A Rose Show Photo Contest

My rose society had our annual rose show and this year a photography contest. It does appear the the photo contest did stimulate a good deal of interest from the general public.

We had about 4 folks who entered the contest this year. The winnings were varied, but here's mine:

Honorable Mention: X-Rated, miniature, introduced in 1993. This is a nice little rose and was exceptionally nice for me this year. (Ribbon)










Third Place: Sweet Dream, Floribunda, introduced in 1988. This surprised me as I had always thought that Sweet Dream was a miniature. I had to change the class and status of this rose in my garden. It's a sound rose, with very small miniature sized leaves and blooms that resemble the miniflora (which is where I think this rose should be classed). (Ribbon)






2nd Place: Baronne Prévost, Hybrid Perpetual introduced in 1842. A very lovely, very BIG OGR with the most beautiful fragrance. It is a bit susceptible to black spot, but with a little care is strong and disease resistant throughout the growing season. (Ribbon)







1st Place: Soroptimist International, miniflora, introduced in 1995. A splendid miniflora that can be extremely good. It hold good form longer than most other miniatures and is a very bright and cheery color. (Ribbon)

Best White: Margaret Merril, Floribunda, introduced in 1977. When this rose is good it is really good! I usually have problems with thrips with this rose, often destroying the first flush of the season. A real headache for me. Thrips has got to be the one bug I seriously hate. Margaret also has problems with black spot, but this is easily controlled. Still, she is not a maintenance free rose, but I love her. (trophy award)

Best in Show: Rosa Eglanteria, species rose, introduction actually unknown, but somewhere before or around 1500. This fabulous rose is a show stopper when it's in bloom but it's the leaves and not the flowers that actually harbor the interest. The leaves when wet smell like Granny Smith apples, especially after a rain. When I first got it from a friend who was ill and wanted a good home for it, after a rain I'd walk outside and wonder who was baking the apple pie. In winter the plant still continues to shine with beautiful orange hips which the birds enjoy and can also be used to make rose tea. (trophy award)

I've gotten a number of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and honorable mentions, but this is the first time I'd gotten trophies. It feels good. The winning ribbons and the matching photos will go on the wall with the others. The trophy winners will be put on a different wall to stand out.

It's been a good day.

Feeling Abandoned

I grew up in a world where a silent religious war raged. Being somewhere inbetween the two waring factions, I've always felt pushed away, never really belonging to either. It is something that I've had complexes about, but I've learned to deal with them or at least surpress them.

Lately I've been feeling abandoned. At this moment, I'm not sure which feeling is actually worse, being pushed away or being abandoned. I'll figure it out. I always do, or at least manage to find a way around it.

A Huge Difference

This morning started out the same as most Sunday mornings, but as I was spraying the roses for fungus, it started to drizzle hard enough to send me inside. Later, I finished the spraying and came in just in time to help Husband.

A couple of weeks ago, we decided on which contractor we wanted to remodel the bathroom. This particular contractor came in 20% lower than the next leading, qualified contractor and even gave us more than everyone else. We checked him out thoroughly before signing any contracts. Even with all this, it appears right now that we'll have more than enough money for this project. So we decided to go and splurge on the one thing that the house desperately needed -- a ceiling fan for my office. We went to the local home improvement store and found a Hunter fan that fit the bill. It was only $100 out of the loan package, so it shouldn't interfer.

We put this fan up today. It took us a couple of hours until it was up and running but we were in need of bulbs for the light and fan pulls which is how I will be turning this thing off and on. Actually, the ceiling fans are basically left on 24x7 unless we turn them off to change the season setting and clean them.

The past couple of years, I've spent a lot less time in my office over the summer. The computer here gets so hot and if there's not enough air moving, or the A/C is on, it gets so stuffy in the room that it's hard to breath. The ceiling fan creates the air movement that is needed and helps to keep the computer cooler. It's actually pleasant working in here now.

Now that the pulls are on, the bulbs are in and the house is cleaned up from our construction, this fan looks like it's been here since day one. Being here makes a world of difference in comfort.

After the rain

Taboo, Hybrid Tea introduced in 1993 and rated a rather low to medium 7.3 by the ARS. I have to agree that this rose is more difficult to grow but the blooms (the first nice ones in 4 years) are gorgeous. This is one of the deepest reds I've seen and would rival the very tender (zone 7 and above) Francis Dubruiel. I'm hoping to keep this one a few more years and try to start own-roots from it so I could have several of these, enough to make a nice vase. Put a little baby's breath with it and you will have a most glorious vase. More than once, this rose nearly died on me. It doesn't seem to like getting moved and I've had to move it several times until I found a spot where it did well. It took three years in this spot until it started to establish but now (right now) looks strong, disease resistant and quite lovely.

