Twice a year there is a book sale at the local library. Our local library is one of several situated around the city and is the hub of activity.This is a huge building with all the services expected in a full service facility and amazes me at the general use it gets. Every possible electronic or hard copy information is available to the citizens free. Borrowing of every piece of music or movie is at hand and any newspaper or other material you wish will be ordered for you.
People in the area who buy books and donate them for the sale after reading are helping to support the library.Today and every sale Theresa and I attend and purchase items like books, Cd's or related material and add to the money for the library. With huge cuts in budgets here during the last few years the library was one facility which was left pretty well untouched. There was a small cut in the hours they were open but otherwise the library was valued for what it was, the entertainment center of the city.
With the downturn in the economy a large segment of the population use this resource center as their entertainment palace and families go to the library together. The last report showed the number of people using the facility way up and that is rewarding to the strong support given at budget time.
There are some positives when we have to tighten our belts and do with less. In this case less is more as the overall good in using a library is strengthening the family and the individual, specially the young, when people turn to books and explore the universe much like we did before television.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Ask for Help
Ever since I returned to Florida I had problems with my sprinkler system. I was responsible for constructing this six zone system with a timer so I could meet the requirements of the City Watering Policy.There are always problems like a few sprinkler heads being cut off by grass mowers but this year it was more.
I use Orbit products out of Salt Lake City and have been really pleased with the service.This year I planned to replace three valves to my central manifold and after installing I was unable to get the system working through my central timer. For longer than I can count I tore the system apart and put it together. I want to Lowe's where I bought the product and their expert was of no help.
I enrolled Theresa to go over the wiring to the timer and she completely re-programmed the system.Nothing worked. I am a very patient person,I believe but some would differ, and was ready to call in an expert to help. I saw the $125 bill and waited for a day. This am I went out again and looked at the box the valves came in and there was a phone number from Salt Lake City.. I ran into the house and told Theresa I was going to phone the Mormon and get Devinne guidance. I took the phone, my bag of tools and a chair outside to work beside my system.
I dialed the number and after six options I punched in the section called help. A man answered and he quickly realized I called before three years ago. After a joke about Mormons and small talk he got me on track and asked what the problem was. In so many words I told him the problem and he asked if I saw the little arrows on the new valves. I went cold and thanked him for the help.I just realized that I installed the valves upside down. Five minutes later I had the system on line.
Men don't ask directions nor in this case seek help from experts until the last desperate minute.I just realized that I fit into that ordinary slot of men who are afraid to ask directions. That will never happen again and feel so silly for the previous 70 + years.
I use Orbit products out of Salt Lake City and have been really pleased with the service.This year I planned to replace three valves to my central manifold and after installing I was unable to get the system working through my central timer. For longer than I can count I tore the system apart and put it together. I want to Lowe's where I bought the product and their expert was of no help.
I enrolled Theresa to go over the wiring to the timer and she completely re-programmed the system.Nothing worked. I am a very patient person,I believe but some would differ, and was ready to call in an expert to help. I saw the $125 bill and waited for a day. This am I went out again and looked at the box the valves came in and there was a phone number from Salt Lake City.. I ran into the house and told Theresa I was going to phone the Mormon and get Devinne guidance. I took the phone, my bag of tools and a chair outside to work beside my system.
I dialed the number and after six options I punched in the section called help. A man answered and he quickly realized I called before three years ago. After a joke about Mormons and small talk he got me on track and asked what the problem was. In so many words I told him the problem and he asked if I saw the little arrows on the new valves. I went cold and thanked him for the help.I just realized that I installed the valves upside down. Five minutes later I had the system on line.
Men don't ask directions nor in this case seek help from experts until the last desperate minute.I just realized that I fit into that ordinary slot of men who are afraid to ask directions. That will never happen again and feel so silly for the previous 70 + years.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
People Speak Again
Municipal elections were held here in Cape Coral and the total number of voters would make you sick.Out of 120,000 possible voters only about 20,000 came out to use their franchise. There was so much acrimony during the past year that I personally thought that the turnout would be very high.
Big issues and a falling economy made the platform ready for a shootout. There was a watchdog who attended council every meeting for the past two years and spoke at every available occasion. He was the watch dog and he ran a campaign on, have you had enough yet.
His incumbent was so sure he would win because he was sponsored by the local media that he relaxed. He spoke in the future and he was so confident that he appeared arrogant to say the least. The many debates were reported as a sure thing for this man. Today the news said that he was a loser and the new man won by a 63% winner. Why? The new man gave a story of hope and he engaged the people to think about the future.Now he has to perform.
All around this state the same thing happened. People are Fed up and the economy is driving everyone nuts so they take it out on the elected officials. Perhaps the future will be better and people will vote because of issues instead of the blind thought of get rid of the incumbent because they caused the problem
I love politics but I am distressed with the situation which makes good men into evil and people with short sighted plans heroes. Politics and solutions are a slow process and we find that people of value understand this. Voters get what they vote for but not necessarily what they deserve..
