Dad's Views And Tomato News

DADS WEDNESDAYS ENTRY THREE THOUSAND NIENTY SIX

2011-06-08T06:06:00.010-04:00

Good Morning.
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Wishing the best for you on this good Wednssday morning. I am starting these blogs just a little later every morning, at the moment it is 6: 10 A.M. and I do feel relaxed and content as I look out at the this new sheet that God has given me, I wonder what it will look like at my bedtime tonight, I do want to be carefel so I will not be ashamed of it when the sun goeth down.
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Today.. June 8 2011
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Mix of sun and clouds. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 35C. Winds light and variable.
A mix of clouds and sun. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High around 95F. Winds light and variable.
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Sounds very good but I wish that they could change that stray thunder storm to sure instead of possible. It is so dry here at Dads Tomato garden, the roses and tomatoes are begining to complain. Dad.
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We did get a lot done yesterday. We have all the tomatoes mulched and in cages, so now it is a waiting time for us, I sure am getting hungry for a tomato sandwich. I am just going to relax and try to enjoy each day of life and count it a gift from God.
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Dad's Outdoor Web Cam-1
Dad's Outdoor Web Cam-2
Dad's Outdoor Web Cam-3
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LEARN BIRD SONGS . This is a link that I like very much and I spend a little time there each day listing to many bird songs, it helps you know what bird you are hearing. I recommend it and it is free, only one smile. Dad.
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I wish that I did not have to write this, but it does take money to keep every thing going on, without it every thing would come to an end.This is why I am selling advertising space is this Journal, and I think it is priced right,$ 1.00 per day will give you all the space that you need to show your company name and any product that you have, and it is read in over 100 countries of this world. Write Dad at white6416r@aol.com and you will be listed today, no deposits or long contracts to sign. DAD.
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I am not going to say more right now, I need more X bold and just a little time to meditate and see if I am all here, I do feel happy and content, satisfied with the way things are going, and I want to keep that way untill my bedtime tonight, I will try to come back later in the morning
Rember my Side Panel----
....
BYE BYE DAD

ENTRY # NINETY SEVEN

2009-08-06T20:09:00.002-04:00

Good Morning.

Here is another one of those long but good things that I slip in over here so we won't miss them. DAD.

There was a Scottish painter named Smokey Macgregor who was very interested in making a penny where he could, so he often thinned down his paint to make it go a wee bit further.

As it happened, he got away with this for some time, but eventually the Baptist Church decided to do a big restoration job in Ellesmere Port on the outside of one of their biggest buildings... Smokey put in a bid, and, because his price was so low, he got the job. So he set about erecting the scaffolding and setting up the planks, and buying the paint and, yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it down with turpentine..

Well, Smokey was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly completed, when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder, the sky opened, and the rain poured down washing the thinned paint from all over the church and knocking Smokey clear off the scaffold to land on the lawn among the gravestones, surrounded by telltale puddles of the thinned and useless paint..

Smokey was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he got down on his knees and cried: "Oh, God, Oh God, forgive me; what should I do?" And from the thunder, a mighty voice spoke.. (you're going to love this)

"Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!"

ENTRY # NINETY SIX

2009-08-04T14:51:00.005-04:00

Good Morning.

Here is another article that is two long for my regulag blog. I thought that it was to good to loose. Try to read it if you can find the time.

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore."

No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute."Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.

This is true for marriage... and old cars, and children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, family and aging parents and grandparents.We keep them because they are worth it...... because we are worth it.Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce.

There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.Life is important. We only have one.We only have one mom, one dad, one unique brother or sister or friend. I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'!

I sent it to the people I think of in the same way.Now it's your turn to send this to all those people who are "keepers" in your life, including the person who sent it, if you feel that way. Suppose one morning you never wake up.Do all your friends know you love them?I was thinking....

I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends and family know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do.And just in case GOD calls me home . . . I LOVE YA !:-)Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

This above was sent to me by John C. Thanks John.

BYE BYE DAD.

ENTRY # NINETY FIVE

2009-07-28T05:29:00.003-04:00

Good morning.

This was to long for my regular blog, so I am showing it over here.

Two Choices

At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?' The audience was stilled by the query.The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playingbaseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that mostof the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a fatherI also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him amuch-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart.The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the rightfield. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but mpossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, muchless connect with the ball.However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towardsShay.As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ballright back to the pitcher.The game would now be over.The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown theball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head,out of reach of all team mates.Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run tofirst! Run to first!'Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and sruggling to make it to the base.By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him byturning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face,'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY:

We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought,but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate.The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, butpublic discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools andworkplaces.If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you'reprobably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person whosent you this believes that we all can make a difference.We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the'natural order of things.'So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with achoice:Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's leastfortunate amongst them.

ENTRY # NINETY FOUR

2009-07-09T06:44:00.005-04:00

Hi.
Here is something else that I want to show you but it is to large for my regular blog. Helen sent this and I want to give credit to her and the author. Thanks to you both. DAD.
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BEN AND JAKE
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by Debra Easterling
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Ben and Jake were inseparable. Sure, Ben loved me. We had been married thirty years or more. But there was a bond between him and that Retriever tighter than a three-ply cattle rope.
'
Every night like clockwork, my husband, Ben, would come home at 6pm, shake off his boots, and hang up his coat while Jake danced back and forth. He'd always be rewarded for his performance as Ben stooped to rub his ears. The grateful dog would then immediately run to our room, pick up Ben's slippers as if they were as fragile as egg shells, and then he would bring them to Ben's big easy chair.

Once the fuzzy slippers were snug on Ben's feet, Jake would walk around in circles until he found just the right spot beside Ben's chair. It was always the same spot, but the dog relentlessly made a ritual of settling down.

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After the evening news, Jake would take his place beside Ben at the dinner table. He didn't beg for food, like other dogs. He merely rested his golden head on Ben's lap until my husband was through with his meal. With the dishes washed and dried, Ben would stagger into the hallway and find Jake waiting beside the chair, leash in his mouth, waiting for their nightly walk.
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Without fail, Ben would say sweet terms of endearment to his buddy as he again donned his coat and boots. No matter what the weather, the two of them would head out to embrace the elements together.

. Last year about this time, a drunk driver drove his truck into Ben's path. My husband did his best to veer the bus out of the way, but there wasn't enough time. Ben and three passengers went to live with Jesus that night. I lost the only man I ever loved and his passing was extremely hard. I was grateful we had no children to break the news to, but there was Jake.

.The poor thing couldn't understand why Ben didn't come home. He waited at the door every night at 6pm for a month. Ben never came in to rub his ears. There was no one to dance for. I walked him every night, but he only sat at edge of the property, waiting and watching. Jake barely touched his food. He never joined me at the table. I tried to make him feel better every once in a while by placing some of Ben's clothes by his old chair, but Jake preferred to sleep now by the door. Jake spent many evenings with his big yellow nose poised on the doorstop, whimpering in his sleep. I thought my heart would break. Last night was the one year anniversary of Ben's passing. I didn't bother to cook a meal. Food had little appeal. Even with Jake by my side, I felt so alone.
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Then suddenly, promptly at 6pm, Jake jumped to his feet and ran to the door. He danced back and forth wagging his tail, whining like a puppy, full of glee. He dipped his head, and then he bounded to the top of the stairs, grabbed the slippers, and raced down to gently lay them at Ben's chair. Jake then walked in circles, over and over again, until he found the right spot, and laid himself down. Naturally, I thought the poor old dog had finally lost it. His grief caused him to recreate his nightly ritual. I bent down to pet sweet Jake with the intention of whispering comforting words into his floppy ears. As I did, I found that my darling Ben had come back for his faithful friend . The two of them went for a final walk to embrace the elements together. -

- Debra Easterling
merry1621@aol.commerry1621@gmail.com

"When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently."
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I like that Thanks for coming over. DAD.

Entry # Ninety Three

2009-07-01T17:26:00.004-04:00

Good Morning.

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Here is another one that is too long for my regular blog.

The History of 'APRONS' !! I don't think our kids know ,
what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

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It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

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From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

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When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

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Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

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From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

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When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

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When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

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It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

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Send this to those who would know (and love) the story about Grandma's aprons.

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REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies
on the window sill to cool.

