Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Shroud of Darkness

SHROUD OF DARKNESS

Darkness hangs like a shroud,
sooner or later we'll be together again.
Our love is all we need.

All is silent, ominously silent,
violence will continue,
an event setting off a chain of events.

A blaze of flame at the top of the cliff,
begging, pleading - then burst into flames;
he is gone, never to return.

A great storm rages over the heaven,
a rainless storm
for vengeance has become an obsession;
and he takes advantage of the opportunity for revenge,
by killing the girl his enemy loves;
turning her into a grotesque skeleton of his lost love.

Darkness hangs like a shroud,
as the stormy night draws closer to dawn.
A young man broods over a decision;
an era gone by,
the threshold between past and future.
Torn between the woman he once loved and the one he now loves.

Morning, a morning that should be a happy one,
love that lasted through time,
haunting adventure,
mysterious and terrifying
stands in majestic isolation.

Under the brightness of a full moon,
but no one knows that under this full moon
means something it has never meant before.
It is the sign of a new and evil power
that prowls the woods in search of a victim.

First night with strange and weird discoveries -
faint voices from the past
over an ancient phone with on wire connections.
There is a storm raging, a storm that can't block out
the wails of the past, the wails legends say
come when there is someone to die, the wails of the dead.

Darkness envelopes the world tonight for an incantation has been performed to rid the house of strange spirits roaming the halls -
there is danger in this night -
a mysterious voice from beyond the grave and a new terror
will take over the feelings of the frightened family.

The great halls echo, with the rumble of thunder illuminated
by light flashes of the angry storm, as two angry
spirits battle in conflict - spirits long since dead,
as the rain finally starts to fall.
Posted by Bobbi Rightmyer at 9/09/2010 06:05:00 PM No commen

Shambles


SHAMBLES

A summer storm has subsided 
and all is quiet, 
but there are continued hints of clandestine gloom.
Everything is now in ruins 
and an ever growing mystery 
is leading to a new event, 
drawing us closer to catastrophe.





(Photo by Dan Felstead of Wood and Pixels Narratives)

Spell-Bound

SPELL-BOUND

Terrifying experiences
signal a disaster is coming.
Although the surface seems calm and serene,
unbeknownst to them,
strange things have begun to happen
A long dead woman,
spell-bound by her beauty,
has been lured from her grave,
to make them pay,
to seek her revenge.

Emotional Labyrinth



EMOTIONAL LABYRINTH

The mouse who decided to build a labyrinth
was amazed at all the entanglement.
The jungle of knots and frayed little mess
lead to emotional upset and stress.

Lightning bugs



Lightning Bugs


Sun is drifting down to the
horizon – brightening the
western sky.
Shadows are lengthening, spreading
across the lawn
children still run and play
for dark to beckon the
lightning bugs.

Rainy days


Copyright The Savage World


I love rainy days! I don't know what it is about them, but they make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Maybe it's because I like to curl up under a fuzzy blanket and read a book. Or many times, it will inspire my creativity nature and I can't put my notebooks or laptop down. Many times I will just sit and knit while watching and listening to the rain; it makes a beautiful combination.

I know most people are hating the fact that spring is almost gone, but I am so looking forward to autumn. The cool crisp air, dewy mornings and overcast days - these motivate me more than the sunshiny days of summer.

So, if you're like me and love rainy days - hurray for us because today will be perfect. If you don't like them, I'm sorry, but we have had a pretty hot summer, so I'm ready for the cool down.

Latch


(Photo copyright Dan Felstead of Wood and Pixel Narratives)

LATCH

 Rusted metal, forged with care,
now oxidized and worn;
cobweb covered from disuse,
sure to squeal when opening
the latch is so old,
forgotten.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Mrs. Greenhands - BlackBerry winter

