CabsOasis

Solar Eclipse

2010-01-15T07:37:00.003-05:00

I was thrilled this morning to discover that while I was dreaming the eastern hemisphere of the globe was witnessing a "ring of fire" solar eclipse! One article claimed that another eclipse of this nature was not predicted for over 1000 years. For those of us who weren't there, here's a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUuY1lyNmco

I Think Way Too Much

2009-12-20T08:55:00.009-05:00

It's like I fell off the edge of the planet with my blog, isn't it?! October 12th was the last time I blogged. I'm stunned. Okay, well maybe not really. I've been a very busy girl. All those ideas and all that energy (Many times fueled by rocket fuel. No! Wait that was coffee.) and the driving schedule kept me going.

I finished the girls room to an acceptable stage so that they were able to have their first major slumber party on Halloween night. Everyone seems to have had a fine time trick or treating and I, miraculously, managed to get a bit of sleep in there too. =) Since then, I've tweaked the things that needed tweaking, but am I every really done? I'd guess the girls new bedroom is 99% or so done--closet-guts not withstanding. (What does that word 'withstanding' really mean? I must look it up later.) I moved the girls' beds into the 1000-times-improved-room before Christmas and gradually we'll move in the rest of their stuff. They love the new digs!

I did indeed participate in NaNoWriMo in November. I did not complete the 50,000 word goal in thirty days. Somewhere around day eight, I realized that I was losing ground with the house and it was reaching a critical crisis state with the family, so I tried to work a bit and write a bit. That worked, I guess if you think that going from writing nearly 2000 words a day to feeling victorious over 12 words is working--at that rate it might another 20 years before I finish this novel idea. Oy! My two writing buddies were initially disgusted with my verbosity, but I think they have forgiven me. I ended with 7242 words to my total and my buddies somewhat less. It gives me hope that if I had been more focused, I might have succeeded. Considering this was my first attempt to do something this radical since I was twelve, I'm actually quite proud of myself.

The holidays left me sweating whether or not I'd get everything done up in time for the onslaught of family get-togethers, just like always. Every year I resolve that next year I will get done earlier and have time to enjoy my labors, and each year I seem to fail more miserably with my goal. I presume that this comes under the heading of "Hey! That's life, what did you expect?!" And then there is always the "Gee, it's over already" chapter that seems to begin the January blahs and organizing affair while stuck inside--since I'm basically a chicken when the temps dive regularly below the freezing point. By February, I'll be dying for a road trip to Tennessee and potential warmer weather. It hits me like my birthdays, and pretty much I don't have to set the internal clock to know it's coming. Some things are just fated and you know it.

The past couple weeks have out done themselves in the thought provoking category. Nothing like life, death, and accidental near death of a friend's family member to remind one of the importance of being there with your family when it counts--be it a slip on the ice or a zombie apocalypse. (Not that I put much credence in the talk on the street about this potential!) All I'm saying is that the rushing around and making sure our materialistic needs are met are not even close to important!

I mean how could that possibly be more important than figuring out the eternal/infernal questions to your personal way to the big g-o-d (if he/it even exists for you), the state of the Union, taxes, gun control, national security, and "Is the way I show my family I love them enough?", and the list goes on and on and....!? I ask you!

As if none of this were not perplexing enough, add in the mysterious process of fudge making that does in fact seem to be affected inconceivably by the weather--hygrometer and barometer measurements--and life is absolutely inexplicable! Amazing! Sometimes our great-grandparents knew what the *bleep* they were talking about. Anybody else wonder what other true wisdom we all missed and passed off as pure silliness and could use about now?!

Ugh, my head hurts.

Ideas Flowing

2009-10-12T12:01:00.003-04:00

Ideas are starting to flow at a rapid pace in my mind. A lot of my ideas are about what I want to write about during the Nanowrimo event, and that is exciting as I don't think I'll be at a loss for topics. I am keeping copious notes about all my ideas, but where they get recorded seems to be as scattered as how and when the ideas arrive. Some ideas are centered around various garden projects at home, the Children's Garden and elsewhere. Some are about art work I'd like to produce. Some are about home remodeling and renovation, decorating about Halloween, Halloween costume possibilities...are you getting the picture? The ideas seem endless. What's up with the creative volcano in my mind this month?

Update!

2009-10-02T16:17:00.002-04:00

The Children's Garden has three new trees installed as of this morning! Whoo-pah! I added a weeping cherry to the list yesterday and dug it's hole this morning before the trees arrived. Installing the trees was a bit like watching the Three Stooges plant a tree. (If they ever did that.?) There was me, Jeff P. and Jeff N. (or the other Jeff, as he is more typically monikered.)

First, there was trying to decide how to get the trees into the garden. Normally, one would think this does not need too much consideration, however the garden currently has some special circumstances that needed evaluation.
The circumstances: The garden has no easy front access or side access, because of all the new grass coming up. Last night it rained (over half an inch), so all the soil was very soft this morning--more trouble. The other two sides have raised beds (4-8" high)--all ready for planting, but very wet. The columnar oak was the largest of the three trees. It's approximately twelve feet tall and has to weigh at least 200 pounds!! It has a trunk diameter of about 4 inches--no small feet!
The decision: The final answer was that some tender grass would be trod upon, as carefully as we could manage by crossing at the front and sticking to the winding path. (This path is sometimes affectionately and frustratingly nicknamed "The Drunkard's Path"--and for good reasons.)

Second, there was the hysterical process of unloading the trees from the truck bed into assorted carts or wheelbarrows. I can honestly say that getting the oak down and out to the garden was film worthy, and had us all hunched over laughing at various moments on the journey. I nearly went head over teakettles once with the honey locust tree and wheelbarrow, as it overturned with a gust of wind. (Yes, it was pretty breezy this morning.) Let that be a lesson to one and all...always lay your tree on its side to transport--especially when said tree is nearly ten feet tall! By the time we got to tree number three, the weeping cherry, the thrill had gone with the ease of this minute tree. It was only six feet tall. I took that one solo. No, challenge at all!

Third was the adventure of planting. Tools needed: one hacksaw, wire cutters, pliers, screwdriver, pocket knife and a claw-like grasp of fingers. The oak as you can imagine took all three of us to unload, unwrap, cut string , cut wire, cut bound up roots, and then not so gracefully roll into the hole. I'm certain I looked very graceful grasping the tree, walking backwards stooped over, rolling it towards me and then straddling the hole so as not to get trapped under it's two hundred pound weight. Right.
The honey locust was horridly root bound. We planted it despite it's trauma and with tender loving care, because it is guaranteed for one year. But as protection for us, pictures were taken in case they might be needed later.
The weeping cherry was a picture of perfection to plant, and was so small I was able to do it on my own.

