This was one of those mornings when I spend a lot of early morning time on the computer. I got started on a search by the word "skylark" which is the name of a speckled bird with a beautiful voice. This led me to remember a newspaper published in the sixties and seventies in Atlanta, Ga. It was called The Great Speckled Bird, and was mostly local in content and interest. It was considered hippy and eventually was drummed out of business. In my search, I discovered that in Jeremiah 12:9 there is a reference to a speckled bird. Roy Acuff recorded a song called The Great Speckled Bird. The founders of this local paper liked the sound of the title and began using it for their newspapers. We had just moved to the Atlanta area when the paper was in its infancy. My daughter remembers reading it and I probably did too. The song that Roy Acuff and also Johnny Cash sang is very southern and according to some Biblical scholars has a misunderstood meaning. The speckled bird that Jeremiah speaks of, refers to the people who lived around the Israelites and were idol worshipers. The song indicates that the bird is a heavenly haven for safety, when in reality the speckled bird refers to the many different peoples who were corrupting the worshipers of the one true God. .
Later in the morning, I was reading a magazine that my neighbor brought over for me to see. It is called "Grit" and is designed for country folks. I found it very interesting and learned that soon camel milk will be available for purchase here in the United States. A lady (Dr. Hinkle) has started a coalition for farmers who want to engage in this kind of farming. You can read about it at http://www.camelmilkusa.com/ . I may want to try it as it is touted as being good for many different reasons, one of which is that people who are lactose intolerant can drink it safely.
I can be sedentary for just so long and then I feel the need to get busy doing something active. My son had given me a small bag of whole wheat pastry flour so I decided to try it out with my favorite muffin recipe. When I make them with white unbleached flour I always put in 1/4 cup of wheat germ. This was my first time to use whole wheat flour. I had some fresh blueberries so that determined what I would use. Wanting to add more protein I got some slivered almonds from my freezer chest and went to work. I liked the result, especially with smart balance spread on the inside. If you are so inclined I am printing the recipe. It came from the new and revised edition of a Betty Crocker cookbook which I have had for over fifty years. I made some changes, as follows.
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil ( I use canola)
2 cups flour- or whole wheat pastry flour (if using self rising flour omit salt and baking powder)
1/3 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 scant teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon mace
3/4 cup blueberries
3/4 cup slivered almonds
Heat oven to 400, Grease bottoms only of 12 cup muffin tin.
Beat egg, stir in milk and oil, add blueberries and slivered almonds, save some almonds for topping
Combine dry ingredients, pour wet ingredients into flour mixture. Mix with spoon only until wet ingredients are absorbed. Do not over mix. Fill muffin tins about 3/4 way full, sprinkle almonds over top, then sprinkle a little sugar on top.
Bake for 20 minutes, let sit in tins a few minutes, then carefully remove each muffin and sit on wire rack.
If 12 are more than you can use, wrap individually and freeze. I find that when they are thawed later they are better if wrapped individually.
Two visitors came by later in the afternoon. My neighbor came to pick up some of my muffins and I took her for a ride in the golf cart. I pulled up under the pear trees and she reached up and pulled a pear from one. I went to the other and pulled two for her to take home. I also drove up close to the wild blackberries and she was able to pick a few without leaving the golf cart.
The other visitors came by to bring me a pint of blueberries from her bushes and a piece of blueberry strudel that she had baked.
I had a phone call from my son who is on a trip out west. He was telling me about walking up the sand dunes in sandals and burning his feet, but having a wonderful trip.
My sister called around 7:00 from her bed in the rehab center. There are pleasures all about on this place and not all are out of doors.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Chronicle From My Garden
July 9, 2011: As I drove the golf cart up to the mail box, 1000 feet away, I saw a young deer in the road. He was standing in the road looking back at me, about 40 feet away. I had slowed down at the curve to look at the yellow day lilies. He was trying to decide which way to go, I suppose. Then he bolted down the road leaping up in the air and then one big leap over the top of the hill and down into the ravine, out of sight. He was the youngest one I have seen out alone, usually a doe is around. I guess he was a teen ager, testing his boundaries.
My lavender crape myrtle is in full bloom, and so is the beautiful dark pink in everyone’s yard but mine. My deep red crape myrtle has never been pruned so it is very tall and the cinnamon colored trunks are the beauty spots on them right now.
The muscadine grapes are the size of big green peas. The big rain last night was a blessing for them. The kiwi are looking good and plentiful. The brown turkey figs are looking fat but not ripe yet, maybe in two weeks. Sometimes they do have a few early ones that I can put in my cereal, but not today.