It rained yesterday, starting right before I left work and continued throughout the evening. There was thunder and lightening with the rain, but it wasn't as threatening as it can get and the rain, though heavy at times, was steady and soaking. Just what we needed for this spring. You can see everything drinking it up, first to recoop what the dry weather had taken from them and now to grow and replace all leaves that have been lost in the past month. I'm expecting to see everything in the garden growing like gangbusters in the next two days. Don'tja just love it!

The weather reports have been telling us about this rain for about a week, so I made sure the systemic was put around for food and bug control. I'm thankful for it. It was badly needed.

So this morning, though the sun is out and it promises to be a hot and steamy day, the dirt is far to wet to be playing in so I will make myself busy with strawberry jam. At least one batch, maybe two. I have plenty of strawberries and many more out there screaming to be picked.

Strawberry season

I spent this evening gathering fresh strawberries out of my garden. I processed two quarts by washing them, slicing them and sugaring them for strawberry shortcakes. The rest I put in a pot to wait until I get them turned into jam.

Last year this time, I usually did them as soon as they came into the house. Of course, I worked nights then. Still, even though I did them, I was usually only half asleep. These days, I'm up early and to bed early, getting much more rest, feeling like I have a lot less day, even though it is after dark until I get to sleep. But I sleep more.

I still have to figure out how I want to do these strawberries. I'll probably wait until Saturday unless I'm feeling energetic tomorrow night. Who knows. Usually Fridays I do stay up well past the bewitching hour and do feel energetic. Maybe I'll make at least some of the jam tomorrow. I have enough strawberries to make three batches of jam. However, I'll be lucky to have enjoy sugar for two.

We love strawberries in the house. That's why I grow a patch, harvest it and make desserts and jams out of it. After the season is over this year, I will rip out the plants as they are now getting old and replace them in the spring. The process will start over again without a crop next year. We'll have plent of jam to last us until the next harvest. Fresh ones could be at a premium though. I guess we'll just have to survive on the California berries that are shipped here around March or so.

A funny thing happened on the way...

I have a photo contest coming up the 16th of June. Of course, in preparation of this, there is a lot of photographing going on around my house. The contest of roses, but I'm never one to resist a pretty shot. The other day I was out because the rose beds were in their glory. Husband caught the bug when he saw me walking around the garden and got his camera as well. Between us, we took 156 shots.
I got the camera with the most shots uploaded first, cleaned it out in preparation for the next shoot and hooked up the second camera.

Husband couldn't wait until the larger slower camera was uploaded and decided to look at the pictures already on the computer. All these 100 photos were selected as he looked at them. Then he said to me, "I'll show ya somethin'. This one is blurry so I'll delete it." He hit delete and sat there staring at the computer as each of the 100 pictures disappeared, one at a time!

"Oh," he said, "You can upload them again since I

accidently deleted them. I responded that I had already deleted them from the camera. YIKES!! There were pictures in that bunch that I really wanted for the photo contest.

After some digging, we found out where the computer stores deleted picture files and were able to restore them. I told Husband he was lucky that we found them. Otherwise....

These are a few of those pictures from the retreived deleted files. Yep, I was not happy about that incident. I told Husband to keep his hands off my computer from now on. He's always complaining anyway that I don't have my machine set up the same way he has his set up. He was lucky we found those files.

Right Now

Gruss an Aachen, rose, considered the first floribunda actually introduced 30 years before the class. This is my favorite rose. It's hardy, disease resistant and very fragrant Since it was introduced in 1909 it is often considered an antique rose.



My tall bearded Iris garden is in full bloom right now. There are nine different hybrids in this bed and soon to be more.

Today's Shots

Some favorite shots from the garden today...



Theresa Bougnet, Hybrid Rugosa, very fragrant










Baronne Provest, Hybrid Perpetual, very fragrant











Gnus Flash, Tall Bearded Iris, fragrant, rare stripped variety

















L. Candida, clematis, large dinnerplate flower, introduced in the 1890's. My favorite clematis and the only one I'll have in my garden.




























Romantic Evening, Tall Bearded Iris

Something Pretty

Barrone Provest. This is a lovely but not small Hybrid Perpetural old rose from the late 1800's. I got this plant when I visited Vintage Gardens near San Francisco and had it shipped home. The plant was one cane, quite small but bloomed well. I kept it in a pot and moved it with me where ever I went while building the house. That was in 2001. Now, the plant is an easy 6½ feet tall, just as wide. The fragrance from her hundreds of flowers wafts into my office. This plant is lovely. Not only tall, but bushy and wide and blooms quite well. Repeats well. Even though it is more disease resistant than my other Hybrid Perpetural, Frau Karl Druschki, it still wants weekly attention to keep it healthy. If you have a large spot that is crying out for a rose, this is one I would recommend. The fragrance is strong and heavenly.

