As you say.

I hope you managed to pick out the information in between the nonsense under Friend or Foe - specifically, that the fungus might be Conifer Tuft rather than Sulphur Tuft. If you had the roots removed, the fungus would disappear... if you're not liking it there!

I agree with you wholeheartedly Amsterdam and I try my best to answer your questions honestly and on point based on my personal experiences, observations & research. Somehow others find this offensive and I get all kinds of insults and snide remarks hurled at me ("I'm an American this... You Americans, blah blah..." You should see my inbox!) It's always the same individuals constantly riding me all over this website. I feel awful and apologize that you or anyone must be subjected to such childish jibberish. I'm only interested in addressing your question if I can and my responses are directed towards you, nobody else.

Looks like some people like rubbing people up the wrong way, it happend on one of my posts so I know how you feel Amsterdam. :o))

Some people make sport of it. As though their comments matter more then others'.

Everyone gets 'bad days' I think its wonderful having an
American on board.

Sometimes a question or blog will develop into what I like to call a "free-for-all" tournament. Although these types of threads can take a personal turn and become boorish, they do happen. I would suggest that you (we) would consider it a natural occurrence amongst friends even though it is desirable to get just the facts in answers to your (our) questions.

It has always happened and actually is very mild compared to what we used to see, if one thinks about it rationally, its not surprising is it, think about what would happen if we put a dozen gardeners in a room and asked a question, no way would we get the same answer from all of them and if it went onto having a discussion then the banter back and forth could veer into what some would consider arguementative and even insulting at times, at the end of the day its part and parcel of life and not just in the gardening world, as long as it does not erupt into a complete and utter shambles whereby some are only doing it out of sheer nastiness and a weapon to use against another member (it has happened in the past)
Don't let it upset you, go back and read through them again, the answers are there and along the way you can have an interesting time trying to picture the members with pistols at dawn ready to have another go, then check out how many comments there are compared to some of the blogs and questions, class it as entertaining, at the end of the day its winter and not much going on, if any members are like me then "yes" we are a tad stir crazy, some quite willing to even have a go at ourselves all over nothing and yep we do have time on our hands to spare....

All very good points and taken to heart. We all come from different corners of the world so is it any wonder we have different points of view? The key is kindness and respect for each other.

Both of which come free Paul, add tact and understanding to them and we are a good group of people albeit of a kind that like to go off on a tangent at times, lol.....It all adds to the nature of the site in my opinion and to be honest I quite like a good rant myself, many a time over the years I have added a comment then read it through and thought "No Don't Do It Susie" then delete and reword....

try not to let it put you off asking or answering questions Amsterdam. I haven't.
many of us on here have been subject to what you have experienced. Often weeks later the same person who was rude to you is your best buddy. [I was told that I wasn't to respond to any of a members questions as he thought me inconsequential] then 3 weeks later he was thanking me for my help.] That's human nature I suppose.

Exactly Seaburn and very well put...

bloomin' 'eck, you inconsequential, Seaburngirl?! That's so off the wall its actually funny - half the trouble is, people who ask questions don't always check the answerer's profile - if they did, they'd know you're coming from a sound knowledge base.

LOL, thats true and so good with your answers as you don't blind us mere mortals with science....

sound knowledge must be accompanied by sound judgement and tact...otherwise you sound like a squeaky wheel.

You joining in with us all Paul or are you answering one particular comment/person, you bored or sommat cos it seems like you are doing the turning of said wheel, one must be careful, you'll end up meeting yourself coming back, you surely have been around long enough to know that can come with a crash, not really worth it....

Having been around long enough, I speak from experience. I won't single out anybody here, but who couldn't benefit from exercising good judgement and restraint, including myself. Of course I'm with you, but I'm not trying to wax poetic or sound lofty. I've been deep in the trenches. Sometimes 'nothing' is the best response "silence is golden." Other times it's better to give somebody a little space to have their rant - it could be their day. As I look back at some of the 'heated' threads, I laugh so hard I can't finish my coffee. Some of them have more drama then a Agatha Christie novel. Yes, I even laugh at myself.

Oh crumbs yes, we've had some humdingers in our time and do know that many of our longstay members would agree with that, its no good holding grudges, pleased to say we live to fight another day,it does make you laugh when reading through some of the older dingdongs but at the time some were quite nasty and upsetting to many readers,would not want that to happen again, over the years we have lost some very nice knowledgable people, in time one learns the way a member answers and can tell when something is tongue in cheek or meant to cause upset, we are all different and therefore react in different ways, not all as thick-skinned as us and therefore can feel hurt or even humiliated, thats not nice for anyone whether male or female....Anyway before I forget again, hows things where you live, it all sounds and looks very nasty in places....