My luck with blueberries is a bust. Everyone else around here can grow luscious blue berries, but I cannot. I know I am doing something wrong, but have not discovered what it is.
One success, is that the big black ants which I have found indoors, are now outdoors, and very inactive, as in “dead as a door knob”. The trap with sweetened boric acid has done the job.
Yesterday, Jim cut away a lot of the young trees, etc. which are threatening to fall over the electric fence. That fence has been a blessing to my garden, and a challenge to the deer. They are learning to look elsewhere for their favorite tidbits.
When the day cooled down a bit I checked the water in the batteries of my golf cart. They really needed water as I had not looked at them for a couple of weeks. I dislike this one chore, but I am able to do it as it does not require a lot of strength.
I was able to pick a few red tomatoes, but the heirlooms are not yet ripe. I am anxious to have my first one from the German Queen. That tomato plant has rambled over a four foot area and with all of the ties I had to put up it resembles a red neck spider web. In fact the entire area has the red neck stamp of approval. Maybe this was a red neck kind of day, but it is what it is.
My lavender crape myrtle is in full bloom, and so is the beautiful dark pink in everyone’s yard but mine. My deep red crape myrtle has never been pruned so it is very tall and the cinnamon colored trunks are the beauty spots on them right now.
The muscadine grapes are the size of big green peas. The big rain last night was a blessing for them. The kiwi are looking good and plentiful. The brown turkey figs are looking fat but not ripe yet, maybe in two weeks. Sometimes they do have a few early ones that I can put in my cereal, but not today.
My luck with blueberries is a bust. Everyone else around here can grow luscious blue berries, but I cannot. I know I am doing something wrong, but have not discovered what it is.
One success, is that the big black ants which I have found indoors, are now outdoors, and very inactive, as in “dead as a door knob”. The trap with sweetened boric acid has done the job.
Yesterday, Jim cut away a lot of the young trees, etc. which are threatening to fall over the electric fence. That fence has been a blessing to my garden, and a challenge to the deer. They are learning to look elsewhere for their favorite tidbits.
When the day cooled down a bit I checked the water in the batteries of my golf cart. They really needed water as I had not looked at them for a couple of weeks. I dislike this one chore, but I am able to do it as it does not require a lot of strength.
I was able to pick a few red tomatoes, but the heirlooms are not yet ripe. I am anxious to have my first one from the German Queen. That tomato plant has rambled over a four foot area and with all of the ties I had to put up it resembles a red neck spider web. In fact the entire area has the red neck stamp of approval. Maybe this was a red neck kind of day, but it is what it is.
Friday, July 1, 2011
My Favorite Resting Place
When I feel the need for a short nap I tend to go into my sun room. This room was once a screened in porch. I thought I wanted a screened in porch on the east side of my house so my husband made one for me. I can remember watching him on his hands and knees putting down the roof for this room. later he made a sturdy railing all around the edges with corner seats. Thus the porch below was available for indoor use and above it a deck is always ready for use as a gathering place, when the weather is mild and friends appear.
The sun room can be entered through french doors on the east side of the dining area. The deck above it can be entered from a door on the east side of the balcony room above the dining area. Because the deck is upstairs and out of the main line of traffic it is not used as often as it could be. But it is there and ready for use, but only if you enter from the inside. There is no way to get there from the outside. Many happy memories come back to me from time spent there.
Today however, I spent my restful time down below the deck, reclining on a deacons bench. This bench has a history all its own. I will never know who enjoyed it before me as it came from an auction many years ago in Atlanta. Unclaimed furniture was being sold from pieces left in storage, way past the allotted time. My husband was looking for furniture for my son to use in college and he bid forty dollars for a lot which included this deacons bench along with other items. They all became part of a college dorm room at the University of Georgia. I made cushions for the bench and they went along to college also. I can imagine a lot of young students, sat, or reclined on those cushions over the college years.
When it was no longer needed the bench made its way back to my house where my son made his home. The day came when I moved away and took some of the furniture with me. The deacons bench was one item I liked and so it moved with me. This time I had an upholster make new cushions for it. The wood of the bench is made of oak and is a very sturdy piece of furniture. It seats three easily, in comfort. And is long enough for even a tall person to recline, by bending the knees a bit.
