Wall Arch collapse

Wall Arch, one of the largest and most visible arches in Utah's famous Arches National Park collapsed sometime late Monday or early Tuesday (August 5, 2008). The arch is along Devils Garden Trail, one of the most popular in the park. For years, the arch has been a favorite stopping point for photographers.

The arch was claimed by forces that will eventually destroy others in the park: gravity and erosion. Arches National Park located 5 miles north of Moab, Utah preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations. In some areas, the forces of nature have exposed millions of years of geologic history.

The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures that is unlike any other in the world.

It was the first collapse major arch in the park since nearby Landscape Arch fell in 1991.
Like others, it was formed by entrada sandstone being whittled over time into its distinctive formation.

Measuring more than 33 feet (10 meters) tall and 71 feet (22 meters) across, Wall Arch ranked 12th in size among the park's estimated 2,000 arches. It was first reported and named in 1948.

Several years ago we drove to and hiked through Arches National Park and were awed by the beautiful natural formations. The many hiking trails were well maintained and, if you were able, lead you to outstanding scenic areas.

Bottled Water: Bad for the Environment

Bottled water may be convenient, but when the bottles are empty, about 75% of them never see the inside of a recycling center: they are either sent to landfills or are left behind as unclaimed trash. Even recycling has an environmental cost, as empty bottles must be shipped, shredded and re-formed into other products, all of which takes energy.

The bottled water served on restaurant tables is often shipped from overseas, and the bottles are discarded after one use. The waste and expense are enormous. For every 8 plastic bottles used, only 1 is recycled.

Come'on people, how hard is it to wash/rinse out and reuse a plastic bottle?   There is a lot of "talk" about bacteria, etc. contaminating the bottle, threatening to make you sick.  Yes, its probably possible.  But, I've been carrying around a plastic bottle in my tennis bag for over a week, rinsing it out and refilling it with water from my kitchen sink. When the cap no longer fits tightly and water leaks out, I will pitch it into our recycling bin and start using another.  I have done this for years....heaven only knows how much money I've saved and how many plastic bottles I HAVE NOT USED in that time   I have a big thermos bottle too, but the little 16 to 20 ouncers are easier to fit into my bag.

Kermit the Frog

Have you met Kermit?

Kermit the Frog is a cute little Muppet who was first introduced in 1955 and is one of puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous and beloved creations. Kermit was performed by Henson until his death in 1990.

An early version of Kermit appeared in 1955, in a 5-minute puppet show for WRC-TV's Sam and Friends. The prototype Kermit was created from a green ladies' coat that Henson's mother had thrown in the trash can, and two ping-pong balls for eyes. The early Kermit was a sort of lizard-like creature; Kermit's first appearance as a frog was in the television special "Hey Cinderella" in 1969, and he's been a frog ever since.

Kermit had his big break later in 1969 with frequent appearances on Sesame Street often as a news reporter interviewing nursery rhyme characters. One of his most memorable works was the song "Bein' Green" from this series. Closely identified with the show Sesame Street, Kermit appeared frequently enough on the show to be considered a member of the regular cast along with Big Bird.

Kermit's song "The Rainbow Connection" was also a big hit from The Muppet Movie (it is also the only movie song sung by a "frog" to be nominated for an Academy Award)

Kermit published "One Frog Can Make A Difference, Kermit's Guide to Life" in 1993. In 1996, he gave a commencement speech at Southampton College in which he emphasized his environmentalist side.

SOURCE: "The Sesame Street Book and Record".

'Green' is (c)1970 Jonico Music, Inc.

"Bein' Green"

It's not that easy being green

Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.

When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold...
Or something much more colorful like that.

It's not easy being green.

It seems you blend in with so many other ord'nary things.
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're

not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water

or stars in the sky.

But green's the color of Spring.

And green can be cool and friendly-like.

And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain,

or tall like a tree.

When green is all there is to be

It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?

Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.

Loren Greene

Loren Greene, born Lyon Chaim Green, was born in Ottawa, Ontario Canada on February 12, 1915 to Russian Jewish immigrants, Daniel and Dora Green. He began acting while attending Canada’s Queen’s University. After graduation, he worked in radio broadcasting and soon became Canada’s top newscaster.

