Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Gardening for Victory Again
The Victory Garden, Again!Experienced and first-time gardeners during World War II, planted vegetable gardens to grow produce in suburban, urban, and rural areas. These were called victory gardens. Back in the '40s, resources of all kinds were being diverted to support national war efforts. Countries asked their citizens to help in every way that they could.
People tended their victory gardens basically for their own use and to share the overabundant bounty with neighbors. These concepts are very foreign to us in our post-war, global economy. For years we have been bombarded by marketing messages of consumerism, reliance on others, and having experienced nearly constant economic growth since the '40s. Victory Gardens came in every shape and size. Patches of lawn were turned over to create gardens large enough to feed their families through the summer and, sometimes, to preserve some for winter use. People conserved raw materials, they recycled, they rallied behind the troops, they helped their neighbors, they gave their lives, and they planted "Gardens for Victory".
People in , rural and urban areas alike, worked the soil to raise food for their families, friends, and neighbors. Victory gardening enabled more supplies to be shipped to our troops around the world.
A whole generation has grown up without knowing self reliance. As our future unfolds, we are losing the experiences and knowledge of the Great Depression and WW II.
The strong economy's of the 1980s and 1990s has begun to weaken, and there are lessons to be learned from the past. It is always a good time to plant your own "Victory Garden". Now more than ever, the lessons learned and the benefits of family's doing victory gardening together are priceless and beyond comparison to anything we have ever been able to buy off of a grocers shelf.
People tended their victory gardens basically for their own use and to share the overabundant bounty with neighbors. These concepts are very foreign to us in our post-war, global economy. For years we have been bombarded by marketing messages of consumerism, reliance on others, and having experienced nearly constant economic growth since the '40s. Victory Gardens came in every shape and size. Patches of lawn were turned over to create gardens large enough to feed their families through the summer and, sometimes, to preserve some for winter use. People conserved raw materials, they recycled, they rallied behind the troops, they helped their neighbors, they gave their lives, and they planted "Gardens for Victory".
People in , rural and urban areas alike, worked the soil to raise food for their families, friends, and neighbors. Victory gardening enabled more supplies to be shipped to our troops around the world.
A whole generation has grown up without knowing self reliance. As our future unfolds, we are losing the experiences and knowledge of the Great Depression and WW II.
The strong economy's of the 1980s and 1990s has begun to weaken, and there are lessons to be learned from the past. It is always a good time to plant your own "Victory Garden". Now more than ever, the lessons learned and the benefits of family's doing victory gardening together are priceless and beyond comparison to anything we have ever been able to buy off of a grocers shelf.
The modern victory garden should expand the original intent. Your garden should include an extra row or bed you plant specifically to share-with those who lack the means to grow their own. Plant a row, or more, for the hungry and distribute the produce to a nearby soup kitchen or food bank. This is how everyone can make a difference in the area where you live.Plant A Row for the Hungry began as a grass roots program, which, under the auspices of the Garden Writers Association of America, continues to expand. Last year it was responsible for providing more than 1 million pounds of fresh produce to food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations feeding the hungry across the country.
Why plant a victory garden?
Today our food travels an average of 1500 miles from farm to table. The process of planting, fertilizing, processing, packaging, and transporting our food uses a great deal of energy and contributes to the cause of global pollution.
Our current economic situation is another good reason to start a Victory Garden. Every time that food is shipped from the farm to the store and your table, gasoline is used. As gasoline prices rise, food costs rise. Remember the lessons from the past, self reliance can translate into money in remaining in your pocket and better health. Foods which use fewer chemical pesticides are better for you and cost less to produce. In addition they are healthier for you to consume.
Why plant a victory garden?
Today our food travels an average of 1500 miles from farm to table. The process of planting, fertilizing, processing, packaging, and transporting our food uses a great deal of energy and contributes to the cause of global pollution.
Our current economic situation is another good reason to start a Victory Garden. Every time that food is shipped from the farm to the store and your table, gasoline is used. As gasoline prices rise, food costs rise. Remember the lessons from the past, self reliance can translate into money in remaining in your pocket and better health. Foods which use fewer chemical pesticides are better for you and cost less to produce. In addition they are healthier for you to consume.
You should plant what you like to eat. If you don't like spinach, then don't plant it.
Suggested Vegetables and Herbs for a Victory Garden
basil, onions, beets, oregano, broccoli, parsley, Brussels, sprouts, peas, bush beans, potatoes, carrots ,radishes, chives, spinach, cilantro, summer squash, cucumbers, Swiss chard, dill, sweet corn ,eggplant, thyme, lettuce, tomatoes, melons, whatever you like to eat you should try planting in your personal victory garden. Once there was a small boy who wanted popcorn so he planted some from the store bought brand bag he had discovered in the cabinet. To his mothers surprise it grew and the whole family enjoyed eating popcorn that their son had grown.
basil, onions, beets, oregano, broccoli, parsley, Brussels, sprouts, peas, bush beans, potatoes, carrots ,radishes, chives, spinach, cilantro, summer squash, cucumbers, Swiss chard, dill, sweet corn ,eggplant, thyme, lettuce, tomatoes, melons, whatever you like to eat you should try planting in your personal victory garden. Once there was a small boy who wanted popcorn so he planted some from the store bought brand bag he had discovered in the cabinet. To his mothers surprise it grew and the whole family enjoyed eating popcorn that their son had grown.
