list (which includes the brandywine pink sudduth) I'm not quite sure what the difference is between brandywine and sudduth strain, but I'm looking forward to testing it out :)

With the trades I've made and the kind offers, I have more than what was on my list - YEAH :) Plus a few great surprises that I'm also looking forward to growing out...the Caro Rich and Yellow Perfection sound very interesting...I've never tried any color tomato other than pink and red, so this will be a fun experience.

Thank you so much for the offer of the additional package, but it really isn't necessary.
I appreciate the offer and thank you Ted, Dan and Slo :) for your kind offers and trades.

Thanks again Earl :)

Hi Earl,

I received my seeds late last week. Thanks so much for putting this seed swap together. Your work sorting and mailing all the seeds is greatly appreciated, and it makes it simple for the rest of us. Thanks to all that contributed seeds.

Rich
arnesr

I recieved my tomato seeds and WOW! What a surprise of great tomato seeds! I will come back tomorrow and post exactly what I got, but for now, I just wanted to make sure that you know I got them!
Earl was even nice enough to give me some Sarah Black seeds that he only had a few of just because it was on my want list!
Earl, you are an awesome tomato seed king! I am very impressed! I hope you are going to do this again next year! I really got much more than I expected! We will all have to keep in touch to let us know how our seeds turn out. And I cannot wait to plant those Bear Claws! Thanks again so much for an outstanding swap! Happy Thanksgiving too! Gobble Gobble! Christy