He left Canada in the early 1950’s for a film career in Hollywood and began appearing regularly in television, films and on radio. His greatest successes came in two television series, the long-running western Bonanza and in the science fiction film and television series Battlestar Galactica and Galactica.

Set in Nevada in the 1860s, Bonanza followed the adventures of the Cartwright family. Ben Cartwright (Greene) was the wealthy owner of a large ranch called the Ponderosa. Widowed three times, Ben had a son by each of his wives; the eldest being Adam, played by Pernell Roberts, the middle son Hoss, played by Dan Blocker and the youngest son, Little Joe, played by Michael Landon. The show was an hour long western drama based on Pa Cartwright’s love for his sons and the Ponderosa ranch.

Bonanza ran for almost 14 years before being cancelled abruptly midway into the 1972-73 season.

Greene’s next role was that of Commander Adama in the television series Battlestar Galactica (1978-1979) and Galactica 1980 (1980). Again, he played a father figure.

In the 1960s, Greene capitalized on his Pa Cartwright image by recording several albums of country-western/folk songs, which Greene performed in a mixture of spoken word and singing. In 1964, he had a #1 single on the music charts with his ballad, “Ringo”.

Loren Green died of pneumonia on September 11, 1987 in Santa Monica, California at the age of 72. He was interred at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery, Culver City, California.

Photos by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.

Greenbacks

"Always try to rub against money, for if you rub against money long enough, some of it may rub off on you." (from Damon Runyon's Very Honorable Guy).


Greenbacks, dough, moolah, rhino, jack, buck, bread, c-note, dead presidents just a few names for our American dollar.

No matter what you call it, money is necessary and money is wanted. But the question is, “how do I get it”.

Lets see, you could have inherited it, i.e. Kennedy, Romney, Bush, and other billionaires in the United States. Or, you could have won the national Lottery (as opposed to that one that you keep getting emails from in Nigeria), hit the jackpot at a casino or, like Jed Clampett, be “shootin’ at some food” and strike oil.

Although we personally don’t have debt problems, we did find it necessary to refinance our home last month. Our ARM loan was growing like weeds in a garden...every month the payment was a little higher. We thought about a home equity line of credit, but since this house has little equity in it, that wasn’t an option.

Our credit is outstanding, so credit counseling wouldn’t have helped. We just needed to make some extra money!

Our first attempt, several years ago, was to join the Amway group. Unfortunately, although they have great products, most people didn’t want to pay the prices for quality products. They could "get it cheaper" at Wal-mart or Target. We didn’t make any money.

Next, I thought I’d try selling Tiara glassware, another great company. I was doing pretty well, taking the glassware to home parties, a la Tupperware, until the company went out of business. I had high hopes that we had found our "pot of gold"...

Our last endeavor was selling on EBAY….we still do that, but aren’t getting rich that way either. Ebay’s charges and fees are killing any profit that we could make. And, people are looking for bargains and unless you are offering items that are really special, unique or outrageously cheap, things don't sell.

So, I didn’t start writing this blog to make money…in fact, I didn’t know that blogs COULD make money. (and this one isn’t !!) But, I enjoy doing it, it doesn’t cost me anything, so I’ll keep on writing!

Cabela's....paradise for sportsmen

I love to fish! When I was growing up, my folks and I would make our annual pilgrimage from Nebraska to Minnesota for two weeks of fishing bliss. We stayed at resorts on Leech Lake, Woman Lake and finally Ten Mile Lake. Dad loved to fish for northern pike and I was "hooked" on casting for bass....Mom preferred to sit in the middle of the boat, secure in her life preserver jacket and troll for anything with fins.

We lived in Nebraska, not exactly a fisherman's paradise. At that time (1950) the only tackle stores in the vicinity were Sears Roebuck or Montgomery Ward. But, no more!

Cabela's has built a mega store on the outskirts of Omaha....a place of awe and wonder! Need a boat, Cabela's has it, how about a tent camper, its there. Fishing gear, guns, camping supplies you name it...you'll find it.

