The Return of the Horse Drawn Carriage



What could be more peaceful than a ride through the winding back roads on one of these.

It seems more and more folks,in this area, are getting involved with horse drawn buggies and wagons and the like.We are surrounded by the Amish, so the horse drawn buggy is a normal site for us.They pass our house many times during the day. Some coming and some going.Like us, they have chores to attend to which require a trip now and then, to the nearest town for much needed items, then of course, some are going to the main roads to set up their wares for sale each day. You can see them set up at various locations,selling their quilts,handmade baskets,jams,jellies, baked goods,produce,furniture,etc.

As of late, we have been noticing a lot more English folk (non-Amish) coming and going in horse drawn carriages,buggies,wagons,etc.I suppose there are groups that get together with this sort of activity, but since we are not in it, we don't realize just how many folks are using the horsedrawn mode of transportation as their favorite past time. It does seem to be a hobby that would bring more peace and tranquility back to our daily lives.Everything is running at such a fast pace today,there is no real time to sit and relax and just be.  

Update on Mom/Bring on the Green Beans

A lot of Mom's Tuesday,0n 6/26, was spent crying. She cries a lot, but we are hearing her sister,Edna, is going through that stage,too. It's hard to see your Mother crying, when you know it is nothing you can fix. We do the best we can to comfort her,but sometimes the requests she makes that would give her relief, are beyond our control.Talking on the phone or visiting with her seems to help. We just try to stay on light topics and keep away from emotional topics.Topics that we know may upset her. When she is busy, it seems the thoughts that make her cry the most, do not come.Keeping her busy, is a challenge.She wants to get any task you give her, done NOW.It's hard to keep enough jobs,things that she is able to do, lined up for her.She needs to feel the job we have her doing is important. Not some trivial job with no purpose. She's too aware, for that, just yet.

My sister,Rita, stayed the night last night with Mom last night.Rita works two days a week at Walmart, then babysits her 3 year old grandson a lot during the rest of the week,but she can come to be with Mom,more easily than myself,being 20 miles out, and my sister Stacey, who works weird days and hours at Walmart, also.Stacey must catch a few z's,during the time Mom is having her most upsetting moments,so which ever of us can go,when Mom calls,will do so. We are so thankful that her Alzheimer's has not progressed to the point,yet, that she can still call us when she feels the need.

I will be getting Mom this morning to work with me on green beans.We plan to work on her flower beds on Thursday. We are narrowing them down as much as possible since she is not able to care for them like she once did.Who knows. Today may be one of her good days.We just never know what to expect on any given day,so we just plan one day at a time.So far,that's working for us.This is all new for us, and we are learning as we go,but we're getting the job done,and are so thankful we are at a point in our lives where we can be there for Mom.

How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck,

 How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck, if a Woodchuck could chuck Wood?

That verse came to my mind as I was thinking of writing about my wood collection. It's no secret. I love wood. I love fabric. I love flowers. I guess you could say my most favorite past times are working with these three things. I never get tired of working with them. I may run short of energy at times and need a little nap most days, but as for loosing interest,it doesn't happen. I wake up many mornings with my blood surging through my veins, ready to tackle an idea that popped into my head while I slept.

My basement  was beginning to get quite crowded with the multiple boxes of my wood collections which I have hidden away. Away from Pop. He burns every morsel of wood for kindling during the winter months. I am crushed when I find him sneaking some of my precious wood pieces and using them to start a fire.That's why I must hide them in every nook and cranny available.

Mom has been having some issues here lately. Dementia or Alzheimer's or something somewhere in between, but nevertheless, we have been keeping her close, until we decide what our next step is going to be. A couple of the daughters take turns about staying at her home,sometimes over night.
depending on what we feel she needs at that time. Some days are much better than others for her.When I can persuade her to come to my home and spend a night, we get involved in different projects, which seems to help,since she has always needed to be busy. That part of her life has not changed,but she cannot find as much to do on her own lately.Partly due to the dementia, and partly due to her failing eyesight. She has lost 75-90 per cent of her vision,but she can still function fairly well,to a point.

On one of her last visits, we gathered up all of the wood pieces we could find in my basement, and boxed them up, and carted them out to one of the little barns. Pop has a shed where he stores one of his tractors and an occasional lawn mower or two.On one wall he had stored some firewood, and there was a vacant shelf overhead.Just the place for my wood pieces.

Now, the few pieces I have kept in the basement will need a new home,so I gathered up a few pieces of pressed wood boards lying around the property and proceeded to make myself a wood storage box.It's a really rough looking box, but,hopefully when I am finished with it, it may not look so bad.I figure the grand children can use it as a table for their painting projects, so it really doesn't matter how it looks.

box under construction

box painted with primer coat

The color of the box is not it's final look. I was trying to use up some old paint that would most likely never be used for anything else.When I am finished, it should look a little better. But then,one can only hope.It will be a nice place to store my boards, and a spacious surface for the kids to use when painting some of their various projects.

My Three Sisters

Now don't go,gettin' all upset, girls, thinking, you are the one I left out. The three sisters I speak of is the gardening project I am working on this year. I think it was my sister, Vicki, of My Favorite Things, who sent me an email with a peek at a blog she had stumbled across, telling all about this type of gardening.I hope I am giving the right person credit. Nevertheless, it sounded like something I'd like to try. New ideas in the area of flowers and gardening, catch my attention quickly.It has been a few weeks now since I planted my little row of Three Sisters, to experiment with.So far, they are coming along nicely. I,just this morning, added a little of my home made compost, then weeded and watered them with Miracle Grow.I am so proud of them so far. Now if only they bear like I hope they will, my next crop may be a bit larger.

This is my row of Three Sisters.

A Boo-Boo!

This squash was accidentally planted at the same time as the corn. I planted the corn first,waited until it was six inches tall,then planted the squash and the pole beans. This little squash evidently got planted the same time as the corn.

The tall Hickory King corn provides the pole for the beans to climb. The beans produce nitrogen for the corn and squash, and the squash keeps the weeds in check, beneath the entire group of plants.

Another name for this method is Companion Planting. I have read about it for years, but never tried it until now.

Saying Goodbye

Mom and the five girls (that's me in the quilted jacket)

Death is a horrible thing, but I think it is even worse, having to gradually say Goodbye, a little more each day, to the Mom you use to know. Her mind is slowly,slipping away, as time goes by. Some days are better than others, but then there are segments of time, when she cannot function on her own, as she has always done.It is a heart breaking thing to go through,especially since she has been our "Rock" for so many years.