A Busy Day

Today was one of the biggest Saturdays of the year for me. It started bright and early with a plant auction in the Conestoga Historical Society http://www.lancastercountyheritage.com/heritage/cwp/view.asp?a=627&q=464544 http://www.rootsweb.com/~pacahs/wagon.htm. There, almost as soon as I got there, they were auctioning off a beautiful 3" cal. Zalkova elm which I got for a whopping $45. That's easily a $350 tree in these parts. It was one of the first things to be auctioned off. That's why I got it so cheap. After that everything started going for much, much higher so it was time to go. From there I went to the Penn State Extension here in Lancaster, where they were having their annual native plant sale. I had been there in March for their symposium, now for their sale. I managed to get some native plants that are still waiting to be planted. I'll get there.

After that, there were trips to Home Depot and Lowe's to look at shower tile. Did I tell you that I'm remodeling the master bath so that there is a huge 2 person shower in there as well as my whirlpool? I am also putting a window above the tub that will look out to a million dollar view of the mountain as well as let in some really great southern natural light. I'd also like to put ceramic tile floor in there, as well as a ceramic tile surround around the tub. I want a new vanity with two bowls and a granite top. The shower wall will be lowered to about 6 feet to let in natural light and will also make for a great plant shelf up there. I don't want much. Anyway, while we were there, I also looked at the hanging baskets. I want two for the front porch and three or four for the patio pots. Of course, everything at Home Depot and Lowe's are so generic that I was disappointed. So, we ended up at my favorite little flower shop right here in Conestoga called Tudbinks where for half the price of Lowe's and Home Depot's generic pots, you get some of the most beautiful custom made hanging flower pots. Of course I got hanging pots for my porch and pots for inside my pation urns.

Finally getting home, I put the hanging pots in my decorative hangers on the porch and place the pots in the urns on the patio. It was time for a short break. Shortly, the neighbor lady came over and was wondering where I found those gorgeous purple flower pots that she saw all the way at the top of Green Hill Road. I use deep royal purple patunias and yellow patunias for my back patio and this year I've also added a little red patunias as well. The front is red geraniums with something dangly, this year is sweet potato vine and orange miniature patunias. Apparently these pots stood out so much that the neighbor lady saw them all the way up the hill on her way home.

Then I hand fertilized about 2/3's of my roses, made myself a grilled cheese sandwich and helped find the perfect spot for the 500 lb. elm. Now I am no ready to call it a day. I think I'll run a bath and turn on those jets.

Checking the Lines

This happens every so often at the power lines that run across the back of my property. It's really cool to watch these guys as they check the power lines to make sure everything is operating fine. When I'm out and they come overhead, they'll often wave. I wave back.

This fellow is sitting on a platform. He probably has a place there where he can keep whatever tools he needs to do his job.

There is another team that will fly over and this fellow stands on the sleighs to inspect the cables. I have to admit, standing on the sleighs makes me nervous. I think it would be hard to keep your balance.

Still, it's cool to watch them as they go about their business.

More Garden Pictures

Virginia Blue Bells. Very short season. Once the blooms are spent, the plant will go dormant again until next year. It does spread but very slowly. One of the most beautiful of plants. I wait for this one every year.









Tahiti daffodil. Continually a nice double daffodil year after year.








Purple Leaf Cherry blossoms. This is the start of the season for this tree. When in full bloom, you will see only flowers. The rest of the summer it has these beautiful purple leaves that turn an even brighter purple in the fall. A lovely contrast to the bronze of the red oak and the yellow of the tulip poplar.





Leopard's Bane. A short lived perennial. I thought two years ago that this plant was done. Then this year, it appear out of nowhere in a different spot than it was and growing nicely. This is such a beautiful flower.

Dalsnaugh Daffidol. One of my favorite double daffidols. This one has a tendency to be rather finicky, looking like this only when the conditions are just right.

I've been busy in the garden, as usual this time of year, weeding and cleaning up all the gardens and getting them ready for mulch. It's been harder than usual as I was changing shifts last year and had to get adjusted to that. Hence I left the garden go. I have 8 beds ready for the mulch and 5 more to go. I've also been planting the little plants I bought this spring. All the roses are pruned, shaped and fed. Now to finish the beds and get them ready for mulch. If anyone wants to volunteer to help weed, let me know.

flowers

Flowering Quince










Flowering Almond








Cleveland Pear










Any questions?

Spring

It seems that spring has finally gotten here. It's been in the mid 70s for the past two days. The daffodils are blooming, the birds are building nests and the garden work is never ending.

However, today, I was able to get some things done. I had been pruning roses for the past two weeks. I was hoping to finish them today, but some errands got in that way and I'll be finishing the last half of the last bush tomorrow. Then to fertilize the last eight , seven of which I pruned to day and the one I will finish tomorrow. Then it's time to renew my personal relationship with the hoe.