So, after all the struggling, laughing and laboring it was indeed a good day for the Children's Garden!

Now for the rest of the story...

2009-09-30T19:03:00.003-04:00

This fall in between doing volunteer work at the Nature centers, the Children's Garden and running children here and there for swim lessons, Science Olympiad, Girl Scouts and dance lessons, I have been busy on other personal avenues.

1.)I have contacted the university and played office ping pong to determine how I must proceed effectively with a program to A.) get a teaching license and certification, and B.) return to school for a Master's degree. I will know more after they have evaluated my transcripts, so I am told.

2.) I have made and submitted my resume. I continue to look for anything that looks appealing to apply. I am hopeful that I will become gainfully employed--ideally part time, but I'm open to full time for the right job.

3.) I have been volunteering at my youngest daughter's school one morning a week. This seems to be helping her and me to understand what she has to do in her new High Ability (or gifted/talented) class that is both 4th and 5th graders. I have been thrilled with her renewed enthusiasm at going to school. Saddened for her having less contact with her best friends during the week. Challenged in how to keep up with the emotional roller coaster that is the life of a 9 year old girl. But at the moment I wouldn't change it for love nor money! For the first time ever my child is learning a LOT and in a short amount of time. In the past she was spending her days bored to death waiting to learn one thing of value--just a kernel here and there.

4.) I have completely lost my mind, (LOL) and decided to attempt a childhood dream that will require me to spend a great deal of time in front of a computer typing. I have signed up to participate in this year's NaNoWriMo during the month of November. I keep telling myself this is completely insane, and yet the creative brain in my refuses to be silenced. Last January, I had an idea and the idea is niggling still. So I'm going to at least make the effort. If I fail at least I will have given it a shot.

So that is the long and the short of it all. May I be blessed with good fortune and moderate sanity!

It's Fall in the Children's Garden and What Do I Have to Show for It?

2009-09-30T18:23:00.004-04:00

The Children's Garden project has continued all summer long. I have pushed and prodded it and it beginning to show signs of loveliness! The garden is all laid out and folks are gearing up to finish their parts before the garden is closed up for the winter.

1.) I completed the last of the major excavation this week--the labyrinth. Yay! Ah, to complete the mulching and planting--within the next thirty days I'll say!

2.) I have two ladies and their volunteers planting the prairie flowers in the next couple weeks, and they will be including an official certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation.

3.) I have one teacher/master gardener and her students creating the bog this Friday (weather permitting).

4.) The playhouse/classroom/storage/whatever-we-need-it-for shed was installed in the garden a while back and has a fresh coat of yellow tinted primer on it--very attractive with the green steel roof.

5.) The picket fence and gate are installed and looking like it will be painted in the spring with gusto.

6.) Four shrubs are planted in different parts of the garden. And short sunflowers matured in lovely variety. Some purple coneflowers were planted late summer in the hopes of spring green and summer beauty next year.

7.) The buckwheat cover crop used over the hot summer was a beautiful success, and has gone by the wayside to be replaced by lovely green grass.

8.) Two holes were dug in preparation for the two new trees that will be planted this week--a thornless honeylocust in the labyrinth and a columnar oak near the playhouse/multi-purpose building.

I say that's not bad for year one and about 200 hours of my time! An alphabet garden, an herb garden, arbors, signs, two child-size picnic tables, benches, a shade canopy, the human sundial and many more plantings are to come next year. Compared to this year, I think it will be a complete breeze!

Yes, I have continued to take pictures and over the winter, I may actually get them available online. I pray...

Rice Field Art in Japan

2009-08-20T18:27:00.002-04:00

A good friend of mine sent me an email the other day about several Japanese communities creating art images in rice fields using four different varieties of rice plants. It's fascinating. The artist in me is tickled by the art image choices and the gardener in me salutes all those patient planters!

Check it out:

http://www.hemmy.net/2007/09/23/rice-field-art/

Holy Cow...

2009-06-30T23:45:00.004-04:00

1.) I haven't updated my blog since last May!

2.) I haven't had time to blog because I have been so busy running here and there!

3.) The Children's Garden project is coming along, but I haven't updated my blog about it. I need to show you all the pictures I've been taking as it forms.

4.) My children are growing like the weeds in my backyard.

5.) We had a very fun-filled 'Staycation' this year.

6.) The kids' summer vacation is half over.

7.) I'm going away with my husband for 5 days without the kids for the first time in over 7 years!

8.) I am going tent camping for the first time EVER later this summer with my daughters, my experienced camper spouse and a family of highly experienced camping friends!

9.) This summer has been the most action packed since, well...since I don't remember when!

10.) It's all great! I may be insanely busy, but overall I'm a very happy idiot!

School's Out

2009-05-28T10:44:00.003-04:00

School's out, school's out teacher let the monkeys out! Isn't that the truth? I'm thrilled the kids are out of school fro the summer, but it seems like that last school year just flew! What does that say about the upcoming summer?

This is probably the first summer as a family we have most of our time planned. Vacation days are set, the girls have most of their activities set, and I have what seems like an endless list of things to do. I feel like the Sandra Boynton song "BusyBusyBusy".

We have a lot of hopes for this summer: sleeping in once in a while, time for reading, enjoying the sunshine, finding respite in a pool, working and playing in various gardens, seeing beloved family and good friends, fun and thrills at parks, seeing new and favored places, and taking time to just be happy and giggly.

Here's to school being out! Let summer begin.

Coming along...

2009-05-14T19:04:00.002-04:00

The Children's Garden project had a pretty good week of work from me. Moved soil for about 5 hours total and I'm beginning to see it taking shape. I also had a productive meeting with a fellow gardener interested in making arbors, fence and a building for the garden. Very nice.

My youngest daughter finally got accepted into a gifted and talented program at her school, so I'm much more hopeful that she will learn more next year. This past year she was bored more than 75% of the time. So maybe I won't have to home school her this coming year. ;-)

My eldest had a wonderful band concert last night and she and her group sounded much improved--even though the last concert was in March!

I'm so proud of both of my girls! We all seem to be coming along nicely with our projects.

Surprise!

2009-05-06T08:29:00.005-04:00

Yesterday morning, I got a surprise while working with a few of my fellow master gardeners. The surprise was the information that The Children's Garden project received a $1000 grant for plants and seeds. There was even a photo-op in the afternoon when the President of our organization received the check. I hid in the background because I was dirty, hot and sweaty from working all morning and half the afternoon.

