Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
why.

The One Percent (documentary)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc


--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
>
> Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
> why.
>
> The One Percent (documentary)
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc


I thought we all knew that.

There was a time that some company was importing sweetened ice tea, which
was not price controlled, extracting the sugar and throwing away the tea.

I think one reason we continue with our farm subsidies is to not
unilaterally disarm - we have tried to trade eliminating/reducing our farm
subsidies in exchange for other protective countries doing the same or
offering some loosening of their other protections, but the deals always
fell through. Seems the US is not the only protectionist country - probably
far less so than most.

On Fri, 11 Jul 2014 09:42:40 -0700, "Pico Rico"
> wrote:

>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
> > why.
> >
> > The One Percent (documentary)
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc
>
>
> I thought we all knew that.
>
> There was a time that some company was importing sweetened ice tea, which
> was not price controlled, extracting the sugar and throwing away the tea.
>
> I think one reason we continue with our farm subsidies is to not
> unilaterally disarm - we have tried to trade eliminating/reducing our farm
> subsidies in exchange for other protective countries doing the same or
> offering some loosening of their other protections, but the deals always
> fell through. Seems the US is not the only protectionist country - probably
> far less so than most.
>
30 minutes into the documentary: Thanks to farm subsidies, our sugar
producers are guaranteed 22¢ lb while the world price of sugar is 7¢
lb and there is no competition. The price of sugar in Canada and
Mexico is one third the price of sugar in the USA and when we have a
sugar surplus, the government buys it at the high price. So in
effect, our government is making the rich richer.

Go to 33:30 and you'll see where the Fanjuls found their workers and
how their workers were treated. It's shameful. As a result of being
closely scrutinized, they mechanized sugarcane harvesting and
eliminated most of the work force. Where do people who were poor and
uneducated in their original country find work after being a sugar
cane harvester? They don't.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On 7/11/2014 1:51 PM, sf wrote:

>>
> 30 minutes into the documentary: Thanks to farm subsidies, our sugar
> producers are guaranteed 22¢ lb while the world price of sugar is 7¢
> lb and there is no competition. The price of sugar in Canada and
> Mexico is one third the price of sugar in the USA and when we have a
> sugar surplus, the government buys it at the high price. So in
> effect, our government is making the rich richer.

Many cany companies moved production to 'Canda or Mexico for that
reason. Subsidize the farmer and put the candy factory worker out of a
job.


>
> Go to 33:30 and you'll see where the Fanjuls found their workers and
> how their workers were treated. It's shameful. As a result of being
> closely scrutinized, they mechanized sugarcane harvesting and
> eliminated most of the work force. Where do people who were poor and
> uneducated in their original country find work after being a sugar
> cane harvester? They don't.
>

They send their kids across the border now.

On Fri, 11 Jul 2014 14:57:17 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:

> On 7/11/2014 1:51 PM, sf wrote:
>
>
> >
> > Go to 33:30 and you'll see where the Fanjuls found their workers and
> > how their workers were treated. It's shameful. As a result of being
> > closely scrutinized, they mechanized sugarcane harvesting and
> > eliminated most of the work force. Where do people who were poor and
> > uneducated in their original country find work after being a sugar
> > cane harvester? They don't.
> >
>
> They send their kids across the border now.

It's a long walk from Central America.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On Friday, July 11, 2014 9:32:51 AM UTC-7, sf wrote:
> Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
>
> why.
>
>
>
> The One Percent (documentary)
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc
>

I have pretty much given up sugar. I have a little 2 lb box in my cupboard for guests who think they need it in their beverages. I don't use that stuff any more.

ImStillMags wrote:
>
>I have pretty much given up sugar.
>I have a little 2 lb box in my cupboard
>for guests who think they need it in their beverages.

I use very little white sugar, maybe a 1/4 pound a year... mostly I
use dark brown sugar or honey, not very much of those either.

On 2014-07-11 5:00 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> ImStillMags wrote:
>>
>> I have pretty much given up sugar.
>> I have a little 2 lb box in my cupboard
>> for guests who think they need it in their beverages.
>
> I use very little white sugar, maybe a 1/4 pound a year... mostly I
> use dark brown sugar or honey, not very much of those either.
>


You don't use any for baking. Neither my wife or I use sugar and
coffee, and most of the people who are regularly here for coffee don't
use it either. However, we occasionally bake things and make jam, so we
go through maybe 5-6 pounds per year.