Mom had a horrible upbringing in her early life,and she struggled for most of her grown up life,hundreds of miles from her root family, with limited communications with them, raising nine children,on a huge farm, with very limited resources.Thank God for a Dad who always saw to it, that the land we lived on was our very own. No one could put us out of our home.Well, I guess, there might have been circumstances where that could have happened, but Thank God once again, it never did.Dad worked many long hard days, to make sure it didn't.Mom never worked public work, and she never learned to drive.Her job was raising us kids.

I am so thankful to have been raised during the period we were. The drugs and such that folks are dealing with today,were non existent back then.At least,no where near the extent they are today. I did hear of some type of pills being offered to athletes in the early 70's, but somehow,and I speak for myself,I just didn't hear about all of the corrupt things folks are using and doing today.I guess you might say we lived a sheltered life in the backside of nowhere,which could be a Good Thing.

Nevertheless, Mom taught us the basics of life.We each have our own daily demons to fight, as do most folks,but we had a good solid upbringing.We were taught to make the best of what we had,and to use the resources available to us, to the best of our abilities. We wasted little and needed little from the rest of the world,outside our life on the farm.Mom saw to it that we were in church, whenever the doors were open,Many of us have not followed through with that aspect of our lives, but I'm sure we each, in our own way,have benefited from our being raised in the church,during our youth.

I am so proud to have had a strong Mother. I am convinced it was her, that made me the person I am today. I can hold my head high, and say" I am proud of the person I have become, and I owe it,for the most part, to my Mother."I love you,Mom!

New Love at 64

I love flowers, and anyone who knows me, knows that,but here lately, I find myself loving roses,more and more. I don't have the best of luck with them, and I think the main reason for that is:I don't give them the attention they need. The newer roses are suppose to be blight resistant and more care free than the older varieties, but even they have their problems.The weather has been a bit cooler lately, and the pests have not been so bad,YET,so I have had a fairly decent rose explosion around my yard. I don't buy that many roses. I usually get starts from other folks, and take my chances on them living.I have pretty good luck with taking cuttings and digging a shallow trench,bury my slip, and cover it well,water it, and lay a flat rock over the site,leaving only a bud exposed,and forget it. If I don't accidentally dig it up during my weeding,it usually develops into a nice new plant.

My neighbor and friend,Connie, from Granny's Sewing Room, did have a rose garden, once upon a time. I haven't visited her yard in awhile, so I'm not sure she still has it. She is so busy sewing and remodeling her home, she may not have time for the roses.She is a busy lady,who also, cares for her six grandchildren on most days.

Nevertheless, I don't have a rose garden per se, but I may need to look into making myself one. Then I will be more able to care for my roses properly.
My Dad loved roses.I have one of his original roses. I think the name on it is Mr. Lincoln. It is the bright red one pictured above. Hopefully, I will work some with my roses later in the season, and fix them a nice home where they will get all the loving care they need. I hope to have more pictures then.

Does Anybody Really Know.....

What causes Alzheimer's? Or Dementia? Or Senility?Are they the same or different things?How does a doctor tell if  one or the other is truly present in a person? Is there medication that will help,at least, to a point?  Are they reversible to any degree? Are they caused by something we are eating? Or not eating? Something we're drinking? Or breathing?

Dealing with a person with either of these illnesses is a nightmare.It's like trying to deal with a two year old. No matter how much you explain anything to them, you turn your back, and it's out the window.Their sense of reasoning in many cases has vanished. Their imagination works overtime.Their fears and doubts multiply.Their trust in anything or anyone diminishes.Their ability to use many things they have used in the past vanishes. Their loose their ability to keep track of things like glasses, teeth, watch, cane,etc.Not to mention all the other minor things one normally uses throughout the day.They repeat themselves over and over,telling or asking you the same things, in a matter of minutes.They forget who gave them what, or who came yesterday or today.They can't keep track of the day of the week. If they have napped,they don't know if they have woke up in the same day,or if it's the next day. They panic about failing to take their medication,even if they've taken it a hour or two ago.They can't remember if they have eaten or not.They cry at the drop of a hat, over any number of issues.  And then they have minutes of clarity where they hate loosing their abilities to take care of themselves.They appreciate what we are trying to do to make things better,and they hate being a burden to everyone.Then there are moments when the world seems to be against them. Fighting them at every turn,trying to take everything away from them.Then they'll cry some more.

It's all new to most of my family. Dad died with Cancer, and that was a horrible,horrible experience. Watching him gradually die over a period of a few months. The type of care he needed toward the end was similar, but nothing like we are dealing with in Mom's case now. Their two cases, are both similar, in that they can drain the life out of the caregivers, while they are trying to figure out what's best,what will work, and what will not, to make things better,as we go along. It gets very frustrating on both sides.The caregivers,not sure what we need to be doing, and Mom,not understanding what and why all this is happening to her. It's a horrible thing to have to go through, but more and more folks are dealing with the very same or a similar scenario.Hopefully,we'll get through it, with the help of the family, Mom's church friends, and her neighbors.It seems there are a lot more caring people in the world, than we realize at times,who are ready, willing and able to pitch in and help where they can.Like many other tragic happenings in our lives,we will get through it with the help of friends,family, and The Lord.

There is Euphoria....and without any pills of any kind.

What brings out "The Best You"? Do you have those days when you feel great, but you just can't pin point the reason?There must be something going on in your life or in your immediate surroundings that triggers this state of euphoria you are feeling.I tried to investigate,in my case today, what it might be. Let me see.

(1) I took a bath with Terry's good smelling soap.I should learn which fragrance, but I had a few small pieces and I put them all together in a wash mitt.(That could be the key.)

(2) I washed and styled my hair,which is rare.I usually let it go al a natural.(But I do feel better when I fix it nice.)

(3) I dressed in red, which I hardly ever do.(Certain colors do get one motivated.)

(4) I'm playing some of my favorite music while I work.

(That definitely gets my blood a pumping.)

(5) I made the rounds, feeding the chickens, picking up bits and pieces around the yard,that didn't belong.(Fresh air does wonders.)

(6) The temperature and humidity outside is ideal.

(I am convinced that plays a big part in how I feel.)

(7) The yard is all mowed and looks real nice. No worries about mowing just now.