The roses I pruned today were the 5 year old miniature monsters in my front yard -- Peaches & Cream. The bushes are big, but very thick and with a lot of dead in the middle. They were able to butcher up my arms pretty good until I got the bright idea to put on my extra long gloves that would protect me up to my elbows.

This evening I decided to start my last two garments for my spring/summer wardrobe. There is a fabric store going out of business here (a bad thing), but the fabric was on sale for a decent percentage off. I went nuts in there a while back and bought about $100 of fabric for a series of garments for my spring/summer wardrobe. These last two are a matching shell and skirt. It is a lovely black/white fabric with verticle bands of lace and bands of flowers and bands of pasley. Black/white fabric seems to be in this year. It shouldn't take me long to get these done. The skirt is almost together now, after an hour of sewing it. Finishing the seams seem to take up the most time. The shell will take a little longer since it has sleeves. It'll be pretty when it's done.

Saturday, April 14, 2007 (7:31pm)

What a beautiful day today. It was surely a surprise. I was expecting it to be somewhat stormy, cold and miserable as it has been for April so far. The forsythia are in bloom and the cooler temps are allowing them to stay in bloom so much longer that warmer years. That’s a good thing. I’ve spent as much time as possible out in the garden pruning and fertilizing the roses. Oh, they aren’t done yet, but I have more than 3/4 of them done. I need a part of one more day to finish them.

I’ve been enjoying my quiet time out in the garden. It’s where I want to be. I’m not all that interested in TV and I don’t listen to the radio much. I have my sewing for the inside times and of course the house to take care of. My most company these days are the pets. Both Shalimar and Bratley have been very good kids. It concerns me that Bratley keeps getting fatter and fatter. I’ve also noticed that his new bag of dog food seems to be vanishing a little to quickly. I’m thinking that Bob is over feeding him and there’s simply nothing I can say to him to make him understand that.

As I was out fertilizing what roses were ready before the heavy rains come in tonight, I was listening to the neighbors as they gathered next door. I felt very alone just then. A very familiar feeling but also depressing. It felt so sadly normal. I felt alone, like I would always be alone.

It is forecasted to rain pretty much all of next week. That’s OK. I will be able to finish my summer wardrobe and get it in my closet, get the house cleaned and rest.

Native Flowers in bloom

Bloodroot, a native wildflower that is difficult to start. This one seemed dormant for at least two years. I simply forgot that I had planted it, or thought it died. Then, last year, it appeared out of the blue with two flowers! This year it seems much better, much larger and it has also moved from where it was last year. It is about 5 inches due east. I didn't move it. It makes me curious, though, as to where I'll find it next year. I'm just glad that it has decided to finally strut it's stuff. It is a deep shade wild flower and seems to really like it in the very moist soil up against the house with the snakeroot. The snakeroot is only now starting to poke it's lovely deep purple leave above the soil.



The rarely seen flowers of the native spice bush. This is the first time this bush has blossomed for me. Right now it's not quite waste high but will mature at 10'x10'. When a bird planted a malberry tree right beside it, I asked at the environmental center which would they move. They told me to get rid of the malberry. Difficult to transplant, this bush was given to me as a tiny stick by my friend, Sandy who has them growing in her woods. It prefers a little more shade but will get it as the tulip poplar grows.

A Story

Last weekend I had my sister, Lori and her husband over for dinner. I had gotten an order of onion sets for the garden and as usual, I was actually sent two bunches. Instead of throwing one bunch away, I had made arrangements for her to take them off my hands and get dinner in the mix. It was a nice dinner. But, as the evening wore on, we ended up in my office where I was showing her the latest prizes of fabric I had acquired at a "Going Out of Business Sale" of a local fabric store. Then the more we talked, we ended up in the bedroom closet and I tried to get her to become the owner of some blouses I had hanging that I know I may never wear again. She did try them on and they fit her perfectly. But all she would say was "I can't take these, you made them."

I made a lot of clothes over the years.

I started sewing at the ripe age of 8 for the local 4-H chapter. I started with the usual hot pads, etc. and went from there. In high school, I took a home ec. course to fill in some time. The year's project was something that could be modeled and would be graded strictly. Mom took me to Lapp's Dry Goods where I found a lovely skirt pattern and a wonderful large checked wool fabric that would make a perfect skirt. The pattern had a nice waistband, zipper and hem, but nonetheless, it was still a skirt. The teacher knew that I would wipe that pattern out in one period and decided that it was time for me to learn something new. She showed me how to make the entire skirt, from beginning to end, with the handstitch used by the pilgrims. All seams had to be perfectly straight, the zipper had to be inserted according to the directions but with an exact ¼" back stitch as were all the seams of this garmet. Ms. Zepp, my teacher, told me that my project would be graded on the same scale as all the rest and it had to be perfect. I got an "A" on the project and got to model when the school had a modeling show. Then it was put in one of the display cases, with the discription of how it was made and it's grade to be displayed for the rest of the term. I was proud of that skirt and wore it into my college years.

