tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203580782024-03-07T00:00:04.996-05:00The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the TreeCharley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.comBlogger620125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-82303233413814667072012-01-19T14:43:00.000-05:002012-01-19T14:43:49.138-05:00Another Dolphin!We went to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge today to do a little hiking and see the manatees. This was the first time we had set out to do any trail <strike>hikes</strike> walks since at least two surgeries ago. We stuck to a couple of easy trails and I did quite well. Next time we'll try something a little longer. <br />
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After our walks we went to the bridge over the Haulover Canal to see the manatees. We knew from our trips to Blue Springs that we'd be better off going on a cool day. WRONG! The water in the canal was too cool for them today. I'm not sure how well you'd be able to see them anyway, the water wasn't very clear. No matter, it was a beautiful day and we had brought along a picnic lunch. While we were sitting there eating, John asked if I could see the dolphin? Dolphin! Here?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzZhl_XhfIU/TxhwgLeUgAI/AAAAAAAAKB0/fPJOJeQ1-Gw/s1600/2012-01-19%2BMerritt%2BIsland%2BNWR%2B043_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzZhl_XhfIU/TxhwgLeUgAI/AAAAAAAAKB0/fPJOJeQ1-Gw/s640/2012-01-19%2BMerritt%2BIsland%2BNWR%2B043_cr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Look, I got a picture and you can kind-of, sort-of tell what it is!<br />
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Here are a few other pics from our day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQU9doO6k1o/TxhxZFT5s4I/AAAAAAAAKCA/eYaGSTWmrZE/s1600/2012-01-19%2BMerritt%2BIsland%2BNWR%2B038_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQU9doO6k1o/TxhxZFT5s4I/AAAAAAAAKCA/eYaGSTWmrZE/s640/2012-01-19%2BMerritt%2BIsland%2BNWR%2B038_crsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ysxSebAWCP0/TxhxZR_TvWI/AAAAAAAAKCM/A_Lh1m9Q1nQ/s1600/2012-01-19%2BMerritt%2BIsland%2BNWR%2B047_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ysxSebAWCP0/TxhxZR_TvWI/AAAAAAAAKCM/A_Lh1m9Q1nQ/s640/2012-01-19%2BMerritt%2BIsland%2BNWR%2B047_crsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XR3Yfr9UbEk/TxhxZkhkV6I/AAAAAAAAKCY/WWlZah2QE_E/s1600/2012-01-19%2BMerritt%2BIsland%2BNWR%2B050_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XR3Yfr9UbEk/TxhxZkhkV6I/AAAAAAAAKCY/WWlZah2QE_E/s640/2012-01-19%2BMerritt%2BIsland%2BNWR%2B050_crsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-74988284925472606572012-01-11T10:38:00.000-05:002012-01-11T10:38:53.705-05:00DrabI decided to push myself a bit on my my daily walk. I chose a route where I knew I have a place to sit if I needed to.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxWp81Izbhc/Tw2p284a0SI/AAAAAAAAKBA/ePagntYHO9s/s1600/2012-01-11%2B001sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxWp81Izbhc/Tw2p284a0SI/AAAAAAAAKBA/ePagntYHO9s/s640/2012-01-11%2B001sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I passed on the opportunity to sit. As uninviting as this gazebo is I doubt anyone makes much use of it.<br />
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I've been through most of the development either in the car or the golf cart but today I walked a couple of blocks I'd never been down before. There was another opportunity to sit a spell I didn't know about.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwjHzh898LA/Tw2p3AINNuI/AAAAAAAAKBQ/jdtejPbRBMo/s1600/2012-01-11%2B003sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwjHzh898LA/Tw2p3AINNuI/AAAAAAAAKBQ/jdtejPbRBMo/s640/2012-01-11%2B003sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I guess if you like to watch the golfers this would be an ok spot but some plants would go a long way towards making it more inviting. As I was passing the water hazard I watched a guy tee off but was still surprised at the sound of the splash next to me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sXej7cGjnl4/Tw2p3nAC1zI/AAAAAAAAKBY/EHKo0LYSDFo/s1600/2012-01-11%2B005_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sXej7cGjnl4/Tw2p3nAC1zI/AAAAAAAAKBY/EHKo0LYSDFo/s640/2012-01-11%2B005_crsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This view of the main club house was a bit more interesting.<br />
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I walked almost two miles at a fast pace, for me anyway. Hopefully I'll be able to maintain that distance and gradually push a little further.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-24545278041526490802012-01-10T20:33:00.000-05:002012-01-10T20:33:43.772-05:00Dolphin EncounterWe went back to Kennedy Space Center today. On the drive over the draw bridge was up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IsR9hB88ysE/TwzlNbvOWZI/AAAAAAAAKAc/bKPpBqz-Jvk/s1600/2012-01-10%2B013sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IsR9hB88ysE/TwzlNbvOWZI/AAAAAAAAKAc/bKPpBqz-Jvk/s640/2012-01-10%2B013sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Of course I wanted to see what type of boat was going through and holding us up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PPev6U5h9mk/Twzl0jFKJTI/AAAAAAAAKAo/Wb_w-pRVzT8/s1600/2012-01-10%2B015_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PPev6U5h9mk/Twzl0jFKJTI/AAAAAAAAKAo/Wb_w-pRVzT8/s640/2012-01-10%2B015_crsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
