Hey Claudia --

I basically agree with you. I was not involved with this swap, but it seems pretty obvious to me that the main difficulties were caused by simply forgetting that advertising within a small, closed community is much different than advertising to the world at large. It's easy to get so enthusiastic about something like a plant swap that, in our enthusiasm, we forget about the masses and masses of John Q. Public out there -- many of whom we don't really want around!

On the other hand, Cheryl P. advertised the latest East TN/Knoxville swap both here and on the Dave's Garden forums -- and that sort of wider advertising worked out just great. So I wouldn't necessarily restrict all advertising to GW alone, but perhaps restrict it to known communities of gardeners, rather than to the general public.

Way ahead of you Claudia. Hows that Banana? Around 10:30 that morning Jim made me promise NO MORE ADVERTISING. I agree 100%. I never in my wildest dreams thought that there would be anything close to THAT many people showing up. I think that ¾ of them had no clue as to how a swap works and half of that bunch didnt care anyway. Had I been able to organize and control the situation like I should have it wouldn't have been that bad.

I agree that several of those in our regular crew complained and weren't happy. Well trust me, neither was I. After spending the majority of my day choking on dust and dirt directing traffic in the heat with no shade 200 yards away from the swap, I didn't get to visit, swap or eat. (Try that one on next time.) We brought well over 100 plants to the swap and came back with a maybe a dozen. (Fair? I guess.) Not counting the weeks leading up to and the weeks since, I was a basket case for EIGHT HOURS worrying about everything that was going so wrong and realizing it was all my fault; worrying that my wife was running herself into the ground (for everyone else) making herself so sick that she wouldnt recover for weeks, maybe months and that she had to be taken home my best friends by 11:30 (wanna worry about your diabetic wife, the woman you love more than anything else in the world, for seven hours not knowing how she is?); making people mad because I had no answers to their questions; hollering at folks who wouldnt listen to anyone and just ignored you about parking; getting hollered at and cussed-out by people I didnt even know because they had a hard time finding the place or because they werent going home with a truckload of free plants; seeing car after car and truck after truck pull down the road with no plants and no food; seeing the disappointed look in Jan and Jims eyes that broke my heart; hoping that I wasnt going to be the cause of Jim losing business or having a heart attack; and feeling like I let all of you guys down by screwing up and ruining the one thing that we cherish so much together. So trust me, anyone that THOUGHT they had a bad days experience was sooooooooo much better than mine so lets not even think about comparing our days. Trust me, you lose. I dont mean to complain or be a jerk about it because I asked for this responsibility and I enjoy the good and the bad that it brings but it wasnt a day of sunshine, roses and a picnic for me either. I may have been smiling on the outside but I was screaming at the top of my lungs in the inside. I love this swap and I love all the people that Ive met as a result of it. Every last one of you guys are in my heart and on my mind daily. This isnt a two-day a year job for me; it ends up being about two full-time months a year! I cant tell you how bad I want to keep this swap a wonderful event that we can all be happy with and proud of. I blew it this year, Im sorry and Im going to do everything within my power to make sure I fix it (with all yalls help). If any of you would like to be the new MTPS Secretary please don't hesitate to contact me.

That being said, dont think for a minute that there werent some huge and seriously positive things that occurred. Maybe some folks didnt see it but I dont think that Im the only one who noticed it either. We did bring in some wonderful people that were first-timers who will be a great addition to our bunch. Check that, who ARE already a great addition to our number. They know who they are and they have my deepest appreciation for their work ethic and especially their selfless and positive attitude. I think that Im too complacent and jaded sometimes and that maybe my attitude isnt all that it should be. I saw newbies with the eyes of a child who were having the times of their life and were so excited by the whole thing not realizing all the stuff that we were all griping and complaining about. I saw folks busting their humps to help that werent even asked to, who saw a need and jumped into fire to help everyone else out which really warmed my heart. Some of those first-timers were doing work that you would think that some of our regulars would have stepped up and done! And there were plenty of our regular number that sacrificed their entire day never complaining once that pulled my rear end out of the ringer and Ill go to war for them any day any time.

