Do You See What I See?

"Do You See What I See?" Way in the sky little lamb? As I typed the title to this post that Christmas Carole came to mind. Though that's not what this post is about.

Do you? See what I see? This tree is huge, the circumference that is. Not very tall anymore; as it's been cut so many times. Damaged through storms and time, not much is left. This tree speaks to me. Partially I think because given it's size, the hundreds of years it's grown; think what all it could tell us. This tree truly does call out to me. It's located in Green Lawn Cemetery here in town. Green Lawn is the 2nd largest cemetery in the state. It's quite old, historic and interesting. It's not possible for me to go to this cemetery without stopping to visit, my tree. Even my friends call it, Sandy's tree. I feel quite spiritual when I'm there. This is the front of the tree, I see a body; do you? Like a person is facing you.  And below

Is the back of the tree.  Do you see the back of a body? I do.

The first time I photographed this tree was almost a bit spooky. I was driving by on my way out of the cemetery,(had photographed for people doing their genealogy). I spotted it and had to stop. After parking the car and walking over I felt a chill, an odd sensation. I walked in silence around the tree and wondered about it. I started to leave after photographing it, when I felt compelled to stay a bit longer. Almost like I was visiting. Once again I decided I really needed to leave, choose a different path to exist by and there in front of me a tombstone of Frank Schoenfeld. I looked at it several times, as well as his family members around him. I didn't know he had died. Frank Schoenfeld had been my favorite teacher. He was my 7th grade homeroom teacher, taught Ohio history. He was a fabulous teacher, which I think is why I loved history so much. Now to appreciate how odd it was for me to find the memorial you need to understand the size of Green Lawn. It is 360 acres, founded in 1848 and has hundreds of thousands of memorials.

Until they painted a couple of the roads it was not uncommon for people to get lost there. Even now with the roads painted, I never go without a map of the cemetery in hand; and I'm pretty familiar with it. People used to joke about leaving bread crumbs so they could find their way out.

The list of who's who buried in this cemetery is very impressive, from President G.W. Bush's grandfather, to Governor Rhodes, to Eddie Rickenbacher, to slaves in unmarked graves from years back. The tree surely has witness much.

Do you see what it speaks to me?  Do you see what I see?

Chemicals Needed, lots of them.

For YEARS everyone in the neighborhood has threatened to slip over during the darkness of night in super stealth mode and spray this yard. Not just spray, but SPRAY like there's no tomorrow. Regardless of how well we all weeded, or sprayed our yards (and many have it done professionally), we could not get rid of the dandelions. Can you see why? What a constant eye sore, on top of the additional work it caused the rest of us in the neighborhood....and let's talk allergies. ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

He would wait and wait to mow, then when the grass was about a foot tall, and his weeds and dandelions had blown all around the neighborhood; he'd give in and mow the tops off. He never sprayed, he never pulled a weed. The yard was either full of yellow dandelions, or the fuzzy seeds of the dandelions, or those purple weeds (can't remember what they're called.)

But, there's more. When he did decide it was time to mow, he mow at night and bagged it. Well generally only 2 strips could be done because the grass was so tall so it would take him forever to mow. Which meant everyone had to hear the mower for hours and hours during their quiet time. And because he hated to mow, he had the mower set to the lowest possible setting and the yard look scraped the next day or so. So pretty. Thankfully, we spend most of our time out back and not in the front.

Good news, after 20+ years, he put the house on the market and moved out. YIPPEE. However, the house has remained empty for almost 2 years. The only good part of this, he finally hired someone to cut it. Thus the above photograph. Big mower, he could do it quicker. At least we had less noise to deal with. Then after the house had been on the market for ages, someone convinced him he needed to do something about the yard. FINALLY, he sprayed it; but as you can imagine once was hardly enough. Now, we have our fingers crossed that if the house sells (he has it way over priced), we'll get more considerate neighbors that take care of it better than he did. Only time will tell. He's tried selling it himself with no luck; and just recently we've learned he's getting a Realtor. Fingers and toes are crossed.

Do you have bad neighbors like this?

The waiting is Painful!

Look at the patience! These pictures were taken 2 summers ago on my deck just about dinner time. My kitchen window looks out onto the deck, which I love. I'm able to look out as I prepare meals. I quickly got my camera. Initially took the a photo from inside; but wanting a better photo actually was able to step out onto the deck to get these photo's. Neither moved. They both were quite intent.


