Childrens Books -- How My Lifelong Passion Began

Ever since second grade, books have been my constant companions. I've read hundreds and hundreds over my lifetime...and hopefully that will change to thousands and thousands before I'm through.

Paddington's adventures. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's lessons. Baba Yaga's legend. The beginning of a life-long passion. One I've shared with my son. One he now claims as his own....

So much more than a hobby. More like an appendage. If ever cut off my life would be missing an integral part of 'me'. I spend time between the covers each and every day. Expanding horizons. Immersed in a good romance. Listening to a witty discussion. Relaxing. Dreaming. Learning.

Need to discover a good book with a small one in your life? Try Tuesday by David Wiesner or Ship of Dreams by Dean Morrissey. Snuggle close in a chair. Luxuriate in your precious time together. Count your blessings -- times like these are treasures, seeds for wonderful life-long memories.

If you need some wonderful titles, just let me know. I would be happy to share a few. But be warned! Once you start you won't be able to stop. You will get hooked. But no worries -- the only regret you'll have is you'll wish you started sooner!

Innocence

Thursday night was Trick or Treat night in our community. I look forward to it every year. The little ones are so darling. They cry "TRICK OR TREAT" and hold their candy bags out proudly. They peer into my basket to see what is about to be added to their collection. Shouting 'Thank You!!" they rush to show their parents what they received before scampering off to the next house.

This year I had several who wanted to talk. They explained their costumes, why they picked them, what their favorite candies are, how their school costume parade went. I listened to their animated tales, happy they felt like sharing with me. What a hoot!

There were a few I didn't recognize. Some are from depressed or unsafe areas of the city. I welcome the children knowing their parents have made a wonderful choice. We have plenty to share and those brilliant smiles and bright eyes deserve to celebrate a fun American tradition without worry.

To be so animated. Bubbly. Living in the moment. Safe with neighbors who care. Protected by parents who love them. As it should be...on Beggers' Night and the other 364 of the year.

Philip W Smith B&B: Graceful, Preserved Elegance

You all know I like to pass on compliments and positive reviews. I want to introduce you to Chris and Jill Nelson, proprietors of two gorgeous Victorian homes on Main Street in Richmond, Indiana. Within two'ish hours due west you will find yourself transported to fabulous woodwork, incredible jewel-tone stained glass windows, chandeliers, unique tiled fireplaces and claw-footed bathtubs. ( Check out their website: www.pwsmithbnb.com)

We have stayed twice with them. Two years ago we stayed at the Smith house. Earlier this month we stayed at the Martha E. Parry home. Very easy to find and just two blocks separates them. The breakfasts are delicious and there's always a yummy evening snack such as a homemade berry pie or chocolate dessert. (They are respectful to their guests' dietary needs.)

Chris and Jill are a young couple who are extremely involved in the preservation of the homes in the historic district where these are located. In fact, they have just purchased two more homes to renovate directly across the street. I would love for you to experience their gracious hospitality. A drive over during the fall, viewing the beautiful leaves along the way, sets the tone for a relaxing weekend. Enjoy!

Winterizing: More Than I Bargained For

For those that know me well know I love my flower beds that both surround the house and are free-standing. Over the twenty-some years we have been in this house I have switched from mostly annuals to a collection of perennials I'm proud of. From the practical (day lilies and sedums) to the unique (my Toad Lily is blooming now -- it is way cool. Look it up. Blooms in later fall and every stem is lined with a row of orchid-looking blooms. Amazing!).

Part of the annual cycle of care is getting the beds ready for the cold season. And this year I decided to do my sedum-oriental grass-hosta cut-back earlier than usual. By two weeks at least. Why? Because every other year I have waited until frost when by that time the grasses have shot up their feathery plumes and then turned to stiff, hard-to-cut straw-like stuff and the hollow stems of the sedum turn to bamboo'ish instruments of torture.

After 2 1/2 hours I was completely finished. So much easier. So much quicker. (I even used the electric hedge trimmers on the grass for the first time -- I went flyin' thru those wide stands! Woo-Hoo!!) How smart was I..... till I looked at my arms the following morning after I arrived at work. I felt this little twinge of some sort. I pulled up my left sleeve then my right to find both my forearms from my wrists to my elbows covered (let me repeat that...covered) with narrow yet long scabbed-over lacerations. I looked like I had been whipped repeatedly by some nasty uber-thin lash. I was so embarrassed!! I couldn't roll those cuffs down fast enough!!

So all of you neophyte gardeners out there -- LFME (learn from my experience): Yes, it makes perfect sense to be ahead of the calendar to prevent blisters and cut down on time...and Yes, cutting while still green makes it easier to shove those pliable stems into the yard trash bags....but No, do not allow bare arms to come in contact with those itty-bitty, teeny-weeny extremely sharp serrated edges of the grass blades while you do the stuffing. They're nasty, mean, adhere to "take no prisoners" warfare and show absolutely no favoritism. None whatsoever. Really. No joke. Nada. (ouch)

Evans Carpet Junkyard

How did we find them? We were at Lowe's looking at carpet samples and the salesman told us for the project we were attempting to do, it would be more feasible as well as economical for us to "go to the junkyard". Honestly the name was not at all appealing whatsoever. But I decided to go over and put my 'toe in the water' to check out the company and = wow = I bought a fabulous piece of Karastan and had it bound for a bedroom that very first trip. So don't let their name put you off. It's like opening a Russell Stover Chocolate box to find a Godiva assortment. Trust me. You will be thrilled with this discovery!

Here's the scoop: It is a family-owned and operated business since 1956. Located on Hague Ave, just south of Fisher Rd, there is a warehouse filled with a plethora of flooring choices! Not only can you order anything you like but you can walk around the building finding fabulous buys on buy-outs, over-runs and discontinued shags, berbers, solids, patterns, tone-on-tones, wool, nylon, blends. Perfect for residential and commercial settings. It is like a treasure hunt every time you go because the selection changes with sold items being removed and new items arriving all the time. Need your choice installed? Can do! Removal of that old worn carpet can be arranged as well.

Do you want to show off your hardwoods? They will bind your choice in whatever size or shape you need. (We wanted an L-shape for a foyer and hall combination and they did it beautifully.) Also on hand are a selection of larger oriental style rugs. I fell in love with one and we have placed that over the basement carpet where a new table and chairs will sit. The colors blend so perfectly together!

The Evans family has now re-carpeted every room but one in our home. And I have a feeling that will happen in the very near future. Take the time to go and have a peek. You'll be doing yourself a favor.