Writers As Artist
Another poignant quote from Edie Melson to remind writers that we are indeed artists with our words. Thanks, Edie.
13
07, 2016
11
07, 2016
What items work to regift and what doesn’t?
Christmas is officially six months away. It’s time to start thinking about gift giving. For me, that means checking my gift box supply for things to regift.
What’s in my gift box? Items I’ve received over the year(s) that really didn’t work for me. Things that might suit someone else that I can regift.
In case you’re not familiar with the term, regifting is the act of receiving a gift, and then after some time, wrapping it up and giving it to someone else.
It’s a way of recycling what you don’t want or can’t use.
The trick to regifting lies in knowing what’s acceptable to re-gift, what’s a definite no-no, and the cardinal rule of regifting:
Only regift NEW items not used items unless they classify as antiques.
Here are ten items considered acceptable to regift.
- Candles – Designed to be used up and thrown away, are very easy to regift when unused and plastic remains.
- Soaps, Lotions, and Bathroom Items -Soaps, hand creams, lotions, bubble baths are all fine to regift. Only if the items haven’t expired and haven’t been opened.
- Games, Toys, and Puzzles -Perfectly okay to regift if intact. Do make a note of who gave what to whom, though. Last thing you’d want to do is give a game/toy/puzzle back to someone who gave it to you.
- Some Clothing -Don’t risk a friendship or argument if you travel in the same circle of friends and the fact you never wear the gift will be obvious. Also, be sure all tags remain intact.
- Wine and Spirits – Wine only gets better with age. Hard liquor does too. So if it’s sealed, you’re good to give.
- Gift Cards – Make sure the balance never expires, or is still intact because some devious people out there operate gift card frauds.
- Gift Baskets -As long as you haven’t removed half the contents, destroyed the packaging, or kept the basket so long the items have expired.
- Fragrances -Perfumes, aftershaves, and eau de toilettes are all fair game for regifting provided they remain sealed in the original box.
- Kitchen Items -Toasters. Blenders. Frying pans. Coffee makers. All very regiftable if in original packaging. Be careful not to offend anyone who might come to your home and cannot see what they gave you. Awkward situation you want to avoid.
- Novelties and Gag Gifts -Perfect for those white elephant exchanges that abound in December or age-related parties. The fun of some white elephant exchanges is the same gifts appear year after year and become a running joke.
Now these four things should NEVER be regifted:
- Personalized items even if you share initials
- Anything with an inscription
- Opened CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Rays
- Anything universally awful unless used as a gag gift
What about you? Are you a regifter? What things do you pass along?
8
07, 2016
Richard the Frizzle
A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
One of my favorite breeds of chickens is the frizzle. We started with one black bantam frizzle hen named Frizz. 
She has always had quite an attitude. In fact when Rachel tried to include her in the color project by putting her into a separate coop, she refused to stay put. She would rather run with the big hens.
We now have a white bantam frizzle rooster named Richard.
He has his own personality. He is in a separate run with silky hen. Rachel is trying to produce a silky frizzle, otherwise known as a sizzle. It hasn’t happened yet.
Anyway, each evening when I go to close the chickens up in their coops, Richard is less than cooperative. In fact, he often protests so loudly, Rachel comes to make sure the chickens are not under attack. He may fly into the next coop or out into the yard.
Eventually I catch him, hold him tightly, stroke his frizzle feathers and explain that I am not going to hurt him. He just needs to spend the night safely in his coop.
Last week he actually let me put him up without the traditional squawking and loop around the chicken yard. Maybe he is calming down. But then is there really such a thing as a calm frizzle?
7
07, 2016
Keeping Kids Safe When Summer Heats Up
A blog by Guest Blogger Sean Morris
Vacations, camping out, trips to the swimming pool and park. Summer is an awesome time, with tons of activities to keep little ones occupied and entertained for hours. But spending time outdoors–where the heat and sun can take a toll–comes with a few risks, and it’s important to be prepared and educate your children about summer safety.