On 2014-07-11 3:07 PM, sf wrote:
>
>>
>> They send their kids across the border now.
>
> It's a long walk from Central America.
>


It is, but they are still sending their kids up here for a better life.
It's too bad that there are so many places in the world that are so
messed up that people feel a need to go to North America or Europe for a
better life. It would be nice if they could sort things out at home.
We have some friends who immigrated from Mexico. They were doing okay
back home but they wanted to escape the crime and violence.

"ImStillMags" > wrote in message
...
> On Friday, July 11, 2014 9:32:51 AM UTC-7, sf wrote:
>> Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
>>
>> why.
>>
>>
>>
>> The One Percent (documentary)
>>
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc
>>
>
> I have pretty much given up sugar. I have a little 2 lb box in my
> cupboard for guests who think they need it in their beverages. I don't
> use that stuff any more.

We use very little. I only buy as needed and that's perhaps once every 1-2
years and a small amount at that.

Want to know why we pay so much for beef..pork and chicken? It called ethanol subsidies. It costs miniumum 25 bucks per gallon paid for by our tax dollars and used to ruin our cars by adding it to gasoline. I wished yall would quit voting for commie liberal democrats.

On 7/11/2014 5:40 PM, bigwheel wrote:

> Want to know why we pay so much for beef..pork and chicken? It called
> ethanol subsidies. It costs miniumum 25 bucks per gallon paid for by our
> tax dollars and used to ruin our cars by adding it to gasoline. I wished
> yall would quit voting for commie liberal democrats.

"Commie liberal democrats" - yeah, right, you ignoranus, that's how
you describe Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland, the huge
multinational corporations who pushed it through Congress and are
profiting handsomely from it. They're on your side, bub.

On 7/11/2014 3:27 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
> On Friday, July 11, 2014 9:32:51 AM UTC-7, sf wrote:
>> Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
>>
>> why.
>>
>>
>>
>> The One Percent (documentary)
>>
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc
>>
>
> I have pretty much given up sugar. I have a little 2 lb box in my cupboard for guests who think they need it in their beverages. I don't use that stuff any more.
>
>
The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
hummingbird feeder.

Jill

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/11/2014 3:27 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
>> On Friday, July 11, 2014 9:32:51 AM UTC-7, sf wrote:
>>> Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
>>>
>>> why.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The One Percent (documentary)
>>>
>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc
>>>
>>
>> I have pretty much given up sugar. I have a little 2 lb box in my
>> cupboard for guests who think they need it in their beverages. I don't
>> use that stuff any more.
>>
>>
> The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
> hummingbird feeder.
>
> Jill

Mostly what I use mine for too.

Cheri

On Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:54:20 -0400, jmcquown >
wrote:

> On 7/11/2014 3:27 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
> > On Friday, July 11, 2014 9:32:51 AM UTC-7, sf wrote:
> >> Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
> >>
> >> why.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> The One Percent (documentary)
> >>
> >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc
> >>
> >
> > I have pretty much given up sugar. I have a little 2 lb box in my cupboard for guests who think they need it in their beverages. I don't use that stuff any more.
> >
> >
> The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
> hummingbird feeder.
>
People here can be high and mighty... all, what - 15 of us (and a few
of them are duplicates)? We're old and many here have diabetes, but
somebody is buying it and they are buying a lot of it.


--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On 7/17/2014 1:17 AM, sf wrote:
> On Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:54:20 -0400, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> On 7/11/2014 3:27 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
>>> On Friday, July 11, 2014 9:32:51 AM UTC-7, sf wrote:
>>>> Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
>>>>
>>>> why.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The One Percent (documentary)
>>>>
>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc
>>>>
>>>
>>> I have pretty much given up sugar. I have a little 2 lb box in my cupboard for guests who think they need it in their beverages. I don't use that stuff any more.
>>>
>>>
>> The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
>> hummingbird feeder.
>>
> People here can be high and mighty... all, what - 15 of us (and a few
> of them are duplicates)? We're old and many here have diabetes, but
> somebody is buying it and they are buying a lot of it.
>
>
There's nothing high and mighty about it. People who don't bake or use
it in coffee or whatever simply don't buy a lot of white sugar. No one
is saying other people aren't buying it.

Jill

I use a tsp. a day on my red grapefruit...can't help it, it's a childhood carryover. I don't put it in any
drinks, or use it in anything else, other than some occasional baking. Not so much anymore, as
chronic pain limits the time I spend on my feet in the kitchen.

