Driving home the beauty.

Ok so this isn't exactly the sunset I saw driving home this evening, but its pretty close. The fall color is at its prime now and the sunset was filled with pink and orange reflecting the trees below as I drove west toward home this evening. Views like this inspire creativity and lately I'd rather be creative than almost anything else. Idea abound and with the holidays looming, less that two months away it's time to be industrious. Hope you are all having a good week. Do enjoy the beauty that is around us.

All Work and no Play.

I remember saying that I was going to take this month off from the home improvement list. Well, I lied. I made breakfast which I never do; blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, juice and coffee. Since we had a table full fo strong men for breakfast they were put into action. With fall well underway there is still much to do before winter approaches. For every two projects completed there is one new addition to the list. The list that has no been eradicated in fifteen years. The project de jour, the basement windows purchased today are not easily replaced. After all the old ones are quite cozy where they were. Like everything in this 80 year old bungalow there are always modifcations due to listing and gravity. Starting early means right after breakfast and at 12:30 window number one is still a work in progress.

The weekend was not without fun however, found a great place in Lacaster county filled with farm animals, ride hayrides, buggy rides, and a 2.5 mile corn maze. After an hour and fifteen minutes it was looing its appeal. Dining at "Good & Plenty" is always the high point of any trip to Lancaster. Seems half of the east coast had the same idea to enjoy a last hurrah in the beauty of a simpler lifestyle that is quicky fading. What fall color, what a weekend.

Pet peeve of the day

How is it that a plane could crash into any building among the NY skyline? This should never have happened after 911. What is going on? I hate to watch the news sometimes. What is your pet peeve ?

The bitter with the sweet

An homage to my grandmother is in order this time of year as it was she who taught me how to cook, how to preserve foods, though no one does that these days. She inspired my love of quilts which are nothing more than a story weaved of new and used fabrics that once clothed and warmed her family. It was the gardens of my Grandfather that inspired my love of horticulture. The long drive way to their home was punctuated with iris, prized gladiolus and dalias each summer. And yes, there were tractor tires on the lawn, freshly painted each spring filled to overflowing with annuals.

They lived through the depression and did not waste anything, reuse and recycled every thing. Most of the furnishings were antiques that Gramps loving restored. These were intended to be passed down to future generations of the clan. As a child, I recall visiting during August heatwaves when fields were punctuated with golden grains as far as you could see. Cows and chickens grazed leisurely on green grass alongside the listing red barn. We would have to navigate through the pasture filled with cow pies to reach our special destination. My father, brother, sister and I fished with Gramps at a pond he built and stocked with fish. Imagine sitting on the bank with a bamboo fishing pole and the red & white bobber that let you know a fish was nibbling at the bait like something out of Tom Sawyer. I recall riding in the blue pickup truck to visit friends with them. If we behaved we might get a treat of those red and white peppermints that were stashed in the glovebox. Sometimes it was freshy made carmel popcorn and home made rootbeer or ice cream. Ah the smell of a busy kitchen can take me back to these childhood rememberances. Whenever I go to Lancaster Pa., it feels like home.

This week marks the anniversary of the passing of my Gran who left this world in her 93rd year. She would be 96 now and I so hoped that she would make the 100 mark. Her parting words were that you must take the "bitter with the sweet." Some thought her to be hard and cynical but the woman I know was loving and gentle, albeit sometimes strict. I could barely get my arms around her for a hug and rememeber spending hours brushing her long silver hair.
I still miss her and the pastoral serenity of the life that no longer exists.

When next I visit Ohio, I wonder if the view will be that of a housing development or a strip mall on the 48 acres that once were the family farm my Grandfather built. Life seems so different now but what a wonderful time it was to be a child on the farm.

Fall favors

Time marches on and on and if we aren't mindfull we'll miss some important things along the way. These past weeks have been tumultous for several friends and I cannnot help but look back to blogs of a year ago just to see what and where we all were. Another fall, another sunset and many changes for all. Fall and all its beauty is upon us and I hope that we are taking time to enjoy the colors of brick, bronze, gold and green that is everywhere. There is something extremely beautiful about the fall colors. I suggest a walk outdoors to take in all the beauty that nature has presented for us these days. The colors are fleeting and perhaps thats a metaphor for life. Good things never last long. Enjoy your weeeknd!

TOP 5 II

Only a year ago I asked the same question: What are you listening to, artist and title? I'll go back later and see if it's the same. We all know some who never listen to anything but the 70's....Uhmm Have we tried anything new this year?
Dave Matthews, "Crash"CD
Dave Matthews, "Everyday"CD
Billy Joel -Live
Jeffrey Gaines-Always Be
Allan Tousiant and Elvis Costello new CD,

What are your favorites?