But wait! Did I just see a dolphin swimming by the boat? Yes, yes it was a dolphin!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KV3VZGJkLSI/TwzmJwO0b7I/AAAAAAAAKA0/PxoYXDfgah4/s1600/2012-01-10%2B017_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KV3VZGJkLSI/TwzmJwO0b7I/AAAAAAAAKA0/PxoYXDfgah4/s640/2012-01-10%2B017_crsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I hope you didn't strain your eyes too much looking for it. I had to blow the photo up lots of times to be able to see the fin and I knew where to look. Ah, well. I have the memory.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-11647104792569909902012-01-07T16:35:00.000-05:002012-01-07T16:35:39.293-05:00Pitter Patter of Little Feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gL8sBWH2e08/Twi5iTVGkEI/AAAAAAAAKAQ/ZwczJ9eQV7k/s1600/2012-01-07%2B001_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gL8sBWH2e08/Twi5iTVGkEI/AAAAAAAAKAQ/ZwczJ9eQV7k/s640/2012-01-07%2B001_cr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Another beautiful day! After dinner everyone headed off to do their own thing. I was sitting outside when I could hear him coming across the roof. You'd think he'd be used to me by now but as he made his way down the shrubs he caught sight of me and started making quite a racket. By the time I grabbed the camera he had retreated to the safety of the palm tree.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-71577321179726483152012-01-06T20:10:00.000-05:002012-01-06T20:10:08.235-05:00Happy Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ91uyeD6Sg/TweaTmo5-CI/AAAAAAAAKAE/bXMatNssyT8/s1600/2012-01-06%2B002_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ91uyeD6Sg/TweaTmo5-CI/AAAAAAAAKAE/bXMatNssyT8/s400/2012-01-06%2B002_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>So how did he spend his day? Lunch at Smokey Bones followed by grocery shopping. Then he spent the afternoon swearing at the golf cart. Afraid I wasn't much help but the new cowl looks good. Maybe he'll get that last screw in tomorrow .<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-33470166123174419392012-01-05T18:45:00.002-05:002012-01-06T16:01:11.832-05:00New Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jcdhDcqF794/TwdPeL1ERPI/AAAAAAAAJ_4/rxVs0Zpg2lY/s1600/2012-01-06%2B009_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jcdhDcqF794/TwdPeL1ERPI/AAAAAAAAJ_4/rxVs0Zpg2lY/s640/2012-01-06%2B009_crsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We went out to buy carpet and came home with books too!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-44348149804398495062012-01-04T19:55:00.000-05:002012-01-04T19:55:55.805-05:00Obsession<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-omCeEhk584k/TwT0lGh3n5I/AAAAAAAAJ_s/kq1lGxQ4kXc/s1600/2012-01-04%2B006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-omCeEhk584k/TwT0lGh3n5I/AAAAAAAAJ_s/kq1lGxQ4kXc/s640/2012-01-04%2B006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Today was the last day of Ancestry's sale so I ponied up and spent the whole day downloading Canadian records. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-49276103649651026912012-01-03T16:58:00.000-05:002012-01-03T16:58:08.995-05:00Winter Has Arrived<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjmkzU8vpoM/TwN5KyUbIOI/AAAAAAAAJ_g/68G2IBD39qQ/s1600/2012-01-03%2B002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjmkzU8vpoM/TwN5KyUbIOI/AAAAAAAAJ_g/68G2IBD39qQ/s640/2012-01-03%2B002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The cold last night claimed most of the azalea blossoms. We're expecting it to be even colder tonight so I expect the rest will be gone tomorrow.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-71413856351997705962012-01-02T18:02:00.000-05:002012-01-02T18:02:18.582-05:00Left Over Christmas Bows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7VAug8A_o_E/TwI3GlYOrUI/AAAAAAAAJ_U/80MMgDww_yI/s1600/2012-01-02%2B001sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7VAug8A_o_E/TwI3GlYOrUI/AAAAAAAAJ_U/80MMgDww_yI/s640/2012-01-02%2B001sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
My daily walks are painful so anything that makes me smile is welcome.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-39081710316829657042012-01-01T18:27:00.000-05:002012-01-01T18:27:17.464-05:00Hello 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPLG40wQWbI/TwDnZo4ECQI/AAAAAAAAJ-A/LNM4Rx9Rfyk/s1600/New%2BYear%2BWordle4JPGsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPLG40wQWbI/TwDnZo4ECQI/AAAAAAAAJ-A/LNM4Rx9Rfyk/s320/New%2BYear%2BWordle4JPGsm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We saw the new year in at the main club house with Marie, Hugh and many of our neighbors. The band was the best we've seen here so far and we spent a little time on the dance floor. I was having such a good time that I talked about joining the weekly line dancing group. Obviously that must have been the wine talking. I was hurting by the time we got home but every time we go out I dance a little more and hurt a little less. Driving home in the cart we were treated to fireworks being set off all over the park.<br />
