FWIW, I've been trying to stay out of this, but I've decided to weigh in with my opinion. I didn't subscribe to this list to get jokes or for that matter anything that isn't related to Chiles so I for one would prefer that all posts remain on topic. This list generates alot of mail and I choose to receive each msg rather than the digest. I get a little discouraged when the topics wander a great deal particularly when the replies to off topic msgs are sent to the entire list. So, from my perspective please keep it on topic with only very rare exceptions and if it gets off topic for some reason please don't keep it going on the list. Growing season will be fast approaching in the northern hemisphere and the mail volume is sure to grow as well without the help of off-topic posts. On topic portion: I'll hopefully be attending my first hotluck soon at the Mid Atlantic Hotluck hosted by Anne LaFond-Walker. -JP-