(Please remember - this author is not suggesting any type of herbal or alternative medicines.  Consult a doctor or healthcare provider before using any type of herbal or alternative medicine.)
Blackberries in bloom
bdr
Ever wonder why the Bluegrass was so cold this past weekend?  If you are an older gardener, or remember your grandparents gardening, then you know we are having a "Blackberry Winter." Old gardening lore tells us that when the Blackberries start blooming in May, we will usually have a snap of cold weather, and this is certainly true of this past weekend.  Blackberries, or Rubus species, are blooming all over Kentucky, blanketing the countryside with a sea of white blossoms.
Blackberries fall into two distinct categories:  wild and thornless.  WildBlackberries are tall with thorny, arching canes and compound leaves. The marble size berries start out red and slowly turn a deep purple-black color when fully ripe. The Blackberry canes are biennials - living only two years - while the roots are perennial - living indefinitely.Blackberries of both types multiply by spreading roots
Thornless Blackberries, or tame Blackberries are just as their name suggests. These canes contain no thorns and make harvesting very easy. Typically theBlackberries of thornless varieties are much larger, but they also contain larger seeds. Many people prefer the taste of tame berries to wild berries, but personally, I think the wild ones taste much better.
Edible Blackberries: Every portion of the Blackberry -  leaves, berries and roots - are edible or medicinal.  Naturally, the berries are the prized element ofBlackberries and they can be eaten raw right off the vine or cooked into delicious desserts.  Blackberries also make yummy jams and jellies.  Young edible shoots can be harvested in the spring, peeled and used in salads.  TheBlackberry leaves also make a great tea, rich in Vitamin A and several minerals.
 
Medicinal Blackberries: The leaf is more commonly used as a medicinal herb, but the root also has medicinal value.
  •  The root-bark and the leaves are astringent and diuretic. They make an excellent alternative medicine for dysentery, **diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and cystitis.
  •  Orally, the roots can be used to treat sore throats, mouth ulcers and gum inflammations.
  •  A decoction of the leaves is useful as a gargle in treating thrush and also makes a good general mouthwash.
  •  The presence of large amounts of tannins that give Blackberryroots and leaves an astringent effect useful for treating diarrhea are also helpful for soothing sore throats.
  •  Medicinal syrup is also made from Blackberry, using the fruit and root bark in honey for a cough remedy.
  •  Blackberry vinegar can be used to sooth the throat by making compresses. Dip a cloth into the vinegar and wrap around the throat, then wrap with a couple of layers of dry cloth - reapply several times daily until throat feels better.
**As a personal note - I have used a tonic to Blackberry leaves and roots to help treat diarrhea naturally and it works great.
Blackberries contain bioflavonoids, which have weak estrogenic activity (1/50,000 the strength of estrogen).  Even though the estrogen properties are low, Blackberries are very effective in controlling such common menopausal symptoms as hot flashes, anxiety, irritability, and fatigue. I have just started experimenting with this to see if it will help my hot flashes and anxiety, so I'll keep you updated.
Trivia:  Centuries ago,  Blackberries were  supposed to give protection against all 'evil runes,' if gathered at the right time of the moon. Ancient Greek physicians prescribed the herb for gout, but the most common uses were for treating diarrhea, sore throats, and wounds. Native Americans made fiber, obtained from the stem, and used it to make a strong twine.  Blackberry brambles were also used as a barricade around villages to protect them from 4 and 2 legged predators.
For more information on Blackberries in Kentucky, check out this article from the UK Cooperative Extension Office and Kentucky Proud.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Gingerbread



(Photo copyright Dan Felstead of Wood and Pixel Narratives)

GINGERBREAD

 The hydrangeas bloom in flamboyant blue,
mopheads drooping down to the ground.
The gingerbread siding of the aging home
appear more garish against the stunning flowers.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Mrs. Greenhands - Planting beans

It is time to start thinking about planting beans in your family vegetable garden. Here in the Bluegrass Region, many people have already started this job and are seeing tiny results for their effort.




Beans grown for the pod – green snap beans – are the most common type of bean a home gardener will grow. Some beans are also grown just for the bean itself and not the pod. Lima beans and soybeans are also popular beans grown in the home garden.
The bush type of snap beans is the most popular because they mature early and require less space. Pole beans require some type of trellis device – stakes, fence, etc. – for support. They also require a few more days to mature their pods and they will continue to bear over a longer period than bush beans.
Beans grow with little care and produce an abundance of pods. They also add nitrogen to the soil, making them ideal plants for organic vegetable gardens. Be sure to select varieties that will mature within your growing season and thrive in your region’s conditions.
Choose a spot that is sunny most of the day. The soil should be well drained or the bean seeds can rot before germination occurs. Sow bean seeds directly into your garden – beans get off to a better start if the soil is at least 60°F. Plant bush snap beans in rows 24 to 30 inches apart and plant the seeds 2 to 3 inches apart and 1 inch deep. Plant pole beans 4 to 6 inches apart in rows 26 to 48 inches apart. Plant bush bean and pole varieties every 2 to 3 weeks until 60 days before the first expected fall frost.
Keep the soil moist but not wet and do not wet the leaves when watering because it can encourage rust or other fungal diseases.
When snap beans are ready to be picked, they snap in half easily and you can see outlines of the bean inside. Pick filet beans before they reach a pencil thickness and harvest shell beans and roma beans when the seeds have reached full size, but before the pods begin to dry.

