Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Of Old Memories, School Lockers and Dad...

When I was in junior high, I went to a school that was built a long time before I was born. There were tiled floors and a small gym that doubled as an assembly hall. I also remember wood lockers. Those lockers were replaced shortly after I arrived at that school. It happened over a school break and we were surprised when we returned to school to find new lockers.

I loved my school locker. I felt so much more grown up with a locker than the lift-top type desk of grade school. There was a feeling of independence, being able to stop at my locker between classes. I also liked the fact that I could keep my belongings separate from other peoples things. There was a girl in my grade school class who liked to go through lunch boxes and coat pockets. But what I loved most was being able to ditch my schoolbooks and walk home unencumbered. That in itself was very freeing.

My gym locker was another thing altogether. The gym lockers were wire baskets, you could lock them to keep people out, but that locker room was always damp. I always assumed the wire baskets were chosen because gym clothes get sweaty and odorous, but not often washed. The wire basket would allow air to circulate and odors to dissipate. A couple of moths in to the school year, Mrs Wilson, our gym instructor, decreed all gym clothes must be taken home to the wash twice a week. Any girl caught with exceptionally stinky clothes, would get a zero for the day.

Last week I was driving by my old junior high on the way to my sisters house. I noticed construction equipment and staging. Arriving at Lura's place, I noticed she had some old wire gym lockers in her garage, next to a sign that read Lockers for sale. Lura bounced out of the house. She was all excited. They are remodeling our old school for a new gymnasium, and Lura picked up a gym locker for each of us.

Lura said that most of the locker rooms as we remembered them would be demolished and relocated to a different part of the school. She gets sentimental about stuff and wanted a memento. She took me into the garage to show me her excellent find. Standing there I noticed an old wooden locker, like the ones that were there when I first went to that school. It was given to her by Dad. He told her he felt sentimental too, when the school bought new lockers 35 years ago.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I'm Ready to Go!

This morning has just been too much for me. I'm ready to bolt. The last two hours have been non-stop with people interrupting me, asking me for things that I don't have and not listening to a word I say. Even when I try to explain why I don't have what they want or tell them to "Please - give me a minute", they just keep right on going. I've had it.

So for the last hour, I've been looking for a place to run away to. I don't want tropical because we've had so much hot here lately. But I do want a seaside beach, luxury accommodations and a view. I also want to be able to eat at odd hours, so a kitchen is a must too. In my search I found a bunch of great looking getaway spots, but I really want to visit North Carolina. I found http://www.towersatnorthmyrtlebeach.com.

The Towers at North Myrtle Beach have everything I'm looking for and more. After checking rates and availability, I'm sold. The towers at myrtle beach offer 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condominiums so groups or families could stay together. I think I'll travel by myself this time.

I always talk about visiting Myrtle Beach and I've got my card in hand waiting for a free minute to make my flight reservations. With that done I'll make my reservations for The Towers and a luxury room with a spectacular view. No one will bother me there. They'll all be lucky if they can find me!

We've Met Before...

It was awfully hot today. Penny's choice was to remain indoors, where she could lay on the cool floor.

Manda and Lacey bought a cool pool the other day. It's about knee deep to me and maybe 8 feet across. It's all set up and on the chilly side. This afternoon, Penny showed little interest in it.

Around 8, Travis went out for the evening. She did not disclose her plans and went out without a word.

Later, as Penny lay snoozing, I decided to go out and have a look at the garden. I wanted to see if I should plan to water in the morning. Penny woke up and came along.

Travis came jogging up the driveway and I heard scuffling noises near the rubbish bins by the road. I assumed she had been out and about with whoever made the noises, but I didn't ask.

As Penny watered a little grass, I heard some more scuffling, from the huge tree by the drive. Looking up, I met Travis's escort for the evening.


He didn't give his name and seemed shy.

When Penny was done drinking from the cool pool, she ambled over and shook the water from her lips. She didn't say anything but she stood still a moment, sniffed once and then turned and headed for the door and the cool floor.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Six Word Saturday - June 26, 2010





I have a shiny new keyboard!




