The Mystery of the Missing Sweetener

The Mystery of the Missing Sweetener

 I admit it.  I like an occasional cup of hot tea.  It is relaxing.  It can be a little bit of comfort and warmth during a hectic day.  I never know when I might need a cup of hot tea so I keep some tea bags in my desk drawer.  I also keep a sandwich bag of low-calorie sweetener in the same drawer.  It is not much but it is mine.  There should be nobody else in my tea drawer.

 Why is it that half a baggie of low-calorie sweetener is now missing?  There is no hole in the baggie.  I haven’t needed hot tea comfort in weeks.  It is a mystery.

 Did the half a baggie of low-calorie sweetener get up and walk out on its own?  That seems highly unlikely.  It is not yummy pure cane sugar.  It is a baggie of low-calorie sweetener for goodness sake.  It doesn’t have the energy for that kind of movement. 

 Perhaps, someone really wanted some hot tea.  They just couldn’t wait for me.  I can understand that.  Sometimes, you need a cup of tea.  I’ll put this into the possible column.  Half a baggie of sweetener is going to make a very sweet cup of tea.  To the sweet tea drinking thief, I am not here to subsidize your habit. Get your own sweetener.  Join a program.  Stay out of my drawer.

 It could be a kleptomaniac.  Kleptomaniacs like to steal things.  A baggie of low-calorie sweetener is a thing, or two things.  The problem is that only half a thing was missing.  I am not sure but I would think that any self-respecting kleptomaniac would steal the whole baggie of sweetener.  I will say this is possible but not probable.

 That leaves me with a druggie thief.  I don’t think a regular thief would bother with half a baggie of low-calorie sweetener.  It would have to be an idiot druggie thief.  To mistake low-calorie sweetener with drugs would have to mean the druggie thief was an idiot.  Can you imagine the disappointment that was had when the idiot druggie thief tried to snort it?

 That leaves me with a suspect list of a sweet tea junkie and an idiot druggie thief.  There is no doubt about it.  I am throwing away the remaining half a baggie of low-calorie sweetener and disinfecting my desk.

Grandparent's Day

Grandparent's Day 

 Today, The Moderately Active Ohioan had the pleasure of going to grandparent’s day at the new Gorsuch West Elementary School.  It was a lovely day of rain so a hundred kids and their grandparents were inside.  No recess for me.  I was hoping to get a look at the new playground equipment. It will have to wait for the next visit.

 The new Gorsuch West is a beautiful building.  Gone are the utilitarian buildings of old.  It has air conditioning, a large computer resource center, a music room, and security. Visually, it is stunning. In comparison to the old buildings it is a great improvement. A modern building that is ready to take our grandchildren into the decades ahead.

 There is more security at the school than I ever remember seeing at any time when I was in school.  We did have the lady at the crosswalk.  If memory serves, she could be quite intimidating but that was about it. Higher security is a sign of the times as much as the need for computers. I don’t think it is going away.

 The rooms did not seem as large.  This may be my faulty memory. Perhaps this is because I am no longer a child and don’t see everything as being giant. I do not know the class size, but I estimate around twenty to twenty-five kids per class. Every space was being utilized. It is a 360 degree educational environment.  

 The air conditioning was nice. It is one thing I wish I had when I was in school. I can remember sitting in class and being so hot I couldn’t think.  It has to make the learning environment better.

 The computer resource room had dozens of computers. It was connected to the library. That is convenient. The library seemed a bit small and didn’t have as many books as I remember. My memory of the school library was wall to wall, floor to ceiling books. Perhaps this is another sign of the times.  Books are going digital. I did see racks of books in the classroom I visited. Perhaps, the books have been distributed throughout the school.

 The music room is part of the stage. It is partitioned off with a folding wall that can be opened up during assemblies.  The stage is part of the cafeteria and gymnasium and walls can be opened up to make the area larger for school or public use.

 I spent time with the little best buddy in his classroom. It was clean and orderly. He showed me all of his things and where he puts his coat. We talked about all the important things that second graders talk about. I don’t think I am biased when I say that he is the best little second grader in the school.

 In no time at all it was time for lunch. He took my hand and we got in line. Line placement is very important. He said it was okay that we were last because he was with me. I didn’t care because I was with him.

 The lunch with the best buddy was nice.  It is much different than when we were younger. I had a fresh garden salad with cubed ham, strawberries, a banana, a bagel, string cheese, and chocolate milk. All was served in or on disposable containers. The utensils were also disposable. There must not be much to wash. That seems like a waste, but it must make things easier. I miss the Bunker Hill Rolls.

 We talked about lunch and friends and anything else that popped into his mind. He likes green peppers and he ate them first. We talked about his garden and how much he loves it. We talked about how he likes his new school and his friends. He informed me that he is a very good boy. I believe him.