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I was regretting the amount of wine I consumed when I got up this morning. We had another sunny and warm day which made my walk less miserable. When I got home I started packing away the Christmas decorations until my back demanded a break.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eyqr_LYVAtA/TwDpsa2GsXI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/dGlR4bTy2xc/s1600/2012-01-01%2B003sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eyqr_LYVAtA/TwDpsa2GsXI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/dGlR4bTy2xc/s640/2012-01-01%2B003sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The hot tub is my remedy for my aches and pains so went down for a soak. I am still amazed that we usually have the whole place to ourselves. <br />
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We had a very nice New Years dinner at Marie and Hugh's. After we got home I enjoyed another pretty sunset. Can't seem to capture just how pretty it was with my camera.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBDXSO6Y05Y/TwDq8sA7_CI/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/VgJY_bQhCPI/s1600/2012-01-01%2B003_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBDXSO6Y05Y/TwDq8sA7_CI/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/VgJY_bQhCPI/s640/2012-01-01%2B003_cr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>2012 is off to a very good start!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-38015989866434211212011-12-31T06:37:00.001-05:002011-12-31T06:37:01.218-05:00Goodbye 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2VuRLHVaq7k/Tv4vOM19FhI/AAAAAAAAJ90/wP38hiFXZlY/s1600/2011%2Bwordle6sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2VuRLHVaq7k/Tv4vOM19FhI/AAAAAAAAJ90/wP38hiFXZlY/s400/2011%2Bwordle6sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I have had worse years but this one ranks up near the top of bad years. We were so looking forward to retirement and we did finally get to Florida but it was for the most part not a happy year. I stopped blogging back in August right about the time that I learned I'd have to have more surgery on my foot. After that I simply got out of the habit of blogging and found myself updating my life on Facebook. If you only follow me here you missed out on whiny posts about pain, leaky roofs, ceiling repairs and weeks of painting.<br />
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Yesterday was my 6th blogiversary but having neglected all of my blogs in 2011 I didn't feel much like celebrating. I'm hoping with a new year will come a new direction for this blog and more consistency for the others.<br />
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Here's hoping for a happy and productive 2012!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-89202657898310325912011-08-13T08:57:00.000-04:002011-08-13T08:57:13.061-04:00Let's Go to the Creek!The afternoon of Mom's birthday party was hot. What better way to beat the heat then with a trip to the creek!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAh8TsRwetQ/TkZvTVoWN_I/AAAAAAAAJ0A/Q_XBw1Gi7q0/s1600/282126_256569024372091_100000569863781_1018549_4560326_nsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAh8TsRwetQ/TkZvTVoWN_I/AAAAAAAAJ0A/Q_XBw1Gi7q0/s640/282126_256569024372091_100000569863781_1018549_4560326_nsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_f13vdU61Fg/TkZvTu8XXuI/AAAAAAAAJ0E/1kaSbGTSp1k/s1600/283065_256568321038828_100000569863781_1018536_2645851_nsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_f13vdU61Fg/TkZvTu8XXuI/AAAAAAAAJ0E/1kaSbGTSp1k/s640/283065_256568321038828_100000569863781_1018536_2645851_nsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-75444264487265442102011-08-11T07:32:00.001-04:002011-08-13T08:58:09.390-04:00Happy Birthday Mom!Somebody turned 86 recently and over the weekend we got together at my sister's house to celebrate. It's been a long time since I've seen Mom so relaxed and happy!<br />
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It was a warm day so Mom elected to have her picnic lunch inside. After lunch the kids and several of the adults left on a little adventure (more on that another day). So we moved Mom out on the front porch where the lake breeze was cooling. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPCvOZUSwBw/TkO5Ykwx6jI/AAAAAAAAJyY/AT2oYMyObX4/s1600/2011--08-07+Mom+Birthday+010sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPCvOZUSwBw/TkO5Ykwx6jI/AAAAAAAAJyY/AT2oYMyObX4/s640/2011--08-07+Mom+Birthday+010sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't remember what I did but Mom gave me "the finger".</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1vNpm_ETqw/TkO6h_uLkwI/AAAAAAAAJys/j8vc0Bh8WfE/s1600/228892_256572834371710_100000569863781_1018616_3633610_nsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1vNpm_ETqw/TkO6h_uLkwI/AAAAAAAAJys/j8vc0Bh8WfE/s640/228892_256572834371710_100000569863781_1018616_3633610_nsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Waiting semi patiently for everyone to return.