Click on over to Cate's for more Six Word Saturday!

The Majorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park

Guest post from my blogger pal Taylor Enus.

I recently visited the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home and State Park in historic Cross Creek, Florida. The farm where she lived and worked for over a quarter of a century have been preserved by the state of Florida and designated as a national historic landmark. Rawlings took care in tending her vegetable and herb garden. It is still intact as it was in the 30's, making for a permanent live exhibit. There are tours with rangers dressed in period attire. They start at the barn, making the way through the farmyard and end at the home. The tour director talks in depth about her life, the farm, the people of Cross Creek, and her writings. I would suggest this State Park to anyone who is a lover of literature and history. It gives you a glimpse into a kind of living from the land that is almost extinct. It took me back to a simpler time. It was almost like I was in the 1930's. I had a wonderful time there and am looking forward to visiting again in the future. I was really glad that I set my alarm system before I left home since it was a two hour drive from where I live. It was worth the long drive though!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Eye Swear!

F(eye)rst (eye)t was my W key, now (eye)t (eye)s my (eye) key!

Could (eye)t be a v(eye)rus?

SCANNNG NOW!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

SkyWatch Friday - June 24, 2010...


Skies from all over our planet...



Check out some other great SkyWatch shots!


A letter is missing...

This evening, I just can't (double-u)in.

First, I had to shut my a/c off because Sha(double-u)n Carr (double-u)as doing (double-u)ork in the yard (double-u)ith a sa(double-u) and it (double-u)as miking my a/c go (double-u)onky.

Then, as I (double-u)as (double-u)orking on my posts, the po(double-u)er (double-u)ent out. Yes, I paid the bill.

So, a little later the po(double-u)er came back on. (uppercase double-u)e sat outside for a little longer to let the rooms cool.

(uppercase double-u)hen I came back to my computer, my (double-u) key stopped (double-u)orking.

I never kne(double-u) ho(double-u) hard it is to (double-u)rite (double-u)ithout a (double-u).

Math Woes Be Gone - Help is On The Way!

I have such a hard time with math.

In fifth grade we learned long division and I can remember being so stressed, I cried and went to the nurse. Once there I was expected to dry my eyes, go back to class, and apologise to the teacher for not learning correctly. The nurse had no sympathy. The office ladies resented my disruption of their day. Back in the classroom, was ashamed to let every other kid in the class know that I had no idea how to do long division and the concept was lost on me. My only option was to go to the teacher and admit I needed help. I would have been placed at the board, in front of everyone, and been "helped" with the whole class watching.

I kept my mouth shut. I failed math that year and every other year I was in school. I failed college math. I can't remember how I learned long division, but it was not in that 5th grade classroom. I never asked for Math help that day in class or any other day. My math skills are limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication (using my fingers) and simple long division.

I could have benefited from a Math Tutor. I probably could have been helped by my teacher, but I was too shy to admit my inability to grasp concepts, so I just fell further and further behind. This has affected me every day of my life. At work, when I have to double recipes, I have to get a kid to do the math for me. If no "Math Problem Solver" is available, I don't add the fractions, I just measure twice. This method is not ideal.

Today, there are Math Tutors Online, available whenever one needs them. Tutornext.com can provide excellent help for any level from kindergarten through college. A student can connect to tutor as often as they need help and just when they are ready to learn. Rates are convenient and affordable, and one can get help with homework assignments too.

An Online Tutor from tutornext.com can help provide online tutoring at the cheapest rate and provide high quality one on one supplemental education. An Online Math Tutor would have been a great help to me. I may even give online tutoring services a try today. The kids at work would thank me, they are tired of doing "simple" calculations for me.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Sensational Haiku Wednesday - Challenges...

Join the fun!

The basics:

Haiku is simple! It is three non-rhyming lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively.

This weeks theme - Challenges...


I find, that each day,
It's nearly impossible
to get out of bed!