All work and no play

What have you been putting off doing even though you know you should get it done?

I'll start, after powerwashing the deck early this am I found that I had only a smidgen of stain left. I ws sure there was another can waiting for me.....after staining the fences the deck will be easy. But I'll have to go get more stain........arghhhhh
Ask me how many times I went to the shore this summer?
Thanks to the breakfast club and friends who make sure that the addage all work and no play does not apply.

Name your Poison!

We all have one of those days from time to time. Well yesterday was mine, found a door that was coming off its hinges and a major tree limb hanging on by a thread....oye. I don't want to guess what's next. So I thought maybe a good stiff drink was the in order. What's your favorite drink/cocktail and do you care to share with us how its made?

Why I like the rain

The current weather has me thinking of ways to be "cool" -
As a child I loved raining days walking home from school tramping through puddles in barefeet.
Rainy weather makes pulling weeds in the Garden of Eden easier.
Rain often lowers the temperature.
Free car washing.
Rita's buy one get one offer.
Sleeping soundly at night to the music of the rain on the roof.

Can you offer an other ideas?

I Dare You - I

How many days can you go without watching T.V.? What are you going to do with all that free time?

Simple Pleasures

At Morning Martini the following posting was too good not to be repeated:


"that man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest"
-Henry David Thoreau

What are your simple pleasures?

Lost and Found

Drinking coffee while gazing at the backyard garden is one of the most supremely serene experiences. In early morning I do not turn on music as the naturalistic views and bird song are all one needs. Having repositioned the birdbath the birds now come closer than ever to the dining room windows. If you go quietly for the morning paper they don't seem to mind. Maybe they are busy enjoying the small fruits they find this time of year. I rarely get to eat any of the red raspberries, blackberries and grapes scattered across the garden. In fact the recent heatwave reminded me how important the water element is for these small creatures. Most days this is the scenario except when two rather large seagulls made an appearance. Were they lost? They were way off shore and looked as much out of place as two shoebees as the Jersey shore. Happily I can report another first, pairs of gold finches fluttering about the butterfly bushes. I highly recommend these deciduous shrubs for any home garden, as they attract more than just butterflies. Seeing birds return time and time again makes me think that the world is a beautiful place. Nature inspires serenity and the hope that mankind can turn it around. We don't have to remain off course like the lost gulls.

All Packed And Nowhere to Go.

I was overdue for a vacation in the worst way imaginable. Postponed from the beginning of July until this week. Not only was I deemed "essential" and had to work during the state shutdown there seems to be no reward for doing the deed. I missed out on a change to join a friend at the shore in MD. I was going to miss the party of the season at Merci's because I had tickets to a favorite artist's concert. What was I thinking? ARGHHHHH, What a month? I don't know how no one got hurt, frankly?

Music fills the soul and lifts the spirit above the mundane and responsiblities of life's to do list. Looking forward to outdoor music for months after splurging on concert tickets so I pack up toward Philly for the XPN's music weekend. Yeah baby, 3 days. Sounds good huh? I decide to rest on Friday instead of going to lunch at World Cafe with L & Big Daddy. I also had bought tickets to see Chicago and Huey Lewis at the Tweeter right in the middle of the other concert without realizing they were the same weekend. OK, it'll be a record of sorts, pardon the pun, I couldn't resist. It all sounds like the perfect start to a perfect weekend.
That is until the rain came......
Saturday still waiting for the sun to shine it was off to the waterfront in mid-afternoon. Finally securing a reasonable place to park we arrived at the waterfront. Just exiting the car the wind started to blow and the sand started pummelling my legs like razors. A nice picnic lunch was safety stowed in the trunk for the long afternoon and evening full of music. It was back in the car until it blowed over. Forty minutes or so later I wondered why I'd left the drinks and snacks in the trunk. It was raining too hard to retrieve them now. In minutes the parking lot looked like a lake, the drains looked like fountains unable to withstand the onslaught or water. It seemed to be raining upward as the deluge had no where else to go. At times you could not see the Ben Franklin Bridge though I was sitting one hundred yards away. I had time to imagine the car flipping and turning in the wind like an apocalyptic nightmare. Maybe it was low blood sugar, I don't know.
When the rain finally let up it was off to the park, well prepared with picnic, poncho's, color coordinated blue blanket and plastic tarp to save us from the wet ground. Imagine my surprise when there was plenty of great spots to sit in full view of the stage. Unpacked and seated it started to drizzle and I was happy to have brought along rain ponchos. What a sight, imagine a rain swelled slope filled with folks in various degrees of wetness. I barely got comfortable when there was the message from the stage. We are canceling today's concert as the equipment is all wet. Listen to XPN radio and they'll reschedule some of the artists to this evening at other venues. Where else but at World Cafe where everyone was welcome but first come first served with a capacity of 800. You're kidding I thought. Trying to "look on the bright side" all I could do was laugh. Did I want to go to World Cafe?

