And describe WHAT LOVE IS:

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
Danny - age 7

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."
Nikka - age 6

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
Lauren - age 4

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Smile
Karen - age 7

A four year old child had a next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,
"Nothing, I just helped him cry."

Kids Speak Again, this time about MARRIAGE:

How do you decide who to marry?

"No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with."
-- Kristen, age 10

How can a strangeer tell if two people are married?

"You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids."
-- Derrick, age 8

What do most people do on a date?

"Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough."
-- Lynnette, age 8

What would you do on a first date that was turning sour?

"I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns."
-- Craig, age 9 (ingenious)

Is it better to be single or married?

"It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them."
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

How would the world be different if the people did not get married?

"There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?"
-- Kelvin, age 8

How would you make a marriage work?

"Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck."
-- Ricky, age 10

Why do woodpeckers approach a feeder with a swoop like an attack? It's just suet for cryin' out loud, and they startle me when they swoop out of the top of the tree to the feeder like that?

Are there really so many patentable differences in hostas as to make well over 3500 varietes? Are there really people who can spot a serendipity at 10 paces and tell that it's not halcyon? And do they care?

And what's with all the "ex ZAK ly" by those being interviewed?

And "It's forty five freaking degrees here and nearly Memorial Day. I've seen temps this cold on occasion, but it's been like this all spring. One month away from summer and it's still furnace weather."..What's with that? I'm wearing a fleece jacket...in the house....in late May fer cryin out loud!!
Linda C

First harvest of the summer. They started cutting yesterday, bailing in the evening, and with pickup and store today. Wonder what they will plant next. It's usually feed corn. Wonder if they will use this year's corn for cattle or bio-diesel. Guess it's a fuel either way.

{{gwi:155863}}

Lately I keep coming back to my old mantra - a hundred years from now all new people. Might have to change that since science seems determined to keep us all living longer. I wonder if that's really a plus of the 21st Century?

As I try to organize my office today I wonder why I have to much stuff I never look at yet continue to keep. I am getting a ton of stuff for shredding - might have to buy a better shredder. Whoever invented the shredder, thank you.

Once a person passes seventy I wonder if we all begin to conjecture on how long we'll live. Fruitless really, but not the first fruitless pastime I've indulged myself in. I seem to be asking myself that question a lot lately. I hope I grow out of it. I guess I'd like to know so I can decide whether I should keep hanging onto my savings a bit longer or start spending ~ beginning with a new high end printer and a skylight in the living room.

Lunchtime is here. Hamburger out at the Water Street Pub? Or stay home and finish up the leftover curry? Or best reuben sandwich in the world at the Blue Moose Cafe or stay home and finish up the leftover curry? Or....Grilled Salmon plate at the Cape Cleare catering stand that's at the Co-op on Thursdays? Or or or or or.

If I announced in the local paper that I was planning a photoshoot of all women named Susan I bet a huge number of would show up. Same with the name Linda. Or Dave. I know so many people called Susan or Linda or Dave.

The brassicas, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and kohl rabi look like they are enjoying this unseasonable cool weather as do the peas but the tomatoes and peppers not to mention the poor eggplant are shivering.

Furnace has been running so I fired up the wood burning stove maybe take the chill from the house, last I checked temps. it was in the high forties and the wind is steady at 35 mph with gusts to 50.

Does anyone have a grip on their first memory? Not sure I have but remember sitting in the old lawn glider with grandma and our mongrel dog and I believe grandma told me it was destroyed when I was 2. Wind storm took out some trees and the lawn swing, I do remember vividly going to Yellowstone park in 1929 when I was 3. We took a 1928 Whippet that had wide running boards and carried all of our camping gear, tent and all tied on the back and beside the tool box on the running board. The tool boxes were standard equipment with any new car, you were going to have to fix things so the tools were supplied.

Leone is working at the museum this p.m. but it is so cold and windy that I would be surprised if she has many visitors. I had one yesterday from a place we hadn't had any before, Malta, they were going to California to visit relatives, last year we had as I recall visitors from 35 countries with England leading the way and Germany a close second, not counting Canada because we get Canadian visitors daily.

Without even hinting at anything political won't you all be glad when this campaign is over with, feel like writing in none of the above when the general election is here.

Just got through pounding in flour , salt and pepper in a hunk of round steak I dug out of the freezer this morning, Leone asked me to fix what I call Swiss steak and she calls smothered steak for dinner. She calls Swiss steak a cut of beef browned and cooked with tomatoes and mixed vegetables, I'll just simmer this one all afternoon and about a half hour before serving throw in a cup of onions chopped and some celery, this one is simmering in beef broth so should have good gravy when its done.