Any lure you can imagine has a home at Cabela's....even some that are so big you wonder what fish would even DARE to attack it. They even carry products that are considered "green"...line, weights, hooks and lures that dissolve after a period of time.
Dad and mom have been gone for many years, but whenever I enter the Cabela's store, I wonder what my Dad would think of it...no I don't have to wonder, I know....he'd be speechless.

Check out Cabela's for yourself...if you need it for outdoor fun, its probably on a shelf waiting for you!

Green with Envy

I am not a perfect person....... I know that and I regret it (but not always)

When provoked, I do have a temper, I do not clean my house on a regular basis, I do not love holidays (I tolerate them but not love them), and I am often filled with ENVY!

I am envious of people who have tons of money but didn't work to get it. Do they deserve it just because they were lucky enough to be born to rich parents? Are their genes better than mine? Why should they drive expensive cars, buy shoes that cost more than I make in a month, and spend their time at luxury resorts!  Those who feel that they deserve to live and be treated like they are better than the middle-class workers around them. 

I am envious of singers who have no talent but stand on a stage and yell out words to the beat of loud guitars and drums. Its a good day for them if they are sometimes actually on key and the words they yell are not too obnoxious for small children to hear. I envy the money that they receive and even envy the smirks on their faces, knowing they actually have no talent and those who buy their photos, disks and tickets to concerts haven't a clue.

I am envious of those semi-talented people who can write a blog about doing home repairs, dredging up old recipes or rant about how to make a million dollars by blogging.....and make a million dollars by blogging.

Why not me! Is my blog not good enough? Do I not have enough enticing ads or provocative posts.

Shades of green

When you think of GREEN what comes to mind?

A yard full of lush green grass, a handful of green dollar bills, how about a green frog named Kermit or maybe green Brussel sprouts. Green can be as big as a mountain or as small as a tiny green beetle sitting on a branch.

Green can be anything you want it to be. A Green Bay Packer, a Leprechaun straight from the Emerald Isle or a creepy crawling caterpillar all belong here... and how about beautiful green eyes...can't leave those out!

This blog isn't just about GREEN - but Green is the beginning!

Beautiful Green Ireland

Ireland, the Emerald Isle. Even the sound of it is romantic and makes me think of those Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne movies.

I'm sure that the movies made extra money just by having red-haired Maureen and her wonderful Irish brogue in them. She was born Maureen Fitzsimons in RanelaghRanelagh, County Dublin, Ireland - a true Irish lassie.

Ireland is the 3rd largest island in Europe it's surrounded by hundred of islands and islets. The two most populated cities in Ireland are Dublin in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Ireland may be a small country, but with over 200,000 Scots Irish settlers leaving the North of Ireland during the 18th Century, and mass emigration following the Great Famine of 1845, the Irish have put down roots all over the world. Over 60 million people worldwide now claim Irish ancestry.

Hosting visitors in their homes is common in Ireland......the Irish are wonderful, friendly people and this is one way to make extra money. If you are lucky enough to spend time at an Irish Bed and Breakfast, you get to know the people. What could be better than spending a week in a cottage surrounded by a beautiful, fragrant flower garden and having a cup of tea before going out to explore the countryside.

Rosewood Bed and Breakfast
located in South Kilkenny just 3 miles from the center of Waterford City.

It Don't Cost "Nuthin'" to be nice

A nice story to begin 2011....written by Larry Burton, Panama City Beach, Florida on 9/26/2008

At a Touchdown Club meeting many years before his death, Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant told the following story:

"I had just been named the new head coach at Alabama and was off in my old car down in South Alabama recruiting a prospect who was supposed to have been a pretty good player and I was havin' trouble finding the place. Getting hungry I spied an old cinder block building with a small sign out front that simply said "Restaurant."

"I pull up, go in and every head in the place turns to stare at me. Seems I'm the only white fella in the place. But the food smelled good so I skip a table and go up to a cement bar and sit. A big ole man in a tee shirt and cap comes over and says, "What do you need?" I told him I needed lunch and what did they have today? He says, "You probably won't like it here, today we're having chitlins, collared greens and black eyed peas with cornbread. I'll bet you don't even know what chitlins are, do you?" I looked him square in the eye and said, "I'm from Arkansas, I've probably eaten a mile of them. Sounds like I'm in the right place." They all smiled as he left to serve me up a big plate. When he comes back he says, "You ain't from around here then?"

