Movie Nite

Last night we saw Smart People, a romantic comedy about a college professor who had lost his wife and become self absorbed. He has two teenage children who suffer because of his distance. A romance develops between him and a former student and an adopted brother who needs a place to stay moves in with the family. Bill and I both thought the movie really dragged and wasn't that funny. The internet rating gave it 3 out of 5 stars. I would give it one!

Earth Day

 

Yesterday many places celebrated Earth Day. The weather was cold and damp but we were fortunate to spend the morning inside St. Mary's Church in Colts Neck. My friend and fellow Master Gardener, Dorothy, had made a very impressive butterfly activity display board for children which can be seen in the picture. We also helped answer garden questions.

Being dedicated Master Gardeners we went to Bayonet Farms for a second Earth Day event. There we made many people happy by giving away free Liriope (Lilyturf) plants which we had potted earlier. Again we did our best to answer garden questions and handed out various fact sheets on garden issues. Here we were outside under a canopy and hoping it would get warmer. Papers were blowing and our display board blew over once. After being outside a couple of hours it felt wonderful to get home and inside.

A Tribute to Harry

Last night we were at the wake and today the funeral for Harry Chioffe, 69, the husband of Bill's cousin Liz. Harry was the outgoing fun loving type who made you feel so comfortable. They had four grown sons whom had every right to be proud of. The funeral mass and music was beautiful and the cemetery is on a hillside with an incredible view of country. It was a sad day but it was also so nice to be with the cousins whom we see only about once a year. Time goes by so quickly and we are so busy. It makes you think. Lord, welcome your son Harry into your kingdom.

Movie Nite

After missing a week we were back at the theater. 21 was still showing so we decided to see it. It was good. You quickly got involved with the main character, Ben, who is an outstanding student at MIT but doesn't have the money to go to Harvard Medical School. One of his professors invites him to join a group of students who go to Las Vegas and working as a group and counting cards are able to win big. First Ben refuses but then is drawn into it. There is some brutality which I could do without.

Little Pea Plants

 

After 4 weeks

 

It has been 4 weeks since I planted those tiny tomato seeds. I separated the plants today using a mixture of compost and potting soil. I had planted the seeds in a potting mix for seed starting. I have the plants in a SW window and have been taking them outside for 1 to 2 hours when the weather is warm. One small plant wasn't doing well after being outside and I pulled it. The plants vary in size quite a bit and I think they look happier now being separated.

Tiny Spinach Plants

 

Volunteers in Park

 

A very large part of the Master Garden program is volunteering. When I got an e-mail asking for volunteers to help a 4-H club, composed of children with autism, plant a flower garden in our local park, I knew this project was for me. The day was beautiful and rewarding for everyone.

I CAN DO IT

 

My First Collage - Spring Flowers

 

If others could do it why couldn't I?

Movie Nite

Last night we decided not to go to the movies. We had a choice of 21 which is about 6 brilliant MIT students who take on Vegas or Super Heroes. Neither really appealed to us although I see that 21 is 3rd on the box office list. It was a beautiful spring evening, although on the cool side. We walked along the water in Keyport. It was very peaceful and beautiful and we enjoyed ourselves. I should've brought my camera!

Twins Stay Overnight

 

 

We had a very busy weekend with Timmy and Bridget who are now three and potty trained so no more diapers to deal with. They're quite proud of themselves. We took them to Holmdel Park where they saw a horse poop. Boy, that made their day! They loved the playground. At home they watched Grampy operate the train set, played pool, played with our slot machine, heard stories, drew pictures, went for a ride in the wagon, blew bubbles, played ball, took turns pushing each other a 100 mph on my garden seat. Grampy took a video of this which I must post. Of course they played with all the toys we keep here for grandkids, and they ate and ate and didn't take a nap. Sunday we took them to church and they were little angels, of course. We brought a few story books to occupy them but they read the missals instead. Sunday, we celebrated Kristen's birthday here so they got to play with their cousins, Pipi and Harry. Grampy and I slept really well last night!

Tomatoes after Three Weeks

 

It has been three weeks since I planted my seeds. Since sprouting I've kept them in a sunny window and brought them outside for a few hours when we had warm weather. It's interesting how the seed shell seems to hold onto the leaf for as long as possible. The size of the plants seems to vary quite a bit.

Weed ID

Well, the unidentified weed I posted earlier has been identified as Bitter Cress. I brought these three weeds to the county agricultural office where some fellow masater gardeners did some research. They have had a number of people asking what the Bitter Cress was.

Bitter Cress

 

This weed has tiny white flowers.

Speedwell

Speedwell has a tiny blue flower. This variety is hairy.

Henbit

 

This weed has a purple flower.

Haiti

Rioting began in Haiti this week. Our son, Peter, works there at the embassy in Port au Prince. We talked to him tonight and he says it's crazy. Nobody saw this coming. Haiti is a very poor and illiterate country. The price of food has gone up 50% in the past year. The people believe any rumors. The rioting began a couple of days ago in a town further north where the UN has headquarters. The rumor was that the Haitian government was paying the UN money.

There is a lot of corruption in this country and apparently gangsters are taking advantage of the situation. People cannot get around now. The president did give a speech today and the rioting seems to have stopped. Please say a prayer for peace.

Movie Nite Again

Last night we saw Nim's Island, starring Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin. It's a kid's or family movie but Bill and I both loved it. It's about an 11 year old girl, Nim, who lives on a deserted island with her father who is a scientist and her animal friends. Her father becomes missing at sea and Nim has lots of problems. Jodie Foster tries to come to her rescue. It was funny and adventurous and had a quick pace. It was just a real fun movie. We recommend you don't miss this one.

Dreaded Colonoscopy

Well, today I had my preventive annual physical which our insurance company now requires. At my last physical about two years ago I was told it was time for a colonoscopy. I never followed up on it and I knew I'd hear about it today. I did. I heard that people who die from colon cancer die from ignorance. 36,000 people a year die in the U.S. each year from colon cancer. There are no symptoms. So, very reluctantly I'll do it. Shall I keep you posted?

They took a blood sample at the office but I have my other assignments now - a mammogram, x-ray of shoulder which was diagnosed as arthritis, and chest x-ray because he doesn't have one. Oh, and after he gets my blood results I can come back and we can talk about them. Sigh

Peas

After a day of rain my peas sprouted on April 1.

Stefan and Denise

Stefan is my cousin's son who came here this winter from Germany to seek his fortune. He met his girlfriend, Denise, last summer in Japan where he had gone to visit his sister. This week Stefan has been busy showing Denise the sights of NYC and we were very pleased they took time to travel by train to see us and even treat us to dinner.

Movie Nite

Tuesday night is our movie night. Bill and I used to go to a movie maybe once a year. Now, it's every Tuesday night! We are becomming quite the critics. We just got back from seeing Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day which we both rated just ok. Since we started doing this in December we have seen Enchanted (I really loved it),The Kite Runner (super good), PS I love you, The Waterhorse, The Bucket List (very funny), The Spiderwick Chronicles, Horton Hears a Who and The Other Boleyn Girl. In case you're wondering why we are suddenly going every Tuesday night it's because it's free and it's close. It's our Optimum reward for using cabelvision for our tv, phone and computer. You never know when they'll change the rules, so we're enjoying it while we have it. Isn't my husband great for taking me out every week!