So, what do you think?
Want to see and read more about animals? Please visit my SIL's blog

Homemade Noddles!

This is my niece who helped me with making homemade noddles. Realized I never edited these pictures, there were in the wrong folder on my computer and are from Thanksgiving a few years back. We make homemade noddles...TONS of them, believe that year we made about 6 recipes worth. We are a huge bunch when we gather for the fest and everyone loves my homemade noddles. Then we had to make more so my little helper had some to take home. We made egg noddles for the meal and for her to take home, then we made tomato basil angel hair...bird nests for her to take home. She was a good worker, but tired at the end. It takes lots of time and energy...and all day project.
My daughter usually helps me, but wasn't getting home from Baltimore until late the night before Thanksgiving and so wasn't able to. She was teaching 5th and working on her Masters at the time, and they didn't get off early.

Walmart, why I don't shop there.

I don't shop at Walmart for a variety of reasons:

• They made a senior citizen a paraplegic
• They put good small businesses out of business

This came to mind because of the recent incident regarding a crying baby, a man slapping the baby at Walmart. I don't like the store on several levels; but several years ago vowed I would not shop there again.

A senior citizen had a battery in his pocket to be assured of getting the right replacement size. An over zealous security guard followed the man, beat him up when the senior tried to explain the situation. His injuries resulted in his being a paraplegic. This was in our local papers some time back and I just have never been able to get over it. I don't know if the guard lost his job, I certainly hope so.

They take over in small towns, putting wonderful family owned businesses out of business. You know the type where people know people and have served the community for a long time. I really dislike that. Vermont I believe from memory is one of the states that's been successful in keeping them out. From memory I don't know if that was the whole state or just a particular area.

So, I choice to spend my dollars elsewhere; just my personal statement. Certainly hasn't hurt them any; but somehow it makes me feel better not to support them.

Drum Roll, Please!

And there you have it folks, my personal Moon on the Door even outhouse. Sure makes things nicer when we tailgate.

It was a very hot game day on Sat. We won, but Navy almost did. Our team didn't look very impressive. What was impressive to me was the sportsmanship. Often college football lacks sportsmanship. When Navy came out, our fans stood and applauded. The teams ran the field together and stood in silence as each played their song. The teams shook hands before the games. That was a first. I hope Coach Tressel continues that. He's added a lot of class I think to Ohio State University.

Next weeks game is 8 pm, which I'm pleased about. Will make the day shorter; plus it won't be as hot. The noon games are my least favorite of the time slots. We play USC next week, that could be difficult, if we don't play better.

Do Follow Blog Log

I am a DO Follow Blog, and I'm thrilled to have this fabulous list of other DO Follow Blogs:
You'll notice I've started deleting blogs from the list (where the blank spaces are). Some of these blogs are no longer do follow, some blogs aren't there anymore, some are re-directs, some are horribly outdated with no new blog posts. Others have comments closed, which certainly defeats the spirit of do follow. I do not wish to give dead blogs, or blogs not really sharing a link. They certainly aren't sharing if comments are closed, or if you have to subscribe before you can leave a comment. As of today, September 5, 2010 I've moved the several groups of blogs to the bottom of the list to give others a chance at the top. I will do this routinely and will note it here by changing the date.
**Additionally I've been making my way through the large list of comments deleting those that obviously are just list an url to get the link; those that are obviously spam. If there are some that seem legitimate when I visit their blogs, I will add them to the list, provided they have the badge and list on their page. By adding the badge visitors know they are a DoFollow Blog, and by adding the list; they're sharing the linky love. Everyone can benefit from this; but those trying to get and not give will not get from me. They have been and will continue to be deleted.

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Thanks!

The End of the Season

I'm always sad when summer comes to an end. And here that officially happens when football season begins. Tomorrow, we'll begin our Fall routine of attending OSU football games every Sat. We tailgate before the games, and after as we wait for the crowds to clear to go to dinner. It's an ALL DAY activity. The noon games are the worst-longest in my opinion. We'll arrive at the tailgate spot around 9:30, have breakfast together, walk to the game, snack after the game waiting for the time to come to go to dinner.

Now, I'm taking guesses on what this is a picture of.
Girls only is your clue.

And my favorite part of the football is this:


I love hearing and watching The Ohio State Marching Band. The music is always good, the precision in their marching is, in my opinion un-matched. I like the very old style traditional uniform. The incomparable Script Ohio, something you never tire of seeing.