Big issues and a falling economy made the platform ready for a shootout. There was a watchdog who attended council every meeting for the past two years and spoke at every available occasion. He was the watch dog and he ran a campaign on, have you had enough yet.
His incumbent was so sure he would win because he was sponsored by the local media that he relaxed. He spoke in the future and he was so confident that he appeared arrogant to say the least. The many debates were reported as a sure thing for this man. Today the news said that he was a loser and the new man won by a 63% winner. Why? The new man gave a story of hope and he engaged the people to think about the future.Now he has to perform.
All around this state the same thing happened. People are Fed up and the economy is driving everyone nuts so they take it out on the elected officials. Perhaps the future will be better and people will vote because of issues instead of the blind thought of get rid of the incumbent because they caused the problem
I love politics but I am distressed with the situation which makes good men into evil and people with short sighted plans heroes. Politics and solutions are a slow process and we find that people of value understand this. Voters get what they vote for but not necessarily what they deserve..
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Away From Family and Friends.
Years ago when I left home to move to Temiskaming to be principal of a school and play hockey I felt very much alone. I lived in the White Oaks Inn which was a staff house for employees of the International Pulp and Paper Co. I was 19 and felt that I could take on the world but something was missing. Family. The only communication that I had with my family was through letters and the occasional telephone call.
To say the least I was lonely at times. Today Theresa and I choose to live in Florida for half the year. We miss the almost daily contact with family and friends we have when living in Ontario. We do have some good friends here and socialize with nice people but this never takes the place of your own family.
Today we have great telephone plans so we are able to talk for hours. We have face book and see and read of activities almost as they are happening. Visits from the family and friends help to keep us in the loop but it is not the same. The great benefit derived from living here in Paradise is the weather and the downside is the reduced interaction with those who mean the most to you.
Flying home at Xmas is our next big trip and already we are thinking about it. There is a sadness to life for people who have no family or real friends. We are double blessed because we have both, a loving family and great friends.
To say the least I was lonely at times. Today Theresa and I choose to live in Florida for half the year. We miss the almost daily contact with family and friends we have when living in Ontario. We do have some good friends here and socialize with nice people but this never takes the place of your own family.
Today we have great telephone plans so we are able to talk for hours. We have face book and see and read of activities almost as they are happening. Visits from the family and friends help to keep us in the loop but it is not the same. The great benefit derived from living here in Paradise is the weather and the downside is the reduced interaction with those who mean the most to you.
Flying home at Xmas is our next big trip and already we are thinking about it. There is a sadness to life for people who have no family or real friends. We are double blessed because we have both, a loving family and great friends.
One Small Boy
Harry Potter made an unscheduled visit to our home on Halloween. This small boy has been coming to our house every Halloween since we moved here in 2004. He was a very small boy, almost fragile when we first met him with his mother. They came all happy and excited as we were practically the only people who had a lit pumpkin at our door. He was a cute Little fellow and as I amused myself with him, Theresa heard the sad story of their home. His mother's father was sick and she lived with her parents.
Her father died and this little fellow now lives with his mother and grandmother. There are no children in the neighbourhood so he is nurtured by female family members. We took a liking for this boy and I collected some very nice toys for him. Last year we never had the proper opportunity to give them to him so we decided to make this Halloween special for him.
We put out our lit pumpkin this year and waited for him to come. After a long wait Harry Potter came to see us and he was a perfect picture of the real Harry. So articulate and polite and grown up in so many ways but meek and only a child in other ways. We talked to him and asked about his school and so on and then asked if he might be interested in some toys.
He responded with a smile and when we opened the large box he examined all the cars and little trucks with enthusiasm. I had this front-end loader, large and battery operated and showed him how to manually operate the remote. His eyes lit up and he was happy. He took all the toys and thanked us many times. When he left I was a little sad that his grandfather was not around to enjoy this special child.
Harry Potter was the only child to darken our door this year but he gave us more joy than a hundred children who were just there for the candy. I hope to take him fishing some day and to give he a chance to be Tom Sawyer - and me the opportunity to experience this little fellow once more.
Her father died and this little fellow now lives with his mother and grandmother. There are no children in the neighbourhood so he is nurtured by female family members. We took a liking for this boy and I collected some very nice toys for him. Last year we never had the proper opportunity to give them to him so we decided to make this Halloween special for him.
We put out our lit pumpkin this year and waited for him to come. After a long wait Harry Potter came to see us and he was a perfect picture of the real Harry. So articulate and polite and grown up in so many ways but meek and only a child in other ways. We talked to him and asked about his school and so on and then asked if he might be interested in some toys.