Did the nursing home visits today, spent most of the time with my brother and then a very short visit with mom. Went to the grocery store, now have a little food in the house.

Cold, windy, off and on sun, can't take it much more, need warmth, sunshine. One basil has bit the dust due to wet and cold, other one not far behind.

Am sick of dealing with investment companies. I have durable POA over both parents, am on IRA's as POA, but still they want more forms signed in order to withdraw money............privacy laws, stupid, ungrateful children that have wiped out parents savings............this is why all the forms. Too bad if a parent can no longer sign name, but there are ways around it. Things are now settled so I can sit back and take a small breath before next round of compications.

Rabbits and chimpmunks are starting to eat plants, guess they are hungry this spring. Of course deer eat all year long.

In the early morning what bird decides it's time to wake up and start singing? Is there on species that is up earlier than others and they start the chorus, or is it first awake, first voice?

Wonder why God made robins like worms so much?

Have to make dinner, ate a late lunch and don't feel like eating, but have to feed dad. Don't know what to give him, better think of some thing as I know he will be hungry.
He may have dementia but he never forgets when it is time to eat!

Ever wonder what your life would be like if you won the lottery? I do, figured if I won a lot I would give back to those that were always there for me, would you?

My computer died - specifically the hard drive. No need to tell any of you the panic I'm feeling right now - sort of like I've had one of my arms cut off.

It may be chilly up north, but it's hot down here - although not as hot as it ocould be. however, the low ninties to me is hot. I'm on my summer gardening schedule now. Get up and out early in the morning & follow the shade until 11:30 to noon when it's just too hot to keep going. I've got tomatoes & squash coming on & I'm hoping to pick the first ones in about three weeks. I love the summer fruit & vegetable season. Fruit & veggies that are really tasty (and local to be politically correct) instead of the cardboard variety that we have to put up with during the winter.

Lots of bird here & I wish I could identify them as well as some of you can. I just like to see them swooping onto the feeders & listening to them singing in the trees.

....""No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with."
-- Kristen, age 10 ...."

I wonder if people who are certain that there is a Supreme Being that determines everything, ever thought about all marriages, even the bad ones, in that way.

I wonder if we are going to have a hot summer to make up for this chilly spring. The TVWeather doofus has already started his yearly "Watch out!! It's hurricane season"

I don't have hostas, but I wonder about the zillion million daylilies that look just the same to most people. Who gets the job of trying to figure out the differences so that they get a new, fancier name?

And.... I wonder if this is the year that we finally get an orange to stay on the orange tree. If I weren't so afraid that talking about it would make it fall, I would tell you that all have dropped off except one, and it's about the size of a quarter.

Gathered up at least 20% of my kitchen stuff, bedlinens and household tchotkes in the past few weeks for yardsale and donating. Some were still in boxes in closets and garage from our downsizing move several years ago. I rediscovered a few old favorites but most just went back in box for sale. I'm enjoying the extra space and neater storage.

I can now leave out on kitchen counter my little Moulinex machine which grinds, shreds, slices, etc. with a continuous feed right into your bowl...bought for I think about $40 when the Cuisinart food processors first came out. Easier to clean and store and it's still chugging along after perhaps 25 (?) years of at least twice-weekly use. I love the older well made. well designed products! Made pimiento cheese and also carrot salad today.

Relishing this cool weather since I can have doors open to hear children's voices and birdsong. I've cancelled cabletv, seldom watched by me and rather read news on line. I'm not much for music so it's rather quiet here now. Missing DH but knowing he's in good hands and monitored 24 hours a day eases the worry.

Read in New York magazine that studies show going barefoot is better than any type shoe for healthy feet, legs, spine ..I always knew that! Always loved high heels but otherwise I'm barefoot. LOL josh

Rain, sun, clouds, rain. Wind, breeze, gusts, wind. 80's, 60's, 50's, 80's. Seems like the first "normal" spring after several interminable years of drought. So many plants died overwinter that in spite of the season, there are noticeably fewer azaleas and rhodies. What's a Spring without swathes of pink and lavender?

Driving can be interesting because either the flooding rain loosens roots to topple trees, or the wind breaks leafy branches and tosses them into the road. When I got home yesterday, DH shows me the old wild cherry tree that grows between neighbor's garage and my garden. The top 20' had broken off, along with the branches on one side. The debrís was leaning against neighbor's fence after smashing flat the top of the wooden arches. Not one twig on our side. I've seen similar damage done by tornados and by hurricanes, but not during a non-storm wind gust. Sorry to lose the tree, but there will be considerably more sun on the garden now.