 The day ended with all the second graders singing songs for the grandparent. A mass of little kids moved toward the stage. All of the little ones were jostling for the best position to see their grandparents. The best buddy was all smiles. Songs were sung. You can always tell the parts they like the best. They sing louder and faster and movement becomes more animated. It was adorable.   

 It was soon time to leave. Hugs and kisses all around. I walked back with him to get my special picture he drew for me. A few tears and I left.

 The Moderately Active Ohioan is a big soft marshmallow. If you are a grandparent, don’t miss these special moments. They end too quickly.

 Looking back in time, I cannot remember who my second grade teacher was.  I don’t remember too many things specifically about anything in elementary school. What I do remember is having a love of reading and having that nurtured in a wonderful library.  I remember creative time as much as learning math. I remember thinking and writing, singing and laughing. I remember friends and happiness.

 Gorsuch West is a wonderful new building. It has been filled with grandma’s hope and inspiration. I hope the best buddy finds his elementary experience to be fulfilling. I hope he finds happiness in education. I hope his world expands enough to fill the wonderful space he is in and beyond. I hope the teachers are ready to meet the hopes and expectations that we have for all our best little buddies.

Good luck Buddy.         

What Can I Say About Bill Clinton?

 What Can I Say About Bill Clinton?

I am trying to get into the habit of writing something daily. It is tough getting back into a long neglected part of my brain.  There is the rust and dust and all the potholes I have hit along the way.  I think I might even have a rattle in my undercarriage. It has all combined to create writer’s block.

 In a search for inspiration and a way to lubricate the cogs in my brain, I said to myself I will write something, for twenty minutes, about whatever pops up first on the Yahoo home page. I clicked on Yahoo home and prayed for puppies. The first thing that popped up was not puppies.  What popped up was a picture of Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton, what can I say that has not been written about Bill Clinton?   

 I will write about the thought that the picture inspired in me at the moment I saw it. That should be easy enough and I have never written about Bill Clinton so it is all new material. 

 No matter how good the economy was, I could never vote for Bill Clinton. The reason is simple. When the man talks, he looks like my husband when my husband lies. Here is an example. Dear husband what is this charge for six hundred dollars to the sports shop? Dear wife of mine it must be a mistake.  I will call the store tomorrow and straighten it out. Then, there came the look. Is she buying it? I think she is. This is the coolest thing in the world. 

 I know that he is lying. He knows that he is lying. It is like it is some sort of game. That is what I think of when I see Bill Clinton. That is why I could never vote for him for president.

 Not quite twenty minutes, but close enough. I am done with Bill Clinton.

What Is It About An Old Barn?

What Is It About An Old Barn?

 I was asked at a recent show, what is it about an old barn?  It was an open ended question that I didn't have a good answer for.  I went home and thought about it for a while.  Why is it that when I see an old barn I want to stop and drink it in? Not just the visual, there are many visual wonders to enjoy.  There was just something about an old barn that seemed familiar yet I could not touch.

 It took a few days for me to verbalize my thoughts.  In a roundabout way, an old barn is an old book.  For my fellow bibliophiles, you know what I mean.  An old book is more than just an object.  When you see that special old book on the shelf you are drawn to it. You look at the glorious binding. It could be faded but you see the craftsmanship. You pick it up and feel the texture and the material. You crack the binding and smell the age and history. Your mind begins to move toward thoughts and memories of stories past. You read the book and the ages and pages come alive and you are part of the story.

 The people may be gone but their presence still remains. We interact with the past through our memories and imagination. The history and lives of our past remain in old books and old barns.  They are not gone. 

Rhododendron Cove State Nature Preserve

Rhododendron Cove State Nature Preserve

Sugar Grove, Ohio

This week, The Moderately Active Ohioan went to Rhododendron Cove State Nature Preserve.  It is a fairly strenuous hike with lush growth and a beautiful natural setting.  It is home to the state listed Flame Azalea and the largest population of the Great Rhododendron in the state.  

It is located in Sugar Grove, Ohio, 2730 Pump Station Road.  It is unmarked, so I will tell you what you need to know to get there.  Turn onto Pump Station Road at the transfer station, go over the first little bridge and just on the other side, on the right, is a gravel parking lot.  Park in that parking lot and take the path along the fence to the entrance. 

Once again, there are no restroom facilities.  You have been warned.

My mother went along for the hike.  She has had two hip replacements but refuses to be slowed down by them.  She is healthy and wants to hike.  She did have some mild discomfort on some of the hikes we took last year.  This year, she made two adjustments that seem to have made this hike one of the best she has taken.  She switched from a cane to hiking poles and she tried out the Five Finger shoes she got for Christmas.  She had greatly reduced pain / discomfort and no leg cramping.  Doesn't she looks marvelous?  

The hike was beautiful and filled with many wonders.  This is an all season hike.  I could return again and again and see something different each time.

