http://www.education.com/magazine/article/10_Tips_for_Summer_Writing/

Just a few miles outside of downtown Ithicha, NY is Robert Treman State Park, a gem of nature and man. 400 feet of rock made from sandstone and shale has eroded over hundreds of millions of years, creating a visual masterpiece of rock formations and waterfalls. We visited yesterday on ur journey across Upstate NY.

There is a 2-mile trail for the family to hike that will take you to different elevations to see the falls and gorge from many spectacular views. Look for fossils in the steep rock walls and look up for views of layers of sheer rock towers. Stone step pathways were created so visitors can climb over 100 feet to view the highest falls. The steps themselves are artistic masterpieces.

The park is named after Robert Treman, who donated almost 400 acres of land here in 1920. Since that time, the park has grown to over 10 acres. It’s a memorable place to explore with the entire family. Kids can learn a lot about rock formations and everyone will get a fabulous workout!

We lost our neighbor, Otto, this week. He was 77 and had been ill for a long time. Otto’s wife, Janet, passed away 2 years ago, and life had been hard for Otto without her. Janet and Otto were the kind of neighbors you’d think you’d find only on the Andy Griffith Show. They left their sliding glass door open so you could pop in any time, and they were always happy to see you. They sold stuff at a flea market, and owned an excessive amount of mismatched glasses to use for nice, cold iced teas. Their kitchen was old and in great need of a renovation, and there was yucky, old carpet on the floor. But you were welcome to come in and sit for a while for a meaningful chat and a lot of laughs. There was an open invitation to swim in their pool any time we wanted, and we did so often. Otto said he was going to install a parking meter on the patio so we could pay him each time we went in the pool.

Otto was a short, chubby fella with a round bald head and nice blue eyes. He was a worrier and stubborn as a mule, but he was a real sweetheart. I don’t think he ever had an enemy in his life. No matter how bad his heath was, he was happy to get out and go do anything with anybody who’d take him.

Otto had an appetite for any and all food up until his last breath. He really liked my cooking and baking and was constantly asking me to make him something. When we first met Otto, he did not tell us he was a diabetic. I had given him a huge hunk of cake after Rachel’s birthday party once, only to find out that he had to go to the ER that night due to sugar shock. He joked for years about how I tried to kill him with sugar. Once before Janet died, she called me from the Golden Corral crying because Otto would not stop helping himself to the buffet. She put him on the phone so I could threaten him that I was driving over there to yank him off the buffet in embarrassment.

Everyone needs neighbors like Janet and Otto, an we are grateful that we had the opportunity to know them. Our lives will certainly not be the same now that they are gone. Who will eat my cakes now?

I asked my kid (who has a mild case of OCD) to dry the dishes after we had company for dinner one night. The dishwasher was so full we had to hand wash half of it. I had to get a bird’s eye photo of how well she organized the dry dishes on a towel on the counter. This was so perfect, I almost did not want to put it away. She likes thing to be very organized, symmetrical and lined up. (She did not get this trait from me!) Her bits of OCD can be amusing some times.

We’re leaving for vacation soon and I am faced with the same old question – “What should I pack?” Packing for a driving trip vs. a flying trip are quite different, mostly due to the fact that kids need more items to keep them busy for many hours in the car. Plus, we all tend to bring too much stuff on car trips. I vow NOT to do that this time! Here are some tips for car travel packing:

Clothing – Are you going somewhere where you will have a washer/dryer? If so, then pack light and plan to do a load or 2 every 3 or 4 days. Always bring a few more shirts than bottoms. Don’t forget some type of jacket or swater. If you are staying in a hotel, then check to see if there is a coin laundry nearby. You don’t want to spend your vacation in a laundry mat, but you can at least go one time.

Shoes – Each traveler should wear his most comfy shoes in the car, generally some sneakers of some sort. On most vacations, you’ll probably wear those shoes most of the time. Try to add only 1 pair of your shoes, and 2 max, in your suitcase for nicer attire and dinners out. My husband’s shoes take up so much more room in the suitcase, and I never pack more than 1 pair of his shoes. If you are going to a beach, some sort of water shoes will be essential as well.

