Quite often today, many features of specific heirloom plants have been bred right out of plants in the name of hybridisation.  In the world of agriculture, scientists are always looking to improve a particular strain or species of a plant; either by shape, color, size or some other feature deemed to be valuable.  However, in the name of improving a strain…sometimes other things are lost in the process.  What makes a particular fruit, vegetable or flower a favorite is different which is why there are so many variations available today.

If you find one that you love…think about this; will that particular strain of plant that you love be available in the future? You may want to start thinking about preserving some seeds of some of your favorites now, just like our ancestors did out of necessity.  For trees and vines there are other ways to preserve and that may involve grafting procedures…but, that is for another post in the future. 

There is a process to saving the seeds most genetically desirable to produce the plants you love.  You will need to study up a bit about the process for that particular kind of seed but most process’ include sorting through the seeds to find the plumpest, and most appealing seeds from the best plants that you have grown.  There is a different kind of drying that needs to be done for certain seeds but you want them completely dried out and free from debris so that they do not mold or mildew which would render them useless for the next planting season.

Storing your seeds is a matter for which you must put some thought into.  You will want to store them in a cool, dark place in a sealed envelope which is clearly labeled with the type of seed it is as well as the date when it was stored.

I like to think of seeds as a way of not only saving money but also of preserving seeds that will  best grown in your geographical location.  Seeds that have been harvested from plants grown in your own environment are already proven to do well.  On top of that, you understand how your plants have been grown…you can be as organic as you like.  Health is a concern too because our world is becoming filled with toxic substances that filter down into our foods and plant life.

Keeping your own seeds and starting your plants also is a great way to help the world be more green in your growing practices; instead of buying plants or seeds that are shipped across states using more fossil fuels and leaving a bigger carbon footprint than absolutely necessary.  Teaching children how to grow their own foods is an extra bonus because it gives them some control over the foods that they put into their bodies which can help them to live healthier.

There are many experts on seed saving…but one of the best is The Seed Savers Exchange.  They have officially been around since 1975.  If you are interested in learning more about them you can check out their website here:  Seed Savers Exchange .

Like those friends that you have in your Twitter or Facebook social media streams that post way too much private information online and embarrass you;  Barbie and Ken have created a bit of a public scene.  Ken took out ads on billboards trying to get Barbie back.  After a bit of to and fro online it seems Barbie could not resist the call of the plastic perfect Ken.  Uggg…do we need drama introduced to our children through their playthings?  I mean really, isn’t the real drama enough, in most children’s circle of influence through their parents, schoolmates family lives and relationships in school enough?  Do we really need to buy into some fabricated dysfunctional drama through our children’s dolls?

As much as I grew up with the make believe work of Barbie and all of her professional unrest…truly the woman just couldn’t decide what she wanted to be when she grew up!  She is like 50 right? Now she is reuniting with her main man Ken after a seven year separation where they each went their own ways supposedly?  What has Ken done as a partner in the relationship?  He is not clearly defined.  He does not have a clear role as a male role model.  What does Ken “do” for a living?  What does he have to offer a partner?  What caused him to decide that he and Barbie could resume a healthy romantic relationship after their previous failure?  Were they in counseling together?  Did they seek to work through individual issues before considering trying to rebuild their relationship?

If I am going to buy into the publicity of this reunited relationship of Ken and Barbie and encourage children to get involved…as an adult who wants stability in my children and grandchildren’s lives; I would want to see a healthy relationship develop.  Today’s families have way too much unhealthy emotional drama in their lives.  I think, the publicity on this thing went in the wrong direction.

Then again, some people don’t often demand healthy relationships of the people in their lives either. Some allow dramas to play out on our social media streams without trying to encourage people to clean up their relationships and get real help for their troubles; instead of temporarily patching things up just to keep repeating unhealthy patterns of behavior.

