YEA - I HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN AWARD!

Sherry, at Edie Marie's Attic has given me a very sweet award. I happened to be drifting around reading my favorite blogs and there it was before she even had a chance to tell me. What a nice surprise. Thank you so much Sherry.




Now it is my turn to pass this award to 7 fellow bloggers.


But first, the rules:


1. Please put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. You must nominate 7 fellow bloggers for this award.

4. Add links to the recipients.

5. Leave a comment so the recipients know they have received an award.


HERE GOES - I NOMINATE:


1. Lynne at Lynne's Little Corner Of The World

2. Willow at Willow's Cottage

3. Tristi at Tristi Pinkston - LDS Author

4. Barbara at The Clark Homestead

5. Shelley at Building A Log Cabin

6. Tracey at Show Me State of Mind

7. Mary at Mary's Writing Nook

There are so many I could nominate, but several are already nominated, and if you are not please consider yourself one of the Brilliant Ones!

(If you read this and didn't know till now that I have nominated you, it is because it is now 11:31 p.m. and I am too TIRED and will let you know in the morning.)

PROJECT BLACK - TAKE ONE

I have found a lovely photography blog - Anna Carson Photography - and there is a project for this month that I am joining even though I am a few weeks late. I will also be on vacation for a week and a half and will not have access to a computer, but this should be fun anyway. I am not the best photographer, but it is fun snapping some pictures with my little digital. The idea is to take a color picture a day, but each picture must contain a black image.

See how high the gas price is here?

Telephone booths aren't seen much anymore around here, and this one looks very tired and neglected.

STOP BY FOR A GIVEAWAY!

Most of you who read my blog know that I love log cabins and small cottages. One of my favorite bloggers is Shelley at Building a Log Cabin. She is having a nice giveaway which expresses her love of nature and her new log cabin. Stop by and visit and maybe you will win the prize. I shouldn't spread the word because then I have less of a chance to win, but you will really love her blog and what she is giving away.

GAS MESS

What is the cost of gas where you live? The cheapest here for regular is $4.03. I hear it is still on the rise. Give me that drill!!

A BRIEF HISTORY

Here are some photos of the Lewes Historic Farmers Market which I attend most Saturdays in the summer:

The complex contains a group of original old buildings that have been moved to the complex and are representative of Lewes's history. There is a little general store, a schoolhouse (see the picture of the school bell), a doctor's office, etc.

Here is a brief history of Lewes, Delaware which I copied from the Lewes website:

Twenty-two years after it was discovered by Henry Hudson on an August evening in 1609, the point of land separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Delaware Bay, now known as Cape Henlopen, was selected by the Dutch as an ideal site to establish a whaling station. It was not an auspicious undertaking. The thirty-two settlers were destroyed by a group of local inhabitants, as a result of a dispute over a Dutch coat of arms the settlers had mounted on their settlements.

In 1682 (?), the land which now comprises the State of Delaware was conveyed to
William Penn by the English Courts at which time the embattled settlement was
named Lewes (loo-iss) in honor of the town in Sussex County, England. But
the travail was not over yet. The town was visited by Captain Kidd and other
pirates as late as 1698.

During the War of 1812, a British frigate bombarded the town. The
casualties were a wounded pig and a dead hen. One of the town buildings still proudly wears an embedded cannonball from the bombardment.

Take note of the green bicycle which will be raffled off at the end of the summer. I didn't win last year -- wish me luck this year.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

HAVE A SAFE AND FUN 4TH!!!

Thank you to the Graphics Fairy for the vintage postcard picture!

A NEW BLOGGER FRIEND

I have found a new blogging friend. She is at Edie Marie's Attic and she is having a lovely give-away (her first). Click here and please stop by and say hello and join in. I found that we have violets, poodles, shabby chic and picket fences in common. Isn't this blogging world terrific?

MON PETIT JARDIN

I am not much of a gardener, but this year I thought I would make another attempt at a few tomato plants. Several years ago I planted some tomatoes and herbs. The herbs did well. The tomatoes did not. I tried for a few years and then gave up. This is what it looks like now.

Here is my new "petit jardin." Did you know I am French in my heart?

I have five tomato plants, several of which are cherry tomatoes. I have one pepper plant, one parsley, one basil, one lavender and one mint (that appeared out of nowhere from the old garden and I transplanted it). I hover over this little garden several times a day. Maybe, maybe, I will get a few tomatoes this year.

Which brings me to another subject. Are you avoiding tomatoes because of the salmonella scare? I have to a certain extent, but enough is enough. Now they say it could be something else. I wish I could grow all my own vegetables (actually there is nothing stopping me except the lack of energy to do it), have a few goats to mow the grass, and a few chickens to give me eggs. The goats and chickens aren't allowed where I live. Actually, cleaning up after three cats and one dog is enough. The goats and chickens might just be too much.

