Ho! Ho! Uh-Oh!

So let's get right to the topic.

For those who are paid on the 15th and 30th of each month, there are 9, . . . yes, NINE,  pay periods between now and Christmas.  That is a frightening prospect.  But never fear, for "I bring you tidings of great joy ..." - and a website that has some pretty darn cute stuff that is very reasonably priced.

The name of the company is The Lakeside Collection.  I discovered them about 3 years ago but their history states that they have been in business for the past decade.  I received their new Christmas 2012 catalog in the mail last night.  If you would like to review the catalog in its entirety online, simply visit:

 http://www.lakeside.com/Christmas-2012/catalog330003.jmb?navAction=jump&fm=catalog. 

This years catalog displays 506 items and includes many categories; For The Home; Apparel + Beauty; Garden; Housewares + Dining; Toys + Sports; Bed + Bath; Gifts; Pets and so on.

In order to get a jump-start on my holiday shopping and to prepare for holiday soirees, I placed on order this morning.  The items I ordered were:

  

Mothers & Sons Sentimental

Giftbook





Jumbo Stainless Steel Spatula





Paw Print Pet Gate



Cake Pops Cookbook







Hors D'Oeurves Baking Set





Set of 2 Oven Rack

Edge Guards





Shoe Wine Bottle Holders





Set of Two Tart Warmer

Night Lights

Grand total:  $122.45.  I ordered thirteen items, so the average price paid per item is $9.42.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.  My mother will love the Mothers and Sons Giftbook.  The kitchen items will certainly make assembling and baking food easier during the holiday season.  The Cake Pops Cookbook will be fun to experiment with.  The Tart Warmers can be used all year.  You just use seasonal fragrances.  And the pieces de resistance, the Shoe Wine Bottle Holders.  I bought all four.  How could anyone resist.  I'd take a second job if I had to for the full set of those.  I'd work overtime.  Cut the neighbors grass.  Feed a friends canary.  Drive the elderly to the hospital.  I just WANT THOSE SHOES.

Granted, this is not the Neiman Marcus Annual Christmas catalog with $900,000 rowboats.  But they have some very cute and interesting items at reasonable prices.  They also have some things that I would never consider buying like a toaster that will toast the name of your favorite football team onto the bread.  I'm sure someone will want that, but not I.  That same person would probably not "feed a friends canary" for the Shoe Wine Bottle Holders.  Different people; different tastes.  That's what makes the world go 'round.

Some other items that I really liked but did not order were the Holiday Loaf Pan Sets, Sentiment Candles, Animal Planet Infant Neck Support for those with little ones, 365 Quote-A-Day Calendar, Holiday Cocoas, Coffees or Teas, Holiday Storage Collection, Holiday Treat Buckets, Tortilla Bowl Bakers and the Martha Stewart Deep Edge Punches.  I already have the Holiday Storage Collection pieces and many of the Martha Stewart Punches.  I may visit the site again over the next couple of months and place a separate order for those items.  But for now at least I've dipped my toe in the Christmas shopping pool.  If you can get started early it will make the season so much more enjoyable.  There is something here for everybody and every budget.

Ho! Ho! Uh-Oh!

So let's get right to the topic.

For those who are paid on the 15th and 30th of each month, there are 9, . . . yes, NINE,  pay periods between now and Christmas.  That is a frightening prospect.  But never fear, for "I bring you tidings of great joy ..." - and a website that has some pretty darn cute stuff that is very reasonably priced.

The name of the company is The Lakeside Collection.  I discovered them about 3 years ago but their history states that they have been in business for the past decade.  I received their new Christmas 2012 catalog in the mail last night.  If you would like to review the catalog in its entirety online, simply visit:

 http://www.lakeside.com/Christmas-2012/catalog330003.jmb?navAction=jump&fm=catalog. 

This years catalog displays 506 items and includes many categories; For The Home; Apparel + Beauty; Garden; Housewares + Dining; Toys + Sports; Bed + Bath; Gifts; Pets and so on.

