Puffball on Steroids

I've been looking through some of the pictures on the computer (I have a few thousand) and came across the giant puffball that I found in my husband's shooting range earlier this year. It was amazing.

I remember my Grandma Ketcham eating puffballs. I don't remember how she fixed them (fried? sauteed? raw?) but I do remember finding young fingernail-sized puffballs in the garden and around the farm, and giving them to her. I also remember stepping on the dried up puffballs, causing greenish spore to float into the air.

I don't know a lot about puffballs, but I can appreciate their unique beauty.

shel

Pajama Party

My sorority is holding a pajama party at the end of the month, and I am in charge of it. I've been planning what a bunch of 30+ women can do without breaking a hip....I guess Twister is ruled out, even though it would be a blast.

Erin taught me how to play the paper game "MASH" (mansion, apartment, shack, home) so we will do that. I'm also going to pick up some wild fingernail polish (and remover, just in case someone decides that Passion Purple is not for them after all) and cheap but gaudy make-up. We may do some charades with the theme of "I'm dreaming that I am.....". Shucking corn is one idea, but I could sure use more.

There will be gift boxes for the funniest, ugliest, prettiest, and most unique pajamas. I have little take-out boxes (like you get from a Chinese restaurant) that will be filled with chocolates, microwave popcorn, lip gloss, and other goodies that I happen to think of. (Movie rental coupons may be pretty good.)

Does anyone out there have any other ideas for the party? Please let me know.

I hope you are all staying WARM during this awful frigid weather.

shel

A Little of This, A Little of That

I'm on break at work, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to play catch-up with my blog. Since I grow such a wide variety of plants, I thought it would be fun to write about some of my favorites.

'Limelight' hydrangea is a true marvel. I planted a rather puny start last year in the late spring, hoping that it would thrive despite my poor clay soil. The bush has far exceeded my expectations, blooming in a rather show-offish manner and putting my 'Endless Summer' to shame.

I used the blooms of 'Limelight' in three different centerpieces in the height of growing season. In late fall I cut quite a few of the blooms to use as dried flowers. I have four glorious clumps of blooms as the focal point (along with a huge maroon bow) in my antique wicker planter box that resides on the front porch. Frasier fir boughs and cedar form the backdrop and twigs cut from my red stemmed dogwood add height and interest.

I have many hydrangea....'Lady in Red', 'Endless Summer', and a few others that shall remain nameless (in other words, I have forgotten the names....but I'll remember them tonight as I'm trying to sleep!) None have performed as well as my 'Limelight'. It's a definite must-have for long-lasting beautiful blooms and vibrant green leaves.

When I have some free time at home, I will try to download a picture of my beautiful 'Limelight' shrub.

In the meantime, it's back to work. I hope you all have a chance to grow this proficient plant.

shel

Give the RIGHT Way

I work at Community Action, a not-for-profit organization that helps those less fortunate. Services offered include gas cards, car repair, rent assistance, commodities from the state (monthly), LIHEAP energy assistance, Angel Tree, and food pantry, among others. Certain criteria must be met before receiving any of these services (income guidelines, unemployment, etc.)

During this season of love and sharing, many businesses and organizations are hosting food drives, which is a wonderful thing. Our food pantry items go out almost as quickly as I can stock them, so we truly do appreciate the drives that are held. People are extremely generous.

Last week we had a donation of approximately $500 worth of groceries from a local business. It is my job to organize the donations and restock the shelves. While doing so I check the packages carefully to make sure that none are rusted, opened, or damaged beyond use. I also check the expiration date of the product.

I had to throw away dozens of cans and boxes of food that were more than a year past their expiration date. If something has expired less than a year ago, I give the product to DOVE. (Per regulations through the State of Illinois, they are able to give away food that is dated up to a year past expiration.) Food dated prior to that must be resigned to the garbage.

Our last donation held cans that were dated 1988 and Jell-o packages that didn't even have a UPC and had the blue cost stamped on it! I could almost hear the bacteria through the cans.

