Change of Seasons

It is that time of year the evenings are getting cool and the days are getting shorter. Football has started and homecomings are occurring. Summer softball has ended and the fall league has started. The deer stands are up and the archers have strung their bows.

This is the beginning of a wonderful time here in the Midwest. Pumpkins of all sizes and colors are piling up and everyone is rejuvenated after a long extremely hot summer.  The start of the decorating season coincides with hunting season. It is the time of fall festivals, craft shows and evening concerts. The crops are being harvested; the smoke houses are smokin and the kids are back in school.

I am already seeing homeowners preparing for the winter. It is the time for fertilizing yards, closing up pools, water sealing decks and pressure cleaning everything that does not move.  We have become part of that movement as well here at Orchard Hills.  We have planted bulbs for the spring thaw; water sealing the deck is next.  We have already fertilized the yard and put in more grass seed in the back yard.

Fall is the re-colorization of the earth, red, browns, yellows, oranges are popping up everywhere among the green.   It looks like this is going to be a beautiful season.  It won’t be long before the leaves start dropping and the winter gray will settle in its place.

The only drawback this year is all the political debris in the form of signs, billboards, and flyers that are making a mess of the otherwise beautiful landscape. If the politicians only would set aside a nice portion of their so called war chest for after election clean up.  Yeah I know like that would ever happen.

This is one of my favorite times of the year. It is great to be home.

Entertaining -Community service

During this week of Jewish Holidays, I was reminded of many years gone by when I entertained for the Jewish War Veterans Group led by the late Murray Broder. Murray was the owner of Broder's Wholesale Tobacco and Candy Store in Worcester Maine. We were a group of entertainers that went out once a week to nursing homes, veteran's homes, hospitals, military bases and orphanages. No one could ever say no to Murray. He was one of the most generous people, I ever knew.

For 15 years, I worked beside other great entertainers such as Nils Hagberg, Walter Fields, Carol Zannotti, The Gaslows, The Nadeau Sisters, Marion Rittaco, Steve Colombo, Andre, the Magician, Lilian Sedaris and Jerry Felicetti(my Dad), just to name a few of the many great talents that gave up their time to bring joy to others.

The audience's faces would light up at each show. Murray brought joy to all ethnic groups, including the Nazareth home for boys, St. Ann's Orphanage and others.  I even remember the nuns at these facilities having a great time at these shows as well. 

Many a Christmas day were devoted to doing 3 or 4 shows at several locations. Of course, Murray supplied the goodies to all and he showed his appreciation to the entertainers by treating us all at the Broadway Deli on Water Street.

It was so much fun and so many fond memories of those times, working with so many great talents and being able to bring joy and happiness to so many. Many that had served our country and it was our turn to give back to them. 

Till next time. Ms. Honey

I thank Ms. Honey for her contributions to my weekly blog. Her experiences and stories are always an inspiration to me.  I learn something new about my dear friend with each article.

Keep Dancing  LB

Home Ownership

Okay, Condo living only lasted a mere eleven months, before we found ourselves back in a house. The past week has been a whirlwind of unpacking, organizing, hanging, arranging, deliveries, purchases, planning, purchases, contractors, installers and did I mention purchases.

It was only eleven months but home ownership was totally wiped from my memory. Condo living we only had to worry about the inside of the condo and the small patio out back.  Now we are back looking at taking care of a house again.  Yes, I know we are in a new construction with an exterior that is basically maintenance free but I do have to plan on winterizing exterior plumbing and water sealing the deck.

Plus for the first time in over twenty years, we had to purchase a lawn mower and weed eater.  Yikes, I have to do more in the yard than take care of a flower bed and fish pond.  Presently, I have to purchase more grass seed to assist the back yard, ensure the sod in front and side yards are fertilized and purchase border brick for the front flower bed. Notice that word Purchase keeps popping up, well that is part of being home owners.

We are also having 2 man caves completed over the next few days then we can reclaim the garage for its true purpose of storing automobiles.  What a concept the last garage I had was a work room /store room and this one is even large enough for two vehicles, a motorcycle and still has room to spare.

The D Suite (Dad Suite) looks more like a fine Hotel Suite than a guest room. Coffee pot, 40 inch flat panel TV, pub style table and chairs, rocking chair with reading lamp, and once the wall hangings, plus dorm size frig are added it will be complete.

We have created what we are calling the E suite which is the main guest room, Antique furniture, King Size bed, Antique wall decorations and just waiting for the plantation shutters.  Guest will have a nice short stroll down the Cruise Memorial gallery to their large yet cozy bath.

Yes, moving from 1000 square feet condo to what will eventually be 2200 under environmental control has been a great adventure. It actually is great to be back in a house where we have room to spread out and even room to grow. 

It is great to be home owners again and look forward to many years of happiness here. I am hopefully that the purchases will subside once we have obtained all the necessary tools and items we need to complete the house.

Till later LB

Yahoo!

New Beginnings

Yahoo!

Nearly 11 months ago, Paul and I made the decision that it was best for us and family to relocate to Clarksville, TN. After much discussion and mental anguish, I approached my boss to request a transfer and was rewarded with the knowledge that she was not about to lose me to another State or office. So with the security of being employed remotely, we put the house on the market, thinking we might have to leave and deal with a long distance sale. Fortunately, that was not the case and the Florida house sold in two days.

So with a month to pack, deciding what went with us in our two vehicles and what would be placed in storage, our path was clear to make the final move to Tennessee. We had purchased the Little Condo on the Bluff a couple of years prior as our getaway location and now it would be our new home.

The Condo is a great little house, quiet and peaceful but the goal of moving to Tennessee was to eventually convince Dad it was time to retire and that we wanted him to live with us. Dad is the only surviving parent that my sister, Paul and I have and it is our goal to ensure he takes care of himself. So even though we loved living in the condo, it was not going to be our ultimate location.

After spending months roaming Montgomery County, we looked at multiple re-sells but no matter what we liked it was going to take thousands to make it suitable for ourselves. Our wonderful realtor passed on a link regarding a new subdivision approximately 3 miles from the condo. After touring the spec. homes in the community we found the perfect model. It had a Dad Suite and a bonus room that we could convert into 2 man caves. Plus starting from the ground up we could make all the modifications that we wanted from the start.

So after 5 months, we are now in the Orchard Hills house. We have spent the week moving, unpacking and purchasing to our bodies and credit card are totally exhausted. We are now awaiting the delivery of the Florida Storage and few items that we had to order to arrive. The Dad Suite is nearly complete and now the real work of convincing the Old Missouri Mule to think about retiring will begin in earnest.

Clarksville has become our new home town and we could not be happier. A new home, new neighborhood and starting Monday September 10^th; Larry B resurfaces with an International Line Dance class at the Clarksville Athletic Club. It is always stressful starting out on a new beginning but having family and support from friends it has been a great adventure. Granted it is one we do not plan to do again, Clarksville is the final stomping ground.

Till next time, LB.