This blouses fit Lori and she should have taken them. I'm now making a whole bunch more. I don't need the old ones anymore.

Early Spring

The Crocus are making their annual appearance in my garden right now. Very pretty.

The Fat Lady

I've seen robins, starlings and red-winged blackbirds. The eagles are flying as well as the Canadian geese and the Snow geese. But spring isn't really here until the toads sing. They are the equivalant of the "Fat Lady".

Today was a lovely 65° and after work I went out to get some work done in the garden. Instead I mostly chatted with the neighbor. The socializing was much needed. But after we were finished, I took a can of garden depris to the compost bin and I heard in the background that noise that I've been waiting to hear. It came from the run-off pond beyond the rear of my property and I smiled. Spring had definitely sprung with the song of the toads. Or should I say, "The Fat Lady Sang."

More Migration

Besides the thousands of geese I saw overhead today, I went outside to cook dinner. Nice day, dinner outside. What can I say. Low and behold, there were the red-winged blackbirds, back from their winter roost. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Nature/Birds/ForestAndField/RedWingedBlackbirdCallingFromBullrush.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Nature/Birds/ForestAndField/index.html&h=768&w=1024&sz=128&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=VJYrrEh-fqVK4M:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dred%2Bwinged%2Bblackbirds%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den

Another sure sign of spring. I am soooo ready.

Migration

A small part of the Susquehanna River at the Safe Harbor Hydro Plant in Safe Harbor, PA.

If you are into Wow! factors, the Canadian geese are flying overhead this morning, about 10,000 head strong per flock. They should continue to fly overhead in these numbers for about a week bringing with them - spring.

If you really want a thrill, be crossing the Susquehanna River this time of day, this time of year. The geese are just getting started on their day's journey and are flying in flocks 10 times this size and are really low! Millions of them. They will actually make you duck inside your car, they are so low. It is one of the more humbling sights of nature.

Last week the Snow geese went overhead. They don't fly in such large flocks, their sound is slightly different and the black tips of their wings stand out against their white bodies. The Snow geese come first in fewer numbers, then the Canadian geese.

I've noticed that the Black-eyed Juncos are much more active. My guess is, they will be leaving in the next couple of weeks for more cooler temps. We should be getting into the high 50s or low 60s by the end of the weekend. I need to start getting into the garden. It's time to transplant and prepare for the early crops.

Shalimar

I got home from work last evening and as usual, Bratley was by the door waiting to greet me. Always a nice thing. Then Shalimar came running up but she was noticably in distress. She was choking. Her inability to breath was alarming and I started screaming at Husband asking how long she had been in this condition. He came running out telling me he hadn't noticed any problems with her until now.

I called the vet wanting an immediate appointment. They offered one at 9:30 the next morning. My response was "How about NOW?" I told them I was bringing her in, she was in extreme distress and I'd be there in 20 minutes.

Shalimar has a cold which appeared to stimulate her asthma. Now, no medication for both the cold and the asthma she is doing much better. She will be on medication for the next 10 days. Hopefully this doesn't happen to often. She scared me half to death.

Another Storm Yuck.

Another winter storm. Yuck. The last one did me in and I'm not interested in doing this again. I really need someplace warm.

This Weekend

Saturday was a wonderful day for me. It was the "Mid-Winters" convention sponsored by the Penn-Jersey Rose Society. I haven't been to this convention for any number of reasons for a number of years. This year, I not only went, but entered the photo contest that they have.

It's been awhile since I'd won any photo contests so a win was really needed. And so I did! The cluster photo of Patio Pearl took 1st place in it's class. It didn't win best in show, but this award has always seemed to ellude me. Still, a 1st place was very good and I am feeling better than I have in awhile.

Today was another good day. Inbetween snow squalls, we went to the nearby Conestoga River to get some pictures and home movies. We weren't there long because it is still pretty cold, but we did get some pretty nice shots of the river and the local wildlife.

The water in the river basin was so clear you could see all the way to the bottom and it looked quite shall, though it is rather deep right here. This is the mouth of the Conestoga River where it empties into the Susquehanna River.

This little White Throated Sparrow posed sweetly for me, letting me get rather close without being anxious. He just went about his business of finding and eating food as I took pictures of him. It was almost like he knew what I was doing and approved.

Our First Measurable Snowfall

The road home.

We are getting our first measurable snowfall for 2007 just in time for Valentine's day. So far we're measuring at about 2 inches. This is supposed to turn into sleet and freezing rain as the evening deepens and the weather folks are warning about the morning travel to work.