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Her granddaughters set theirs
on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure
out how many germs were on that apron. * I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron !!!! *

ENTRY # NINETY TWO

2009-06-24T10:13:00.006-04:00

Hi There. this is old Dad, and I have an entry that is just too large for my regular blog. So I am showing it to here. DAD'
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My Resignation
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I am hereby officially tendering
my resignation as an adult. I have
decided I would like to accept the
responsibilities of an 8 year-old again.
I want to go to McDonald’s and think
that it’s a four star restaurant.
I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud
puddle and make a sidewalk with rocks.
I want to think M&Ms are better than
money because you can eat them.
I want to lie under a big oak tree and
run a lemonade stand with my friends on
a hot summer’s day.
I want to return to a time when life was
simple; When all you knew were colors,
multiplication tables, and nursery
rhymes, but that didn’t bother you,
because you didn’t know what you
didn’t know and you didn’t care.
All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware
of all the things that should make you worried or upset.
I want to think the world is fair.
That everyone is honest and good.
I want to believe that anything is
possible. I want to be oblivious
to the complexities of life and be
overly excited by the little things
again.
I want to live simple again. I
don’t want my day to consist of
computer crashes, mountains of paperwork,
depressing news, how to survive more days
in the month than there is money in the
bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness,
and loss of loved ones.
I want to believe in the power of
smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth,
justice, peace, dreams, the imagination,
mankind, and making angels in the snow.
So . . . here’s my checkbook
and my car-keys, my credit card bills
and my 401K statements.
I am officially
resigning from adulthood.
And if you want to discuss this
further, you’ll have to catch me
first, cause……..
……”Tag! You’re it.”
.
Pass this on to other people and brighten
their day by helping them remember
the Simple things in Life.

ENTRY # NINETY ONE.

2009-06-02T14:45:00.002-04:00

What A Dog! This is a MUST read !!!!!!!!!

Thought everyone should know about this dog and his story. Especially like the ending ..... A Pets Ten Commandments........... Be sure to read them too.

..
My kind of dog!
The K9 above is Brutus,
a military K9 at McChord.
He's huge - part Boxer and part British Bull Mastiff and tops the scales at 200 lbs. His handler took the picture. Brutus is running toward me because he knows I have some Milk Bone treats, so he's slobbering away! I had to duck around a tree just before he got to me in case he couldn't stop, but he did. Brutus won the Congressional Medal of Honor last year from his tour in Iraq . His handler and four other soldiers were taken hostage by insurgents. Brutus and his handler communicate by sign language and he gave Brutus the signal that meant 'go away but come back and find me'. The Iraqis paid no attention to Brutus. He came back later and quietly tore the throat out of one guard at one door and another guard at another door. He then jumped against one of the doors repeatedly (the guys were being held in an old warehouse) until it opened. He went in and untied his handler and they all escaped. He's the first K9 to receive this honor. If he knows you're ok, he's a big old lug and wants to sit in your lap. Enjoys the company of cats.
K-9 Congressional Medal of Honor Winner
Thought you'd find this interesting.
Talk about animal intelligence and bonding with humans!

Remember that they can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you to make their life a quality life!
A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets.
Enjoy and take good care of them.

Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

Please pass this on to other pet owners.

We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!
Dinner Made Easy Newsletter - Simple Meal Ideas for Your Family. Sign Up Now!
..
-- Roy

ENTRY # NINETY

2009-06-02T05:35:00.002-04:00

Hi.

.
I did not have room for this on my regular blog. It is good, thanks to Helen. DAD
.

"I rescued a human today. Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them. As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one."
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I received this in an email and thought it was good.
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Thanks Helen!

ENTRY # NINETY-ONE

2009-05-21T20:16:00.007-04:00

ATTORNEY'S ADVICE - NO CHARGE

Not A Joke!! Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED.'

2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the 'For' line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.

3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you h ave a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards. Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(S) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where yo u can find them.

6. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)

7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the internet in my name.

The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 .)

2 .) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

3.)Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289

4.)Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

These phone numbers above are very important, hold on to them. DAD

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We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.

Author Unknown

ENTRY # NINETY

2009-05-19T10:53:00.001-04:00

Good Morning.
.
The poem below was sent to me bt John M.

WHERE IS THE WAY?

From life and peace with the fold,.
In crooked paths o’er mountains cold;
Like sheep, we all have gone astray,
And to get home where is the way?

Our Shepherd Christ was never lost,
I’d follow him at any cost;
The path he trod was very straight,
And led directly to the gate.

But other men have come and gone,
Who cared not what was right or wrong;
His standard they have taken down,
And in its place have put their own.

Deceitful men of every day,
Will lead the multitude astray;
These wicked men, poor people pay,
To tell the world, “This is the way”.

They trifle with God’s holy words,
And lead men on in flocks and herds;
The Shepherds voice they cannot hear,
For paths and sounds are everywhere.

I would dear Jesus, I could break,
The hedge that creeds and heresies make;
And like Thy first disciples be,
In person, led and taught by Thee.

I read Thy words so pure and sweet,
And seek the footsteps of Thy feet;
But men so mystify the trace,
I long to see Thee face to face.

ENTRY # SEVENTEEN HUNDRED & THIRTY FOUR

2009-05-14T03:00:00.011-04:00

One of my roses blooming in the front yard

Good Morning.
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Time is so precious-do not waste it...
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The sun never sets on Dad's Tomato Garden Journal...

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Posted on 13 May 2009 by tomatocasual.com
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Staking Tomato Plants

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By Michelle Fabio.
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If all is going well with your tomato plants, soon you’ll be considering staking them.If you need a refresher course on the process, here is list of frequently asked questions about staking:
What is Staking?Staking is a way to physically support tomato plants as they grow.
Why should I stake tomato plants?The two most important reasons you should stake tomato plants are:
• Staking provides physical support so tomato plants don’t break under the strain of fruit or inclement weather;
• Staking enables better air flow through tomato plants, which results in less internal moisture that can result in disease.
How do I stake tomato plants?There are several ways you can stake tomato plants including single wooden stakes driven into the ground, frames, trellises, and cages.
How do I know which staking method is right for my tomatoes?Which staking method you should use for your plants depends on the type of tomato as well as how many tomatoes you’d like to Read the rest of this entry »

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Related Posts
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What’s the Difference Between Indeterminate and Determinate Tomatoes?
Growing Tomatoes on a Slope
Transplanting a Large Tomato Plant
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Email This Post
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http://dadstomatonews.blogspot.com/
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This link above will bring back many precious memories.
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ENTRY # EIGHTY NINE

2009-05-13T09:32:00.005-04:00

Hello there, this is something that Sam sent me, it brought back some plesant memories. DAD

If you were Born between 1930 - 1970 you will enjoy this DAD
..
TO ALL THE>> KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE>> 1930's,>> 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!>> First, we survived being born to mothers who took aspirin, ate blue cheese>> dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.>> Then after that trauma, we were put>> to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with>> bright colored>> lead-base paints.>> We had no childproof lids on>> medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and>> when we rode our>> bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our>> heads.>> As infants & children, we would>> ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no>> seat belts, no>> air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.>> Riding in the back of a pick- up>> truck on a warm day was always a special treat.>> We drank water from the garden hose>> and not from a bottle.>> We shared one soft drink with four>> friends, from one bottle and no one actually died>> from this.>> We ate cupcakes, white bread, real>> butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real>> white sugar. And,>> we weren't overweight. WHY?>> Because we were always outside>> playing...that's why!>> We would leave home in the morning>> and play all day, as long as we were back when the>> streetlights came>> on.>> No one was able to reach us all day.>> And, we were O.K.>> We would spend hours building our go-carts out of>> scraps and then>> ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot>> the brakes. After>> running into the bushes a few times, we learned to>> solve the problem.>> We did not have Play stations,>> Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games,>> no 150 channels on>> cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound>> or CD's, no cell>> phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no>> chat rooms.>> WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!>> We fell out of trees, got cut,>> broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits>> from these>> accidents.>> We ate worms and mud pies made from>> dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.>> We were given BB guns for our 10th>> birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis>> balls and, although>> we were told it would happen, we did not put out>> very many eyes.>> We rode bikes or walked to a>> friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the>> bell, or just>> walked in and talked to them.>>> Little League had tryouts and not everyone made>> the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with>> disappointment.>> Imagine that!!>> The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the>> law was unheard>> of. They actually sided with the law!>> These generations have produced some of the best r>> isk-takers,>> problem solvers and inventors ever.>> The past 50 years have been an explosion of>> innovation and new ideas.>> We had freedom, failure, success and>> responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it>> all.>>> If YOU are one of them?>> CONGRATULATIONS!>> You might want to share this with others who have>> had the luck to>> grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the>> government regulated so>> much of our lives for our own good.>> While you are at it, forward it to>> your kids so they will know how brave and lucky>> their parents were.>> Kind of>> makes you want to run through the house with>> scissors, doesn't it ?>>
..
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:>>>> 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires>> out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe>> thunderstorms tearing up>> the country from one end to another, and with the>> threat of bird flu>> and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good>> time to take God>> out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'>> For those that prefer to think that God is not>> watching over us...go>> ahead and delete this.>> For the rest of us...pass this on. ________________________________

ENTRY # EIGHTY EIGHT

2009-04-29T11:06:00.007-04:00

Faithful Parents

They have lived it in the home-life,They have followed God's true way,They have kept a humble spirit, As they walked from day to day.
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Their small home was consecrated,They both guarded all within;Nothing entered to defile it,God's approval thus to win.
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NO stained glass or a steeple.Just a simple little meeting,Where the love of God was shared,By a humble little gathering,In a home God has prepared.
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They upheld the life of Jesus,Every deed and thought and word,And it brought into their home-life,All the blessings of the Lord.
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God's own servants often came there,And they spoke of things above,As the peace of God was ruling,Filling both their hearts with love.
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Both heads bowed at every meal,Thanks was given from the heart,For provisions from the Master,That gave strength to do their part.
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Little hearts were learning quickly,All that comes from God's own hand,Seeing two lives gladly yielded,Pilgrims in a stranger's land.
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Knowing that their hearts were temporal,Knowing brief life's longest span,Seeking for a better country,They had learned of God's great plan.
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Faithful in the place of prayer,Kneeling often by the bed,Two heads bowed before the Lord,(Little lives were being led).Little ears were also listening,Eyes were watching all they'd do,Little hearts were being softened,By the faithfulness of two.
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Little wills were being broken,They were taught how to obey,By those two lives that were dying,To themselves along the way.
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Oh the privilege in knowing,Such a godly home as this,The blessings of that influence,That so many children miss.
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May God bless and keep the parents,In whose lives God's plan was shown,And by this into those young hearts,The seed of Truth was sown.Now these lives have yielded also,Have a heritage to gain,From the influence of two people,Worshipping in Jesus name.

