Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day

Still too short on the lawn mowing. I hope if your son or daughter come over today and want to mow the lawn for you, they are reminded of the proper mowing height. Still to many people are not cutting their grass at the proper mowing height and now with the summer upon us it is even more important
 to raise the cutting height on the machine. Just this week I noticed a lawn that looked way better then it had the previous year, and the homeowner had made several improvements. Yet he is still mowing to short. Remember homeowners, your turf is not a golf green. So raise those decks.

Here comes Summer

The second to last day of Spring was absolutely gorgeous. There was no better day then yesterday weather wise. Just perfect conditions. All the annuals at the campus and vegetables at home have been fed again. Everything has healed in nicely and the color of the flowers are vibrant. The vegetable flower bloom is not full yet but well on its way.

Summer Chores

I like to get the outside deck all cleaned and ready for use. Our deck is really a outside
 living space. It is surrounded by 2 sides of our house and 2 sides of plants. All total we surround the deck with over 30 plants.
Some people have commented that it is tropical. Now I don't know about that but its very relaxing.

Question?

I was asked this week why a persons peonies were not blooming. If your peonies are not blooming it is most likely that they are planted to deep. The top of the root ball needs to be even or level with the existing soil grade.

If I could talk to the Animals

A turtle, fox,skunk, cardinal,oriole, heron and of course our campus tenant the red tail hawk were all spotted this week.
Sam the dog got his annual clipping. And this time it is really short. He does not even look like the same dog. Pretty funny looking if you know Sam.

Strawberry Fields

The strawberries are early this year and smaller. But still taste great. We picked a few pounds this week and are in the process of making Strawberry Italian Ice.

Plant of the Post

Gold Thread Cypress gives year round color and can with stand different soil conditions. Plant as a single specimen or in a grouping. I have one at home and a few at the campus.

News and Politics

Glad to see B.P. removed the person in charge and replaced him. Most news analyse say it will not make much of a difference. But I disagree. I think a new face and attitude is just what is needed.
The Race for D.A. is on. You will really see the candidate's on the stump now.  I am leaning away from the politician or Asst. D.A.s on this one and may-be thinking of an outsider. That only leaves Kogut and Mastranonni.

Fineto

Starting a arboretum in the city has been on my mind this week. I wonder if one already exists.We will have to check it out.
Its funny that I tell a story about my mother on fathers day. But that's where I am at in he story. Marie A.Kelley was born some where in West Virginia in 1925 to Col. Micheal J. and Olive Kelley. Olive died at 47 due to Ovarian Cancer and Mike in 1956 or 57 to heart attack. He had retired and moved to Springfield to be closer to his grandchildren and the family he had left in the area. He was born in Worcester Ma. He died in my parents house on a hot summer day, and when that happen it triggered a series of events locally and in Washington. For several hours that day Willowbrook Drive in the 16 Acres section of Springfield was closed down. First with several local federal agents and then with many more from Washington. Lt. Col Mike Kelley would have to be identified as deceased before being transported to Arlington National Cemetery. I know my mother must have been devastated, as for years she would talk about her father as he was a hero. And to her he was. My mother being a only child became very close with so many people. Her cousin Kathleen and Marie were very close and some thought they were sisters. And all along the way she became friends with so many people. Mrs Boland, Mrs Keefe, Mrs.Dale, just to name a few. So many friends from her work, the cafeteria workers to the teachers and school staff. Her cousins in Worcester, friends back in D.C. The Wrights, Serras, Murphys, Sullivans and Dimauros. Every one adored Marie, she was a friend of everyone. So many that even the gym teacher at the school she last worked at found out she was sick and needed to retire because she was out of sick time. Well he offered to give his sick time to her in hopes of her recovery. She was truly a friend to all. The out pouring of support to her and our family when she was sick and died was unbelievable. And after 25 years of her passing, people still will say to me she was an incredible woman. I only knew my mother for 23 years and a lot of that she was sick or away. I miss the fact she did not see my kids grow up, but I know she would be proud of them. The other thing about Marie, much like Kay, you did not want to cross her. May-be that's why she had so many friends. The local baker, banker, and store clerk. The auto mechanic, dentist, fireman and cop. Teacher, Principal and custodian. The drug dealer, bookie, and mafia boss. All on Marie's side.


Stay tuned for more short stories of the old Yankee Stadium and Saving Matt Davis
Good Luck and Happy Fathers Day. 


        Eddie are you kidding!


P.S.  Do they still come out at night Hall and Oates?