My point is that giving is a wonderful thing. Helping those in need is the greatest gift of all. Please remember, however, that no one wants to get sick from eating grossly expired foods, so please check expiration dates.

Your generosity is very much appreciated. Give not only at Christmas, but throughout the year. You're not only helping your neighbors, you'll get a warm feeling that money can't buy.

Hope all is well in your world,
shel

Medical Madness

Do you ever feel that when one thing goes wrong, EVERYTHING goes wrong? It seems to be happening in our family right now. Quite frankly, it sucks.

Dad will be having surgery on his heart. Actually they are replacing the aortic valve. Without the surgery he would have two years at most to live, and would be in extreme pain. There are risks with him having the surgery as well. He chose to have the surgery, and Shannon, mom and I talked with him about it and we all came to the same conclusion. It's worth the risk of surgery to have him with us, and to not be in pain.

Mom has surgery next Wednesday. They are going to make small incisions near her fractured vertebra, insert a balloon, pump it up so that it lifts, and inject cement into the space that is created. I can't remember the name of the surgery, but it is used for lumbar purposes. She thinks she will be able to go home the same day, but I'm going to ask the doc to keep her in at least overnight, if not longer. That means spending Thanksgiving in the hospital, but if it takes care of the constant pain that she is in, then it is worth it.

Little Bryan has been diagnosed with osteopenia. He is in the very early stages of osteoporosis (the precursor) at the tender age of four years old. Already he is suffering bone loss. The doctors are talking growth hormone shots for him which would mean one shot a day every day for I believe two months. The sad part is that insurance will probably NOT cover the cost ($2,000 per month) for the shots. You can't keep Bryan down, though. He is curious about everything, and "I got it" is one of his favorite sayings. Nothing holds him back. I love, love, love that boy and hate to think that anything could be wrong with him.

My father-in-law Bill had prostate cancer two years ago, (or was it three?) colon cancer last December, and now has stomach cancer. He is malnourished because he hasn't felt up to eating since Phyllis, my mother-in-law, passed away in July. He was down to 129 lbs.a few weeks ago when he was hospitalized for pneumonia. He is gaining weight slowly. We don't know yet what course of action will be taken for the cancer.

On the up side, Alana's sonogram revealed that the developing bundle of joy is touting a penis, so little Gabriel will be welcoming a little brother at the end of April. I'm thrilled with the thought of another boy!

It's quiet in the house right now. Bryan likes to wake up bright and early, so I should hit the bed and get some sleep. It's going to be a busy week this week with the upcoming surgery and holiday, so I need my sleep!

Hoping you all have good health,
shel

oops....I Hit a Parked Car!

Well, the last few days have been kind of crappy (pardon my vulgarity.) I had a big meeting to go to on Wednesday, and as I pulled into the parking spot with my big old 8 passenger van, I scraped the Hyundai Santa Fe in the spot next to me. I'm almost 49 years old, so I suppose I was due. I've never been responsible for damage before. Luckily the cop and the owner of the other car were nice folks.

On the same day my daughter told me that the Honda broke down in the IGA parking lot. I was very fortunate that it was just out of gas.

Tonight I found out that a Master Gardener friend (and the one that figures my taxes) passed away suddenly. Also heard that my pen pal of nearly 35 years is requesting prayers for her pregnant niece that was bitten by a copperhead snake. How tragic. Sometimes I whine around about my life, but when I compare it to others I realize that my life is full of lumpy potatoes...in other words, it's full of stuff that is really nothing compared to the tragic lives of others.

Today I took dad to the doctor's office to get his heart monitor removed. I hated hurting him as I pulled the tape off, but I had to do it. Poor pop.

Wal-Mart is down to two jars of Vlasic Baby Kosher Dill pickles. If I had any money, I'd buy them both. DARN the luck!

