Bits and Pieces – Page 71

Friday Meanderings

February 13, 2015February 13, 2015 by KTgreen

It’s been a strange week for us. Started out with Terry and I studying the plans for the future Old Homosassa sidewalks and discovering that we would lose seven large oak trees that help create our canopy. I updated my post from Sunday about the sidewalk plans with the email I sent and the responses. I was feeling hopeful.

Then on Wednesday I was “cc:d” along with Commissioner Ron Kitchen on the following email from Randy Oliver, County Administrator, to Jeff Rodgers, the Director of Public Works.

Jeff:

Would you ask someone to follow up with Mrs. Green and copy Commissioner Kitchens and myself on the response.

Thanks,

Randy

Haven’t heard anything. Now I’m perplexed. Will follow up with Mr. Oliver next week.

Meanwhile, I’ve been busy busy busy letting all of the “locals” know about the tree issue.

The Old Homosassa Heritage Council had a town meeting at the Civic Club on Tuesday. We are moving forward with fund raising to purchase and refurbish the water tower. Very Exciting!

I couldn’t find a lot going on in the county that I wanted to attend this weekend–probably because we already have plans. But if we get a chance, we’ll be stopping by the Visitor Center on US 19 at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park on Saturday for the arts and crafts show by local artists.

There is a lot coming up!

February 21st is the next open house at Three Sisters Springs. This is a GREAT event. Sponsored by the Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, you can catch a bus at Kings Bay Plaza. With the weather being a bit chilly, you are ensured of seeing manatees. Possibly hundreds of them. And you don’t even have to get in the water, you can view them from the boardwalk. Plus–it’s free!

Right here in Old Homosassa, on March 6th and 7th from 5 – 9 we will be having the Luminary Art Nights. We have some great art spots here. I’m planning on helping out Watsons Art Gallery & Studio. If you haven’t stopped there already, you must. Check out the art and then have dinner at one of our several fun restaurants on either side of the river.

On March 14th it’s the Shrimpapalooza! Sponsored by the Homosassa Springs Rotary Club, this is nothing but fun. A parade. Beads. A festival. Beads. Bands. Beads. Food. Beads. Have I convinced you yet? We like to take at least one grandkid….

I think that’s it for now.

Have a great weekend and Valentine’s Day!

Kathy

Friday Meanderings

February 6, 2015 by KTgreen

Just want to apologize to all my northern friends before I start rambling about my garden problems. You’ve have had so much SNOW this year and you are still digging out. (But let me ask–why do you still live there?)

Here in central Florida, it’s time to start planning the spring vegetable garden.

Time to till up the soil, fertilize, decide what exactly will be planted.

But not for me. I’ve decided that my two raised vegetable beds in my back yard are done. Kaput. Set to be flattened. The damn squirrels have won. So many squash blossoms have been “squirreled away”. So many tomatoes have been bitten or chewed.

Besides the squirrels, there is the shade canopy. We have a lot of big trees that are just getting bigger and not much sun is hitting those beds anymore. (Not complaining, I love each and everyone of those trees.)

The few organic tomatoes that I actually got last year would have been a lot cheaper at the most expensive organic market.

And besides all of those reasons, it’s a lot of physical labor and my back has decided that it just wants to work on flowers. Gotta do what the back says!

I’ll continue growing herbs. Rosemary, oregano, and chives never die. I’ve probably had the original plants for over five years. I’m putting parsley and dill in pots and placing them in the few sunny places in the yard. I’m not much of a cook but parsley and dill are very rewarding to me because I love the butterflies.

Butterflies in the Garden, Eastern Black Swallowtail — Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillar, full grown larvae, on parsley.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly Eggs — Swallowtail Butterfly Eggs on dill.

In the Garden, Eastern Swallowtail — Swallowtail on parsley. So pretty. Looking forward to their return when it gets a little warmer.

And now that you have looked at these pretty pictures, I need to ask….

Have you been looking at my “project 365” photos? I’m taking a pic every day and posting them. It’s been a challenge. I’m always taking pictures–but taking a good picture that I feel is “post worthy”? Not so easy. And then there are the days that I take a lot of really GOOD photos. And can only use one.

Today is day 42! We are going out and about today so I should have a photo to post that isn’t from the back yard!

Besides taking lots of pictures, I’ve been busy in the community. Wednesday as a volunteer at the animal shelter, the first Monday night of the month at the Homosassa Civic Club plus a few monthly meetings for Old Homosassa Preservation Society.

Speaking of the Old Homosassa Preservation Society, our next meeting is Tuesday at 5:30 at the Homosassa Civic Center. This is a big one. We bought the tower. Now we have to get the money together to preserve the tower and other historical places in Homosassa. BE THERE! Or send us a bucket of money. I’m okay with that.

And then there’s the acoustic music group that I joined last year.

We meet at the Coastal Region Library in Crystal River and we finally have a regular schedule. The first and third Monday of every month from 2 to 4:30. Acoustic musicians, singers, and listeners are all invited.