I, for one, won’t be encouraging this public pandering of Barbie and Ken because I don’t happen to see any socially redeeming benefits.  Have we heard about why Barbie and Ken took a vacation from their relationship only to be wooed back into a surface relationship without benefit of working through their issues?  Are they getting help from a qualified counselor to build up their relationship and repair the troubles that broke them up in the first place? No…we only see that they have decided that they miss one another and still are attracted to one another.  Not good enough.

Kids need healthy boundaries and good role models to encourage strong, healthy relationships in their own real life world.  I understand this is about advertising & marketing…but, if they want the public to go with the flow then the powers that be that came up with this Barbie and Ken drama should have followed up with more than…it is Valentine’s day and I want you back because you are hot, and you sweet talked me into it, kind of script.  Don’t we have a right to expect better from Mattel?

What do you think? Does Mattel have a responsibility to promote their products in a healthier way to children?  Baby boomers are loyal…but, most of us have achieved some semblance of maturity in how we conduct ourselves.  Don’t we have a right as consumers, who helped to build their brand, to expect a better standard of respect for our families than just a gimmicky way to promote sales of their iconic dolls to our children and grandchildren?  Let me know what you think of this controversy!

A touch of Spring

Where I live in Michigan, winter weather gets to be a little overdrawn.  Winter seems like it is never going to end.  My way of coping is to dive into seed catalogs and gardening magazines.  It is like feasting on dessert after you have been on a starvation diet.  All of those plants with their lovely greenery and colorful blooms just lights up the soul and lifts the spirit.  Not only that, but when you are trying to buy fresh produce you quickly realize the high cost of fresh fruits and vegetables during the winter.  Cold frame gardening can help relieve the burden on your wallet if you build a couple of frames to supplement your produce needs.

I have discovered a way to try to get around that next winter.  You may find the idea of cold frame gardening interesting as well if you also live in a colder environment.  Some vegetables and herbs can be grown even in zones 5 where it gets cold and stays cold for months on end.

The summer season is relatively short for growing garden fresh produce; so anything that extends my growing period is a welcome thought.  Cold frame gardening may just be the answer.  People from baby boomer age may already be familiar with cold frame gardening but for those who are not; permit me to tell you a bit about growing produce this way.

I have not yet tried it however, I am assured from reading up on the idea that many items can be grown this way.  The idea is to use old window frames as a lid, or the top, of the box that you will construct to grow your vegetables in.  The window is positioned facing south, on a slant, on the top of the four walls of your box and attached by a heavy duty hinge.

Preparing the area where the cold frame will be placed is important.  The area must be dug out deeply into the ground.  Gravel or sand can be put on the bottom layer with composted or rich soil layered deeply over the top of the gravel/sand.  Then you need to either purchase a pre-built, manufactured cold frame or build one.  If you are going to build one you can start by considering these instructions or come up with your own design.

The back of the box of your frame should be slightly higher (18 inches x 14 inches in the front) so that snow and moisture can run off.   Now as for the width of the box, three feet seems to be what most people suggest because you want to be able to reach the plants & vegetables with ease without damaging other plants while you are reaching in to harvest them.  It might be warm in the box; but, you will be on the outside so you will want to limit your exposure to the cold temperatures by being able to get in and harvest quickly.

It is suggested that using the foundation of your home is one way to protect your cold frame from the wind and it may also provide a bit of additional warmth.  People who have greenhouses have also been known to build them on the south side of the structure to harness the warmth and protection from the wind.  If these are not possible, then you can actually insulate the walls of the cold frame with stiff styro-foam board.    When you build the cold frame there are some things to keep in mind.

* use untreated plywood (no chemicals) or use cedar lumber which lasts a long time

* put a layer of gravel deep under the soil for drainage

* in areas of extreme cold, heat tapes or pads can be put under the gravel underneath your planting soil (care must be                taken though when using electricity where you will be digging & watering  to avoid getting electrocuted.