In order to get a jump-start on my holiday shopping and to prepare for holiday soirees, I placed on order this morning.  The items I ordered were:

  

Mothers & Sons Sentimental

Giftbook





Jumbo Stainless Steel Spatula





Paw Print Pet Gate



Cake Pops Cookbook







Hors D'Oeurves Baking Set





Set of 2 Oven Rack

Edge Guards





Shoe Wine Bottle Holders





Set of Two Tart Warmer

Night Lights

Grand total:  $122.45.  I ordered thirteen items, so the average price paid per item is $9.42.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.  My mother will love the Mothers and Sons Giftbook.  The kitchen items will certainly make assembling and baking food easier during the holiday season.  The Cake Pops Cookbook will be fun to experiment with.  The Tart Warmers can be used all year.  You just use seasonal fragrances.  And the pieces de resistance, the Shoe Wine Bottle Holders.  I bought all four.  How could anyone resist.  I'd take a second job if I had to for the full set of those.  I'd work overtime.  Cut the neighbors grass.  Feed a friends canary.  Drive the elderly to the hospital.  I just WANT THOSE SHOES.

Granted, this is not the Neiman Marcus Annual Christmas catalog with $900,000 rowboats.  But they have some very cute and interesting items at reasonable prices.  They also have some things that I would never consider buying like a toaster that will toast the name of your favorite football team onto the bread.  I'm sure someone will want that, but not I.  That same person would probably not "feed a friends canary" for the Shoe Wine Bottle Holders.  Different people; different tastes.  That's what makes the world go 'round.

Some other items that I really liked but did not order were the Holiday Loaf Pan Sets, Sentiment Candles, Animal Planet Infant Neck Support for those with little ones, 365 Quote-A-Day Calendar, Holiday Cocoas, Coffees or Teas, Holiday Storage Collection, Holiday Treat Buckets, Tortilla Bowl Bakers and the Martha Stewart Deep Edge Punches.  I already have the Holiday Storage Collection pieces and many of the Martha Stewart Punches.  I may visit the site again over the next couple of months and place a separate order for those items.  But for now at least I've dipped my toe in the Christmas shopping pool.  If you can get started early it will make the season so much more enjoyable.  There is something here for everybody and every budget.

Cheverly Voted a "Best Community"

Our local radio station, WTOP, recently conducted a survey and Cheverly made the list as one of the Top Ten Best Communities in which to live.  I thought you all might enjoy reading the story posted on WTOP.com this morning.

http://www.wtop.com/1171/2955872/Cheverly-Md-wins-WTOPs-Top-10

Cheverly Voted a "Best Community"

Our local radio station, WTOP, recently conducted a survey and Cheverly made the list as one of the Top Ten Best Communities in which to live.  I thought you all might enjoy reading the story posted on WTOP.com this morning.

http://www.wtop.com/1171/2955872/Cheverly-Md-wins-WTOPs-Top-10

Propane Generator

The weather forecasters are calling for more severe thunderstorms to arrive late this afternoon and early evening.  Since it seems that these violent storms are becoming the norm rather than the rare occurence, I have decided to buy a portable generator.



ETQ 3500 Watt/3000 Watt Rated 7 HP Propane Portable Generator

Model # PG30P11



I have chosen this model for various reasons.  First and foremost it is reasonably priced at just $499.00.  Home Depot is offering free shipping and if you have a Home Depot card you can get free financing for 12 months on purchases of $299 - $798.  If you spend over $798, you get 18 months free financing.  The second most important reason is that it runs on propane, not gasoline.  That will be much cleaner and easier to deal with than running to the gas station and shlepping gas containers home and then filling the gas tank and all of that.

Here is a full product description:

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The unique feature of this generator is its fuel source: LP Liquid Propane. The generator is powered by a standard gas grill propane tank. This eliminates the need to drain gas when transporting or storing the unit. The unit offers 3000 Watts of continuous power with a surge of 3500 Watts. The generator uses 1-½ lbs. per hour under ½ power load. The average tank holds 18 lbs. Standard features include: (1) 120 Volt 20 Amp duplex outlet, and (1) 120 Volt 30 Amp L5-30R, circuit breaker protection, easy start recoil engine. A quick connect hose is included. The unit weighs less than 105 lbs and has a powerful 7 HP OHV engine with a quiet muffler system.

 

• The propane fuel source makes it easy to maintain, transport and store your ETQ generator
• With a quiet 65 dB noise rating, the generator is perfect for tailgating and camping
• ETQ sine power delivers clean electricity so you can provide smooth power to even the most sensitive electronics
• A quick-connect hose is included, so you can easily change the propane tank
• MFG Brand Name : ETQ
• MFG Model # : PG30P11
• MFG Part # : PG30P11

I need a generator that will power at least one lamp, a radio and a small 5,000 BTU air conditioning unit in my bedroom.  This unit will serve me well for those purposes.  If I had continual problems throughout the year with the power going out, I would buy one of the more expensive whole-house generators.  They can cost from $5,000 up just for the generator, not including the installation.  But I am not at that point.  I just need something that can provide me with some source of power during these summer months as we continue to experience one violent episode of weather after another.