Beans are perfect for your home organic garden. Not only are they easy to grow, there are multitudes of types and varieties sure to please just about anyone, and the health benefits are enormous.
Delicious fresh green beans
googleimages
  • Beans are loaded with protein your body needs.
  • Beans are an excellent source of “good” carbohydrates ands a great source of iron and calcium.
  • With fiber galore, beans aid the digestion process. 1 serving of pinto beans has 1/2of your daily fiber needs.
  • Beans slow the rise in blood sugar after a meal, they make a great choice for diabetics.
Beans come in two basic edible types:
  • Snap or green beans
  • Dry or shell beans
Snap – Snap beans, also called green or yellow wax beans, are the beans most people think of growing in their home garden. Snap beans are so tender, fresh and crispy that you’ll be tempted to eat them straight from the plant. Some popular varieties of these include Kentucky Wonder, Yellow Wax, Blue Lake, Kentucky Blue, and the French “haricort vert” varieties. Haricort vert simply means “beans, green” in French.
Dry or Shell – The beans in this category mature on the plant and dry in their pods. They must be shelled and allowed to dry. Dry beans include pintos, Great Northern, Black, Jacobs Cattle, and kidney, among others. These are perfect for bean soups, refried, and baked beans.
Beans grow either as a bush variety or a vine/climbing variety. The climbing variety will need a pole, fence, trellis type of structure to cling to, while the bush variety doesn’t require any support.
Most beans hate cold weather and will rot in cold soil, so wait until all danger of frost has passed. Here in the Madison area, that usually means planting beans about the end of May in full sun. You can find packages of bean seeds at local shops such as Kleins Greenhouse on East Washington, Johannsens on Troy Drive, or either of the two Willy Street Co Ops. Be sure to check the package to determine if it is a bush or climbing type to determine if you need to provide support to the vines. Also try to determine ahead of time how much you will need and if you plan on replanting extra, as later in the season it may be hard to find additional seed.
Most bush bean seeds should be planted about 2-3 inches apart then after they germinate, thin to about 4-6 inches apart. Climbing beans need a bit more space but make up for it by growing upward. Plant these about 8-10 inches apart and then thin to about 12 inches apart. Another cool thing about beans, in the garden, they fix nitrogen from the air, which adds to the fertility of your soil.
Plan to plant more beans about every two weeks to ensure an ongoing, good supply. Snap beans must be harvested before their pods begin to harden and become tough. If they start to mature in the pod, that will slow down flowering.
If you are growing dry bean varieties like great northern, kidney, pinto and other soup type beans, these types need to stay on the plant until they are fully mature on the plant then pick, shell and then dry. The pods will be like a beige brown and very brittle.
Harvest or work in the bean section of your garden when the bean foliage is dry, so as not to spread rust. They are shallow rooted so weed and cultivate carefully so as not to disturb the bean plants.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Mrs. Greenhands - Planting spring onions

There are two main types of onions in the Bluegrass Region: American (pungent flavor) and foreign (mild flavor). Each type comes in three colors: yellow, white and red. The American onions produce bulbs of smaller size, denser texture and stronger flavor, which story great.
For green onions, use sets, seeds or transplants for spring plant. For fall planting use perennial tree and potato onion sets. Onions that keep well in storage are globe types. Glob v varieties are yellow, red and white and are grown from seeds.
Spring planted sets are popular and should be placed 1 to 2 inches apart and 2 inches deep. Rows should be 12 to 18 inches apart, or you can use square foot gardening for closer planting. Avoid large sets in spring plantings. Larger sets are likely to produce seed stalks. Divide the onion sets into two sizes before planting. Large sets (bigger than a dime) are best used for green onions. The smaller sets produce the best bulbs for large, dry onions.
Sets of perennial tree or potato onion sets should be harvested in late October or early November. Fall planted sets should be spaced 4 inches apart in rows 1 to 2 feet apart. Onions are shallow-rooted and compete poorly with weeds grasses, so keep the bed well-weeded.