As far as recent work on the garden, I got lucky and a fellow MG tilled most of the paths so we could start removing 3-4" of soil from the paths and relocating it to assorted beds to raise some of the beds in the plan. Once the paths are cleared. then we will add mulch to the paths and the real fun can begin of adding compost, plants and lawn. I can't wait to see some other color than dark brown with polka dot weeds!

Now, if I could just get more than nine people signed up to help with and that can work when I can...I think I need to go on a sales campaign and get the group as excited about this as I am. I'm going to think about this a lot over the next few days. Perhaps, I should break the project down and see if I can get people assigned to more specific sections after the plan is clear from the soil excavation and path mulching. For example...someone to do an Alphabet garden gets this section, someone can do the Herbs here, someone can do the Butterfly garden here, another could do the Senses garden there and so on.

It might also stop this ridiculous "Cheryl's garden" thing. Ah, NOT. I have my own at home, thank you. I have wanted other MG's to come forward with their ideas and to incorporate it into the garden all along and actually I have informally assigned a few sections already. I wanted to see other people get creative and think about how they play with their kids and what they would like to see and do in the garden. So maybe if I could get a chance to really sell it at the next meeting rather than the backhanded version of "what's going on?" I might be able to get them more involved. That's been my hope all along, and I'm still hoping.

Red Letter Day

2009-04-25T11:13:00.002-04:00

Yesterday marked a milestone with the Children's Garden Project. I completed laying out all the critical design lines in the 10,000 square foot garden. Granted it's just lines in the dirt, but meaningful lines. It took me less than 12 hours of concentrated work to complete this part of the project. I admit I was selfish and wanted to do this part by myself, but it worked out as most of the MG's were prepping for our fundraising Graden Expo. Even in shades of brown-black soil, I can see the components coming together.

Now, I must set up work days for everyone to come out and help move soil, rake, dig, lay mulch on the paths, and prep for the grass seed to go down in all the grassy areas. Once we start seeing the grass green up, the garden should start to look more defined.

So much to do and coordinate: building projects, plants, bog excavation and lining. The list goes on.

What's old and new

2009-04-19T18:21:00.004-04:00

I have not updated my blog for over two weeks. It seems I drafted two entries, but trashed them--too late, too whatever. So to bring you up to date...I recovered from the vacation; my husband and I got our taxes done early this year to my amazement, and my wonderful spouse helped me to cleanup our fall debris yesterday.

The Children's Garden plans are starting to become more concrete with the layout beginning in the field. (I found myself thinking of it as the "Field of Dreams" the other day--"build it and they will come".) I am making lists in my head of jobs to be done by master gardeners and trying to figure out dates to proceed with them all. As for my own modest home yard/garden, plans are being sketchily laid in my head for the plan of attack this spring with a determination that the weather will be cooperative!

The family's summer schedule has been perused and tentative dates for vacation(s) and possible camps have been set. I hope we all will have the energy to do it all happily. It seems insane to me that already I am thinking about the next school year and how we already have some things on the calendar for August. Life is crazy like that here.

Family Vacation

2009-03-30T12:40:00.004-04:00

I returned from my first Florida vacation last weekend. I am still not sure why it is that folks in the Midwest are so in love with Florida. It must be the palm trees, sun and the tropical feel. I personally like the frequently changing weather of the Midwest, and I think if I could plan a vacation any where in the world it would be to Maine, New England or to northern Europe. I know, many would call me crazy, but I love snow and rain and wind and I don't like temperatures above 90 degrees. Give me something in between and I love it! I suppose it's a plus, with my climate preference, that I don't mind going out in inclement weather. It's just fine with me. We all have our quirks.

I did enjoy the gardens at Disney, especially at Epcot and the Animal Kingdom. Epcot was flashy with bright swashes of color. Animal Kingdom was relaxing with it's savannas and forestry--a wonderful feeling of being immersed in nature!

The kids had a really good time on this trip, especially at Disney's Magical Kingdom. We spent 12 hours at the Magical Kingdom and when we were done with the rides and the fireworks we all went back to the hotel and crashed like a ton of bricks. I and my husband were sore for two days. I am still exhausted! But it was a memorable family vacation and I was happy that the kids and husband were happy.

The day after our flight got back to Indiana, my eldest daughter participated in the State Science Olympiad. We think her school did well, but we were way too pooped out to stick around another four hours to the end and find out. So I imagine she will find out the results today at school.

I spent the rest of the weekend doing chores like grocery shopping, film developing, unpacking and laundry--all for the sake of getting everyone back to the usual schedule for today. Today, I have done more laundry, had a brief nap and begun to moan over having to do the monthly bills and prepare for a tax appointment on April Fool's Day. (There are so many ways that is an appropriate day to take care of taxes! LOL Feel the irony?)

I also am having to turn my mind back to finishing the bedroom renovations, garden cleanup and planting of bare root stock in my own yard, and the Children's Garden Project with the master gardener program. So much to do. I think I'm going to need more coffee or another nap or both.

Grant #1 Submitted

2009-03-06T18:52:00.003-05:00

Last Tuesday, I spoke with the President of my master gardener association, and learned that because I had such a well written proposal, the grant was already completed and mailed. She said that all the information she needed was all right there in my proposal overview. Wow. Thank you two years of art ed in college!

Of course, I may need to help with other grants for this project. I received an email today with another grant suggestion. The members seem pretty excited about the garden's prospects and the board is definitely looking at this plan as a permanent fixture of the demonstration gardens. Thanks to last summer's master gardener trip to Chicago last summer that highlighted the importance and design of public spaces and places, I think we all were thinking about gardens a bit differently.

This should be a very interesting year.

?

2009-02-27T23:21:00.002-05:00

Where have all the girls scout cookies gone...seems like only yesterday there were 7 boxes in the kitchen and now there are only two (and a half).

Ahhh...memories.

More Kudos and rejoicing

2009-02-23T15:04:00.003-05:00

Today I attended a master gardener association executive board meeting, with the Children's Garden Plan and budget proposal in tow. (The items I have been laboring on this past week.) I presented to the board the design, its purpose and the ballpark figures necessary to complete the project as a whole and...I was actually pleasantly surprised that they decided with enthusiasm to give me money to move the project forward. The paltry sum I had been hoping for in the back of my mind was blown away. I think I was slack-jawed there for a moment or two. Wow. They gave me nearly a third of the total costs. Wow. And in this economy. Triple wow.

So the upshot of this is, the project can get started this spring! And it also means I need to apply for a grant for another part of the funds. Luckily, the Pres. of the Association is more than willing to help me do this--and she has someone experienced in writing grants to give us advice on how to proceed.