Show off your victory garden and make the Most of Your Space. Harvest more than once from the same row or bed by inter planting and succession planting. Follow vegetables that grow best in cool weather, such as radishes and lettuce, with warm-weather crops, such as tomatoes and peppers. Purchase bedding plants of tomatoes, peppers and eggplant.
A few winning combinations: * radishes and summer squash * lettuce and peppers or tomatoes * lettuce and pole beans * peas and cucumbers * beans and sweet corn * beans, sweet corn, and pumpkins. Show off your victory garden. A good idea is to surround the beds or the perimeter of the garden with a border of red, white, and blue flowers. * Saliva, Zinnia, Vinca, Estonia, Verbena, Zinnia, Zinnia, Snapdragon, Shasta Daisy, Estonia, Nierembergia, Verbena, Celia.
A few winning combinations: * radishes and summer squash * lettuce and peppers or tomatoes * lettuce and pole beans * peas and cucumbers * beans and sweet corn * beans, sweet corn, and pumpkins. Show off your victory garden. A good idea is to surround the beds or the perimeter of the garden with a border of red, white, and blue flowers. * Saliva, Zinnia, Vinca, Estonia, Verbena, Zinnia, Zinnia, Snapdragon, Shasta Daisy, Estonia, Nierembergia, Verbena, Celia.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Sixty Eight Years and another Wedding
" It was just beautiful"... These were the words as a bride of sixty-eight years reminisced about her wedding night.
On February sixth, 1941, bridges over the Ohio and the Mississippi rivers had not yet been constructed and Kentucky marriage laws required a three day waiting period to obtain a license to marry. So after sunset, on that wintry February evening, two young people snuggled close to keep warm, waiting to be ferried across the river to Missouri, where marriage laws were less restrictive.
It was on that night, Dick and Gwen, decided to elope to Charleston, Missouri. The snow danced in the sky on that cool winter night, sparkling under the softness of the nearly full moon, creating memories so enchanting and sweet that still bless this couple aftger a lifetime of love together.
Now, sixty eight years years later, with five children, many grandchildren and even more great grandchildren, their loving spirit continues to instill romance and hope into the lives they touch.
Along with Dick and Gwen Meadows there is now another young couple who will share February 6th as amost special kind of day.
Congratulations to Shawn and Paula Jones. The date for their wedding was chosen by their grandaughter Paula.
It was a ceremony shared with friends and family at a church in Livingston county Kentucky. That evening the moon was almost full as it was so many years before. Shining down once again through a clear winter sky in February.
Another honeymoon for another young couple, in love and excited to begin their new life together.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Giving your home curb appeal in the winter
Selling a home during the winter months.
In the short days of winter, you have less time to show your home during daylight hours.
Yet there are a few things you can do to enhance “curb appeal.” Let in the Light. Pull up the blinds, open the shutters, push back the drapes. Some homes in the winter, with the leaves off the trees, might have a nice view that isn't as apparent in the spring and summer months. The winter months are a great time to sell waterfront properties. In some parts of the country, such as ski areas or regions where the snow birds flock, winter weather can actually be a selling point. Yet you may want to consider keeping blinds partially closed that otherwise show undesirable outdoor scenery such as a dilapidated fence or a nearby structure that obstructs views.
Take yourself on a tour of your home. As you work your way through the house. You could see many previously undiscovered cluttered spaces and needed repairs that can run off potential buyers. Wash windows clean out cobwebs. Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights. Brighten dark rooms with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture.
You want the temperature inside to be comfortable. It's better to heat the house a degree or two warmer than usual. Give the buyer more of a reason to linger, especially on a cold day.
Pride of ownership and meticulousness resonates with buyers. Ask buyers to either remove shoes or slip on paper "booties" over their footwear before touring the house.
Protect your investment. Be prepared to put a little effort into it. When you do it right, you can really make your house stand out. The concept is one of showing that your house is always at it's best, year round.
In the short days of winter, you have less time to show your home during daylight hours.
Yet there are a few things you can do to enhance “curb appeal.” Let in the Light. Pull up the blinds, open the shutters, push back the drapes. Some homes in the winter, with the leaves off the trees, might have a nice view that isn't as apparent in the spring and summer months. The winter months are a great time to sell waterfront properties. In some parts of the country, such as ski areas or regions where the snow birds flock, winter weather can actually be a selling point. Yet you may want to consider keeping blinds partially closed that otherwise show undesirable outdoor scenery such as a dilapidated fence or a nearby structure that obstructs views.
Take yourself on a tour of your home. As you work your way through the house. You could see many previously undiscovered cluttered spaces and needed repairs that can run off potential buyers. Wash windows clean out cobwebs. Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights. Brighten dark rooms with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture.
You want the temperature inside to be comfortable. It's better to heat the house a degree or two warmer than usual. Give the buyer more of a reason to linger, especially on a cold day.
Pride of ownership and meticulousness resonates with buyers. Ask buyers to either remove shoes or slip on paper "booties" over their footwear before touring the house.
Protect your investment. Be prepared to put a little effort into it. When you do it right, you can really make your house stand out. The concept is one of showing that your house is always at it's best, year round.
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