Monday, March 28, 2016

The wonder, the magic





The Wonder, The Magic

The wonder, the magic
Of reading a book
Sharing a world
Where authors have tread
Visiting places of pure imagination
Seeing the people
We create in our minds

The wonder, the magic
Of reading a book
Learning new phrases
An author has molded
Beholding new sights in imaginative form
Seeing the characters
Made-up into life

The wonder, the magic
Of reading a book
Enjoying the splendor
As crafted by authors
Rejoicing in glorious imagination
Seeing the pictures
The words bring to life

Monday, March 21, 2016

Unseen Wonders



Unseen Wonders

I know they're around me every day
The evidence is right before my eyes
A beautiful flower, a glistening rock
A heavenly scent from above

Some will tell you things are not real
If you can't see or smell or feel
But I believe in the unexplainable
The unseeable wonders abound

What of the stars way up in the heavens
Or the fluffy clouds floating by
What of the sun and the moon
I can't touch them, but they're real

So, what of prayers escaping from lips
Hushed and hurried, whispered in vain
Does God really hear, is he listening to all
Faith, I have faith he can hear

So, what of dreams filling our heads
Wishes and goals constantly thought
Do our dreams come true, does wishing make it so
Faith, I have faith dreams come true

So, what of love in this harsh world of ours
Does unconditional love still exist
Or has the me-me generation changed our path
Faith, I have faith love will see us through

Thursday, March 10, 2016

'Fraidy Cat

This really happened at my house a few years ago, so I though it was appropriate to share here with my friends.

I am such a 'fraidy cat. For people who know me, this is nothing new, but recently I took being scared to a new level. One night last week when I let our dog outside for his nightly romp and “business”, I heard a strange noise in the front yard. Because it was ten o’clock and about 25 degrees outside, I stood in the front doorway, bathed in the yellow light from the bug light. The pale yellow glow only projected a few feet from the porch, so I couldn’t see which direction the dog went.

At the moment the dog bounded off into the blackness, I heard a metallic scraping noise from the corner of the house. At first I thought it was my overactive imagination, but when I opened the door to call for the dog, I heard the noise again.

My hubby had recently been up on the roof to retrieve a wayward Frisbee, and he had left the metal ladder laying next to the front porch, so I thought maybe the dog had bumped into it. But the dog wasn’t answering my calls, and every time I opened the door and stuck my head out, I heard the noise again.

The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end and I had cold shivers run down my spine. I closed the door and said to my hubby, “There’s someone in the front yard.” He laughed and said it was probably the dog, but by this time I was convinced someone was standing near the ladder, just a few feet from the front door.

Hubby got up and came to the door. He opened the door, and I heard the noise again. “Did you hear that? There it goes again!” He stepped out onto the porch and whistled for the dog. Then my hubby started laughing harder.

“Is that the noise you heard,” as the squeaky noise sounded again.

“Yes, who is that?”

My hubby nearly doubled over with laughter as the dog came bounding back into the house.

The lurking stranger who was waiting to murder us all in our sleep was actually the English Ivy that had grown up to the front porch and was rubbing on the metal door every time it was opened.

Needless to say, pruning was on my to-do list for the next day.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Argument


Argument

How do you write about an argument, when you hardly ever argue?
How do you tell someone about your misunderstanding, when you don't even understand yourself?
How do you fix hurt feelings, when you weren't the one to hurt the feelings?
How you you listen to complaints from the heart, when the complaints have nothing to do with you?


Argument, altercation, blowup, brawl,
Controversay, clash, debate, dispute,
Exchange, feud, gin, hassle,
Knockdown, quarrel, row, ruckus,
Squabble, tiff, word, wrangle.