The Chicago concert was two hours off and there was no way I was going to sit and wait in hopes of better weather. For years I've gone to summer concerts and only once did it rain. I can still remember the saying, "oh, it's a light heavy rain" let's go anyway. Not a chance. Systematically I planned one concert a month for the summer entertaintment. Each time it was beseiged with rain. After last month's Dave Matthews show I vowed like a watery Scarlett OHara I will never get wet again.

I am looking for bright side and hope that despite the rocky start the vacation this week will be peaceful and serene, come rain or come shine.

Stress everywhere and plenty to spare..

I'd like to know what you do to reduce your stress after a hard day? Does it seem like things are getting a bit crazy or what?

Jeffrey, Jeffrey, Jeffrey

First concert of the season, yeah! Almost rained out, yeah! Free, yeah!
After one bad day this week it was a treat to go and see one of my favorite performers Jeffrey Gaines. Who you ask? Are you an XPN listener? I first saw him perform and pour his heart out in song and sweat one hot June evening at the Tweeter when Sting had transportation problems. I still remember this black man wearing red leather pants and a jacket in June. He had to be hot and he was, his music that is. If you have never heard his heartfelt and engaging songs you should give a listen. Songs like "Over and Over,"Always Be," and I know a Man" are great. His version of PG's "In your Eyes" is better than the original, in my opinion. JG is hard to define his songs from the heart are about his life, heart, aspiring to greater things, and personal freedoms. He doesn't sound like anyone I could name and I have tried. He defies generalization. I bet you can find JG performing somewhere this summer in the area as he hails from PA. Most of his performances are free to the public and he can usually be found donating his time for charitable causes like Katrina or Africa relief. If not you'll find him on XPN.
I woke up with his music running through my mind over and over, oh, that's one of his lyrics.
Love, love, love JG. Sorry couln't download a pic. Try his website: Jeffrey Gaines @Homepages.com for interviews on politics, music and more...

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

This weekend the classic movie channel ran "Mr. Smith goes to Washinton." Am I the only one who hasn't seen it? It dates to 1939 and is considered by some to be Capra's best work. Thought that Christmas tale was also named as his best, but anyway. The obvious message is one of corruption in politics. There is a secondary plot that the one man can make a difference. It is just as relavent today as it was in 1939. Do check it out if you haven't already.

Oh what a year?

On May 27, 2006 the first anniversary of writing a blog came and went without fanfare or celebration. If you don't count the months I was away. Most of my entries have been just journals on the computer. Thinking about what has transpired over the last 365 days makes my head spin. One year ago today was the Appel Farms concert with Aimee Mann, Mavis Staples and the Wainright clan. Loved the eccentricity of Lodon Wainright so much that I went to the XPN festival where he headlined. (I thank Pax Romano for introducing me to his music). That was the only time I can remember us sharing an activity with Judy Holiday and everyone having a good time. Music is nourishment for my soul and last summer was filled with more concerts than some attend in a lifetime. Diversity is my middle name when it comes to music including: Live 8, Tears for Fears, Jack Johnson, James Taylor, Bochelli and Jim Brickman are just the memorable highlights. I am gratefull for every friend who is young at heart and willing to stand among the crowds. Many were the walks at Longwood or the shore. Just looking out over the ocean is calming. It was in the heat of summer my Mom decided to sell her home of forty years and move to an apartment. One grandson and I helping her moving years of memories, hobbies and the important paperwork of a life. Packrats beware. In retrospect that is probably what started me cleaning and empting my house of many unused items. No one thinks they are the packrat in their family, do they? What can I say I come from three generations of savers. My Gran saved and recycled after the depression making feed sacks into dishtowels and old clothing into quilts. Mom came from another country and has all the memories of a lifetime. Their adage is to waste not, want not? (Thanks for reminding me Jac's). How many books and CD's have I collected?
I also reached twenty five years working in civil service. Where did the time go?
By fall it was deep into the home improvement projects which any home has, unless yours is brand new. I finally finished the yard projects and hate to admit that maybe there are a few too many garden beds. Thank God we did not put in the pond as it would be very murky after my time away.
Winter was not just gray but made longer waiting for the tests that report me to be in good health. Its been three years already. I am very lucky to be here and need to remember to enjoy every day. Sometimes it is hard not to be frightened. Simply put, Dad used to say,"everyday you wake up is a good day."
In spring I left home and ran away for a while to try to find my way. I had been thinking about making changes for a long time. Unlike some of our brave blogger friends I could not bring myself to share the minutiea or the heartache. I have said very little and no one asked any questions that I did not want to answer. Besides who has not been through something in their life that alters it forever.... Let those in glass houses...etc. etc. (I think of Yul Brenner in the King & I, as well, for Merci).
Last weekend, Memorial Day, I went to a party, perhaps the first time by myself and it was OK. I look forward to another summer, another concert and other opportunities to lunch and laugh with friends. What would my Dad say? "It's a great life if you don't weaken." Love and best wishes to all who have been supportive friends this year.

