Elizabeth Woodworth: Do you have an old Harrisburg grammar school diploma?
Chances for frost now virtually disappear in the South and become relatively insignificant throughout much of the North. The high leaf canopy fills in, casting shade on the flower and vegetable garden. When early grasses go to seed, then Late Spring begins. Orthodox Easter on the 28th. (Countryside)
April 29 is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Started in 1992 as Take Our Daughters to Work Day, it was expanded to include boys in 2003.
April 30 is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. Tips: Most shelters can make an educated guess on a dog's dominant breed based on appearance. Think about your lifestyle and commitment level. Don't let your heart override your head, no Great Dane or St. Bernard for me.
I think I need a pair of sleeve garters. I don't know that I have ever seen any except in books. Bookkeepers, male secretaries, etc. wore them to keep the cuffs of their shirts out of the ink they were using. With computers, and ballpoint pens, they aren't necessary anymore. Still, I am tired of my winter shirts and sweatshirt sleeves getting in the dish water and generally falling over my wrists. I roll them up, but they don't want to stay. I've tried rubber bands, but they either are too loose, or cut off the circulation to my hands. It's getting warmer, so the problem will go away for the summer, but I am looking ahead to next fall.
A friend has been given her late husband's Grammar School diploma. It's large, the biggest I have ever seen. It is framed. (She didn't know it existed until it was given to her.) It is from the Harrisburg School System. I don't remember all the names, a board member, two principals, and Russel Malan, superintendent. It is dated 1936, which would make the recipient 14 years old, or 8th grade, hence the Grammar School. If you have one belonging to your relative, we are interested in knowing about it. This is the first one either of us have seen.
The magnolia tree didn't live up to expectation. The cold and frost kept it from fully blooming. It wasn't totally killed, but enough brown to make it not very pretty. Have seen beautiful ones around town, mine must be too big and exposed to be safe. All the blooming trees and shrubs have made the spring wonderful. It is hard to decided what is my favorite. Down by Dellwood, there is a bank of daffodil, the old fashioned yellow ones that have naturalized into an area as large as half my front yard. I wanted to drive up the lane to get a longer view.
"I think what this neighborhood needs are more backyard vegetable gardens."
"Are you serious? So you want to spend your weekends pulling weeds, fertilizing and spraying for insects?"
"I think what this neighborhood needs is a farmers market." (Dagwood and Blondie).
I agree. I have two kinds of tomatoes germinating in the oven. Yes, I have a sign on the turn-on knob that says "seeds in oven." I am half afraid they won't germinate and half afraid they will. Where am I going to put them if they turn into healthy plants? I haven't even been to the nurseries (yes, plural) and the Eldorado plant sale isn't for another month (May 22). What I have are ground cherries/husk tomatoes and a climbing tomato. The first I ordered, the second was a gift for ordering. I don't like hot weather gardening, why I put myself through this I don't know. Old habits die hard.
The 4C's free clothing and household item giveaway is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8 in the parking lot of the Harrisburg Methodist Church. Clothing and household donations gladly accepted. Items may be dropped off Wednesday, starting at 7 a.m. on the church parking lot. Please enter the alley from Poplar Street and exit onto Locust. Adult and children clothing needed, especially good, clean spring and summer outfits. Household goods in clean and running order also needed. Extra grocery or Walmart bags appreciated. (Held inside in case of rain.)
May, a month of great reasons for a party. Start the month with Derby Day, Saturday May 4. You don't have to know anything about horse racing, just let the guest pick their favorite and bet on order of finish. Real or play money, canned goods for a food pantry, whatever you want the bet to be. Ladies, wear your fanciest Easter bonnet (good way to get extra use of it) or make a fabulous fascinator - British for a perky little head piece. Derby Pie, mint juleps, or minty iced tea, the menu is limitless. Watch the horse run in the late afternoon. Fun way to kick off the month.
"Life is short. Eat the peanut butter and jelly." (Kelly Ripa)
<i> Elizabeth Woodworth lives in Harrisburg.</i>