PERENNIAL GARDEN MONTH

Saturday, June 30^th: One more day … June is PERENNIAL GARDEN MONTH. (And in thisTexas heat, I think my perennial garden has one more day to live!) Fill your yard and garden with perennials. You’ll have lots of lovely color. And, they’re less work than replanting annuals every year, although there are some beautiful annuals that enhance every garden. The fun part of the perennial plants is seeing them grow from year to year as your garden matures and fills out.

For some excellent tips and advice on perennial gardens, check out some of these great sites.

Doug Green’s Garden: http://www.gardening-tips-perennials.com/

Backyard Gardener: http://www.backyardgardener.com/pren/index.html

Garden Guides: http://www.gardenguides.com/perennials-garden/

About.com: http://gardening.about.com/od/perennials/Perennials_Plants_that_Get_Better_with_Age.htm

Happy gardening! Happy life!

SPARE US THE DETAILS DAY

Friday, June 29^th: TMI, TMI! Today is SPARE US THE DETAILS DAY. Let’s celebrate the day by keeping a few things to ourselves. Especially in today’s social media focused society; there are a few offenders that like to post EVERYTHING we don’t necessarily need to know. Today’s celebration is akin to mommas “Don’t air our dirty laundry in public” policy. Celebrate life, celebrate tact and discretion.

NATIONAL BOMB POP DAY

Thursday, June 28^th: Today, have a cold blast of red, white and blue. Its NATIONAL BOMB POP DAY, just in time for our sizzling summer days! This popular treat (even older than I am, YEA!) was invented in 1955, on Independence Avenue in Kansas City MO. Rev up with these patriotic treats for Independence Day next week.

Check out the web site, there’s a $1.00 coupon too! http://www.bluebunny.com/Default.aspx

NATIONAL COLUMNIST DAY

Tuesday, June 26^th: Celebrate columnists; masters of the written word. Today is NATIONAL COLUMNIST DAY. Week in, week out, columnists write for their readers of every genre conceivable. Erma Bombeck, Ann Landers, Dave Berry … there are so many “greats” in column history. Thousands of local and syndicated columnists around the nation deserve a pat on the back for the day. Today honors them. Thank you for your time and endless patience to bring words of wisdom, advice and humor to our daily lives. (Go check out my favorite Inland Empire columnist, Diana Sholley, at http://www.dailybulletin.com/dianasholley. Okay, David Allen, I hear you in the background; I can’t forget you either http://www.dailybulletin.com/davidallen)

Jim Six, columnist for The Gloucester County Times, sponsors today’s holiday, celebrated annually, the fourth Tuesday in June.

LOG CABIN DAY

Sunday, June 24^th: Today is a day to reflect on our past. It’s LOG CABIN DAY! (At least it is in Michigan; but, I plan to celebrate in Texas too.) The Log Cabin Society founded Log Cabin Day, a statewide holiday, to raise awareness about the preservation of log cabins in Michigan.

I’m partial to log cabins myself. (and old, falling-down barns). They’re remnants of our history; memories of days long past, where early settlers braved the unknown, and often deadly, tribulations of an unfriendly frontier. A cemetery in Texas has a restored log cabin on it, that the early founders of the settlement used for new families coming in, and a church and a school when needed. I love to go sit in it. A friend here in Texas owns the old family log cabin. It’s been added to and covered up … until she updated the home and uncovered some of the log cabin structure that had been hidden. Ahhhh, if only those logs could speak!

Just think … days with no cell phones interrupting our every single moment. No rude cell phone conversations every single place you go. No internet, consuming our time by the hours. No smog producing cars, no time clocks, no ….. oh wait. No cars period, smog producing or not. Covered wagons covered 8-12 miles a day, depending on the terrain. I’m that far from work. I don’t want to spend a whole day traveling to a job. And those pesky, annoying cell phones are pretty handy. I just had a Skype visit with three best friends from many, many moons ago (not going to share how MANY moons!) And air conditioning; oh my, I couldn’t live here in Texas without air conditioning. Maybe I’ll keep our modern conveniences after all. I’ll just enjoy celebrating log cabins and reminisce about the past.

(Photos: Exterior is a log cabin we passed on the way to War Eagle Mill, Rogers, Ark. Interior is a log cabin at Log Cabin Village, Fort Worth TX.)

For more info on Log Cabin Day, or the Log Cabin Society, go check here: http://www.qtm.net/logcabincrafts/brochure2012.htm

Family and nature and War Eagle Mill

Family … easily the best part of vacation! My sister, Sue, and niece, Michelle, flew from southern California to DFW and we were off on our ‘girls road trip’. Next stop … dad’s house in Arkansas. (Well, next stop AFTER a totally necessary stop at The Amish Store in Atoka, Oklahoma.)