Our rhubarb was a nasty one
A clash of major proportions
The tangle finally ran a ground
A polemic disagreement

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Mrs. Greenhands - Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks are wonderful editions to the Bluegrass garden and now is the time to start planting seeds. Remember, hollyhocks are biennials, so they will not bloom in their first year. Here are the steps for planting hollyhock seeds:
Hollyhocks
Google Images
  1. Collect hollyhock seeds from a friendly neighbor or buy them from a seed catalog. Hollyhocks grow best in Zones 3 through 9. These flowers are considered biennials, but can be perennials if the flowers are dead headed at the end of their growing season.
  2. Start growing the hollyhock seeds indoors to get a jump on the growing season. These flowers typically have a blooming season from July to September in most parts of the country. Plant the seeds about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. By starting them early they may bloom the first year.
  3. Use good soil with lots of compost to help the seeds grow. Be sure to use pots with some depth or use peat pots as hollyhocks do tap roots. They don't need to be planted too deeply, just ¼ inch or so in depth. If deciding to sow the seeds directly into the garden, sprinkle the seeds on top of tilled soil and sprinkle more soil to cover the seeds ¼ inch.
  4. Transplant seedlings into the garden when all danger of frost has passed. Be sure the roots are covered with soil and that the flowers are 1 ½ to 2 feet apart. They grow well in full sun to partial shade and need to be watered regularly.
  5. Hollyhocks will continue to self-propagate, spreading themselves around the garden.

Monday, February 29, 2016

I Believe



I Believe

I believe in unconditional love - for a child, a spouse, a grandchild.

I believe there is something after death - but I'm not sure if it's heaven or hell, maybe a combination of both.

I believe in one great creator - but who really knows if it's God or Goddess or Ali or Who?

I believe in happiness - even though sometimes it may be very far from my life; I do have happy moments to look back on.

I believe in romantic love - the kind I feel for my hubby; it may not always be sizzling hot, but it is comfortable and just for us.

I believe in time because I see it marching across my face, I see it in my collection of daily journels, I see it in the progression of my children.

I believe in the constant seasons - though changing as they may; from fall to winter, spring to summer, they always come back again.

I believe in the moon to guide my lonely nights - the same continual glow and company my ancestors did enjoy.

I believe in the stars above for they have forseen the way - long before the lowly race of humans was a twinkle in someone's eye.

I believe in the sun who keeps us all alive - providing warmth and growing energy, the sun will see us through.

I believe ...

I really believe ...

Monday, February 22, 2016

Musing Monday - what's on your childhood bookshelf?

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about your bookshelf -
What books did you read while in school? Were there any that you particular liked, or even hated? Did any become lifelong favorites?


I read mostly fiction when I was in school, so I guess this is the reason I've had a life-long addiction to fiction reading. Some of my favorites in school were:

A Wrinkle in Time
The Betsy Books (B is for Betsy, Betsy's Little Star, etc.)
The Trixie Belden series
The Wizard of Oz series (the original books by Frank L. Baum)
Alice in Wonderland
Through the Looking Glass
Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret
The Three Investigators series
Little Women
The Lord of the Rings series


Most of these books I still love as an adult. When my girls were younger, these are the first books I bought for them, and although they may not still enjoy them now, they still hold a place in my heart.

Monday, February 15, 2016

The Dark Dragon


THE DARK DRAGON

The dark dragon has me again,
clasped tightly in his steely claws.
Why does he invade my life at this festive time of year,
dragging me down to the depths of hell
where my life passes before my eyes
in a neverending stream of sorrow?
I've known the good and joyous
and my heart beats daily for my cherished loves.
I know my life is rich and blessed
and there is so much more to come,
but the dragon has other plans
and although he only owns a tiny piece of my soul,
this tiny piece can grab and hold
with determination and perseverance.
I try to be strong,
but I'm oh so weak,
so I end up in the mire,
wallowing in self-pity,
too may locked doors to escape.
I want to be free to smell the clean air
and absorb the love of my family,
but the dragon's thick hide has been transferred to me
as I sink ever deep to the pit below.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Mrs. Greenhands - keeping Valentine's flowers fresh

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, women all over the Bluegrass Region will be expecting flowers from that special person in their life. Here are a few ways to keep your Valentine’s Day flowers fresh and help them last longer.
  • Add floral fresh to the water to help the blooms last longer
  • Change the water if it becomes murky and add more floral fresh.
  • Look for fresh green leaves, but make sure the leaves stay out of the water in the vase. Leaves in the water will cause mold and shorten the life of the flowers.
  • Keep vases away from extreme temperatures. A cool room is the perfect place to keep your blooms happy and healthy.
  • If your roses start to wilt, submerge them in cold water for 30 minutes, re-cutting the stems at an angle.
  • As the flowers start to wilt and die, remove from the arrangement. It may be necessary to use a smaller container to keep the bouquet looking proportional.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Mrs. Greenhands - Dandelion Salad


Happy Groundhog Day - a gardeners indication to see if spring will make an a early appearance. During the winter, not much is growing and gardeners are chomping at the bit to get started. Gardening catalogues are flooding in and you are planning your fantastic garden for summer 2016. However, you can probably find dandelion leaves poking their heads up and this is one of the plants that blooms very early in the spring. Here is a recipe using dandelion leaves ... afterall, 
weeds are in the eyes of the beholder.