The blackhand sandstone formations are amazing.

The mountain laurel is past peek and will not last much longer.

Mom on the blue trail still looking good.  I am jealous.

I will be checking back in the next two to four weeks to see if the great rhododendron have started to bloom.  The normal bloom happens late June to early July.

Chestnut Ridge Metro Park

Chestnut Ridge Metro Park

The parents and I decided to take advantage of the nice weather and hiked at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park.  Mom and I hiked the park last summer and were very pleased with it.  It was beautiful, colorful, and we thought that it would be a great place to go in the early spring.  We were correct.  The frequent stop areas do make this a great park to work off the winter legs and ease into a spring of activity.  

Chestnut Ridge Metro Park is a well maintained park managed by the Metro Parks system.  It has restroom facilities, picnic and shelter house areas, a playground, and a nature center.  The parking area is large and in great shape.

There are three separate trails.  There is the Ridge Trail, the Meadow Trail, and the Homesite Trail.  All of them are moderate to difficult to walk.  The trails are well maintained and wide.  It is a popular area for walking, hiking, and jogging.

We started hiking at the Ridge Trail.  We walked uphill for a short distance to the boardwalk.  The long boardwalk overlooks steep hillside and the remnants of chestnut trees.  It has education stops along the way.  We continued along the trail with stops at two more observation decks that give spectacular views of the forest.  I think that on a clear day you could see Columbus in the distance.

We came to a fork in the trail and decided to take the Homestead Trail.  The trail started at some old growth trees that were toppled during the recent storms of the last few years.  It is a nice place to take some pictures and talk.  The trail leads to the homestead location.  There you will find the remnants of the old family home, fruit trees, and gardens.  It is a nice place to take a break and relax.  After we passed this area, the trail starts downhill past meadows that will be beautiful in the spring.

We reach another fork in the trail and decide to head back toward the parking area.  We take the lower portion of the Meadow trail past some old growth forest.  If we had gone uphill on the Meadow Trail, we would have passed large meadow areas that will have wildflowers, birds, and hopefully butterflies in the spring.  I will return to that section of the trail when there is something other than brown.  I can't wait!

Chestnut Ridge Metro Park is a beautiful place to work off the winter legs.  Go and ease into your more moderately active summer.  The park has something that everybody of every age will enjoy.  Gather the family and make this a destination for a family get together.  Spend some time and take advantage of all that this park has to offer.
  

Shallenberger State Nature Preserve

Shallenberger State Nature Preserve

I am sitting with a glass of homemade concord grape wine and thinking about the wonderful weekend I had in Ohio.  The temperature was up.  The snow is melting.  My spirits are up.  I took the opportunity to visit Shallenberger State Nature Preserve.  My mission:  Search for Ohio's missing green.

Shallenberger SNP is located in Lancaster, OH, Fairfield County, on Becks Knob Road near the intersection with State Route 22.  It features Allen's Knob, a large Blackhand Sandstone formation rising approximately 240 feet above the surrounding area.  The area was formed by a large inland ocean and sculpted by weathering and glaciation.

For the Moderately Active Ohioan looking for a hiking opportunity, this is a nice place to visit.  The hike was moderately challenging.  My mother with two hip replacements was able to hike it without any issues.  The area was muddy from the recent snow thaw, but it does not appear to be a condition that will last long.  A few more dry days and it will be perfect.

It is a bit early, but I have been told that the spring wildflowers are excellent.  The view from the overlook is wonderful.  Not as spectacular as the view from Christmas Rocks SNP, but Shallenberger SNP is a better hike to start with and well worth the time.  Because of the mud, we decided to only hike the Allen's Knob portion of the trail.  There is another section, Ruble Knob.  I am going to put the Ruble Knob section onto my spring hike list.

Once again, there are no restroom facilities.  You have been warned.

The birds are returning to the area.  Bring your binoculars.  There is plenty of habitat to keep them happy.

I didn't get a picture, but I believe I saw an Eastern Bluebird darting in an out of the knot holes on this tree.

There are beautiful rock formations everywhere you walk.

The hike up the knob has been made a little easier.  Dad seemed happy with the steps.

Blackhand Sandstone

The Mountain Laurel will be beautiful.

The ground under our feet.

Chestnut Oak and Mountain Laurel cover the top of the knob.

Blackhand Sandstone

Blackhand Sandstone was quarried from the area.

A little fun with Dad.

We found the quarry area.  Dad wanted to see it before we left.  

The Blackhand Sandstone quarried from Allen's Knob was used to create some of the most beautiful and unique buildings in the area.  This included the one of a kind Stonewall Cemetery 1838-1839.  The stone was cut so perfectly that no mortar was used in the construction.  

More beauty everywhere I look.

Enjoy your hike at Shallenberger State Nature Preserve.  Green is on its way.