N.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/17/2014 1:17 AM, sf wrote:
>> On Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:54:20 -0400, jmcquown >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 7/11/2014 3:27 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
>>>> On Friday, July 11, 2014 9:32:51 AM UTC-7, sf wrote:
>>>>> Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
>>>>>
>>>>> why.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The One Percent (documentary)
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I have pretty much given up sugar. I have a little 2 lb box in my
>>>> cupboard for guests who think they need it in their beverages. I
>>>> don't use that stuff any more.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
>>> hummingbird feeder.
>>>
>> People here can be high and mighty... all, what - 15 of us (and a few
>> of them are duplicates)? We're old and many here have diabetes, but
>> somebody is buying it and they are buying a lot of it.
>>
>>
> There's nothing high and mighty about it. People who don't bake or use it
> in coffee or whatever simply don't buy a lot of white sugar. No one is
> saying other people aren't buying it.
>

but most people are buying it in their food, such as store bought cakes,
pies, jams, jellies, sodas, etc.

On 7/17/2014 8:33 AM, Nancy2 wrote:
> I use a tsp. a day on my red grapefruit...can't help it, it's a childhood carryover. I don't put it in any
> drinks, or use it in anything else, other than some occasional baking. Not so much anymore, as
> chronic pain limits the time I spend on my feet in the kitchen.
>
> N.
>

I remember using sugar on the grapefruits - not that there's anything
wrong with that (er, Seinfeld voice - heheh)! Although, recently, I
learned grapefruit is also nice to have with some salt - instead of
sugar ! It's good that way, too - but that's a YMMV sort of thing, I'm sure.

Heh, when it comes to watermelon, etc., my preference has always been a
wee bit of salt. Can't say that I've ever tried watermelon with sugar,
that's for sure But then again, those are my preferences, and who
says who cares one whit or whatnot either way -----> :b~~~ LOL! So,
take that in a pipe and smoke it

Sky

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/17/2014 1:17 AM, sf wrote:
>> On Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:54:20 -0400, jmcquown >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 7/11/2014 3:27 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
>>>> On Friday, July 11, 2014 9:32:51 AM UTC-7, sf wrote:
>>>>> Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
>>>>>
>>>>> why.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The One Percent (documentary)
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I have pretty much given up sugar. I have a little 2 lb box in my
>>>> cupboard for guests who think they need it in their beverages. I
>>>> don't use that stuff any more.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
>>> hummingbird feeder.
>>>
>> People here can be high and mighty... all, what - 15 of us (and a few
>> of them are duplicates)? We're old and many here have diabetes, but
>> somebody is buying it and they are buying a lot of it.
>>
>>
> There's nothing high and mighty about it. People who don't bake or use it
> in coffee or whatever simply don't buy a lot of white sugar. No one is
> saying other people aren't buying it.
>
> Jill

I usually buy a cake mix and make a cake for dh to last the week if he wants
some dessert. It's not often that I make desserts or sugary things, with
Thanksgiving and Christmas being exceptions, but can't feed the hummingbirds
aspartame so do keep sugar on hand for that, and for pudding and things like
that when grandkids are over. :-)

Cheri

On 7/17/2014 11:49 AM, Cheri wrote:
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>>>>>
>>>> The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
>>>> hummingbird feeder.
>>>>
(snippage)
>> There's nothing high and mighty about it. People who don't bake or
>> use it in coffee or whatever simply don't buy a lot of white sugar.
>> No one is saying other people aren't buying it.
>>
>> Jill
>
> I usually buy a cake mix and make a cake for dh to last the week if he
> wants some dessert. It's not often that I make desserts or sugary
> things, with Thanksgiving and Christmas being exceptions, but can't feed
> the hummingbirds aspartame so do keep sugar on hand for that, and for
> pudding and things like that when grandkids are over. :-)
>
> Cheri

If I want cake (rare) I'll buy a mix. The hummingbirds are out in force
this week. My computer desk is in the corner of the living room. I
can see the feeder where I sit. Yesterday one of them had a nice long
sip from the feeder, then flew over and hovered in front of the window,
looking at me. Another one was very curious about the tufted
titmouse that was flitting around in the branches of the azalea bush on
the other side of the feeder.

Jill

Cheri wrote:
>
> "jmcquown" wrote:
> > The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
> > hummingbird feeder.
>
> Mostly what I use mine for too.

Support hummingbird diabetes!