So all good. I still can't believe that they like it as much as they say they do. Maybe I don't believe it because it hasn't fully sunk in what it all will mean. This is a huge project. (Slightly under 1/4 acre.) Wild.

Kudos Deserved!

2009-02-21T18:42:00.003-05:00

I just found out a little while ago that my eldest daughter placed 3rd in Meteorology at the Regional Science Olympiad, AND that her school placed second. SOO...they are going to the State Science Olympiad Competition next month. Whoo-pah!!

Garden Crazy

2009-02-16T15:33:00.004-05:00

Bwah!! I'm happy. I'm excited. I'm flattered. I'm stressed. I have one week to finish my budget proposal for the new childrens' garden plan and then I have to present it to the Board at an executive meeting. I'm off into unchartered waters. If all goes well the president of our group wants to apply for a grant for the money. (This same president thinks my plan is "terrific!") This is wild.

No worries. No pressure. I'm just a volunteer. Everybody likes a good volunteer, right?

My new mantra: I will not be stressed; I will not be stressed; I will not be stressed. Maybe I'll even convince myself before next Monday. You think?!?

Tending

2009-02-16T08:59:00.004-05:00

As usual I've been keeping myself moderately busy, but not always with the most important things. For example...I have been spending (Ah-hem, wasting) time on FB. Unbelievable, yet true. This is not to say that I am completely lost. I have managed to maintain the laundry and dish chain. I also have managed to read approximately one dozen books (not all of those were frivolous fiction) in the last two months. Part of me would like to think that my patronage of the county library system is helping to keep a few people gainfully employed--that's ego for you.

Through the usual course of events, I was thrilled to become a Master gardener and five minutes later become an Advanced master gardener--thanks to procedural and paper lag. The end result is still the same and I am still pleased. Also along these lines...

I am pleased and fretful about the children's garden plans. I received a green light to move forward making the initial plans, garnered some support and enthusiasm from fellow gardeners, and now have to figure out the nitty gritty budget to present to the "executive board". This is a bit intimidating as I was not expecting to do this part at this stage and without any other obvious support/help. It's one of those situations where you have to ask the obvious question "How did I get into this mess in the first place?" The obvious answer then is "I jumped without looking." (Head thump.) I'll work it out. I hope.

While the garden outside has lain sleeping, I have not been idle. Mentally, I have been growing, pruning and finding a path back to myself. I know a few would ask---where have you been? It's complicated, but I think that finally I am coming out of my mourning. I told a very special friend that I feel I am coming back to myself. The fact that she said she had noticed my 'coming and going' fills me with both sadness and joy. Sadness because I will never fully know how my mourning affected those closest to me. Joy because I have such a wonderful a caring friend still there after I've come out of the rain.

Snowy again

2009-01-28T16:54:00.002-05:00

A little while ago I finished digging us out from about 6 inches of the white stuff. My arms feel a bit like jell-o, but I'm good. I guess this is one way to begin "spring training", right? It was/is gorgeous outside with the sun shining.

I think the girls have had a pretty good snow day today. They played with their toys, on the computer, had a friend over and are out in the snow right now, soaking up the sunshine. Not bad. I think this their 5th "snow" day this school year. (I'm not counting delays.)

The List

2009-01-27T07:23:00.004-05:00

This January, I have been pretty busy doing a lot of little things that add up to a lot. So since I haven't had a blog entry in a while...how about a summary list to catch you all up.

1. Staying home out of the cold and the snow (mostly) while kids have delays and snow days.
2. Doing the daily unending domestic chores that keep us all moving on with our lives.
3. Finishing a children's garden plan for the master gardener association.
4. Going to a delayed holiday party for nature center volunteers, that was so funny and wild I came home with a goose-egg and a good humor about it.
5. Reading a lot and listening to some books on CD. (Something I, usually, don't do but am finding it useful)
6. Helping both daughters here and there with fund raisers for band and girls scouts.
7. Finishing up little old projects here and there.
8. Getting into the new year by playing with a new Facebook page--at friends' and family urging. (Laughing at my young neighbor telling me her mom is too old at 40 to have a Facebook page.)
9. Finally, loaded my new iPod shuffle with a few favorite albums. I feel accomplished now--after all I have had it since Christmas Day. (eye roll)
10. Volunteering with joy at the Lilly Nature Center--it helps keep the winter blahs at bay.
11. Kicking back of an evening and enjoying the company of my family.
12. Beginning to plot and plan my attack on the yard and gardens for the spring and summer.
13. Trying to decide if I can afford to go see one or more of my friends out West this year. Seriously, I've looked at dates and plane tickets more than half a dozen times since Christmas.
14.Generally, being happily introspective and joyful for all my blessings in this rotten economy.

BRRR!!

2009-01-13T07:06:00.003-05:00

I knew I should have bought thermal underwear this year. I failed. What was I thinking?! This week the weather people have me running for cover (preferably under my feather bed) with the temperatures they are projecting for this week. Thursday they are predicting a high temp of 2 degrees. Wow. While I am glad I don't live in Minnesota this week, my heart goes out to our friends who do. One question: I love you, but are you insane or what?

A New Beginning

2009-01-08T16:28:00.004-05:00

Okay. I didn't get strap-on skates from Santa, but I did get Yak-Trax from my good ol' mom and dad! Thank you so very much!!! (Nothing like having chains for your sneakers even if ya ain't got 'em on your car. Yep.) I even had a chance to road test them earlier this week when all the newsy people were freaking out about our 3rd ice storm this season. (It was hardly worth putting them on, but ya gotta try 'em to know if you are gonna like 'em!) It was hardly ice. Just a super light glaze. You could get more glaze on a Krispy Kreme donut. Pu-lease! But the Trax they worked very nicely--just do not try them on dry concrete indoors as it is very easy to do a 'Bambi maneuver'.

The holidays were pretty good. Very exhausting. If they lasted any longer this year, I would have been dead. Thank goodness for some small mercies.

I am thrilled to say the children are all back in school and getting reacquainted with their routines. (So am I!!) I feel a little more peace settling over my soul with the increased serenity at home. Too much togetherness makes me nuts.

Also in the makes me nuts category...too much coffee (lol) and too many projects due all at once. I have 99.9% (to infinity) done on my children's garden design project. It looks great on paper and will be a pain to layout in reality. (I have not done this project by half measures.) Dream big was the theme. Unfortunately, I was really disappointed that my MG meeting was canceled this week due to icy weather. I had really psyched myself up to sell the ideas to the group. Now I have no idea when I will have to present this project plan. (Note the pout.)

