It’s 5:18 a.m. and the fire whistle (more like a fog horn) blew three long blows. Fire. The dreaded sound. Shortly there will be the sound of engines racing.
(which reminds me, the birds are late this morning…)
5:21 a.m. Ah! There they are!
Monthly Archives: July 2014
Carl Sagan Speaks
Shade of Gray (Paint)
It started with me thinking about the “Summer of Paint.” As a homeowner, it is my duty to figure out how to get it scraped and painted. And for me, the only thing worse than painting (which is really quite easy), is PREP. With most of July over, I contemplated this the other day, and decided to cautiously approach the can of gray paint, which, if it had a personality, was waiting very patiently the last two summers…upon inspection, I tipped to shake. Oh woe is me, it was never hammered shut two summers ago…and you can see the results. One or two choice words later, which while it did no good did make me feel more in control of my world, I had to contemplate cleanup. Paper towels, paper bag, feet and flip flops now definite SHADES OF GRAY, and an idea sprang forth….despite the dirt and grime of a less-than-pristine-barn, I just mopped the steps with the spilt paint. WHY NOT?
To end this little tale, I DID paint the barn doors, and left the rest for another cool morning…(next week…this week I’m BUSY…)
DIY Fly Trap – put an end to nasty pests – FREE
Yesterday a fly actually got into my house, I had to let him out by opening the screen, but I like the trap idea, but I’m thinking not with the meat, just a sweet juice. But it’s a great idea, thanks!
We spend a lot of time outside & one of our big challenges with outdoor living are a huge quantity disgusting flies!
In the past I’ve bought traps and bait (that smelled foul) & they have been really helpful.
However I have found a great DIY solution to keep the population down and best of all you can make this fly trap yourself from used plastic bottles which appeals muchly to my reusing ethos and also makes it FREE!
Here is a method to make an efficient fly trap from one of your used plastic water bottles.
This is great for all sorts of domestic flies, blow flies and fruit flies
Materials: scissors, a hacksaw or sharp knife and some packing or electric tape
BAIT- a small chunk of meat chopped into the water will attract blowflies or a small amount of cat/dog poo with a little water. This will cook…
View original post 355 more words
Kate Sparrow
Virginia Abbott has her studio at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. A brief visit to my favorite digital darkroom and I bumped into Virginia and visited her studio as well. Seeing my face upon a sculpture was enthusiastic and exciting, and, of course, I had to have it.
The Mask
Inside the studio of Virginia Abbott, I found Kate Sparrow, and lo! A mask also of Kate Sparrow! 🙂 O HAPPY DAY!
Summer Soup for the Soul
Tapas, downtown Bethlehem PA.
The Word for the Day: Morganatic
http://www.worldwidewords.org/topicalwords/tw-mor1.htm
Wow! Are we still like this in society today? (I’m thinking, yes, pretty much, although we tend to say emphatically, “NO, we’re not!”
Among Other News…
My local newspaper has had a series this year entitled, “The year was 1914...” and then there are stories.
One of the stories that caught my eye was about the “$10,000,000 widow” of Mr. William Hayes Chapman, of Norwich, New York. Ah, the stories of the rich. After Mr. Hayes death, she married a Philip Van Valkenburgh of New York, but divorced rather quickly (.http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SFC19100701.2.2). The favored new suitor was Prince Wolff Metternich of Austria. His “dangerous” rival was the Portuguese Duke of Oporto, who had been close on the heels for the beautiful American divorcee for some time, but the prince feels that he is the favored suitor.
Upon my further investigation (via Google), Mr. Hayes had met his bride on the ship coming home from Europe. According to the Gettysburg Times, there were several men seeking her hand in marriage. Mr. Hayes died shortly after the wedding, relatives are trying to break the will.
Further New York Times investigation (headlines and first few lines only, can’t find my password on the subscription): in October 1909 she was “connected” with Lord Falconer, and in September of 1910 she was leading a very quiet life, turning down most social invitation.
Apparently the Portuguese duke won her hand in 1917. http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/08/duke-of-oporto-to-wed-american.html (Photos included in this one.)
I’m still searching for her real name. But it is interesting what one can find, and then pursue. For me, headlines and investigations. For Mrs. William Hayes Chapman, well, a little bit more.
UPDATE: DUKE OF OPORTO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afonso,_Duke_of_Porto#Marriage
WEALTHY WIDOW: NEVADA STOODY HAYES: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_Stoody_Hayes
The Pedometer
There’s an app for that! As well as one that monitors heart rate (still working on that one). I remembered to turn on the pedometer about halfway through my walk. Forgot to use it for the next walk I did (figures). Will let you know if this is worth it….
It's All About the Journey 
You must be logged in to post a comment.