I don't see limited growth as a bad thing but 400 was just off-the-hook ridiculous. We will always lose and gain folks along the way from year to year. But if we had the same 50 people always show up then nobody would want to come back because we'd all have the same stuff to swap. That makes for nice conversation but a crappy plant swap! I think that a good number for the Spring MTPS is 100-150. Maybe even 200 if I can get my act together. We managed 100-125 pretty well last spring without too many problems.

Again, the only promotion you will ever see from me again regarding the MTPS is on this site. My only intent was to share what I feel is the greatest gardening event in the state of Tennessee, no the USA, with a few more awesome folks that are as crazy about plants as we are. My exuberance and naiveté came back and bit me in the butt. The MTPS is spawning new swaps all over the state now. Because of Jan Hobbs and Mona White, I bet there are at least 6-8 new plant swaps all over the state and I know that many folks are starting to see the value in hosting one themselves. This is going to grow exponentially in the next few years! Id bet a paycheck that there will be swaps in the Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Memphis, Lebanon and Gallatin areas in no time that are directly attributable to the MTPS. So if you dont like this one or its too far to driveLook for a swap coming soon to an area near you or start one yourself like Cheryl Morgan or Nat did!

I apologize again to everyone for ruining the swap for so many people and I hope that you will all continue to come back regardless of the attendance numbers or whether Im the Secretary or not.

Its 2:30 a.m. and I've been up and working since 7:00 a.am. yesterday. I tired, cranky and really dont what else to say other than Im sorry.

I will be contacting several of you about being on our MTPS Committee very soon and hopefully you won't tell me where to stick it.

Jeff
aka Big Orange Screw-up

Awwww Jeff, don't beat yerself up. I love that you're so enthusiastic. You know what they say -- Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from BAD judgment!

We all get to make many mistakes through our lives. If we're lucky, we have friends to help us survive those mistakes and to help us laugh at them after we've survived them! :-)

Hey, Jeff, it's a one-time blip. A nightmare of a blip, yes, but most of those folks won't be back, especially the rude freeloader types. (I wonder if Ms Cheap knows who her audience is? Not pretty.)

How awful that day must have been for you. I spent so much time tied up explaining swap protocol to newcomers I couldn't track what everybody else was doing. Hope Lavonne's recuperated. Like everyone else, I didn't get to visit with my swap buddies, but I did get to meet Martha (katzwoman), a terrific and I hope permanent addition to the group.

I know I'm repeating myself, but if you need me I'm there as a volunteer, even if I'm not a big orange one. :-)

Marty

Hey Jeff, just wanted to say how sorry I am this happened to you guys. My heart goes out to you. I've depended on your posts here on the GW for so long that even though I've never met you, I feel I know you and it really hurts to see you hurt. You are key to the vitality of the GW. So many times I observe you smooth things over when posts can be mis-read and people get a bit tiffed or whatever - you are like the peacemaker. You lift us up when we are just kind of dragging. And without knowing it, you've helped me with kind words to my fragile beginnings here on the GW. You are the best! - Frances

Oh lordy -- you got cussed out by some of the wonderful adoring crowd??? I have this vision of you in my mind right now, getting cursed and eating dirt and waving your arms.I'm Sooooory.but I'm laughing (wish we had it on video to replay at the next swap lololololol)

But to get back to being serious...

About Lavonne's experience -- I'm sure many of us had NO idea. Please let her know my friend Barbara & I hope she is feeling much better and gets back to normal quickly!

Now again, just to make sure you understood what I said in my postI truly know that the whole deal was a "fax pas". Don't be so hard on yourself.

And like you said "If any of you would like to be the new MTPS Secretary please don't hesitate to contact me." I'll bet you've not had anyone begging you for the position. Myself included! As I told you, I'm happy to step forward and join the volunteer committee, but as far as being the secretary.I'm not capable.

FWIW, and I'm holding & patting your hand here 'cause I understand 100% how you feel.I've been in a somewhat similar situation as yourself and basically ran myself close to ragged trying to do everything in the group, with more complaining and pouting and then finally blatant undermining coming from the so-called V.P. and a few others than anything else. Oh, certain folks sure could complain.but did they ever offer to help? Noooooooo!!

Well, I finally woke up one morning and decided that for Claudia, it was important and necessary to politely wash my hands of the whole deal and quietly disappear into the sunset.and let the ones who were so obviously grumbling in the background just step up and put their money where their obnoxious mouths were!!! In the case with MTPS, I sure wouldn't be surprised if you said "Gang this position is up for grabs I'm pooped!"