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIVjC90-bCM/TkO6g--nQCI/AAAAAAAAJyk/rbRM0B1SKSo/s1600/184120_256571964371797_100000569863781_1018601_6454380_nsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIVjC90-bCM/TkO6g--nQCI/AAAAAAAAJyk/rbRM0B1SKSo/s640/184120_256571964371797_100000569863781_1018601_6454380_nsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-umh8BzUJSBk/TkO6iMqd5LI/AAAAAAAAJyw/E8WRzqv7KLQ/s1600/284322_256572444371749_100000569863781_1018609_2675541_nsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-umh8BzUJSBk/TkO6iMqd5LI/AAAAAAAAJyw/E8WRzqv7KLQ/s640/284322_256572444371749_100000569863781_1018609_2675541_nsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgc-HoHsxHM/TkO5ZO2j1MI/AAAAAAAAJyc/WQgZmH6a0ks/s1600/2011--08-07+Mom+Birthday+014sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgc-HoHsxHM/TkO5ZO2j1MI/AAAAAAAAJyc/WQgZmH6a0ks/s640/2011--08-07+Mom+Birthday+014sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, PRESENTS! </div><div style="text-align: center;">She was happy to get candy and new drapes.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kycnTdFPo7E/TkO5ZmZwkDI/AAAAAAAAJyg/4nJX0-rREXM/s1600/2011--08-07+Mom+Birthday+023sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kycnTdFPo7E/TkO5ZmZwkDI/AAAAAAAAJyg/4nJX0-rREXM/s640/2011--08-07+Mom+Birthday+023sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kiPXGlSmR5U/TkO6iricRdI/AAAAAAAAJy0/ExNQBTShhEE/s1600/284851_256571674371826_100000569863781_1018596_4201089_nsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kiPXGlSmR5U/TkO6iricRdI/AAAAAAAAJy0/ExNQBTShhEE/s640/284851_256571674371826_100000569863781_1018596_4201089_nsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">She got them all on the first try!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qA3Xe1OwFco/TkO5YEf_57I/AAAAAAAAJyU/i3QPfXIgimw/s1600/2011--08-07+Mom+Birthday+024sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qA3Xe1OwFco/TkO5YEf_57I/AAAAAAAAJyU/i3QPfXIgimw/s640/2011--08-07+Mom+Birthday+024sm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The guys measured the big old maple - 21"+</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggEAAZmaGs4/TkO6haTJUOI/AAAAAAAAJyo/UrqrOTj6Cs0/s1600/185566_256571381038522_100000569863781_1018591_4510314_nsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggEAAZmaGs4/TkO6haTJUOI/AAAAAAAAJyo/UrqrOTj6Cs0/s640/185566_256571381038522_100000569863781_1018591_4510314_nsm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-87913346648218309602011-06-26T08:28:00.000-04:002011-06-26T08:28:20.592-04:00Playing Catch-upJune has really flown by and I spent most of it trying to get caught up on things. Now I'll try and get caught up here on my blog. <br />
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Sprout graduated from Kindergarten and we attended her end of the year concert. The kids sang their hearts out and were great! The behavior of the audience was <i>deplorable</i>. People talked throughout the entire performance and some thought it appropriate to chant or scream out their kids names. Despite that we had a good time as you can see from the picture I took afterwards.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXVJv83NqBk/TgchpJoUxvI/AAAAAAAAJww/wGzN75X4GPw/s1600/2011-06-22-23+Family+002sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXVJv83NqBk/TgchpJoUxvI/AAAAAAAAJww/wGzN75X4GPw/s400/2011-06-22-23+Family+002sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bean, Twig, Sil and Sprout</div><br />
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We've also been hosting kids night on Tuesdays and last week we still had many berries that needed picking. Mike wasn't interested and Nikki was home sick but the other four picked enough that there were some left after they'd had their fill ;-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oe5KfFfe4Xw/TgchouNp6FI/AAAAAAAAJws/CwXBxQZsYsA/s1600/2011-06-22-23+Family+008sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oe5KfFfe4Xw/TgchouNp6FI/AAAAAAAAJws/CwXBxQZsYsA/s400/2011-06-22-23+Family+008sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bean, Liz, Sprout</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lXVwEnlpft4/TgchqPgb6EI/AAAAAAAAJw0/V2r5o2BeLhs/s1600/2011-06-22-23+Family+004sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lXVwEnlpft4/TgchqPgb6EI/AAAAAAAAJw0/V2r5o2BeLhs/s400/2011-06-22-23+Family+004sm.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Alex and Liz</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFzSKhnF0dk/TgchrGoFdsI/AAAAAAAAJw4/psO4WzeK-PQ/s1600/2011-06-22-23+Family+005_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFzSKhnF0dk/TgchrGoFdsI/AAAAAAAAJw4/psO4WzeK-PQ/s400/2011-06-22-23+Family+005_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Twig was more interested in walking through.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLaFwZ-uKTI/Tgchrow8xWI/AAAAAAAAJw8/wOZabXye9K4/s1600/2011-06-22-23+Family+006sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLaFwZ-uKTI/Tgchrow8xWI/AAAAAAAAJw8/wOZabXye9K4/s400/2011-06-22-23+Family+006sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sprout seemed to enjoy her time in the garden the most.