Today when I awakened from a short nap on this treasured bench, I was in a perfect position to see two framed photographs on the west wall, straight in my line of vision. Both are photographs taken by my son. One is in sepia tone and is an artistic view of a tree beside a stream. The other is a close up of some grapes from my vineyard. It was pleasant to see and I began to reminisce about the other things on the wall. On the north side is a painting done by my grandson who is now away at college. I had some orange day lilies so I made a vase of them and asked him to paint it for me. He did. The orange color of the vase has faded but that does not matter to me. Also sitting in the corner window shelf is a ceramic owl which is orange and was made by my sister Katrine. The windows frames are wide enough to accompany a glass tray with beautifully embroidered fruit under glass. This was a gift made by my daughter Bonnie and presented to me one Christmas, after she had married and moved away from home.
The other framed picture is a painting of a clipper ship. The words James Baines is under the picture. I do not know if such a ship existed but it was a reminder that my husband loved sailing and once had a sailing boat at our dock.
Looking further to the east wall which is all windows, with some space between; I can see plates hanging between the windows. There are nine of them, all painted by my artist sister, Katrine. She loved birds and painted a lot of them. Two watercolors of birds are on the opposite wall along with other paintings she did back as far as the 1960's. One of my favorites is of a little black girl wearing an orange dress and a tan straw hat. She is sitting beside a huge basket of white laundry. I think my sister saw her in Charleston and was entranced with her, so she painted this portrait of her. I am struck by her beauty, peaceful posture and the look on her face.
My grandson Grant likes this picture also. I think it reminds him of one of his school friends. The other pictures around her are still life painting in chalk of fruit, oranges, etc.
This restful room has very light weight sturdy furniture made of aluminum, painted white with dark green molded mesh backs and seats, all in one piece. I found them in Roswell at a store many years ago and waited six weeks for them to be made at a factory in Florida. The glass topped table that goes with them is oval and big enough to accompany six people or eight in a squeeze. Down at the end of the room is a white cafe table with two metal chairs, perfect in case we had ten to eat on any given day.
Another thing that makes this room special for me is the tile floor. I wanted something that would not crack with weight or scratch. I was assured that these tiles would live up to my expectations, and they have. Someone who comes to visit and sits out here would not know the history of this room. But when I am out here I have many memories to make it special for me. Birthdays have been celebrated here. Easter and Thanksgiving dinners were enjoyed here. Not Christmas dinners, as it is too cold out here at that time of year. Others have crashed on this deacons bench for a short nap and card games have been played at the table. All these memories are there to make me cherish this place. For most of the year I do come out and take advantage of the ambiance and comfort even if only for a little while.
The sun room can be entered through french doors on the east side of the dining area. The deck above it can be entered from a door on the east side of the balcony room above the dining area. Because the deck is upstairs and out of the main line of traffic it is not used as often as it could be. But it is there and ready for use, but only if you enter from the inside. There is no way to get there from the outside. Many happy memories come back to me from time spent there.
Today however, I spent my restful time down below the deck, reclining on a deacons bench. This bench has a history all its own. I will never know who enjoyed it before me as it came from an auction many years ago in Atlanta. Unclaimed furniture was being sold from pieces left in storage, way past the allotted time. My husband was looking for furniture for my son to use in college and he bid forty dollars for a lot which included this deacons bench along with other items. They all became part of a college dorm room at the University of Georgia. I made cushions for the bench and they went along to college also. I can imagine a lot of young students, sat, or reclined on those cushions over the college years.
When it was no longer needed the bench made its way back to my house where my son made his home. The day came when I moved away and took some of the furniture with me. The deacons bench was one item I liked and so it moved with me. This time I had an upholster make new cushions for it. The wood of the bench is made of oak and is a very sturdy piece of furniture. It seats three easily, in comfort. And is long enough for even a tall person to recline, by bending the knees a bit.
Today when I awakened from a short nap on this treasured bench, I was in a perfect position to see two framed photographs on the west wall, straight in my line of vision. Both are photographs taken by my son. One is in sepia tone and is an artistic view of a tree beside a stream. The other is a close up of some grapes from my vineyard. It was pleasant to see and I began to reminisce about the other things on the wall. On the north side is a painting done by my grandson who is now away at college. I had some orange day lilies so I made a vase of them and asked him to paint it for me. He did. The orange color of the vase has faded but that does not matter to me. Also sitting in the corner window shelf is a ceramic owl which is orange and was made by my sister Katrine. The windows frames are wide enough to accompany a glass tray with beautifully embroidered fruit under glass. This was a gift made by my daughter Bonnie and presented to me one Christmas, after she had married and moved away from home.
