Let There Be Light

I finally had enough and decided to replace the original fluorescent kitchen light fixture, the one that came with the house when I bought in back in 2000!

For years now, when the summer came and the humidity went up, it was hit or miss if the lights would turn on.  Often times you would need to flip the switch on and off, on and off a dozen times before I might turn on.  Seems one or maybe both ballasts were suspect and didn't operate when it was hot and sticky.

With the heat and humidity we had this summer, the light was off more than it was on.

I intended to take a before picture, one with the cover on, but in my excitement to install the new I forgot, so this is the best I have for you all - 

Here is the new fixture installed.  You can see the outline of the old fixture, which I expected.  Admitedly, not the prettiest looking but I intend to paint the entire kitchen ceiling this fall when the weather cools, so for now it will have to do as is -

The new fixture is made up of LED's and is super bright!  It lights up the kitchen very well, and with the LED's there is an overall cost saving on electricity usage, plus it comes with a 50,000 hours and 10-year warranty.  A win win!

"Buta Buta"

Here is my first attempt at making a tomato salad, and to be completely honest, I came out delicious!  Fresh picked tomatoes from my garden, which I peeled, Feta cheese, Kalamata olives, olive oil, salt & pepper, OH SO good!  The only thing missing from this first attempt was red onion but I've addressed that in the subsequent salads I've made.

Growing up my mother would make a tomato salad.  Of course back then I wouldn't eat tomatoes or any vegetable for that matter except corn.  Back then the fight was for the tomato salad juices or what we would call "buta buta", which I believe is a Greek thing.  Taking fresh bread and dipping it in the juices was so so good!

It's not my mothers tomato salad but regardless, it brought back some wonderful memories.  I sure do miss those times, my mom's cooking and of course my mom :-(

Pizza and Memories

I took a lunch time ride to Onset, which is part of the town of Wareham, the other afternoon.  I had a hanker'n for a pizza but not just any old pizza, I was in the mood for a Marc Anthony's pizza!  They make one of the best pizza's I've ever had, and SO worth the drive.

My pizza was ready in short order, to go of course.  I found an available bench under a huge shade tree with a fantastic view of Onset beach and the ocean in all it's beauty.  I took my time eating my pizza, enjoying each and every bite AND enjoying the views!

It was a bittersweet trip, one that hit me pretty hard, which I really wasn't expecting and actually is doing the same now as I write this. I have some wonderful memories of Wareham and driving past some of the places we used to visit made me reminisce of times gone by and loved ones lost.  The last time I was at Marc Anthony's was with my family a couple years ago.  Sadly, SO much has changed and although I cried sitting there eating my pizza, they were tears of joy and the many memories I will hold close to my heart forever. 

Out With The Old...

Spur of the moment purchase while out running errands the other afternoon, brandy new couch pillows!

It was time for a change, as the others were quite old and honestly, I didn't care for them anyway.  Too dark and too firm.

These new ones are so much softer, and as you can see, they pop better against the dark brown.

Find The Critter

Can you find the critter in the first picture below -

This critter caught my eye when I was out the other afternoon picking a couple tomatoes for my BLTs.  The white eggs hanging off it's back was what I noticed first.  These dudes blend in so well that they're hard to spot.  One of the best ways to find these dudes, for me anyway, is by their poop!  Yup, they have a voracious appetite and grow quickly, so as they eat they poop and the bigger they grow the BIGGER the poop, which is so much easier to spot - green poop pellets on dried brown soil.  

I've found a couple of these Hornworm caterpillars on my tomatoes this season and all have been small like the one pictured below and all were covered with braconid wasp eggs.  As the larvae develop and grow, they feed off the innards of the caterpillar.   

 I just let it be.  At this stage, the caterpillar isn't eating, rather slowing being eaten...

Deepest Wounds

Berry Or Bug?!

Would anyone care for some delicious Black Raspberries, hmmm?!?!

The insects pictured below are Boxelder bugs.  They're harmless but a SUPER nuisance!  They cover the south side and rear of the house come Fall, looking for a place to over winter.  Seems they find holes and gaps in the clapboards and crawl on in.  Come spring they make their way out and recongregate, this time to mate.  The pics below show the various stages as they grow. 

These and the dreaded stink bugs will soon be converging on my house, UGH! 

Peace Out

Here is a Peace Lily that my neighbors sent bac in Feb of  2018 when my dad passed -

Here it is today - 

Yes, I realize it looks terrible and nothing like it originally did.  I'm working to fix that and believe it or not, the recent pic looks SO much better than it did a month ago, so there's that.

In the first pic, the plant is actually planted in a plastic pot that is sitting within the clay pot.  In the second pic, I've transplanted directly into the clay pot using fresh new Miracle Grow soil.  New shots are sprouting and starting to pop up.  It's definitely on the mend and I'm hoping that another month outside will give it the oomph it needs before I bring it back inside.

The other challenge I had is that Oliver, my cat, loved to chew on the leaves and did quite a number on the plant.  I'll need to find a sunny location indoors and out of the reach of dumb-dumb the cat...

This is a special plant, that holds a special meaning to me and I will do whatever I can to nurse it back to health, so I can continue to enjoy it for years to come.

Front Yard Sittin

Ms Trixie on guard and taking in the sites and sounds of our front yard.

Shhhh!  Don't tell the town but even though we have a water ban, I've been taking care of the flowers along the front of my house.  As you can see, they're showing their appreciation.  The bees and insects are luv'n it too!

Yuk, NOT For Me!

Here is a picture of my Aunt Ralou's house in Watertown back in March of 2018 -

Sadly, she passed away in the winter of 2017.