The trip home from the job today was interesting. The city was slippy but once outside the city, the roads, though wet and covered with snow in spots weren't bad driving. Maybe that was due to the less people on the roads. It wasn't until I got into my home town that I ran into some pretty slippery roads. As I got out of the town (I live on a mountain on the southern end of town), the roads became more covered with snow and very slippery. Even in 4x4 I was being very careful. It was nasty out there!

I will wait to see what the morning brings.

My youngest granddaughter, Laura Elizabeth. She is the spitting image of her daddy.

Close Friendships

My sister with her horse, Magic.

Something New

Since I started working days, my attire has changed a good bit. I'm wearing more slacks and sweaters and jewelery. Within the first month I had worked the new shift, most of my jewelery broke. Who knows why? From sitting in my dresser for over 10 years without being worn, or just from age. It doesn't really matter, they just broke.

So I had started out on a jewelery quest just before Christmas, wanting new stuff to wear to work. Yes, I like wearing it, but not to much at once. I'll usually wear a brooch or pendent and a pair of earrings.

I found some really great stuff too. Also, my granddaughters bought me some necklaces and earrings for Christmas. Or at least they picked them out and Daddy bought them for me. It was pretty too!

Husband has decided that I needed a new jewelery dresser to put all this new jewelery in and has been keeping himself busy building one. The outside of the dresser is now put together. It needs stained and finished yet, and the inside needs to be done. Most of the drawers will be partitioned to compartments for bracelets, necklaces and brooches. The top will have some ring bars in it and all the drawers will be covered in felt. It is decorated on three sides because I don't want it for a specific place. I'm planning on redoing the master suite in the next couple of years and may have a different place for it then. I want to be able to move it around the room (not that that's going to happen often, the thing is quite heavy) if I so choose.

It'll be nice to have a beautiful piece of furniture to keep my jewelery in.

Thoughts

Next June a friend is coming to D.C. for a convention. I was talking to him last week and brought this up, wondering if he would take a couple of days to visit while he was in the neighborhood. At this point things are still unsure, but it is really early yet.

During the conversation it came up about an experience I had in the past recent years. Another friend had plans to come through this area and had asked me for my phone number so we could meet for lunch or the day or something. I had kept in touch with her right up until the day I knew she was to be in town and then...silence. Three weeks later, she wrote and told me she was indeed in town for a day or two, had packed my phone number and decided to drive on by without a word. She never heard of "INFORMATION"? My phone number was in the book. She could have also found it on-line. But she didn't bother.

I could feel the loud silence on the other end of the phone as I told this story to my friend last week. He knew the woman that this story was about and I got the impression that he keeps in close touch with her.

When I got that letter from the friend who passed through, she asked me not to give up on her. But in all honesty, I think I gave up on a lot the day she passed through town. Within a couple of months I had sold the daybed that I kept in case of overnight guests, refit the armorer, pulled the carpet out and rebuilt that room into a TV/Den room.

I began to think I just don't have anything to offer these friends. I'm not rich, or so ambitious that I'd walk over anyone to get what I want. People like the friend who passed through are very wealthy and got that way for a reason. I know she didn't realize exactly how she was treating me that day, or that I would be heartbroken that she thought so little of me. I just don't have anything to offer that is of value to her.

As I was telling all this to my friend last week, it hit home again and it made me sad. It made me realize I have nothing to offer anyone except love.

Maybe he'll come for a visit. We'll see. Right now it's late and I"m quite tired. Besides, I've got to work tomorrow.

A Very Special Day

Yesterday was a special day. It was our 25th wedding anniversary.

While I was at work, Bob was busy. I came home and the table was already set, the wine was poured and there were three bouquets of flowers, one of them was 25 Leonidas roses http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/pl.php?n=3793. The salads were already served and he was finishing up dinner (lasagna with the help of Florentino's). German Chocolate cake was for dessert (with the help of Willow Valley). OK, so he doesn't cook all that well, but he does know who are the best chefs in these parts. He had gotten me a card and a beautiful bracelet of sterling silver, diamonds and amethyst. Then he told me he had taken off work that night as well and rented two movies which we didn't watch yet. Oh, but we will.

It was unspeakably special.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

Don't forget to celebrate the end of this winter soltice the traditional food of the season. Here it is sauerkraut with pork and mashed potatoes. Also, don't forget to watch the Rose Bowl Parade. Geesh, I love roses.

I hope the New Year brings everyone the prosperity and good crops that we all hope for each year.

What Do You Think?

I finally got the first of my display pieces for my counted cross stitch collection. I found it rather funny that the camera picked up every stitch! But, nonetheless, I think it looks rather nice. This one is Cupcake, made from the artwork that made one of my bestselling cards. I'm still trying to find a market for these things.

I've already started the second of a series of four.

In other news...as I sit here writing this, the radio starts to play the Superman song (oh, I don't know what it's called, but I like it). It reminds me that I watched the new "Superman Returns" movie this weekend. I rather liked it. If you haven't had the chance to see it, I recommend it.