(8) I cooked salmon cakes for our midday snack. They are simple,nutritious,and oh,so good.No bread needed.Now worries about cooking for several more hours.

(9) I made the beds,which I don't always do.Pop says no one sees them but us(most usually).So we won't fret if I don't make them on a daily basis,but let's not tell Mom.

(10) I've had a little more time to do a little sorting of my craft supplies and I even worked on a few projects without worrying about what I should be doing instead.

Now, amidst all of these variables,why do YOU think I am having such a super great day?Any ideas or thoughts?

When the Cat's Away.....

the mice will play.

When Pop's away, I tend to get involved in a project I have wanted to get done, but just couldn't get to. I do have a lot of my Mother's genes, and she has built and/or moved entire walls in the various houses where they have lived, but I don't go to that extreme.This project was a simple one that involved only wallpaper. I wonder if he'll even notice that it looks any different. Probably not.

It wasn't a major task, but the counter tops look so drab, I thought it might perk them up a bit. The color of the counter tops was not the color of my choosing, but we got our cabinet through Pop's ex-boss from the cabinet factory where he worked for twenty years, and of course, he got us a real deal, so when his wife got the colors confused for the counter tops,what could we say. They offered to make it right, but that would have cost them $500. out of their pocket, so we decided to live with it.

Now, I have gottem myself in the mood to paint. Hmmm!What color shall I paint the rest of the Big Room? I'll need to study on that a bit.

Poor People Have Poor Ways....

my fabric mats of all kinds

Yes!Another one of Pop's sayings.

As I awoke, early this morning, as I do on many mornings, I was thinking of a project I wanted to undertake today or one day soon.I do that a lot. I get so excited about a thought that comes into my head at 2,3 or 4 a.m. in the morning, I want to jump right up and get to it. Sometimes I do, and then sometimes I talk myself out of it, for at least another hour or two,but usually, if I don't jump up and get to it right then, the thought will fade and I'll push it aside for another day.Usually, at that time of the morning, it has to be a quiet project, so as not to awaken Pop.That alone, narrows the possibilities as to the task I can undertake. No power tools at that time of the morning.That leaves painting, sewing,decoupage,working with paper projects,etc.There are so many possibilities,but I have to be in the mood for any given project.

The project I was thinking of doing is what prompted me to use the title I have used, and to change the first song or two, on my play list.

Growing up in a large farm family, we had little money to spend on luxuries.And by luxuries, I mean anything that was not useful in some manner. If we ran out of anything, and we could substitute something else,in any way, shape, or form,we did. I suppose a lot of families did much of that,too.Thus the phrase:Use it up.wear it out,make it do,do without.
So many folks are using that slogan nowadays,but back when I was younger, it was a true way of life.

As I was researching the Use it up saying,I found a blog by that very name.Use it up,Wear it out,Make it do,Do Without. I may add it to my list of following, just to see how they are doing things today.

The project in my head this morning involved tea towels.Neither my Mother nor I, have every wasted very much money on pretty tea towels.however, I have,on occasion, picked up a nice new pretty set for a special function, such as a holiday, but those cases are rare. For the most part, I use whatever old rag that is available,usually a worn out garment. Sometimes it turns out to be not so absorbent and doesn't work well for a tea towel.Those particular towels are the subject in my post today.I have a few pretty fabric towels which I have made just because the fabric was pretty,but found out later, it was not a good fabric for drying dishes.Those are the towels I woke up this morning,thinking about. I like to make what I call mug rugs. You know when you are drinking coffee,tea,hot chocolate,etc., and you hate the sound of the mug hitting the table, especially if others are still sleeping.Or maybe you are drinking iced tea or cola, and the glass is sweating, leaving a puddle every time you set it down.Those are some of the times I like to use my mug rugs.Then there are some who use them for holding their snack, so as not to dirty up more dishes.  They can be used as hot pads to set under hot bowls when placing them on the table.Or a hot pad to retrieve a hot pan of cookies from the oven. They are so useful in so many ways.I especially enjoy making the little mug rugs, because I am trying to narrow down my tea towel supply.I choose the towels that are not so pretty any longer, and incorporate them in my new pads, for batting.Pop has a few nice blankets which he bought at the flea market for camping. They are not snugly and soft,and do not lie down against your body to keep you nice and warm, so I would love to use them for my batting, but Pop has laid down the law.Do not use HIS blankets for crafting purposes of any kind. He knows I have done that in the past.No matter. The way I am going about making my little mug rugs is working just fine.It is a peaceful,calming project which I can use to calm my nerves,when necessary.I find pleasure in making them.I am not spending money on fabric or batting of any kind,and I now have lots of pretty,usable rugs,which I can use for myself, or pass along as gifts.

I'm So Embarrassed

my latest sign

my latest sign plus the two cats

Well, Vicki. I guess you didn't see my last sign. I never got back to posting it.Sorry! I have been working with those wretched computer people for several day lately, and I am still not satisfied with the final outcome. Maybe it will resolve itself soon. With the worries over Mom and her present state of mind lately, plus the computer biz, my chest feels as though it might explode. I had to spend a day mowing to relieve some of the stress.

Yes, I'm embarrassed, but it's my house and like Pop always says,"If someone comes to our home and don't like the way we live, and we owe them, we will pay them and they can go home."I think that's a little harsh, but we love our pets, and we hardly ever use the dining room table, so we don't care if the cats choose to sleep there.

I wanted to show off my new sign.I love the white signs best, and the pink roses are also a favorite of mine.So I have put the two together in a few cases and like the finished product. I hope to make many more similar sign during the up-coming, long hot days of Summer.

"Never Judge a Man......

...until you've walked a mile in his shoes." I think that's the phrase,anyway. This phrase came to my mind when I think of all the negative comments directed toward Birdwatching. If you have never done it,don't judge. I was never what you would call an avid birdwatcher, but since I have retired and have more time for such things, I am now a Birdwatcher.I have Purple Martins,Bluebirds,Chickadees,Sparrows,Robins,Goldfinches,Cardinals,
Blue jays,House Wrens,Mockingbirds,Red Headed Woodpeckers,and then there's the dreaded Starling.(and probably others I have not yet learned to identify)

I have a few young Martins who do not follow the ways of the older ones.I read about their habits, and these young ones,in many cases, definitely do not conform.The younger generation seems to want to do their own thing.Who would have dreamed of such a thing.