"I explain I'm the new football coach up in Tuscaloosa at the University and I'm here to find whatever that boy's name was and he says, yeah I've heard of him, he's supposed to be pretty good. And he gives me directions to the school so I can meet him and his coach. As I'm paying up to leave, I remember my manners and leave a tip, not too big to be flashy, but a good one and he told me lunch was on him, but I told him for a lunch that good, I felt I should pay. The big man asked me if I had a photograph or something he could hang up to show I'd been there. I was so new that I didn't have any yet. It really wasn't that big a thing back then to be asked for, but I took a napkin and wrote his name and address on it and told him I'd get him one and shook his hand and left."

"I met the kid I was lookin' for later that afternoon and I don't remember his name, but do remember I didn't think much of him when I met him. I had wasted a day, or so I thought.
When I got back to Tuscaloosa late that night, I took that napkin from my shirt pocket and put it under my keys so I wouldn't forget it. Back then I was excited that anybody would want a picture of me. The next day we found a picture and I wrote on it, "Thanks for the best lunch I've ever had."

"Now let's go a whole buncha years down the road. Now we have black players at Alabama and I'm back down in that part of the country scouting an offensive lineman we sure needed. Y'all remember, (and I forget the name, but it's not important to the story), well anyway, he's got two friends going to Auburn and he tells me he's got his heart set on Auburn too, so I leave empty handed and go on see some others while I'm down there."

"Two days later, I'm in my office in Tuscaloosa and the phone rings and it's this kid who just turned me down, and he says, "Coach, do you still want me at Alabama?" And I said, "Yes I sure do." And he says OK, he'll come. And I say, "Well son, what changed your mind?" And he said, "When my grandpa found out that I had a chance to play for you and said no, he pitched a fit and told me I wasn't going nowhere but Alabama, and wasn't playing for nobody but you. He thinks a lot of you and has ever since y'all met."

Well, I didn't know his granddad from Adam's house cat so I asked him who his granddaddy was and he said, "You probably don't remember him, but you ate in his restaurant your first year at Alabama and you sent him a picture that he's had hung in that place ever since. That picture's his pride and joy and he still tells everybody about the day that Bear Bryant came in and had chitlins with him."

"My grandpa said that when you left there, he never expected you to remember him or to send him that picture, but you kept your word to him and to Grandpa, that's everything. He said you could teach me more than football and I had to play for a man like you, so I guess I'm going to. "I was floored. But I learned that the lessons my mama taught me were always right. It don't cost nuthin' to be nice. It don't cost nuthin' to do the right thing most of the time, and it costs a lot to lose your good name by breakin' your word to someone."

"When I went back to sign that boy, I looked up his Grandpa and he's still running that place, but it looks a lot better now; and he didn't have chitlins that day, but he had some ribs that woulda made Dreamland proud and I made sure I posed for a lot of pictures; and don't think I didn't leave some new ones for him, too, along with a signed football."

"I made it clear to all my assistants to keep this story and these lessons in mind when they're out on the road. If you remember anything else from me, remember this. It really doesn't cost anything to be nice, and the rewards can be unimaginable."

Well Coach, we haven't forgotten you or the simple lessons you taught not just your players, but everyone who would take the time to listen to you.

Just What is "Goin' Green"?

OK, now we're getting down to serious GREEN talk. Just what does "goin' green" mean? 


"Goin' green" means that we are going to do our best to manage our resources and natural environment through changes in public policy and individual behavior (yes, this includes you).

Environmental preservation, chiefly in the United States, is viewed as the strict setting aside of natural resources to prevent damage caused by contact with humans or by certain human activities, such as logging, mining, hunting and fishing. Those are the "biggies" but unless you have a lot of political PULL, you won't make a dent in their policies.

Sooo, what can you do? How can you make your home and your purchases "green friendly"?

Think climate change is too big of a problem to solve? Does asbestos contribute to lung cancer - getting rid of asbestos is no small feat, but the benefits are enormous. Small changes in our everyday lives can make a big difference. Do you use spray deodorant, shaving cream in a can, or spray shortening (Pam for instance) ...ever consider what that is doing to the environment.