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/17/2014 11:49 AM, Cheri wrote:
>>
>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>>>>
>>>>> The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
>>>>> hummingbird feeder.
>>>>>
> (snippage)
>>> There's nothing high and mighty about it. People who don't bake or
>>> use it in coffee or whatever simply don't buy a lot of white sugar.
>>> No one is saying other people aren't buying it.
>>>
>>> Jill
>>
>> I usually buy a cake mix and make a cake for dh to last the week if he
>> wants some dessert. It's not often that I make desserts or sugary
>> things, with Thanksgiving and Christmas being exceptions, but can't feed
>> the hummingbirds aspartame so do keep sugar on hand for that, and for
>> pudding and things like that when grandkids are over. :-)
>>
>> Cheri
>
> If I want cake (rare) I'll buy a mix. The hummingbirds are out in force
> this week. My computer desk is in the corner of the living room. I
> can see the feeder where I sit. Yesterday one of them had a nice long sip
> from the feeder, then flew over and hovered in front of the window,
> looking at me. Another one was very curious about the tufted titmouse
> that was flitting around in the branches of the azalea bush on the other
> side of the feeder.
>
> Jill

Yes, the regulars get pretty tame. They fly very close to me when I'm taking
the feeder out to rehang.

Cheri

On 2014-07-17 4:54 PM, Susan wrote:
>
> One, just ONCE, I'd kill to see ONE!
>
> On vacation, the moment I left the porch of a b and b we were in, Tom
> saw one. I got that close.
>
> I'm thinking of making a hummingbird/butterfly garden inside a barrier
> we installed after removing an invasive bamboo grove.
> There's also trumpet vine climbing around the back wall there, so maybe...
>
>
If you want to see hummingbirds you should plant lots of the sorts of
flowers that attract then, especially flowers with trumpet shapes. We
often see them around the Rose of Sharon, day lilies and sun flowers.

On 7/17/2014 5:00 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2014-07-17 4:54 PM, Susan wrote:
>>
>> One, just ONCE, I'd kill to see ONE!
>>
>> On vacation, the moment I left the porch of a b and b we were in, Tom
>> saw one. I got that close.
>>
>> I'm thinking of making a hummingbird/butterfly garden inside a barrier
>> we installed after removing an invasive bamboo grove.
>> There's also trumpet vine climbing around the back wall there, so
>> maybe...
>>
>>
> If you want to see hummingbirds you should plant lots of the sorts of
> flowers that attract then, especially flowers with trumpet shapes. We
> often see them around the Rose of Sharon, day lilies and sun flowers.
>
Hummingbirds have very far ranges of migration, too. Of course it
depends on which coast in the Americas you're on as to which types of
hummingbirds you can attract. The right (bright) trumpet type flowers
and bright red feeders definitely call to them. The sugar water/nectar
does *not* need to be dyed red (contrary to popular belief). But they
are attracted to bright feeders just as they are to bright flowers.

Jill

On 7/17/2014 1:17 AM, sf wrote:

> People here can be high and mighty... all, what - 15 of us (and a few
> of them are duplicates)? We're old and many here have diabetes, but
> somebody is buying it and they are buying a lot of it.
>
>

Unfortunately, I'm buying plenty of sugar. I like cakes,sugar in my tea,
ice cream. I've cut back in recent years, but I like sugar.

On Thursday, July 17, 2014 12:34:43 PM UTC-7, Cheri wrote:
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > On 7/17/2014 11:49 AM, Cheri wrote:
>
> >>
>
> >> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>
> >> ...
>
> >>>>>>
>
> >>>>> The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
>
> >>>>> hummingbird feeder.
>
> >>>>>
>
> > (snippage)
>
> >>> There's nothing high and mighty about it. People who don't bake or
>
> >>> use it in coffee or whatever simply don't buy a lot of white sugar.
>
> >>> No one is saying other people aren't buying it.
>
> >>>
>
> >>> Jill
>
> >>
>
> >> I usually buy a cake mix and make a cake for dh to last the week if he
>
> >> wants some dessert. It's not often that I make desserts or sugary
>
> >> things, with Thanksgiving and Christmas being exceptions, but can't feed
>
> >> the hummingbirds aspartame so do keep sugar on hand for that, and for
>
> >> pudding and things like that when grandkids are over. :-)
>
> >>
>
> >> Cheri
>
> >
>
> > If I want cake (rare) I'll buy a mix. The hummingbirds are out in force
>
> > this week. My computer desk is in the corner of the living room. I
>
> > can see the feeder where I sit. Yesterday one of them had a nice long sip
>
> > from the feeder, then flew over and hovered in front of the window,
>
> > looking at me. Another one was very curious about the tufted titmouse
>
> > that was flitting around in the branches of the azalea bush on the other
>
> > side of the feeder.
>
> >
>
> > Jill
>
>
>
> Yes, the regulars get pretty tame. They fly very close to me when I'm taking
>
> the feeder out to rehang.
>
>
>
> Cheri



I saw a photograph of one eating out of a person's hand. I asked the photographer and he said they are not that difficult to train.