Author UNKNOWN.

This poem was sent to me by a very good friend of mine, I think that it is so good and I wanted to show it to you. Thanks

ENTRY # EIGHTY SIX

2009-03-13T03:00:00.000-04:00

Robby's Night
True Story Worth Reading !!

At the prodding of my friends, I am writing this story. My name is Mildred Hondorf . I am a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines , Iowa .. I've always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons-something I've done for over 30 years. Over the years I found that children have many levels of musical ability.. I've never had the pleasure of having a prodigy though I have taught some talented students.

However I've also had my share of what I call 'musically challenged' pupils. One such student was Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single Mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's d ream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student. Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel but he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn.

Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always say, 'My mom's going to hear me play someday. But it seemed hop eless. He just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in.

Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons. I thought about calling him but assumed because of his lack of ability, that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that he stopped coming.. He was a bad advertisement for my teaching!Several weeks later I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the upcoming recital.. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify..

He said that his mother had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practicing ' Miss Hondorf , I've just got to play!' he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be all right.

The night for the recital came The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the program before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my 'curtain closer.' Well, the recital went off without a hitch.

The students had been practicing and it showed then Robby came up on stage.. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked like he'd run an eggbeater through it. 'Why didn't he dress up like the other students?' I thought. 'Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?' Robby pulled out the piano bench and he began. I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen Mozart 's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys, they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo. From allegro to virtuoso. His suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by people his age. After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause.

Overcome and in tears I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in joy. 'I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it? 'Through the microphone Robby explained: 'Well, Miss Hondorf , Remember I told you my Mom was sick? Well, actually she had cancer and passed away this morning and well. .. She was born deaf so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it special.

'There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care, noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil.No, I've never had a prodigy but that night I became a prodigy . . . Of Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil for it is he that taught me the meaning of per severance and love and believing in yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know why.

Robby was killed in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995. And now, a footnote to the story.If you are thinking about forwarding this message, you are probably thinking about which people on your address list aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message. The person who sent this to you believes that we can all make a difference. So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we act with compassion or do we pass up that opportunity and leave the world a bit colder in the process? Please forward it to the people you care about.You know the choice I made. Thank you for reading this.May God bless you today, tomorrow and always.********* If God didn't have a purpose for us, we wouldn't be here!

ENTRY # NINTY FOUR

2009-03-08T19:17:00.003-04:00

You are invited to view Mandy's photo album:
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St. Martin 2009 --click this on the left. DAD
. .
St. Martin 2009
St. Martin -
Mar 2, 2009by Mandy
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View Album Play slideshow
.
Message from Mandy:
.
Here are some of the best photos from our stay!*smiles*
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If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser.
,
:http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=mandytdandy&target=ALBUM&id=5310934880475195633&authkey=Gv1sRgCKPuluLA1YrQKQ&feat=email
To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.

Mandy is my great Grandaughter and you know that I am very proud of her and her husband Alex. DAD
......

ENTRY # NINETY THREE.

2009-03-07T19:50:00.004-05:00

Let us each and everyone pray for one another that Our Lord will prop us up on our leaning side.

LORD PROP US UP...
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Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, 'Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.'
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After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently. He answered, 'Well sir, you see, it's like this ... I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time; it's withstood a lot of weather; it's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years. It's still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall.Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time.I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing too.
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I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, 'cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times.Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't.
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So we need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify You ''If you stare at this barn for a second you will see who will help us stand straight and tall again.
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Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.
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I Pray for you today that Our Heavenly Father will prop you up on your leaning side.
.....
This above was sent to me by a friend, I want't to pass it on to you. DAD
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3/14/o9
......

COMMENTS FROM OUR FRIENDS REMEMBERING PRINCESS

2009-02-16T06:57:00.011-05:00

Oh Ray..I am so sorry. I know she was one of the family and loved very much by you and Mary. She didnt have a worry in the world with y'all there for her. Its so hard to lose a pet that is loved so much. I try to remember that for all the joy they brought to my life, it is worth the pain I feel when they pass away. It doesnt make it hurt any less I know. Our animals mean so much to us. They love us unconditionally and do not judge us. They are always there for us when we need them. I think thats why sometimes it hurts so bad when they are gone. They were a constant companion, a true blue friend. I am so sorry for your great loss, and believe me when I say I do understand all too well. I will be thinking of y'all today and praying that you can raise a smile on your face today when you sit back and remember the good times and things that happened while Princess was there. Love, Kelly XOXO
......
jmuhj has left a new comment on your post "ENTRY # SIXTEEN HUNDRED & SIXTY.": A lovely photo of a beautiful soul, Dad. More hugs to you and Ms. Mary, and know I'm there with you both in spirit and that I mourn with you. Truly I believe cats are angels sent here to teach us the meaning of unconditional love, loyalty, devotion, and beauty, unique among all Creation. Perhaps you and Ms. Mary will choose a very special rose to be a living tribute to your beloved Princess on her resting place? This is something I do, planting a living memorial so that my beloved ones continue on both in the spiritual world and here where we are. May you both receive Comfort continually, and know you are in our thoughts and prayers, as is your little angel girl.
......

My Dear Friends Dad and Mary,

My heart goes out to the both of you in the loss of your dear Princess. I can recall the first pet I lost when I was but a boy to a traffic accident, I remember the deep hurt to this day. I have lost many dear pets over the years and it is a sad day with their passing. I know it is the next thing to loosing a human member of the family. You have shared so much with us through the years of Princess's life and your love for her that it will be a great loss to all of your friends also. Please know that we morn with you in your loss and we also hurt when friends as dear as you have become hurt. We will be thinking of you and pray that you will be comforted in the fact that she isn't suffering any more. I know she has brought you many days of joy and happiness and she as the snowflake has now become a precious memory.

May God Bless you and Keep you in your time of sorrow,
Always,
Boyd

...

Dad that is a beautiful picture of Princess ~ we shall all miss her ~ ~ Ally x

...
Bless your heart!
I know all too well how you are feeling and I worry as my girls are getting older.
Princess had a wonderful life and shared many memories with all of you. None of that can be taken away. Please try to remember and celebrate all the wonderful things that Princess was and still is as she will always live in your heart.
Hugs and love to all of you!
Deb

ENTRY # NINETY ONE

2009-02-16T06:57:00.001-05:00

ENTRY # NINETY

2009-02-12T03:00:00.001-05:00

Princess

ENTRY # EIGHTY NINE-CODE # 100

2009-02-04T17:18:00.002-05:00

WORLD'S EASIEST QUIZ

(Passing requires 4 correct answers)

1) How long did the Hundred Years' War last?
..
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
..
3) From which animal do we get cat gut?
..
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
..
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?
..
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
..
7) What was King George VI's first name?
..
8) What color is a purple finch?
..
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?
..
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?
......

Remember, you need 4 correct answers to pass.
.
Check your answers below.
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ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ

1) How long did the Hundred Years War last? 116 years
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2) Which country makes Panama hats? Ecuador
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3) From which animal do we get catgut? Sheep and Horses
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hair brush made of? Squirrel fur
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6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal? Dogs

''
7) What was King George VI's first name? Albert
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8) What color is a purple finch? Crimson
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9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from? New Zealand
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10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?
Orange (of course)

________________________________

ENTRY # EIGHTY EIGHT.

2009-02-02T20:29:00.009-05:00

Good Morning.

I am going to try and remember the time in my young life that I worked in a grocery store, and let you see the great difference in that store and the ones that you have in this day.

This would have been the store that I left to go to Memphis, Tennessee. to be married to the sweetest girl on this earth. This was November of the year 1935.

I am going to show you a picture of that store below, and give you the names of the people that you see working there, it's sad to me but all those except I and one of the girls have passed away, sometimes I ask myself why me, it has to be God's mercy and nothing else.

.....

(Click on the picture to make it larger, and then see if you recognize any of the brands of products.)