Toiletries – Fill small refillable bottles with your own shampoo and conditioner. Travel sizes are too small and too expensive. Pack a bar of your own soap, sunscreen and a small bottle of lotion. I always pack new cheap toothbrushes and then just throw them out upon our return. Remember to include a first aid kit, thermometer and your favorite pain reliever for you and your kids. If you have any prescription meds, bring the box with the prescription on it just in case you need a refill or have a problem. Put a big bag in your suitcase for laundry.

Entertainment – Fill an open basket or small cardboard box with items to entertain the kids. This way they can access what they want easily and also put it away easily. You don’t want your car to get cluttered with stuff! Books, coloring book/crayons, drawing paper, pens, pencils, puzzle/game books, travel size board games, hand held electronic games, (extra batteries) and small craft items are great for filling the box. Let your kids pack these items with you so they have a say in what to bring. Obviously, very young kids will need more toys than books. I find the most essential form of entertainment in the car is books on CD the entire family can enjoy. You’ll find that time will fly by as you are listening. Our local public library has many books on CD, and we can check them out for 4 weeks.

Electronics – Don’t forget your camera, batteries or charger. Naturally you’ll want to bring your cell phones, car chargers and plug in charges as well.

Pet Stuff – Bring enough dog food for the entire trip so you don’t have to go out looking for yor dog’s particular brand when you’re out. (My dog gets sick if she eats a new brand.) I pack the food in a few zip locks bags to save space. Don’t forget the dog food and water bowls! Also bring treats, medicines and the right collar with ID tags and leash. Pack a bunch of plastic grocery bags for pooper scoopers. Make sure your pet has had a flea/tick treatment before you leave. Always bring proof of your pet’s vaccinations. We put a nice fluffy blanket down on the seat for the dog to lay on.

Snacks – Find room for a small cooler to pack bottles of water and a few pieces of fruit. Also pack a small bag with crackers and few other healthy snack foods such as nuts or popcorn. You don’t want to have to stop every time someone is thirsty or wants a snack. You don;t want yor kids to get all sugared up either, as this will certaily lead to behavior problems, or at the very least, the inability to sit still!

Information – Set aside all hotel confirmations, maps, directions, and any other papers you may need. Keep them all in one bag. Program essential phone numbers into your cell phone including: doctors, vet, house alarm monitoring company, neighbors, hotels and anyone you may be visiting. That way you won’t be searching for phone numbers when you want to make a call.

Before You Go – Bring your valuable jewelry to your safe deposit box. Give a trusted neigbor a key to your house and let them know how to reach you if need be. Ask them to pick up any deliveries you might get. Make sure someone is getting your mail and newspaper. Put a couple of lamps inside your house on timers. Make sure you have outside lights that are on timers as well. Unplug everything in your house. Shut off the main water supply. Check that all doors/garage are locked. Clean out fridge. Get rid of any food on your counters (bread, tomatoes, etc.) Run the disposal for a couple of minutes. Take out all the garbage.

Getting Home – We’re not big shoppers, but if you do make some purchases on your trip and are feeling overloaded, you can always ship a box home rather than pack more stuff in the car on the way home. Even if you don’t shop, somehow you can never pack as tightly on the way home as the way there. I’m not really sure how that happens, but trust me – it ALWAYS happens!

HAPPY PACKING! BON VOYAGE!

Photos of the wildlife we recently found at CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, FL.

Magnificent Oak Trees at TY Park, Hollywood, FL

Now is a perfect time to take your kid to your local park, have a picnic and take pictures of the wildlife. Here in South Florida, it’s getting too hot for a picnic, but in most other states it’s not. (Although I have seen today’s weather around the country and it is unseasonably hot! This shall pass soon.)

There are so many great inexpensive digital cameras you can buy, if you don’t already have one. Taking pictures is easy, and it is something your kids will enjoy doing from age 6 and up. Picture taking can help develop their creativity and give them a greater awareness and respect for wildlife in your community. Through the eye of a camera lens you’ll see creatures you may never have noticed before, simply because you’ll be looking for them. Birds, insects, reptiles and squirrels make excellent photo opportunities. Don’t forget the flowers, grasses and trees. Encourage your child to shoot the same subject from different angles and to experiment with light.

