Very A-peel-ing

I am hoping for a good turnout at my second Hosta Rescue (July 2). I did it on a whim a couple of years ago as sort of this cornball thing to do, and don't you know, we had people prowling around our yard most of the day and we took in big bucks. So hey, I wasn't born yesterday. And Lord knows I do have the hostas.

I am weird with my hobby of growing hostas, I know that. But it's fun. It gives me pleasure. Plus, I know that every hosta I split and plant lessens my carbon footprint just a bit. I suppose I'll feel that way too when we get going planting mango trees and avocado trees and banana plants all over the island of La Gonave, Haiti.

We just ordered our first banana plants. Our vision for La Gonave is to plant a quarter million of them this decade. They cost us just 3 bucks each to purchase and deliver. Very a-peel-ing.

Blessings,

Steve

2011 Great American Hosta Rescue

The wait is over...

2011 Great American Hosta Rescue

Saturday, July 2

9 AM - Noon

3725 Oak Creek Ct. SE

Grand Rapids, Michigan

All proceeds go to benefit Starfysh's relief and development efforts in Haiti.

Repeat after me... "I need hostas. I need hostas." Very good.

The Waffle Dog Days of Summer

Made it out to Brian and Jen's Waffle Dogs for Haiti event last weekend. I'm always game for experiencing new food group combinations and this one didn't let me down. They were breakfast sausages surrounded by deep-fried waffle batter... on a stick. Dip those bad boys in syrup and you'll never waffle again about waffle dogs. Brian tells me this is a common food of the Philipines. Whether it was hunger or curiosity that brought them in, a continuous flow of neighbors stopped by to chat and eat and hear a bit about what's going on in Haiti. Nearly $1600 was donated to our work.

I also enjoyed hearing about the gigantic grease fire they had in their driveway the night before when they were going through a trial run. I suppose the grease tattoo permanently etched into the concrete will always be a nostalgic reminder of those waffle dog days of Summer.

Ah, the memories.

Of Romans and Woodpeckers

We're having a good bird year around our house this year. Lots of variety. Lots of numbers. Lots of color. Today I had the rare opportunity to see a pileated woodpecker fairly close up. Seeing him from the window of our house I figured it might be possible to sneak up on him. Keeping a big tree between me and him I was able to get within about fifteen feet from him as he worked over a soft log nestled among the trilliums down near the creek. It is times like this that I wish I had a big telephoto lens.

Pileateds are the largest of the woodpeckers, growing to about 18 inches tall. Woody Woodpecker was a pileated. A pileus was one of those felt skull caps worn by the early Romans. Another fun fact you can use to astound your friends.

Glad I can be of help.

Steve