Propane Generator

The weather forecasters are calling for more severe thunderstorms to arrive late this afternoon and early evening.  Since it seems that these violent storms are becoming the norm rather than the rare occurence, I have decided to buy a portable generator.



ETQ 3500 Watt/3000 Watt Rated 7 HP Propane Portable Generator

Model # PG30P11



I have chosen this model for various reasons.  First and foremost it is reasonably priced at just $499.00.  Home Depot is offering free shipping and if you have a Home Depot card you can get free financing for 12 months on purchases of $299 - $798.  If you spend over $798, you get 18 months free financing.  The second most important reason is that it runs on propane, not gasoline.  That will be much cleaner and easier to deal with than running to the gas station and shlepping gas containers home and then filling the gas tank and all of that.

Here is a full product description:

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The unique feature of this generator is its fuel source: LP Liquid Propane. The generator is powered by a standard gas grill propane tank. This eliminates the need to drain gas when transporting or storing the unit. The unit offers 3000 Watts of continuous power with a surge of 3500 Watts. The generator uses 1-½ lbs. per hour under ½ power load. The average tank holds 18 lbs. Standard features include: (1) 120 Volt 20 Amp duplex outlet, and (1) 120 Volt 30 Amp L5-30R, circuit breaker protection, easy start recoil engine. A quick connect hose is included. The unit weighs less than 105 lbs and has a powerful 7 HP OHV engine with a quiet muffler system.

 

• The propane fuel source makes it easy to maintain, transport and store your ETQ generator
• With a quiet 65 dB noise rating, the generator is perfect for tailgating and camping
• ETQ sine power delivers clean electricity so you can provide smooth power to even the most sensitive electronics
• A quick-connect hose is included, so you can easily change the propane tank
• MFG Brand Name : ETQ
• MFG Model # : PG30P11
• MFG Part # : PG30P11

I need a generator that will power at least one lamp, a radio and a small 5,000 BTU air conditioning unit in my bedroom.  This unit will serve me well for those purposes.  If I had continual problems throughout the year with the power going out, I would buy one of the more expensive whole-house generators.  They can cost from $5,000 up just for the generator, not including the installation.  But I am not at that point.  I just need something that can provide me with some source of power during these summer months as we continue to experience one violent episode of weather after another.

Crest Avenue Spared another Direct Hit

We were lucky.  Last nights storm did not cause any damage to our fair town.  The power remained on and there were no downed trees, at least not on Crest Avenue.  Unfortunately, our friends in the District were not so lucky.  More downed trees and power outages for some in Upper Northwest.

This area of the District was hit hard a couple of weeks ago with the "Derecho."  They were without power for days and now they are suffering through the same again.  Very frustrating.  This morning on the local news they reported that PEPCO had petitioned to cut down some of the trees that fell in DC last night but that the city had not issued a permit to allow them to proceed.  Hmmmm.

After the "Derecho", PEPCO put on a dog and pony show with some of their talking heads in which they stated that it would cost $5 billion to put all the electrical service underground and that if they were to move ahead with that option all of their customers would see their montly bills rise between $26 - $100 per month.  How much does it cost to keep sending out crews to put up new poles and repair the damage that happens each time another storm comes through, not to mention the loss of revenue.  Oh, . . . that's right.  There is a law (at least in Maryland) where PEPCO can charge us a "fee" for the days we were without power because they were "not able to generate revenue."

Crest Avenue Spared another Direct Hit

We were lucky.  Last nights storm did not cause any damage to our fair town.  The power remained on and there were no downed trees, at least not on Crest Avenue.  Unfortunately, our friends in the District were not so lucky.  More downed trees and power outages for some in Upper Northwest.

This area of the District was hit hard a couple of weeks ago with the "Derecho."  They were without power for days and now they are suffering through the same again.  Very frustrating.  This morning on the local news they reported that PEPCO had petitioned to cut down some of the trees that fell in DC last night but that the city had not issued a permit to allow them to proceed.  Hmmmm.