Roll on over to see Jenn at You know...that blog? for more Sensational Haiku...

Monday, June 21, 2010

Introducing...New England Bloggers!


The New England Bloggers are celebrating the beginning of summer with a blog carnival introducing our readers to someone who is a New England Blogger.

There are scads of bloggers in New England, and they all have tales to tell! Elizabeth over at Thoughts of an Evil Overlord decided to get us together and get us talking! Elizabeth orchestrated this blog hop for folks to meet and get to know one another and make some new friends...

Here's the plan: Pick a person from the list below and write a post introducing them, you could introduce more than one person if you like. Link to your post below. Leave a comment here and at any other blogs you hop to!

Everyone - Meet Juliana!
You can check out her blog, Surviving Boys where she relates great stories of her boys, her home, her flower beds and so much more! Juliana is a great story teller, I had a blast reading her posts! I encourage everyone to hop over to Juliana's place, read a little and offer a comment.


Sunday, June 20, 2010

It's Not Too Late To Win an iPod Touch for Dad!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's not too late to honor Dad with a fantastic bundle from Charter!

Charter has special deals for Father's Day! This is not another tie, but digital access to everything Dad loves. Charter's bundles offer HD TV with DVR , 3 premium channels, very fast internet and unlimited long distance! If Dad is a sports fan, you could choose the Sports View Plus bundle. Bring home one of Charter's best bundles and Dad can get a gift card to The Home Depot or other retailers, worth up to $300.

100 winners will get an iPod Touch!

Charter is giving away 100 iPod Touches to showcase the new mobile app for Ipod, iPhone and Blackberry. The world of Charter is at your fingertips with this new app! The download for the app is free and with the it you can:

  • check TV and On Demand listings
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Enter now to win an iPod Touch, no purchase is necessary to enter the contest.

You can view the video below and check out the app.




Visit my sponsor: Charter is mobile Father's Day

Friday, June 18, 2010

A New Puppy...

Thanks to my friend and mommy blogger Mary Nichols for the post.

The kids finally talked me into getting a dog by saying the magic words: home security alarm system. With all the wisdom that a ten-year old boy and an eight-year old girl—extensive in the case of these two—they convinced me that a barking dog was the best defense for just about anything. They were on my back all day while on the computer showing me pictures of dogs. “Click Here! Click here!” They kept yelling. We must have spent two hours looking at dogs on the web. The fact that our neighbors were trying to unload a litter of mutts was simply coincidental. And bringing one of the pups into the house to lick my chin was a stroke of genius. How could I possibly resist all that logic, convenience, and cuteness?

So Brutus moved in and immediately began performing his “alarm” duties. No burglar in his right mind would have gone near our home for those first three weeks that Brutus was with us. Talk about a set of lungs…this puppy could bark non-stop for hours at a time and at a nerve-jarring pitch. It was a wonder he didn’t go hoarse.

But he’s been with us for a couple of years now. Whether or not he’s scared away any intruders, I can’t say. But he’s settled down, barking only when someone comes to the door or when the meter reader crosses the backyard. Don’t tell the kids, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything now, no matter how well—or badly—he does his “job”.

Myrtle Beach - Here I Come!

Lately, I've become very interested in two things: lighthouses and vacations. I have devised a plan which will allow me to combine the two. There are great lighthouses along the South Carolina coast as well as fabulous seaside resorts. I've never been to Myrtle Beach and I love the seaside. I could stay at a great resort near the shore and day trip to see some of the lighthouses in the area.I'm going to check availability at http://www.horizonmyrtlebeach.com. I like the amenities this resort offers and it's steps away from the shore.

I love the idea of a lighthouse. They combine beauty and architecture with a warning to ships at sea. It wasn't so long ago that a seagoing vessel and the men aboard used only a sextant, a compass, a marine chronometer and the sky to navigate. A lighthouse would warn the vessel to steer clear of the shore and the dangerous rocks or shoals within.