Neighbor on the opposite side was severely bitten by a white cat which approached him while he was pulling weeds. No one knew who was the 'owner', but health department canvassed area and finally located the owner, ½ mile away. Thankfully the cat had had all its shots. Rabies treatment is a misery, but raccoons in the area have been found rabid, so there is always a risk. The cat apparently has a reputation for attacking people. Makes one wonder if it had been abused, or was just 'naturally' bad-tempered.

At my desk... the boss is taking a lateral transfer into another office. He's been here for about 8 years, so that's really going to be a change of pace. Less legal work and more work directly with the school staffs. The new boss has been announced; unfortunately someone I know and don't care for. That's okay, the word is out that my job is being phased out, planned for the coming year, depending on how fast the school staff can learn and use the data system. Keep in mind that the last time [5 years ago] a similar process went over to being done by the school staff, it was expected to take a year... and there are *still* schools which don't do the data. I have no doubt I'll be retired long before the actual phase-out.

Fruit salads are rising in popularity. I made one for SIL's picnic using a combination I had tasted at one of the office luncheons. Cantaloupe, watermelon, black seedless grapes, fresh pineapple slices, strawberry halves. Very good. I topped it vanilla yoghurt [which others liked] but I think next time a fruit-flavored yoghurt would be better.

The garden is slow in getting planted. It's rained every weekend for several weeks, and there hasn't been quite enough hot weather to warm the soil. Maybe this weekend... mow the lawns, mulch the paths, plant carrots, beans, squash if the soil gets to 65°. And maybe just sit back and watch the grass grow.

I'm in California, and we're having crazy weather.

An early spring got the blossoms and the bees active. A late April freeze killed most of the little fruits on my trees and grape vines. Some farmers got hit pretty hard.

Last week it was 102 degrees, dead-still-air, miserable; the Hydrangeas hated it, the Albizia loved it.

Temps back down to the 70's-80's now; though unseasonable high winds added insult to the injury caused by last week's heat wave.

I turned the heat on for Neil last night.
Our old electric blanket bit the dust on my side but Neil
keeps hanging on to it and keeps his side on all the time. It didn't make the move downstairs yesterday.

We finally bought a new bed. I went to the store, tried out everything they had and chose one. Guilt feelings had me hurrying home to pick up Neil so he could help decide. He chose the same one I had picked out. It's a bit higher off the floor than the old one but I don't care.

Some days I feel as if I'm living in the twilight zone here.
Once in awhile, I just feel like giving up but then I repeat those "for better or worse" vows and remind myself
that I may be a lot of things but I'm not a quitter.

I wonder if they will find out the crooks that sent out those authentic looking emails from Wachovia Banking Security to try and get me to change my password for my
account. I wonder how many people fell for it and changed
the password. I made a copy of the email and took it to the bank. They jumped on it like a duck on a june bug.
It certainly looked authentic.

It makes me sad that there are so many dishonest people in the world, but on the other hand there are a lot of really special, hard working, people who'd give you the shirt off their back if you needed it.

It's cloudy here today and also the second time this month I've had to have an airconditioner repaired. There is no end to the money pit here.

I trained myself to enjoy the weather whatever the circumstance. If it's hot, relish my freezing my patootie off or if it's raining, enjoy the pattering of droplets... but no one needs it around here the past few weeks. Those around me keep commenting on how we actually have a real spring. Normally, it lasts a couple of weeks, then it's hot/humid. Not this year. It's so awesome! Cool breezes with no humidity. As perfect as it gets. We're relishing it. The other night we went to a little restaurant (Cabana's) which highlighted the weather. It has 20 foot ceilings with doors that open completely so that you're surrounded by short walls and a few columns between you and the outside. It's ecclectic with a 60s feel, and food/drinks which are in vogue now. As the couple next to us ordered a pizza and a pitcher of sangria, I sighed happily and said, "the only thing that would round this off is if I heard 'Girl from Ipanema'". It was playing the next day in Starbucks when I went in! Haven't heard it in decades. Good ol' Sinatra.

"I trained myself to enjoy the weather whatever the circumstance." That's a good way to do it, Rob333. I can go with the flow too, where just appreciating it is concerned. The cool temps have kept the trees in bloom like they were in suspended animation. The pigments in the blooms are not bleached out either. Very vibrant.