Here is also a picture of the blossoms on an old mimosa tree in our yard. The tree is not in the best of shape, but I love the funny pink blossoms that smell so sweet.

And here are some pictures of a local garden center that has wonderful produce and flowers. This is where I buy my tomatoes and corn.

Thanks for stopping by!

AROUND TOWN

I live equidistant between two small beach towns in Delaware. Both towns are considered historic, each in its own way. The towns draw tourists and vacationers from all over the East Coast and elsewhere.

Here are a few pictures taken within the past few days through my car window and camera lens. They are not necessarily postcard views, but just typical of what I see everyday. I'll continue to take some candid shots and share them with you.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BETH AND DALE!

Today is my daughter and son-in-law's 15th wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe it has been that long.

This is their love story:

Beth and Dale met while each of them were rowing for different boat houses on Philadelphia's famous "Boathouse Row." Dale was rowing and competing for the Navy since he was a graduate of the Naval Academy. He was a world class rower and even went on to coach at the Academy. Beth decided when she attended college in Philadelphia that she would learn to row. She worked very hard and in time she also excelled in the sport. They met, fell in love and were eventually married in a beautiful military wedding at the Naval Academy in Annapolis.

How could they not have fallen in love? Dale looked like Tom Cruise and Beth had long naturally curly red hair and the face of an angel. (Naturally, this is mother speaking.) They each are so good and kind to each other and they make friends wherever they go. I am so proud of both of them and especially thankful for the two sweet grandsons they have given me.

And so, Happy Anniversary to my sweet children!

MEMORIES, PRESSED BETWEEN THE PAGES OF MY MIND...?????

I now know I have lost my mind. Totally. Completely.

I have a cute little cup and saucer and a teapot, both with violets on them. Last night I saw them on a top shelf in my kitchen and I remembered that I thought I had bought a little sugar bowl to keep them company. I was picturing them together on a little tray for my solo tea parties (meaning that I am the only guest) which I never really get around to having, but I always think it is a nice self-indulgent thing to do.

Where was the sugar bowl? Did I buy it at the antique store I was in recently? Did I buy it on ebay? Didn't I put it up on that shelf already? Did my husband reach up there for something and accidently knock it down? Yes, maybe that was it. (As he had already done that with one of my favorite teapots.) He was probably afraid to tell me and he cleaned up the pieces and won't admit to it. Ok. So now I have not only lost my memory, but I am also paranoid.

I went to sleep thinking about that darn sugar bowl and awakened still wondering about how I could possibly forget whether I bought one or imagined it.

Just now I was reading my e-mails and there was one from a seller from an "Etsy" shop asking me a question about the sugar bowl I ordered. WHAT??!! Do you mean that I have not lost my mind - well, maybe partially. I checked my Etsy account, and yup, there it was. A sweet little violet covered sugar bowl still waiting to be delivered.

INHUMANITY

Did anyone read in the news about the 78 year old man who was run over by a car in Hartford, CT and NO ONE stopped. Not just the driver, but not even any bystanders. They just stood there and watched or walked by without doing anything. There he was -- lying in the street -- injured -- in pain -- NO ONE did anything. Someone on a scooter even circled around him to look at him and then drove away. Police assisted because they had been on another call and happened upon the accident. It was not known if anyone called 911.

What in the name of God was wrong with those people who witnessed this?

As I read the article, however, I stopped to consider all the people who DO stop to assist people. But this is Delaware. Maybe things are better here.

REMEMBER

I still have my mother's wedding dress. It is a handmade dress worn on her special day January 10, 1944. I also have one of my father's Army uniforms, possibly the one he wore on that day. Although he never fought overseas during WWII, there was at that time the strong chance that he was to be sent at any moment. He took that long train trip from the east coast west in preparation for a possible assignment in the Pacific. Those were scary times. Unstable times. You never knew what came next. People were married on the spur of the moment just as they still do in times of war and upset. I have two uncles who served overseas during WWII. One was a fighter pilot. One made a daring escape from German captivity. I knew a man who was a prisoner of war in the South Pacific in WWII and was tortured by being kept in a small metal box in the sun. My husband piloted transport planes full of soldiers and supplies to Vietnam during that war. We all have stories of someone in our families who served and died or served and lived to tell the story. Remember and honor them.

This memorial weekend when you see pictures of wives and family left behind by those who served our country, remember those faces. They could be you or me if not for the courage it took for our young men to "join up" and the bravery of them as they fought their last battle.

Remember the men who left here as boys and returned as men. WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Afghanistan, Iran.

Always, always remember.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH

Just about this time 42 years ago I gave birth to the most wonderful, the most beautiful, the most talented, the sweetest daughter I could ever ask for.