Ady & Jaden were here for a few hours tonight. We had hamburgers, cottage cheese, and chips. Not the most nutritious of meals, but the kids loved it. They were both very good and had lots of fun playing.

Last night little Bryan and Jessie came over. Jessie typed up her resume' while Bryan and I had a good time. He's definitely Gramma's Boy. I hope he can come over this weekend.

I got to see little Gabe for a while on Wednesday. He, too, is Gramma's Boy (although he does love his Papa and will jump out of my arms to go to him.)

Leaves are all over the place here. I hate autumn...it's so depressing. Most of my trees are naked, with the exception of some stubborn oaks that drop their leaves in spring. Tomorrow is a FREE DAY!!!! I plan on coming home right after work so I can mow. I'm SO excited! In the next few days I'll have to get wood for the frame of the koi holding tank. It's going to warm up enough that I'll be able to work outside.

OH, I'm excited about Saturday. I'm going to meet Shirl in Decatur at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. We'll go Xmas shopping after that. I can't wait!

Enjoy your evenings,
shel

Garden Gab and Pickles

I have a two-headed chicken planter that I absolutely love. I'm the ONLY one that loves it...everyone else thinks it's pretty awful. This year I planted impatiens in it, and stuck it in the Weeping Cherry garden out front. The impatiens were wonderful and grew into a mound of bright color. A few trailing plants would have been a good compliment to the impatiens, but I just didn't think about it at the time. Anyway, when I came home today I noticed that the chicken was naked. Either a deer or a rabbit ate all of my impatiens, almost to the soil line! I don't cuss very often, but I did have a few choice words for the wildlife today.

The okra plants have withered into pathetic little leafless stems but the tomatoes are still hanging in there. I pulled a few more green tomatoes from the plants today. They sure taste good when fried.

Chickweed has once again invaded my gardens. It appears in the early spring, dies off during the heat of summer, and is reinstated again in the cool fall weather. I absolutely hate it. One day soon, before it flowers and sends out seed, I'll have to get out there and start pulling the hated weed. I can't remember what the chemical cure is...either 2-4D or Dicamba (spelling?) perhaps. It's been too long since I've used a chemical on it. I've been trying to control it by good old fashioned hand pulling. The problem with that is that chickweed has a very tough, fibrous root system and I have to get it ALL out. The chemical way sounds kind of appealing right now.

Speaking of appealing, I have had horrible cravings for Vlasic Sweet Baby Kosher Dill pickles. I can't get enough of them. Today I bought three jars, and while in the Wal-Mart parking lot, I did the unthinkable...I opened a jar and pulled out pickles WITH MY BARE HANDS! You know how I hate germs, and the thought of contaminating pickle juice makes me shudder, but I just couldn't wait until I got home to get a fork. I HAD to have a pickle. I ended up eating about a third of a jar. Just to prove to myself that I have SOME self-control, I refused to give in to temptation and eat another one for almost three miles. Luckily, you get one and a quarter pickles for only FIVE calories. Sadly, the sodium content is enough to send my blood pressure soaring. I just can't stop eating them. It's like my summer cravings for cucumbers and onions in vinegar....mmmmm. If I hadn't have had a hysterectomy almost 20 years ago, I would wonder if I were pregnant! (There's probably all sorts of grammatical errors in that sentence!)

Sleep well, everyone. Just talking about the pickles has made my mouth water.
shel

Rain, Rain, Go Away AGAIN

Seems like we've had an awful lot of rain this year. I'm quite tired of it, and am ready for some sunshine and mild autumn weather.

The green tomatoes that I've brought into the house are slowly ripening, but they just don't have any flavor. Okra plants are dead, as are the zucchini, so there will be no more harvest from them.