I have economic issues with freaky weather in my business, however. The man who brings his big tractor over to rip and till our garden just came back today to do a second run over it. I depend heavily on food I raise myself. I have the priveledge of starting my stuff and letting it grow on in the empty g'houses. I have knee high corn up there on the bench now! But most folks have to seed direct and we are talking putting some stuff in very, very late or maybe having rot out in the field from the cold and wet.

The flower sales went well on the wholesale, pre-solds. But, this week-end needs to be pretty for retail customers. They wait too long to do flower gardens, they just don't. I pity the retail g'house this year.

At least the fruit crop didn't freeze. (I am crossing my fingers, because I have seen fruit killing freezes in June.)

Josh, We've got one of those little Moulinex machines. DH loves it. He uses the big Cuisinaart for big cooking jobs, but the little machine is perfect for dishes with smaller protions.

I've got out MG group coming here in two weeks after our June meeting to seee my daylilies & I've been in a tizzy getting the garden weeded, hacking down the nasty areas going down to the woods & putting down more mulch. I wish I had gotten on the stick earlier as our heat index this afternoon was about 105! LOL, I just may go on gardening vacation after they've all come & gone.

Shoot, I'm still buying flowers to put somewhere.
The only planting I have finished, is a flat of impatiens
in the back.
I planted 2 planters for the front and placed them by
the columns on the porch or stoop or what the heck ever that
thing is called.

I do have to tell y'all that I have found one advantage to having a husband that can't see. I dented the front bumper
last week trying to get past the workman's truck and Neil
still doesn't know it. WHOOHOOO!
In his sighted days he would have fumed and carried on til I had it fixed and drone on about the dangers of parking at odd angles near others.

Di, if you are reading this, I hit the #@!#@ brick foundation where the garage used to be. Knocked a big chunk of bricks out of that sucker. Probably did a thousand dollars in damage to my car.

I got a phone call from the young man that bought my lake house. He was raving about what a great house it is and how beautiful all the flowers are and all the birds. He had some questions about Hummingbirds. It made me feel really good that he loves the house and the gardens and appreciates
the birds and butterflies.

Why do they call them moon roofs and not sun roofs?

Moon roofs...probably some copywriter realized the sun is no longer regarded as a beneficial phenomenon but as something to be avoided, feared. We go from one extreme to the other it seems. I still enjoy brief doses of winter's sun or very early morning in summer, thinking I get more benefit than not. And everything but toothpaste and nail enamel seems to have sunscreen nowadays. josh

Missy went up north with a friend so I am holding down the fort, sort of. Have a couple of ribs out of place for the last week or so and the numbing pain across my back and down my left arm have been keeping me awake most nights. Then some bug found me a couple of days ago that keeps me close to home. Odd thunderstorms coming through the last three days so not able to work any way. Cannot get comfortable laying down, sitting or standing. Weather went from 100* last Monday to down in the 50*s. Wearing my heavy robe here but no coffee as that would just cause trouble. At least the plants will not need water for a while.

Moon roof...so you can stand on the seat and .... take a picture of the waterfall not 15 feet from the side of the road and goes up 60 feet... or provide other moonshine to passers-by...

Since when do stray cats have the right to get picky about their food?
Saw a sight that set me back a few paces yesterday. An Amish construction crew working on the new Showgirl strip club?????????????

I guess I am not going to mow anything today, just as well, Mowses is almost out of gas and the big-wheel push mower, Willie, doesn't get any mileage at all. It is raining, not all that unusual for Memorial weekend, but nevertheless a surprise.
There was quite a bit of traffic yesterday, fun-seekers heading for camp-grounds and the State-parks, having paid dearly for the fuel to get them there, looking for some relaxation, I feel for them and hope they manage to have fun just the same. It is possible, been there, done that.
My bored cats have settled down, Sooty and Taffy choose to hang out on my un-made bed, I planned to change sheets this morning, well, it will have to wait, I am not going to disturb them.
Tomato starts are waiting to be planted, Memorial Day is the usual time to do that in this neck of the woods. Last week, in triple digit heat, it felt as though this rule need not apply, but it is a good one.
Our Health Food Store's ad in the local Weekly contains some interesting slogans, real groaners. The last one:
"Time flies like an arrow
Fruit flies like a banana"
and the current one
"A hardboiled egg for breakfast can't be beat"

LOL Treehouse...I like your reasoning for Moonroof better than mine...I hadn't heard the phrase but can now "picture" your explanation all too easily. I figure if that's what's happening I'm just as glad I don't get out and about often...LOL josh

DH harcestedp the first two zucchini this afternoon. He was exstati & teh zucchini were huge. I told him he'd best scrounge up every recipe he had for them because once they start, they just don't stop. We'll be up to our eyeballs in them soon.