* you will need to prop something under the window to let off steam so as to not “burn” your plants

* a hook latch and a heavy duty hinge in the back to keep the window in place during high winds

If you are interested in a visual example of a cold frame you can go here to look at this version of a cold frame: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-build-a-cold-frame-for-your-garden.html  That illustration shows clearly the idea of a cold frame and how it should work.  Of course, you can come up with your own design that works with the supplies you have.

Weather can be unpredictable and you will need to check on your growing plants daily to ensure that they aren’t getting too cold or too hot.  If you are expecting extremely cold temps you can cover your cold frame with old blankets or rugs.  However, should you choose to cover them…it is important to remember to uncover them again once the danger of the extreme weather has passed so that they can continue to get sun to grow your plants.

Now as to what types of vegetable or plants that is up to you.  But, how wonderful would it be to be able to go out and harvest a salad for your supper from your cold frame?  Or perhaps some herbs, or rutabagas, carrots, beets, cabbage…etc.  You get the idea.  Maybe some fresh garlic or onions would be fun to try to grow.

Or if you get cabin fever and are tired of looking at pure white snow everywhere you look…why not plant some lovely pansies or hardy type flower that has some color and can restore your winter worn soul to joy; just be reminding you that life is ready to burst forth once that snow melts.

Your cold frame garden could also be a great science project to include your children on.  Generations ago, our friends and relatives had to be creative to make their store houses of food last.  They couldn’t just run to the grocery store as easily as we do today.  I am for anything that helps us to be a bit more self sufficient these days and this is something that I really would like to try.  There are health benefits to doing your own gardening as well, getting up and moving is good for the body.  Gardening is emotionally satisfying; and, controlling how your vegetables or herbs have been grown is good too.  You can grow them without the use of pesticides or other chemicals which is a healthier way to grow your food.

Planting your seedlings in your cold frame in the Spring can also speed along your garden plants that you will put in your garden instead of having to wait until the commercial greenhouses open on Mother’s Day in May. The cold frame can be used to harden off your seedlings before they make the transition from the hothouse to your garden once the possibility of frost has passed in your gardening zone.

If you could build a cold frame and could plant anything your heart desires…what would it be?  Or maybe you have already tried this…write in and tell us about your experience.  We would love to hear from some of you seasoned gardeners.

The Good News meaning that Jesus was born the son of God, come into the world to offer hope to a lost and dying world that they might accept him, repent of their sins and grow in their relationship with God the Father and have eternal life with him in Heaven, instead of living a sinful life of destruction and pain.

I have admiration for those who can and have witnessed in that way door to door or on the streets.  It is not for everyone however, and it is not the only way to win souls.  Society has changed and in some ways not for the better.  Personal safety issues are part of the equation.  It simply is not safe to send teens or young people into settings where they are encouraged to step foot into the homes of strangers where they may, or may not, be wanted.  Today’s secular world has little respect for life, or for Christian values.

Today, that type of witnessing still happens on some level…but, times have changed in the way that we deliver the good news.  We still need to honor and perform the great commission (the task of evangelizing) around the world; however, our approach must be different to be considered highly effective.  People’s hearts are hard and their sins are proudly displayed and openly encouraged by the misguided members of our society.

We have to bring the message to where they are; and, many people are online.

The reasons for changing how we deliver the message of Salvation to the lost are varied.  To get the word out to the masses you must take the message to where the people gather together.  The biggest arena today for ministry is the internet; not a superdome or sports arena. This could include websites, blogs, webinars, tele-seminars, social media, tele-casts,news-letters or even, advertising spots.

The opportunities are endless as people are spending untold hours online.  Getting their attention and helping them to live their lives for Jesus in a way that “sticks” is important because they are constantly being bombarded with messages in the media that conflict with a life’s goal of living in Heaven.

Just think about how the enemy, Satan, is reaching out to people online; both the Sinners and the Saints.  The temptations and the opportunities to lead them into a continual life of sin is right there at their fingertips.