Since I've seen all the lighthouses in my area, I think it's time to visit some I've only seen in photographs. I'm looking into one of Myrtle Beach best hotels. I can get in a couple rounds of golf between trips to see the lighthouses.

I'm so looking forward to staying in a Myrtle Beach hotel. As my home base for my lighthouse explorations, I will have everything I need for my uncharted adventures. Sand and surf, golf, and great accommodations will be the perfect close to my day trip to a lighthouse!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

A New Mailbox - A Dry Newspaper...

Although my mail goes to a box at the post office, I am going to put up a mailbox at the end of my driveway. I get two newspapers delivered daily and when it rains, my papers end up in a puddle every time.

Residential Mailboxes have come a long way since that rusted box on the rickety post. Not only am I going for functionality and stability, but curbside decor. We've done a good amount of work here, and I want the front of the house to reflect that. I want to show off just a little.

Mailboxes are a great way to set the tone for the decor of the house and the yard. When we decorate our houses and yards, we often overlook our mailboxes, which is the first thing a guest sees. My mailbox will be used only to receive a newspaper, but I still want it to reflect the decor of the house and be different from the others on the street.

Once I install my new mailbox, I think I will attach a little note for my paper guy. I'll include a tip and ask if he can cease delivery to the puddle.


Creating a New Space with a Garden Arbor...

Shawn Carr has dome an enormous amount of raking in our yard since April. There is not one pine needle within 10,000 miles. He has also removed a bunch of undesirable and offending objects. All this activity has brought me to one conclusion; I can grow a lot of great plants in this yard, and today I decided to grow Clematis on a new arbor.

I decided on Clematis because once established, the plant will provide a profusion of color and decent bloom time. I like the wooden arbors, which fit the forest aspect of our yard nicely. Shawn Carr likes the idea of metal because his trade is metal fabrication. Shawn O'Kelly and the girls prefer vinyl. Whichever material we choose, it will be a fabulous addition to our yard.

I love the idea of a garden arbor. It will make a transition from one area of the property to another. The house sits on the front corner of the lot. I want to keep the front section of the yard very separate from the back. There is a beautiful, decorative picket fence that divides the front and back yards. The addition of a similarly beautiful arbor, draped in a stunning clematis, will created the division I desire. I love the idea of passing under an arbor into an inviting new landscape, where relaxation is the order of the day.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Roo - by Tuesday...


Hop on over to Mary's place at Work of the Poet to see more Ruby Tuesday...

microfiction Monday #35...

The idea is to create a story using 140 characters or less.

"You know, Jocelyn, I'm quite fond of Teddy. I hope you we can still be friends..."
"George, coming from you, friend is a four letter word."

Saunter on over to Susan's place to see more microfiction Monday...

Looking Forward to a New Computer...

I love my computer, I really do. I love that it connects me to the internet and my friends and family. What I don't love is that my particular machine is slower than molasses in January. I decided that by the end of this year, I will have a new custom computer, here on my desk.

I've been looking at bundled computers for some time. I just don't require all the software included in the bundled packages, and I'm not thrilled with the operating system. I've decided I want more RAM and a bigger hard drive as well. I want to be able to choose the things I need and ditch the stuff that doesn't suit me. Right now, I am all about custom computers. My wish is this: I get the computer I want, at a price I can afford, without having to build it myself.

Even though I don't really like laptops, I do use them. I use Colleen's and I use Manda's. Neither one of the girls particularly likes it when I do. Every time I take one of their machines to work, the girls complain it smells like fried food when it comes back. I think a custom laptop is in my future as well. Manda's net book is a great little machine, it's fast, light and incredibly portable.
However, it does not have any disk drives. That's ok for her, but I still need to put stuff on cd's.
Colleen just hates it when I take her laptop, so I try not to. The fact is, I need my own laptop.

The pricing on custom laptops is quite good. I'm certain that when I decide what features I require in a laptop, I'll be able to get one within my price range.

I'm Back!