I plan on piling lots of shredded leaves onto the garden this year (if it dries up) and adding bags of cow manure, if I can still get it. Down by the end of the driveway I have a pile of chipped wood that the power company gave me a few years back. Deep in the pile the wood has decomposed, creating a nice rich compost. On the next good day, if I don't have little Gabriel, I will wheel the compost to the garden and spread it evenly around. It should break down more over the winter and add lots of richness to my otherwise crappy garden soil. I sure wish I had a wagon to pull behind my lawnmower, as it would make the job much easier.

Max mowed the lawn last week but it sure needs it again. I look forward to a dry day because I really enjoy mowing. (I also think that I do a better job than he does because he races around like Speedy Gonzales...he's a crazy mower!)

Last year I just couldn't get in the mood to bake. I was pretty depressed for most of fall and all of winter. Now I'm ready to start baking, but I don't have the extra freezer downstairs to put the goodies into. I miss having the refrigerator/freezer set. We still have the deep freeze that came from Max's grandmother, but it is nearly full. Unfortunately it is also an energy hog. The thing must be nearly as old as I am.

I went into the koi pond the other day to try to catch the two remaining koi and I nearly froze to death. The water was so cold that my legs burned. I have to ask myself...is it worth getting pneumonia (or worse) just to save two koi that aren't even show quality? The practical side of me says to leave them out there and let nature take it's course, but the koi lover in me says 'GET IN THERE AND SAVE THEM!!!!!' I still need to get to Menard's or Lowe's and buy boards so that I can insulate and enclose the horse trough that the other two (yellow) koi are in. I am determined to keep them over the winter. I will transfer my big air stone from the pond (which has about 6" of water in it) to the tank to keep a hole open in the ice so that my koi will survive. I may even build a temporary greenhouse over the top of the tank.

I hope you all stay dry and happy. If anyone is in the mood, come on over and go fishing for koi! I'll even give you a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up after you climb out.

shel

Just To Catch You Up....

Well, it's been a busy few weeks. I have started my new job at Community Action (my official title is Community Worker....not very impressive, but a title nonetheless) and I am still in the training mode. Until I am fully trained, I will work mornings. After I work I either pick up Gabe, like I did today, or go to mom & dad's house or Erin's house. What I SHOULD do is stay home and work in my house. I can't believe it's gotten so messy.

Today I went to mom & dad's house and onto dad's dr. appointment with them. Gabe kept everyone in the waiting room entertained as dad had his eye check-up. Later in the evening I went to Bloomington with Alana. It's been so long since I've been at the mall I couldn't even remember where to park! I did purchase two blouses for work (from the clearance rack, of course.) Gabe was a good boy as usual.

I'm still waiting for the test results from my whooping cough adventure. Tomorrow after work I will go to Dr. Rauch's office for my whooping booster, tetanus, flu and pneumonia shots. After that I go to Erin's house to decorate the gingerbread haunted house with Ady and Jaden.

Garden-wise, well, everything sucks outside. It hasn't frosted here yet so many of my annuals are trying to make a comeback. The mums are in full bloom as are the pansies, which got a bit leggy over the summer. I hope that it dries up enough in the next few days so that I can mow again and cut off all of the seed heads from the coneflowers and black eyed Susans. I have WAY too many volunteers of both. I know that the birds enjoy the seeds during the winter but they'll just have to find some other garden for them.

The tomatoes are goners. I still have some green ones out there that I should bring in. I love fried green tomatoes! Zucchini plants have died off sadly enough. This fall will be a good time to add lots of compost to the garden, so that it will be well incorporated into the rather poor soil that is there now. Fingers are crossed for a better garden next year.

It's been raining so much that the sunroom is leaking again. It's so discouraging to think that we reroofed HALF of the sunroom two years ago (Max, as usual, wouldn't listen when I said we should do it all at the same time.) The carpet is now ruined because of the leaks. Hard telling what the wood under the shingles looks like. When we reroofed we found that when it was put on, the contractors didn't use tar paper; just shingles over plywood.

Time for bed.