All too personal

Last week while driving home and regrettably still thinking about the office issues of the day my phone rang. My sister called and after a few minutes of small talk about her daughter and family she got right to the point. First she said she was trying not to panic about the small lump she found under her arm. While waiting for the doctors diagnoses, she lost her composure. (this may be the first time she admitted such a thing). She was told that she might be having an allergic reation to cosmetics we all use there everyday. Humm! Sure enough in a few days the lump was going away. She said she was afraid the she'd have to give up coffee. Nothing doing, I said, as long as you drink in moderation, you'll be fine. Besides coffee is supposed to keep you brain from developing dementia. Humm, she replied " we are doomed as Mom drank enough coffee in her day for all of us." We just laughed for a good few minutes. We recounted the time Mom decided to give up coffee and replaced it with Pepsi. Now her drug of choice is Chocolate. I cannot help being addicted, its a personal amd familial tradition.

I hope that my sister is fine and that she never has to encounter the dreaded "C "that seems to run through our family. Keep a good thought for her. My thoughts were how important family is and the work will always continue......so why sweat the details.

Weekend relaxation?

I arose early to go to the market before the sleepy heads crowded into the old Shop Rite in my neighborhood. Completely forgot that I had a 9 am appointment to get my hair done. Oops, now who is the sleepy head. A quick trip to the nearby True Value hardware store for rakes and new garden tools, at least ones that would fit into my car. Wouldn't you know the twenty dollar garden cart was sold out. Surprise, surprise. Looks like the made them for children to play in the garden . Rushed home for an afternoon delivery of mulch, knowing there were plenty of beds and trees that still needed weeding in anticipation of the big delivery. Quickly I cleaned the area where the hammock will go up later (a reward later for all my efforts), removed the old BBQ grills and four tanks. Why did two people need two grills and four tanks of fuel? Miscellaneous items just seemed to find their way behind the garden shed and I know I didn't put anything back there? Humm, spend the remaining morning cleaning stuff that was never mine to begin with from behind the garden shed that was supposed to house the items that overflowed the garage. A garage that has not seen a car since 1990. I worked till the only stuff out back was a pile of wood seasoned for the taking and the lonely wheelbarrow that still had seen mulch today. About two o'clock when I was ready for a siesta the delivery finally arrived.

It took about ninety minutes to spread two cubic yards. Worse that that it barely made a dent compared to those areas that still need attention. Looks like its back to my favorite garden center for more mulch, more delivery charges, oops. Probably can use another four or five yards to finish my existing garden beds. Looks like it will not be ready for parties by the upcoming holiday. Maybe July? September?

Why tell this tale? Gardening is my passion so why am I complaining about the chores this year? Complain, complain, complain!. Cannot use my shoulder injury as an excuse any more. Is it time for a smaller yard? Perhaps a nice new condo with a oversized postage stamp of a yard?
I wonder?

I so looked forward to the weekend as a time to rest and relax, maybe tommorrow?

I'm Back, OK Who cares?

I signed off for a while as I claimed to be working on my garden. Truth is I went on a voyage, a long one. Although I missed going to Cannes this year I had quite an adventure lately, would you believe I:

Went on a voyage of discovery with my good friend SylviaFeintein. During which we enjoyed two months traveling with her Aunt Bubbie to the Orient. After which she took me to Boca to see her sister and her rich husband, you remember the diamond merchant. Then we went to see RENT with cousin Mel. Syl's sister Liza and I traveled to Europe to find her another husband and I ended up spending one dreamy night with Antonio. Sorry Pax, I know what he means to you, but that sweet talking, dreamy eyed Latino was more that any woman can resist!

Maybe I took Mom to NY a week before Mother's Day, just to be a good daughter.

No, not buying it, so far. How about I went to the Garden of Eden and did not return for three months. I have traveled far and there is still no place like home.