I didn't actually go anywhere. I've just been working my fingers to the bone.

I've spent the last week cleaning Edaville, placing orders and waiting for repair men. Shawn Carr came along to help and that was the best thing that could have happened! Shawn Carr is a cleaning machine. KC's Cafe at Edaville USA is squeaky clean and sparkling!

Thanks Shawn for all of your help, I couldn't have done it without you!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Today Could Be My Lucky Day...

I'm looking for yet another job. Three just isn't enough. I have scrimped and saved and slashed my budget as far back as I can. Everyone in the house has done the same. I don't think anyone has bought a thing in months. I am in financial freakout mode.
What I really need is just a sudden windfall, or a great number for the lottery. I'm not much for online gambling , but I've heard there are reputable sites that have decent winning percentages and a fair chance to cash out. If I had more than 39 cents in the bank, I just might check it out.
While I wait for the new job and the sudden windfall, I've planted a vegetable garden.I want to put up a bunch of stuff at the end of the season, maybe alleviating some of the grocery bill. If my plan works out, I will have some tomato sauce, pickles, salsa, pepper jelly and some beans.
In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes open for the magic number, You see, I haven't given up on luck yet. I know that somewhere out there is my number, or my long lost relative who left me some oil fields in Canada. You never know, a nickel in a slot just might be the ticket.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Green Thumb...

Thanks to my friend Heather Kolmar for the guest post.

Gardening in the summer time is one of my absolute favorite activities for a multitude of reasons. As soon as the seasons change I know I can turn off the oregon direct tv specials that has accompanied my afternoons for the whole preceding winter season and finally head outdoors to do some serious working out of my green thumb. When the skies clear of clouds and turn blue I throw on my huge straw hat to block the sun’s rays from my eyes and I go outside with a little garden shovel. First I weed out all of those nasty weeds that have been snaking around my plants over the beginning of the spring and then I head out to the local gardening store. Once there, I always pick out a few new terra cotta pots that will house my new selection of flowering plants. Then I head over to the nursery and select a few new flowers that I have never had in my garden before. I like my garden to be a selection of tropical plants, plants native to the area, and new types of succulents or cactus. I even enjoy adding vegetables and fruits to my garden. When I have found the few perfect additions for this year’s garden I take them home, grab the shovel and begin to plant them.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

microfiction Monday #34...

The idea is to create a story in only 140 characters.


You know Jack, I just wish you'd fix yourself up a little! Shave once in a while?
Pfft!Go a minute without waxing, Jenny!
Braying ASS!
Haw!

Trot on over to Susan's place at Stony River and check out more microfiction Monday!

Sunday Stealing...


Welcome back to Sunday Stealing. Sunday Stealing originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser.
Today we ripped this meme off a blogger namedGaramond Bophin at the blogGaramond Bophin's Journal. She states that he took it from Sally Maria. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: Another Question Meme

1. It's 2AM and you are not home. You are more than likely:
In a hospital. I can think of no other reason than an emergency, that would keep me away from home at that hour. Oh! I suppose I could be travelling, but I don't often travel. So, hospital it is.

2. What's the last thing you spent more than $100 on?
My mortgage payment. Bills come first around he-ya.

3. What do your bank checks look like?
I do not have any checks to any checking account. I use a debit card.

4. Where did the shirt you are currently wearing come from?
Ummmm, the mart.

5. Name something that will be on your Christmas wish list:
A Kitchen -Aid 5 quart mixer, just like every other year.

6. What color is your toothbrush?
Pink and purple. The bristles are white.

7. Name something you collect and tell us about it.
I collect bills, dirt, dust, and for a long time I tried to collect pine needles. But someone has foiled that attempt.

8. Last restaurant you ate at. Who were you with? How was it?
Mama Mia's in Carver. I was with Mike, Margaret and Karen. The food was adequate, but the chairs were awfully uncomfortable and the table was too small.