After the "Derecho", PEPCO put on a dog and pony show with some of their talking heads in which they stated that it would cost $5 billion to put all the electrical service underground and that if they were to move ahead with that option all of their customers would see their montly bills rise between $26 - $100 per month.  How much does it cost to keep sending out crews to put up new poles and repair the damage that happens each time another storm comes through, not to mention the loss of revenue.  Oh, . . . that's right.  There is a law (at least in Maryland) where PEPCO can charge us a "fee" for the days we were without power because they were "not able to generate revenue."

Oh NO!!! Not Again!

We're all a bit on edge this afternoon.  We keep getting notices that severe thunderstorms are heading our way.  We don't know if that really means "Microburst" or "Derecho" or "Gustanado" or "Rainsplosion."  But given that we have had two of the aforementioned this year, we are all in great anticipation of what will happen and if we will be without power for another week or longer.

Let's hope we do not see the devastation again this afternoon and evening that we have already seen this year.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Prince George's, MD

3-157-165-171-177-179-187-510-540-600-610-630-660-683-790-
820-840-WVC003-023-027-031-037-057-065-071-190100-
/O.NEW.KLWX.SV.A.0491.120718T1654Z-120719T0100Z/

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
491 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

IN MARYLAND THIS WATCH INCLUDES 13 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL MARYLAND

ANNE ARUNDEL HOWARD MONTGOMERY
PRINCE GEORGES

IN NORTH CENTRAL MARYLAND

CARROLL FREDERICK WASHINGTON

IN NORTHERN MARYLAND

BALTIMORE HARFORD

IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND

CALVERT CHARLES ST. MARYS

IN WESTERN MARYLAND

ALLEGANY

IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 23 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA

ALBEMARLE GREENE KING GEORGE
NELSON ORANGE SPOTSYLVANIA

IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

ARLINGTON CULPEPER FAIRFAX
FAUQUIER LOUDOUN PRINCE WILLIAM
STAFFORD

IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA

CLARKE FREDERICK MADISON
PAGE RAPPAHANNOCK SHENANDOAH
WARREN

IN WESTERN VIRGINIA

AUGUSTA HIGHLAND ROCKINGHAM

IN WEST VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 8 COUNTIES

IN NORTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA

BERKELEY GRANT HAMPSHIRE
HARDY JEFFERSON MINERAL
MORGAN PENDLETON

IN MARYLAND THIS WATCH INCLUDES 1 INDEPENDENT CITY

IN NORTHERN MARYLAND

BALTIMORE CITY

IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 10 INDEPENDENT CITIES

IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA

CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG

IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA CITY OF FAIRFAX CITY OF FALLS CHURCH
CITY OF MANASSAS

IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA

CITY OF HARRISONBURG CITY OF WINCHESTER

IN WESTERN VIRGINIA

CITY OF STAUNTON CITY OF WAYNESBORO

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...ABERDEEN...ANNAPOLIS...ARLINGTON...
BAYARD...BEL AIR...BERRYVILLE...CHANTILLY...CHARLES TOWN...
CHARLOTTESVILLE...CHESAPEAKE BEACH...COLUMBIA...CULPEPER...
CUMBERLAND...DAHLGREN...EDGEWOOD...ELK GARDEN...FALLSTON...
FALMOUTH...FORT ASHBY...FRANKLIN...FREDERICK...FRONT ROYAL...
GAITHERSBURG...GREENFIELD...HAGERSTOWN...HARRISONBURG...
HAVRE DE GRACE...JOPPATOWNE...KEYSER...LAUREL...LEESBURG...
LURAY...MADISON...MARTINSBURG...MCLEAN...MONTEREY...MOOREFIELD...
MOUNT STORM...ORANGE...PAW PAW...PETERSBURG...RESTON...ROMNEY...
SPOTSYLVANIA COURTHOUSE...ST MARYS...STANARDSVILLE...STAUNTON...
STERLING...STRASBURG...TOWSON...WALDORF...WARRENTON...
WASHINGTON...WASHINGTON...WAYNESBORO...WESTMINSTER...WINCHESTER...
WOODBRIDGE AND WOODSTOCK.

Oh NO!!! Not Again!

We're all a bit on edge this afternoon.  We keep getting notices that severe thunderstorms are heading our way.  We don't know if that really means "Microburst" or "Derecho" or "Gustanado" or "Rainsplosion."  But given that we have had two of the aforementioned this year, we are all in great anticipation of what will happen and if we will be without power for another week or longer.