Spring Cleaning...NOT

Ok, I'm NOT one who thinks cleaning is fun, or interesting, or a good way to spend one's time. But, from time to time...it's a necessity. errrrrrrrr

I'm as old as dirt, you've been reading that lately no doubt; and my vacuum was just as old and therefore not picking up much dirt! I think the one I was using was probably 20 years old, or more. The bag kind. Finding the right bags was becoming a real chore, and putting them on even harder. The gasket...the hard rubber thingy that holds the bag on was way to hard to slide. My arthritis perhaps played into this, that and it was just a pain. No one changes their bags as often as they should, and for good reason. It's a pain. But, with the sneezing and the allergies being worse this year having that dust flying around not being picked up, isn't good.

I traveled to Target and made a purchase. A Hoover, bag less. Wow, it sure sucks stuff up. It's a little heavier than I wanted, but the lighter weight ones were much more costly. The ease though of dumping the canister each time you vacuum is wonderful. It's easy and therefore you do it each and every time. Thus...things are cleaner. This is also suppose to be good at picking up pet dander and hair.

Now it's not Spring, it's in fact way to close to Fall; but some of what I'm doing here seems like Spring Cleaning.

Spring cleaning in blogland too. I've been going through my old post for the last couple of weeks. Revisiting folks who used to visit and comment, then deleting the post. Partially because the stuff is outdated, partially to minimize the number of pictures I have here to bridge the bandwidth situation and my storage. Turns out I started this blog back in August of 2005. Wow, that makes me feel "old as dirt". Just had my anniversary. I've cleaned my way to Feb 2006, which as of the writing of this is the oldest post. My stats say I have 161 posts. Numbers can be fun.

Anyway, me and the Hoover are going at it. Hum....wonder how many steps running the Hoover is?

I had to take this picture!!!

19,746 steps. I thought you all might have trouble believing me if I just reported that without the picture to prove it. One day at work I walked 19,746 steps. The day was not last week, but the week before. I'm just now getting around to posting it. A bit blurry, but readable in white you can read 10,000 steps a day. That's what one is suppose to strive for to be considered active, healthy and I almost doubled it. I've gone through many of these pedometers at work. I walk alot and just plain wear them out. So this time round I got one that doesn't convert it to miles. Thought maybe there would be less to break? Less to have something go wrong with? Anyway, according to several on line converters 5,000 steps = 2 miles. That means I walked 9.58 miles at work alone. I never put it on until I'm heading out the door, so none of my stuff at home counts.

Remember my post about being as old as dirt (a few back), well this day I can tell you I felt as old as dirt and then some.

Now, I wonder all the time I spent sitting here over the last couple of days loading pictures into the new computer (hope you enjoyed the movie in the previous post with music even), probably shoots whatever I gained with above steps. Dang it. Plus, the really frustrating thing is, I lost thousands of pictures about this time yesterday. I don't know how; but somehow I hit delete and didn't even send them to the re-cycle bin...they are gone!! Hubby even spent time looking through all the directories. Groan...all that time. I was getting super organized. Getting everything loaded here, put into files etc. Tech guy at Staples told me he could look through the actual data on the hard drive, but that it would be real costly...several hundred dollars. He also said he could redo everything if he didn't find it, but to load stuff for me would be $100.00. In addition, I would need to take my CD's, my old computer, my memory card. Heck, in order to tell him what I need, and want, I'd have to look at everything anyway. So....I started the process over again. This time though, I'm only doing things by subject...slowly one at a time.

Tomorrow, I'll on my pedometer again as it's a work day.

Sandy's New Computer

Ok, this took 5 tries. I had to find a program to edit the pictures to make them smaller which I didn't have on my computer. The speed of the new computer is great. I hope you have your sound on, it's some good music. Not sure how many pics you can add to the movie to still have it within acceptable size for what blogger allows. Anyone know?

Did you know when you get font to small to read on blogs, webpages, and sometimes even in your email you can fix it for your eyes by holding down the crtl key and clicking the + key until you get the size you like. I find this really helpful. With my new big screen, it seems everything is tiny and it doesn't fill the screen unless I do this.