Pick tender young leaves for salads - before the flowers bloom - they're great mixed with other pungent greens such as cress and arugula, and dressed with a good vinegar. Since the dandelion part of this recipe is so easy, I will also include directions on how to make great vinegar (although this takes 4 weeks to get the full flavor).
Ingredients:
  • Dandelion and other pungent greens
  • 2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
  • ¼ onion, chopped
  • 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp of your favorite mustard
  • 1/2 tsp mayo
  • 1-2 cloves of fresh garlic
  • handful of pine nuts or sunflower seeds
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Garlic croutons (optional)
Directions:
Put all the ingredients, expect greens and eggs, together in a bowl and whisk vigorously until emulsified. Put greens and eggs in large salad bowl and pour mixture over your fresh greens. Gently mix salad until greens are lightly covered. Garnish with garlic croutons if using.


Monday, February 1, 2016

Monday Musings - Ted E. Bear



TED E. BEAR

The first day I saw him,
smiling at me from the shelf,
I knew he could be mine,
Ted E. Bear,
that cute little charmer
with brown fur and eyes.
I knew I was a grown woman,
long too old for childish toys,
but Ted E. was different
and I longed to hold him tight.
And once in my possession
I knew he was the right fit,
but little did I know that Ted E. had a mission.
As if by magic,
I was smiling and laughing again
and I felt like a child once more;
and I owe it all to a teddy bear my hubby bought,
Mr. Ted E. Bear, my friend.

Friday, January 29, 2016

Knit Christening Blanket



 Needed to complete project:  US size #10 needles, 14 to 15 ounces of yarn, and a tapestry needle.

Cast on 127 stitches and knit 10 rows garter stitch.
Pattern is as follows:

Row 1 - Knit 5, * k1, yo, k2 tog, repeat from * across ending with knit 5.
Row 2 - Same as row 1.
Row 3 - Knit.
Row 4 - Knit 5, Purl across, knit last 5 stitches.

Continue the last 4 rows for pattern.
When you reach desired length end with 10 row of garter stitch.
Weave in yarn ends with a tapestry needle.



*k1 = knit one stitch
 yo = yarn over (adding a stitch)
 k2 tog = knit 2 stitches 

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Wayback Wednesday - Dark Shadows




 Episode: 26 Original air date: August 1, 1965
Timeline: 1967
Narrator: Alexandra Moltke
Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift

Victoria asks David why he attempted to murder Roger and shows him the bleeder valve. The little sociopath attacks her and she locks it in a drawer. She tricks him into leaving her room.  Victoria and David wait each other out on opposite sides of Victoria's door. David tries to run outside, telling Elizabeth "he has to get away." He also accuses Victoria of trying to hurt him. David says that Victoria is going to make up stories about him and even says that Victoria will try to blame him for Roger's accident. David is ejected from the room and tells Victoria Elizabeth won't believe her. David attempts to eavesdrop on Victoria and Elizabeth's conversation, where she recounts the last few minutes of the previous episode. Victoria tells her that she didn't try to hurt David, he tried to hurt her. Victoria tells Elizabeth she was afraid of David. Elizabeth says Burke caused the accident, and doesn't believe Victoria’s story of finding the bleeder valve.


Episode: 27  Original air date: August 2, 1966
Timeline: 1966
Narrator: Alexandra Moltke
Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift 



Carolyn is happy the 9-year-old psychopath has gone into hiding. Victoria outlines the evidence and states David and the bleeder valve are now missing. While in Bangor, Burke meets Mr. Bronson in Bangor because he doesn't want Bronson near Collinsport. Bronson is apparently going to be a private investagator  for Burke and gives him the financial records from the past 5 years for the Collins Family. Back at Collinwood, Carolyn finds David's magazines with a well-worn page on removing bleeder valves.. Elizabeth can't convince Roger to come find David, who's been missing for 45 minutes. Carolyn talks with Elizabeth and storms off, typical as of late. Burke learns that his hotel room has been searched and a small boy attempted to sneak into his room.