Let's hope we do not see the devastation again this afternoon and evening that we have already seen this year.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Prince George's, MD

3-157-165-171-177-179-187-510-540-600-610-630-660-683-790-
820-840-WVC003-023-027-031-037-057-065-071-190100-
/O.NEW.KLWX.SV.A.0491.120718T1654Z-120719T0100Z/

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
491 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

IN MARYLAND THIS WATCH INCLUDES 13 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL MARYLAND

ANNE ARUNDEL HOWARD MONTGOMERY
PRINCE GEORGES

IN NORTH CENTRAL MARYLAND

CARROLL FREDERICK WASHINGTON

IN NORTHERN MARYLAND

BALTIMORE HARFORD

IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND

CALVERT CHARLES ST. MARYS

IN WESTERN MARYLAND

ALLEGANY

IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 23 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA

ALBEMARLE GREENE KING GEORGE
NELSON ORANGE SPOTSYLVANIA

IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

ARLINGTON CULPEPER FAIRFAX
FAUQUIER LOUDOUN PRINCE WILLIAM
STAFFORD

IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA

CLARKE FREDERICK MADISON
PAGE RAPPAHANNOCK SHENANDOAH
WARREN

IN WESTERN VIRGINIA

AUGUSTA HIGHLAND ROCKINGHAM

IN WEST VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 8 COUNTIES

IN NORTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA

BERKELEY GRANT HAMPSHIRE
HARDY JEFFERSON MINERAL
MORGAN PENDLETON

IN MARYLAND THIS WATCH INCLUDES 1 INDEPENDENT CITY

IN NORTHERN MARYLAND

BALTIMORE CITY

IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 10 INDEPENDENT CITIES

IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA

CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG

IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA CITY OF FAIRFAX CITY OF FALLS CHURCH
CITY OF MANASSAS

IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA

CITY OF HARRISONBURG CITY OF WINCHESTER

IN WESTERN VIRGINIA

CITY OF STAUNTON CITY OF WAYNESBORO

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...ABERDEEN...ANNAPOLIS...ARLINGTON...
BAYARD...BEL AIR...BERRYVILLE...CHANTILLY...CHARLES TOWN...
CHARLOTTESVILLE...CHESAPEAKE BEACH...COLUMBIA...CULPEPER...
CUMBERLAND...DAHLGREN...EDGEWOOD...ELK GARDEN...FALLSTON...
FALMOUTH...FORT ASHBY...FRANKLIN...FREDERICK...FRONT ROYAL...
GAITHERSBURG...GREENFIELD...HAGERSTOWN...HARRISONBURG...
HAVRE DE GRACE...JOPPATOWNE...KEYSER...LAUREL...LEESBURG...
LURAY...MADISON...MARTINSBURG...MCLEAN...MONTEREY...MOOREFIELD...
MOUNT STORM...ORANGE...PAW PAW...PETERSBURG...RESTON...ROMNEY...
SPOTSYLVANIA COURTHOUSE...ST MARYS...STANARDSVILLE...STAUNTON...
STERLING...STRASBURG...TOWSON...WALDORF...WARRENTON...
WASHINGTON...WASHINGTON...WAYNESBORO...WESTMINSTER...WINCHESTER...
WOODBRIDGE AND WOODSTOCK.

No Holds Barred - Remembering Marvin Traub | New York Social Diary

I had to post this article from the New York Social Diary that was published today.  Marvin Traub was  instrumental in the success of Bloomingdales's from the 60's through the 80's.  I certainly have carried my share of "Brown Bags" from Bloomingdales and I still shop there from time to time.  Unfortunately, times have changed and we no longer make the trip to the store.  Everything is available online and I find myself resorting to placing orders with Bloomingdales online rather than actually visiting the store.  In my younger days, being from Virginia, we visited the store at Tyson's Corner Virginia.  Later, after I moved to Maryland, I visited the store at White Flint in Rockville.  And of course I made a few trips to New York over the years and no trip was complete without a stop at Bloomies.  It was a thrill every time I went and I could always find something that I couldn't live without.  I miss those times and I think it is sad that the younger generation will never know what it was like in those days.  This article is short but I enjoyed very much reading it.  I hope you will too.

Rest in peace, Marvin Traub.

