Earlier this spring I was admiring the beautiful goldfinches at my mother's birdfeeder. A kind and generous woman (as always), the next time I saw her she gave me a big bag of the kind of seeds that finches like.
I bought a feeder with tiny holes (the seed is very small) and hung it out in the backyard. Within minutes, chickadees found the new food source, and the glorious goldfinches were not far behind.
Unfortunately, my gain was my mother's loss: she hasn't seen a finch ever since I put out my feeder.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
KENNETT: Kids at play
If you're like me, you spend a lot of time sitting at the stoplight at Union Street in busy downtown Kennett Square, waiting for the green arrow to appear so you can turn left onto Cypress Street. And once the arrow finally appears, our natural inclination is to hit the gas and make a very fast left turn.
Don't do it.
A lot of young kids who live in the apartment building at the southeast corner of that intersection play on the sidewalk and parking lot. On Tuesday afternoon one little boy went dashing across Cypress Street to chase a wayward ball, and of course he didn't stop to look before he crossed. Thank goodness all the drivers were paying attention, because a tragedy could so easily have happened.
Just bear it in mind. Being 30 seconds later to your coffee date or gym class doesn't really matter.
Don't do it.
A lot of young kids who live in the apartment building at the southeast corner of that intersection play on the sidewalk and parking lot. On Tuesday afternoon one little boy went dashing across Cypress Street to chase a wayward ball, and of course he didn't stop to look before he crossed. Thank goodness all the drivers were paying attention, because a tragedy could so easily have happened.
Just bear it in mind. Being 30 seconds later to your coffee date or gym class doesn't really matter.
YMCA: A clear round
During a class the other evening, our Y instructor was telling us what specific exercises the next segment of the workout would involve.
"Pushups, kickbacks, bar work: that's the order of go," she told us.
"Are you a horse-show mom, by any chance?" I asked.
She was amazed and acknowledged that in fact she did spend many hours watching her equestrian kids compete at shows. She laughed when she realized how she had used that dead-giveaway phrase without even thinking about it
"Pushups, kickbacks, bar work: that's the order of go," she told us.
"Are you a horse-show mom, by any chance?" I asked.
She was amazed and acknowledged that in fact she did spend many hours watching her equestrian kids compete at shows. She laughed when she realized how she had used that dead-giveaway phrase without even thinking about it
Monday, May 29, 2017
KENNETT: Honoring those who gave all
I am writing this on deadline, so I don't have much time to describe the Kennett Square Memorial Day parade on Monday. Suffice it to say that (1) it was wonderful and well-attended despite the drizzle, (2) a lot of kids seem to be involved in Scouts, Little League, and martial arts, and (3) the gigantic Army tank rolling north on Union Street was just amazing.
LONGWOOD: The fireworks are back!
Longwood Gardens celebrated its newly reopened fountains display with a spectacular, sold-out fireworks and fountains show on Saturday night.
We had a great time watching the fireworks from our usual "cheap seats" (our car in the parking lot of the former Superfresh shopping center), and we especially liked the ultra-loud, ultra-bright ones, the squiggly, fizzy ones, and the multi-colored ones.
But our friends who managed to buy tickets and experienced the full show from inside the Gardens could not come up with enough superlatives to describe the vastly upgraded, amazingly creative fountains and sound system. "Best in the world" was one of the more restrained phrases they used. They didn't even mind the fact that they got soaking wet.
We had a great time watching the fireworks from our usual "cheap seats" (our car in the parking lot of the former Superfresh shopping center), and we especially liked the ultra-loud, ultra-bright ones, the squiggly, fizzy ones, and the multi-colored ones.
But our friends who managed to buy tickets and experienced the full show from inside the Gardens could not come up with enough superlatives to describe the vastly upgraded, amazingly creative fountains and sound system. "Best in the world" was one of the more restrained phrases they used. They didn't even mind the fact that they got soaking wet.
KENNETT: Slaves seeking freedom
The Kennett Underground Railroad Center asked me to mention that they are once again offering two-hour-long guided bus tours on June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, and Sept. 17 (all Sundays). The Underground Railroad, a network of people who helped slaves to escape from the South, was very active in our area from 1830 to 1860.
"View select Underground Railroad sites, historic homes and Quaker Meetinghouses while learning about local abolitionists, both African-American and white, and activity that went on in this area."
Advance reservations are required; requested donation is $20 for adults and $15 for youth. For more information: 484-544-5070 (phone); info@kennettundergroundrr.org (email); www.kennettundergroundrr.org (website).
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