Nellie

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/17/2014 5:00 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>> On 2014-07-17 4:54 PM, Susan wrote:
>>>
>>> One, just ONCE, I'd kill to see ONE!
>>>
>>> On vacation, the moment I left the porch of a b and b we were in, Tom
>>> saw one. I got that close.
>>>
>>> I'm thinking of making a hummingbird/butterfly garden inside a barrier
>>> we installed after removing an invasive bamboo grove.
>>> There's also trumpet vine climbing around the back wall there, so
>>> maybe...
>>>
>>>
>> If you want to see hummingbirds you should plant lots of the sorts of
>> flowers that attract then, especially flowers with trumpet shapes. We
>> often see them around the Rose of Sharon, day lilies and sun flowers.
>>
> Hummingbirds have very far ranges of migration, too. Of course it depends
> on which coast in the Americas you're on as to which types of hummingbirds
> you can attract. The right (bright) trumpet type flowers and bright red
> feeders definitely call to them. The sugar water/nectar does *not* need
> to be dyed red (contrary to popular belief). But they are attracted to
> bright feeders just as they are to bright flowers.
>
> Jill

I've actually had them come after a blouse with red flowers on it before
they realized it wasn't food.

Cheri

jmcquown wrote:
> If I want cake (rare) I'll buy a mix. The hummingbirds are out in force
> this week. My computer desk is in the corner of the living room. I
> can see the feeder where I sit. Yesterday one of them had a nice long
> sip from the feeder, then flew over and hovered in front of the window,
> looking at me. Another one was very curious about the tufted
> titmouse that was flitting around in the branches of the azalea bush on
> the other side of the feeder.
>
> Jill

My main attraction for hummingbirds (an otherwise loathsome trumpet
vine, which was here when I bought the house) is dropping blooms, some
helped along by a juvenile cardinal which, for some reason, is pecking
the blossoms off. Therefore I have seen NO hummingbirds. Last year I
got to see them for lengthy periods just by looking out my kitchen window.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/17/2014 1:17 AM, sf wrote:
>> On Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:54:20 -0400, jmcquown >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 7/11/2014 3:27 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
>>>> On Friday, July 11, 2014 9:32:51 AM UTC-7, sf wrote:
>>>>> Want to know why we pay so much for sugar? Farm subsidies, that's
>>>>>
>>>>> why.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The One Percent (documentary)
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmlX3fLQrEc
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I have pretty much given up sugar. I have a little 2 lb box in my
>>>> cupboard for guests who think they need it in their beverages. I
>>>> don't use that stuff any more.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> The only thing I really use sugar for is to make sugar water for the
>>> hummingbird feeder.
>>>
>> People here can be high and mighty... all, what - 15 of us (and a few
>> of them are duplicates)? We're old and many here have diabetes, but
>> somebody is buying it and they are buying a lot of it.
>>
>>
> There's nothing high and mighty about it. People who don't bake or use it
> in coffee or whatever simply don't buy a lot of white sugar. No one is
> saying other people aren't buying it.

When I was younger, I bought tons of sugar. I kept my canisters on the
counter because I went through it so fast. That's not the case any more.

"Pico Rico" > wrote in message
...

> but most people are buying it in their food, such as store bought cakes,
> pies, jams, jellies, sodas, etc.

Perhaps but we rarely buy those things either.

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 7/17/2014 5:00 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>>> On 2014-07-17 4:54 PM, Susan wrote:
>>>>
>>>> One, just ONCE, I'd kill to see ONE!
>>>>
>>>> On vacation, the moment I left the porch of a b and b we were in, Tom
>>>> saw one. I got that close.
>>>>
>>>> I'm thinking of making a hummingbird/butterfly garden inside a barrier
>>>> we installed after removing an invasive bamboo grove.
>>>> There's also trumpet vine climbing around the back wall there, so
>>>> maybe...
>>>>
>>>>
>>> If you want to see hummingbirds you should plant lots of the sorts of
>>> flowers that attract then, especially flowers with trumpet shapes. We
>>> often see them around the Rose of Sharon, day lilies and sun flowers.
>>>
>> Hummingbirds have very far ranges of migration, too. Of course it
>> depends on which coast in the Americas you're on as to which types of
>> hummingbirds you can attract. The right (bright) trumpet type flowers
>> and bright red feeders definitely call to them. The sugar water/nectar
>> does *not* need to be dyed red (contrary to popular belief). But they
>> are attracted to bright feeders just as they are to bright flowers.
>>
>> Jill
>
> I've actually had them come after a blouse with red flowers on it before
> they realized it wasn't food.
>
> Cheri