Did you know you can add your blog url as a link when you type a comment on someone's blog? I didn't know that until recently. Sooooooo many people on blogger don't have their settings to allow name and url. Why? I'm not sure when you consider most people have multiple blogs and when you click on their names you do not go to the blog you know them from...you go to their profile page. Then you must decide what blog to go to. Extra time, extra clicking, and if you don't have a fast computer it's pain in the backside. Though adding your url as a link also takes time, it's better than typing your url as a cut and paste for them. Particularly if you want them to return to your blog for a visit. However, even this can't be done if they have settings set to not allow html code.

here's the method (which took me quite a while to find, and test; as many people who blogged about it didn't have it quite right.

type the name of your blog here

Happy rest of the week end to all.

To LOVE, Cherish and Obey

To love, cherish and obey; those are not the words used in today's wedding ceremonies; but those were the words taken 62 years ago today by my parents. Their story is beautiful, filled with every emotion known.

They met in high school, he was an upperclassman; she raced through the halls to get to the senior wing for a a few minutes to see him in between classes. To use her words, I chased him until he caught me. These words are powerful for me today, as she's no longer with us to celebrate this very special occasion. Most of you know, she passed a few months back. What an occasion though this is. Not many people in today's world can celebrate 62 years of marriage; 62 years of life together growing, struggling, laughing and crying together that long takes a commitment many aren't willing or able to do.

They met in high school in Chillicothe, Ohio. He went off to serve his country in the Navy, fighting Seabee's in World War II. When he returned, they got married. Though they were engaged, they decided to elope. I smile when I say that; as I find it quite romantic. No need for a big production, they just wanted to get married.

They had been to see the movie, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", when they decided to go and get married. In that day, many people crossed the border into Kentucky to get married; but they wanted to be different. They drove to Indiana.

The notice yellowed over time, and falling out of an old photoscrap book reads as follows:

Miss Barrows Is Bride of Mr. Mader

Marriage of Miss Miriam Barrows to Mr. Charles A. Mader, Jr. was solemnized on Aug 25 in the Methodist parsonage at Greenfield, Indiana, with the Rev. J. F. Stephenson officiating.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. Howard A. Barrows of East Eighth street and the late Mrs. Barrows. Mr. Mader's parents Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Mader, Sr. reside on Mill street.

The bride wore a white street length dress with white accessories. She was graduated from Chillicothe high school in 1947 and has been employed by the J. C. Penny-Co.

Mr. Mader, a graduate of Chillicothe HS class of '44' served two years in the Seabees in the South Pacific. He also attended the Chillicothe branch of Ohio university.

Mr. and Mrs. Mader are now living on Route 2, St Paris where Mr. Mader is engaged in the housing construction business with his brother-in-law.

The above picture is a dress Mom made, as is the one below. She was quite a seamstress. The photo above is my parents at a dance, perhaps her Prom from memory. The photo below maybe the dress she wore when they got married. She signed the photo, so I believe it's one she gave Daddy.

Old as Dirt

If you know what this is, if you remember this, if you used this....you are officially as old as old as me...........and as "old as dirt." Don't get me wrong now, I like old; or perhaps you prefer the nicer words like vintage or retro for you youngin's. LOL

I was sooooo surprised to see this. These mailboxes were used at University School. The University School is where my husband attended school until it closed it's doors. He was a sophomore at that time. Two weeks ago there was a reunion. They had almost everyone return, even those living far away. This was a very tight knit group of kids. Think there were maybe 30? I'd have to look at the list. We collected up for lunch at one of the class members houses, then we got to tour the school. The school began in 1937 and so there's lots of history. It was fun exploring the old building. The organizer had arranged to have someone meet us at the building, unlock it so we could explore on a Sat. It really was the perfect topper.

This group remembered fondly the school, the teachers, and even the food. They all remarked about how good the shepherds pie was. Most of the group never quite felt like they belonged when they went to various high schools around the city. They felt jipped. They wanted to graduate from this school. The school must have done lots of things right for the sentiment to be so favorable from it's former students.

The mailboxes are actually still in the office, though no longer used.

Do have fond memories of your school? Do you attend reunions? Do you stay in touch with former classmates? Did you think your cafeteria food was good?

Rise Above Plastic

This is my new water bottle. It's aluminum, and Swiss made. It wasn't cheap, $20.00 (Sigg). My daughter order one for hubby, me, and got herself one as well. I picked this because I like the saying. Everywhere you go you see people with water bottles, plastic ones. I don't like to keep buying water and so re-cycle them several times---refilling them. Apparently that's not a healthy thing to do. The plastic starts to break down and you drink chemicals. I like having a bottle always with me, drinking water is a good thing to do and many of us don't drink enough of it. I like having the bottle because you do tend to drink more, instead of having to look for a water source. I hate drinking out of a fountain...you never know who's spit in there, or put their mouth on it, or washed their hands in it etc. ICKY. I also prefer a bottle over a glass, glass breaks for one, dust gets in the glass for two, and you always have the opportunity to spill it on something. Generally something important.

