By Kylee Baumle

Throughout the year, I attend various home and garden shows, flower shows, and other horticultural events. Some of them I return to every year, which might puzzle those who aren’t as passionate about gardening as I am. If you’ve seen one garden show, you’ve seen them all, haven’t you?

Not by a long shot. It’s true that I’ve stopped going to a couple of them because the time, energy and the long drive to and from the events didn’t garner enough return on my investment. Some shows are more home than garden. I’m there for the garden.

By Nancy Whitaker

PEAS PORRIDGE OR DEAD RINGER?

There are so many old sayings, beliefs and old wives tales which are passed down through the years, sometimes it is hard to distinguish fact from fiction.

I know there is probably some type of story as to how each of these old sayings got started, so I did some research on the topic. I was very surprised to find out some of the stories behind some of the old sayings so I thought I would ask you, “Did you know?”

By Kylee Baumle

I went to visit my grandma the other day. At 98, she’s a treasure and a pretty amazing person. Though she’s in good health, she lives in an assisted living facility now. She’s done her fair share of gardening in her day and several years ago, I sat down to talk with her about it. I was curious as to how much or how little things had changed over the years.

She was a young girl in the 1920s and that’s a long time ago by anyone’s standards, even hers. But some things never change, especially when it comes to the affairs of Mother Nature. Seeds get planted, they germinate, and they grow.

By Nancy Whitaker

IN THE TRUNK

I am the first to admit it, I know nothing about the mechanics of a car. My main expertise is to put the key in it, press on the gas, shift the gears and go.

I am sure there are a lot of women who can check the oil, pump up the tires and put water in wherever it goes. I envy these ladies, because I am not even sure I would know how to get the hood up on a car. In other words, I am saying that if I had any car trouble, my only alternative would be to call someone who knew something about the internal and external workings of a vehicle. In other words, a repairman.

Now, in no way does that mean I don’t know how to drive. I think I am a good driver, at least I feel safe riding with myself. My husband and kids would probably beg to differ, but hey, their driving scares me, too.

By Jim Langham

Years ago, an old trick of the trade passed on by my father taught me that there is always one more picture left in a camera.

I have taken more than a few pictures with my camera over the years and gradually, the points where the batteries are located have become been worn and tattered. Consequently, there is not always a good connection when I put the batteries in the camera.

So here’s how to keep it going. This is what my father told me years ago. You are to moisten the batteries before putting them in the camera. Don’t ask me what it does, but it works. It’s a good way to stretch the batteries and get at least one more picture out of a worn camera.

By Kylee Baumle

Spring fever is hitting hard. The sun is shining more days than not, and even though we still have some snow now and then, the temperatures seem to be inching ever upward, even if it’s slower than I’d like. To make things worse, I look through the photos I’ve taken in previous years and I see that in less than a month, we’ll have quite a few flowers in bloom. But I want it NOW.

All things in good time. While I long for warm spring days, and even summer heat, I also enjoy the early walks in nearby woods, where I can watch the floor come to life, one wildflower at a time. In my mind’s eye, I can see it as time-lapse photography. First comes the skunk cabbage, we’ll end with the fire pinks, and by then it’s summer.

By Nancy Whitaker

THE CRUISE FROM HELL

Sometimes a couple saves their money all their lives and wait until the kids are grown to take that perfect vacation. Perhaps, they want to go on a cruise to relax and enjoy the warm sun. Everyone dreams of sitting on a lounge chair on the deck soaking up rays and drinking cool drinks.

The food is promised to be the best you have ever eaten and luxurious surroundings will be right at your fingertips.

Personally, I have never had the desire to go on a cruise. First of all I don’t care for the sea or the ocean and getting my feet off of dry land scares me half to death.

By Jim Langham

Several months ago, our washing machine took its final spin before bowing out of service to us. Just prior to that, I had made the decision to start airing out our laundry at a laundromat in Berne, Ind., where I work for the local newspaper several days a week.

The big decision came when I noticed that the steps to our basement decided to start growing and seemed taller each time I carried the clothes up and down the stairs.

So once or twice a week, I tote a garbage bag full of clothes to the car for the 38-mile drive to Berne.

One evening when I arrived home from such a task, Joyce and I decided to go out for supper. Casually, she said to me, “I'll need the laundry because the clothes I want to wear tonight are in there.”

By Nancy Whitaker

A Valentine’s Day gift

Valentines Day is tomorrow, Feb. 14. Are you a romantic person who surprises your sweetheart with that special gift? Do you like chocolates, flowers, jewelry or maybe a book? I am a romantic at heart and I love getting any of the above gifts. Now, I know that some of the stores had Valentine’s Day gifts on the shelves right after Christmas, so I guess we have all had plenty of time to get something for that special someone.

They say a woman remembers Valentine’s Day more than a man does. She is more apt to throw out hints on what she wants and nine chances out of ten she will also buy her sweetie something.

But, did you know, guys, that there are certain items your gal just may not want for Valentine’s Day? In fact, there is a list of what not to buy women and a list of what not to buy for men on Feb. 14. I find the list interesting, because not everyone is alike and we all have different ideas of what constitutes a “gift of love.”

By Kylee Baumle

Valentine’s Day is here and many of you will be receiving flowers from someone who loves or cares for you. The most commonly given flower is the red rose, but what if you get something else? Is your lover trying to tell you something in a subtle way, something that they’re reluctant to say any other way?

Flowers have a language all their own, some of which remains commonly known and used to this day. Red roses mean love and yellow ones signify friendship. But, the messages of yesteryear weren’t always those of love or friendship.

Though the language of flowers has its origins as far back as the 1600s, their use to convey specific messages has been linked most significantly to Victorian England. During the mid-1800s, it became popular in the U.S. as well.