The other framed picture is a painting of a clipper ship. The words James Baines is under the picture. I do not know if such a ship existed but it was a reminder that my husband loved sailing and once had a sailing boat at our dock.
Looking further to the east wall which is all windows, with some space between; I can see plates hanging between the windows. There are nine of them, all painted by my artist sister, Katrine. She loved birds and painted a lot of them. Two watercolors of birds are on the opposite wall along with other paintings she did back as far as the 1960's. One of my favorites is of a little black girl wearing an orange dress and a tan straw hat. She is sitting beside a huge basket of white laundry. I think my sister saw her in Charleston and was entranced with her, so she painted this portrait of her. I am struck by her beauty, peaceful posture and the look on her face.
My grandson Grant likes this picture also. I think it reminds him of one of his school friends. The other pictures around her are still life painting in chalk of fruit, oranges, etc.
This restful room has very light weight sturdy furniture made of aluminum, painted white with dark green molded mesh backs and seats, all in one piece. I found them in Roswell at a store many years ago and waited six weeks for them to be made at a factory in Florida. The glass topped table that goes with them is oval and big enough to accompany six people or eight in a squeeze. Down at the end of the room is a white cafe table with two metal chairs, perfect in case we had ten to eat on any given day.
Another thing that makes this room special for me is the tile floor. I wanted something that would not crack with weight or scratch. I was assured that these tiles would live up to my expectations, and they have. Someone who comes to visit and sits out here would not know the history of this room. But when I am out here I have many memories to make it special for me. Birthdays have been celebrated here. Easter and Thanksgiving dinners were enjoyed here. Not Christmas dinners, as it is too cold out here at that time of year. Others have crashed on this deacons bench for a short nap and card games have been played at the table. All these memories are there to make me cherish this place. For most of the year I do come out and take advantage of the ambiance and comfort even if only for a little while.
Monday, June 20, 2011
June Harvest
With no intention of harvesting anything from my garden I just went around to see if the latest wind had blown over anything I had tied up. I did have to straighten one tomato cage and tie up one tomato branch which was getting heavy with tomatoes. Nothing in the tomato area was anywhere near ready for harvesting.
In the thornless Navajo blackberry bed, however, I saw some very large berries ripe for picking. A few days ago I picked enough of them to have a nice, refreshing bowl to eat, with milk over them. I picked a few today and went on the the cucumbers. Several of the cukes are almost ready to be made into pickles, but I will wait to see if they are larger in a few days.
The pole beans are a big disappointment to me. I am thinking of pulling them all up, and putting in regular bush, blue lake green beans. I know they are prolific, tender and stringless. My reason for trying the pole variety was because harvesting the bush type is hard on your back. So, on my shopping list, is blue lake bean seeds.
I am excited about the kiwi for two reasons. I am trying to clone the male and female plants in little pots. One of the cuttings has new leaves already. I started them on the last day of May. I am still watching the other cuttings and hoping they will follow suit. The other excitement is about how fast and large the kiwi fruit up in the north bed, is progressing. Last year was disappointing due to the severe pruning from two years ago. This fall, I will have plenty of healthy fruit to share with my kiwi loving friends. Nesrby, the big Brown Turkey fig tree is loaded with green, promising fruit.
Starting now and through June and into July, the wild blackberries on this place are ready for picking. To do this I do have to "suit up" and spray good on my legs and clothing against chiggers and other insects.
I always take a walking stick into the blackberry patch. It comes in handy for parting the canes in order to reach the irresistible fat berries. I only got a handful today from the outer edges. They are much sweeter than the cultivated ones . Also the seeds are not as objectionable as the large ones on the Navajo
types.
The yellow squash is a total loss this year. The squash bug won the battle. I sprayed with Safer Insecticidal soap on the bugs I saw, but one plant I just pulled up in disgust. You can't win them all, or at least I cannot. When I go to the trouble to suit up for the wild blackberries, I will also go into the netting to pick blueberries. I can see that the early types are ready to be picked. I cannot compete with the large lush berries that my South Carolina family member grows, but these will work fine for adding to the muffins that I have in mind. Still, it is fun to gradually get into the real reason I like to garden, the fresh harvest just tastes so great!
In the thornless Navajo blackberry bed, however, I saw some very large berries ripe for picking. A few days ago I picked enough of them to have a nice, refreshing bowl to eat, with milk over them. I picked a few today and went on the the cucumbers. Several of the cukes are almost ready to be made into pickles, but I will wait to see if they are larger in a few days.