I can guarantee you’ll have a great time. You might even get lucky enough to take a shot that ends up being perfect for your holiday photo of the kids.

You can celebrate your picnic/camera day by pasting your favorite photo on your computer’s desktop, getting a print of your photo enlarged to frame, or emailing the best pictures of the day to friends and family. We all know how much grannies love pictures.

It’s time for each of us in the family to go to the dentist for a regular cleaning. Every time I make appointments I am reminded of one of my worst days as a mother. My kid was about 6 and getting her first fluoride treatment. As the hygienist was preparing the mold with the disgusting goop she puts in it, I started to think about my sister. When we were kids she would totally gag every time she had a fluoride treatment, and then cry in anger. Back then it was required to leave that yuck on your teeth for 15 minutes. The hygienist would tell my sister that if she spit it out before the 15 minutes were up, she’d have to start all over again. EVERY single time she wet to the dentist, my sister could not do it and spit it out, having to start over again.

So the first time my daughter, Rachel had the treatment, naturally I was reminiscing about my experience and how awful it tasted and how my sister could not get through it. Well, when they put those lip looking things on Rachel with the nasty “tangerine” flavored fluoride in it, and she started to drool and look grossed out, I really lost it. I laughed so hard that I was crying, and I could not control myself. I was actually having trouble breathing. Isn’t that awful? The hygentist was so disgusted with my behavior that she made me stand in the hallway. I still could not contain myself for a long time. This woman would not look at me, and clearly thought I was horrible. I continued to laugh even AFTER the treatment was over, though I tried desperately to stop.

The next time we went in there, I was determined not to laugh. But that same hygienist was there, and she remembered the episode I had a year earlier. She asked me to leave BEFORE even beginning the fluoride treatment. “We ask the parents to wait in the waiting room during the treatment.” she lied. My kid gave her a high five. What a terrible mother I was!

After that we just switched dentists. And Rachel never let me go in with her at a dentist’s office ever again. I cannot say that I blame her.

I spend a lot of time working at home alone. Well, I’m not really alone. I’ve got Gigi, our standard poodle, with me. She follows me around the house, and she likes it when I talk to her. If she were not here, I’d certainly be lonely. When I’m having a bad day, (like yesterday) I like to just sit with her outside and pet her. (We had problems with our website and I was frustrated!!!)

I’ve read stories about pets who visit senior living centers and nursing homes, and how they greatly improve the residents’ well being. After all a pet loves you unconditionally, never complains and has no predjudice.

Rachel is an only child, sort of. She has Gigi as a sister, and this poodle has been a loyal and true friend for her. Observing how much a pet can make a difference in my daughter’s mood and calmness, I really understand how a pet can improve the health and happiness of every member of the family. If your child has a pet, what a lucky child (and YOU) you have! Well, these photos say it all….

I was thinking today about the many people I’ve met lately while trying to get the word out about Lilly P Badilly. It always surprises me when people are not friendly, but it shouldn’t! The difference between meeting those upbeat types with smiles on their faces verses grumps who are nasty or hardly say a word is remarkable. The unfriendly sort make you wonder what they were like as children. Most children are friendly, even if they are a bit shy. So something must happen between childhood and adulthood to make some people unpleasant. I must ask:

• Do parents determine whether or not their children will grow up to be unfriendly?
• Can friendly children grow up to be unfriendly due to life’s circumstances?
• Is friendliness/unfriendliness genetic?
• Can unfriendly parents have friendly children and vice versa?
• What do unfriendly people think of friendly people?

What made me think of this topic today was the email I received from 2 brothers, Dax and Lloyd Garner, we met at Book Expo America. They walked around pushing a wheelchair with a dummy corpse in it to promote their book, Corpse of Freedom. They took this hilarious photo of us, were friendly as can be, and we had a good laugh about our millipede costumes in contrast with their disabled corpse. I hope they do well selling their book. After all they are ultra friendly, and isn’t that what successful selling is all about?

Read the rest of this entry