In the picture above the man taking an order from a customer is my uncle A.E. White . In ther rear going from left to right is Dad talking too my cousin Dorthy, and the next one is Ralph White talking to Edgar Ford one of our customers.

.....
Now I want to tell you just a little of how this store worked. It was of course not self-service. Nothing was in that day, even the service station owners would run out to your car when you stopped, begin to clean your windshield and check your oil, and then fill your otank, and believe it or not he would say THANK YOU FOR STOPPING, when you drove away. The man with the pencil and writing pad was my uncle A.E.White, and he was taking an order from this lady that would be filled after she left the store and then delivered to her home.

There was no such things as shopping carts or check out lanes,And notice the shelving in the old store all wood. No refrigeration of any kind, no egg cartons, they were just put in a paper bag.

The following picture is an enlargement of a portion of the picture above. This one shows the people better. On the far left, that man is old Dad. I’m talking to a customer. The man in the back with the apron on is my brother, Ralph. He is talking to a man wearing a hat. The man in the foreground is my Uncle A.E. White, the owner of the store. You can see the pencil and pad in his hand as he takes an order from the lady on the other side of the counter.

.....

.....
(Click on the picture to make it larger, and then see if you recognize any of the brands of products.)

This picture is the same as the one above from a different view, but the same people.

.....
And another thing before I forget it, money was not very plentiful in those days and sometimes the customer would bring things in to trade for their groceries, like butter, live chickens, eggs and almost any kind of vegetables that they produced, and Uncle A,E would take all this in on the price of their grocery bill. Sometimes he would give me the job of checking all this stuff in. But it did not bother me, for about that time I was thinking about other things.

.....

I AM SURE THAT YOU NOTICED THOSE LARGE BAGS ON THE FLOOR, THAT WAS MEAL AND FLOUR. WE SOLD A LOT OF THAT, BECAUSE WE HAD TO BAKE OUR OWN BISCUITS AND CORNBREAD FROM SCRATCH. NO CONVIENCE FOODS OF ANY KIND, NOT EVEN A MICROWAVE OVEN. BUT WE LOVED THOSE BIG BISCUITS AND CREAM GRAVY THAT MY MOTHER WAS AN EXPERT AT MAKING, I WAS THE FIRST ONE AT THE TABLE EACH MORNING. THOSE OLD DAYS WERE NOT TOO BAD, WERE THEY. DAD...

.....

THIS IS ALL THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE FOR A FEW DAYS, I AM WAITING ON A PICTURE OF THE INSIDE OF A MODERN SUPER MARKET THAT WE CAN COMPARE WITH THE OLD TIME STORE.

....

BYE FOR A FEW DAYS, DAD,

865-850-5763..

ENTRY # EIGHTY SEVEN...

2009-01-30T09:52:00.008-05:00

( This was too long for my regular blog. DAD.)

My friend Becky, who lives in Southern California has been asking me for a long time to tell how I ever decided to learn to fly a plane. There is not very much to tell, but I will see what I can remember about it.
....

You can see by the picture below that Jim & Mary had already come to live with us. We lived near a small Airport that was on an island in the Tennessee river, the name of the airport was and still is The Island Airport.
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This airport is within the city limits of Knoxville, There is the municipal airport here which is about 15 miles south of us.
....

Well here is the way it all started, in the afternoons when I would get home from work we four would go to the Island and sit there and watch the small planes take off and land. That was a thrill for all of us. I soon got to know the owner of the airport and two of his instructors. One of them Phillip F. offered to take me up for a ride, I accepted and then I was hooked.
....

Before I knew what was happening I was taking flying lessons, and soon had my license. Before I was allowed to take anyone up with me I had to have so many flying hours by myself, and plan and make a cross country flight. I got all of this done and then I thought that I was important. A inspector came to the airport and gave me my final test.
....
After all of this happened we did spend more time at the airport. I had to rent a plane from a dealer there to continue my flying to get my required time in so I could take someone up with me. It was not very long until I wanted to own my one plane, so we bought an Ercoupe, it was of course just a two seater. In those days there were not very many instruments in the plane. We did have a compass but no radio. We had to depend a lot on our eyes and and our feelings.

The picture below shows my wife LaVerne beside my airplane.

...

My instructor, Phillip and I went to the factory and flew the plane back to Knoxville. The factory was near Washington D. C. As we were returning we could see the White House and other land marks near the capitol.
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I did have a few close calls on some of my cross country trips, some of them I don't even like to think about, especially the one when I got above an overcast sky and could not find a hole to get back down, I was just about ready to give up when a hole appeared in the overcast, I was smiling that day.
....
Another little trip that I remember was when I went to Memphis to get Jim, and he and I flew back to Knoxville. We enjoyed the little trip. I remember that we stopped at the Nashville airport for something to eat, nothing was open so we used the vending machines. Can you imagine the Nashville airport being closed in this day. Things have changed in the last 50 years.
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I am glad that I stopped flying when I did, if I had kept on you might not be reading my blog today. And thinking of my family was another good reason for me stopping.
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I know that I have missed a lot of my experiences in this, but it is about all I can remember, AFTER ALL WHAT DO YOU EXPECT A 96 YEAR OLD MAN TO REMEMBER. This will show you what a silly young man that I was.
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Jim found parts of an old brochure about the Ercoupe airplane. If you click on the pictures they should enlarge enough for you to read about the airplane.

Panel 1
Panel 2
Panel 3
Panel 4

Thanks Becky for asking about this, if she had not ask me to do this I don't guess that I would have done it. Come see me on my blog, I am there every day except Sunday.

Bye Bye DAD.
865-850-5763.
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This link will take you back to my blog.

http://tomatogardeningwithdad.blogspot.com/
....

ENTRY # EIGHTY SIX

2009-01-28T10:58:00.008-05:00

Here is something that was too long for my blog, but it was so good I am showing it to you here. DAD.
....

This is rather profound. I didn't write it and don't know who did, but it really makes you think.

READ THIS VERY SLOWLY.... IT'S PRETTY PROFOUND.
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Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or too rigid to depart from their routine. I got to thinking one day about all those women on the
Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back.
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From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible. How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word'refrigeration' mean nothing to you?
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How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat insilence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?
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I cannot count the times I called my sister and said,'How about going to lunch in a half hour? She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain.' And my personal favorite: 'It's Monday.' She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.
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Because Americans crams so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!
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We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet...
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We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.
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Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.
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' When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend,she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.. My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love icecream. It's just that I might as well apply it directlyto my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process The other day, I stopped the car and bought atriple-Decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home,I would have died happy.
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Now....go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to......not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting? Make sure you read this to the end; you will under standwhy I sent this to you.
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Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed abutter fly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into thefading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask ' How are you?' Do you hear the reply? When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told yourchild, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi? When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift.....Thrown away.....
....
Life is not a race Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.
....

This above was sent to Dad by Heavelybama, Thank you so much. DAD.

...

BYE BYE DAD
.
white6416r@aol.com.
865-850-5763

.© 2009 Dad's Tomato Garden Journal...All Rights Reserved.

ENTRY # EIGHTY FOUR

2008-12-23T07:19:00.006-05:00

Good Morning.

We read and hear a lot of discussion these days about the depression. And it has cause me to have some very serious thoughts. You may not agree with my thoughts, but that is alright, we do at the present time live in a country that we can express our thoughts without fear.

I have been reading the 6th chapter of Genesis and the first 8 verses. I hope that you will take the time to look at these verses.

All that God created in the beginning he said that it was good, and this seemes to be prospering times, but when God looked down on this earth and saw that it had become corrupt at that time he said " I will destroy man whom I have created."

Could this depression that is upon us today be God seeing the corruption that is in the world today be letting this happen too slow us down. Think about this and dissagree with me if you must.

I will be back again to talk to you.

BYE BYE DAD
white6416r@aol.com
865-850=5763

ENTRY # EIGHTY THREE.

2008-12-19T03:00:00.002-05:00

Good Morning,
-

This is Dad's thought for today.
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The camel at the close of day, Kneels down upon the dusty plain, to have the burden lifted off, and rest again.
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My soul thou too shouldst to thy knees, When daylight draweth to a close, And let the Master lift thy load, And grant repose.
-
The camel kneels at break of day, To have its guide replace the load, And rise up anew to take, The desert road.
-
So should thou too kneel down at morning dawn, That God may give the daily care, Assured that he no load too great, Will make thee bear.
-

I am not sure of the author of this, I was going through some things of LaVerne's yesterday and I found this that she had saved many years ago. She loved poems and did write some herself, To any of you who did not know about LaVerne she was my sweet wife. She passed away May 11, 1974. DAD
-

THAT'S ALL FOR RIGHT NOW, JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU THIS GOOD THOUGHT.
-
BYE BYE DAD.
-
white6416r@aol.com

ENTRY # EIGHTY TWO.

2008-12-16T04:49:00.004-05:00

Good Morning.

