A Little Piece of Solitude

Reading books is one of my most favorite pastimes. I have always loved reading and cannot imagine my life without books. I even have a library in my home. It’s a whole room dedicated to my books; shelves and shelves of books. Except for the continuous ticking of my grandfather’s clock, it’s a quiet room. A peaceful room. I have an over stuffed recliner in there. It’s one of those chairs that seems to wrap itself around whoever sits in it.

My books cover many subjects, from cooking to nursing. In fact, I have five shelves filled with cookbooks, cooking journals, and binders full of recipes I have collected over the years. Most of the books are fictional type books. I have a section of books on the Holocaust (an area of interest) and a section of nursing books. (Mostly obstetrical books)

I have favorite authors, like most, but seem to collect a variety of different genres. I have piles of books I have read, and even more piles of books left unread. There’s the summer reading pile, and the pile to read for school, and even the pile I will read again. I am not a member of any book club, although I do take suggestions from some of them. I typically browse the bookstore shelves looking for whatever sparks my interest. Barnes and Nobles considers me a “great customer”. (Much to my husband’s chagrin) =)

My favorite authors are John Irving, Ken Follett, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, and most recently Alexander McCall Smith. I have many I have to read, and some I want to read. I usually read two to three books at one time. Many cannot do that, but I cannot imagine not reading this way. I cannot imagine life without books. I cannot imagine my home without books.

“A home without books is like a body without a soul”.

My Little Garden

Actually, the garden is shared with my son, who is currently in culinary school. The two of us planned, planted, and now tend to our little garden. It's home to three tomatoe plants: cherry, plum, and the 'regular' kind. We also have an assortment of herbs, that we use a lot of in our cooking. It's not a massive garden, but then it doesn't have to be. It provides us with exactly the right amount of herbs and tomatoes. It's also a place I share with someone very special. I love my little garden.

Grass Obsessions (The Lawn kind)

Is the “grass greener on the other side” or is it our green lawn insecurities that make us think it is? We have a must-have-a-green-lawn obsession here. We began this obsession back in the mid 80’s when we lived next door to people had the greenest lawn I have ever seen. (I have yet to see a better lawn even to this day) Even the lawn we have here is not that green. Close, but not yet. And it’s not that we do not try.

We have a fair amount of property here, so when we moved in we knew if a green lawn was our goal, and a green lawn needs water, than we knew we would have to install an irrigation system first. That done, we began our quest for the green, well-manicured lawn. We seeded with the finest of seed, or so the package said so. But I wonder is it? The picture on the package was pretty green lawn, but then would they show us a less than perfect lawn on the package of seed? I doubt it.

Seeds planted, it was then time to fertilize and maintain with all the chemicals we can find to do so. Chemicals. Oh we use them. We were sucked into the Scott’s Four Step program. We do it exactly at the right time, and use the right step. I have no idea what would happen if you skip a step or worse yet leave one out. We have no intention of trying.

The front lawn is quite lovely. The back needs work. We have three dogs who insist on digging, and of course, the dog’s peepee does not help either. It’s not far from perfect, but I’d like to think we are closer than most. It’s truly an ongoing battle. The battle to keep the holes at a minimum. A battle to keep it well feed, watered, and fertilized. A battle to keep the weeds away. A battle to ensure it’s a green as our neighbors. I think we are doing ok. Thank you Scotts.

“The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.” ~ Robert Fulghum

The Outdoor Kitchen

We love cooking, grilling, and barbecuing (all very different styles of cooking) outside, so what better to add to our backyard than an outdoor kitchen! We truly stole the idea from our neighbors to the right, not the ones on the left (who have very little interest in outdoor anything), and took off running.

We asked for some assistance from their masons to get us started (two very crafty and smart Portuguese men) and the outside walls were created. After the walls were up, we then had to decide on how we would build the inside walls, and create the places the grill, the burners, sink, and refrigerator would eventually be housed. With those walls in place, we then framed out the countertop, and poured it. (All cement...Big job...Well worth it)

At this point in the project we are adding the stone facing to the walls, and in two weeks (approximately) we should be tiling the countertop with tile slate tiles. After which the appliances are place, the water and electric are hooked up, and the project should be completed!
Adding a kitchen to our outside world only makes it more special. My outdoor living space seems complete. (until I get another project going!)

My Poop Deck

My deck is just as important as my front porch. It's an extension of my home, a part of who I am, and a place I like spending time on.

The deck was added to our home shortly after we moved in, as a necessity. There was simply no place to wash 8 large paws that were caked with wet dirt (also known as mud) before said paws came into the house. So in an effort to make me happy, the deck was designed and built. This would not be the first deck built by my family, nor the last. So after assembling my siblings and their tools, the deck was completed in two weekends. After waiting a specified amount of time (I did however fudge the numbers), the deck was stained and prepared for the rough winter that lie ahead. Now the color of the deck is an interesting brown, which compliments the siding of our home. The neighbors to the left, refer to it as "poopy brown". We refer to them as idiots that lack class and an eye for color. The same color adorns our picket fence, an arbor my husband made for me, and our little shed in the back of the yard. It works well. I believe.

The deck is a decent size; 24 by 16. Not too big, not too small, just right. I have tables and comfy chairs for anyone to rest in when they stop for a visit. I even have a huge swing that grabs hold of you and won't let go. Of course, I have flowers and plants that add a splash of color which is obviously needed according to the neighbors to the left. It's has a warm feeling. I love it best early in the morning when the area is quiet and the birds are singing their best. It's peaceful. It's relaxing. It's who I am. Poopy color and all.

Good Grief!

I am not sure where a whole year went, and why I dropped this journal, but I'm back! Maybe this time the journal will continue. I recently had to journal for a Women's Literature class, and I loved it. Of course, the only reader I had was my professor and she seemed to enjoy what I wrote, so with that captive audience, I wrote. A lot. I also went back to school right after starting this journal last year, and the majority of my 'writings' were school related. My time was not spent here but rather in Word doing school work.

I'm still in school, and currently working towards my BSN / MSN through a community college. I love being back in school, being mentally challenged and meeting new people. Nurses are funny creatures, but then that's a whole other journal entry.

My deck is once again alive! The winter has been hosed off and I have pretty flowers and cozy cushions that welcome my family and friends. I even bought new cushions this year and new umbrellas. The deck has a new look, but hopefuly the same old welcome feeling. We had to replace the old porch swing, and Luke finds this one just as comfy as the last one. I cannot imagine not having a swing in place for Luke. (Luke is a dog)

We began an outdoor kitchen last year to finish off the patio and that work continues. It should be finished within a short time, and I cannot wait! Spending time outdoors around here is important. Adding a kitchen will make it easier. Life is sweet.