This is a small bird house which was originally hanging on my porch for the Bluebirds and House Wrens.Well, guess who took up with the little house. Yes, one of the young Martins.It didn't take Lucky long to learn of it's presence. He was trying to catch the bird for his lunch.I had to move the little house away from the porch,yet close enough,to where the Martins could find it and continue on with their nesting process.With the help of the old CB antenna and a roll of grass string, I was able to get it up and away from Lucky's reach,but close enough for the birds to find it and continue on,as they did. This morning we saw one of the young Martins swoop down and pick up a bit of a turkey feather which Lily had destroyed in her play. It was rather large, but the bird managed to get it into the birdhouse to line her nest for the young ones, soon to be arriving.I have an old feather mattress which I need to discard, but haven't found the heart, so I opened it and brought out a handful of goose down feathers, spread them on the yard, and watched as the young birds swooped down continuously, to gather them up.

Martins hardly ever lite on the ground, so this bird is in flight and hardly visible, but to the right of the feathers, you can get a glimpse of it, swooping up another feather.Now if this isn't fascinating to watch, what is. That's why I say,"If you haven't watched birds,don't criticize others who do."

To Grandmother's House We Go

Even if it's only in our minds.It's hard to see in the picture, and I'm sure Grandma and Granddaddy lived in many other houses in their lifetime, but the little four room house is the only house us kids remember as their home.It was very small, but always spic and span clean and fresh. Many of the memories of their home was of the windows and doors always being opened, throughout the house, the white curtains blowing in the breeze. It seemed there was always a breeze blowing through the little house. They had lots of trees in the yard. That was probably part of the reason,but then again, kids can find someplace to hang out where it's cool most anytime, whereas grownups would just have to endure it and go on with life.Especially since air conditioning was out of the question back then.

And then there was the smell of Cashmere Soap throughout the house.Grandma had a little granite top table that sat just inside the back door, which held the granite drinking water bucket and dipper,the granite wash pan for dirty hands, and the dish for the soap.The old pump,which us kids got such pleasure from using,was just outside the door,off the edge of the porch.On the wall, above the table, was a small medicine cabinet, where I remember one of my Uncles washing up and splashing on lots of the good smelling stuff he always wore when he cleaned up to go anywhere.Funny how you remember certain things.

A lot of the things I keep around me today, are because I remember Grandma having similar things in her house.She didn't have room for too many collectibles, but she had a few.I remember a little glass rectangular bowl with a lid in which she kept those soft peppermint sticks.I have a bowl like that,tucked away somewhere, because of that memory.I try to keep candy sitting around in pretty containers just because Grandma did, but I have been blessed with two grandchildren who are very picky about what kind of candy they will eat,whereas,we, myself and my brothers and sisters, got so little candy,we loved any kind.I remember her always wearing an apron. I don't, but I like to keep one hanging there to remember her doing so.She had lots of doilies. I guess that's where I got my love for them.And plants.Grandma loved her flowers,as do I.She always kept her teaspoons in a little cup in the cupboard. She must have had a lot of coffee drinkers, like I do at my house. That'll cause you to think of short cuts for everything.Oh, yes.I don't want to forget the smell of tea brewing on the stove, in that tiny granite pan,that was only used for that purpose. She said aluminum would make it bitter.And then there was the smell of the old meat house where they would keep their ham and bacon slabs while they were curing, and lots of jars of apples kept in sulphur water.It is really hard to imagine there could be so many memories from such a small place.It's so small, and changed today, you can hardly believe all went on there that did.

These are just a few of my memories, but I am sure I will be reliving many more as I document my Journey.

This is for Leontien

Leontien, I am not that computer savvy, so I hope you will understand why I was not able to post my flowers and hugs in the proper manner.I hope you enjoy some of my flowers I am sending to you in this way.

These are just a few of the flowers from my garden. I hope you enjoy them.

Tea Anyone?

tea cup and saucer

I decided to crochet a few more of the little friendship baskets, but after I finished the first part of the first basket, dipped it in fabric stiffener, and let it dry, I decided I might attempt a cup and saucer. I have seen all kinds of different things crocheted,and starched stiff, but had never tried any of them myself. As a matter of fact, I have found a precious little crocheted Teddy Bear, that I hope to tackle one day,but today, I will settle for the tea cup set.This is my first one, but I hope to make several more sets in various colors.I remember my Grandmother making doilies for folks and starching them stiff, and I also, remember her words to me."If you ever learn to make these things for others,I will come back and haunt you." it seems after  their doilies were soiled, they would wash them, then bring them back to Grandma for her to stiffen them once again.These doilies were the kind with the many, many ruffles.Grandma would wrestle with those things, trying to get the ruffles to stand up,just right, in order for them to stiffen that way. To the best of my memory, I think she used clothes pins to prop the ruffles up and open in the position she wanted them to be, and she used sugar water to make them stiff. I don't think they had the stiffeners we use today.I have no plan of going that far with these little sets.If I make very many, I may include a note with my tea cup sets, with "Do it yourself"instructions on how to clean and restiffen them.

Tin Cans

tin cans

Pop was born in 1938 and although I have known many folks in my lifetime, who were born before that, I have had more opportunities to listen to his many stories of "how it was back then".One story he tells is how he was a grown boy, before he ever knew his grandparents to bring store bought cans of foods into their home.Ninety five percent of what they ate, was raised right there on the farm. If it wasn't, they just didn't eat it.

That concept is hard to imagine,even for me, and I was born ten years later. With nine kids to feed,Mom did can every morsel she could get her hands on, but you knew by the Bob White syrup jars, that we had eaten a lot of store bought syrup over the years.I think the peanut butter came in a bucket, or we would have used a lot of their containers for preserving foods,too.Every nook and cranny in the old farm house was filled with boxes of canned goods.Mostly, I remember pumpkin,squash,green beans,tomatoes, apples,and pickles.And possibly,some kraut.We did buy some things in tin cans, but not a lot.
Nowadays, cans of foods,from the grocery store, is the norm, for many folks.It is much easier to open a few tin cans than to raise a garden each year, but then there are many folks who don't have the luxury of having a place to grow a garden.Then there's the price of fresh produce which is outrageous at the groceries or markets.I suppose there are many other reasons why folks buy their foods in tins cans today.