Hahaha! That's how I got a bee sting. Made the mistake of picking pears
wearing a large flowered muu muu.

I once gave my bro a hummingbird feeder as a gift because I thought it was
pretty. I had no idea how high maintenance they are. That stopped me from
getting one for myself. The instructions actually said not to make the
nectar yourself and only to purchase it or you could sicken the birds. And
it had to be cleaned and disinfected so frequently that I wouldn't bother.
I'd be afraid that I'd forget or for some reason be unable to clean it and
kill the birds./

On 7/18/2014 1:46 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
> I once gave my bro a hummingbird feeder as a gift because I thought it
> was pretty. I had no idea how high maintenance they are. That stopped
> me from getting one for myself. The instructions actually said not to
> make the nectar yourself and only to purchase it or you could sicken the
> birds. And it had to be cleaned and disinfected so frequently that I
> wouldn't bother. I'd be afraid that I'd forget or for some reason be
> unable to clean it and kill the birds./

Nonsense. The sugar water is boiled; there's nothing dangerous about
it. I make a double batch and store half of it in a covered jar in the
fridge. As for cleaning it, I refill the feeder as needed, about once a
week. I just rinse it out with very hot water, then refill it. Easy peasy.

The feeder I have is this one:

http://www.hummzinger.com/excel.htm

It comes with a "recipe" for making the nectar - sugar + boiling water.
Let it cool, then fill the feeder. No big deal.

Oh sure, you can buy all sorts of fancy hummingbird feeders which are
prettier to look at and lot more difficult to clean. The HummZinger is
the best designed hummingbird feeder I've ever had.

http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2b52a933.jpg

Jill

On 7/18/2014 7:02 AM, wrote:
> On Fri, 18 Jul 2014 06:17:26 -0400, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> On 7/18/2014 1:46 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>> I once gave my bro a hummingbird feeder as a gift because I thought it
>>> was pretty. I had no idea how high maintenance they are. That stopped
>>> me from getting one for myself. The instructions actually said not to
>>> make the nectar yourself and only to purchase it or you could sicken the
>>> birds. And it had to be cleaned and disinfected so frequently that I
>>> wouldn't bother. I'd be afraid that I'd forget or for some reason be
>>> unable to clean it and kill the birds./
>>
>> Nonsense. The sugar water is boiled; there's nothing dangerous about
>> it. I make a double batch and store half of it in a covered jar in the
>> fridge. As for cleaning it, I refill the feeder as needed, about once a
>> week. I just rinse it out with very hot water, then refill it. Easy peasy.
>>
>> The feeder I have is this one:
>>
>> http://www.hummzinger.com/excel.htm
>>
>> It comes with a "recipe" for making the nectar - sugar + boiling water.
>> Let it cool, then fill the feeder. No big deal.
>>
>> Oh sure, you can buy all sorts of fancy hummingbird feeders which are
>> prettier to look at and lot more difficult to clean. The HummZinger is
>> the best designed hummingbird feeder I've ever had.
>>
>> http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2b52a933.jpg
>>
>> Jill
>
> It's totally incorrect and clearly put out by a manufacturer of the
> syrup.

Yep, they're trying to sell you something. But you-know-who tends to
fall for that sort of thing.

> I have it on good authority from the ornithologist at our
> natural history museum that it is better you make your own syrup and
> those red syrups are bird killers. They cannot process red food dye.

Absolutely; the syrup should not be red. Nectar from flowers doesn't
contain red dye. Take a hint from nature.

> The red of the plastic is enough to attract them and thereafter they
> will come for easy food.
>
> He said the correct measure is one part to four parts and boil a few
> minutes so it does not subsequently ferment in the sun. I suppose,
> for obvious reasons I should add, fill the feeder with the syrup when
> it has cooled !
>
The people at the Audubon Society say the same thing. As I said, I make
a double batch and store half of it in the refrigerator in a covered
glass jar so I can fill it twice before I need to make more.