He responded with a smile and when we opened the large box he examined all the cars and little trucks with enthusiasm. I had this front-end loader, large and battery operated and showed him how to manually operate the remote. His eyes lit up and he was happy. He took all the toys and thanked us many times. When he left I was a little sad that his grandfather was not around to enjoy this special child.
Harry Potter was the only child to darken our door this year but he gave us more joy than a hundred children who were just there for the candy. I hope to take him fishing some day and to give he a chance to be Tom Sawyer - and me the opportunity to experience this little fellow once more.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Baby Bananas
For all the years we lived here in Florida we have had limited success with growing bananas.We are either not here when the fruit was available or we had a hurricane or something. This year we are going to have a treat as one of our bananas is in the process of having a bunch of fruit.
For those who never witnessed the process of banana growing it is quite remarkable. One day you will see a different type of leaf appearing as they do from the top center of the plant. After one day you realize that it is not a leaf but an immature bunch of bananas.
A thick stock with a purple sheath at the end will suddenly appear and within two days the process begins. The stock is sturdy because a full bunch of bananas will weigh up to 40 pounds and contain a couple of hundred bananas. The bananas will develop one row at a time and groups or hands of bananas will show as small immature fruit. Every few days another row will appear and the process goes on until you have a fully developed bunch of fruit.
Five to six months are required to have fruit ready to eat. Our bananas are known as apple bananas as they look like regular fruit but taste like apples. Small, a third the size of regular fruit but sweeter and very delicious. Taken off the bunch in hands the fruit will ripen in a number of days depending on the heat index.
We have had the great experience several times but this year we will be here for the whole process. I have already staked the banana tree up and will give it some extra water and food. In April we will be giving these tiny succulent fruit to friends and neighbours. It is good to share.
Fleamasters
Florida is known for its flea markets and no trip to this state would be complete without a visit to one of many such interesting places.Our flea market brags about its size and ability to satisfy even the most difficult client. How things have changed.This several thousand booth enterprise has deteriorated into a shadow of its former self. Theresa and I were amazed at the change.
The 3000 car parking lot was not half full and the active selling stands were all but empty. Many of the high end full time players in this market were nowhere to be seen. The numerous citrus and vegetable vendors were represented by a measly few. The most prolific vendor was the dollar store variety which lacked the intrigue of the booths that called you in to discover your treasure.
Yes there were twenty slots set aside for selling three dollar watches, comic shirts and baseball caps were still available. The fifteen golf shops which offered full service services for the most hard to please person were now a handful. Ladies could buy shoes and clothing items or jewellery but the place lost its vitality, glitz and its beckoning call to leave happy and come again.
We know it is all about the economy and it really showed. In the outdoor section of the market many poor families parked their trucks and cars side by side and tried to sell their second hand wares with little success. I felt sorry for these people represented by a whole family trying to interest people walking by to look at their offerings. While Theresa was looking for something special I walked through this area and was approached by many young children trying to interest me in buying small items. I was there to find a bird feeder and one young man went helter skelter to fill my need with no avail.
Meeting Theresa at the fruit stand where we buy oranges by the half bu for juicing I felt a little depressed about the market and the country which in my estimation has sunk to a low level. The economy will return in time and all will be rosy some day but in the interim I see the very poor becoming more like the pictures we saw during the great depression.
This is a negative blog but that is how I felt and on the upside we did buy a clock for the kitchen, watch batteries, a set of wrenches and a bag of oranges. We spent fourteen dollars and no tax and had a two hour time mostly together so all in all it was a good day.
The 3000 car parking lot was not half full and the active selling stands were all but empty. Many of the high end full time players in this market were nowhere to be seen. The numerous citrus and vegetable vendors were represented by a measly few. The most prolific vendor was the dollar store variety which lacked the intrigue of the booths that called you in to discover your treasure.
Yes there were twenty slots set aside for selling three dollar watches, comic shirts and baseball caps were still available. The fifteen golf shops which offered full service services for the most hard to please person were now a handful. Ladies could buy shoes and clothing items or jewellery but the place lost its vitality, glitz and its beckoning call to leave happy and come again.
We know it is all about the economy and it really showed. In the outdoor section of the market many poor families parked their trucks and cars side by side and tried to sell their second hand wares with little success. I felt sorry for these people represented by a whole family trying to interest people walking by to look at their offerings. While Theresa was looking for something special I walked through this area and was approached by many young children trying to interest me in buying small items. I was there to find a bird feeder and one young man went helter skelter to fill my need with no avail.
Meeting Theresa at the fruit stand where we buy oranges by the half bu for juicing I felt a little depressed about the market and the country which in my estimation has sunk to a low level. The economy will return in time and all will be rosy some day but in the interim I see the very poor becoming more like the pictures we saw during the great depression.
This is a negative blog but that is how I felt and on the upside we did buy a clock for the kitchen, watch batteries, a set of wrenches and a bag of oranges. We spent fourteen dollars and no tax and had a two hour time mostly together so all in all it was a good day.
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