</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-23965225735760323912011-06-04T13:25:00.000-04:002011-06-04T13:25:22.226-04:00Today's Pretties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psDQeJvxG4Y/TepngSf1ElI/AAAAAAAAJuU/8_7malNUSks/s1600/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B065_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psDQeJvxG4Y/TepngSf1ElI/AAAAAAAAJuU/8_7malNUSks/s400/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B065_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lenten Rose / Hellebore</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2WmljBa3K0/TepnfS9j86I/AAAAAAAAJt8/rzQELRHuU4w/s1600/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B016_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2WmljBa3K0/TepnfS9j86I/AAAAAAAAJt8/rzQELRHuU4w/s400/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B016_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Clematis - variety unknown</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1UiQiiqQDU/TepnfjNZ_dI/AAAAAAAAJuE/05QFwiiPS0o/s1600/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B024sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1UiQiiqQDU/TepnfjNZ_dI/AAAAAAAAJuE/05QFwiiPS0o/s400/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B024sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chives / Allium schoenoprasum</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHAPNrLIwJc/TepngK7oBqI/AAAAAAAAJuM/Yy1vBaPza4c/s1600/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B043sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHAPNrLIwJc/TepngK7oBqI/AAAAAAAAJuM/Yy1vBaPza4c/s400/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B043sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gas Plant / Dictamnus</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWaIRtlyI90/TeppBa_FPWI/AAAAAAAAJuk/s-Wf02EJ59g/s1600/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B057_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWaIRtlyI90/TeppBa_FPWI/AAAAAAAAJuk/s-Wf02EJ59g/s400/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B057_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Geranium - variety unknown</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90TeVcSSqic/TeppBEmtblI/AAAAAAAAJuc/cAQT-uJDd0c/s1600/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B077_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90TeVcSSqic/TeppBEmtblI/AAAAAAAAJuc/cAQT-uJDd0c/s400/2011-06-04%2BGarden%2B077_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Giant Solomon's Seal / Polygonatum </div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-3246737009681252552011-06-01T11:58:00.000-04:002011-06-01T11:58:13.791-04:00Holiday WeekendWe had a nice and busy Memorial Day weekend. I worked in the garden Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I potted up several plants for my sister, we want her garden to look full and wonderful for the garden tour in three weeks!<br />
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Sunday we had a picnic here and my camera never made it outside. We visited, ate too much and the kids ended up in the neighbors pool. Angie took this picture of the giant ball that the girls brought. It took John and PJ a little over an hour to inflate with the small compressor that we have but the kids loved it.<br />
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On Monday I dug up more plants and then we headed into Phoenix for the parade. Sprout was marching with her Daisy Girl Scout group.<br />
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I really thought Twig would get bored but with so many cars, trucks and other vehicles to watch he was quite happy. He also had a friend to play with when the parade turned boring with a band ;-)<br />
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Yesterday we went to Mom's and did a little painting. Why does painting always take me sooo much longer than I think it will? I'll work on it more later in the week.<br />
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It's been hotter here than in Orlando the the last couple of days! Tomorrow it's not supposed to get out of the 60's. So today I'm relaxing and reading The Land of Painted Caves. Perhaps tomorrow I'll accomplish something.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-58898611798331260572011-05-29T10:52:00.000-04:002011-05-29T10:52:54.575-04:00Garden ProgressEvery 7 - 10 days I walk around the garden and take pictures so I'll have a record of what's where and bloom times. After a year with very little time in the garden I've found that while I still could identify most of my plants there were a few that I wasn't certain of and older pictures helped. The old pictures also solved a couple of cases of how did that get there!?<br />
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I've started to make some progress in taming the weeds. Some beds are looking better than others. In a couple of instances I've had to dig out everything to get the weeds out. I've separated out the roots and replanted the plants I was able to save. I will be doing lots more of this :(<br />