Sweet dreams, my family.

shel

Whoops! Whooping Cough

The tests from the state have come back positive for Whooping cough for little Gabe. Yesterday I had to go to the hospital to have my nasal cavities raped, as well. I suppose I'll hear next week if I too have the whoop. I have felt crappy enough during the last three weeks, that's for sure!

When I have recovered, I have to go to the doctor's and get another booster for whooping cough. Alana will after she has the baby, and Will has to get one as well. Little Gabe is feeling better now, and only coughs occasionally.

I have started my new job at Community Action. It's a bit on the slow side right now, as I am working 8 a.m. to noon, and most of the activity takes place in the afternoon. Anita is trying to get my hours changed so that I can learn the paperwork as needed.

I hope that I will be able to get into the koi pond tomorrow afternoon to pull out the two big boys that will die this winter if I can't get them out. I had really hoped that the koi pond would get rebuilt this summer. Maybe now that I have a job I can get caught up on some bills, then get the pond fixed. *sigh*.

Autumn is definitely here. It was 54 degrees outside this evening. BRRRR. I'm ready for spring.

hugs to all,
shel

p.s. Before much longer I'll need to get the tomato plants pulled from the garden and spread bales of hay over it. I want the hay (and leaves, grass clipping, and whatever else I can find) to be able to decompose over the winter so that the soil will be richer next year. If anyone has bags of grass clippings I'll take them! People think I'm weird when I drive around town and pick up the bags from the curb. It's rather sad that I get so excited about landscape waste....

I'm Still Kicking

Well, it's been a while since I've felt up to blogging. I've THOUGHT of blogs to write (full of wit and wisdom in my codeine-induced mind) as I shiver and sweat on the couch. As I sit here tapping away, however, I find my mind a complete blank. Guess it's time for some more of the cough syrup that has kept me going.

I have had two full prescriptions of antibiotics (Levaquin and Azithromicin; please forgive the spelling) and am now on steroids. I absolutely hate to take them as I can't sleep for the first few days, but I hate even more that I cough like a sickly seal with nearly every breath.

Wouldn't it be ironic if they discovered I have lung cancer? Think about it. I've spent most of my adult life lecturing people I love, as well as total strangers, about the deadly side-effects of stinky, expensive, disgusting cigarettes. I've been married to two smokers and both of my children have smoked (I don't know if Alana is or not since she's pregnant...that would REALLY burn my butt). Get the whole irony thing?

I snuck outside to the garden while Gabe was taking a catnap today and got a small zucchini, eight tomatoes, two green peppers and a handful of banana peppers. I noticed that some ballsy insect is munching on three of the heads of cabbage but there were none of the culprits in sight, and I didn't want to spend any time looking. It will have to wait until it's either warm and dry outside, or my bronchitis is gone, whichever comes first.

Monday I start my new job. I'm a little nervous as it takes me a while to catch on to new stuff. Once I am comfortable in the job, however, I'll be a kick-ass worker.

Boy, do I miss little Bryan. I haven't seen him in forever. I hope to see him for a short time on Monday, depending on what time I get off of work. I'd stick around for dinner but I have to be back in Clinton by 7:00 p.m. There's a meeting for the social committee of Beta Sigma Phi and I can't miss it since I'm the chair. I bet Bryan has really changed since I've last seen him. Children seem to grow so quickly!

For the second time this week I've lost the t.v. remote. Luckily there were good chick-flicks on all day. Suckily this channel has started showing a reality show now, and I would much rather watch Family Guy or some other mindless show that will make me smile.

The leaves have started falling in a major way. It's time to get out the rake and clean up leaf carcasses. Out of all of the seasons, autumn is my least favorite.

I hope all of you are still kicking, too.
shel

Rainy Day

Once again it's a wet, miserable day fit only for snuggling up under a fuzzy blanket with a cup of hot tea and a good book.....and that's exactly what I've done today. I sat out in the sun room, listening to the rain gently hitting the roof (and dripping into the bowl....never install a skylight in your sun room) and watching the birds while between pages. This would not normally be my routine. Yesterday Dr. Rauch told me I have bronchitis, prescribed an antibiotic Z medication and cough syrup with codeine, and told me to REST and drink lots of fluids. I'm glad it's raining because it would be hard for me to stay down otherwise. Tomorrow I'll be back to my routine, whether I'm ready or not.