The storm was absolutely horrendous. We had over 2 feet of snow dumped on us with hurricane force winds from Friday night until Sunday morning. Of course the storm peaked right at high tide so flooding became an issue for many. My house is on a hill - no flooding. At times I thought my house would collapse. What really got me was the constant moaning and groaning of the wind. That drives me crazy! I was up at 5am Sunday digging my way out, trying to restore normalcy. I appreciate the support I got from GoY members as that storm just got worse and worse. I hope it just dies over the Atlantic before it gets to you. My garden looks like a moonscape but all is fine now. Thanks for asking. I heard snow does a lot to rejuvenate the ground for growing. I got a good workout this morning from shoveling. I also got to meet and greet all my neighbors.

I am glad you are in a relatively safe area, its heartbreaking to see all the footage and listen to the reports, I am in the Eastern side of the UK not far from the Wash so we are in the safe area if one can say that, we don't get the floods here but as you know many areas have really suffered this past few months, many only just recovering from the last lot, it really does your head in to see it all and feel so helpless because apart from offering a donation there is not a lot one can do, the reports say the storm is heading our way but once again not my side of the country, we shall have to wait and see and hope it loses its strength on its travels.

I just heard a report on the tele, the storm (Jonas) is midway across the Atlantic but only a mere shadow of what it used to be. We had enough of you Jonas - be gone! Unfortunately the storm has claimed a few lives over here - may they rest in peace. It could have been any one of us. Makes everything else seem so trivial.

Yes, one of my sons who lives inland from me is digging out from 30 inches of snow. In my locale many homes got flooded out by two full moon tidal surges and have no electric. I have two of my friends and their families staying with me until they get things sorted out with their homes. Hope I have seen the first and last one of a winter storm this size for some time to come. On the up side, my home is alive again with children.

Wow, well the good news is that it's over and we'll be OK. It's just a matter of getting things back to normal -one day at a time. The week ahead looks pretty quiet. That's great you can help your friends out - two families living with yours? You must be climbing the walls!

Well Bath, being in my eighties I'm conditioning myself to climb not the walls but to climb Jacobs Ladder.....must be sure to keep my footing when the time comes, I dont want to slide down THAT ladder:)

Loosestrife - very funny;-)) But if its any comfort, its a lot easier actually leaving than it is arriving in this life, or so I'm told... you won't slip down any ladder, never fear.

Pieased to hear you are ok as well L'strife, thank goodness your home is dry and large enough for you to have a place of safety for you and your friends, its obviously very close to where you live and your help and kindness will be such a comfort to your friends, as to the ladder, well the way I understand it, its very special and one doesn't really need the steps, I think the slipping and sliding part is on the route as we make our way towards it, lol, stay safe all of you and yes lets hope the storm is losing its grip...

Glad to hear that you are riding the storm in comparative safety. The weather can be brutal. my heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives. When it all thaws will you suffer flooding in your areas?
when Hull was hit by floods in 2007 half of my village was badly affected but our street is in the mid point and whilst water ran down from up the hill we at least didn't get flooded out. So I can visualise Bathgate's position well.

The storm is hitting our west coast now according to the weather report I was listening too on my way into work at 7.00 this morning.

I think it's weakened quite a bit, but you may get some rain.

Its blowing a right old hooley here Lincs/Rutland border and things are taking flight in and around the garden, the rain has just started (midday) haven't yet seen the news so don't know how they are faring in other areas other than the fact that they are on alert, a lady on my FB pages said the water is now gushing down her street but not thankfully into her home, it must be horrible for them and yes my heart goes out to all of them....

wow, sounds like it picked up steam. I still have snow drifts up to my 2nd floor bedroom window. I can jump out the window and slide down to the grocery store, OH YEH! GOOD TIMES ARE HERE!!!

When I lived in NYC there were times when traffic was stopped due to a snow emergency. Many don't realize what a great treat it is for a city dweller to do what is otherwise impossible which is to walk or crosscountry ski (was my favorite) right down the middle of one of the great city avenues .....like 5th or streets like 57th st especially at night.....get quite a different perspective in doing that than hugging to a sidewalk during normal times.

LOL hugging the sidewalk is what I'd be doing if I donned a pair a skis.

LOL!!!LOL!!LOL!!!!