As for myself, I do buy more foods in cans than I like to admit.I don't worry so much about filling up the landfills with my garbage,because I do recycle ninety percent of the packaging that comes through my door. But there are other things that should concern us more, when it comes to eating foods from the grocery stores. that are packaged in cans.Truthfully, we should be more concerned about any prepackaged foods that are coming in our homes.

But even though I feel this way, I do use foods canned in tin cans, as well as in other type containers, but I like to utilize the container whenever possible.We use coffee that comes in half gallon plastic resealable containers, and they can be found all around our property. They are so handy for so many purposes.I don't like to buy foods in jars that do not use a regular size canning rim and lid, although I, too, am guilty of doing that on occasion.I have a friend who buys a lot of those pricey sauces that use regular rims and lids, and she saves them for me. They are a good size for us to can our vegetables in for a family of two.The recycling place I use, has stopped taking glass, so I will need to be more selective from now on, as to the kind of glass containers that I bring into the house.

My topic today is on tin cans because I have been incorporating my love for fabric, and my desire to make something simple,but pretty and useful.Thus, I have been decoupaging a few cans with my pretty remnants of fabric.I am enjoying this project to no end,and it is a very calming activity. I can sit with Pop after dinner,while we watch his Western Movies, and cover a can a night. I have high hopes of making many more pretty covered cans for use as catch alls or pencil holders,etc. Who knows. Some may even end up in my little gift bags.

My Trip to Kentucky Motor Speedway

http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com/newsline/news.aspx?newsID=1076

Pop and his eldest daughter,Rhonda, are really big fans of Nascar Racing.Pop was a race car driver when he was young, around the time Rhonda was born.She grew up with her Dad going to and from every racetrack possible,no matter how far away they might be.She has it in her blood now,as bad as her father. Rhonda is presently unemployed,mostly by choice,with the exception of a few days of substitute teaching now and then.That makes it possible for Pop and her to spend a little more time together.I never go with them on the race trips, but Rhonda's husband has taken up quite a bit of interest in it, so he goes with them nowadays.He really gets into the camping part of the trips, I think, more than the race itself. He is a heating and cooling man, so he is as handy as a pocket on a shirt,in that department. He has all of the knowledge and equipment needed to construct anything they could possibly need to make camping more enjoyable,and he does a great job of that.He has constructed an oven to bake whatever needed for the meals while on their camping trips.He contructed Rhonda her own private porta-potty.He rigged up air conditioning for her tent.I don't think there is much they could possibly need, that he couldn't come up with.He is a genius when it comes to finding something to meet their needs under most circumstances.

Well, today,Rhonda's husband,Marc, had a Marathon to run in Louisville,Kentucky, so he was not able to make the trip to Kentucky Motor Speedway with them. Guess who got to take his place. Right! Lucky Me!
As I said, I am not into the racing thing. I'd rather been at home in the yard working with my flowers,but being the good wife that I am, I went along. It was a cold windy day today, so we shivered the entire time we were there,but I got to see a lot of what they normally see when they are there.With the exception of the ten thousand people.They said that alone was a sight to behold.Today was Ford Fan Day.We got to see some of the new Fords and lots of the past Ford models. It was interesting,even though it wasn't exactly my 'cup of tea'.After the tour of the Speedway, they drove around the country,showing me the campsite where they had camped out, and the surrounding sites. One place of interest,close by, was the Belterra Casino Resort.Since we were site seeing, they thought that would be a great place to show me. I have no plans of ever attending, but it was a fascinating place to see, even though we only drove past the place.

http://www.h-rzn.com/a225784/index.htm

All in all, it was an interesting day,although a bit tiring for two older folks like ourselves. I think even Rhonda was glad to get back home.

My Little Gardens

It seems my little make shift gardens are paying off. Pop thinks I'm foolish for wanting my little containers all around the yard,filled with potting soil and such, when we live on 20 acres (now).We originally had 5 acres, for 30 plus years.He sees no sense in having a garden other than in the ground. As we all know(well,maybe not Pop)things change. The seasons, the climate,etc. Things that we have no control over.When my little gardens need water, I can water them without stressing the well,during dry times.No wasted run off.When they need nutrition, I can give them a few handfuls of compost.If they need harvesting, I can harvest the produce without breaking my back.There are so many advantages to having raised beds, regardless of what form they may take.Maybe these nice veggies will help him to change his mind a bit, when we have them with our evening meal of brown beans and cornbread.

My Bowl of Cherries

"If life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing in the pits?"
by Erma Bombeck

           I thought I'd do a little research on A Bowl of Cherries, since I have been making these for awhile, but had no hard fast plan for using them.I had heard a phrase using "a bowl of cherries" but could not recall it today. Well, as you can see, it was Erma Bombeck. I may even have her book, but doubt that I have ever read it.

Lately, I have found that I love working with wax. Not so much in making candle, but in making faux food items.I am so pleased with these pretty cherries, but what I will do with them is still a mystery to me.I think  the cherries have peaked my desire to make other things. I can hardly wait to see what all I can make using wax. I have already made a few faux cookies, candies, and baked goods.Now I am into fruit. I will work with that idea for awhile and see what develops.Making the common candle doesn't interest me that much,but this project could have many possibilities.

Planning a New Day

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
E. B. White

Just another verse that caught my eye,while working with my quotes today.It's still really cold outside, so I decided to take advantage of it, and plan my day around the weather.I will simply work on some small projects indoors. I pulled out a few, but could not settle in on which to do first.I am still accumulating the many ideas for filling my little gift bags. I am trying to stay the course on that plan.That in itself is a real feat for me.I spent a small portion of the day, typing up more of the little quotes.

 I used a similar idea, back a few years ago when I was crocheting my tiny little baskets. They were in white thread, with a pink ribbon laced through the handle,a tiny pink rose glued to the side, and a friendship related verse,typed and matted, and tied to the handle.Not being a salesperson, I ended up giving them all away to friends. This little sample made it through the house fire of 07, so it's not in the greatest shape, but you can see how I used the quotes here.The quotes I am making at present, can be used in any similar manner.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
That was Sunday, so today I have started on a few different projects. I have so many.The one project I hope  to complete soon is a face board for my bathroom shelves.I like the open shelf, but it makes the bathroom look so cluttered with all of the bottles of cleaners,etc. exposed.I added the little white shelf this past year and it was a welcome addition. More usable storage space.
Now I want to enclose it some how.by myself,of course,something simple and pretty.I was working on a wall hanging sign here lately, and that gave me a idea for the door for the shelf.The letters on the sign were done freehand, so they are not as straight as my next one will be,I hope, but I love the finished project.That's how I'd like to fix my door for my shelf.We'll see how that idea turns out in a day or two.