I hope that you are all able to do something comforting today.

shel

p.s. Our lawn was dried and cracked, so I can't really complain about the rain. I planted grass seed in the back a few days ago so this will really help it take off. The tomatoes are ready to be picked again, but I don't want to go out in the damp air. I hope they don't start to crack due to the excess moisture.

Busy Times, Sleepy Times

Oh, how I wanted that ADM job. Guess it wasn't meant to be, as I received a "Dear John" e-mail from them last Friday. Man, how I wanted that job. I had already ruled out the Community Action job as it was past the deadline for receiving their call.

I was really bummed for a few days, feeling totally worthless and loser-like. Max was definitely NOT supportive. He headed downstairs as soon as I teared up (as in my voice went up an octave and my eyes started watering.) A few days later I got a call from Community Action...I got the job! I will start on Monday, October 5. I'm kind of nervous, but I plan on giving this job 100%. (Happy Dance is inserted here!)

Right now I'm coughing like a hyena on pepper. I can't stop. I've been coughing so hard that my jaw pops out (I have TMJ) and my head hurts. I made a Dr. appointment for tomorrow afternoon. I am guessing Bronchitis (is that spelled correctly?) or pneumonia. Today was the first day I ran a temperature. I haven't changed any plans thus far, but I'm worried that I won't feel well enough to go on Jaden's field trip to Weldon Springs tomorrow. I took Ady when she was in preschool, so I was hoping to continue the tradition with Jaden. It would be a blast.

When I haven't had Gabe, I've been asleep. Usually sleep is the only way that I can heal. It doesn't seem to be working this time as I am still coughing constantly. I haven't even been able to do the work-out video CD thing.

The Sears repairman came to the house on Monday. He wasn't able to fix the lawnmower completely, however. I didn't go outside (Max was on vacation again, so he went out) but from what I understand he didn't order enough parts. We're another $80 in the hole for the repairs, and I still can't mow. It's frustrating. He ordered the part and told Max how to install it. That REALLY worries me!!! What can I say...he's not the most mechanically-inclined man by far.

The Sears representative read my blog and called to talk to me last week about my disappointment in the design of the Craftsman Anniversary Edition mower. It felt good to air my grievances, even thought it probably won't make a difference in future mower designs. He did offer to send me a Sears gift card. In that aspect, they are trying to make things better.

There have been so many things happening this week that I just can't remember them. (Well, that and the fact that I'm doped up on NyQuil and ready to nod off.

It's my parent's anniversary today. I need to hang up here and give them a call. Having dial-up sucks....having only one phone line sucks, too.

Happy autumn (I hate autumn)
shel

Today's Interview

Well, today was the big day...I had my interview at ADM. It was quite interesting, and somewhat fattening. We taste-tested everything from chocolate chip cookies to peanut butter, smelled cotton balls, and drank questionable liquids. I don't consider myself a picky eater, but I'm really not crazy about chocolate milk or Cheese Nips. That's right...we tasted and compared different brands of both items. Ugh.

The best part was a sample test. I guessed correctly that the last cup of dark m&m's matched the first cup. The word "dark" printed under the 'm' was a clear giveaway.

The HR people will call Friday afternoon if they are interested in me. If not, I will get an e-mail Monday afternoon with the usual Dear John letter. Sixty-seven people applied for 12 positions (plus two more for another department). Keep your fingers crossed that I'll be chosen, okay? I would really like this job.