> It is also, up here in the north, terribly important to get the
> feeders out early so there is easy food for them when they arrive
> tired out and there are not too many flowers around most years.
>
Absolutely. People get discouraged if they don't see a hummingbird
within a day of hanging the feeder. You have to give them time to get
there, depending upon migration. Then give them time to discover the
feeder. Once they do... what fun! :-D

> To enable you to know when they are approaching there are several
> places that track them
>
> http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/h...pring2014.html
>
They have different hummingbirds along the Pacific coast. I've never
seen an Anna's hummingbird. I see ruby-throats. I'm sure there are
different migratory maps. You can pretty much count on them following
the same route, year after year.

Jill

On 2014-07-18 8:56 AM, jmcquown wrote:

>> A few years ago I was at a friend's house and there was a humingbird
>> bird perched on a wire strung across the rafters in his garage. We sat
>> there and watched it for about 15 minutes. We knew we would never get
>> another chance to see something like that again.
>>
> Hummingbirds have to eat all day in order to survive the night. When
> night falls they go to roost. They fall into a state of torpor. You
> cannot wake them up. Their bodies practically shut down to conserve
> energy. Their temperature drops. It's like suspended animation. As
> the sun comes up they warm up. They gradually come out of the torpor.
> Then they're off again for another day of eating. They are very
> interesting little birds. Cute as can be to watch, too. :-D
>

That was the odd thing. It was the middle of the afternoon. It was
awake. It looked around. It was a warm day, the garage door was wide
open. I had never before seen a hummingbird perched like that. I had
only seen them buzzing abut or hovering by the flowers. It was such a
rare event that we just sat there and watching it. It is more typical to
be outside and to catch a glimpse of one for a moment.

On 7/18/2014 9:10 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2014-07-18 8:56 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>
>>> A few years ago I was at a friend's house and there was a humingbird
>>> bird perched on a wire strung across the rafters in his garage. We sat
>>> there and watched it for about 15 minutes. We knew we would never get
>>> another chance to see something like that again.
>>>
>> Hummingbirds have to eat all day in order to survive the night. When
>> night falls they go to roost. They fall into a state of torpor. You
>> cannot wake them up. Their bodies practically shut down to conserve
>> energy. Their temperature drops. It's like suspended animation. As
>> the sun comes up they warm up. They gradually come out of the torpor.
>> Then they're off again for another day of eating. They are very
>> interesting little birds. Cute as can be to watch, too. :-D
>>
>
> That was the odd thing. It was the middle of the afternoon. It was
> awake. It looked around. It was a warm day, the garage door was wide
> open. I had never before seen a hummingbird perched like that. I had
> only seen them buzzing abut or hovering by the flowers. It was such a
> rare event that we just sat there and watching it. It is more typical to
> be outside and to catch a glimpse of one for a moment.

They do perch. I've seen several hanging out on the perches around the
feeder. I can't say I timed them but if they are not threatened they
will sit there for several minutes. They're conserving energy. It's
instinctual.

I've got some photos of perched hummingbirds at my feeder but they
aren't good ones.

Jill

On 7/18/2014 9:10 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2014-07-18 8:56 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>
>>> A few years ago I was at a friend's house and there was a humingbird
>>> bird perched on a wire strung across the rafters in his garage. We sat
>>> there and watched it for about 15 minutes. We knew we would never get
>>> another chance to see something like that again.
>>>
>> Hummingbirds have to eat all day in order to survive the night. When
>> night falls they go to roost. They fall into a state of torpor. You
>> cannot wake them up. Their bodies practically shut down to conserve
>> energy. Their temperature drops. It's like suspended animation. As
>> the sun comes up they warm up. They gradually come out of the torpor.
>> Then they're off again for another day of eating. They are very
>> interesting little birds. Cute as can be to watch, too. :-D
>>
>
> That was the odd thing. It was the middle of the afternoon. It was
> awake. It looked around. It was a warm day, the garage door was wide
> open. I had never before seen a hummingbird perched like that. I had
> only seen them buzzing abut or hovering by the flowers. It was such a
> rare event that we just sat there and watching it. It is more typical to
> be outside and to catch a glimpse of one for a moment.

A perched hummingbird at my feeder:

http://s1342.photobucket.com/user/ji...6e3d5.jpg.html


It was a cute male ruby-throat. They *do* sit down from time to time.