I am trying to get myself organized this year, as I expect it will be very busy on many different fronts. I have committed myself to continue some volunteer efforts I began last year and I have added two or three new ones this year to the list. I am also continuing to commit myself to greater completion of home improvement projects in the coming year, old crafty projects and generally trying to tie up whatever loose ends I come across. I would like to re-add a fitness component to my resolutions this year, as I was sadly very lax in the last two years.

Man this seems like a lot! (I know I will probably add to it some more.) I hope these resolutions don't go the way of most and wind up as just guilty failures. It would seem pretty awesome if they didn't and I actually managed to do it all. Wow. Just imagine that.

A Gift Idea

2008-12-24T09:20:00.002-05:00

As of this morning, I am asking Santa for a pair of strap-on ice skates! It now seems that it will be the perfect gift for me this year.

I had to go to the store very early this morning. The main roads were pretty decent despite yesterday's snow, snain, sleet and subsequent rain. But beware of sidewalks and parking lots. Most are water covered ice.

I am very fortunate that I did not fall on my rump. I slid gracefully down our front walk and out our gate to the public sidewalk beyond this morning and marveled at my good fortune. Good luck to all in the mucky midwest!

Exciting Garden News

2008-12-22T23:42:00.003-05:00

Exciting for me, that is. You ask "what could be so exciting in December in a garden"? I'll tell you...the children's garden design/plan I was working on for the past month got the green light!!! This a plan for a 'permanent' children's garden at the Tippecanoe County/Purdue Extension office. It will be right in there with the All-American Seed Selections garden, the community garden plots and more. Free for the public to come, relax, enjoy, learn and take away ideas for themselves.

So now even more work begins (after Christmas). Final design, sketches, supply and wish lists, begging for help in the spring...I better start making a list to keep all the lists straight.

Happy Holidays!

Draining

2008-12-10T10:34:00.002-05:00

Last week my spouse took time off from his job to help me repair a broken kitchen drain line. That's true love baby!

I had been dreading this particular job more than a root canal. We had to spend a lot of time in a dark and dusty crawlspace and then still more time on the "surface" reconnecting the drain pipes under the cabinet. It was grueling. All totaled one or both of us had to make no less than five trips to the hardware store. *sigh*

The first trip we bought what we thought we would need to replace the broken line. The second trip we bought a reciprocating saw to rip out the last old stubborn pipe in under five minutes--it always pays to have the right tool for any job! The third trip was for more PVC cement since ours was glued shut and not even a serious wrench was getting that baby open. The fourth trip was for the correct PVC cement that would dry in two hours and not two to four days--oops. The fifth trip was to get the last connector needed to fix the drain under the sink, so we could finally have free running water in the kitchen.

It's a dirty job well done. And the amazing part is that no one was neglected and permanently injured in the process. Wow.

Freaky News

2008-11-12T14:38:00.004-05:00

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/11/11/hair-claw-protein.html

Did anyone see this odd Discovery news bit about human hair related to lizards and dinosaurs? Bizarro. Check it out.

Halloween Costumes

2008-11-10T12:44:00.010-05:00

I know it has been almost two weeks since Halloween, but I'm just now getting around to blogging about it. I was focused on the election and trying to get some fall gardening clean up tasks done while the great weather lasted. I'm never done, but I felt as though I accomplished a lot with the time I had.

So anyway... the family had a great time over Halloween with carving jack o'lanterns, 161 trick or treaters coming to our door, and the girls going door to door begging for more treats with me. Even my husband had a good time being at home. I think his favorite time was asking hapless kids if they wanted candy or straw. It threw everyone off balance and a few kids took him up on the straw!

Silliness abounded in our neighborhood. One of my neighbor's is particularly good at creating new witch costumes for herself every year and this year I was in awe of her coke bottle lens glasses and pointy wart nose. It was hard to tell who had more fun, the grown ups or the children. I love that about our neighborhood!

A First

2008-11-05T07:46:00.002-05:00

This is the first time I voted in a presidential election and picked a winner!

That being said, I am ecstatic that the political commercials are over for another year!!!

It's a beautiful day.

Halloween

2008-10-29T10:24:00.002-04:00

Okay. Halloween is this Friday and as usual someone in my family is still trying out figure out what costume to wear. So I tossed out an idea. Personally it cracks me up and now I'm thinking that it would be awesome as a party event.

Come as your favorite painting. Huh, you say.

Just think about the famous paintings out there you could use as material. Edvard Munch's "Scream", Andy Warhol's "Marilyn Monroe" collage, I could go on and on.

Perhaps my husband has a point that it would be more funny for a bunch of art and art history geeks.

Vacation Revisited

2008-10-24T12:25:00.004-04:00

I have returned! My vacation was all the things people hope for in a vacation--relaxing, entertaining, filled with beautiful scenery, lots of good food and lots of shopping. That is what people want isn't it?

I went to the Holland Museum to see their Dutch collection. Very interesting and diverse. Lots of pretty little shops are downtown in Holland, Michigan. I went into quite a few of those.

I went to Grand Rapids, Michigan and I totally and completely enjoyed visiting the Frederick Meijer Gardens! I just got back and I want to go see it again! The size and scope of the gardens is breathtaking! I highly recommend it. I was told by a well-meaning employee there,that the gardens took about an hour and a half to tour. After the first three hours there, I wondered who could possibly only take that long? It took my childlike curiosity about two hours to explore just the five acre children's garden, which was so awesome I wished I was eight all over again. It must be something to see in every season--they are open all but three or four holidays per year. Wow.

I stayed in Traverse City for a couple days enjoying a view every evening and morning of Lake Michigan from my hotel window. It was a great place to sit in a cozy chair, drink coffee and read. During the day, I visited local shops (like Cherry Republic's Embassy where they believe in free samples of the goods they sell!), wineries (like Peninsula Cellars whose shop is located in an old school house and they create wines called Old School Red and Detention) and local points of interest (like The Commons, a creative re-development of an old state hospital turned office/shopping haven--no oogy vibes, that I noticed).

The weather in Michigan last week was changeable. The leaf color made up for the rain and a dip in temperature. I had to go buy a new coat and an additional sweater to compensate--since I had forgotten to get my winter coat into my car before I left home. Oops.

In the end, each place is in my mind as a place to revisit.

Busy, busy

2008-10-07T16:32:00.006-04:00

I've been busy, busy this month. Apparently, I forgot to mention that this is also one of my favorite things about fall. So many choices, so much to do and where to start?

Along those lines...a couple of brief updates...