Hoping you're all enjoying your jobs to the fullest extent of the law!!
shel

Garden Gab

Today I picked fifteen of the most beautiful tomatoes I've ever seen. Unfortunately, like with so many humans, their beauty was only skin deep. I've eaten four tomatoes, and every one has been bland and tastes like a January grocery store version. I know that tomatoes like hot summer days and warm summer nights, so basically we're all screwed in central Illinois. On the bright side, my electric bill has been low!

I also picked four sweet banana peppers and two 'Chocolate Soldiers', which are black peppers (like green bell peppers, but black...they taste marvelous.) A few weeks ago I lost my favorite sunglasses, and today I found them among the tomatoes. I guess the fates were smiling on me today.

My asters are budding nicely, and some of the early mums are really showing off their colors. Everything else is just sort of limping along. I did get weed & feed put on the front lawn today, but ran out before I could get to the sides. Next week I am going to seed the back, where the dogs run wild.

Little Gabe just went to sleep, so I am going to brush my teeth and climb in bed with a good book. It's hard telling how long he'll be down.

Tomorrow I have my ADM interview. I'm very excited about the prospect of working as a taster.

Life is good.

shel

A Weekend Gone Wrong

Darn the luck!! I had SUCH an exciting weekend planned, but a bug hit, and with a vengeance. I spent Friday night at my sister Shannon' s house while they had a romantic evening away. Unfortunately, I was on the bathroom floor most of the time.

I haven't thrown up since about 6:30 p.m., so it's apparent I'm on the road to recovery. For now I'd rather go to bed and just dream about the blogs I'm going to type.

I hope no one catches my cooties.

shel

Computer Blues & General Update

Well, I've done it again. I tried to hook up Xanado to my computer (oh, how I long to be off of dial-up) and messed up my computer. After many hours of cursing, I was able to do a system restore to go back to the day before I hooked up Xanado. I am finally able to get online. Yippee!

The Sears repair man had bad news. My lawnmower is in bad shape. The last time Max put new blades on it, he didn't put them on correctly, so the star-shaped bumpy things that rotate the blades got worn off. The shafts need to be replaced. I had to pay over $200 up front, and will have to shell out another hundred when the repair man works his magic. I really miss having a lawnmower, and am regretting purchasing this Craftsman.

The same day the Sears repair man was here, the Dick Van Dyke guy came. My extra fridge in the garage is kaput. It would cost $150 to replace the two pieces that are burnt out, but in all likelihood they would burn out again because the compressor is probably shot. A new compressor would cost $500. It's just not worth it. I'm going to try to give it away on Freecycle if Chuck doesn't want it.

On the GOOD news side........
Shannon and Rick are going to a Winery for the night and asked me to babysit Phoebe. I'm so excited I'm giggly. Their place is like a spa...I can go there, sit in the sun room and read my book, take Phoebe for a walk, and drink hot tea all night while I soak in the tub. I love going there.

Bryan has been ill but is now feeling better. Darn cold! Little Gabe is sleeping on Max's chest right now. I don't' know which one is snoring louder.

The garden is actually starting to put out. I got ONE zucchini yesterday, and picked four tomatoes the day before. If I got out later on today I will probably get a dozen more tomatoes. They are finally starting to turn. They look beautiful, but still have that grocery-store taste. I never thought that I would wish for hot weather, but the tomatoes just aren't the same without it.

Last night I repotted Erin's peace lily (the poor thing will probably die as it was rather abused when I got it) and two of my three Christmas Cactus. I set the CC's outside so that they will bloom during the holidays. By putting them outside, they are subjected to the shorter days and cool night temperatures, which is required for bud formation.

Dad had surgery for his cataract. He's doing well. I will go over there Saturday to pick up their lawn mower. My grass is long and is in dire need of a haircut.

Oops, the cell phone just made the 'you have a message' noise, so I'd better sign off. Someone may be trying to call me on my home phone, and I have only one line.

Hope you are all enjoying yourselves.

shel

Stoneless Soup

There's a children's storybook entitled 'Stone Soup'. It is about a wandering man with a sharp brain and an empty stomach. He tricks the villagers into making soup for him...his addition to the pot is a stone, and everyone else brings veggies or broth.