There are sinful things online that become addictive and their “drug of choice” is always there waiting for them to connect.  Shouldn’t the messengers of God be there as well?  Why can’t a word, a thought/idea, a scripture or an encouragement to do what’s right in the sight of the Lord be just as available as the sinful content at the click of a mouse online?  It can be if Christian people would join this writing project to encourage people to come to know God and apply his life principles to their lives.

So it is, that the message of God’s love and his plan of Salvation is still desperately needed to be broadcast around the globe so that every ear may hear, and every eye may see, so that every tongue has the opportunity to confess Jesus is the son of God and their own personal Lord and Savior; BEFORE the rapture takes place.

Believe it or not, some have not had the opportunity to know of God’s love.  Missionaries around the world can tell you that from experience.  We must employ every means possible to reach out to a lost and hurting world so that everyone can know the love of God, experience his protective power, and the fullness of living in his service.

Whatever your circle of influence is, if you are a Christian you are called to proclaim the message that Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that each and every person who confesses their sins and sincerely repents choosing to live by God’s commandments will be allowed into Heaven when the trumpet sounds.

Not every person has the personality, the skills, or the Biblical knowledge to knock on doors or able to stand on the street corners and win souls for the Kingdom.  However, by choosing to #LiveSticky in a public way online, you have even more opportunities to have an outreach that you may not have access to otherwise.  Souls can be saved, seeds can be planted, and lives can be impacted in a very real way.

Be a witness, be an encourager, be a good listener and look for opportunities to be a lighthouse.   Lead by shining God’s light and guiding people to him through your online relationships and interactions.  Offer hope to people who have been hurt and lost or broken in life; only God can heal their lives.  Let the local churches and ministries help develop those people to a life of discipleship…but, be a vital part of opening their hearts to the call of God for their salvation.

That is what #LiveSticky is all about.  Won’t you be bold and commit to living your faith out loud online?  I’m going to try to be more bold online.  You can follow me on

Twitter  at      http://twitter.com/WritewhereUr

The impact of that was the beginning of the fitness niche that you see today.  Exercise was not just a gimmick for Jack, like you see so many businesses pushing today; just to make money.  It wasn’t a fad for him, it was a way of life, each and every day.  Jack LaLanne I remember you and your wife Elaine’s career; and, I remember how you inspired a nation to get fit by setting an example with your words, your actions and your life.

Today, I myself will get up and get moving; I’ll start on my exercise bike.  My son is going to begin an intensive interval training program called Fearless 45 today. I will do my best to encourage him to follow through…not just for a short term goal but to promote life long health and well-being.  That is what Jack tried to teach all who would listen was to make well-being.

I myself have gotten away from living a life of healthy exercise and eating right.  I love that you lived a whole life of fitness from the moment you understood it’s power to enhance you day to day existence.  Your television show was on the air for something like 34 years.  You made guest appearances on other shows, on network news and on videos and the like.  I can still hear the excitement and the dedication in your voice.

How wonderful it would be to have that same joy and commitment.  So, today Jack LaLanne I will dedicate my first day of being recommitted to exercise as a permanent lifestyle change.  Thank you, God bless you and your family.  As a side note: that link to Fearless 45 is an affiliate link and if you were to purchase it…I would be financially compensated. That doesn’t take away from the fact that it is a good program for those who are approved by their doctors to be healthy enough to pursue that level of fitness.

It is my understanding that there is nothing against the law about this agreement.  If an employee doesn’t willingly agree to this…they may not be hired; or if they’ve already been hired and refuse to sign this agreement, they can be fired or scheduled for work so little, that an employee is compelled to start looking for a new job.

I don’t know about you, but this doesn’t sit right with me.  I understand that many businesses are now 24 hours a day, seven days a week in their operations.  However, what is wrong with hiring & regularly scheduling a staff to work those separate shifts?  If someone is willing to be a floater, meaning working any shift as needed, then I see nothing wrong with that.  On the other hand, forcing employees to be available at any time, or basically being on call, to come into work, just doesn’t seem fair nor does it seem like a good way to keep up company morale.