Visiting with family for several days was fabulous. We laughed. We cried. And talked, and talked, and talked.

And, of course, we went sight-seeing. (read as, LOTS of delapidated barn pictures!) We hiked at Devil’s Den National Park. We visited dad’s 3.2 acre retreat and hiked (and communed with nature) there. We admired the creative, wonderful art at my favorite spot on earth – Terra Studios.

But my sister’s favorite spot … WAR EAGLE MILL. Naturally we had to visit there too. War Eagle Mill, in Rogers Arkansas, has actually been built several times.

In 1832, Sylvanus Blackburn homesteaded 160 acres along the War Eagle River in northwest Arkansas. The following spring, he returned to Hickman County, Tenessee, to bring his young bride, Catherine, back to his acreage. Soon their two story log home was complete and they began their family, raising 5 boys and 3 girls.

By 1838, a grist mill, blacksmith shop, carpentry shop and saw mill had been built. In 1848 a flood washed away the mill and the dam. Sylvanus rebuilt the mill. It was burned two days before the battle of Pea Ridge (March 6-8, 1862), to keep the mill from falling into Yankee hands.  Sylvanus’ son, James, rebuilt the mill in 1873. The mill operated for many years and in 1924, burnt a second time. Many years passed. In 1973, Jewell and Leta Medlin, and their daughter Zoe Leta Caywood, rebuilt the fourth War Eagle Mill. The grist mill remains in operation today and is also the site of two HUGE annual craft shows in spring and fall.

The mill has two floors full of tempting goodies, treats and artistic creations. The top floor contains a homey eatery. My niece and I had a tasty breakfast. With her breakfast, Michelle had the biscuits and country gravy. I was excited to have biscuits and apple butter. My dad and sister, well, they fell for the temptation of the blackberry cobbler.

If you’re heading through the Ozarks of northwest Arkansas, make sure to plan for an hour or two at War Eagle Mill.

www.wareaglemill.com

She Writes Southern Writers 4th of July Countdown Blog Tour

The She Writes Southern Writers 4th of July Countdown Blog Tour

The Southern Writers of She Writes cordially invite you to The She Writes Southern Writers 4th of July Countdown Blog Tour.

During the week leading up to the 4th of July, two blogs will be featured every day sharing their interpretation of the tour’s theme: “Southern Living.”

People who leave insightful comments on the blog post(s) during the tour will be entered into a random drawing to receive a special Southern Living-themed prize (worth $50) donated by Zetta Brown and JimandZetta.com Author/Publisher Services.

The more blogs you visit and the more comments you make throughout the tour, the more chances you get.

Tour Date: Wed. June 27
Blog Name: Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge
Blog Owner: Ramey Channell
Title: “Evolution AND Creationism: The Birth of a Southern Novel”
URL: www.sweetmusiconmoonlightridge.blogspot.com

Tour Date: Wed. June 27
Blog Name: My Writing Journey
Blog Owner: Charity Bradford
Title: “Hospitality, Welcome to the South”
URL: http://charitywrites.blogspot.com

Tour Date: Th. June 28
Blog Name: Ruminations and Reflections
Blog Owner: Rebecca Elswick
Guest Blogger: Natalie Parker-Lawrence
Title: “Patrice Melnick: Louisiana Poet, Festival Muse”
URL: http://wwwrebeccaelswick.blogspot.com

Tour Date: Th. June 28
Blog Name: Holly’s Narrative Dream
Blog Owner: Holly Raychelle Hughes
Title: “Pictures and Words”
URL: www.writerhughes.wordpress.com

Tour Date: Fri. June 29
Blog Name: Musings & Meanderings: Thoughts on Life and Healing
Blog Owner: Melanie Pennington
Title: “The Flavors of My Childhood”
URL: http://musingsandmeanderings-mlp.blogspot.com/

Tour Date: Fri. June 29
Blog Name: The Full-Bodied (Book) Blog
Blog Owner: Zetta Brown
Guest Blogger: Dera Williams
Title: “Not Your Storybook Southern Belle”
URL: http://fullbodiedbooks.blogspot.co.uk/

Tour Date: Sat. June 30
Blog Name: Delani Bartlette’s Travel Blog
Blog Owner: Delani Bartlette
Guest Blogger: Stacy Allen
Title: “Changing The Past, Inventing The Future”
URL: http://matadornetwork.com/community/delanib

Tour Date: Sat. June 30
Blog Name: Emily Kennedy, Author
Blog Owner: Emily Kennedy
Title: “Southern Gentlemen”
URL:  http://emilykennedyauthor.com