What in the world are you doing here, this is not any thing new, it is a blog that I started a few years ago, and did not show it very often. There were so many good pictures in is ( especially of Princess ) that I wanted to show it again. I will not be posting in this every day, just when I have something to show you. I will have a link to it in the side panel to your right. Thats in my regular blog.

I hope to see you over here every time that want to come, but don't expect to get Starbucks coffee over here, you will need to go back to my regular journal for that. I love you all and I wish that I did not have to cause you so much trouble. Keep on SMILING over here too.

BYE BYE DAD

white6416r@aol.com

ENTRY # EIGHTY ONE.

2008-12-16T04:26:00.002-05:00

Good Morning.

Here is a poem by Edgar Guest about a boy and his dog. I love Edgar Guest poems. DAD.
.....

A Boy and His Dog by Edgar Guest
.

A boy and his dog make a glorious pair:No better friendship is found anywhere,For they talk and they walk and they run and they play,And they have their deep secrets for many a day;And that boy has a comrade who thinks and who feels,Who walks down the road with a dog at his heels.He may go where he will and his dog will be there,May revel in mud and his dog will not care;Faithful he'll stay for the slightest commandAnd bark with delight at the touch of his hand;Oh, he owns a treasure which nobody steals,Who walks down the road with a dog at his heels.No other can lure him away from his side;He's proof against riches and station and pride;Fine dress does not charm him, and flattery's breathIs lost on the dog, for he's faithful to death;He sees the great soul which the body conceals--Oh, it's great to be young with a dog at your heels!
.....

BYE BYE DAD

ENTRY # EIGHTY..

2008-12-16T04:18:00.002-05:00

Good Morning.

Here are some very valuable information about usein Tomatoes.

How can you tell if a tomato is mealy before slicing into it?Tomatoes are greatly affected by temperature, even during the growing process. They originally came from the warm western coast of South America and don't respond well to temperatures below 50 degrees. Cool temperatures can change a tomato's composition, converting its natural sugar to starch and resulting in a tasteless, mealy tomato. For this reason, never refrigerate a tomato. The cold environment causes the water in the tomato to expand, ruining the texture.If a tomato feels soft, there's a chance it will be mealy, but, unfortunately, it isn't always possible to tell before slicing. What is the best way to ripen and store tomatoes?Place them at room temperature in a single layer, shoulder-side up, and out of direct sunlight. To store ripe tomatoes for any extended period of time, keep them between 55 and 65 degrees.My grocer sells little net bags of tomatoes still attached to a vine. Are these really worth their high price? Those tomatoes were not necessarily ripe when picked, so they often lack flavor. They're generally not worth the extra expense.When should you use canned tomatoes? Opt for canned tomatoes when you want them. Otherwise, let the season be your guide and use fresh tomatoes whenever possible.What are the flavor differences among red, yellow, orange, green, and purple tomatoes? Generally speaking, yellow and orange tomatoes tend to be less acidic than red and are therefore sweeter. These tomatoes have a fruity, almost tropical flavor as a result of their low acidity. Because their sugars aren't fully developed, green tomatoes have a tart, citrusy tang. Purple and blackish varieties have a complex flavor similar to red wine. In general, when is it necessary to peel tomatoes? Since peeling tomatoes is time-consuming, I avoid the process whenever possible. For most salsas, salads, and sandwiches, or when eating out of hand, the skin holds the tomato together, so peeling is unnecessary. For more delicate soups and sauces, like our Tomato Garlic Soup with Parmesan Croutons, the peel can be a nuisance. To peel, use a small paring knife to score the bottom of each tomato with an "X," cutting just through the skin but not into the flesh. Place the tomatoes in a pot of boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon; quickly plunge the tomatoes into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Once they've cooled, you can easily peel away the skins from the tomatoes. What's the best way to slice and seed tomatoes?Anyone who's tried to cut a tomato with a dull knife knows the challenge; the skins are tougher than they look. A sharp serrated knife is the best tool for the job. To seed a tomato, remove the core. Holding the tomato with the core side up, cut the tomato crosswise. Using the tip of a knife, remove and discard the seeds from each tomato half.

BYE BYE DAD.

ENTRY # SEVENTY NINE.

2008-12-16T04:09:00.002-05:00

Good Morning.

Here is something interesting and helpful.

Tomatoes.

Oh how America loves the tomato. The aroma of the vine, sweetness of the flesh, and juicy acidity spur between 25 and 40 million of us to grow tomatoes in gardens, containers, and window boxes each year. There are few greater pleasures than a just-picked ripe, red tomato still warm from the summer sun, or a basket of juicy heirloom tomatoes from your farmers' market.More than any other fruit or vegetable, the tomato has changed the face of modern cuisine. Whether you toss chopped tomatoes into a beef stew, slide a few slices into a BLT, or layer them with their soul mate, basil, tomatoes have become ubiquitous. But even the reddest, plumpest specimens can disappoint when it comes to flavor and juiciness. Finding the best choice, knowing its flavor secrets, and understanding the best way to preserve that flavor will deepen your enthusiasm for one of summer's great tastes.How do you pick a good tomato? Not by looks. Some of the best-tasting tomatoes happen to be some of the homeliest. And picture-perfect tomatoes can be flavorless. Picking a good tomato starts at home, or in your neighborhood. Home-grown tomatoes can't be beat. But when you buy tomatoes, smell them -- a good tomato should smell like a tomato, especially at the stem end.How do you make a lackluster tomato taste better? Even the best tomatoes taste a little better with a sprinkle of salt, which accentuates the balance of sweetness and acidity. If you have a tomato that's flavorless beyond a restorative touch of salt, drizzle a few drops of balsamic vinegar or honey over it to bring out both the sweetness and acidity. Grilling, roasting, and stewing can also give a bland tomato life: When you apply heat, the tomato's moisture evaporates, concentrating its flavor. What makes a tomato mealy?

Bye Bye Dad.

ENTRY # SEVENTY EIGHT.

2008-12-16T01:17:00.005-05:00

Good Morning.

"Time is so precious- do not waste is."

Don't be surprised , this is old Dad. This Blog is one that I have had for a few years. The reason that I am reviving it is because of the pictures and real good advice on Tomatoes that are in it. I will not be posting in this every day, but when something extra special comes up I will be ready for it.
....
I will notify you in mr regual blog when something new is here. DAD.
....
This is all for this day, I hope to see you again soon.

BYE BYE DAD
white6416r@aol.com

ENTRY #SEVENTY-SEVEN

2005-08-29T14:02:00.000-04:00

Our Family by our Airplane around 1947

This picture brings precious memories to me. The time has passed so quickly...
DAD

ENTRY # SEVENTY FOUR.

2005-08-11T17:37:00.000-04:00

Good Afternoon,Here is a little story that my son , Jim sent me, I like it and just wanted to share it.

Business and Fishing

One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf . He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospects of catching a fish.About that time a business man came walking down the beach, trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family."You aren't going to catch many fish that way," said the business man to the fisherman, " you should be working rather than lying on the beach!"The fisherman looked up at the business man, smiled and replied, " And what will my reward be?"" Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!" was the business man's answer."And then what will my reward be?" ask the fisherman still smiling.The business man replied, " you will make money and you'll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!" " And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again.The business man was begining to get a little irritated with the fisherman's questions. " You can buy a bigger boat and hire some people to work for you!" he said"And then what will my reward be?" repeated the fisherman.The business man was getting angry. " Don't you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let your employees catch fish for you!"Once again the fisherman said " And then what will my reward be?"The business man was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, " Don't you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won't have a care in the world!"The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said,

" And what do you think I'm doing right now?"+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ENTRY # Seventy Three

2005-08-05T09:23:00.000-04:00

Good morning,

Here is a interesting story a friend sent me.

A TOMATO TYCOON

An unemployed man is desperate to support his family of a wife and three kids. He applies for a janitor's job at a large firm and easily passes an aptitude test.The human resources manager tells him, "You will be hired at minimum wageof $5.35 an hour. Let me have your e-mail address so that we can get you in the loop.Our system will automatically e-mail you all the forms and advise you when to start and where to report on your first day.
"Taken aback, the man protests that he is poor and has neither a computer nor an e-mail address. To this the manager replies, "You must understand that to a company like ours that means that you virtually do not exist. Without an e-mail address you can hardly expect to be employed by a high-tech firm.Good day."Stunned, the man leaves.
Not knowing where to turn and having $10 in his wallet, he walks past a farmers' market and sees a stand selling 25 lb.crates of beautiful red tomatoes. He buys a crate, carries it to a busy corner and displays the tomatoes. In less than 2 hours he sells all the tomatoes and makes 100% profit. Repeating the process several times more that day, he ends up with almost $100 and arrives home that night with several bags of groceries for his family.
During the night he decides to repeat the tomato business the next day. By the end of the week he is getting up early every day and working into the night. He multiplies his profits quickly. Early in the second week he acquires a cart to transport several boxes of tomatoes at a time, but before a month is up he sells the cart to buy a broken-down pickup truck.
At the end of a year he owns three old trucks. His two sons have left their neighborhood gangs to help him with the tomato business, his wife is buying the tomatoes, and his daughter is taking night courses at the community college so she can keep books for him.By the end of the second year he has a dozen very nice used trucks and employs fifteen previously unemployed people, all selling tomatoes. He continues to work hard.Time passes and at the end of the fifth year he owns a fleet of nice trucks and a warehouse that his wife supervises, plus two tomato farms that the boys manage.
The tomato company's payroll has put hundreds of homeless and jobless people to work. His daughter re! ports that the business grossed a million dollars.Planning for the future, he decides to buy some life insurance. Consulting with an insurance adviser, he picks an insurance plan to fit his new circumstances. Then the adviser asks him for his e-mail address in order to send the final documents electronically.When the man replies that he doesn't have time to mess with a computer and has no e-mail address, the insurance man is stunned, "What, you don't have e-mail? No computer? No Internet?
Just think where you would be today if you'd had all of that five years ago!""Ha!" snorts the man. "If I'd had e-mail five years ago I would be sweeping floors at Microsoft and making $5.35 an hour."
Which brings us to the moral of the story: Since you got this story by e-mail, you're probably closer to being a janitor than a millionaire. Sadly, I received it also.