Jill

On Fri, 18 Jul 2014 06:17:26 -0400, jmcquown >
wrote:

>On 7/18/2014 1:46 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>> I once gave my bro a hummingbird feeder as a gift because I thought it
>> was pretty. I had no idea how high maintenance they are. That stopped
>> me from getting one for myself. The instructions actually said not to
>> make the nectar yourself and only to purchase it or you could sicken the
>> birds. And it had to be cleaned and disinfected so frequently that I
>> wouldn't bother. I'd be afraid that I'd forget or for some reason be
>> unable to clean it and kill the birds./
>
>Nonsense. The sugar water is boiled; there's nothing dangerous about
>it. I make a double batch and store half of it in a covered jar in the
>fridge. As for cleaning it, I refill the feeder as needed, about once a
>week. I just rinse it out with very hot water, then refill it. Easy peasy.
>
>The feeder I have is this one:
>
>http://www.hummzinger.com/excel.htm
>
>It comes with a "recipe" for making the nectar - sugar + boiling water.
> Let it cool, then fill the feeder. No big deal.
>
>Oh sure, you can buy all sorts of fancy hummingbird feeders which are
>prettier to look at and lot more difficult to clean. The HummZinger is
>the best designed hummingbird feeder I've ever had.
>
>http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2b52a933.jpg
>
>Jill
I agree that is a good feeder. Easy to clean. I got a couple of
feeders at Walmart a couple of years ago and love them. The feeding
part is like yours except the dish is deeper and the jar that fills it
will hold 4 cups. With these I only have to fill them once every
week/10 days. I don't like the jars with the small opening and narrow
neck. They are hard to clean. As you say, rinse and wipe with hot
water. Of course, you need to be able to remember the extremely hard
formula. 4 to 1. 4 cups water to 1 cup sugar.
Janet US

On Thursday, July 17, 2014 10:46:28 PM UTC-7, Julie Bove wrote:
> "Cheri" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> >
>
> > "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>

> I once gave my bro a hummingbird feeder as a gift because I thought it was
> pretty. I had no idea how high maintenance they are. That stopped me from
> getting one for myself. The instructions actually said not to make the
> nectar yourself and only to purchase it or you could sicken the birds. And
> it had to be cleaned and disinfected so frequently that I wouldn't bother.
> I'd be afraid that I'd forget or for some reason be unable to clean it and
> kill the birds./

When we decided we wanted to see hummingbirds from the breakfast table,
we hung a trellis from the eaves outside the window; then planted
two different kinds of vine with trumpet-shaped flowers to climb it.

No need to buy or make nectar, no worries about bacterial growth or
inadequate sterilization.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Cheri" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On 7/17/2014 5:00 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
>>>> On 2014-07-17 4:54 PM, Susan wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> One, just ONCE, I'd kill to see ONE!
>>>>>
>>>>> On vacation, the moment I left the porch of a b and b we were in, Tom
>>>>> saw one. I got that close.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm thinking of making a hummingbird/butterfly garden inside a barrier
>>>>> we installed after removing an invasive bamboo grove.
>>>>> There's also trumpet vine climbing around the back wall there, so
>>>>> maybe...
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> If you want to see hummingbirds you should plant lots of the sorts of
>>>> flowers that attract then, especially flowers with trumpet shapes. We
>>>> often see them around the Rose of Sharon, day lilies and sun flowers.
>>>>
>>> Hummingbirds have very far ranges of migration, too. Of course it
>>> depends on which coast in the Americas you're on as to which types of
>>> hummingbirds you can attract. The right (bright) trumpet type flowers
>>> and bright red feeders definitely call to them. The sugar water/nectar
>>> does *not* need to be dyed red (contrary to popular belief). But they
>>> are attracted to bright feeders just as they are to bright flowers.
>>>
>>> Jill
>>
>> I've actually had them come after a blouse with red flowers on it before
>> they realized it wasn't food.
>>
>> Cheri
>
> Hahaha! That's how I got a bee sting. Made the mistake of picking pears
> wearing a large flowered muu muu.
>
> I once gave my bro a hummingbird feeder as a gift because I thought it was
> pretty. I had no idea how high maintenance they are. That stopped me
> from getting one for myself. The instructions actually said not to make
> the nectar yourself and only to purchase it or you could sicken the birds.
> And it had to be cleaned and disinfected so frequently that I wouldn't
> bother. I'd be afraid that I'd forget or for some reason be unable to
> clean it and kill the birds./

I've always made my own. Has to be changed often in the heat, but other than
that, easy.

Cheri
>