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I took 90+ pictures yesterday but I'll spare you and share just a few. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3kchkx_mgHA/TeJZ1TZ3rVI/AAAAAAAAJtE/9olq4hJayJ4/s1600/2011-05-28+Garden+020sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3kchkx_mgHA/TeJZ1TZ3rVI/AAAAAAAAJtE/9olq4hJayJ4/s400/2011-05-28+Garden+020sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This bed is weeded, a couple of plants moved and just awaiting mulch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErZ1VwdccSY/TeJZ15owjZI/AAAAAAAAJtI/djLIJHVnQX0/s1600/2011-05-28+Garden+030sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErZ1VwdccSY/TeJZ15owjZI/AAAAAAAAJtI/djLIJHVnQX0/s400/2011-05-28+Garden+030sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This end of the bed is going to take time and lots of digging and moving things around. The sweet woodruff and lungwart want to take over and the hostas are starting to crowd each other. I'd like to move some of the giant solomon's seal further down the bed - it hides the ugly block skirt rather well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBQeexYXP5M/TeJZ0nwOBGI/AAAAAAAAJtA/J5tGiMFAyJE/s1600/2011-05-28+Garden+003sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBQeexYXP5M/TeJZ0nwOBGI/AAAAAAAAJtA/J5tGiMFAyJE/s400/2011-05-28+Garden+003sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I've made a good start on this corner but I'd like to have something colorful here right now. What shall I move?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0TOw4juDog/TeJZzwnGxeI/AAAAAAAAJs8/RGRpZD6TWQE/s1600/2011-05-28+Garden+091sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0TOw4juDog/TeJZzwnGxeI/AAAAAAAAJs8/RGRpZD6TWQE/s400/2011-05-28+Garden+091sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>These iris are pretty and just past the corner so I think I'll move them when they're done blooming.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHPzE0mrbUk/TeJZ2p9MFPI/AAAAAAAAJtM/eIwzjwWUv5c/s1600/2011-05-28+Garden+069_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHPzE0mrbUk/TeJZ2p9MFPI/AAAAAAAAJtM/eIwzjwWUv5c/s400/2011-05-28+Garden+069_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I've barely started weeding here but this area is currently my most colorful and therefor favorite spot. Just to the right of the picture is my screen room.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzpOqXUGdUc/TeJZ3jKtdOI/AAAAAAAAJtQ/Ocs_4QdNTHg/s1600/2011-05-28+Garden+086_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzpOqXUGdUc/TeJZ3jKtdOI/AAAAAAAAJtQ/Ocs_4QdNTHg/s400/2011-05-28+Garden+086_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Butterflies are always a happy sight! The humming birds and bees also love the rhododendrons.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-35368898935594845892011-05-25T18:59:00.001-04:002011-05-25T19:00:00.599-04:00Shooting Stars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4UZIXWaPgM/Td2IofBcX_I/AAAAAAAAJs0/k5EhouNcA10/s1600/2011-05-25+Garden+017sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4UZIXWaPgM/Td2IofBcX_I/AAAAAAAAJs0/k5EhouNcA10/s400/2011-05-25+Garden+017sm.jpg" width="300" /> </a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">A tiny plant with tiny flowers that makes me smile.</div><br />
I spent several hours in the garden and hauled many buckets of weeds to the compost pile. I will sleep well tonight!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-11165765250229500852011-05-22T09:12:00.003-04:002011-05-22T09:12:00.148-04:00Let's PartyYesterday we saw everyone for the first time since we got home. Alex had his birthday party at the bowling alley. The kids seemed just as happy to see us as we were them, some just weren't as happy to see my camera ;-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epR4jgwGxXI/TdhkA39R4QI/AAAAAAAAJso/5zyvSLI9hFo/s1600/2011-05-21+Darien+bday+008_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epR4jgwGxXI/TdhkA39R4QI/AAAAAAAAJso/5zyvSLI9hFo/s400/2011-05-21+Darien+bday+008_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2iRjc63BK0/TdhkVtnvCLI/AAAAAAAAJss/ut90wuF-Wz0/s1600/2011-05-21+Darien+bday+009_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2iRjc63BK0/TdhkVtnvCLI/AAAAAAAAJss/ut90wuF-Wz0/s400/2011-05-21+Darien+bday+009_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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After the party we drove down and had a nice visit with Mom. Lots of chores there that I need to get to but today it was nice to just sit and visit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-22464434618926232892011-05-21T20:25:00.000-04:002011-05-21T20:25:11.085-04:00It's a Jungle Out ThereOur last few weeks in Florida were both boring and wonderful. The weather was perfect with sunshine and warm temperatures. I pushed to get more painting done and what's not done will be waiting for me in the fall. We decided to wait for the Shuttle launch and we were disappointed with a cloudy morning so we weren't able to see it from the house. We left on Tuesday and have never seen so little traffic.<br />
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After having spent so much time the last few months sprucing up the new place I was shocked at how dingy this place looked. We've been here almost seven years, which is the longest we've ever stayed in one place and fresh paint is needed! After being laid up much of last year it needs a good spring cleaning too.<br />
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The garden is looking both great and terrible. I lost several plants but others have really taken off. There is little definition as to where the lawn ends and the garden beds begin. I wasn't able to do anything last summer and didn't have the energy in the fall.<br />
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The iris are beautiful and this bed is in the best shape of any. The rhododendron has lots of blooms considering that this plant has been just barely hanging on for years. <br />