Climate change threatens natural communities and human well-being, Each person can make a difference because one small positive act multiplied millions of times produces immense benefits."

Green Thumb - NOT!

In plain ole every day terms, a person who is a skilled gardener has a “green thumb” .
The seedlings that they plant with loving care…grow! They don’t wilt down two days after being replanted, never to raise their heads again. Mr/Mrs.Green Thumb can buy (or be given) the worst looking plant in the nursery, the one that was on the dead plant pile, and nurse it back to life. There’s magic in them fingers!  

On the other hand, there are people who were born with a “brown thumb” and are not good at handling (or growing) plants. They try everything, follow all directions and feel in their hearts that "my plants will grow this year!"  This person should NEVER buy or be given any living greenery; flowers, trees, shrubs or ground cover. It won’t grow! It will wilt, turn brown, mold, and end up where no plant wants to be…in the garbage can with the dead grass, moldy flowers and a few scrubby dandelions.

Well, meet Mrs. Brown Thumb! I will sadly admit that when I bring a plant into my house, the first thing I do is make the “sign of the cross” over it and wish it good luck.

When I was first married, my dear, sweet mother-in-law would bring me tiny African violets, no bigger than my thumb, that she had raised from a seedling or however they multiply. I would cringe when I saw her coming, little decorated flower pot in hand, smiling like I was about to get the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 
SHE had the magical green thumb….she raised African violets by the dozen…pink ones, blue ones, double ones, single ones and they were all beautiful and healthy. They were in her front window, in the kitchen window, the bathroom window and on the porch…all blooming like crazy. Oh yes, she also grew Christmas cactus that actually bloomed every year. Another one of my disappointments.

My failure with the African Violets, I was told, is that I watered them too much and got water on their leaves. Well, excuse me! If the forebearers of those African violets lived outdoors anytime in their history, they would have gotten water on their leaves. It rains almost everywhere at one time or another. Unless Africa was one big dry greenhouse.

But no matter how many I managed to overwater, underwater or allow to shrink away, she always tried again. As for the Christmas cactus, I followed the instructions that I was given…."keep them in a dark place for several weeks and they would start to put on blooms". 

Wrong again….I think I had the male variety because once it had bloomed, it decided that motherhood was not for it …"no more blooms for me honey....look for a lady cactus"

Our Conifer Pine Tree is sick...

We are losing the 30' pine tree which has lived in our yard for over 50 years. It has been diagnosed as having a fungus, Diplodia pinea which is most damaging to pine species native to our home state, Nebraska. Our pine is dying branch by branch, turning brown starting from the trunk and spreading to the outer branches.

The most noticable symptom of diplodia blight is brown, stunted new growth resulting in short brown needles. They look dead. Although the tree, from what we were told, had probably been infected for several years, we attributed the dead lower branches to winter damage. Nebraska has winters of very cold weather, then rising temperatures, followed by severe cold snaps. Last year was particularly bad...again, we thought the tree was slow in recovering.

In driving around our area, I've seen many, many pine trees in the same condition or worse. Some are skeletons, bare branches with no needles at all. We had been told that this fungus was working it's way from the east coast, but paid no attention to the warnings...hopefully its not too late to save our beautiful pine.

An Extension Agent from the University of Nebraska is coming to look at it, and give whatever advice he has to offer....can it be saved of will it need to be cut down.

Mowing the lawn

Many urban home owners are looking for ways “go green” when comes to mowing their lawns.

In the “old days” prior to using gas powered mowers, Saturday morning meant that “someone” in the family would be out pushing the rotary lawnmower….usually Dad if he didn’t have a child old enough, or strong enough, to push the mower. The newer models available now are made of light metal or sometimes plastic…the originals were heavy and hard to push….especially if the yard was not level. Mowing downhill was easy, but pushing it up the hill was not so easy

The cutting mechanism of the reel mower consisted of several blades mounted on a circular frame. The blades spun around cutting the grass as they passed over the lawn. The mower was fairly quiet but you could hear the light click, click as the blades passed each other.

Occasionally the mower would have a canvas catcher on the back to collect the grass clippings. But more often they were just left to fend for themselves. The 1950s version of mulch.