7.18.12: No Holds Barred - Remembering Marvin Traub | New York Social Diary

No Holds Barred - Remembering Marvin Traub | New York Social Diary

I had to post this article from the New York Social Diary that was published today.  Marvin Traub was  instrumental in the success of Bloomingdales's from the 60's through the 80's.  I certainly have carried my share of "Brown Bags" from Bloomingdales and I still shop there from time to time.  Unfortunately, times have changed and we no longer make the trip to the store.  Everything is available online and I find myself resorting to placing orders with Bloomingdales online rather than actually visiting the store.  In my younger days, being from Virginia, we visited the store at Tyson's Corner Virginia.  Later, after I moved to Maryland, I visited the store at White Flint in Rockville.  And of course I made a few trips to New York over the years and no trip was complete without a stop at Bloomies.  It was a thrill every time I went and I could always find something that I couldn't live without.  I miss those times and I think it is sad that the younger generation will never know what it was like in those days.  This article is short but I enjoyed very much reading it.  I hope you will too.

Rest in peace, Marvin Traub.

7.18.12: No Holds Barred - Remembering Marvin Traub | New York Social Diary

AH! Sun-Flower

A H ! S U N - F L O W E R

Ah, Sun-flower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the Sun,
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done:

Where the Youth pined away with desire,

And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow
Arise from the their graves, and aspire
Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.

~By WILLIAM BLAKE~

While making my way through Aldi yesterday, I happened upon a shelving unit filled with these beautiful little sunflower plants.  I thought they would make a nice addition to the landscape.  I let them sit here on the front porch overnight to give myself time to think of where I would like to transplant them.  I didn't want them lost in some corner where I couldn't enjoy them.  And I didn't want them just "plopped" in the ground for the sake of getting them planted.  Finally I had it.  Plant them in the wildflower bed.

They are a little lost at present since the wildflower bed took off like crazy this year.  But give them a few days and they will begin their majestic reach to the sky.

This area gets plenty of direct sunlight most all day which is essential for sunflowers.  They need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.  Feed often and water regularly.  Sunflowers are heavy feeders and will deplete the soil quickly, so I use the Miracle-Gro LiquaFeed all-purpose feeding system at least weekly in the beginning.  I also worked some organic humus and manure into the soil when I planted them.

Sunflowers do not generally need to be staked unless you live in a particularly windy area.  Keep watch of the weather forecast and delay watering if heavy winds are expected to keep them from toppling over especially as they grow taller and more top-heavy.

AH! Sun-Flower

A H ! S U N - F L O W E R

Ah, Sun-flower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the Sun,
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done:

Where the Youth pined away with desire,

And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow
Arise from the their graves, and aspire
Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.

~By WILLIAM BLAKE~

While making my way through Aldi yesterday, I happened upon a shelving unit filled with these beautiful little sunflower plants.  I thought they would make a nice addition to the landscape.  I let them sit here on the front porch overnight to give myself time to think of where I would like to transplant them.  I didn't want them lost in some corner where I couldn't enjoy them.  And I didn't want them just "plopped" in the ground for the sake of getting them planted.  Finally I had it.  Plant them in the wildflower bed.

They are a little lost at present since the wildflower bed took off like crazy this year.  But give them a few days and they will begin their majestic reach to the sky.

This area gets plenty of direct sunlight most all day which is essential for sunflowers.  They need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.  Feed often and water regularly.  Sunflowers are heavy feeders and will deplete the soil quickly, so I use the Miracle-Gro LiquaFeed all-purpose feeding system at least weekly in the beginning.  I also worked some organic humus and manure into the soil when I planted them.

Sunflowers do not generally need to be staked unless you live in a particularly windy area.  Keep watch of the weather forecast and delay watering if heavy winds are expected to keep them from toppling over especially as they grow taller and more top-heavy.

PEPCO Makes a Presence

After our "Microburst" and "Derecho", PEPCO has set up a temporary staging unit just outside of the town. 

This staging area is at the Wal-Mart at Capital Plaza on Route 450 in Landover Hills.  I noticed this enormous area that has been fenced in and is now off limits unless you can prove to the guard in the guard-house that you have business there.  Let's hope this will help bring the power back on sooner if and when we have another of these violent storms.

PEPCO Makes a Presence

After our "Microburst" and "Derecho", PEPCO has set up a temporary staging unit just outside of the town. 