Riding bikes, swimming, and spending time at a park or playground can be great fun for any age, but there are some things to keep in mind if you want to ensure safety. Share these tips with family members and babysitters so that you and your kids can have the best summer ever.
Prepare for the heat
Summer days can be downright dangerous. In states like Texas and Oklahoma, temperatures in the hottest months can easily reach 100 degrees or more. No matter where you live, it’s important to remember that the sun is powerful enough to burn some people even when they’re sitting in shady areas, and it’s easy to become dehydrated in a short amount of time.
Have cool bottled water on hand to combat this; you might even consider keeping several bottles in a cooler with some ice for easy access.
Keeping sunblock accessible is also imperative for any child who will be spending time outside, and if they’re in the water, check the label to see how often you’ll need to reapply it.
It’s best to keep babies out of the sun altogether, since their skin is so sensitive. If playtime outdoors is a must for older kids, take everyone out during early morning hours, before the day gets too hot. Keep a lightweight hat available for infants to cover their head and protect their face.
Finally, never, EVER leave a child in a hot car for any amount of time.
Since 1998, there have been nearly 700 infant and child deaths due to heat stroke after they were left in a hot vehicle, and they were all preventable. Never allow a child to play in a garage or around a car, even supervised; they may take it upon themselves to do climb inside when no one is paying attention, which can lead to an accidental death.
Water safety
Aside from educating your kids about swimming safety in pools, lakes, and the ocean, it’s always a good idea to enforce the same rules even in a small backyard pool. Little ones can drown in just a few inches of water or less, so an adult should always be present when water is involved.
Make sure all safety equipment–such as life vests–is in good working order and fits properly, and never allow neighborhood children to use a backyard pool when you aren’t home. Keep a fence with a locked gate is the best prevention.
When supervising children in the water, be present. Stay off your phone and make sure you’re well rested so you can focus and make split-second decisions should the need arise.
Bugs and illness
Keeping pests from biting and stinging can be an overwhelming task for parents whose kids are outside much of the time, especially in rural areas. Preventative care–such as safe bug repellent, long pants, and citronella–can go a long way in keeping bug bites at bay.
It’s also important, however, to think about your lawn and the areas around your home. If your kids have a small pool in the backyard, avoid letting water sit longer than a day as it can attract mosquitoes. Never leave food or open trash cans sitting out, and if you live in a wooded area or have high grasses and brush near your home, check your child for ticks when they come in.
Summer months are wonderful for kids and parents alike, but they can also come with added worries. With a little bit of careful planning and vigilance, however, you can keep stress at bay and ensure your kids have a great break.
Sean Morris is a former social worker turned stay-at-home dad.
He knows what it’s like to juggle family and career. He did it for years until deciding to become a stay-at-home dad after the birth of his son. Though he loved his career in social work, he has found this additional time with his kids to be the most rewarding experience of his life. He began writing for LearnFit.org to share his experiences and to help guide anyone struggling to find the best path for their life, career, and/or family.
6
07, 2016
How to use the Freedom Independence Granted
We celebrated our nation’s independence on Monday. An independence that allows us so many freedoms.
This graphic from Holly Gerth makes a wonderful suggestion about how we should use those freedoms. Hope you agree.
4
07, 2016
Celebrating Independence
I hope everyone is busy enjoying a celebration of our nation’s birthday.
Technically, independence was declared on July 2 and the Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed until July 19.
But who cares? Today is the day we traditionally celebrate our freedom.
What a country – baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet.
Now that I have that peppy jingle embedded in your head enjoy your day whatever way you celebrate. At the same time, let’s keep Ronald Reagan’s words in mind.
Happy 4th to all!
And an extra special thank you to all the brave men and women who help maintain our freedom everyday.
1
07, 2016
King Kaboodle
A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
We recently acquired another rooster. The former owners felt like they had too many roosters. I can certainly relate. This one, however, is a crested Polish rooster – a breed which Rachel has wanted. So off we went to get our new rooster.