I mean think about it, people have lives outside of their work environment.  Those employees often have other responsibilities outside of their jobs; such as those towards a spouse, a parent or maybe even to children.  I am thinking off of the top of my head here; but, how many child care places are going to be as flexible as an employee needs if they are obligated to work at all hours of the day or night?

Many baby boomers are what they call the sandwich generation meaning they are taking care of their parents while they are at the same time working and raising their own children.  Schedules have to be somewhat co-ordinated with a spouse or significant other to meet all of those requirements.  I wonder too about people who have more than one job.  Many people can’t earn enough money to support themselves & their families one the income from a job, especially if it is part time.  How could they agree to come in at any time if they are holding a second job…having a concrete schedule is the only way to balance two jobs.  Also what about college students who are trying to get an education as well as work to pay for that education; how are they to be expected to come into work at any given moment when they must be in class on a set schedule?  These issues impact a lot of people.  It is important to the quality of life that people need to enjoy life.

I read about one employee who was asked to sign one of these agreements.   She had a personal conflict regarding her religious beliefs.  The young woman expressed concerns about possibly being forced to work on a Sunday; when she felt very strongly that Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest according to scripture in the Bible.  Once the media became aware of this woman’s conflict about signing the agreement… she was allegedly told by her employer that she would not be required to sign it.  She was worried that if she signed it she would find herself in the position of having to choose between her job and her faith or possibly loose her job altogether if she refused to sign it.  I wonder how that particular company will enforce this worker agreement with other employees if they allow some to sign it and others to refuse?  It gets complicated in my opinion.

What are your thoughts on this subject?  Is this an abuse of power?   Should employers get dibs on an employees time twenty four hours a day, seven days a week?  Who should have priority over decision making regarding the employees time…an employer, family members or the employee themselves?

         Put yourself in the position of a person who is hearing impaired, or a person who lives with special needs; and, consider some environments they they may experience differently than you; such as a trip to the hospital or emergency room.  How different would the experience be for you if you were the one who had difficulty making your needs known to the health care professionals.  Or say you are an elderly person who is experiencing hearing loss…how are you going to communicate with other residents or say the staff?   How about shopping or getting educational services at college or in elementary school?   How about ordering a meal in a restaurant?   Do you see how the quality of life can be improved for people impacted in this way?   Can you see how sign language could open doors for people if others in the community took the opportunity to learn it from someone like Louise or through her DVD’s?

Click on Image to listen to Interview

        If you are interested in learning more about Louise and her educational services please listen to the interview here:  http://www.rapidcashmarketing.com/lorrainesinterview/signingfamilies.htm

           Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common forms of dementia-there are over 50 types some of which are rare.  Words and thoughts become jumbled and communication is hindered.  It is a progressive disease and as time goes on…the effects become more devastating to those who are afflicted with the illness; and, to those who love and support them.  Some people who are healthy joke when forgetting something simple saying, that they have Old Timer’s disease.  It really is no laughing matter.  And truly, there is no age limit on this disease…there is something called early onset of Alzheimer’s disease…it can happen even at a relatively young age.  

          If you wish to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease check this out: http://www.alz.org/index.asp .   Seeking early medical intervention can make a big difference in how the disease progresses; talk to a doctor if you suspect a loved one has a form of dementia.  Testing can be done to diagnose the condition of dementia or Alzheimers fairly quickly.  There are some medications available that seem to help some patients have a more positive quality of life longer.  Talk with a health care professional about options that will benefit your loved one.