"Oliver!"

Today we were up and dressed up to take my oldest granddaughter to see the show "Oliver!". It was at the Historic Fulton Opera House in town...http://www.fultontheatre.org/.

This wonderful old theatre had been remodeled a few years back and this was the first time I'd been in it since the remodeling. Though not as big as some theatres, this one had all very good seats and it was easy to see the actors in all their glory and makeup. All the beautiful woodwork was gold gilded and restored to it's original beauty. There were also some very beautiful artworks that were hidden for years and surprised everyone with their near pristine beauty once uncovered. All the chandeliers are original but refitted for electricity and the bulbs that were used were hand made with a handcrafted element. The walls are decorated with all kinds of show advertisements from the history of the theatre. Still with all the restoration, there was a sense of oldness about it; a grandness; a maturity, or time lapse and elegance that's not seen in newer buildings. Kind of like Grandma's house; very old and very grand. The seats and railings were covered with red velvet. It's a beautiful theatre.

The show "Oliver!" was simply wonderful! It was 3½ hours of wonderful entertainment and my granddaughter Abigail loved it as much as we did. To me, there is simply nothing like the theatre. The cast got a standing ovation for their performance. I love plays and musical entertainment and prefer it much, much more than to a movie theater.

Husband never visited the theatre before he met me. The first time I took him to the Hershey Theatre to see the play "Cats". He still talks about that play. He was so impressed with the way they introduced the play and the characters danced down the aisles to the stage, one actually stopping to shake his hand! He loved that play and you would have thought it was the next thing to heaven. Before the show, we stopped at the Hershey Hotel for dinner in their 4* restaurant. The second time we saw a play was to visit a local dinner-theater to see "Guys and Dolls". For this one, dinner was first and then the show which was just as enjoyable as "Cats".

After the show today, we took Abby to a nearby deli that is known for their wonderful sandwiches, all named after birds. The waitress gave her a child's menu and her dinner looked at least as good if not better than my own. Her menu also had puzzles and coloring areas and came equipped with crayons which she took advantage of.

We talked about our next trip to the Fulton Theatre to see the play "Thoroughly Modern Millie" which is one I want to see. And we also talked about a train trip to Philadelphia with both Abigail and Hanna to the Museum of Natural History. I think both children will get a kick out of that!

On the way home we talked about our 25th wedding anniversary that is coming up January 4th. Husband said he didn't know what we would do for it and I told me that we had just done it. This was all I wanted...a trip to the theatre to see an excellent production. I don't need anything else except maybe a trip to New York to see the Broadway show, "Phantom of the Opera".

Christmas

Each year for Christmas I make a new card, send it out to some close friends and family. My gift giving is mainly for the children in my family who believe in Santa Claus and also those children a little older who still believe in Christmas. As far as adults in the family, my gifts are usually some home baked cookies and jams and maybe a pointsetta. I don't go for gift giving, especially to my family who have told me that I'm not worth the 39¢ for a postage stamp (one actually said this to me).

Of all the holidays in the year, Christmas is my least favorite. Of all the holidays, the one that causes the most stress is Christmas. It's not a fun time at all, not even close. I suffer from hypertension as it is and then to have the holiday on top usually throws my blood pressure over the top.

I don't want to hear the "Christmas Story" theme or the "Commercialization of Christmas" theme. To me they're both the same -- argumentive. If you really want to know the truth about Christmas...

The Encyclopedia Americana says: "CHRISTMAS. It was, according to many authorities, not celebrated in the first centuries of the Christian church, as the Christian usage in general was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons rather than their birth..." (The "Communion" which is instituted by New Testament Bible authority, is a memorial of the DEATH of Christ.) "...a feast was established in memory of this event [Christ's birth] in the fourth century. In the fifth century the Western Church ordered it to be celebrated forever on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol, as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ's birth existed.

HOW This Pagan Custom Got Into The Church

Now notice! These recognized historic authorities show Christmas was NOT observed by Christians for the first two or three hundred years - a period longer than the entire history of the United States as a nation! It got into the Western, or Roman Church by the FOURTH century A.D. It was not until the FIFTH century that the Roman Church ordered it to be celebrated as an official "Christian" festival!

Remember, the Roman world had been PAGAN. Prior to the fourth century, Christians were few in number, though increasing, and were persecuted by the government and by pagans. But, with the advent of Constantine as emperor, who made his profession of Christianity, in the fourth century, placing Christianity on an equal footing with paganism, people of the Roman world began to accept this now popular Christianity by the hundreds of thousands. "

So, even the holiday itself, isn't what some think it should be. I see it as a way the Roman's had for having something for people to celebrate a ancient holiday; thus trying to make it an acceptable holiday of the times. It doesn't change the fact that this holiday was originally to celebrate the winter solstice of the "New Sun"; a celebration that was observed by a number of different religions besides the Babylonians such as the Druids.

