So----a mushroom walks into a bar, says to the bartender "I'll have a Miller Light". "Sorry" says the bartender, "we don't serve your kind here". Outraged, the mushroom says "why not? I am a fungi"------you're not laughing-you don't get it do you. Fungi---fun guy. NOW do you get it? We took this fungi encrusted tree pic yesterday at Pearson Park.

It really felt like Spring today.Which was kind of funny because it was snowing yesterday---but this is Ohio after all. So off we went to the Park and ran into a friend who was strolling with her twins. Apparently we wore Magglio out because he is asleep on the couch next to me.

We are sitting here in the dark for Save the Earth Hour. The purpose is to use as little energy as possible. And since my computer is wireless, I think it is OK to stay online. Hope you are sitting in the dark too!

Baseball and the Detroit Tigers lost a legend last night. George Kell died at the age of 86. Here is a pic with another legend-Al Kaline. Not only was he a batting title winner for the Detroit Tigers(beating Ted Williams) but he was an announcer on TV with Al Kaline. A true class act.

I am totally in love with this pudding. I found the recipe HERE. I've made it a million times since I found it. What makes it so irresistable? Is it because the ingredients are basic and all on hand? Or could it be because it is made in the microwave in one bowl. Or is it that it takes 7 mins to make? No---it is the flavor. Creamy, rich homemade pudding. I will never buy those boxes of pudding again. And I am going to play around and maybe add chocolate next time.

Here are 2 definite signs of Spring! An ambitious pair of birds built a nest in a "hawk proof" bird feeder in our yard. And you always know the weather has turned when you see those white golf balls sprouting up in the yard.

I forgot how exciting a State Final High School Basketball championship could be. When our sons were young, we would go to Columbus even if we had no attachment to the teams involved. This year the girls at the high school where Dan teaches made it to the Final Four and we went to Columbus last nite. So exciting and the Lady Spartans of Start prevailed! What a talented group of young women!

I have a new decorating scheme. Lake Michigan stones on the windowsill. They feel so good to touch after they have absorbed the afternoon sun. I need to go North on a rock finding expedition to decorate more windows!

Where do you draw the line when it comes to spoiling the dog?

Happy St. Patty's Day! We decided to go with the flow----and have a Jiggs dinner. I simplified it in my crock pot and it was pretty good! Matt and Kellie came over and we were all in green---even Magglio who had new buddies by the end of the evening!

It's McMagglio O'Gross in his St. Paddy's Day scarf---basking in the morning sun on the deck.

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful-William Morris. I guess that quote does not apply to this chair on either count!! It is too battered to be sat in or considered beautiful. But I paid 10.00 for it at an Ann Arbor Antique sale(which was probably 9.00 too much) because I fell in love with the faded color of green paint it is wearing. So if you come for a visit, pull up another chair or you may find yourself on the floor!

This is a double dose of "green" Not only does it have green in the picture but it conveys a green sentiment. And---best of all it was done by Matthew, approx age 10. As you may have noticed, I have kept both my sons artwork AND not only did I save them, but they are proudly displayed in an upstairs hallway "art gallery"

OK-this is more bluish green than green but there is a reason I am posting this. This original watercolor was painted by a budding artist in 1992 and I was thrilled to "acquire" it for my very own. It is an impressionistic interpretation of gladiolus in a vase. Do you like it? It was done by 8 year old Adam Gross at a summer art camp when he was 8 years old. I am featuring it today because Adam is in Chicago for the week for his job and I wanted him to know we are thinking of him.

Verdant----"Green with Growing". That was my favorite vocabulary word in the 6th grade and one that always comes to mind when Spring starts to pop. I noticed these Hyacinths that I planted last year starting to poke out of the ground and they are a welcome sight on this gray, gloomy, rainy day!

I have to admit---it is a little dull around here and if I went outside to take a picture to post, it would be, well---dull. Spring is trying to take a foothold but it will be awhile. So----St Patrick's day is next week and if nothing else, I will feature the color GREEN. I was sorting some old cards and memoribilia going back to my birth and did find something green in one of the cards----a $10 bill! Anyway---here is my green bottle collection. I didn't start out collecting green bottles, but whenever I went into an antiques store or tag sale, I was always drawn to these bottles and finally decided to group them together. The oldest is mid left and is a coffin flask and was bought shortly after we were married in upstate New York at an old barn sale. The seller said it was 18 century but very common. Not sure if that is true but I love the color. The bottle to the right of it was given to me by my brother and he bought it on Ebay from a seller who found it at the site of the old Erie Canal. And the little triangular one is an old inkwell. But------the age or function is meaningless to me----I just love the color, especially when the sun is shining on them.

Sometimes the most meaningful messages are said without words. Yesterday we were at the funeral of Dan's cousin, Gloria. A few friends stood up and spoke but the most poignant was given musically by an old friend who played Somewhere Over the Rainbow on the piano. It was so beautiful and there wasn't a dry eye in the Church(including Dan's). Later he told us he played the same song at her wedding.

My computer is "in" for repairs(and my repairman is Adam). I am browsing Dan's photos and found this great shot he took last summer when he was invited on a refueling flight with the Ohio Air National Guard. It is gray and rainy here BUT warm. We spent last evening at the funeral home with Dan's family. His cousin died way too young of cancer(and believe me when I say 55 is young). His uncle Lloyd is here from Florida. We could listen to his stories continuously-he was a pilot in WW2. And not the usual war stories either----more on the lines of flying from Africa to Cairo "to pick up liquor" and carrying containers of water so that by the time he landed with the goods, the water would be frozen for ice and voila---instant party. You have to make the most of each day, he advised, because you never know what is around the corner.

We are getting ready to paint another bedroom-----not as fun this time because it is the "storage" room. I happened to look up and see these 2 cuties looking down at me. They are clothespin dolls that belonged to my Aunt Mimi. I kind of forgot about them but now I have fallen in love with them!

Dormant Geraniums coming Back to Life

If you recall my past posts, I loved my geraniums so much last fall, I saved them by placing them in the basement with bare roots and without water. Sounds rather cruel but 2 weeks ago, I replanted the bare roots and gave them water and sunlight. So far, out of 15 plants, I have 9 that are either showing green nubs or are bursting with green. And of course, not all will return and I do have some sad, dried up twigs---but I haven't given up on those yet. I am thrilled with the success rate. I will definately do this again next year!

It was a fun weekend. Adam and Jonelle were in town and we took them to the Glass Blowing at the Glass Pavillion. The next time I visit, it will be as a student in a class--I hope. And then I FINALLY got someone to take me bowling.