So, this should be healthier for me, cheaper because I won't be buying the bottled water, and better for the environment as I won't have a mound of plastic bottles to put in the re-cycle bin. So even with the cost of $20.00, I feel like it's a good thing to do.

I'm also trying to rise above plastic with grocery shopping. I have lots of canvas bags, my problem is remembering to take them with me to the grocery. But, I will keep trying. I do reuse the plastic bags; and the ones I don't reuse I take back to have them recycled.

How bout you? Are reducing your plastic use, trying to reduce your carbon foot print?

Memory Monday

My quest to honor and remember fond things about my mother in alphabetical order continues. Today is the letter I.

Ice skating. I grew up in the little town of Marion, in the snow belt. Ice skating there was very popular. Outside on the farm ponds, city park ponds and so forth. We skated as a family usually on Sunday and when we'd get home cold and tired; Mom would make hot chocolate and pop corn. Ahhhhhhhh I can taste it now. Great fun. There was a nice old style hardware store where you could trade your skates in and get new-used ones. This was great for growing feet. I was super excited when Mom helped me clean up an old pair that were cheap, polished them nice and white...then we made purple pom pom's to decorate them. There were better than new.

Isaly's Sugar Cookies.......though most people who know of Isaly's (us mid-westerners) will immediately think of ice cream and chipped chopped ham, I think of sugar cookies. Grandma Isaly made them from a secret family recipe. They melted in your mouth much like a shortbread cookie. Mom tried to get her to give her the recipe...unsuccessfully. But, I remember her trying. Grandma was getting up in years and someone else in the family was beginning to make them; they weren't as good. Isaly's actually began in my small town of Marion; though I didn't know that at the time. I was searching for a picture to go with this post and found the history of this Swiss Immigrant Family. To this day when I have a sugar cookie I think of Mom trying to get Isaly's recipe and wishing someone out there had it. No sugar cookie since has been as good.

**The white Lilly is about 5.5 inches across, very large for a Lilly and much larger than it was last year. I transplanted these varieties and they seem to like their new location. They're tall, so hubby got me some nice plant supports for them. They're in the far corner of my back yard, visible from my kitchen window. So pretty.

H Memory Here

Walk with Me and have some Friday Fun

This is the first time I've tried this, the results aren't great; but wanted to share with you anyway...maybe next time it will work a little better. Hubby was playing around with my camera and took this, it's not as steady I would like; and I didn't know I would be able to post here. So...this is a first. Come walk with me through part of my backyard.



You can see some of the lillies against one of the fence rows.

Could you sleep in this?

**PLEASE, could you click here to vote for my travel blog, Thanks and HUGS
HERE

Isn't this the cutest bed you've ever seen? This is A Thomas The Train Bed. You've met my cute little pseudo grandchild. He LOVES trains and all things about Thomas The Train.
Look at the cute stickers for the wall. This are super nice, easy to move, don't require paste. So much more is available now for little ones' then when mine was this age.

This is what they call a youth bed and uses the mattress from the crib, is low to the ground. Perfect!

Did you see him on his Thomas The Train Bike?
Playing with his Thomas The Train Trains?

MONDAY, Monday, MONDAY

This Red Mallow measures 9.5 inches in diameter. I love these flowers. I've lost several bushes that didn't come up this year which is troublesome. I wonder if it had to do with how bad those dang Japanese Beetles were last year. They consumed these plants. These were Mom's favorite flowers, and in fact the starts came from her yard. I have this bright red and light pink ones. The red always bloom first and are generally larger than the pink for some reason. White ones also exists, though I don't have any of those.

Hubby's had an overload of maintenance that unfortunately continues today. First on Friday, the garage door wouldn't open with the opener or the inside button. The track is a mess. The part he needs to fix it is available. That's a relief cause this is an older opener and he was worried about that; but the place that has the available part wasn't opened by the time he got home on Friday after work--and they're not opened on the wkend. So, this job has been put off until today, Monday. We can open the garage door with a large 2 x 4. He moved my car outside in the drive for me. Thanks!