Many of our holidays are handed down from Pagan beliefs, but we've changed their meaning some to make them acceptable for the time.

I will celebrate Christmas as a holiday for which it has always been, but not necessarily for the same holiday that everyone thinks it is. It isn't a time of gift giving, but a time to celebrate the new sun and the prosperity of Mother Earth in the growing season to come.

It also doesn't make me believe less in what I was raised to believe, but in the honesty of the holiday, I don't see it as most want me to see it. So, in this sense, since so many try to push their beliefs on me, the holiday has become stressful and simply something to have to tolerate. Once it is over I will again become myself.

In all honesty, this is one of the things I miss most about working nights. When I worked nights, I often called off many of these types of celebrations because it was to difficult for me to make long trips to nowhere to celebrate a holiday I really didn't believe in with people who thought I wasn't worth the cost of a stamp for a greeting card.

Cooking Baking Time

Farmer Bear inspecting my cookies that I enjoy baking this time of year. Farmer Bear resides in my kitchen to make sure that all food I prepare is etable.

Every year for Christmas, I get my brother and sisters something. Then I also bake some cookies. I started this last night, actually, and will do one or two more kinds of cookies. On the plate are Cowboy cookies (the chocolate ones made with cocoa, chocolate chips, walnuts but very light with the flower, baking soda, etc; just enough to hold them together). The other, lighter cookies are my favorites, Snickerdoodles. I usually make at least two batches of snickerdoodles since I have a tendency to eat one batch. I also have at least two pounds of san tarts in the fridge to be cut into bells, sleighs, santas and stars, egged and decorated tomorrow evening. What I like about the san tarts I make is the cream of tarter. I don't usually taste it in the decorated cookies I get from other people. This recipe appears to be an old family recipe.

Husband went out today and bought a package of cookies saying that we should eat those instead of the ones I'm making or they won't make it to the tins I got to pack them in for Christmas presents. I might pack the store bought cookies. Mine are 100x better so it's possible that the cookies in the cookie jar won't get eaten. Wait until I make those San tarts tomorrow! The recipe I have makes 24 dozen. But boy are they good!

Are you making cookies this year?

The Broken Dryer

For the past month now I've been without a dryer. I had purchased a new washer/dryer set and had it delivered the first week of October. It was a wonderful b-day present if I would consider it so. However, the first week of November I noticed the dryer was making all kinds of really strange noises. We called the store and they sent a repair man out to check it out. At first he didn't find anything wrong, but then, on the return to the company, they sent him back out. The dryer was making the noises as Husband was on the phone with the company and they heard it.

The repairman discovered that the blower wheel of my dryer was actually split in half. He told me he wanted to order all the pieces but in the end, he only got one. Apparently, Bosh told him what he needed to fix this dryer. The second piece was even worse than the first one. So, yet another wait for another replacement piece (this time the entire assembly). All the pieces have now arrived at the appliance store except one. The appliance store wants to replace the dryer and Bosh keeps saying "no". Hopefully this machine will be fixed tomorrow.

I found a customer service email on their website and wrote them a letter:

I am complaining about my Bosch dryer Model #3321, Serial #84476022208. I've had it for two month and for the past month it has had a broken blower wheel. The dealer has been working with us trying to fix this problem, but after the 4th broken blower wheel, the dryer still is not functional. We bought what we thought was top-of-the-line and it just doesn't work. What is your explanation for this and is this the kind of workmanship I can expect from your products? There is yet another repair scheduled. Martin's Appliance are doing their best to try and fix this problem. My greivence is not with them. It is with you for allowing these cracked blower wheels to continue to be put in your machines.
I am tired of being without a dryer to finish my laundry, especially now that it's cold. I paid good money for this machine and want to use it.
What can you do to fix this problem? I want to know. Also I would appreciate an extended warranty since I can no longer trust the workmanship of your product.
Thankyou so much for listening. I'll be waiting your response.

I hope these people respond to this because after a month of not having my dryer working, I am just a tad upset.

Thoughts

I thought I would try selling some of my counted cross stitch patterns on Ebay. Now that was a joke. Everyone who visits that website will easy buy, but only if it's nearly free.

I had checked some other cross stitch patterns that sold, $.99 or $2.99 -- You've got to be kidding!!! I would sell 1/4 of the pattern only for that price, not an entire kit! In stores the average price of a pattern kit runs around $27.98, some higher, some a little lower according to the number of floss colors, etc.

Knowing what it takes to put one of these things together, that alone makes it worth more than what people seem willing to pay. Add on to that the copywrites of original artwork and you get something even more valuable than what's in the stores.

I will find a market for my stuff some day. Or at least people who can really appreciate it. At least my boss does. He pays me a decent salary, according to my abilities to come up with creative ideas.