Write Queen Writes from Her Little Bit of Heaven

By: Freda Douglas

Well, I am in my fourth month as a resident of Alabama, settled here like I was born here. Maybe that is because the terrain hereabouts reminds me of my native Pennsylvania. In reality it is because my adoptive family surrounds me with such love as I haven’t felt since my husband John died in 2001.

I know there have been a few people who cared for me in the last six going on seven years, such as James who spoiled me something fierce and couldn’t ever seem to do enough for me, like Gary, my medical careperson who never tried to pull the wool over my eyes and who was always honest with me or Bess, who always sent me postcards no matter where Jim and she went and usually arrived home before I ever received the cards. And there was always Jewely, but she is a story unto herself.

But there is no greater feeling than having love showered on you despite your faults, your age and your eccentricities.

The countryside around where we live is absolutely beautiful. I have watched out my window in the morning to see the trees bare, gradually coming to life, and now they are practically in full grandeur. We had a late frost a few weeks ago, and that stunted, but didn’t kill, their beauty.

Linda has two bird feeders outside my window. One is for the bigger birds and one is for hummingbirds, The hummingbirds are no larger than a large bumble bee, but do they ever eat.

Last week the feeder went empty so quickly Linda thought she might not have screwed the bottom of the feeder on tight enough. She checked it and finally decided the little birds had big appetites.

Twice we have gone sightseeing after church. Jason drives a truck and has found many spots to show us. Jason is just like a homing pigeon. Once he’s been a place he can always find it again. He makes a great tour guide.

Properties are well maintained in our neck of the woods, and most have lush green, manicured yards. Surprising to me, most of the homes are single level, some one and a half stories, but very few taller than that. Of curse those with money very often have what I call mansions which are breath-taking, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable in such opulence.

Do I miss my Florida friends? Of course. You don’t live in a place for more than 20 years without a tug in your heart for those you left behind. Do I regret resettling to Alabama? No, I don’t. Am I happy here? You are happy where you are loved, and I am loved.

Remember, always, God loves you and so do I.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/family/article_2628.shtml

Top 25 Environmental Gift Ideas

By: Shannon Kilkenny

Now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas gift buying is in full swing. The challenge is on! With only a few shopping days left and perhaps many gifts still to buy; here are a few ways to minimize your shopping time and frustration and simultaneously make a significant difference for the environment. When making a few changes in your buying styles and habits you can have a considerable impact on the environment with little effort.

It’s really fairly easy. Just follow some of the gift ideas below and enjoy the satisfaction of being part of the “green” movement by greening your gifts. Make it a truly “green” holiday this year. Take heed!

Remember try to give gifts that people need, can use and are practical. Be creative! Try these……

1. Tickets to movies, concerts, museums, sporting events, outdoor activities or an annual pass to national parks.

2. House or garden plants, herbs, seeds and bulbs. Pots and planters boxes made from natural ingredients.

3. Gift certificates to clothing, electronics, books, grocery, or vitamin stores.

4. Donate to one or more Charities in the name of your recipient.

5. Give the gift of YOU! Make coupons for services such as babysitting, a night out at the movies, dinners dates, weekends away, massages, yard work, dog-walking or help write a resume or article, give a computer lesson or offer some other talent or skill you can share.

6. An old book or collector’s item. Things with a unique meaning. Shop at antique stores, estate sales or flea markets.

7. Cook home-baked sweets and put in a reusable tin box, a kitchen container, or another usable item.

8. Any homemade item. A knitted hat or scarf.

9. Fair-trade organic chocolate or coffee. Always a hit.

10. Clothes and other items made from hemp, wool, or organic cotton.

11. A roll of postage stamps.

12. Office supplies such as recycled paper and envelops.

13 Energy efficient light bulbs, battery re-chargers, or solar-powered products.

14. First aid kits or emergency road side equipment.

15. Board and card games that will be used over and over again.

16. For your children, you can open a savings account, buy stocks or bonds.

17. A gift gasoline card for your teenager or college student.

18. A calendar marked with important dates, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings.

19. A book of favorite recipes.

20. Carbon offsetting. This purchase erases negative energy footprint of reducing carbon emissions.

21. Music and books. itunes or the equivalent downloadable books and music.

22. Plant trees in the name of your beneficiary.

23. Name a star after

24. Have a party and invite everyone over as your gift.

25. A years membership to an Environmental organization, a health spa, the auto club.

The list is really endless if you just take a moment to think about your purchase. If you consider where the product was made, what it is made of, who made it, what actually went in to the manufacturing of the product, you might want to reconsider that purchase. Fact: A manufactured item will generate 70 times its weight in waste during manufacturing. Wow!

To learn more about how become more environmental conscious when planning your holiday parties and events, planning conferences, workshops and seminars, and events of all sizes, shapes, and styles, visit my website: http://www.successfuleventplanning.com.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/family/article_2514.shtml

Write Queen Takes a Trip

By: Freda Douglas

As I told you in a previous newsletter Jason is a wonderful tour guide. Let me tell you about the last “tour”.

Normally we take our sightseeing after church on Sunday. This time, however, Jason and Jennifer had business in Guntersville that had to be taken care of on a weekday. Saturday morning we piled into the car, and headed for Guntersville, which is one of the originally settled areas in Alabama and is surrounded by lakes.

The business didn’t take long and we headed up the steep hill out of town to have lunch at a place called O’Charley’s. If you’re ever in Guntersville you absolutely must try O’Charley’s potato soup. It is to die for.

After eating we started our “tour” which was to include Guntersville State Park. Pennsylvania is my native state, and hills and trees remind me of home. Even though I lived in Florida for 23 years if you wanted to see hills and woods you had to travel north, way north.

We probably traveled 30 minutes before we came to our destination, but what a destination it was. We stayed at the lower levels where there were scads of people. We stopped often so Jennifer and Linda could take pictures which I hope to put a selection on my computer so if I can learn from Jennifer how to send them, and if I can learn, watch a future article to contain them.

After a complete tour through the parks, going only five or ten miles an hour because of the large amount of children, we headed up the mountain where we saw some beautiful homes with eye-popping views and those for sale had mind-boggling prices – for example $1,500,000 and another one for $672,000.

We admired them, kept on going, passing an under-construction lodge which will house a 5 star restaurant. All of a sudden we were to a look-out point where we stopped for more picture taking.

We went still higher where there were rental abodes. I can’t call them cottages and I most definitely would not call them camps. They would, in my mind, be classified as lodges. Guess what? They had two which were handicapped accessible. We decided that would be an excellent place to go for a weekend retreat, rent a lodge and eat at the 5 star restaurant. We are all going to start saving our money to do that, and we have a Florida family friend we’re going to invite.

Sounds like fun, wouldn’t you agree?

We spent a little more time in the state park, and headed home, where my cat and their dogs were glad to see their human family again.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/family/article_2621.shtml