I'm not sure I remember a wetter, colder spring, or a later planting date for the vegetable garden. But apparently the weather was just right for iris: I've never seen them as beautiful as they were this spring. Not just the traditional purple ones (Japanese and German) but yellow-and-maroon, a blue so dark it was almost black (out on Upland Road), and neon orange (in the middle of Unionville). Just spectacular.
Speaking of gardening, I had no idea there were so many hosta varieties! On a recent trip to a garden center a friend and I were astonished to see table after table of them. We ended up buying 10 pots of a variety called "Patriot" for the shaded steep slopes next to her driveway. How did she choose? She liked the color, the name and the price ($7.99 each, among the least expensive).
Black tadpoles are swimming around in the creek by the vegetable garden. What a delightfully named little creature! According to Wikipedia, "tadpole" is from the Middle English words for toad (tadde) and head (pol). And the synonym "polliwog" is from the Middle English words for head (pol, again) and to wiggle (wiglen).
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Dental skill
The other day I called to schedule my twice-yearly dental cleaning and was horrified to learn that Carol, the hygienist who has cleaned my teeth since the late 1980s, retired at the end of 2010. I was speechless for a moment. Having somebody other than Carol scrape and floss and tell me she wishes everybody's teeth were as boring as mine? Unthinkable!
It's funny how attached you can become to someone even without exchanging many words, at least not many intelligible ones. But time marches on. The receptionist assured me I would "love" the woman who took over Carol's hours, so I scheduled an appointment. I'll let you know.
It's funny how attached you can become to someone even without exchanging many words, at least not many intelligible ones. But time marches on. The receptionist assured me I would "love" the woman who took over Carol's hours, so I scheduled an appointment. I'll let you know.
Mowed down
Hooray! Thanks to whoever mowed the tall weeds at the corner of Route 926 and Hood Road. As I mentioned in last week's column, they blocked the view of motorists trying to cross 926. Thank you!
I don't have an update on the new traffic lights in downtown West Grove, though. They are still all wrapped up in canvas bags, like Christmas presents that were put out too early.
I don't have an update on the new traffic lights in downtown West Grove, though. They are still all wrapped up in canvas bags, like Christmas presents that were put out too early.
Not much of a downside
On the bulletin board at a local coffee shop I spotted a cute poster for Canine Partners for Life, the Cochranville organization that trains service dogs to help humans with various disabilities (http://www.k94life.org/). They are looking for volunteers to help acclimate the dogs to real-world situations, and they give a detailed list of the pluses and minuses of having a service puppy in training.
Two of the latter: "Going to the market takes longer since everyone stops you to ask about your puppy" and "You start to recall dog names better than people names."
Two of the latter: "Going to the market takes longer since everyone stops you to ask about your puppy" and "You start to recall dog names better than people names."
Smart attire and smart phones
A cranky subscriber to "Foxhunting Life" writes:
"I'd like to see someone address the irritating practice of riders using Blackberries, I-phones, etc. during a hunt. The first time I saw it was in Aiken last year, when several young members immediately pulled out their devices after the ride--effectively excluding themselves from the post hunt joie de vivre and conversation. I was sad to see this."
My response: (a) It's not just young people and (b) You're fighting a losing battle, lady.
Another way of looking at it might be this: Isn't it great that young people are still participating in the sport, electronic devices or not!
While watching the Preakness she probably didn't like "Kegasus," either, "the half-man, half-horse mascot created to draw fans to Pimlico's boozy infield," according to Jason Gay, sports columnist for The Wall Street Journal. "Kegasus, a centaur who resembled a cross between Mr. Ed and a roadie for a Blue Öyster Cult tribute band, touted bottomless beer cups and bikini contests and outraged some in the horse-racing community who would have preferred the services of Vinotaur, the tea-sandwich and wine-spritzer-serving minotaur."
"I'd like to see someone address the irritating practice of riders using Blackberries, I-phones, etc. during a hunt. The first time I saw it was in Aiken last year, when several young members immediately pulled out their devices after the ride--effectively excluding themselves from the post hunt joie de vivre and conversation. I was sad to see this."
My response: (a) It's not just young people and (b) You're fighting a losing battle, lady.
Another way of looking at it might be this: Isn't it great that young people are still participating in the sport, electronic devices or not!
While watching the Preakness she probably didn't like "Kegasus," either, "the half-man, half-horse mascot created to draw fans to Pimlico's boozy infield," according to Jason Gay, sports columnist for The Wall Street Journal. "Kegasus, a centaur who resembled a cross between Mr. Ed and a roadie for a Blue Öyster Cult tribute band, touted bottomless beer cups and bikini contests and outraged some in the horse-racing community who would have preferred the services of Vinotaur, the tea-sandwich and wine-spritzer-serving minotaur."
Buck & Doe breakfast
The Buck & Doe Trust's annual breakfast in one of the covered bridges at the Laurels Preserve was a delightful party, as always. I saw lots of neighbors, many poring over the large maps showing all the conserved land in the Unionville area. Buck & Doe board member Richard Buchanan was enthusiastically trying to find a new home for a stray dog that his wife, Cindy, had picked up from along the road.
Board president Amy McKenna and treasurer John Goodall gave nice speeches about the Trust's conservation work. Former president Terry Corkran was there as well, and V-P Joe Huston was on his way out as I arrived.
And the food was very good. I consider myself a pancake conoisseur, and these were wonderful. The sausage, from the Country Butcher in Kennett, brought rave reviews and was expertly grilled by board member Gus Brown (despite his knee injury).
Thanks to the Trust for a great party in a beautiful location!
Board president Amy McKenna and treasurer John Goodall gave nice speeches about the Trust's conservation work. Former president Terry Corkran was there as well, and V-P Joe Huston was on his way out as I arrived.
And the food was very good. I consider myself a pancake conoisseur, and these were wonderful. The sausage, from the Country Butcher in Kennett, brought rave reviews and was expertly grilled by board member Gus Brown (despite his knee injury).
Thanks to the Trust for a great party in a beautiful location!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Blue on blue
The May issue of the "Cartmel Courier" newsletter chronicles activity at the retirement community's nine bluebird boxes. Two have full nests with chicks, one has a nest with eggs, one has a full bluebird nest but no eggs, and one is empty but previously had a nest and four bluebird eggs. The rest of the boxes have only partial nests.
Maybe those old songs...
In the past few days I've heard "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Blitzkrieg Bop" at the supermarket, "John Barleycorn" at Starbucks and "Smoke on the Water" and "Who'll Stop the Rain" at an elementary-school spring concert (BTW you totally rock, Music Director Leo Zumpetta!). Could it be? Is good music actually making a comeback?
Monday, May 23, 2011
Springdell update
An update in the long-running case of the Springdell residents vs. The Whip: the final hearing before the West Marlborough Zoning Hearing Board was held on May 10, and the board will render its decision on July 6. The residents brought the complaint because they claim that the popular tavern and its patrons reduce the quality of life in the village. They also claim that West Marlborough Township officials were lax in enforcing township ordinances regulating the tavern.
UPDATE: I am reminded that only SOME of the Springdell residents find the Whip to be a nuisance. Others don't care.
UPDATE: I am reminded that only SOME of the Springdell residents find the Whip to be a nuisance. Others don't care.
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