This link will take you back to Dad's Tomato Garden Journal.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

ENTRY #SEVENTY-TWO

2005-08-02T21:12:00.000-04:00

Tomato Slice 2005

Mmm Mmm Good!

Good Morning,

ENTRY #SEVENTY-ONE

2005-07-28T05:25:00.000-04:00

Here's a picture of Princess watching the birds.

Good Morning,

Princess enjoys sitting at the window and watching the Gold Finches as I type. The weather has been nice here today at two PM the tempeature is 83, and that feels good.

Dear Ray,
Some people revel in the heat while others just wilt. Until recently, I was a wilter. That was because I didn't drink enough liquids. However, with Ken's help, that's changed. He is a master refreshment-maker and neighbor. Now I'm greeting the arrival of August with a whole new, happier perspective. Don't be a wilter -- discover how great liquid refreshment can be with these recipes and ideas.
Smoothies are great year-round but their cheerful color and, often, tropical flavorings make them perfect for summer.
Here are great tips and recipes for creating the tastiest cool special summer drinks.
Fruit juices and coolers are the perfect antidote to the wilting summer heat.
Ice cream drinks are a perennial favorite of young and old.
If you need a basic beverage guide with lots of handy tips, information, and recipes, then you've found it.
Until next week, happy cooking!
Wendy Kalen Senior Food Editor, BHG.com

P.S. Enjoy this newsletter? Forward it to a friend.

The links below will take you to my other journal and my three web pages. DAD.

Dad's Tomato Garden Journal
Dad's Tomato Garden Web Page
Dad's Song Bird and Rose Garden Web Page
Dad's Fried Green Tomatoes Web Page

ENTRY # SEVENTY

2005-07-24T21:52:00.000-04:00

Freezing tomatoes for soup and chili

Good Morning,

It's going to be hot today, be very careful don't get to hot.
The picture above is of tomatoes that we are freezing for the chili , soups and beef stew that we will be useing this winter. It is very easy to do. We use quart freezer bags, skin the tomatoes, cook then just a few minuets and then they go to the freezer. It's fun to do, try it. DAD.

Dear Ray,I had a great time with my family at an amusement park last weekend. It was particularly fun for me to see the foods offered. There were corn dogs, pizza, tacos, lemon ice, gyros, barbecued pork, frozen custard, and a pickle-on-a-stick. So raise your milk shake and join me in a salute to the fun summer foods everyone loves.
Here's everything you wanted to know about pizza.
After moving to Iowa we were introduced to corn dogs and I've yet to meet a kid who didn't love them. Try this recipe.
You're sure to find an ice cream or frozen treat here that's just right. And if you've never tried frozen custard, it's a must.
See how easy it is to use your grill to make your own smoked foods.
Finally, explore a wide variety of recipes using tortillas.
Until next week, happy cooking!Wendy KalenSenior Food Editor, BHG.com
P.S. Enjoy this newsletter? Forward it to a friend.

ENTRY # SIXTY-NINE

2005-07-19T20:50:00.000-04:00

Princess, one of your Tennessee friends

Good Morning,

Most of you have met Princess, but if you havent here she is. She is supposed to be smiling but Mary woke her up from one of her naps, to take this picture and you know how that is. I would be angry too. She loves Fancy Feast and we always keep her a good supply.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

Tomato Tasting.

"Invite guests over to try several tomato varieties.
Poor tomatoes; they often get a bum rap. They're not as hip as hot peppers. But you need not think of tomatoes as barely red disks that sit upon the limp lettuce of a fast-food burger. Nor as bland as the versions found in grocery stores. Tomatoes are so tasty and juicy when they're picked fresh that they can be as sweet as candy or as tangy as a tangerine. With over 3,000 varieties, there are plenty to try. SMILE.
Here's how you can put together a tomato-tasting fiesta that will leave even your tomato-leery friends saying, "Wow!"On a perfect summer day, put up a table and pull out some chairs in the shade. Choose 12 varieties of tomato, featuring guaranteed conversation-starting names such as 'Hillbilly,' 'Bull's Heart,' 'Stump of the World,' Pruden's Purple,' 'Hugh's,' 'Plum Lemon,' and 'Banana.'Slice the tomatoes into wedges and label each variety. Put out some chilled beverages and invite your friends over to sample tomatoes, recipes, and fresh bread. Good way to make new friends."

"Cheers to Tomatoes"-from Outodoor Central, Ladies Home Journal-LHJ.com-Source-BHG

Bye Bye DAD

ENTRY #SIXTY-EIGHT

2005-07-18T19:22:00.000-04:00

Tomatoes are still ripening.

Good Morning,
No need to wait for tomatoes to ripen: There's plenty to do with green ones.
Below are two unusual green tomato recipes.

Baked Green Tomatoes

¾ cup coarse buttery cracker crumbs
4 large firm green tomatoes
Salt and pepper
½ cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter

Cut green tomatoes in ½-inch slices; arrange green tomato slices in a greased baking dish. Season sliced green tomatoes with salt and pepper and spread each with about ½ tablespoon brown sugar.Cover sliced green tomatoes with crumbs and dot with butter. Bake at 350 degrees until green tomatoes tender but still firm, or about 25-30 minutes. Serves from four to six.

Green Tomatoes with Goat Cheese

Here's an elegant side dish that puts all those extra green tomatoes you have to use, according to Cheri Sicard on the Internet's Practical Kitchen material. This recipe serves 4.
4 medium green tomatoes
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano leaves
1 cup crumbled goat cheese
4 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and coarsely ground fresh black pepper

Cut tomatoes into ½-inch thick slices. Coat a shallow baking dish with cooking oil. Place tomato slices in a single, overlapping layer in the bottom of the baking dish.Sprinkle tomatoes with vinegar and scatter minced oregano over tomato slices. Top with crumbled goat cheese and drizzle with olive oil.Broil 5-8 inches below a preheated broiler and broil until tomatoes are hot and cheese is just starting to brown, about 7-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

I would like to give credit for the two recipes and other information above to The Tennessean, a real good newspaper published in Nashville TN, and Mr. Bob Battle who writes a extra good column for the paper. A few days ago he was telling us so many things about Tomatoes, that made me smile. A little later I will tell you a little more, and we'll have some more pictures soon.

Bye Bye DAD

ENTRY # SIXTY-EIGHT

2005-07-17T20:57:00.000-04:00

Tomatoes are still ripening.

Good Morning,

No need to wait for tomatoes to ripen: There's plenty to do with green ones

Below are two unusal green tomato recipes.

Baked Green Tomatoes

¾ cup coarse buttery cracker crumbs
4 large firm green tomatoes
Salt and pepper
½ cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter

Cut green tomatoes in ½-inch slices; arrange green tomato slices in a greased baking dish. Season sliced green tomatoes with salt and pepper and spread each with about ½ tablespoon brown sugar.Cover sliced green tomatoes with crumbs and dot with butter. Bake at 350 degrees until green tomatoes tender but still firm, or about 25-30 minutes. Serves from four to six.

Green tomatoes with goat cheese.

Here's an elegant side dish that puts all those extra green tomatoes you have to use, according to Cheri Sicard on the Internet's Practical Kitchen material. This recipe serves 4.

4 medium green tomatoes
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano leaves
1 cup crumbled goat cheese
4 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and coarsely ground fresh black pepper
Cut tomatoes into ½-inch thick slices. Coat a shallow baking dish with cooking oil. Place tomato slices in a single, overlapping layer in the bottom of the baking dish.
Sprinkle tomatoes with vinegar and scatter minced oregano over tomato slices. Top with crumbled goat cheese and drizzle with olive oil.
Broil 5-8 inches below a preheated broiler and broil until tomatoes are hot and cheese is just starting to brown, about 7-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

I would like to give credit for the two recipes and other information above to The Tennessean, a real good newspaper published in Nashville TN, and Mr.Bob Battle who writes a extra good column for the paper. A few days ago he was telling us so many things about Tomatoes, that made me smile. A little later I will tell you a little more. Below is the link to The Tennessean. Look it over.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

ENTRY #SIXTY SEVEN

2005-07-15T20:54:00.000-04:00

Look what I had on my table for dinner tonight! These are Better Boy Tomatoes. Smile

If I Had my Child To Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars,
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often,
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd model less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.