9. Who was the last person you bought a birthday card for?
I cannot tell you.

10. What is your worst bad habit?
Ohhhhh! Gossip!

11. Name a magazine you subscribe to?
St Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast.

12. Your favorite pizza toppings?
Pineapple and Ham.

13. Whose number were you looking up the last time you used a phone book?
I do not remember. I use the White Pages online.

14. Other than family, who is the person that you love most?
Penny!

15. What is the last thing you cooked?
Ha! Breakfast sausages and white rice.

16. Name something you wouldn't want to buy used?
A mattress.

17. Which shoe do you put on first?
It's a toss up between a sock and a sock then a shoe and a shoe, or a sock and a shoe and a sock and a shoe.

18. What is the last thing you remember losing?
Money and the keys to church.

29. What is your favorite way to eat chicken?
I would have to say cooked.

30. It is your birthday. You hope the cake is?
Frig cake. Frig birthdays!

I missed questions 19-28, but I don't care because it's 2am and I'm not sleeping. But I am home!

Thank you for playing this week on Sunday Stealing! Please leave a comment or link when you have posted. Feel free to stop back and visit other player’s posts. Have a great week. See you next Sunday!


Gold! Gold? Gold.

There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;

My Dad was great at telling jokes and stories.One thing I miss about him is his recitation of an old poem about gold prospectors. And when I was a little girl, one of my obsessions was the Klondike Gold Rush. I would sit in the library stacks reading anything I could find about gold prospectors, the Chilkoot Pass and Dawson City.

Now that I'm older, I consider gold differently. I no longer wish to travel to the Klondike to prospect. But I do like the idea of Gold Buillion Coins. Gold buillion is minted for investment and collection. People have been hoarding gold for thousands of years as a way to hedge against poverty and financial crisis. Gold is a sound investment and recognized across the globe as a means of trade.

Tangible assets such as gold are safe and profitable. You can even add gold to your IRA. A Gold IRA can reduce the volatility of an investment portfolio by increasing returns without increasing risk, or by reducing the risk without reducing the return.Gold is the ultimate asset and the purest form of money. It cannot be devalued, has no interest rate and has survived every economic crisis.

Buy Gold. It's easier, safer and quicker than prospecting in the Klondike.



Saturday, June 5, 2010

Boston Real Estate - The Bushari Real Estate Group

When I worked in Boston, I drove through the South End every day. I was always curious about the brownstones along Massachusetts Avenue and in the little squares nearby. Outwardly, the brownstones are stately and very Victorian. I longed to go inside one and often wondered what they were like when they were new. I envisioned four stories of dark wood trim with detailed crown molding and large, airy rooms. From outside I could see tall windows and beautiful entrances. Since I don't know anyone who lives in the South End, I decided check out Boston Real Estate on my own.

Real Estate in Boston is as interesting as it is varied. I found luxury apartments, condos and lofts, as well as single family homes like the brownstones. Aside from the brownstones, luxury lofts intrigue me the most. At the turn of the 19th century, cast iron framed buildings for light industrial use were built. While these buildings had great expansive windows on the front, they generally housed sweatshops or warehouses. Redevelopment of the Seaport District, East Boston and the theater district has followed the trend to convert these old factories and warehouses into stunning luxury lofts.

Boston is a vibrant city, steeped in history and tradition. Boston is well known for it's cultural center, champion sports teams and educational institutions. If you are seeking a lovely, well appointed home in Boston, check in with Bushari Group Real Estate.
The Bushari Group specializes in city living, and a residential real estate specialist will answer all your questions and schedule private showings.


Six Word Saturday...




Poor Penny, sprayed by a skunk!


Check out more 6WS over at Cate's!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Uncle Jim's Worm Farm...

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Uncle Jims Worm Farm. All opinions are 100% mine.


004

Last week I brought home the plants for my new summer vegetable garden. I have three varieties of tomato, green peppers and hot cherry peppers, jalepeno, yellow squash and zuchinni, pickling cukes, regular cukes, white onion, red onion and pumpkin. I may try some winter squash and garlic.