The pole beans are a big disappointment to me. I am thinking of pulling them all up, and putting in regular bush, blue lake green beans. I know they are prolific, tender and stringless. My reason for trying the pole variety was because harvesting the bush type is hard on your back. So, on my shopping list, is blue lake bean seeds.
I am excited about the kiwi for two reasons. I am trying to clone the male and female plants in little pots. One of the cuttings has new leaves already. I started them on the last day of May. I am still watching the other cuttings and hoping they will follow suit. The other excitement is about how fast and large the kiwi fruit up in the north bed, is progressing. Last year was disappointing due to the severe pruning from two years ago. This fall, I will have plenty of healthy fruit to share with my kiwi loving friends. Nesrby, the big Brown Turkey fig tree is loaded with green, promising fruit.
Starting now and through June and into July, the wild blackberries on this place are ready for picking. To do this I do have to "suit up" and spray good on my legs and clothing against chiggers and other insects.
I always take a walking stick into the blackberry patch. It comes in handy for parting the canes in order to reach the irresistible fat berries. I only got a handful today from the outer edges. They are much sweeter than the cultivated ones . Also the seeds are not as objectionable as the large ones on the Navajo
types.
The yellow squash is a total loss this year. The squash bug won the battle. I sprayed with Safer Insecticidal soap on the bugs I saw, but one plant I just pulled up in disgust. You can't win them all, or at least I cannot. When I go to the trouble to suit up for the wild blackberries, I will also go into the netting to pick blueberries. I can see that the early types are ready to be picked. I cannot compete with the large lush berries that my South Carolina family member grows, but these will work fine for adding to the muffins that I have in mind. Still, it is fun to gradually get into the real reason I like to garden, the fresh harvest just tastes so great!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Refocus
All of the people I know are leading busy lives with family or with their jobs. Many of my friends are of my generation or younger. Most of them are retired and not as active physically, yet most of them have found their niche in service. Most have developed health problems, as their physical energy wears thin. I am thinking of one such lady who, it seems, led a life of service and loneliness. But, was she really lonely? I question that she was. I think she had a personal GPS to keep her on course.
This is what I know about her: When she was a baby, an older child was attempting to carry her and perhaps stumbled as she fell and dropped her. She landed on the ground in such as way that her hip was damaged for life. If that had happened in our modern world of medical miracles, it may have changed her life. As she grew her legs did not grow at the same speed and she was left with one leg shorter than the other, which limited her activities severely. When I first knew her, she had retired from her life's work as a hair dresser. She had spent her life working in a standing position and making others look better with her skills.
At the same time that she was doing this work, she took on the job of caring for her ailing mother. She had a brother also, but I am not sure what his roll was in the care of their mother. I do know that she was a devout, unmarried lady who could no longer drive and her friends helped her out by taking her shopping, on a weekly basis. She was a founding member our church, and when she could no longer drive, someone drove her to the services. She found ways to show kindness even then ,when she was severely limited. One Sunday, when I had taken my three year old grandson to worship with me, she called him to come over to her and she gave him a little package of candies. She did this fairly often when he was there with me. That gave him a warm, happy feeling.
She had taken on one mission of our church, by sending out birthday cards to all of the our members throughout the year. She served on our prayer chain, and passed requests on, via the telephone so that others as well as she, could lift them up in prayer during their time of need.
Growing up with the experience of being a care giver as she had done, gave her a fiery streak which she could use if need be. She could verbally stand up for what she thought was right. Her faith kept her steady. Early on in her life she played the piano for a small group of like minded people working to establish a church in the west end of our town. We all knew that her favorite hymn was "Precious Lord". This hymn was written by Thomas A. Dorsey in 1938. The words to the first verse are: "Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand; I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light; take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home". No doubt she found comfort in the words of this song. It must have given her strength when she needed support.
She wore a monitor in case of an emergency, she could call for help. If she had been able to, I think she would have used it on her last opportunity to do so. On this particular day, she did not answer calls and someone went to check on her, they found her in the chair where she sat most of the time. She had her phone beside her, her notebook of calls, her Bible and was wearing her monitor. Apparently she died in her sleep.
She spent her working life doing for others, and in later life she gratefully accepted help when she needed it. But I doubt that she was lonely. Whenever I saw her, or stopped by to take something to her, she had a smile on her face and conversation to match her smile.
