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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Workin' on Spooky Stuff...


That Spooky, Full of Fun Holiday
is quickly approaching and I have been busy working
on some new Halloween decor...





Monday, August 27, 2012

A Sad Day in Baltimore County...

This morning I watched the neighborhood children standing on the corner, waiting for the bus.  It was the first day of school in Baltimore County.  I then made my way up to the shop to print shipping labels and package orders to get them ready in time for the mailman to pick up so that I wouldn't need to make a run to the Post Office.

I received a phone call from an old friend who was at work and had been told by one of his co-workers that there had been a shooting at a Baltimore County school.  He called to ask me if I had the tv on...he wanted to know which school.  His wife is a teacher at one of the local elementary schools...he needed to know she was safe.  I flipped the television on and found that there had been a shooting at one of the local high schools...one within several miles of my home.  My girls didn't attend Perry Hall High School but several nieces and nephews did graduated from this top rated school. 

A 15 year old boy went into the cafeteria, with a sawed off shotgun under his shirt.  He shot a 17 year old student who is still in critical condition at Shock Trama.  Comments by reporters said the shooter had posted on Facebook in the morning that this would be his last day on earth.  Thank goodness for a courageous guidance counselor, a former student from this school, who tackled the shooter before he could fire at any of the other students in the cafeteria.  The shooter is in custody. Still many questions to be answered.

I know it is what any of us would think...I didn't believe a senseless act of violence like this would happen our neighborhood schools.  It has shaken me to the core...I can only imagine what the parents of all the students were going through as they headed to the school to find their children and knowing only that there had been a shooting on this first day of school.  Praying tonight the victim will recover.  And praying for the families of both the victim and the shooter. 

I also a want to thank the brave young man, who without thinking of his own safety, stopped what could have been another Columbine. 

Thank you Jesse Wasmer
Guidance Counselor Lauded As Hero


Sunday, August 26, 2012

Z is for Zinnia...

photo via flickr.com/photos/wayne

Zinnias...
the first flowers I ever grew. My Mother and I planted seeds when I was a child and watched them pop out of the soil and grow a bit every day.
I believe that started my love of gardening.
A lovely memory...


National Dog Day...

 National Dog Day?
...Lucy thinks it's National Dog Day everyday. 
But we did have a few extra wiggle butts here today to help celebrate.


 My brother's pup, Callie Lou, has been staying with us for a few days
while her parents were away.


And grand dog Dre was here with his humans for family dinner.
Lucy had her very favorite pooches here to help her enjoy this very special
doggie day.


Thursday, August 23, 2012

Pyewacket...

thegirlwhokeepsdreaming.tumblr.com
 
When I saw this photo of this beautiful cat, the name Pyewacket popped right into my brain.

For those of you may not have ever have seen the movie Bell, Book and Candle,
Pyewacket was the name of the cat in the story.
 
 
The movie was released in 1958 and stars Kim Novak as Greenwich Village witch Gillian Holroyd  and James Stewart as Shep Henderson the man she falls in love with. 
Pyewacket is the witch's Siamese cat. 

I'm just a sucker those old romantic comedies from the 1950's and 60's.   


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Are you a Good Witch or a Bad Witch...


 Yesterday this was me.  Yes, the Bad Witch. The window air conditioner that was in the second floor studio area of the shop has been squeaking for about a week.  Yesterday it gave out one loud, long squeal and the fan died.  The unit owes us nothing...we've had it probably for 10 years but when we called the local Home Depot, Sears and Lowes we found they didn't have any units in the stores.  Did you know that air conditioners are seasonal merchandise and in August, in Maryland (when it can still be in the 90's) they are no longer in season?  A new unit cannot be found in DE, MD, or VA.  Although yesterday the temps were a bit cooler, on the second floor of the shop, with the sun beating down on the roof,  it was getting a bit toasty.  I wasn't happy...I don't work well with sweat dripping off my nose.

Well The Wizard went to work and took the dead machine out of the window, pulled it apart, oiled the heck out of the fan, pushed the on button and said, "It lives!". MAGIC! So for today I am the Good Witch...as long as that cool air continues to magically travel in my direction. 




Monday, August 20, 2012

Back to School...

This wonderful photo is of my girls enjoying the summer...can't remember what year it was.  I've been seeing on many of the blogs I follow, young mothers writing about preparing for their children to go back to school. Many blog about how they can't wait for the start of school year.  I always felt a bit of regret when the girls started another school year.  Summer back then, when the daughters were young, was a magical time of long lazy days.  I hated getting back into the hustle and bustle of September with new classes and teachers.  Then there were also the extracurricular activities...  The first day of school, I always put a little note into each of their lunches telling them "I love you".  I think I may have missed them more than they missed me.