--Diane Loomans

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

ENTRY # SIXTY SIX

2005-07-12T16:25:00.000-04:00

You can see by this photo that the tomatoes are beginning to ripen.

Good Afternoon,
Our tomatoes are begining to ripen, and we are glad. We will be showing you more pictures on this journal and also on Dad's Tomato Garden Journal.

This link below will take you there.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

ENTRY # SIXTY FIVE

2005-07-11T18:19:00.000-04:00

Good Morning.

Here is my thought for today, thanks for taking the trouble to come here to see it. DAD.

A good friend of mine sent this to me and I want to share it with you,he did not want me to give him credit for this as it was forwarded to him and he does not know who wrote it, but I am going to give him credit anyway......Thanks Boyd.

THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD.

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World." Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids

2. Taj Mahal

3. Grand Canyon

4. Panama Canal

5. Empire State Building

6. St. Peter's Basilica

7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.

The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:

1. to see

2. to hear

3. to touch

4. to taste

5. to feel

6. to laugh

7. and to love."

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!

A gentle reminder - that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

"Each day comes bearing it's own gifts. Untie the Ribbons".

I think that this a good thought for me.

DAD.

ENTRY # SIXTY FOUR

2005-07-07T21:50:00.000-04:00

Good Evening,

Here is a little poem that I like very much.

Take Home A Smile
Edgar Guest

Take home a smile; forget the petty care
The dull, grim grind of all the day's affairs;
The day is done, come be yourself awhile:
To-night, to those who wait, take home a smile.
Take home a smile; don't scatter grief and gloom
Where laughter and light hearts should always
bloom;
What though you've traveled many a dusty mile,
Footsore and weary, still take home a smile.
Take home a smile -- it is not much to do,
But much it means to them who wait for you;
You can be brave for such a little while;
The day of doubt is done -- take home a smile

http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/horticulture/nf43.htm

Some have ask about end rot in tomatoes, here above is a link that might answer your questions. Dad.

ENTRY # SIXTY THREE

2005-07-05T17:39:00.000-04:00

Good Afternoon,

This has been a warm day in the Tennessee Valley. At 5:40 PM the temperature is 83. We have partly cloudy skies and have had light rain off and on today.
Our tomato garden is looking good and we gathered our first ripe tomatoes of the season today, these plants were put in the ground on April the 15th 2005. Seeing those good home grown tomatoes makes me smile.

If you would like to see some of these plant showing their progress click on the link below.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

My e-mail address is- white6416r@aol.com. Let me hear from you.

DAD.

ENTRY # SIXTY TWO

2005-07-03T15:24:00.000-04:00

Good Afternoon,

We have been showing some pictures of our tomato garden on "Dad's Tomato Garden Journal". The tomatoes are beginning to ripen so we will begin showing the red ripe tomatoes right away. If you would like to view some of the comparison pictures of the tomatoes while they were growing click link below. You will see different stages of their growth. I will be happy to try and answer any questions you might have about growing tomatoes. Contact me either by e-mail or comments.
DAD

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

ENTRY # SIXTY- ONE

2005-06-30T18:57:00.000-04:00

These tomatoes were produced on plants that are 76 days old and came off our comparison plant that we have been showing on Dad's Tomato Garden Journal. Click on link below to view As these tomato ripen we will be showing you more interesting pictures. Keep smiling. Dad.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal /
We have been showing pictures of this plant since april 15th, every two weeks ,showing their progress.

ENTRY #SIXTY

2005-06-27T21:23:00.000-04:00

Burpee Tomatoes
" When somebody tells you nothing is impossible, ask him to dribble a football."
We will soon be showing you a lot of good tomato pictures, and some good information on handling your tomatoes' I am slow but I will finally get it done. See you soon . DAD
The link below will take you to Dad's Tomato Journal.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

ENTRY #FIFTY-NINE

2005-06-24T19:49:00.000-04:00

Green Tomatoes 2005
More pictures on

Dad's Tomato Garden Journal.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

ENTRY #FIFTY-EIGHT

2005-06-19T22:21:00.000-04:00

On Sunday which was Fathers Day we had a big platter of fried green tomatoes for our noon meal from this patch pictured above. They were delicious. You can see a picture of the fried green tomatoes on Dad's Tomato Garden Journal. Entry # 584. Look it over and you will get hungry. DAD
These tomato plants are sixty days old.

ENTRY #FIFTY-SIX

2005-04-12T19:14:00.000-04:00

Good Evening,

Hope all is well in your part of the world. I am doing pretty good, just been very busy. It's time for me to get those tomato plants in the ground.. I am ready, my garden is in perfect condition and I expect to put out 50 plants on Fridat April 15th.

I will be showing the progress of these plants from the time they are in the ground untill those red ripe tomatoes appear. watch for the pictures. Some of the pictures may appear on Dad"s Tomato garden Journal. I would be glad for any. comments or questions. white6416r@aol.com - This is my e-mail address

ENTRY # FIFTY FIVE

2005-03-16T12:41:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon,

Spring is getting close, I have my tomato sites ploughed and ready to go. I plan to have my plants in the ground by April 15th if all goes as planed. Hope that I can be of some help to any of you that may have questions, And I may be calling on you if I need help in answering some hard questions that I receive.

The weather here in The Tennessee Valley is not very
pleaant today. Lite cold rain falling, with a tempeature of 38 at 12:49 PM.

Below is a link to my journal. Dad's Tomato Gardrn Journal. From that journal there will be links to more pages. that I beleive you will enjoy.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

Will stop with this thought for today that a good friend, Andrew used to quote.

" Try and fail if you must, but never fail to try "

I would appreciate a comment from you very much. If you are not a blog member you may send it to me on Dad'sTomato Garden Journal Also my E-Mail is whitr6416r@aol.com

All for today, Smile today, it might help someone. Bye Bye DAD

ENTRY # FIFTY- FOUR

2005-03-07T15:46:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon,

My last post has been on long enough, so I need to try and change it a little so you will know that I am still on the job. I am keeping busy trying to get ready for this tomato season which is fast approaching. I love to raise tomatoes, I am getting ready to answer any questions about growing tomatoes that you may have. I sure don't know every thing about it, but I usualy can get some help from other growers, My E-Mail is white6416r@aol.com Would be glad to hear from you anytime.

Click the link below for some good information from Burpee's. I would be glad for a comment from any of you. Dad.

Here is a little poem that I like, its so true.

Ed and john were little boys in the long ago, Playing marbles day by day, just like boys you know, Ed was clever, so was John. Ed one difference bore- Winning marbles when he played made him wish for more. Heavier grew his little sack, still on winning bent- Ed had more than he could use, but was not content.

John played marbles now and then, never lost them all; Had enough to join the game when the boys would call, Played at baseball, climbed the trees, loved the birds, and knew, Many a thrill of doing things Ed would never do, Kept his marbles in a sack smaller far than Ed's; Hadn't more than fifty nibs,blues and and whites and reds.

"John " said Ed one day to him, still on marbles bent, " I've a thousand in my sack, but I'm not content. Just how many have you ? Answered a few. Fifty marbles , I should say, but I've more than you." More than I "? said Ed, surprised " surely that can't be !" "Yes " -said John, " I've more than you- I've all I want you see."

Rich man, piling wealth on wealth, catch John's point of view! Who has all he wants today is richer far than you.

I received some good information from Burpees today That I would like to pass on to you.Click the link below to view. It is regarding Seed Starting.

( There are some errors on this journal, I will correct them on the next post- Sorry. Dad. )

Burpee Seed Company

All for now. see you soon . BYE BYE

My Poppie and Mommie -- Entry # Fifty Three.

2005-02-22T15:59:00.000-05:00

Pictured above are two people that have made a great impact on my life, as we children called them ( Mommie and Poppie ) Most children would say that their parents were the best in the world, and I think that is alright to say, because that is the way I feel. They were a great help to us seven children as we were growing up, they taught us by example. It sure would be nice to have a little talk with them this morning, Poppie was born on August 24, 1889 and died on November 22, 1980.. Mommie was born on June 29, 1896 and died on March 29 1974. There are three of us children left and we miss having them to talk to.

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We are having nice sunny weather here in the Tennessee Valley. Temperature at the moment is 40 degrees. Very pleasent day More tomato growing tips later.

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If you would like to make a comment to this blog, and you are not a blog member, you may leave your comment on Dad's Tomato Garden Journal. Click hyperlink below.