Soonce again (((Jeff)))don't think for a minute that any of the "regulars" hold anything against you for the turn of events that day! Who woulda thunk?? :-)

And yes.I certainly didn't jump in and become a volunteer to help out. But in my pitiful defense, I would have, had I been asked. I thought you had your volunteer group all assigned, really! All I was aware of was that there were an awful lot of peopleand an inordinate number of people walking right up, snatching my traded-for plants and walking away!! It got to the point where my friend and I were afraid to walk away from our table -- we truly had to guard it from both sides!

Without going on and on here, I agree with you that limited growth is a good thing, etc. Yes, that's why I said we can all be scouts for new folks that might like to attend. At least we'd be more assured that the newbies would be really interested, etc.

Oh, and my 'naner is sprouting a new leaf as I type. THANK YOU!

Thanks again, Jeff. Wipe off the dust, take a deep breath & onward & upward! Yee-Haw!!

Claudia

Dear Jeff,
Let me tell you what I see. I see a wonderful human being who loves to garden. I see a person,(whom had it been anyone else would have lost his cool) who did not. I am a newbie and you and Jan, Marty and several others have not only made me feel very welcome but have helped me with my garden. I could see and feel your frustration. I hope Lavonne is doing better and I hope that you will remain as the secretary. And I say at this point that we need to stop whining.......Get over It! And Move ON!
Martha

Sorry about that gang! Bad day yesterday guys! I woke up this morning thinking that I'd just made another post similar to the one several years ago when everybody west of Jackson wanted to hang me in effigy.

Doc if you're correct in your assessment of bad judgment vs. experience I ought to have experience out the yazoo by now! Thank goodness I do have the best wife, family and friends in the world. That includes my GW family. I'd be lost with out you guys too.

Marty I can't thank you enough for all you do for us here at GW. Your expertise in all things plant related is nothing short of remarkable and your willingness to help us all out is tantamount to deserving sainthood. I'd be lost without you girl.

Frances you need to come to the Fall MTPS if for no other reason than because I owe you a big huge crushing hug! That's one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me. I do try (and fail miserably sometimes) to be a peacemaker, mediator and good-guy. But like H. R. Pufnstuf in '69, I "can't do a little, 'cause you can't do enough. (sans all the psychedelic drug references) that's how I feel sometimes.

Claudia I really didn't mean to come down so hard and try to start my own personal pity party last night (this morning, whatever). Your "vision" of me was right on the money though! I just didn't want to mention it but I did have one "lady" go up one side of me and down the other pretty good. I just bit my tongue, apologized and thanked her for coming. (Then mentally gave her the finger as she drove away)

Martha what a gem we found in you!!! Thank you so much for everything.

Thanks for asking but Lavonne is still sick and I have no idea when she'll be back to full speed. She cares too much, tries too hard, pushes herself to the limit physically and always pays for it long after the fact. Sometimes I try and make her stay home from the swap just because we both know what it's going to do to her physically. DON'T ANY OF YOU MENTION THIS TO HER EITHER!!! She'd clean my clock if she knew I let it out that she wasn't invincible.

Yes the phone has been ringing off the hook and my email is blown-up with folks wanting to be added to the enormously long list of potential future Swap Nazis. Well at least nobody is trying to undermine me but I reckon I do get a little thin-skinned sometimes. I need three of me, or at least one that's marginally capable, to do everything I need to get done. My stress levels are kinda elevated with the new business, Lavonne's health, work that needs my attention at home, taking care of family and the swap stuff. Sadly it seems that occasionally I tend to blow off steam here on GW and I really don't mean to. My mouth always has gotten me into more trouble than I can get out of. You'd think after 46 years I would have learned by now. I realize that there are so many others of you who have far greater burdens than I who are trying to shoulder those by yourself that Im pretty dang embarrassed that I even think about complaining so Ill cease and desist.

I understand why Jan and Mona were so nice in "volunteering" me for the job. How could anyone turn those two down though? We are so blessed to have them in our lives. Are there any two more awesome ladies on this planet? I hope that you guys remember to keep their families in your prayers and if its not too much troubleplease chuck one in there for Lavonne and I every now and then too.