Happy Birthday to my dearest, my only child.

ANDY WARHOL AND THE WEATHER CHANNEL

Andy Warhol said that everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes. Well, I don't know if that is true, but yesterday may have been one of my husband's few seconds.

I was sitting by the ocean yesterday and noticed a Weather Channel van parked nearby. I did not think it unusual because we often get news cameras by the beach to film a storm. We had just had that nor'easter and the beach was eroded as a result. I knew my husband was working a few blocks away and I thought of calling him to let him know his favorite channel's news was in town. I didn't call, but the next thing I saw was him standing by the news van. They hooked him up to a microphone, turned the camera on and there he was being interviewed and taped. This was a big deal for him, since as a retired Air Force pilot, weather was and still is important to him. We called our family to tell them, and about 7:30 last night he was on television. His interview on site took about ten minutes. After editing, he was on the screen for about ten seconds. Following him was an interview with a surfer who happened to be walking by. He got more air time. So much for television.

SQUIRREL UPDATE

A squirrel has been finally lured and captured into our trap. However, it may not be THE squirrel. The trap sits along the tray ceiling in the master bedroom (in which I have NOT been sleeping until all culprits are captured and all ceiling and attic openings sealed!). This occurred late last night. We set it loose and so far it and/or its partners have not reappeared. (By the way, he and his possible friends are all named "Peanut." If you share a bedroom with squirrels you have to name them.)

I will keep you apprised.

BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS and elephants, too

I am surrounded by books to read. I recently finished the BEST book I have read in a long time. It is "Water For Elephants" by Sara Gruen. It is fiction, but laced with some true events and facts. This book is SO good. It is definitely a "must read."

I was so fascinated by the behaviour of the elephant, that I checked out two more elephant related books from the library. I am now reading "Jumbo - The Greatest Elephant In The World" by Paul Chambers. I am almost finished it. It is full of interesting facts, figures, stories and photos and illustrations of this famous elephant who was with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. The word "jumbo" meaning large was derived from this elephant's name.

I also have waiting for me:

1. "The Circus At The Edge Of The Earth (Travels With The Great Wallenda Circus)" by Charles Wilkins.

2. "Modoc - The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived" by Ralph Helfer. (I don't know who was the greater - Jumbo or Modoc).

3. "D" Is For Deadbeat" by Sue Grafton. (I am working my way through the alphabet with this author.)

4. "The Diary of a Nobody" by George and Weedon Grossmith. (This was first published in 1892 and is about a timeless comic character in English fiction.)

5. "My Best Friend's Girl" by Dorothy Koomson (This was loaned to me by a friend who loved it.)

6. "Riding Lessons" by Sara Gruen.

I have finished reading "Slow Waltz In Cedar Bend" which was on my Spring Reading 2008 Challenge list. This was a good book, even though I did not really like the two main characters. The author, Robert James Waller, also wrote "The Bridges of Madison County" which I did not read, but saw the movie. Slow Waltz is similar in that it tells an interesting love story. It is worth reading.

I am also reading "Ida Mae Tutweiler's Traveling Tea Party", but I think I have read it before.

It is a beautiful day here in coastal Delaware. Two days ago we were besieged by very high winds and rain. Tree limbs and leaves are everywhere. You should have seen the ocean yesterday -- the roughest and highest waves I have seen for a long time.

THE GREAT SQUIRREL INCIDENT CONTINUES

I returned home last night and looked forward to a good night's sleep in my own bed. I checked outside the house and noted that the holes in the soffit along the roof were closed up and was happy that the repairs were made. Husband said it was all taken care of. I slept like a log and awakened this morning to the scramble of little feet in the ceiling. I got out of bed and looked up and, yup, there was the squirrel looking down at me. I grabbed my phone, called my husband and vented my outrage. Within thirty minutes two of his workers were at the house. Obviously, only the exterior was repaired with the squirrel still in the attic area and with open access to the unrepaired room size opening along the tray ceiling. You can't see this opening from ground level, but I climbed up the ladder to the ceiling myself and saw it. I now await the workers to return and seal up the opening which Husband the Builder said was "taken care of." I have also gone on-line and found out how to trap squirrels. So it looks like I will be heading to the local "Ace Is The Place" hardware store for a squirrel trap. The saga continues.

But -- I did have a very nice visit with my daughter and son-in-law, his parents and sister and her little girl, and my wonderful grandsons. It was a tight squeeze in their house for all of us, but it all worked out. The first communion was beautiful. Little Ian was dressed in the same suit his brother wore three years ago. He was so handsome and so proud. Eleven year old Cooper was the "official photographer" and took a cute video of the children singing at the church.

Well I guess I will head on out to the hardware store. Wish me luck.