When I think of her limitations, it reminds me that there is always something one can do to brighten the day of another human being, even a small child. The people in our world who could use a little cheering, are legion. With the diversity of us all, the ways to extend kindness is also legion. Not everyone is in a position to extend kindness in the same way. But when an opportunity comes by, take hold of the moment and do the thing that no one else can do, but you, at that moment.
I think that Doris had found a way to "get out of herself". She was not focused on her limitations, rather looked outside of herself to send a brightness to those who passed her way. It is good to think of Doris, and follow her example. Psychologists will tell you that the best way to fight depression or problems of loneliness is to focus on helping someone else. That is a good thought to tuck under your hat and use when the opportunity arises.
This is what I know about her: When she was a baby, an older child was attempting to carry her and perhaps stumbled as she fell and dropped her. She landed on the ground in such as way that her hip was damaged for life. If that had happened in our modern world of medical miracles, it may have changed her life. As she grew her legs did not grow at the same speed and she was left with one leg shorter than the other, which limited her activities severely. When I first knew her, she had retired from her life's work as a hair dresser. She had spent her life working in a standing position and making others look better with her skills.
At the same time that she was doing this work, she took on the job of caring for her ailing mother. She had a brother also, but I am not sure what his roll was in the care of their mother. I do know that she was a devout, unmarried lady who could no longer drive and her friends helped her out by taking her shopping, on a weekly basis. She was a founding member our church, and when she could no longer drive, someone drove her to the services. She found ways to show kindness even then ,when she was severely limited. One Sunday, when I had taken my three year old grandson to worship with me, she called him to come over to her and she gave him a little package of candies. She did this fairly often when he was there with me. That gave him a warm, happy feeling.
She had taken on one mission of our church, by sending out birthday cards to all of the our members throughout the year. She served on our prayer chain, and passed requests on, via the telephone so that others as well as she, could lift them up in prayer during their time of need.
Growing up with the experience of being a care giver as she had done, gave her a fiery streak which she could use if need be. She could verbally stand up for what she thought was right. Her faith kept her steady. Early on in her life she played the piano for a small group of like minded people working to establish a church in the west end of our town. We all knew that her favorite hymn was "Precious Lord". This hymn was written by Thomas A. Dorsey in 1938. The words to the first verse are: "Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand; I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light; take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home". No doubt she found comfort in the words of this song. It must have given her strength when she needed support.
She wore a monitor in case of an emergency, she could call for help. If she had been able to, I think she would have used it on her last opportunity to do so. On this particular day, she did not answer calls and someone went to check on her, they found her in the chair where she sat most of the time. She had her phone beside her, her notebook of calls, her Bible and was wearing her monitor. Apparently she died in her sleep.
She spent her working life doing for others, and in later life she gratefully accepted help when she needed it. But I doubt that she was lonely. Whenever I saw her, or stopped by to take something to her, she had a smile on her face and conversation to match her smile.
When I think of her limitations, it reminds me that there is always something one can do to brighten the day of another human being, even a small child. The people in our world who could use a little cheering, are legion. With the diversity of us all, the ways to extend kindness is also legion. Not everyone is in a position to extend kindness in the same way. But when an opportunity comes by, take hold of the moment and do the thing that no one else can do, but you, at that moment.
I think that Doris had found a way to "get out of herself". She was not focused on her limitations, rather looked outside of herself to send a brightness to those who passed her way. It is good to think of Doris, and follow her example. Psychologists will tell you that the best way to fight depression or problems of loneliness is to focus on helping someone else. That is a good thought to tuck under your hat and use when the opportunity arises.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Public Libraries
The county commissioners of Hall county Georgia, are considering ways to juggle money in this economic slump. One of their options is to close from 2 to 4 public libraries. This has caused an outcry from the users of the libraries. I have two library cards, one from my own county and one for this adjoining county. For as long as I can remember, in my long life, I have been privileged to have a library card.
My first contact with a library was at the school I attended, from third grade through twelfth grade. Our library there doubled as a detention hall for some students. In some cases it was where we could go if we had free time. At that time, long before computers, typewriters were available for us to use there, but not to check out. When I went off to college, the library there became a source of information for me, as well as a place to study when a quiet place was needed. After graduation and on my first job, I continued to be a consistent patron of the town library where I lived. I used it to get books for my first grade class. Because I was a teacher I was allowed to check out twenty books at one time. I went every other week to find colorful books for my first grade class. In my classroom I had a library table where the children could go to select a book, after finishing their assigned work. I was introducing my class to their first library, as there was none in our school building or in this small community where I taught and they lived. Each day I chose a child to select one of the books for me to read to the entire class.