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This is a view of the entire bed. The other rhododendron has really taken off and the one in the middle is finally coming into it's own. Both clematis look good and the lamium is starting to fill in.<br />
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Around the corner the azalea is pretty but it insists on growing out rather than up. The bed is overrun with weeds and the daisies and lilies don't not want to play nice with each other. That won't matter if I don't do something about the black-eyed susans and coneflowers which seem determined to take over.<br />
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This is the other side of the walkway. I'm thrilled with the delphiniums. Everything else needs to be thinned or moved. The white azalea bush also spread out, with no upward growth which I might be happy about if it had more than a couple of flower buds.<br />
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This corner is just ugly. I've never been able to find the balance I want here and of course this is the bed you walk by from the driveway to either door.<br />
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I think I will love this bed after some thinning and edging. In two years it's gone from looking empty to jam packed.<br />
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The entire bed. It doesn't look too bad from a distance. The ferns should fill in more and the hosta near the step needs to be moved. <br />
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Always one of my spring favorites, this bleeding heart never disappoints!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hQMQOYKzvb0/TdhVGEs70nI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/3YjrBv5LSSU/s1600/2011-05-20+052sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hQMQOYKzvb0/TdhVGEs70nI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/3YjrBv5LSSU/s400/2011-05-20+052sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-21859858826314293412011-04-23T08:47:00.000-04:002011-04-23T08:47:38.589-04:00Morning Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fl__o3Egvos/TbLIXQMRctI/AAAAAAAAJmo/aPJaFC2u-no/s1600/23++Apr+2011+004_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fl__o3Egvos/TbLIXQMRctI/AAAAAAAAJmo/aPJaFC2u-no/s400/23++Apr+2011+004_cr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWcGQq0Nho8/TbLIX_H_EGI/AAAAAAAAJms/Ht_RYgq8-JI/s1600/23++Apr+2011+005_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWcGQq0Nho8/TbLIX_H_EGI/AAAAAAAAJms/Ht_RYgq8-JI/s400/23++Apr+2011+005_cr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnqGV-gdREY/TbLIW1yUSgI/AAAAAAAAJmk/_lx14P6iwPI/s1600/23++Apr+2011+010_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnqGV-gdREY/TbLIW1yUSgI/AAAAAAAAJmk/_lx14P6iwPI/s400/23++Apr+2011+010_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf9Ar4SJXnM/TbLIYbk5QbI/AAAAAAAAJmw/obUSAccSEbs/s1600/23++Apr+2011+007_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf9Ar4SJXnM/TbLIYbk5QbI/AAAAAAAAJmw/obUSAccSEbs/s400/23++Apr+2011+007_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The weather is beautiful here! It is getting a bit too warm for an afternoon walk so I'm trying to get out earlier in the day. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-47787475223002075962011-04-20T06:26:00.003-04:002011-04-20T06:26:00.101-04:00Hauled Into CourtToday I'm sharing one of Mom's memories. I don't remember ever hearing the story before so I assume that it happened after I'd left home and perhaps when I was living in Western New York. For anyone that is younger than I, there was a time when long distance phone calls were quite expensive and Mom and I didn't always stay in touch as well as we should have. I can't imagine what I'd think if I saw her name on a list of court summons' in the newspaper!<br />
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Now something you need to know about Mom is that she is the most law abiding person I know. She may not agree with a law, in fact there are several that she thinks are just plain stupid, but she will not break or even bend a rule. (Well at least not intentionally. She was known for missing one-way street signs.) She has never jay-walked, no rolling stops, the speed limit is the speed limit and who would even think about cheating on their taxes!<br />
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Back before the county wide trash burning plant was built each town had their own little landfill and by law you could not dispose of your trash in one of these landfills unless you were a resident of that town. Mom has had curbside pickup of her trash since she moved into her home in 1964.<br />
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Imagine her surprise and shock when she received a summons to court for illegally dumping her trash in the next town! And <i>they had evidence against her</i>, an envelope with her name and address on it!<br />
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So she went to court and when she saw the envelope she recognized it right away. It was from a financial transaction and it had contained a check. So she took it to the bank, deposited the check and tossed the envelope in the trash can at the bank. She explained to the judge that she saw a trash can and she used it!<br />
