A Forest Hike

Monday was a lovely day for a woods walk.  Spring flowers bloomed, birdsong echoed and pine trees towered above, impressively silent, except when leaning trunks squeaked against others which held them.  Chipmunks spread the alarm:  "Intruders!"  As after every winter, I've missed hiking under a forest canopy.  This is one way I recharge my soul and I'm fortunate to have the place and the opportunity to get outdoors.

Merry May

April flew by on dragon's wings.  The last of the snow fell (we do hope it's the last!).  Stirrings... of new energy, new creativity are awakening in me and I am eager to make something.  In fact, while recently rummaging through my craft room, I rediscovered an artful matchbox sent to me in the 1980's by DKA, an extremely talented artist in California.  This prompted a little research into "Matchbox Art" and "Matchbox Shrines" online.  I purchased 10-packs of small matchboxes at the grocer store and- the fun began.  I have many ideas for decorating and filling them, and, I am wondering who might like to "play art" and exchange with me.  The finished pieces can be mailed in padded envelopes (or even regular greeting card envelopes) as "1st Class Parcels."  (This I know because I work at the post office now.)  I hope to share pictures on this blog when I can.  Any interest?

You Throw Like A Girl

Spring is finally here! (Let's hope we don't get more snow.) My lovely tulips and daffodils are opening. I took this picture of wild daffodils while hiking in Alabama 2010. They seemed to grow everywhere like dandelions do here.

Yesterday I put out three hummingbird feeders, although the tiny wonders are not due back for a couple more weeks. Today I was enjoying a view of the birds at the seed feeder. Soon they flew off, and a bunch of orange fluff took their place. Red squirrel! Banging cans together or just shouting, I chased it off several times, only to watch it sit on a tree limb above my reach, laughing at me and twitching its tail. Later, I ran out of the house and lobbed a can of tomato soup at it, hoping to really scare it away- but after three tries, I only succeeded in denting my soup can.

It's not that I particularly hate red squirrels, but I do not want them around eating the birdseed and also- if they get into the house they are known to chew on electrical wires. Maybe it's time for live trapping and transplanting. Hmmmm

Spring Almost

With balmy weather and lots of sunshine, birds are singing, flowers are sprouting up, snow is melting. It lifts the spirit to feel refreshed and warmed. (Rain is on the way, of course.)

Balancing my carbohydrates with protein seems to keep my energy level, no spikes or downward spirals. My slacks are fitting more loosely, which is good.

I almost dragged my bike out, but the remaining daylight hours after work are still limited. Soon?

The Lowly Scrubbie

Some time ago, I submitted an article about thin green nylon scrub pads to a women's magazine and never heard a word back. I supposed that everyone else in the world has discovered how handy these can be (especially since they are sometimes hard to find) but perhaps there is one person out there who hasn't.

While attending a quaint old country church I noticed black scuff marks on the finished wooden floors. Going back later, I easily lifted off the marks by rubbing gently with a stiff scrubbing sheet.

Scrubbies are useful for exfoliating heels and soles of the feet after a shower or bath. (You could dampen a scrubbie and use a light touch on moistened elbows and face, followed by lotion or cream.)

To open a stubborn jar or turn a tight faucet, these pads grip almost as well as a rubber gasket.

My most recent discovery occurred after washing a black fleece cap and finding lint clinging to it afterwards. Brushing the damp surface with the green scrub pad removed the lint and restored it to almost new condition. This might or might not work on sweaters that have "pilled."

I cut each 4" x 6" sheet in half, then in half again to get maximum mileage out of these useful little scrubbers. Let me know if you have any other uses for them.

Box-ing

Okay, I admit it, I have a box fetish. Well, maybe not exactly a fetish, but- I hate to see a clean, sturdy box go to waste. When I'm in the grocery store, I would rather shop with a box on my arm than push around a rolling (screeching, sticking) cart. If an item doesn't fit in the box, I don't buy it. Often halfway through a quick trip to the store, I have to pick up an empty box (from a bottom shelf or stock clerk's pile) because I'm gathering more than I can carry. (I was so sure I wouldn't need a cart).

My significant other becomes nervous when I pick up a box at a store. "You can't take that box home!" I am warned. Is there concern that I might turn my living space into a warehouse???

A clean box can be re-used for many things. Long narrow boxes like shoe boxes make good dresser drawer organizers for socks, etc. Empty envelope boxes nicely hold greeting cards that I intend to send to family and friends someday. Sturdy boxes stacked on on their sides are a substitute for book shelves where there is a furniture shortage. Arranged similarly by the entry way, they may hold boots and sneakers neatly. On that top shelf of a closet, open boxes on their sides will keep stacked sweaters or folded slacks from falling down.

If one is creative, tray-type boxes covered with fabric or contact paper will serve as attractive desk-top organizers. I recommend stashing a box in the back seat to keep the inside of the car/mobile-office tidy. Putting groceries into a larger box in the trunk can prevent bottles from falling over/rolling around/spilling their contents.

Boxes can be pressed into frugal duty almost anywhere. I feel like I'm forgetting some other clever applications.

Have I convinced you yet of the value of the lowly box???

Cornfields

Summer is winding down: tree leaves are tinged with orange and all but the most persistent weeds are dying. Purple thistle and goldenrod grace the roadsides.
At the Farmers Market, tables are filled with a colorful display of produce including fuzzy peaches, gleaming green peppers and orange-red tomatoes.

While riding my bicycle between cornfields I saw the sunlight glinting off a sea of green leaves. This poem came to me:










a-Maize

Tall cornstalk's gone to tassel
Green ear's topped with silk red
Flat hollows in the rows disclose
Where weary deer have bed.
8/19/2011