I continued this pattern for four years, while living and teaching in this southeastern area of Kentucky. Then my husband and I moved many miles away to the eastern shore of Maryland. One of the first things we did, after finding an apartment, was to sign up for a library card. For a number of years I was a homemaker and had the time to indulge my love of reading. My favorite books were non fiction, and especially biographies and autobiographies. My husband was a teacher, and he was a daily reader also.
When my children came along, I introduced books to them early on. I have a picture of my daughter when she was only one, walking with a book in her hands, and "reading" it. When my children were old enough, I took them to the public library and we checked out books for them and for me also. When they were small, libraries had not established the custom of "children's hour". During this time I did not have a car of my own so we boarded a local bus to get to the library.
I discovered more new elements of the library in Decatur Georgia. They had oil paintings which could be checked out for a period of time. This was a new way in which the public library enriched my life, as we could all enjoy the art of creative people.
When my children began school, I went back into the classroom myself, again, as a first grade teacher. I discovered another lending element had been added for the use of patrons, in slide films. I was able to enrich the experiences of my young students outside of the printed books, with slide shows on many different subjects. At the current time in our history, librarians need multiple skills to meet the needs of modern patrons. Their title has changed to Media Specialists, and the information highway is linked to the once humble library via the personal computer. Our public libraries are meeting the changing times and morphing into an even more vital part of our communities.
When I look back, I see so many ways and times that my life has been made better because of public libraries. At this time in the history of our country, many people are struggling financially. Those of us who can afford to give a lending hand to our lending libraries need to find a way to do just that. Shutting out the source of knowledge to our citizens is not the way for our elected officials to meet their budget. I am proposing that we put a big tin cup on the counter where visitors may put in what they can afford, when checking out a book to take home and enjoy.
My first contact with a library was at the school I attended, from third grade through twelfth grade. Our library there doubled as a detention hall for some students. In some cases it was where we could go if we had free time. At that time, long before computers, typewriters were available for us to use there, but not to check out. When I went off to college, the library there became a source of information for me, as well as a place to study when a quiet place was needed. After graduation and on my first job, I continued to be a consistent patron of the town library where I lived. I used it to get books for my first grade class. Because I was a teacher I was allowed to check out twenty books at one time. I went every other week to find colorful books for my first grade class. In my classroom I had a library table where the children could go to select a book, after finishing their assigned work. I was introducing my class to their first library, as there was none in our school building or in this small community where I taught and they lived. Each day I chose a child to select one of the books for me to read to the entire class.
I continued this pattern for four years, while living and teaching in this southeastern area of Kentucky. Then my husband and I moved many miles away to the eastern shore of Maryland. One of the first things we did, after finding an apartment, was to sign up for a library card. For a number of years I was a homemaker and had the time to indulge my love of reading. My favorite books were non fiction, and especially biographies and autobiographies. My husband was a teacher, and he was a daily reader also.
When my children came along, I introduced books to them early on. I have a picture of my daughter when she was only one, walking with a book in her hands, and "reading" it. When my children were old enough, I took them to the public library and we checked out books for them and for me also. When they were small, libraries had not established the custom of "children's hour". During this time I did not have a car of my own so we boarded a local bus to get to the library.
I discovered more new elements of the library in Decatur Georgia. They had oil paintings which could be checked out for a period of time. This was a new way in which the public library enriched my life, as we could all enjoy the art of creative people.
When my children began school, I went back into the classroom myself, again, as a first grade teacher. I discovered another lending element had been added for the use of patrons, in slide films. I was able to enrich the experiences of my young students outside of the printed books, with slide shows on many different subjects. At the current time in our history, librarians need multiple skills to meet the needs of modern patrons. Their title has changed to Media Specialists, and the information highway is linked to the once humble library via the personal computer. Our public libraries are meeting the changing times and morphing into an even more vital part of our communities.
When I look back, I see so many ways and times that my life has been made better because of public libraries. At this time in the history of our country, many people are struggling financially. Those of us who can afford to give a lending hand to our lending libraries need to find a way to do just that. Shutting out the source of knowledge to our citizens is not the way for our elected officials to meet their budget. I am proposing that we put a big tin cup on the counter where visitors may put in what they can afford, when checking out a book to take home and enjoy.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Garden Discovery
Getting plenty of rain during the spring months was a good thing, as all of the perennials were able to grow lots of nice roots, and get fortified for the summer. However, it is a bit deceiving as it caused me to plan on a fine garden in May, and put me in denial about the coming hot, rainless months, in which the garden has to fight stress.