A couple weekends ago, I finished the rough work on our new patio space. Soil was excavated and moved to raise beds around the perimeter. It is looking pretty interesting--if you are a dirt loving, happy digging gardener like myself. Recently, as a treat to myself, I stopped by my favorite local rock/mulch supplier and drooled on the possibilities of things I could creatively use in my newly dug space. Aah, the possibilities...did you know that rocks are expensive and are sold by the pound and ton? Astounding! What a racket!

I've been very busy ferrying children to and from various lessons--like most parents I know. This has been giving me more time to read frivolous fiction in copious amounts in an effort to save gas and entertain myself. My pragmatic side tells me all the while that I should be reading something more informative or philosophical to expand my internal horizons. I tell it to shut up and be quiet.

I took some time to make a decent resume for an interesting job I spied. Unfortunately, I was too slow out the gate and the position was filled. Only a slight bummer. At least I have a resume and I now remember how to write one. Twelve years between writings is more than a bit rusty.

I also have been taking care of the usual busy business of domestic life, fall cleanups, wearily pondering election choices and preparing for an escape.

Right now, that escape would be from a man who just called me asking for an A. McC. Amazingly, despite my insistence that no such person has been at this number for more than ten years, this man was positively insistent that he spoke to someone at this number (about a week ago) and left this mysterious A. McC. a message. Wow. Isn't the stubbornness of humanity to persist in the face of error something to behold?

Of course, this kind of thing is typical here. Unsuspecting, careless dialers frequently fall into the trap. I should clarify that our number varies by only one digit in either direction from two separate businesses--one a doctor's office and the other a gun shop. Imagine the fun we could have if we weren't tethered by a pesky personnel code of ethics? Boggles the mind.

My Favorite Season

2008-09-29T10:58:00.002-04:00

Fall is here! I love the parade of blue skies contrasted against the vibrant colors of the changing leaves, and the crunch of the leaves underfoot. I love the cooler days and nights when I can snuggle into my favorite sweater and feel cozy.

Blustery days are great with the sounds of the leaves rustling more and scritching across streets and sidewalks. The smell of burning leaves and wood bring on childhood memories aglow with screaming laughter and quiet fun.

I love the anticipation of the first frost, Halloween and ghost stories ripe in the darkening evenings, the first snowfall and hot drinks next to a pretty fire. Thanksgiving is nearer with all the wonderful comfort foods of childhood and more.

Welcome autumn! Welcome.

More valuable than gold?

2008-09-27T17:18:00.003-04:00

I would never have thought I would be debating the perceived monetary value of gold, oxygen and computer ink jet ink. But I did just that last evening for five minutes with my curious spouse.

Our conclusions...

1.) Oxygen was voted to be more expensive per ounce (when purchased) than gold and ink jet ink.

2.) Ink jet ink was decidedly more expensive than gold per ounce.

Very odd.

Maintenance Plan

2008-09-16T12:24:00.004-04:00

It's official. I have a bunion. That's like what "old ladies" get. I AM NOT AN OLD LADY! I am told it's not the worst they've seen--nor the best. Now that I know what is involved, I can understand why so many wait until they are elderly to get it fixed.

Apparently, my limited options are: 1.) Suffer with the pain 2:)Pain management (medicate, support, ignore, repeat) or 3:) Surgery.

Joy. Can you feel the joy? It gets more joyous.

It's been explained to me that surgery involves major cutting and repositioning of two toe bones, adjusting ligaments and tendons to length and permanent wires in my foot. (Goodbye metal detectors at security!) I understand I would not be walking except to visit the loo and grab more nourishment for a week. At week 2, I would be starting physical therapy and walking up to 15 minutes and standing less than an hour a day. At three weeks double that activity. At 4 weeks I would be walking a mile. Did I mention crutches? Crutches (singular and plural) were mentioned for up to six weeks.

I can't believe all this also means 4 weeks not being allowed to drive a car. Hokey smokes! Imagine that--one month!

I think this process would/will kill me. Yes, I'm whining. Wouldn't you? Okay maybe not. I always knew I made a horrible invalid. I, who define my life as constantly on the go would be forced to be waited on nearly hand and foot for almost a month. It's INCONCEIVABLE!

On the non-sarcastic side of joyous...I have been told that I would not be able to do laundry, cook family meals, clean house or generally maintenance anything that requires a lot of standing, bending and awkward reaching by myself for a few weeks. (I have been told that I could tell others what to do to accomplish said tasks.) LOL. I see management in my future. (Wait. I already do that. Maybe with the invalid card I would see better results. Pause. Again, I laugh.)

This could be problematic and a basic retraining of all involved. I'm not against the surgery. Actually, I think it would be nice not to have the painful reminders of a deviant foot joint, and to be able to find shoes that fit without having to climb over a mountain of them before finding the jewel. But anyone who knows me, my family and my house can probably figure out how much planning this will take to pull off.

Thank g-d it is an "elective" surgery. Based on pain and how much I can stand to put it off...it's nice that I can choose when to have my foot repaired.

That sounds a bit like taking a car in for a rotate and balance of the tires. "Okay, Ma'am this time we're changing the oil, changing the air filter and checking the fluids. Would you like the free car wash and air freshener with that ?"

Maybe it's not all that different as we start to get older. Older models do require regular maintenance checks.

Wow!

2008-09-04T11:57:00.003-04:00

I am thrilled to be a part of a master gardener committee that helps to feed the hungry in our local area! I was especially proud of this group of people after receiving an update on the volume of our donation contributions thus far for the year. Read the tally and see what you think.

From June 20th to September 4th, you have helped to harvest and I have delivered:

Broccoli 76 pounds

Cauliflower 38 pounds

Cabbage 121 pounds

Kohlrabi 78 pounds

Banana peppers 9 pounds (plus more that were included in "Peppers")

Peppers 87 pounds

Eggplant 58 pounds

Tomatoes 647 pounds

Grape tomatoes 88 pounds

hot peppers 7 pounds (plus more included under Peppers)

Cucumbers 6 pounds

Green Beans 40 pounds

Golden Zucchini 156 pounds

Patty Pan Squash 36 pounds

Total 1,450 + pounds!!!!!!!

It's incredible, but there is still more to harvest this month. I'd say it has been a very good year!

Good Things!

2008-09-03T09:32:00.003-04:00

The weekend brought me a lot of good things!

I enjoyed time at a farmer's market (where I came away with several delectable goodies), an antique shop, and a coffee shop (yum). I loved my time out at an old movie theater seeing an 80's classic film with my girls and husband! I indulged my taste buds with a cone of "peanut butter cookie dough" frozen custard.