He changed the oil in my car, since the reminder was beeping at us. My daughter's car uses the same type of filter, and her's also needs changed. Not a big job, or so one would think. The store only had 1 filter. So, he did mine on Sat; and ventured to a different store on Sunday to get a 2nd one to do our daughters. She's been here visiting after moving from Baltimore and before moving to St. Louis.

Next up, his car won't start. Now, his car is old, 14 years old in fact; but has been a really good car. Plus, he works only 2 miles from the house, he only uses it for that. He removed the battery, took it some place to get it tested, assumed that was the problem--which would be easy to fix. Nope, that's not the problem, the battery is fine. Next he tried to remove the started, as the maintenance guy suggested that so it could be tested. Can't get it off to test it. Hum...then he successfully removes the starter relay switch and is now in the process of taking it somewhere to test it. Gees.........

Our daughter's been out of town this past wk end for a wedding, flew in late last night; and drives out today, Monday for St. Louis. This is the beginning of her move. But, she's not taking much with her; as she'll be staying with a few friends until the regular accommodations become available. Sometime down the road, we'll rent a u-haul something and cart lots of stuff out there.

Hope you all have a good start to your week.

Friday Fun, and I need a favor, PLEASE

Here's some Friday Fun. Plug in your name and see what your's means. Kinda fun.

You Are Seductive and Ruthless

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

(I don't think much of the above describes me at all, perhaps you'll have better luck with your name and it's meaning.)
My Favor
Many of you are aware of my nieces long hard battle against cancer. Janet battled Osteosarcoma. She had multiple surgeries, spent a year of her life in the hospital (her senior year in HS), she endured massive amounts of chemotherapy. I'm happy to say, she is doing well. My favor is to ask you to suport her and her continued fight; by signing her dedication page. This page is part of the Lance Armstrong "Living Strong", action.

Janet's page is here

Thank you.

Brewster and Wordless Wednesday

Does anyone EVER look as relaxed as a cat napping? I don't think so. However, Brewster does have more to say. Follow him over to Animal Talk

Hammocks and Holidays

Oh my, these picture was taken long ago. Remember when we all had little Instamatic cameras and opted for the mat finish? Which doesn't hold up well over the years it seems. It doesn't scan all that well either.

This is Mom with a silly hat on, reclining...relaxing in the hammock with Daddy sneaking up behind the tree. I find this picture funny for several reason. Mom wasn't one to relax all that much, so her laying in the hammock like she has not a care in the world is funny. Actually, they had been working in the yard all day. Their backyard is full of flowers, redbrick walks; quite pretty. It takes lots of work to keep it looking that way. The little boat in the background is the little fishing boat they had. Fishing was their other hobby.

The pretty set table is also from years ago; though a bit more recent than the hammock picture. This is the table before a Thanksgiving, before the family grew to it's present size. Mom always decorated so pretty for the holidays. The table at Thanksgiving was always well appointed with a beautiful linen table cloth and napkins, special china and silver, and stemware. The silver was family silver several generations old, so was the stemware. For many years we used the family china, hand painted and handed down through the generations. But, as the family grew she opted for the white stoneware china that could be put in the dish washer. The hand painted china was fragile (not good when grandchildren were young and running about).

Mom made all the holidays special, special family time.

These are 2 memories that come to mind for the letter H, for my Memory Monday as I remember Mom.

The letter G (gowns)

Sloushy, Strange Saturday

I Looked down on one of my clumps of Black-eyed Susan's a few days ago. Though I always thought they were all yellow and black, I seem to have a mixed variety. I have one clump slightly lighter orange then this group, one that is orange and yellow in combination. Odd, but interesting. This is the only clump that looks large and health at the moment though. I've weeded around the others carefully, as I think they were getting strangled by a vine. Perhaps they'll do better now.

The title Sloushy, Strange Saturday. It's rainy...AGAIN. My allergies really need a break from this damp weather we've been having. Strange because it's late July and should be sunny and warm, and it's sweatshirt cold, damp, and dark enough to be 9 at night. So much for not using lights during the day to be more "green". You can't see without them on. UGLY!!