I must confess – he is wonderful:
His original owners have three children. The oldest is a girl about 9 years old who explained to us all the idiosyncrasies of our new rooster – what he liked to eat, how he liked to be held.
She also told us about the vacation Bible school she had attended that day complete with a demonstration of the craft. She was quite friendly. And talkative.
We named the new rooster King Kaboodle after the rooster in a children’s book I have.
In the story, the rooster crows at all hours of the night preventing the other farm animals, and the farmer, from sleeping. He is in danger of becoming soup until a wise goose tells him about the King’s Chorus, a special group of roosters all around the world who crow in succession as the sun rises. It is their job to keep the king of the world (the sun) awake so corn can grow. Kaboodle takes his place in the King’s Chorus and the farm and farmer get to sleep at night. Everyone is happy.
Perhaps we should get a goose to convince our roosters to join the King’s Chorus. Or maybe not.
29
06, 2016
Word Art for the writer
Thanks to Graham Swift and Writerswrite for reminding us.
27
06, 2016
Wandering and Stories
Edie Melson’s graphics always grab my attention and stir my muse. She’s gifted and insightful and incredibly generous to allow sharing of her work.
The quote in this meme especially caught my attention. A writer wanders. And a once-lost story finds a home. I love that thought.
Are you a wanderer? I am.
I wander by foot, by plane, by bicycle and car. I meander through the house, the woods, the store, through cities and towns near and far.
You don’t have to go anywhere particular to be a wanderer. You can mosey in your yard, in your house, or across the ocean. Whatever way you stroll, wherever you roam stories will find you.
In fact, sometimes you don’t have to leave your front porch. Or, at least, that’s been my experience.
Once, sitting in a Dublin train station, an older woman sat beside me and began to share stories of her family and her country. She told me she was returning home after being with her daughter, who had given birth to their twelfth grandchild. Another grandson, she said with pride in her eyes. Yes, there were pictures and lovely stories as only the Irish can spin.
Another time, a young woman waiting behind me in the grocery checkout line patted the multi-colored headscarf she wore. “Chemo,” she said. Her eyes misted. I couldn’t stop myself I squeezed around my full cart of groceries and gave her a hug. She began to share her journey with breast cancer.
My dogs and I go for walks daily. Last summer a little girl playing outside one of the rental cabins nearby ask to pet the dogs. My Old English is old and well socialized. He loved on her. The Maltese jumped around all jealous then relaxed when she petted him too. As we walked away, the youngster plucked a purple wildflower and rushed over to give it to me.
Buried in each of those encounters, and so many more, are lost stories waiting to be told.
What about you? Do you come upon stories in your wanderings?
24
06, 2016
Digging Frogs
A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
Over the years, we have had issues with unwelcome animals on Miller Farm – mainly stray cats, rats and possums. We are animal friendly but draw the line at cats and rats and possums. All three have a tendency to harm chickens.
When we discovered holes in the back yard, we figured there was another unwelcome guest.
Rachel did some research and concluded that there were Norway rats digging holes in the back yard. This conclusion was based in part on the attack of one or the chicks in the brooder in the garage and in part on the rat sightings in the garage.
She put rat poison in all the holes and we carefully scanned the yard for dead rats each morning before letting the dogs out. We saw no more rats and the chicks in the brooder seemed safe so we figured the problem was solved.
The exterminator came out last week and I asked him about Norway rats. He said they are not usually found in this area but more in coastal regions. He said the more likely culprit is…….wait for it……frogs.
I had no idea that frogs were burrowers. It was somewhat of a relief to think of frogs in the back yard rather than rats.
In fact, I was much less disturbed by the frog in the garage last night than I had been by the rats last month.
The dogs are most interested in the holes. It is a well-known fact that dachshunds are indeed burrowers.
I feel a little better about the dogs burrowing for frogs than for rats.