I have a muddy yard full of new grass seed and fertilizer, trying to germinate and grow. (Grow grass, grow!)

My husband and I are the proud new owners of 16 new jars of homemade pickles made with our four hands. I am happily, short one bottle of wine (Sadly, the last of last fall's vacation bounty.) and some Gueyre cheese. I have new memories of laughter sharing new tales of adventure and old daring childhood adventures. (It's a wonder others and I lived!)

I realized (yet, again) that despite life's challenges, I am truly blessed.

Labor Day a Holiday?

2008-08-31T20:14:00.004-04:00

Have you ever noticed that for many Labor Day means laboring? I have. I'm one of those odd balls that just doesn't get the idea of a day off for everyone. (smirk.) Okay, well maybe you don't have to go into work, but does that really mean that you aren't supposed to work at home as well?

I have a capacity to see three days as a prime time to do those distasteful jobs that are always more fun for two. To heck with spending big bucks on a hotel to travel to your fun, why not just playfully torture your spouse or significant other while you put in a new lawn, fix broken plumbing connections or can pickles? Don't the experts say that couples that play together, stay together?

I guess 'labor' and 'fun' depend on your definition. I'm having fun earning my blisters this weekend! Anybody got some ointment?

What pain?

2008-08-26T06:58:00.003-04:00

I am pleased to announce that my odious foundation project was completed last Friday!!! No thanks to the bureaucratic machine that hinders more than helps. In real time, the crew only took 6 1/2 work days to to the job. I was very pleased with the end result. If a basement and crawlspace wall can be beautiful, then these newly redone sections are gorgeous!

I am eager to tie up the remaining loose ends surrounding the project--adjusting a couple plumbing issues that came to light with all the new light and crawlspace access, sculpting new planting beds, planting grass and getting the a/c back in business so I can remove the window a/c units. I figure that is more of the trade off of "you have to take the good with the bad" scenario.

I am currently operating under the impression that having contract work done on a house is a lot like having a baby. It is a BIG PAIN in the rump, but when you see the shiny new results, somehow you just don't care as much about the pain and the memories of the pain will diminish somewhat. Yes, I could be lying to myself, but frankly, I don't care at this point.

Thoughts from others about my previous entry

2008-08-21T07:14:00.004-04:00

One person thought it was so nuts that she called a local radio station after reading my blog...

The station aired the story (during the evening rush hour). The DJ made a comment saying that the new rule was due to a fear of being sued for injuries.

One other reader wrote the following...

I just read your blog... Are you serious??? The kids REALLY can't run on the blacktop??? That is the single most asinine thing I have ever heard in my life...

I am SO glad that C. no longer goes there to school. As much as that boy runs around, it would just be a matter of days before he got suspended and I started with the school corporation, the newspapers & TV coverage... All hell would break loose, no way would I lay down & let that one happen, trust me...!!!

Then they have the gall to wonder why all the kids are overweight and sluggish... I am completely stunned and outraged, and we are not even there anymore...

Holy smokes...

Also, I have had a few people comment that it is sad with the ever increasing obesity of children. And one person stated, "At least they get recess." Further remarking that they are aware of at least one elementary school that no longer offers recess.

Is that even legal? It's inconceivable to me! Where are these moronic rule makers?

What is this world coming to?

2008-08-18T18:40:00.006-04:00

Last week my youngest child came home from elementary school and told me they have a new rule.

The rule: No running on the blacktop portion of the playground.
*Note: Basketball hoops are on both ends of the blacktop.

"Surely, you must be mistaken," I say. "I'll be sure to go ask the principal about this."

This morning, I got a moment to speak with the principal...

"I heard that there is a new rule about 'no running on the blacktop playground? Is this true?"

"Yes."

"Is this a new corporation policy?"

"No. Each school may decide on this."

"So, why the rule?"

"Someone might get hurt."

Disbelieving my ears, aghast that someone might think that children running on a playground is so dangerous that it should be prohibited, I could not help what came out of my mouth.

"That is a ridiculous rule! You might as well start wrapping the kids in bubble wrap!"

The principal gasped. Then replied, "Now, wait a minute. We have a nice grassy area for the kids to run on."

"Yes. That should be very nice for the kids that like to play soccer, but what about kids that want to play basketball? It's just ridiculous to think that will work for them."

"I'll be sure to look into or this."

*Yeah, right. I sarcastically, said in my head.*

I tell you truly, the mind boggles at the lengths that some people will go to keep people safe. Think about it. Where will it end?

Dance of Joy!!

2008-08-11T15:10:00.005-04:00

The kids have returned to school this week. Hooray! I usually do the parental dance of joy and then take myself out to my favorite book store and coffee shop. This year, I did all that in my verdant imagination.

Meanwhile in reality, I was preoccupied with hatching a permit for some foundation repair-type construction for my 'money pit'. To pass the time waiting for the bureaucratic wheels to approve said permit, I ironed clothes and did laundry while listening to classical music on a local NPR station. I had entered the trying waiting period after giving up a $10 check with an application and nearly five hours of phone calls trying to get a verbal approval from a separate group of officials for my project.

Happily, not only did I get the permit (after giving up another more sizable check) but I saw my new construction crew begin to dig (with actual shovels) an enormous hole next to our house and then leave. It was quite enjoyable!

I actually believe that the nice Hispanic guys who did most of the digging had a good time picking on each other in Spanish (which I do not understand). I gather this partly because of the laughter that echoed in through the window, and partly from my over hearing, "I'm not the gringo." Which was promptly followed by more laughter.

New Day

2008-08-09T12:01:00.003-04:00

Sorry about the rant yesterday. Typically, I hate to read rants. Subsequently, I am utterly embarrassed that I even wrote one.

I have completely recovered my equilibrium after going out last night with my sister, drinking wine, eating far too much Greek food (made by an actual Greek immigrant family--not some weird chain) and following it all up with a giant piece of chocolate cake. (Because no matter how good baklava is, sometimes there is just no substitute for chocolate.) Isn't it amazing what comfort food can do for your psyche?

Now, nothing is wrong except the sugar and sleep hangover remains that I know coffee will pleasantly disguise until bedtime.

The Bureaucracy: Round Two

2008-08-08T15:35:00.003-04:00

Here we go again... My life knows no bounds of delight at having to wrangle yet again with the bureaucratic machine. This time not in the form of schools, but in the form of building permits.

You know, it really is absurd that an office makes an honest fellow pay money to them so they can decide from a ridiculous distance what is a "safe" building project. The even more absurd part is that said office levies a fee based on how much said work is going to cost the victim. (Oops! I meant to say the owner/builder of the property.)