Which one are you?

"Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."

This passage came to me in an email this morning, and I felt it would fit nicely in my post for today.

I jump out of bed most mornings, before Pop , but feel I must be as quiet as humanly possible, as not to awaken him. I usually occupy myself with small projects during that time.That is never hard for me to do. There are so many things I love to do,I awaken daily with something on my mind that I am eager to get started. I'll tend to push small projects aside, thinking I don't have time for that tiny, sit down project right then.I'll do it later.I have always thought it might be my nerves that won't allow me to sit and do these small projects, only when I am forced to sit quietly.Like in this case or waiting in a doctor's office,or in a restaurant,etc. I can't sit idle.I feel I must be moving at all times.Well, most of the time. There are a few times when,I am comfortable, just sitting and doing nothing,but those moments are few.I notice the quiet,at ease moments in my life come more when I am with my immediate family,namely my Mother and my sisters,but even then,at times,I have trouble relaxing.Go figure!

The two little projects, pictured above,kept me occupied this morning. I hate to discard anything. I found a small piece of patchwork fabric someone had assembled,most likely in a bag of scraps,donated by friends or family, that I dearly love.It caught my eye immediately. The colors especially. The color of anything,will get my attention quickly.This little piece of patchwork was so pretty, I wanted to make something useful with it.You know me.It has to be useful. I had a small pin cushion heart that I made years ago,from someone's dear departed Grandmother's old quilt, that I dearly love, so that's what I decided to make with this piece of patchwork.I had enough for four little hearts. I can hardly wait to get them finished. I hope they please me as much as the patchwork piece of fabric and the original pin cushion.The other quiet time project was cutting strips of an old tee shirt for rug making or hot pads.I have so many clothes, I have been trying desperately to thin things down, and since this tee was not good enough to pass along to the church closet, what better plan to use it up. Pop would have used it as a grease rag, but even that pains me to see him use good fabric for such.He has friends who bring him plenty of rags for that purpose.

I will most likely be spending my day indoors, crafting, since we had an all night,desperately needed slow rain shower.This type of rain shower was truly a blessing. Crops and all were getting really dry,especially for this time of the season,and hopefully, my two newly planted Dogwood trees will surely survive now.

 Have a good day!

Dealing with an aging parent

More and more of my generation are facing the dilemma of dealing with an aging parent.Raising children has to be one of the hardest, if not THE hardest job, a person ever faces.It's a responsibility that shows up in horrific ways, if not done correctly. And who is to say what is correct. There are no manuals,at least none that are turning out to be the right way of raising young.Dr. Spock tried, only to be proven,by many, that his theory was all wrong.No two people are alike,so the same methods of teaching and rearing children may not work in every case.Parents are usually left on their own,when it comes to raising their young.Trial and error, so to speak, in most cases.Some folks are fortunate to raise their children with no problems, and them some of the best seeming parents end up with rebellious out-of-control children, who are not able to blend in and contribute to society in a normal manner.Then who's to blame.The parents for using, what they thought, was the best method of raising children,at the time, or the child who has to deal with the conglomerate of genes that are handed down to them from generations past.A parent must simply do the best they can with the tools and knowledge available to them,at the moment they are confronted with each and every dilemma that arises.

Well, that is what folks of my generation are dealing with now, when it comes to dealing with an aging parent. The problems that arise from day to day, with our parents, are many.No single remedy will work for every case.Parents come with all types of personalities,as do children. What may work for yours, may not work at all for mine.Ideas and notions that have been embedded in their brains and way of thinking for umpteen years are hard to change.And then again, the reasoning powers of the aging person, seems to diminish more quickly than most bodily functions.It's like trying to teach a stubborn,rebellious child,all over again. It is a constant struggle. You feel you know what is best for them at any given moment, but with their failing sense of reasoning, they feel they know best,and are just cognitive enough to know that,THEY ARE STILL THE PARENT, and they don't fail to remind you at every turn.

Whether our parents be in a group home or their own home, it takes a lot of rearranging of the lives of our generation, to care for them.We must do, what we must do, to care for them in their hour of need.As they decline,they will gradually loose the ability to live alone, but until that time, we must do all we can to keep their world, as normal as humanly possible.
Keep them as comfortable as possible.
Keep their daily routine as constant as possible.
Keep a close check on their ability to take their medicines properly.
Keep a close check on their bills and finances, as possible.That in itself, is a real task. They are usually just cognitive enough to know, they don't want you messing with their finances.
Keep check on their meals. In most cases, they forget how to prepare their meals.
Keep close touch with them by phone,if not by visiting.
In many cases, their hearing and eyesight are diminished greatly, making it hard to carry on in a normal manner.
The day will come when they are not able to live alone,so we MUST be prepared to accept that fact.No matter how hard that will be for some. A super head strong parent like my Mother,will make life a living Hell for all who are trying to help, but we must be strong and prepared for the inevitable.It is near.

Labor Free Compost

Ten years or so ago, I invested in one of those pricey compost tumblers similar to the one in the link below.
http://www.compostbins.com/compost-tumblers/compost-tumblers/compostumbler2composttumbler.cfm

My Dad was still living at the time, so I had him to help me assemble the monstrosity, since it came unassembled in a huge box.It was not really complicated to assemble, but since Dad was into gardening, too, I knew he would be as fascinated by the project, as I was.Gardeners love compost.Now, looking back, it was more or less something a city gardener would use, more than a country gardener.I am a country gardener.Had Dad lived, it would have been an ideal project for him to work with, living in town and all.He could have put his grass clippings and such in the tumbler along with house refuse and a few other additives, and had a great supply of compost, with only a few minutes of manual turning of the handle each day. Knowing Dad, he would have rigged up a motor for the tumbler.He was into mechanics and motors and such.Dad passed away shortly after we assembled the bin, and I carried it home with me, to have it sit idle,for the most part, for the next ten  years.It was in the dry,for most of the time, so it is still in perfect condition today, especially since I realized, it was much easier and more proctical to let my chickens make my compost for me.

my multi-tasking chickens

We have roughly twenty five chickens, and normally, they are in a totally enclosed pen, to protect them from wild animals.They don't lay as well, when kept up in a pen, but in order to have a garden and flowers, as we do, it's a must.This year,we have been letting them run free,for a spell. We have not put our garden in,as of yet, since the bulldozers working on the new property, have things in a bit of disaray in the garden area.The chickens are having a wonderful time foraging on grass and bugs (and ticks,we think).The tick population has been minimal so far this Spring, and Pop and I,both,normally find several on ourselves at the end of each day.Only one of the drawbacks of the country life.Since the chickens have been running free, we have found hardly any ticks at all, on our bodies.