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Case dismissed!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-5965732797244705212011-04-12T20:28:00.000-04:002011-04-12T20:28:12.933-04:00Snail KiteI was sitting out in the screen room today and saw a large bird on the roof across the street. It had a red beak and red legs which I found unusual so I came in to grab the camera and of course while I was inside it flew away. I came back in and grabbed my bird book and think it had to be a <a href="http://floridabirdingtrail.com/index.php/conservation/bird/snail_kite/">Snail Kite</a>. I told John what I'd seen and said he'd seen a pair of large black birds earlier.<br />
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It came back and this time I had the camera handy but he really didn't want his picture taken. This was the best I could get.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iR8ASBlqKIM/TaTq5p3f9aI/AAAAAAAAJmg/8A7tqu7rQIc/s1600/12+Apr+2011+003_crsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iR8ASBlqKIM/TaTq5p3f9aI/AAAAAAAAJmg/8A7tqu7rQIc/s400/12+Apr+2011+003_crsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The Snail Kite is on the Federal Endangered Species list so I am pleased to see them here. I don't know if they are attracted to the golf ponds or the Econlockhatchee River. Perhaps they'll be back tomorrow.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-24999361569562529032011-04-11T21:16:00.000-04:002011-04-11T21:16:03.307-04:00Dining Room - Before and After A small room that took too long! I still have some trim left that I'll catch when I start on the hall.<br />
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We took down the chain that pulled the light off center, changed the door and drawer pulls, cleaned the blinds and added an "etching" to the mirror. Another room with white on white that doesn't show up in photos well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22iXMgoQTPo/TaOmGBRuNvI/AAAAAAAAJmY/PdBhUV3z46E/s1600/Dining+Room+11+Apr+2011+001sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22iXMgoQTPo/TaOmGBRuNvI/AAAAAAAAJmY/PdBhUV3z46E/s400/Dining+Room+11+Apr+2011+001sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/394/EFEC117AE46DDE032E1D1E4D5C8E9368.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1984 Twin Homes of Merit</span>Charley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358078.post-60070532651401271152011-04-10T08:06:00.002-04:002011-04-10T08:06:00.535-04:00The CeilingMy nephew was certain that we could find replacement ceiling sections. The ceilings here were installed differently than the ceiling in our other house. Here the ceiling is a 4' wide panel and was put up before the walls. There are "decorative" strips where two panels meet and also every 16" to hide the staples that hold it up. Because the ceiling went up before the walls the panels on each end of the room extend into the next room. So we couldn't take down these end strips without messing up the ceiling in the closet (which wasn't too big a deal) and the bathroom (which was a big problem.)<br />
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Since I couldn't find ceiling like what we have I looked for alternatives. We could sheetrock the ceiling but they panels are awfully heavy for me to help with. The ideal solution seemed to be a dropped ceiling but the cost was high and by the time we dropped it enough to be able to slide the panels in it would have been down to just over 7' and we felt that was too low.<br />
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Finally I found lightweight 16" tiles that looked like something we could manage. I ordered them and moved on to other things. When they came in we picked them and looked them over but I didn't want to start on the ceiling before I finished the kitchen. They looked nothing like the strips of ceiling we had left and we were stuck on how to make the two types of ceiling work together.<br />
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It finally came to me that we could simply lower the entire ceiling 1/2". John and I have been married 27 years so you'd think we'd communicate well. We don't process information in the same way and I could not explain to him what I wanted to do in a way that made sense to him. After much frustration with each other we were both envisioning how we might make the tiles work. My idea to cover the old ceiling would work but John had to revise my plan for leveling out the rest of the ceiling.<br />
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John did the work. I passed him tiles and tools. We worked together to cut tiles as needed. We made a few mistakes and dinged a few tiles but in the end we got it done with a few tiles to spare.<br />
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John had spray painted the ceiling register. He put up the old fan and we agreed that it didn't look great with the new bright white ceiling.<br />
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We had just a little more work to do. We put up molding and a new fan. Add new curtains and a bed and we finally have a guest room!<br />
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It still needs decorating and new carpet but the hard work is done!<br />
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1984 Twin, Homes of MeritCharley "Apple" Grabowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193646109965731249noreply@blogger.com4