I have a little work to do to get my sandy soil ready for the plants. I have a small compost heap, and I 'll use that to amend the soil in my new garden. I'll also add about a yard of nice, rich soil that Pop composted at the greenhouses. I asked how he manages such great compost. He told me to consider composting worms. Pop said an effective compost heap has one special and important ingredient, the red worm, and that any good fertile soil is full of worms.

Pop told me to get in touch with Uncle Jim, who has a great gig going. He's raising worms and providing education and the supplies needed to get worms working in any compost heap and garden. Uncle Jim told me that using organic homemade fertilizers are far more beneficial than using chemicals in lawns and gardens. He also said that composting has a very positive impact on landfills. Since a compost pile is exposed to oxygen by turning and through the use of worms, it produces CO2 instead of methane. In a landfill, waste is buried and doesn't get any oxygen, so it produces methane. I love the idea of using kitchen scraps, yard and garden waste for compost instead of sending it to the landfill.

Uncle Jim has some great composters and worm kits available now. He also suggested I try Red Wiggler worms. Uncle Jim says they are rugged, quick and easy breeders and a fine addition to any home garden or composting project.

red worm composting is in my future!

Visit my sponsor: Composting / Organic Gardening Blogs

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

A Maine Summer...

Posting compliments of my pal Jackson Hughes.

Living on the coast of Maine is great during the summer time. The weather is always between 60 and 80 degrees, and the cold misty air from the Atlantic can cool you off just right during any hot summer day. Because of this, my favorite thing to do in Maine during the summer is go whale watching.

Whale watching is a sight to behold. The salty breeze that the ocean gives off while boating creates a perfect atmosphere for seeing these mighty creatures. They slowly bob up from the ocean depths, as if saying hello. They’re massive, and sometimes even scary, but that’s what makes the trips so fun.

Seeing a creature that's so misunderstood and underrated, that's 3 times the size of your boat, will send enjoyable chills up your spine. Every experience I've spent seeing these whales has always been amazing and worth it. When I'm not whale watching, I'm usually watching shows about ocean creatures on BestChoiceTV.com. I can never get enough of their beauty and enormity.

If you ever have the chance to go whale watching, or even visit the coast of Maine, I would highly advise that you take it up. It will probably be one of the best experiences of your life for years to come.

Ecco Mailboxes - Bring Back Sweet Memories...

As a kid, I spent a lot of time with Nana. Very often, I would walk up the street to Nana's house after school. Sometimes I would meet up with the mailman, Mr Beard. In those days, mail carriers walked their routes in our town. Mr Beard and I would often meet at the intersection of First Parish and Stockbridge Roads.

All of the homes on Stockbridge Road had mailboxes at the end of the driveway. Mr Beard and I would chat as we walked along. As we neared the turn onto Vinal Avenue, where Nana lived, Mr Beard would hand to me Nana's mail, for me to take in to her.

Nana kept her mailbox by her kitchen door.
It was a wall mount mailbox, at a height she could
reach from her wheelchair. On the days that Mr Beard and I didn't meet, he would go to the kitchen door. If the door was open, he would call, "Special delivery for Mrs Fife!", and bring the mail to her in the living room. Nana always offered Mr Beard a drink or a snack. Mr Beard would say " Thanks so much, Mrs Fife, but I have to be getting on." Going out, he would close the kitchen door and then wave as he went by the front windows.

Every now and then, Nana would leave a lemon square wrapped in wax paper, on the table in the breezeway. She would write a little note to Mr Beard thanking him for his kindness and put it with the treat.

When Nana passed away, I saw Mr Beard at her funeral. He had tears in his eyes as he came to my sister and me. He told us how much he loved Nana, and would miss his short visits with her. As he turned to leave, I told Mr Beard that shortly before Nana died, she'd asked me to give him something. I handed him the package. As he dried his eyes, he opened it.

Inside the package was Nana's mailbox. Inside the mailbox was an ancient, handwritten recipe for lemon squares.