Finally gave in and went to the doctor yesterday, since I wasn't making any headway with my normal allergy meds. She says I have fluid in my lungs, gave me an inhaler, antibiotics, and a steroid noise spray. Explains why I've been feeling lousy, and making no headway. Suppose to go to my 40th class reunion tonight. Right now, I really don't feel like it. Takes energy which I don't have to stand, walk around, small talk etc. I get tired just going up and down stairs doing laundry. Hubby and I graduated from HS together, perhaps he'll go on his own and fill me in about who's where doing what. We always enjoy going, nice that we graduated together. Always feel sorry for spouses who don't know the school, class etc. But, I think I'm coughing way too much to go, ears hurt, and the headache now into about it's 8th day. Come out sun, help dry me and the yard up...Please!

**I'm about 3/4th done with a navy blue scarf I've been crocheting for The Bridge and Beyond
****SIL will be disappointed if hubby and I, or hubby doesn't go to the reunion--she graduated with us too; but is competing in a big horse show today and tomorrow.

More flowers
Here
Here
and here

Boy and Dog, Wordless Wednesday

Perhaps I should say, almost wordless Wednesday. lol Little guy next door romping about in his jammies (Mickey Mouse Jammies), and his dog, Heismann. Heismann is always just a hair away.

10 Thoughts for Tuesday

1. One of my favorite lillies for today is My Mother's Birthday. RIP and know you are remembered
2. The Japanese Beetle problem has lessened. YIPPEE
3. Darling Daughter is getting nervous about not yet having a job lined up. Keep your toes and fingers crossed, please.
4. Happy to report Hubby's feeling better (he's really been under the weather)
5. Sad news learning about the recent death of Walter Cronkite, he was really quite an icon.
6. I've not been feeling my best, allergies have been bad; though I think the meds are helping now.
7. Laundry never goes away, been working on it alot today...groan
8. Hubby's and my 40th class reunion is this wkend. Yikes, we're getting old.
9. Jan, my SIL is working hard preparing for a big horseshow this wkend. It's a shame it's the same wkend as our reunion. She and I and hubby all graduated together. Good Luck Jan, hope things go well for you.
10. Happy to report more seasonal weather has returned. I see the sun!
    

Traditional 4th of July Celebration

To the right in my side bar you'll see a photo widget I made with the pictures from our 4th of July Celebration. We had more food then we needed (nothing new), drink a plenty, and games. There were 14 of us, and for awhile my 3 neighbors joined us making 17. We had corn on cob, salad, potato salad, marinated chicken breasts, a variety of drinks both soft and adult.

A good time was had by all. We played corn hole, had 2 games going at one time, badmitten...lots and lots of badmitten. Had the croquet set up; but we ended up not playing that game.

After the family all headed their separate ways, hubby and I walked down to our neighborhood fireworks display. It was wonderful! One of the best we've seen. We were up close and personal, loved it.

It was odd not having Mom with us this year, her favorite holiday and all; but she was in all of our thoughts as we enjoyed each others company.

***Question:
does anyone know if you can put one of those picture widgets in the actual post? I tried, but perhaps I didn't do it correctly?

Child Labor Laws, should this be reported?

See first, you gotta turn it on here.

Sometimes it takes more then one try.


Then you push, push, push.

"Jake, our you mowing in your PJ's?" The only thing as cool as Thomas The Train is Mickey Mouse.

He loves to come early in the morning. I was drinking my morning coffee, and had to run get my camera. If I could write, I think lots of fun short stories could be written about this little guy.

Two wild and crazy sisters

Wine for lunch, sure why not! We'd been busy and productive that morning. We'd gotten to the barn, took tons of photo's; toured a cemetery ...why not have a nice leisurely lunch with a glass of wine.

We had our lunch, and our nice wine downstairs since upstairs was closed; but we did venture up there afterwords. This is a waterside restaurant with inside and outside seating; as well as an upstairs more casual bar with great view of the water.


We had such a good time, we're thinking of making this a regular routine. In fact, we've penciled in another date to return--drink some wine, have lunch, and enjoy the views.

Wedding Gown, Memories

Memory Monday, continuing with my alphabetical memories to honor my Mother.
GWedding Gown. Mom used to make lots of my clothes. Though when I was young I complained about coming in from playing to try stuff on, the long list of wonderful things she made is impressive. She made my wedding gown. White Dotted Swiss fabric. I didn't much care for lacy veils and so she suggested a hat. That was a bit of a trick because I have an usually small head; but we did find one that fit and she sewed on little flowers to decorate it.

Here's a better look at the dress.She also made my SIL, Jan's dress which was the same color purple as Mom's wearing. Hum, somewhere I have a picture of that. She stood up with me.