         Caregiving for someone who is living with Alzheimer’s is a labor of love-an intense, labor of love; and it is draining.      The disease steals a person’s memories of people, places and events.  A caregiver who provides support discovers that the care required soon can become overwhelming; as more functions and abilities become impared.   If it is at all possible, having more than one regular caregiver helps to avoid burnout and overload.  Try to balance the main cargiving duties between 2 or 3 familiar faces.  Encourage the caregivers to seek “me” time as a way of recharging their batteries.    There is no shame in seeking out adult day care or respite care to help give the caregiver some much needed “down time”.  It is exhausting to be on watch all day and all night.  See this link for help with understanding the demands of caregiving: http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/caregiverguide.htm or http://www.caregiving.org/.   Families need to come together soon after diagnosis to discuss how to handle and approach day-to-care, as well as medical care; while the patient is still able to voice his or her concerns and wishes regarding both long term and short term decisions. 

         It is also important to remember that conditions are constantly changing.  The losses mount up…so each day and each moment is precious.  This is a great time to encourage the person with Alzheimers to document their personal memories either by journaling, or by, recording on tape some of their important or precious memories that they want to share with others.  Maybe spend time together working on a scrapbook or memory book with pictures and short written words underneath the chosen pictures.  This is a good bonding time.  Pictures of people that are important in their life is a good way of keeping faces and names in front of the patient.   They may be asking often who the people in their life are.  As time goes on, they may not understand words used to describe relationships.  This is hard; but predictable, words and their meaning can become confusing and mixed up.   It is hard to know what is helpful and what will trigger agitation for each person…it is all very individualistic.   No one knows your loved one like you do…you will have to use your judgement often to make decisions about what is beneficial and what causes distress.

          As the person starts experiencing significant cognitive impairment or memory losses; a feeling of being lost or helpless can set in.  Fear and embarassment are part of the daily experience.  The abilities and skills that the person is  still able to use are helpful to giving them purpose and meaning.   Do not take that away from them as long as they are safe in performing those chores or activities.    People need to build upon the positives as much as possible.  Allow the affected person to be as independent and as safe as possible…remember to be mindful of their personal dignity.  It is helpful to try to treat the person in a way, that you yourself would wish to be treated if you were in their position.  Don’t talk down to them; or worse, use baby talk.  Repetition and an unending supply of patience is the key.  A calm voice and demeanor helps keep things on an even keel.   

         Use anything that is important to that person to keep reliving memories or moments with this person.  Talk about experiences, use old photos, home movies, audio tapes to keep the person connected to those important to them.   Maybe video tape or record some new conversations or activities together; these may be helpful to both the patient as well as family members later when things get more difficult.  Music is an important part of the equasion for many individuals.  Music has a special ability in the brain to trigger emotional responses of past experiences.  It also can have a calming effect on some people who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. 

          One of the hardest parts of loving someone with Alzheimers is getting to a place to where that person can’t remember who their loved ones are.  This is devastating…so anything you can do to prolong the time that you have during the “remembering years” is critical.  Remember, the forgetting is not something that they can control.  Don’t take it personal.  As the forgetting starts to happen more often…cling to those special little windows of time when they are able to surface through the fog and say or do something that let’s you know they are aware of who you are and how important you are to them.   I like this site as it is supportive to the caregivers of the world:  http://www.thoughtful-caregiver.com .   Do you do anything special to preserve memories?

            I read a wonderful book with a personal window into the world of caregiving by a woman who shared caregiving  responsibilities with her mother, for her father, who is afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.   The insight that she gives into the behind the scenes dynamics are important for people to know who are going through something similar.   The book was uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time.  I like the fact that they worked together as a team to try to make every day and every moment count together as they provide care for him.  There were many helpful tips in the book regarding ways of practical care.  If  you care to read the book it is called, Measure of the Heart-A Father’s Alzheimer’s A Daughter’s Return.  The book was written by Mary Ellen Geist about her family’s very personal experiences.  The book examines they journey and the grief they experience, as well as, the positive aspects of making the commitment to take on the challenge of providing familial caregiving. 

