Birthday Memories

Happy 85th Birthday to the BEST DAD EVER! 

We miss you and know you are with us, always You taught us by your example every day. He spent many hours with me showing and teaching me automotive maintenance..  I cherish those memories and getting dirty for hours with him.  As the kids from my neighborhood can tell you my father was the first to lend a hand when one of the bicycles needed to be repaired. He had a big heart and was always the one to step up and offer assistance.  It is one of the core values I have that he taught me.  

#happybirthday #father #family #lovewins 
#memories #young #bicycle #neighborhood

My father would be the first to speak up and stand up for others. He would be proud to have this sign in his yard. He was a veteran and would be appalled at the use of our military again our own citizens. 

I am happy to use my abilities to stand up and do something to stop the death of democracy in this country. 

#veteran #honor #democracy #savedemocracy #pattiot #strongertogether #standup #speakup 

Hello 2023

 Hello 2023 and goodbye 2022.  Welcome to February 2023. Hello 2023, so Happy to be here. 

A few things to ponder: 

 

 

How as Americans can we do better than last year? 

How do you change last years routine to make this year different?

Do you set goals for the year or the month?

 

Family

As I start this second month, I fondly remember my family.  My father and his mother have birthdays in February.  Dad's birthday is today and his mom's is next Saturday.  I had the tremendous pleasure of extended time with family this fall.  It was priceless and memorable.  

This cutie is me held by my father with his father on the left of the picture.  Obviously,  is an older photograph printed on paper and aged naturally.  Sadly, we lost my father to cancer when I was a teenager.  Cancer Sucks. 

The pic was taken in my grandparents living room.  I do not remember this day.  oh the memories in that room...... Inside the doorway behind them is where the books to read were kept.  

BLACK LIVES MATTER

Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY.  

Link is their Facebook page.

I believe in supporting my local community. As an ally I know we need to listen and show up to support local groups. Stand up and join local events, organizations and / or protests and learn about what is going on in your city. 

 My heart feels broken with the senseless racism and bigotry I have seen so far this year.  We  must do better as Americans.  

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Pride earrings will support The Mochas Center all year. shown here.  

   Pride Earrings

My Family

Valentine Memories

As we are in mid February, I have love and memories of a few family members who are no longer with me.  

As many of you know, I am an avid gardener.  My Father & his Mother both have birthdays the end of the month.  They showed me strong family, love & tolerance for all. 

This picture was taken many years ago at my family cottage near Alexandria Bay, NY.  you can see my Grandmother wth her tow oldest sons here.  It looks like a very successful day fishing on the St. Lawrence river.  I remember my father taking me out on that river as a child.    

My Grandmother loved gardening and her flowers were a show of her dedication to nature.  This was obvious at her home in the NE area is the city of Rochester & the summer home her husband build in the 1000 Islands in St Lawrence county. One of my favorite flowers in her garden was the Peonies.  She had both the pink & the white flowering plants.This is the pink flowering type in my backyard garden.  When they first bloomed here my only thought when I inhaled the intoxicating aroma was of Grandma.

As I enjoy planting my seeeds, I think of my family and the fantastic gardens at Grandma & Grandpa's house.  The Blackberries & Red Raspberries were always harvested by my sister & I.  Amazing that any of the fruits made it into the house by the color of our hands from the harvest of the super juicy berries.This is the view from the dock at the summer place several years ago.  The water lilies are wild there and inspired my backyard pond.  My waterfall sound takes me back to the cottage in the 1000 islands and many summer weekends with my father when I was a child.

Black Lives Matter

I know my father would support me in standing up for others.  His family emigrated to the US and he was first generation of his family born in the US. 

The BLM group in Rochester is

Free the People ROC

Black Lives Matter in ROC

The Group in my city is Free The People ROC

 I invite everyone to stand up, listen to others, be kind and speak up.  

#blacklivesmatter 

#standup

#speakup

#listen  

We are in this together. Wear a Mask,  Stay safe,  Facts Matter, Science is REAL.

More important this Black History Month!

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For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.  

Memorial Day 2020

Happy Memorial Day 2020.  Harvested kale from my backyard garden for breakfast today.  Kale & farm fresh eggs were fantastic.  Today is a somber holiday as we reflect on our freedoms in the USA.  I have family whom served my Father, Uncles, & cousins, as many of you reading this have.  We do not need a huge gathering to remember and honor those whom have served this country.  Take a few hours today and teach your family what this holiday represents.  If you do not have children read history and remember why we have this holiday.

As an avid gardener, I did not know very much when I started my own gardens. 20 years ago.  We learned from my Grandmother as well my other half's parents.  To Further our knowledge we used tv and books.   Below are two of our favorites.

My favorite book is by Barbara Damrosch Garden Primer.Garden Primer  It is where I found the idea for a three year crop rotation which I use and helps keep my plants thriving.  Even in years of extreme drought, I have an edible harvest.  We also use companion plants and soaker hoses to water.  it is a great way to reduce the water wasted by sprinklers in a garden.  Many this year and starting plants because they have extra time & are home to see them blossom & grow.  Good luck with your new garden & remember to water daily for new plants and not in the hottest part of the day.

Our favorite show was The Victory Garden with Roger Swain, hom spoke about the origin of the term Victory Garden  Wiki defines. He described his memories and why he loves gardening and digging in the dirt.Trial & error as well as our lessons learned from others mistakes helped teach us to be better gardeners.  Failure is Impossible on one of my favorite quotes from Susan B Anthony.  I believe when we work toward a goal in is a journey; whether long or short enjoy your journey. 

Roger Swain Quote I love.



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We are all dealing with this time in our own way  Remember to be kind., flatten the curve, stay home and stay safe.
Honor this Memorial Day and always.

 In NY OMH Emotional Support Helpline: 1-844-863-9314

  help:https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/covid-19-resources.html