Another memory starting with the letter G has to do with Grape Pop. Mom loved grape pop and peanut butter crackers. This was a snack she often ate when she worked at The Mead Swimming Pool back in the day. Mom couldn't swim, and so wasn't a life guard; except on the days when they drained the pool to clean it. They would drain the pool, clean it, and then refill it. Apparently, by law they still needed to have a guard on duty; Mom's big chance. She laughed about sitting in the chair drinking her grape pop with no one or nothing to protect! lol

The silly things one remembers.

Thanks for making my dress, I loved it and I love you.

Previous Memory Monday, letter F

Learning to Ride

Things are different it seems today with how children learn to ride a bike. Remember our tricycles, then a bike with training wheels? This cute little Thomas The Train Bicycle has training wheels and is small enough it can apparently eliminate completely the tricycle stage. Sometimes I feel old.
You've seen this cute little guy before, my pseudo grandchild. He's 2 1/2. He loves trains, he really loves Thomas The Train. Remember he and hubby playing with all the Thomas The Train, trains on our deck?



Such fun watching him.

***Hope you didn't miss the previous post, Let the Killing Begin!

Let the Killing Begin!

Argh......enough of you Beetles. I'm not even gonna try to get rid of you without going right to the heavy duty chemicals this year.

For two years I've battled and battled them. I've been kind to the environment and pinged them off into bucket after bucket of soapy water. They kept coming, and ate and ate. They ate my Rose of Sharon, they ate my Mallows, they ate my Lillie's, they ate my Petunia's....even the ones in pots on the deck.

I bumped up the killing and tried to keep them off the plants by soap spray, another kind to the environment listed as worth doing. NOT so, I say. You get rid of them for an hour or two...or until it rains or you need to water again or something like that.

This year, sorry not to be green; I'm going right for the big kill. Been seeing them in my petunia's again in the pots on the deck. Love the smell of them, love the way they attract Humming Birds, particularly the bright red and purple ones.

After all it's not like I'm killing a nice animal. Anyone wanna write last words, cause they're going for sure. I've had it with them.

And, besides I worked too hard with this to let them win
See Previus Post, Wordless Wednesday (Mulch)

Wordless Wednesday

**previous post Monday Mutter Mutter and Questions

Monday, Mutter, Mutter...I've got Question, Do you have Answers?

Started to post this earlier this am, as I was waiting for a delivery of mulch. But, the mulch man came much sooner then I expected and so I didn't get to post. Taking a little break to cool off so thought I'd post now.

Thoughts, mutterings in my mind...and some questions:(hoping to get some of them answered)

• Why do people have a blog and not allow comments? Or allow comments, but require a signing in? I really hate that; and don't get it. Some are good blogs, I'd like to leave comments on; but I don't want to register.....so I pass them by. But, blogging is about interaction, so why make it difficult for people to interact with you?
• Why do people only fly their Nations Flag on Holidays?
• Why do people say, "not to change the subject, but" it always changes the subject, so why do they say that?
• How does one add a link while making a comment on someone's blog? Anyone know? I've been asking and looking around; but haven't found a solution.
  
• How often do you update your blog?
• How many blogs do you have?
• I'm still wondering if I'm getting the hang of adding alt text to photo's, anyone else doing this that can let me know if I'm on tract? I'm talking about the alt text you add to identify your photo's to optimize your photo's.
• I'm continuing to work on the DoFollow, have successfully added the code and believe this is a DoFollow Blog, but am not sure how to test it. Anyone out there using Mozilla FF toolbar that's suppose to aid in doing so? If so could you check and help me understand how to do it? I had the toolbar, but it didn't seem to do anything and so uninstalled it...but am still interested in figuring this out
• So sad to read about the death on the Disney Monorail over the wkend.
• Sarah Palin, quitting? How does one just decide not to honor their commitments and in so doing isn't she dishonoring all who voted for her?
• I've managed to crochet a stack of 6 inch squares that will probably make their way to Pine Ridge Reservation, they're such a good mindless thing to make. And I've managed to start a scarf which when completed will be the homeless over at Bridge and Beyond

And now I fear that huge mound of mulch is still sitting there. Hubby had 10 yards delivered and it pretty well filled up his parking space in the driveway. I've managed to get 3 large flower beds done and am working on the 4th.......though it's a long fence row. Anyone want to come help?

**Previous post Happy Birthday America