They are wonderful for the environment….they do not use gasoline or oil (money saving right there), are silent and the possibility of having a severe accident with a reel mower were much less. Plus, you saved money on exercise equipment, jogging shoes and clothes….a morning spent mowing the lawn “by hand” was guaranteed to give you all the exercise you needed.

Green Eggs and Ham

Theodor Seuss Geisel, born March 2, 1904 was an American writer and cartoonist best known for his classic children’s books under the pen name Dr. Seuss. His books have become staples for many children and their parents. Among Dr. Seuss' trademarks were his rhyming text and his outlandish creatures. He wrote and illustrated 44 children's books.

GREEN EGGS AND HAM is a best-selling book by Dr. Seuss, first published in 1960. It is one of Seuss’s “Beginner Books” written in a very simple vocabulary for beginning readers. The vocabulary consists of just fifty different words of which 49 consist of a single syllable (cat, hat, etc.). The lone exception being “anywhere”. So, when a beginning reader masters these 50 words, he or she is able to read a book. A great accomplishment and source of pride for the beginning reader.

The book has two main characters, Sam and his friend who is never named.
Sam is filled with energy and enthusiasm; the other character is moody and irritable. The plot of the story revolves around Sam’s efforts to get his friend to try “green eggs and ham”. The friend refuses to taste the dish and only wants to be left alone. But, Sam is insistent, and goes through an assortment of locations, a house, a car, a tree and with several dining partners, trying to persuade his friend to eat. But the friend still won’t try the green eggs and ham.

The conclusion of Seuss’s tale occurs when Sam’s friend, standing in shallow water after a train crash, finally agrees to try green eggs and ham, and pronounces it to be quite good.

The story is written in the form of a cumulative tale, with a list of circumstances which gradually increase as the story progresses. One of Sam’s friend’s refusals goes:

I do not like them in a box.
I do not like them with a fox.
I do not like them in a boat.
I do not like them with a goat.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere.
I do not like green eggs and ham.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

The fifty words used in GREEN EGGS AND HAM are: a, am, and, anywhere, are, be, boat, box, car, could, dark, do, eat, eggs, fox, goat, good, green, ham, here, house, I, if, in, let, like, may, me, mouse, not, on, or, rain, Sam, say, see, so, thank, that, the, them, there, they, train, tree, try, will, with, would, you.

Sam-I-Am and his friend are ambiguous creatures; they are capable of being interpreted in more than one way. They are furry with large snouts, but stand upright, can speak and have human facial expressions.

Sam-I-Am’s friend wears a tall black hat that imitates his body language; it startles, cringes, rises up indignantly, etc. when it’s owner does.

The book includes many of Dr. Seuss’s amazing elaborate machines; a complex platter-presenting device, large artificial hands on poles to illustrate Here and There, a vehicle with a mysteriously-appearing door from which a goat emerges, and a really rickety railroad viaduct.

No Place Like Home

My niece and husband are returning to their home state (Nebraska) after living for 20 years in Austin, TX.  Sue’s father passed away last fall and they decided that since both she and her husband are retired, they would sell their Austin home and move lock, stock and barrel back to their “roots”.

Both of them are heavy smokers….you know it as soon as you open the front door.  The home badly needed the help of a smoke and cigarette odor removal system.  http://www.thesteamteam.com/.   

Actually, it needed a thorough all-through-the-house cleaning before it could be put on the market.  It’s funny, if you’re a smoker, you don’t notice the odor at all, on the other hand, they don’t notice that they, themselves have an cigarette smoke aura around them.  It’s in their clothes, hair and I swear it is ingrained in their skin.  When they would come to our home (non-smokers) for a visit, my kids would come home from school, walk in the door and say “Sue and Danny were here!”

Of course, when they got back to Nebraska, they found that Sue’s old home was in pretty bad shape….her dad was a widower and the house hadn’t seen a “woman’s touch” in many, many years.  They tried  “do-it-yourself carpet cleaning" but ended up having the carpet removed….do-it-yourself couldn't  do it.....3 dogs, food residue, miscellaneous gunk and cigarette smoke…bad combination.  She calls the house “the money pit”....they have spent sooo much money on it...they’d be better off to raze the whole place and rebuild.  But to Sue, it’s “home” and “be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home~”.