This staging area is at the Wal-Mart at Capital Plaza on Route 450 in Landover Hills.  I noticed this enormous area that has been fenced in and is now off limits unless you can prove to the guard in the guard-house that you have business there.  Let's hope this will help bring the power back on sooner if and when we have another of these violent storms.

Baxxie got a Haircut

He was already the most beautiful boy in town, but he is even more beautiful since he got his hair cut.



He said "It's hot daddy.  Put up the window and turn on the AC."  So that's what I did and we were homeward bound.  The best boy in the whole wide world.

 "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."

Baxxie got a Haircut

He was already the most beautiful boy in town, but he is even more beautiful since he got his hair cut.



He said "It's hot daddy.  Put up the window and turn on the AC."  So that's what I did and we were homeward bound.  The best boy in the whole wide world.

 "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."

Last Week a Microburst; This Week a Derecho

Here we go again!  As is becoming the norm here in the greater metropolitan area, we were hit with another band of super-violent thunderstorms on Friday night.  This week they came through a little later than last week.  Last week the power was off for a mere five and one half hours.  This week it was off for a little over 24 hours.

As you will recall, last week we were told by the news media that we had a "Microburst."  This week we are told that we had a "Derecho."  For those of us who do not know what a "derecho" is (and I include myself in that group until this weekend), here is the definition according to Wikipedia:

A derecho (Spanish: derecho "straight", pronounced [de̞ˈɾe̞tʃo̞]^[1]), is a widespread and long-lived, violent convectively induced straight-line windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms in the form of a squall line usually taking the form of a bow echo.


I would wholeheartedly agree with that definition based on what I witnessed Friday evening around 11:15pm.  What follows are some pictures of this weeks devastation.

You see here that a huge section from the very top of this tree snapped off and fell on the high-voltage wires just on the corner of Crest Avenue and Carlyle Street.  What you do not see is the flames and the fireball that rose high in the sky when this happened, igniting the section that fell on the wires.  I stood at the front door in abject horror waiting for the flames to make their way to the tree in my front yard and eventually to my roof.  Thankfully, the rains came and doused the flames before that happened.  I immediately called 911 when I saw the flames and was told by the operator there that they would do nothing and that I needed to call PEPCO.  I will reserve any further comment on that.

A close-up shot of the limb entangled in the high-voltage wires.

Sometime during the night, PEPCO showed up and removed the limb from the wires and fixed whatever needed to be fixed and got the electricity back on.  This was the aftermath of that endeavor.

This is what caused all the problems.

One lonely branch clinging on in its desperation to avoid the wood chipper.

I agree with the sign.  "Stop the Storms!!"

Last Week a Microburst; This Week a Derecho

Here we go again!  As is becoming the norm here in the greater metropolitan area, we were hit with another band of super-violent thunderstorms on Friday night.  This week they came through a little later than last week.  Last week the power was off for a mere five and one half hours.  This week it was off for a little over 24 hours.

As you will recall, last week we were told by the news media that we had a "Microburst."  This week we are told that we had a "Derecho."  For those of us who do not know what a "derecho" is (and I include myself in that group until this weekend), here is the definition according to Wikipedia:

A derecho (Spanish: derecho "straight", pronounced [de̞ˈɾe̞tʃo̞]^[1]), is a widespread and long-lived, violent convectively induced straight-line windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms in the form of a squall line usually taking the form of a bow echo.


I would wholeheartedly agree with that definition based on what I witnessed Friday evening around 11:15pm.  What follows are some pictures of this weeks devastation.

You see here that a huge section from the very top of this tree snapped off and fell on the high-voltage wires just on the corner of Crest Avenue and Carlyle Street.  What you do not see is the flames and the fireball that rose high in the sky when this happened, igniting the section that fell on the wires.  I stood at the front door in abject horror waiting for the flames to make their way to the tree in my front yard and eventually to my roof.  Thankfully, the rains came and doused the flames before that happened.  I immediately called 911 when I saw the flames and was told by the operator there that they would do nothing and that I needed to call PEPCO.  I will reserve any further comment on that.

A close-up shot of the limb entangled in the high-voltage wires.

Sometime during the night, PEPCO showed up and removed the limb from the wires and fixed whatever needed to be fixed and got the electricity back on.  This was the aftermath of that endeavor.

This is what caused all the problems.

One lonely branch clinging on in its desperation to avoid the wood chipper.

I agree with the sign.  "Stop the Storms!!"