When the chickens are in their usual pen, we feed them grass clippings from the yard, house scraps, as well as store bought feed and corn.Every now and again,I use the big tractor to dump in a huge front loader bucket full of shredded wood chips, which we get for free, from the local tree trimmers.

The drivers all know I love the chips, so when they are in this area, trimming the right away for the roads and the power lines, they bring me lots of chips. We got and over abundance of them this past years. The driver did not know the area, so it was handy just to dump them all here, rather than look for other sites to dump them. More and more folks are gardening now and using the chips, so I am really fortunate to know some of the drivers personally,and having an occasional glass of iced tea or a soda, and a sandwich ready when they stop by, never hurts, either.

After all the scratching, turning, pooping, and more scratching and turning, the finished product is ready to be used in my garden and flower beds.Now that's what I call Black gold.Jed Clampet can keep his Black Gold,I'll take mine,any day of the week.

This past weekend, I finally found a new home for the tumbler.I may have made some folks mad over giving it away to the step daughter, but after begging someone,anyone, to take it off my hands, for years, I finally found someone who actually came with a trailer and picked it up.I hope they enjoy it.It was an expensive lesson to learn,but I prefer my method of composting.

My Thought for the Day

.As I was working with my little tags early this morning, while waiting for Pop to awaken,this one little line struck a chord with me.I get a lot of flack over what I do, but I am not going to get discouraged.I love doing what I do, and it gives me peace and contentment. I love to recycle everything.Most things can be used for another purpose. As I was working with my little tags, I pulled out the garbage can,only to find a sugar bag I had tossed away yesterday,inadvertently. It was lined with brown paper which I use a lot of, and I usually save that,too, but I had accidentally tossed it in the trash

I pulled it out, ironed it, and proceeded to make more little tags.

These little tags can be used on varoius gifts.Whether it be a candle, a bar of soap, a jar of jelly,a gift bag,a plate of cookies,etc.Just a simple little verse to help brighten someone's day.They are so much fun to make and cost nothing at all.

My family all know the things I use, and they all save me lots of usable items to add to my crafting supplies.

The twine was a gift from my sister,Vicki. Thanks,Vicki.While visiting my neice this past week, I picked up a few of the tiny pine cones from her yard. I usually end up buying these same cones for my crafts, but she had oodles in her yard.Thanks, Beverly.

P.S. Beverly , Thanks to you and your husband's family for the wonderful time we had while visiting your home and town.We enjoyed our trip and will surely be visiting again. 

more little tags

What a Catch!

Pop and two of his first cousins get together every now and then to stock up on our fish supply. This one trip should do us all year. Pop guesstimates they caught around 30 fish. Mostly Catfish,and a few crappie.Many of the catfish were pretty much, the size of the one pictured above.Pop does a decent job of cleaning the fish, but he doesn't claim to know what he's doing,and I know even less,but between us both, we got them cleaned and ready for the freezer.

I have a first cousin who lives in Alaska, and when they fish, they really fish. From what I understand,when the time is right for the fish to bite, they set up camp out by the fishing hole, where they catch, clean, and can the fish right there on the spot.They catch enough for the year and they are done.I guess if fish were my main source of protein and we had no other choices, I would do it, but cleaning fish is not high on my list of Things I enjoy.

Pop is so proud of his catch, I wouldn't dare let him know my fish of choice is from Long John Silvers or Captain D's.

The Curse On Women

Did you ever hear of a man being awakened out of a sound sleep with the nagging thoughts of what all he needs to get accomplished in the upcoming day? No? I didn't think so. I awoke this morning thinking of buying myself a new carpet shampooing machine. Mom owns one, and the entire family has used it for years, rather than rent one of those monstrous things,only to find it is nasty,filthy, dirty, leaky, and just plain worn out,from the abuse from so many previous careless renters.Then you have to rush at break neck speed to get your rugs shampooed and get the monster back before the deadline is up. Oh yes, and don't forget. You need to clean the nasty machine,to the best of your abilities, even though hundreds of previous users, did not.No wonder, folks would rather call Carpet Cleaners of America, or what ever they call them selves, to come in and do the cleaning for you. But with all the widespread corruption going on in the world, you need to do a background check on all of their employees, before allowing them to enter your home. You can't be too careful these days.The most unsuspected folks will steal you blind, with you right there in their presence.

I'm convinced! I think I'll rush out and get myself a new shampoo machine as soon as the day breaks.

But then, the dirty rugs are not the only thing that awakened me this morning.

Pop and his cousins went fishing yesterday, and brought home a boat load of fish, and will be going back this morning, to most likely, pick up the trout-lines, and another boat load of fish.I don't even know how to clean fish and don't care to learn, but we both had to pitch in yesterday, in order to get them all cleaned,only to go through the entire messy project again today.Then there's the job of bagging them up for the freezer. I'll bet you can guess who'll get that job. Pop's new found friends are down from Louisville, and when they come down to their farm, they need Pop there to entertain them.I guess it could be worse. They could all congregate here,which they do quite often.Pop stops everything to sit and entertain them, but I know better. I continue on with my work.Someone has to keep the place together.Most times it's only men, but then occasionally, they bring their girl friends and/or their wives, who definitely are not into the things I do. In most cases, they carry their drink of choice with them, so I know right off the bat, I need to keep myself busy and out of the area.

I can sympathize with Priscilla Presley more and more every day.It is sheer hell, at times,being married to a celebrity.

The list of chores that awakened me this morning goes on and on, but you get the picture.Not only this morning,but many mornings I am awakened with thoughts of the many thing that I need to get done.My yard work,which takes precedence nowadays, is no where near done, but I keep chipping away at it every waking minute,as the weather and temperature allows.

Is it just me. or do other women see this as part of the curse on the woman?