Mind, it is just my personal feeling here that the charge follows the logic of "Hey they must have some money to begin a project like that in the first place, so therefore they must have more we could have, right?" It couldn't actually be to save the building from caving in and avoiding the demolition permit. Ha ha.

Oh, What a Web!

2008-08-07T11:09:00.004-04:00

In the "God is still good to me, and there is still beauty around me department"....

Yesterday morning was a treat!! I went for a walk in the morning fog. I saw lots spiderwebs covered in dew in peoples' yards, four rabbits and of all things a groundhog!

Then I got home...on my way inside, I narrowly missed running into the largest spider web in the backyard. The thing was enormous!!! It stretched at least 20 feet at its top two anchor points, and the center had a diameter of about two feet. NO kidding! I dragged my husband out to see it and he freaked out. After all, what kind of crazy spider attaches a web from the downspout to a rose of sharon shrub (althea for you garden savvy folks) twenty feet away?!

I felt compelled to take pictures of it. I got a couple really good pictures of it and several other webs that adorned many features in my garden. I must admit it was very cool to see how different they all were and the creative locations chosen by my nocturnal arachnid friends. They were beautiful to see them all covered in dew droplets, much like lights or pearls.

After I was done with my pictures, I disturbed my girls. While they grumbled, I dragged them outside in their pjs and flipflops. The magic of what they saw stopped the grumbles, and they enjoyed it too.

Bureaucracy

2008-08-05T12:53:00.005-04:00

Bureaucracies...have you ever noticed how they are not unlike a giant hydra? Heads everywhere all at once and not one independent of the other. All able to knock you down and drag you deeper into the muck that they protect, serve and propagate. Ugh.

Whatever happened to the paper reduction acts? Were they all replaced with the CYOA (cover your own a--) act? Are bureaucracies a conspiracy to steal precious minutes of lives everywhere to give credence to the idea we are all just a number and identical in nature?

These are the questions that I have after spending the morning signing my life away in the public school system so my children may attend them. Personally, I am doubting that anyone will be able to transcend the bureaucratic wheels long enough to teach them anything beyond "conformity."

Remodeling: Only 10 years in the making...no sweat!

2008-07-28T22:49:00.005-04:00

Feel those construction vibes? I do. My house is always a source of some kind of construction activity. This week we anticipate a foundation redo to begin--one third ripped out and built new again. I'm leaving this job to a pro, whom I still expect to hear from and see before Friday. (This a job I definitely want to see over and done with swiftly--tonight would not be too soon. Anybody have a genie in a bottle?)

My job (with the help of my able-bodied mother--another toolbelt diva) is to redo a bedroom. First thing is to close up a hole in the wall from an old door that was removed, put down a new layer of subfloor, build a closet, and repair the walls. Plus, there are at least a dozen more odd jobs that I have barely thought of.

Today, we made great progress by getting about 70% of the hole in the wall complete, and began laying out the subfloor. This is no small matter since we had to carry 1/2" drywall up a flight of narrow curving stairs followed by 5 more trips carrying up the 3/8" plywood for the new floor. The final lifts were over my head, and I am happy to report my mother still has here chin intact. Are we great or what?

It seems that the whole family has jobs to do this week--even the girls. They are spending 6 hours a day at a stable, learning to ride and take care of horses. Today, both girls got to muck out stalls--no small feat on a hot steamy July day. Tomorrow, the weathermen say the heat index is going to reach 100 degrees. I think I feel sorry for my jeans wearing horse riding girls.

Best of luck to all of us being able to function with little or no soreness tomorrow!

Road Trip!

2008-07-25T08:30:00.002-04:00

I had an adventure going to the fair city of Chicago, a little over a week ago. I was all excited about going on this trip with my fellow master gardeners, boy, it was the trip! I was gone from 5:30 am until 11:00pm. I don't know if it was serendipity, divine intervention or just plain dumb luck, but the bus I chose was "the" bus to be on as it did not break down half way to our destination. I made a new friend, who made a comfortable companion. We have many little quirks in common much to our mutual enjoyment.

The weather was hot, humid and sunny with light fluffy clouds--not too bad for a July day. We had haze in the morning and late evening to add a mysterious natural atmosphere to the bus trips. And we ended our trip with a spectacular full harvest moon rising over the open fields of green. What a wonderful day to take photographs!

Despite a lot of unexpected waiting time and subsequent delays, most (if not all) of the 100+ gardeners had a wonderful time learning more about the America in Bloom program while touring the Ball Horticulture Company gardens in West Chicago and the new Millennium Park in downtown Chicago.

I loved visiting both places for different reasons. At Ball it was like being able to browse a large candy store with no limit on how many ideas you could take home with you. So many varieties of the came plants and so many colors! The Ball gardens are large and well organized with lots of labels for the plant-name challenged. The staff at Ball also seemed to be very knowledgeable about the plants there. And as they served us lunch while there, I can honestly say their hospitality was exemplary. Thank you very much Ball!

At Millennium Park it was easy to see the possibilities of large public gardens, provided you can get the monetary support. I would love to go back and explore more. The Cloud Gate (or as I affectionately call it, "the Bean") is beautiful! All that highly polished stainless steel is mesmerizing because of it's parabolic mirror-like reflections. There are stately glass block water fountains for people to play in with their children, and so much more. I thought the pedestrian bridge that leads to the famous Grant Park across the street was a piece of beauty. It begs you enjoy the journey of a walk slowly admiring the gardens and city from a variety of angles. In short, an hour was not nearly enough time to explore that area. And judging from the number of parents with children in strollers, I would hazard a guess that they feel the same way too.

Aah, a little sunshine.

2008-07-14T10:36:00.003-04:00

I have calmed down since my first entry. I've done a little editing and I'm still trying to figure out what possessed me to start a blog, but why not?

I had a very enjoyable weekend with my kids. We spent time at a nature center I do volunteer work for. Watched a couple movies in the evenings. Visited a close friend and her family, and then just lazed about on Sunday. That's the kind of thing summer is for, isn't it?

And now, the week has begun with the sun shining. The temperatures are cool. The grass is green. The garden is beckoning. (So are the weeds.) The cicadas are starting to chat outside and make think about lazy childhood summer days. Memories made and the memories to come. I'm going to go out and enjoy the day in my garden!

It's Alive!!

2008-07-10T10:58:00.000-04:00

Aagghhh. I've just catapulted into the next century with my very first blog. Ah, the agony, the overwhelming number of decisions. I'm overwhelmed. I think I feel faint. This might just take me a few days to recover and move forward.

I'll try not to panic.