Episode: 28  Original air date: August 3, 1966
Timeline: 1966
Narrator: Alexandra Moltke
Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift

Burke confronts the Sheriff and he is furious. David has attempted to break into Burkes, but was stopped by the clerk. Maggie gives David an ice cream sundae, then teaches him how to make one of his own. A pissed off Roger shows up at the diner, but David has slipped away. His new hiding place is in the phone booth. Roger tells Burke he's sending him back to prison. Burke learns Sam and Roger were strangers until Burke came back to town and they had not spoken in 10 years.



Episode: 29  Original air date: August 4, 1966
Timeline: 1966
Narrator: Alexandra Moltke
Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift
Elizabeth ridiculously blames Vicki for David's predicament. David shows up at Burke's hotel room and hides the bleeder valve under a cushion. Burke tells David that he, Laura, and Roger were friends before Roger married Laura. David and Burke talk about Roger's hatred and fathers in general. David wishes his father were like Burke. Roger used to fight with his wife about Burke. When David goes to wash up, Burke finds the bleeder valve. David tells Burke he's not what he had expected based on Roger's horror stories. Burke declares friendship with David. Carolyn scolded Elizabeth until she finally  admits she doesn't think Victoria is responsible. Maggie calls Collinwood about David and Roger goes to retrieve his son.  


Episode: 30  Original air date: August 5, 1966
Timeline: 1966
Narrator: Alexandra Moltke
Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift


Roger finally arrived at the diner and completely lacking interest in David's whereabouts. Roger names David and Burke as the two people who dislike him most. Victoria spills the beans about David's murder attempt. Roger disbelieves her. David looks for the bleeder valve in Burke's couch, but he can't find it. Burke takes him back to Collinwood. Burke arrives with David, says he found David walking along the road. Roger takes his son into the next room and tells him that he knows about the bleeder valve. David tries to blame the whole thing on Victoria, but Roger doesn't believe him. Roger asks Victoria to repeat her accusations to David. Burke watches as Roger and Victoria confront David. And then he produces the bleeder valve.



*Dan Curtis Productions, ABC Productions, Dark Shadows Wiki












Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Mrs. Greenhands - Growing Spourts


Now that winter has a firm grip on the Bluegrass, most gardeners are anxious to start planting indoor seeds to produce seedlings for the winter garden. One indoor gardening activity will help feed your appetite - growing sprouts. It is very easy to grow a variety of sprouts, and it is a fun activity for entire family. It requires no special equipment and you don't need any horticultural experience to do it. There will be quick growth, so you won't lose interest. You can eat sprouts five days after starting the project. 

Equipment:
*A glass jar any size (a bigger jar means more sprouts).
*Cheesecloth to cover the jar opening. (You can also buy a special sprouting jar, but it is not necessary).
*A rubber-band to secure the cheesecloth (it needs to be tight).
*Alfalfa, mung bean, clover or other seeds of your choice. (After you have done this a few times, you'll develop favorites).
*Water (Distilled is best, but tap will do).


Instructions:
Day 1
*Cover the bottom of the glass jar with your seeds for sprouting.
*Cover the seeds with 2-3 inches of water.
*Cover jar with cheesecloth.
*Secure with rubber-band.
*Place jar upright in a dark, cool cupboard.

Day 2
*Drain water from jar. (There is no need to remove the cheesecloth, you can rinse and drain through it.)
*Rinse seeds.
*Drain again. (The seeds should just be damp, not standing in water).
*Place jar back in cool, dark cupboard, only this time on its side (this will allow sprouts to grow evenly).


Days 3&4
*Rinse seeds.
*Drain.
*Place jar back in cool, dark cupboard, on its side.
*Repeat several times daily to discourage fungal growth.

Day 5
*Drain water from jar.
*Rinse sprouts well.
*Harvest sprouts.

Why grow sprouts?
Most people don't realize sprouts are full of protein. They are an easy to grow, plant based protein supplement for vegan and vegetarian diets. They make a delicious fresh addition to salads and sandwiches in winter months. By growing your own sprouts, you can have fresh "garden" produce all year. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.