         I think the best part of the book is that the mother (wife) and daughter are constantly examining or acessing their experiences and it’s effects on both of them as caregivers as well as the patient.  It is the day to day examination of what is in the best interest of all concerned.  What works for them may not work for another…but, there are some commonalities that apply to many in their situation.  The book was published by Springboard Press; their website:  http://www.SpringboardPress.net .  The author’s website is here:  http://maryellengeist.com/content/index.asp .

       Do you have experience with someone you care about living with Alzheimer’s?  I think the thoughts  or fears of being forgotten is frightening, for the patient as well as their loved ones, is strong.    Do you have any tips or encouragement for others going through the same type of situation?  Please share!

         This is groundbreaking news in this fight.   The statistics are frightening…1 out of every 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime; for men, it is even worse, 1 out of every 2.  So unless you are a family of one, with no friends and you are the luckiest person in the whole wide world…cancer is going to touch someone you care about, at some point.  If you haven’t had to deal with the enemy cancer yet…consider yourself blessed beyond reason.   Everyone is touched by cancer whether it be personally or by knowing someone who has had to fight the fight. 

         This is a declaration of war that is being announced.  For the first time, all of the right elements are coming together…the funding, the research, the awareness, the treatments…and hopefully, the positive outcomes for millions of people around the world.  You can learn more here http://www.standup2cancer.org/ .  See what you can do, spread the word, donate, support research, help someone who is fighting a personal war by being a volunteer.  Thanks ahead of time!

Going out to eat when you are trying to save money means, well, that you eat off of the dollar menu at fast food places.  On the rare occasions that you treat yourself, for those who are strapped for cash, you generally can’t find healthy food cheap; so…just know that going in.

Wanting to see a movie; prepare to spend, spend, spend…unless you rent a video/dvd….do people still do that?  Going out to the movie theater means spending money for the ticket, for snacks and for drinks; it becomes quite costly.  For years, our family just purchased dvd’s and video’s, so that they could be rewatched, saving  us a pretty penny.  If you happen to do yard/garage sales you can save even more by purchasing your video/dvd’s at a pre-owned price.  At the same time, buying things pre-owned is a way of reusing, reducing (trash), and recycling items by repurposing them for someone else’s use.  I like that!

The trick to saving money when it comes to your personal or family’s entertainment is to look for coupons, specials, two-for-one deals or even free entertainment.  What’s that you say…what is free now days?

When it comes to free entertainment…I believe people are going to go back to the old fashioned entertainments.  You will begin to see individuals and families going back to the basics with gardening, picnics, swimming, sports, walks in the park, short sunday drives, and yes, even reading.

What other kind of entertainment can you get as much bang for your buck?  With a book you can travel the world, educate yourself, comfort yourself, ride the waves of emotions, connect to people, places and time, have a historical encounter, explore a new culture or career; you will be able to read people’s minds through the expertise of a great writer!  A great writer knows how to take you on a trip and make you feel like you could smell the flowers on the page of the most vividly described page in the book.  A great writer will make you feel like you have just  met the most physically attractive and the most impeccably dressed individual you have ever known.  You will grieve when you have to part at the end of the book.  A great writer, or word specialist, will take their time to make you feel, see, and hear the story that they have to share with you.  It is their skill with descriptive words that takes you to the world between the pages.

I recently heard, on a Good Morning America video piece, that sales in the romance book industry is flying high.  http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7603141 It  is cheap entertainment to pick up a romance book/or other paper back books for a mere $5-$8.oo investment.  It is a book…it can be read over and over again; or, creative people can do book exchanges with one another.  Those with a real frugal personality, and maybe a greener nature  than the average bear, can be found at the library…checking out books for free; just so that they can occupy themselves with the cheapest form of entertainment there is: reading!   Let’s not forget the techie who often reads books/novels on their kindle…therefore wasting little money and no trees that were cut down for printing of the book.   Ok people, go amuse yourselves!!!