Bringing Light to our Home

We've had to replace several light bulbs in our home and in our garden.  The ones in the house were the older incandescent style and have been replaced before.  But, this time we're "going green" by changing to LED and Halogen light bulbs.   

The advantages of LED bulbs are widely known they consume little energy, produce little heat or UV light. And, they are available in many shapes and sizes.

Halogen light bulbs are frequently used in stage and studio lighting so would be perfect for lighting and highlighting our fishpond and flower garden.  The garden and surrounding lighting items were bashed to pieces when the latest rain/hail/wind storm blew down a cottonwood tree in the yard. So in addition to replacing the flowers in the garden, we need to replace the lighting fixtures. We don’t entertain a lot but when we do, the flowers and pond are the center of attraction…the halogen bulbs, which are flame shaped,  will bring out the color in the flowers, light the stone path leading from the house to the pond and have a longer life span than the incandescent bulbs. Although the  flame shaped halogen bulbs will cost us a little more they will last a whole lot longer.

Incandescent bulbs are the type of bulbs more commonly used for household lighting, you’ve probably got a house full of them. But they are slowly being replaced by halogen light bulbs which have a greater energy efficiency.  Right now, we still have incandescent bulbs in our outdoor Christmas lighting, candles and wreaths, but eventually will switch to the halogen flame shaped ones since they will last longer and will provide a brighter light.

Make your own laundry soap

I have been using my own homemade laundry detergent....and the verdict is in.......FANTASTIC with a capital F!!!!! If you or someone in your family is has sensitive skin and often has problems with detergents (thanks to the many additives added), try this do-it-yourself laundry soap. 


It's so super easy to make and CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. You use WAY less soap and I am really convinced it works better than store bought detergent! Here is the  "recipe" I found in a daily e-newsletter I get (everydaycheapskate.com) The items were easy to find ... look in Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart's laundry area.

1 5.5oz bar Fels Naptha soap
2 cups washing soda
2 cups borax




Use a cheese grater to finely grate the bar of soap. It takes grease stains out of clothes even those that have been there for a while.Use up to 3-4 Tablespoons or up to 1/4 cup for a top loading machine....less if you're washing baby clothes, lingerie or items that are not "that" dirty.  Front loaders you can use 2-3 Tablespoons.  It rinses out better and leaves your clothing (especially your bathtowels) softer.


This also makes a great pre-wash treatment…just dampen a little, rub it directly onto the stain and let sit for a few minutes then toss it into the washer with the rest of the laundry.


It takes grease stains out of clothes even those that have been there for a while.


This also makes a great pre-wash treatment…just dampen a little, rub it directly onto the stain and let sit for a few minutes then toss it into the washer with the rest of the laundry.


I'm sure that these ingredients are much less harmful to the environment and ground water than the laundry products pumped full of additives and chemicals.

Mowing Grass...in Iraq

Here is a soldier stationed in Iraq, vertually a big sand box. He asked his wife to send him dirt, (U.S. soil), fertilizer, and some grass seed so that he can have the sweet aroma, and feel the grass grow beneath his feet. When the men of the squadron have a mission that they are going on, they take turns walking through the grass and the American soil---to bring them good luck. If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair of a scissors.

Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and think about the little things that we take for granted. When you read this, say a little prayer for our soldiers that give and give so unselfishly for us. And pray that they will soon be home mowing their own grass.

#1 in 150 ways to use vinegar..

This is an environmentally great way to unclog drains......your mom has probably used it for years, but never got around to telling you!

Unclog and deodorize drains

The combination of vinegar and baking soda is one of the most effective ways to unclog and deodorize drains. It's also far gentler on your pipes (and your wallet) than commercial drain cleaners.

• To clear clogs in sink and tub drains, use a funnel to pour in 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup vinegar. When the foaming subsides, flush with hot tap water. Wait five minutes, and then flush again with cold water. Besides clearing blockages, this technique also washes away odor-causing bacteria.
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• To speed up a slow drain, pour in 1/2 cup salt followed by 2 cups boiling vinegar, then flush with hot and cold tap water.