(As I proofread my post this morning, I started to delete it. I hate for my blogger friends to learn how frustrated I get at times, but then I decided to go ahead and get it off my chest.Post it!What the heck. It's therapeutic,you know!)

A Quick Trip to the Smokies

Sorry, but I failed to bring the camera. We had a lovely time in the Smokies when we delivered my sister,Vicki, back to her daughter's home, in Canton, North Carolina. I had never spent any great length of time in the Smokies. Only once,when I was still working, maybe, for a quick vacation, but I was always so stressed out from work, I could not enjoy my trip.This trip was a little different. Still rushed, but more relaxing. No more job to hurry back home to.The mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina are a sight to behold.The weather was excellent.Even Lillie had a peaceful trip. She slept most of the way,both going and coming home.Not all dogs like to ride in a vehicle,but she does.She sleeps like a baby.I can't even do that in a moving vehicle.I feel I must watch the road. It takes all eyes on the road anyway, going through that dreaded GORGE.I had always heard Pop speak of the gorge,which he had traveled several times with his brother who drove a big truck, hauling tobacco to that area,but even Pop's flamboyant stories,could not depict it as bad as it was.The road was very narrow and the big trucks were many.They had to stay in the right lane the entire way through the gorge,and I feel that was a good thing.Cars could get out of their way much better.There is nothing worse, in my opinion, than traffic moving at 80 miles an hour through an already dangerous stretch of the road.I know the truckers were upset at having to go much slower, and stay in the left lane, but I feel it made it much safer for us all. I awoke the next morning, dreading the trip back through the gorge, but all went well. Pop drove a little slower than he really wanted to, but I was more at ease because of it.

Vicki's daughter,Beverly, and her husband,Lynn,and his family, helped to make our trip to their town very enjoyable.We will definitely consider going back once again.We stayed one night in Lynn's family's cabin which was beautiful.The Pigeon River runs through the back yard.Both the sounds of rushing water and the lovely cabin,made for a heavenly vacation experience. If only we could have stayed longer.

Beverly,Vicki and I made a few stops in town.One stop was at Beverly's booth.Vicki is as excited about the booth as is Beverly. I hope they have lots of sales this tourist season.Vicki bought me a few nice Thank You gifts while we were out shopping.We are all very frugal shoppers. One of the things I got was the lovely piece of fabric, shown above,for 69 cents. I could not wait to get home and make something pretty from it. I am in the process of making 4 place mats for my small table and the little box is to hold whatever, and I have only used half the piece of fabric.I love the color and design in the fabric.I found the cranberry cup,to hold my teabags, and yes,Vicki, I found a cranberry colored box to hold my recycled paper towels.Now if I can get lucky enough to find more recycled towels for 50 cents a bundle.

Gift bags

I delivered my first gift bag to my Mother. She likes pretty things and us girls try to take her pretty things as often as we can.Her memory is failing badly, but she still enjoys the gifts even though she can never remember who brought them.As soon as I delivered the dessert tray and explained that it was not edible, she wanted to hang it on the wall for all to see.I can't see how that would possibly work.Common sense tells me that hot glue just would never work on wax,but knowing Mom, she will find a way to get it done.

Nevertheless, today, I worked on a new addition to my dessert tray. Chocolate covered wafers.I have accumulated several cardboard pieces,which I cut for use in my crafts. Not really having a plan in mind. When I started thinking of something to do with them, I thought of my dessert tray and how I could use them on that. I decided to glue 3  pieces together, then dipped them in brown wax to make chocolate covered wafers.They look so real, I caught myself almost wanting to eat one. I do love the real chocolate covered wafers. I hope this dish will be as pretty as the first, when it's all bagged up.

Envy Your Friends No More

Have you ever wished you could make all of those beautiful bon bons,chocolate covered cherries, petit fours,etc. that your friends make to bring to festive gatherings?Well, wish no more. I have figured out a way to impress your friends, if only through a picture or email.Just make sure they don't get the opportunity to bite into one.I have made mine from wood,foam rubber and black gum balls,and wax,which may not be so tasty.

I purchased myself a candle warmer, which was on sale for half price, in hopes of melting down my many candles and wax scraps, in order to sweeten up the smell in the house, as well as to make new scented candles.After melting the wax, I thought of several things I wanted to try with the melted wax. This was one of the ideas.I plan on experimenting more with the wax color and scent in order to make other things. My sister,Vicki, dipped pine cones in wax, for fire starters, one year, and I got the basket of pine cones as one of my gifts in our Red Neck Christmas. I love the scent they give off, but would not dare use them for fire starters. They are way too pretty. I have lots of pine cones now that we have purchased a small scope of woods, so that may be my next project,but not today. I have too many other irons in the fire.I can hear the flower beds are calling my name as we speak.

Self Confidence

There are many days that I feel I lack self confidence, but this week was definitely one of the worst.Pop had mentioned a thousand times since we were married,33 years ago,that we might possibly get a zero turn mower. I do 95 per cent of the mowing,and most of the time, I love mowing, but as I get older, I want to spend more time doing other things. so I was extremely ecstatic when he finally brought one home.I have been fortunate in that I have driven most anything necessary to get the job at hand completed, but this one, I was not sure of. I have driven tractors, big trucks, school buses, bush buggies, four wheelers, and lawn mowers of all kinds,even a motorcycle, but this contraption is definitely different.It has no steering wheel. My dad drove bull dozers for a living, and I remember him controlling them with levers and shifts of all sorts. Well, this definitely operates just as unusual.

I hopped on, very cautiously, after a brief lesson from Pop, like he knew what he was doing.He had never driven one either, to my knowledge.Well, let me give you one hint, if you ever plan to operate one for the first time. Be on level ground with no shrubs or bushes or trees,or anything nearby, for that matter.At least until you have a few quick lessons on how to mow in a straight line.When you are so use to using a steering wheel to manuever a piece of equipment, it's definitely different to change your way of thinking quick enough to avoid a major catastrophe.

Another quick tip which I learned the hard way, is never mow on wet grass, especially if it's on a slope, without out a clearing at the bottom of the slope. This mower slides on wet grass, and I ended up in the graveled driveway below. Thank goodness the blade was not low enough to mow up the gravel. I'm sure that would not have been good on the blades.

Spring is here and the grass is growing fast so I'm sure I will get in many lessons this season. I am still working on my landscaping, trying to make it more mower friendly. The fewer things you have to mow around,the fewer chances of mishaps.