And after looking at that picture you might think you need to be a senior citizen to be in this group. NOT SO! Eleven-year-old Jimmy has stopped in during our last two sessions. He is a beginning guitar player. He doesn’t stay long but he seems to enjoy hanging out with us while he’s there! (oh no, do you think he might be looking for a foster-grandparent?)

If you want to join us and have questions, give Paula Bateman a call at 260-316-4099. Otherwise, just come on over!

And now what’s going on this weekend?

Well, first there’s the Best Friend Expo at the Citrus County Auditorium on Saturday. This is your chance to meet all of those pooches and kitties that need a home.

I’m still pondering the water issues in Florida so Terry and I are attending the “Florida’s Springs and the Sustainability of the Floridan Aquifer” at 10 am on Saturday at the Ellie Schiller Education Center in Yankeetown.

There’s a car show on 44 between Inverness and Floral City.

But what we are REALLY looking forward to is the Open House at La Casa of Mason Creek. I’ve posted dozens of photos of this place over the years. We watched it being built and even took a little “self-guided” tour. It’s been on the market forever and someone finally bought it! The new owner has turned it into an event venue and vacation rental. The open house will include many local vendors that want to turn your wedding or event into something extraordinary. The open house is from 3 – 7. Oh yes, I’m taking my CAMERA!

Just another morning in Perfect — La Casa of Mason Creek from the canal side

The weather is supposed to be beautiful here in sunny Florida so we will out on the road getting lots of pictures.

Have a great weekend!

Kathy

Friday Meanderings

January 30, 2015January 30, 2015 by KTgreen

Such exciting news!

I received an email this week about the Old Homosassa Sidewalks! Just as I started thinking that the whole idea was a figment of my imagination!

From Fritz P. Smith,

“As discussed at the Yulee Drive Sidewalk Townhall Meeting conducted on July 31, 2014, a set of 60% complete plans will be available for review at the Citrus County Homosassa Library, 4100 South Grandmarch Avenue, Homosassa, FL 34446, beginning Monday, January 26, 2015 until Friday, February 13, 2015. Please direct any questions or requests for additional information to Walt Eastmond at 352-527-5446 or Walt.Eastmond@bocc.citrus.fl.us.”

I haven’t stopped in to look at the “60% complete plans” yet. Next week.

Where the Sidewalk Ends — Where the sidewalk ends…..

There’s been some reports in the newspaper that there might be sidewalks put along 19 after a teenager on his bicycle was struck by a car and killed last year at Sugarmill Woods. So sad. Such a dangerous road and there are always bicycles on it. I’m not sure I’d ride a bike out there even if there were bike paths.

I suppose I should mention the “skeletal remains” found in the woods were about a half mile from “Perfect”. Right next to the rooster house. In the wooded area. Crime tape. A blue tarp covered shelter in the woods. Lots of deputies hanging out for a few days. I don’t know anymore than the newspaper is reporting. Which is “skeletal remains”. But here’s some roosters…

You might have noticed that I didn’t put a post up yesterday. Even Terry said something to me about being a slacker. But I didn’t put a project up yesterday because I didn’t have anything finished. I thought about showing you all the pieces of denim that are ready to be stitched together. Or maybe a pic of what a disaster my office/sewing room is right now. But the post would have just been mindless ramblings which I like to save for Friday! It would just be wrong to have two such posts in one week!

I’ll get back to my sewing machine soon. I’ve got some projects in the garage that I need to finish up, too. But I’m having a struggle getting my schedule rearranged. It’s amazing what one little change can make me go all helter-skelter. I always left Wednesday open to catch up on projects and do a bit of blog writing but I’ve given up my Wednesday to the cats. Seriously. I started volunteering in the office at the Citrus County Animal Shelter on Wednesdays. One day a week and it’s thrown my whole schedule out of order.

I do not walk the dogs nor hold the cats. I don’t even greet people or introduce them to pets that need a new home. I sit in front of a computer and do data entry. I put the cats into Petfinder Pro so you can see your next kitty best friend online. I might work up to greeter, cat petter, or dog walker. I’m just taking it slow. A lot of those dogs are BIG and I’m a bit intimidated. And I’ve been assured by a few people that what I’m doing is REALLY important.

Now I want to tell you how impressed I am with the people that really do work directly with the dogs and cats. They are passionate about these animals. The puppies, kittens and small dogs are adopted quickly. Dogs that are desirable have a waiting list. But it’s those big dogs that spend months in the shelter. Without the volunteers, these dogs would seldom get out of the kennels. The volunteers do not just walk the dogs, they also train them and socialize them. I love it when pooches come in to visit me while I’m tapping on the keyboard–part of their socialization. But the best part is when I hear their handlers celebrate when one of these dogs find their forever home.

But I’ll eventually get my schedule rewired and I’ll be back to my projects soon. Maybe. My yard is beckoning. The weather has been great and it’s almost time to trim the roses!

Crazy roses are still blooming. They are supposed to be dormant!

Not much going on this weekend. But if the weather is wonderful as is expected, we’ll be out and about.

Have a great weekend!

Go Seahawks!

Kathy