Tour Date: Sun. July 1
Blog Name: Ryder Islington, Author
Blog Owner: Ryder Islington
Guest Blogger: Deidre Ann Banville
Title: “New Orleans Caulbearers”
URL: http://ryderislington.wordpress.com

Tour Date: Sun. July 1
Blog Name: A Penny and Change
Blog Owner: Penny Leisch
Guest Blogger: Trisha Faye
Title: “Change…as the moon goes on shining”
URL: http://apennyandchange.pennyleisch.com/blog

Tour Date: Mon. July 2
Blog Name: Zetta’s House of Random Thoughts
Blog Owner: Zetta Brown
Title: “Texas Tornadoes and Other Memories”
URL: http://zettashouse.wordpress.com

Tour Date: Mon. July 2
Blog Name: Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia
Blog Owner: Patricia Dorsey
Title: “A (Southern) Life in Poems”
URL:  http://patricianeelydorsey.blogspot.com/

Tour Date: Tue. July 3
Blog Name: A Penny’s Worth
Blog Owner: Penny Leisch
Guest Blogger: NancyKay Sullivan Wessman
Title: “Books & Business & Reality: No magic bullet”
URL: http://pennyleisch.com/wordpress

Tour Date: Tue. July 3
Blog Name: The Novelette
Blog Owner: Laura Gschwandtner
Title: “Southern Living with True Grit”
URL: http://thenovelette.com/blog

Hanging Up My Mouse for a Week (Celebrations June 15-22)

I’m leaving town for a week, so will be “unplugged”. But don’t stop celebrating, because life is to celebrate EVERYDAY!

Here are some celebrations coming up for the next week. I got too busy with work, trying to pack and get ready for my trip that I didn’t get all the write ups done for these. I apologize. I’ll be celebrating the holidays from my dad’s house in Arkansas. My sister and niece (Sue & Michelle) are flying into DFW tomorrow evening. We’ll have a nice Texas frontier dinner with them, and then we drive to NW Arkansas to spend Father’s Day with my dad. I’ll be enjoying the WHOLE week (especially Fudge Day on Saturday, not a chance I’ll miss THAT one!).

Hope y’all have a wonderful week also. Celebrate life and enjoy each and every day!

Friday, June 15^th:  National Flip Flop Days

Saturday, June 16^th: Fudge Day

Sunday, June 17^th: Stewarts Root Beer Day

Monday, June 18^th: Fruit and Veggies Month

Tuesday, June 19^th: Garfield the Cat Day

Wednesday, June 20^th: Ann & Samantha Day

Thursday, June 21^st: Recess at work day

Friday, June 22^nd: Take your dog to work day

WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY

Thursday, June 14^th: Give the gift of life. June 14^th is WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY.

Can you help out? Can you help saving lives?

From their web page, World Blood Donor Day explains: “On 14 June, countries worldwide celebrate World Blood Donor Day with events to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. The theme of the 2012 World Blood Donor Day campaign, “Every blood donor is a hero” focuses on the idea that every one of us can become a hero by giving blood. While recognizing the silent and unsung heroes who save lives every day through their blood donations, the theme also strongly encourages more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.”

http://www.who.int/worldblooddonorday/en/

REBUILD YOUR LIFE MONTH

Wednesday, June 13^th: A month for growth … June is REBUILD YOUR LIFE MONTH. Developed by Donald Etkes, PhD, the month of June was originally designated for “an opportunity for adults neglected and/or abused as children to celebrate their self-worth and discover inner power. They can learn to heal their lives and emotional pain by helping others.”

The lessons that come with rebuilding your life are lessons that can be utilized by anyone. Emotional and spiritual growth is not always easy, but the strength, confidence, and self-knowledge gained offset the sometimes rocky progress.

Anne Grant stated, “Grief is perhaps an unknown territory for you. You might feel both helpless and hopeless without a sense of a “map” for the journey. Confusion is the hallmark of a transition. To rebuild both your inner and outer world is a major project.” While on this journey and facing the confusion that Anne says is the ‘hallmark of transition’, you may doubt whether it’s worth it. Hang in there and keep moving forward.

What aspects of your life need an overhaul? Are there any less desirable habits you’d like to discard? Are there any insecurities or emotional weaknesses that need bolstered? You can rebuild your life. Use this month to make improvements. One step at a time; that’s all that is needed. One small step a day, and before you know it, your life will be better.

Here are some wise words to think about:

• “When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” Alexander Graham Bell
• “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” Norman Vincent Peale
• “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson
• “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Rebuild Your Life Month!