I recently attended a meeting with Dean Adams. He is always full of interesting stories. This time he told about his grandmother's soup which, in his opinion, was the best soup ever created. The secret? His grandmother always put ALL leftovers into a huge container in the freezer. When the container was full, she would empty the container into a stock pot and add a can or two of diced tomatoes and throw in a fistful of spices.

I decided that, in these hard economic times, I should give it a try.

My most recent pot of soup contained leftover pork chops that were fixed on the fire pit (I diced the meat finely), about a half cup of shredded beef, quite a bit of leftover roast chicken, part of a can of corn, two whole potatoes that were roasted with the chicken, some green beans, part of a package of Healthy Choice veggies (I think it was white beans and yellow carrots), a cup or so of pork fried rice, and some Mongolian beef. In my opinion a meal isn't a meal unless onion is on the menu, so I chopped up a small yellow onion to add to the broth. I also added the leftover chili and about two cups of tomato juice (leftover from making chili the day before.) To add even more flavor, I added sweet basil, fresh and dried garlic (no wonder no one ever wants to kiss me with all of the garlic & onion that I eat!) and some freshly ground black pepper.

I let the soup simmer on low heat for an entire day. When it was dinner time, I ladled soup into my Campbell's mug (I still think of Phyllis when I use it) and added freshly chopped onion for a little crunch. Instead of crackers, I like to tear up a piece of bread in my soup. MMMMMMMM. The soup was delicious, even without a stone!

I've had many meals off of it including breakfast!

Thanks to Dean for giving me the idea for this soup. It uses up leftovers (Max hates to eat leftovers) and is relatively good for me.

In the meantime, I have started another big Rubbermaid container. There's a few pieces of leftover steak from the fire pit and a bit of corn and green beans. By the time it's full it will be chilly outside and the stoneless soup will be a welcome treat.

Happy eating to all of my family & friends.

shel

Plight of the Bumblebee continued

I forgot to add that another reason for bee decline could be the excessive use of pesticides. I try to keep Round-Up usage to a minimum, but I tended to use more this year because of the rapid weed growth. I would never, ever spray if there is an insect present, but farmers don't have that option. Whether death by pesticide is the cause of the shortage of bees or not is hard to tell.

I avoid using insecticides outside as well. If there's a spider around an area where he shouldn't be I either move him with a stick or, if he's particularly evil looking, squish him. Otherwise I don't want to kill outdoor insects. (If I were to find termites, however, all bets are off...spray those bast#$&!!!)

shel

Plight of the Bumble Bee

My zucchini crop is nonexistent. The plants bloom beautifully, but that's about all happens. My hypothesis is that the blooms are not getting pollinated, therefore fruit does not develop.

I decided to do a little investigative work, so camera in hand, I toured the yard. After nearly 15 minutes I had discovered only one bumble bee and one honey bee. Usually the sedum are covered. Here is a picture of the bee on a morning glory.

In the spring the power plant had an infestation of wild honey bees that had swarmed on a portion of fencing. It was not in a location where people would be bothered by the bees, but the poor things were sprayed and killed anyway. How foolish the men were to have killed such helpful creatures! I have learned that it was not illegal for them to do so. Their reasoning was that it was better to loose the life of a colony of bees than for one bee to terminate the life of one allergic human. (Depends on the human!!!!)

Our wild colonies that were in the woods behind us are gone. I don't know if they succumbed to the virus that is destroying many of the colonies that beekeepers own, or if it was the extremely wet spring & summer that caused a fungus. There's no aardvarks or bears (supposedly) in the area so I have to rule out the natural predator thought. Birds just wouldn't be able to wipe out so many colonies.

I hope that I just picked a bad bee observing day. Since I will be outside painting the yucky fence in back...I hate that fence...I will keep my eyes and ears open for my buzzy friends.

Happy gardening,

shel