Sorry about the rant last night, try and forgive me pleaseagain!

It's all over now...I hope NO ONE ELSE comes down on Jeff again for what happened. No one ever dreamed this would happen...not even Jeff...so please stop blaming him for it. He worked like a trooper, along with so many other people. And I thank everyone that stepped in to do their part. There were no assigned "positions"...everyone was a volunteer...no one got a dime in wages...just headaches...like the ones that Jeff described. Whoever said it is right...Jeff is a wonderful peace maker...and that is a gift. I hope that a LOT of you will step forward and email Jeff and volunteer to help out at the fall swap...only with everyone working TOGETHER as a team...and Jeff is our nazi....will we pull it off. If you don't like what happened...then volunteer and help us change it!

Jan

Well said Jan! Why anyone would come down on Jeff is just plain irrational anyway. Lots of love to Jeff and Lavonne they are just the nicest of people. On to the future and the best banana pudding recipe I can find. Just in case I run into a real nice guy who has given away countless banana trees and happens to have a weakness for naner pudding this fall. Rhonda

Thank you Jan and Rhonda! Guys I haven't taken any of the criticism as a personal attack or anything like that. I think that Im up to speed on everyones views too It's just that I've tried to explain what went wrong and why and then tried to explain that we are going to get it corrected. I'm not mad at anyone and I wasn't too happy about how everything went down either but all things considered, actually I think it went pretty dang we under the circumstances. Geez, we could have had dang a riot! We can look back on it and laugh now. Well just chalk it up to the school of hard knocks and go forward. Plus, you have new ammo to bust my chops for the next decade or so (as if that were needed)! I'm happy and I still want your input! Everybody take a nice hot shower, some Advil, get a cup of coffee and chill. Its all good.

If you really want to make a difference and help get us back to where we all want to be then check out my new thread.

Heavens, guys, NOBODY here is "coming down on Jeff". Jeff is a great guy, and this place wouldn't be the same without him! Please, take a deep breath and relax. Stuff happens, things go wrong -- and acknowledging those things has nothing to do with blaming or personal attacks. And Jeff, you don't need to be forgiven for anything -- so don't worry about it!

Jeff -- did y'all come up with a definite date for the fall swap? If I get it on my schedule far enough in advance, I might actually be able to come this time!

Fall MTPS Date

Bama week! Oct. 21st. If I can make the ultimate sacrifice then so can everybody else. Hohenwald has their October Fest the weekend of the 14th, UT's only open date in October, and Jan says that the place shuts down and the streets are full of yard sales or something. Anyway, "The Third Saturday In October" will be our fall swap date. Do you know how much this hurts me? I'd rather take a written beating over the spring swap every day from now til then than miss getting to see UT beating Bama!!! Oh well, I'm a dedicated Swap Nazi I reckon.

Jeff
aka, Big Orange Boo-hooing

I have three words for you, Jeff: battery powered TV. :-)

Thanks for the info, I'll put it on my schedule!

I haven't been able to attend a swap yet, but anytime people hear the word FREE they are like vultures. But other than for the stupid people it all sounds wonderful and all of you that organize it sound great. So I hope that this doesn't discourage anyone, things happen and we all learn from them.

Goooosefrabba. lol

I know we probably can't stop them from working tons of hours pre-swap, but I don't think we should let Jeff and his wife work the fall swap. I think they should get to go around the tables at 9:30 and get the first swaps. I'll even let him use my wagon!

Evelyn

My mom tells me that the Cheap lady wrote an article about the freeloaders at the swap! If anyone has the text of it, would they please post it here? I'm dying of curiosity.

Here ya go.
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060603/COLUMNIST0401/606030313/1112

I swear I'm never giving interviews again to anyone about anything as long as I live!!! Hopefully this whole newspaper column thing is a dead issue from now on. It's like making a book into a movie, most of what happens gets left out. Three HOURS of conversation was reduced to three minutes of reading. My biggest problem with the whole thing is context.

I just want the whole thing to be forgotten and go away.

Poor Jeff. You were just working as hard as you could to make the swap a great event!

Good follow-up by the cheap lady. Maybe it'll at least make a few people feel guilty!

I'm really glad to see that Ms Cheap set the record straight, for the most part, and I REALLY hope that the plant thieves read the article with burning cheeks and heavy hearts.