.....and this pertains to travel because: _____ ? www.foodtv.com?

rb you are really missing out if you don't seek out the local specialties when you travel!

Like a build-your-own-sundae from the Ice Cream Factory at Boothbay Harbor, Maine............or fresh raspberrys whipped up into gourmet ice cream from Benson's in Boxford, Mass.

Bonnieb, Do you realize that your recent posts are starting to read like something bunchargum would submit?

Joesorce: right you are about local things ... a great magazine I subscribe to is "Country Discoveries", which list a lot of them. I bicycled from LA to Boston in both 1990 and 1991 and found that some of the little local attractions in small towns win hands-down over some of the "big-city" museums and galleries. My objections to threads like this one is that they really seem more like something started just for some "chit-chat" than any real travel-talk ... and as Ronkala observed, you can almost tell from the title that it's headed towards a gab session. As I've pointed out, and took heat for it, there are plenty of forums out there to share recipes, discuss your lawn, new movies, pet/baby names, and other "coffee-klatch" (Google that!) discussion. In response to my comments, some of those same writers have even started threads like "Since you do have to TRAVEL to (insert activity here) then ...

I wouldn't even bitch about these threads if they at least go posted in "other topics" (repeat: I would NOT). I truly feel these are NOT travel-related, only by a long stretch, as much as I enjoy those same "special summer treats" .... I'll choose to discuss them elsewhere than FODORS TRAVEL TALK. (flame on!)

Hi all. Yes, I love summer. I love blueberries and peaches. I eat them for breakfast on cereal, in pancakes, in muffins, and my absolute favorite, cobblers. Peach and blueberry cobbler. Live for it. Gonna have a blueberry one tonight. With vanilla ice cream. Yumm.

ronkala and rb_traveler, when other people feel as you do and do not reply, then I will stop posting "these threads" that you so disapprove of. Technically, these posts that you just addressed to me ARE NOT ABOUT TRAVEL, are they?

I hope you'll go have a tomato sandwich or a Cream/Dreamsicle and just chill.;;) Really, it's just an internet forum!

Not about travel, but about travel forums, Bonnie. And I bite my tongue & sit on my fingers thru a LOT of these BS theads before I ever say things, as I DON'T want to be contributing to them. I'm sure most who think like me also try to ignore these as well. Maybe we are the "silent majority", whereas your fellow klatchers feel nothing is out of line to "contribute". It's not just an internet forum, it's an internet TRAVEL forum. Your posts (and YOU are often the initiator) ARE sounding like bunchargum.

I especially enjoy these generic threads, that are only loosely travel-related. I'm sure there are plenty of us on here who have to work, and are not able to travel year-round. Although I love reading about others' travels, and getting ideas about places to go, I also enjoy reading about places I will never get to go -- whether it's the food, weather, wildlife, gasoline prices, or whatever. I'll bet there are even people on here who rarely have the opportunity to travel, but who still enjoy participating in the discussion. As for the "Other Topics" forum, I check it a few times a day, and find the new threads are few and far between. IMHO, if you live in the U.S., and/OR want to talk about the U.S. (and receive timely replies), then why not post on the U.S. forum?

Donna

rb_traveler, I am genuinely surprised that you would allow yourself to get so worked up over what someone else is posting on this Forum when it has absolutely nothing to do with you. Whatever I post about, it's no money out of your pocket, no loss to you! All you have to do is ignore it, and go on to the next post.

If Fodors is happy, why are you complaining? There are threads on here, having to do with food and animals, so popular that they've had hundreds of responses. Believe me, with Fodors watching this Forum as closely as they do, these threads would be gone if Fodors wasn't happy about them. What belongs on here is NOT your call.

Whatever....... I guess we'll just have to put up with each other because, I don't know about you, but I do not intend to go anywhere!;;)

rb says .. "And I bite my tongue & sit on my fingers thru a LOT of these BS theads before I ever say things, as I DON'T want to be contributing to them."


I am sorry that you are so uncomfortable with postings on Fodors that are not up to your standards. I feel equally responsible since I have many times, posted something frivolous and only vaguely about Travel.
I can only advise, what most people already know- when you see that the subject will bother you, Don't read it!
It is not good to be so tightly wound, that what people post on a forum, causes you this much distress.

(Imagine, your blood pressure goes up every time you read a posting, you have a stroke, your doctor asks you what caused you to get so hyper and you tell him........ "They didn't post about Travel!" )

rb-If it makes you feel any better, it irritates me to No End! the way people respond to posts about Travel with Political rhetoric.
Booorrrring, and tedious beyond belief!
So I skip those..and read the ones about how to make Sweet tea while I plan my trip to Charleston.
Have a good evening and Relax!
((F))
Scarlett

I'm new to this website. The reason why I logged on is because I love to travel even though I don't get the opportunity I always dream of. Isn't the reason for traveling to explore new places and meet new people [unless of course you're an antisocial]. Granted some topics are travel unrelated. But if a topic is going to lift someone's spirit or relive a happy memory, isn't that what life is all about? I enjoy all topics on this site. Life is to short to be a bitter person.
Remember this..."life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting " holy sh*t...what a ride!"

jpher- love your last paragraph!!
To the old crotchety killjoys- take a laxative or a much needed vacation, and let people enjoy themselves on these threads without feeling like you just have to jump in and cast your judgement on a few nice folks just having fun.
Gee, if it's that bad, why waste time even posting- go elsewhere and lighten up, for your health, if nothing else.

jpher: I love your quote. Is that an original, or are you quoting someone else? If so, who? By the way, welcome to Fodor's!

Donna

Bonnie, all I did was ask a question. As for tomatoes, I'm having one a day with globs of Helmans mayo.now that they are ripening. I eat soft icecream cones instead of Creamsicles.

Old yes. Crotchety, I don't think so.
BP 108/68.

ronkala: 108/68? Wow! How'd you accomplish that?

Donna

Donna, don't know how ronkala does it, but my older, almost-67 year old, brother sometimes has a BP of 98/49 or so. He walks six miles every morning (had to stop running about a year ago because of knee pain), used to run marathons, grows almost everything he eats (does eat turkey products.) He will, once in a while, splurge on red meat but not often. Oh, and he has red wine everyday, and works out at the gym two-three days a week. I will be interested to hear if ronkala has to work hard to keep his BP that low - my brother sure does, and still has to take cholesterol-lowering meds! Have a healthy day, all!:-)

We just had our first morel mushrooms ever. OMG! Picked them up at the local farmer's market where they told me to saute them with a little garlic, butter and olive oil and serve them over toast. They are seasonal and very hard to find in the Michigan woods. Therefore, very pricey, but oh so worth it.

Another vote for fresh tomatoes... topped with fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, splash of extra virgin olive oil, and pinch-o-salt--yummmmmmmy! Also, grilled corn on the cob :-)

Great thread Bonniebroad--I've enjoyed reading summer experiences from across the U.S.! :-D

For those of you who enjoy fresh blueberries: my two year old son would rather eat them than any candy. Whenever I buy a couple of tubs I have to guard the fridge, as he becomes OBSESSED! Whatever I give him is not enough, and he screams for them all day long.

My grandmother makes this incredible summer treat with fruit (all your favorites--I like blueberries, raspberries, bananas, and peaches), canned pineapple, 7-Up, and a little sugar. Mix them together and freeze. Take it out and let it thaw for about 15 minutes so you have a tangy, fruity slushy.

rj, no crankiness allowed!

Tomato sandwiches and boiled peanuts.