Her house was sold shortly thereafter and the below picture is the house that exists today -

The original house was demolished and a new ultra modern looking house was built in it's place. Looks like this new house is a two family too.  

Some people might like this but NOT I, nope!  The house sticks out like a sore thumb quite honestly and is SO out of place among all the other 100 year old homes in that area.

Alas, progress I guess.

From A Tiny Clipping...

Last fall when Emilie and I were visiting some of the nurseries around URI, I pinched a clipping from a beautiful geranium.  I'm kicking myself for not noticing and grabbing the name. I planted in when I got home and over the winter it took root and started to grow.  It really took off when I was able to put it outside under my deck and today is flowering and as beautiful as I recall last fall.

Another plant to over winter in the house...

Like Shooting Fish In A Barrel

This Heron has been taking advantage of this swamp area being so low.  I see if there all the time when I'm out for my walk.  There are now small pockets of water in this area, which I'm guessing has trapped an assortment critters.  Seems like easy pick'n for this bird, almost unfair really but to victor goes the spoils

Front Porch Sitting

These are not the chairs I had my eye on but who can argue with a 50% off end of season sale!

So, they'll suffice for now and all things considered, they're comfy and not too bad.

If you're in the area, stop by and have a seat with me and Trixie!

Dry As A Bone

It's been a hot and humid and extremely dry summer this year. I don't recall it ever being this bad in all my years.  Here is a pic of what my front lawn looks like, UGH! It even crunches when you walk on it.  Trees are already dropping leaves, so many plants have dried up and died, and I'm not sure they'll come back next year it's been that bad.

On a positive note, I've not had to cut my lawn...

Laziness

This is how I received my change at the coffee shop drive thru, backwards and upside down.  I see this all the time now whenever getting change back, even the ATM at my bank.  Sorry but I find this sloppy and unprofessional AND not how I was taught.

Alas, another example our nation of pussies and lazy Americans.

A Few Of My Unique Flowers

A couple months ago I took a ride to North Attleboro specifically to visit Briggs nursery.  They're known for having a great assortment of flowers, annuals, perennials, succulents, etc. and unique varieties too.

I was on the hunt for the house plant Oxalis, otherwise known as False Shamrock.  I've had a few varieties in the past and took a fancy to them.  my timing was impeccable and I was luck enough to grab their last plant, Charmed Wine it's called.  I transplanted in into a clay pot and moved it under my back deck out of the sun and it is doing fantastic!  Just look at the deep purples -

While I was there and browsing I came across this eye catching Petuna, called Queen of Hearts, and just had to have it!  I planted in it in my mom's heavy concrete planter placed on the corner of my driveway and it's doing great, full of flowers!

Of course I will move the Oxalis indoors when the cold weather arrives and will try to overwinter the Petunia but unsure how successful I'll be.  I guess well see...

Back Before

Deer Deer Deer

Oodles and oodles of deer this summer!  I'm seeing them in my backyard, on my walks and when driving.  Emilie and I almost hit one the other evening, that on the side of the road, too close for comfort.

Summer Is In Full Swing!

The pool is looking good!  The flowers are blooming away and covered with bees and all kinds of insects.  I enjoy this time of the year and it's rewarding to see all my hard working looking good.

If you're in the area stop by and take a dip, and if you're not, plan a trip and come hang out!

Proof!

I was elated to see these two littles hanging out on my pool house the other afternoon and hoping there are more around.

These pics are about a month old and I've not seen any since but that doesn't mean they're not there.  I've been keeping an eye out and certain I'll spot them again, as I suspect they're quite a bit bigger by now.

Find The Critter

Can you find the critter in the above picture?!

Speed Patrol, FINALLY!

I'm guessing a neighbor called the Franklin PD to report the crazy excessive speed on our street, and as they typically do a patrol car is sent to the area of the complaint to spend time checking speeds.

Since this doesn't last very long, as in multiple days, I believe it's more of  a show by the FPD and them trying to appease the person who called in the complaint.  The speeders most definitely slow down when there is a police presence but go right back to excessive when they're gone.

I would prefer to see them checking speeds AND the aggressive and distracted drivers on a more regular basis and before someone gets hurt.

However, a win is a win, and I will take this win, as a win!

My Guess Is Twins!

I had a couple of super cute visitors, twins I suspect, to the backyard the other morning.  For some odd reason I've been waking up at 5ish lately, so instead of lying in bed watching the clock, I get up and start my day.  As I typically do, I go out on the back deck to take in the peaceful morning and noticed these youngsters frolicking's and snacking, so darn cute! 

Night-Light Upgrades

I took advantage of Amazon Prime day and finally purchased some electrical outlet wall plates that have built-in auto sensing LED lights. I'd been curious about these but the cost had me reluctant but with the Prime day discount I pulled the trigger and I am happy I did and SO SO pleased!

Simply replace the outlet cover, it's that simple and no need to even turn off the power.  The old style night lights worked fine but they took up an outlet, always ran a tad hot and the bulbs never really lasted too long -

You can see below what years of using an old style night light did to the paint and wall where it was plugged in.  This will need to be repainted to repair -

The new LED lights are brighter, much more energy efficient and look so much better -

These make a BIG difference at night and throw more than enough light to see and navigate.

Another Roadway Save

I saved this male Tiger Swallowtail butterfly the other afternoon on my walk.  He was lying in the road and would have surely been squashed.  Perhaps, he was hit by a passing car and a tad out of it but I was able to pick him up and move him away from the street.

Hoping he recovered.