In Georgia we are in another drought and the most used tool now, is the garden hose. I alternate mornings to get things watered, before the sun is so demanding on my energy. Because my garden is scattered about, it can't all be done in one day. My first chore was to pull up all of the leaf lettuce, not because it did not look good, but because it was bitter. I did not like this leaf lettuce as much as I had thought I would. Thus, it was not eaten in a timely manner, before it became bitter. Next year I will plant romaine, and less of it. I am very fond of romaine and will be sure to use it myself or share.
I met a new enemy this morning as I was bending over to move the hose around. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a movement. Upon closer inspection I saw what I thought were fleas because they did not fly, or crawl. They did little hops to move about. They were on the side of the concrete blocks that form the walls of the raised beds. I made a mental note to research fleas in the garden.
The first call I made was to my favorite free, information agency, the County Extension Office. The agents are aways so knowledgeable about any problem you present to them. This agent said it sounded like flea beetles. They favor eggplant. Their eggs are laid in the soil and I suppose they emerge when it is time to eat on the eggplant. I do not have eggplant in my garden but the flea beetles are there anyway. My next step in research was to see what the online sources had to say about flea beetles, especially in how to combat them. The solution is to put yellow sticky traps about for them to hop onto. The other suggestion was to use the sticky fly paper available in the hardware stores. I remembered seeing those in my storage shed, so I went out to be sure I did have some, and happily, I did have three of the little rolls.
I waited a while to go down and try out the fly paper but when I went to put up the paper, I only saw about two of the little pests. I did put up the paper anyway, as they could not have hopped too far away.
The last thing I expected to find in my garden was this pesky flea beetle. Since I try to use organic practices in my garden this sticky fly paper fits into my plan.
The agent did say that if I could bring one in to him, he could make a definite identification. I have no idea how you would catch one of those hopping insects, so I will go on the theory that he did identify it accurately. Also, I put out the fly paper, so that is good enough for me, done deal!
It is always nice to fine the solution to a problem right on the premises, as in my Cedar house shed.
If you see little jumping bugs on your eggplant you might want to decorate your plant with fly paper, winding it around the leaves. It was not something I had planned on doing but when an obstacle presents intself, it is satisfying to find the solution without resorting to toxic sprays.
In Georgia we are in another drought and the most used tool now, is the garden hose. I alternate mornings to get things watered, before the sun is so demanding on my energy. Because my garden is scattered about, it can't all be done in one day. My first chore was to pull up all of the leaf lettuce, not because it did not look good, but because it was bitter. I did not like this leaf lettuce as much as I had thought I would. Thus, it was not eaten in a timely manner, before it became bitter. Next year I will plant romaine, and less of it. I am very fond of romaine and will be sure to use it myself or share.
I met a new enemy this morning as I was bending over to move the hose around. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a movement. Upon closer inspection I saw what I thought were fleas because they did not fly, or crawl. They did little hops to move about. They were on the side of the concrete blocks that form the walls of the raised beds. I made a mental note to research fleas in the garden.
The first call I made was to my favorite free, information agency, the County Extension Office. The agents are aways so knowledgeable about any problem you present to them. This agent said it sounded like flea beetles. They favor eggplant. Their eggs are laid in the soil and I suppose they emerge when it is time to eat on the eggplant. I do not have eggplant in my garden but the flea beetles are there anyway. My next step in research was to see what the online sources had to say about flea beetles, especially in how to combat them. The solution is to put yellow sticky traps about for them to hop onto. The other suggestion was to use the sticky fly paper available in the hardware stores. I remembered seeing those in my storage shed, so I went out to be sure I did have some, and happily, I did have three of the little rolls.
I waited a while to go down and try out the fly paper but when I went to put up the paper, I only saw about two of the little pests. I did put up the paper anyway, as they could not have hopped too far away.
The last thing I expected to find in my garden was this pesky flea beetle. Since I try to use organic practices in my garden this sticky fly paper fits into my plan.
The agent did say that if I could bring one in to him, he could make a definite identification. I have no idea how you would catch one of those hopping insects, so I will go on the theory that he did identify it accurately. Also, I put out the fly paper, so that is good enough for me, done deal!
It is always nice to fine the solution to a problem right on the premises, as in my Cedar house shed.
If you see little jumping bugs on your eggplant you might want to decorate your plant with fly paper, winding it around the leaves. It was not something I had planned on doing but when an obstacle presents intself, it is satisfying to find the solution without resorting to toxic sprays.
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