Dad's Tomato Garden Journal

Or you can send your comment to me by E-Mail at mailto:white6416r@aol.com I will be glad to hear from you.

DAD

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ENTRY # FIFTY TWO.

2005-02-18T09:26:00.001-05:00

Good Morning,
In my e-mail this morning I received some real good advice about producing tomatoes. So I want to send it on to you. It is from Rick, and I hope that he will continue to help us in doing a good job at what we love to do. Here is his letter in full. Thanks Rick .

"Sorry to butt in here, you obviously know a lot about tomatos and your links will probably tell your people more than I can impart, but let me give it a shot.All plants require substantial amounts of three essential elements. They are Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash, represented by three consecutive numbers on the commercial fertilizer you buy, in the order given. Green Leafy vegetables require large amounts of Nitrogen. Your Manure is providing plenty of Nitrogen. Flowering and Fruit plants require large amounts of Phosphorus, and Root plants require large amounts of Potash. Your Miracle Grow is providing that, but make sure you are buying the one high in the middle number, as that is the one for Phosphorus, which your tomatos need the most.In other words, buy 15, 30, 15 Miracle Grow, or a similar combination.As for rotating crops, the only issue is one that is also important with your roses, which you also love to grow I am gathering. This has to do with disease, and especially in the case of tomatos, blight. It resides in the soil,if you do not properly clean-up each year and dispose of the old vines in a remote mulch or burn. Once you get blight, you are more susceptible to it in subsequent years. The same is true for Black Spot in Roses."

ENTRY #FIFTY-ONE

2005-02-15T00:40:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Everyone,

Here is a picture of a sign posted in a park near

Kingsport, TN, where my son and daughter-in-law

live. My grandson and family also live there.

This park is well-known in that area. It is called

Bays Mountain Park. The words on the sign below

are so true. I hope the words are clear enough that

you can read them.

SORRY - PICTURE OF SIGN WAS DELETED

ENTRY # FIFTY

2005-02-08T13:03:00.000-05:00

Hello to you wherever you are,

It's a rainy day in the Tennessee Valley, not very cold, the tempeature is 49, its supposed to go to 60 today.

Here is a little story that my son , Jim sent me, I like it and just wanted to share it.

Business and Fishing,

One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf . He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospects of catching a fish.

About that time a business man came walking down the beach, trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family.

"You aren't going to catch many fish that way," said the business man to the fisherman, " you should be working rather than lying on the beach!"

The fisherman looked up at the business man, smiled and replied, " And what will my reward be?"

" Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!" was the business man's answer.

"And then what will my reward be?" ask the fisherman still smiling.

The business man replied, " you will make money and you'll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!" " And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again.

The business man was begining to get a little irritated with the fisherman's questions. " You can buy a bigger boat and hire some people to work for you!" he said

"And then what will my reward be?" repeated the fisherman.

The business man was getting angry. " Don't you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let your employees catch fish for you!"

Once again the fisherman said " And then what will my reward be?"

The business man was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, " Don't you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won't have a care in the world!"

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, " And what do you think I'm doing right now?"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This is all I have for today. hope to talk to you soon. Don't forget to smile.
BYE BYE Dad.

ENTRY # FORTY NINE.

2005-02-03T20:58:00.000-05:00

Good Morning to you,

Since it is going to be a few day's before I have any tomato news ready, I am going to show you a poem that I like very much. My daughter Mary writes poetry and I ask her for permission to use it, and she said O.K.

But if you have any tomato questions please send them on to me, I answer all mail that I receive.
_____________________________________

Snowflakes and Dear Ones

Gentle snowflakes fall upon me,
Melting fast upon my face,
There’s no way that I can keep them,
If in my heart they have no place.
Very fragile, very special,
Are these snowflakes from the sky
They remind me of my dear ones,
As they gracefully flutter by.
Scarcely do I see their beauty,
Barely do their rare imprints
Fix themselves upon my fingers,
Till I’m wondering where they went.
In this world so temporary,
Filled with ephemeral things,
Surely everything is fleeting,
Flying 'way on speeding wings.
Like the snowflakes that are melting,
When they touch my skin so warm,
Yes, myself, my friends, my family,
We’re on that solemn journey home.
Snowflakes can’t be kept in bottles,
You can’t grasp them as they fly,
You just have to dearly love them,
As they slowly flutter by.
We cannot keep what can’t be held,
And just as snowflakes disappear,
Often on life’s lonely landscape
We’re deprived of what is dear.
Yet no one really leaves us,
Though we’re far, so far apart,
As long as we believe in snowflakes,
And keep them always in our hearts.
By Mary L. White

This poem brings tears to my eyes.....Dad. Bye Bye

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Here is a link that will take you to Dad's Tomato Garden Journal, meet me over there for a cup of good coffee.

Above Poem is Copyrighted All rights reserved

ENTRY # FORTY EIGHT.

2005-02-01T15:28:00.000-05:00

Good Morning,

Questions about tomato growing have begun to arrive, and it makes me smile. In this journal I am going to post the questions and the answers, maybe it will be of help to someone. Feel free to write me if you have any questions, or want to correct me on any wrong information I may have given. I need your help. I have produced tomatoes for many years, but feel that I still don't know very much about it. But we will find the answers some where,I am sure.
_______________________________________________

Question # One. Crop Rotation.
This question is from Arizona.

"Just a fast question. I read sometime back, and can not find the information.What is it that Tomato plants deplete from the soil if planted in the same location year after year ? Our soil here is very alkaline. I have changed it to slightly acidic. That was one thing.. Several years in a row , I had great Tomatoes, now I do not. I did read some time back about crop rotation and what Tomatoes deplete from the soil
but it seems that I do not remember that, and can not locate the information. It is almost time for us to plant here in Phoenix, so I must get this corrected or my Tomatoes will fail again for the second year. Thanks for your time. Lori."
__________________________________________
Dad's Answer.
Hello Lori,
Thanks so much for your e-mail and hope that I can help you. Many people seem to be wondering about rotation. I have 50 plants in one garden, just don't have the space , and I am not able to rotate and keep the same number of plants. I have been doing that in this one garden for 10 years, and I do produce some beautiful Tomatoes. I'll send you some pictures later. I do know that rotation is good, but if you can't do it don't give up. What I do is when I put my plants in th ground I use either chicken or cow manure around and under the plant, and then watch them grow. Using a little Miracle-Grow helps too.

The links below will take you to a lot more information. More than I will ever know.
Write me any time

http://www.farm-garden.com/primers/17/

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/tomato.html

ENTRY # FORTY-SEVEN

2005-01-28T10:31:00.000-05:00

Good Morning,

Below is a picture of Burpee's new "Steak Sandwich Tomato." Don't they look delicious? You better order your seeds soon!

Their web site is www.burpee.com

Good Morning To You,

I received my copy of the new , Burpees 2005 catalogue and I just had to send it on to you. If you haven't received yours, here is the link - www.burpee.com.

You all know that I am always interested in tomatoes, and when I find something new, that I think is good I want to pass it on to you. It wont be long now untill we will be busy in our gardens, and I am trying to be' ready to help in any way I can. I will be waiting for your questions. No charge, just doing this because I love those good Home Grown Tomatoes. I did not have time to ask Burpee 's about useing this picture, hope that it is alright, if not let me know.

We are having nice weather here in The Tennessee Valley today, tempeature is 36 at 11:30, we do have a prediction for freezing tonight. The high for today should be 45.

All for today, talk to you soon. Smile a little today.

Bye Bye

ENTRY # FOURTY SIX

2005-01-24T14:15:00.001-05:00

A good poem written by Edgar Guest. He was one of the best.

MY PAW SAID SO.

Foxes can talk if you know how to listen, My Paw said so
Owls have big eyes that sparkle and glisten, My Paw said so.
Bears can turn flip-flaps an' climb ellum trees, An' steal all the honey away from the bees, An' they never mind winter becoz they don't freeze; My Paw said so.

Girls is a-scared of a snake, but boys ain't, My Paw said so,
They holler an' run; an' sometimes they faint, My Paw said so. But boys would be 'shamed to be frightened that way when all the snake wants to do is to play: You've got to beleive every word that I say, My Paw said so.

Wolves aain't so bad if you treat "em all right,My Paw said so. They'er as fond of a game as they are of a fight, My Paw said so. An' all of the animals found in the wood, Ain't alwas ferocious. Most times they are good. The trouble is mostly they'er misunderstood, My Paw said so.

You can think what you like, but I stick to it when, My Paw said so. An' I'll keep right on sayin', again 'an again, My Pa said so. Mabye foxes don't talk to such people as you, An'bears never show you the tricks they can do, But I know that the stories are true, My Paw said so.

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In the spring we will be having a lot of news and help for you about producing that Good Home Grown Tomato. Don't miss it.
Dad.
I don't have any thing more for today. It is some warmer this tuesday morning. It was 29 at 8:30 AM. The skies are clear, and no rain for today. Hope to have some pictures soon.
Bye Bye DAD.

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ENTRY # FOURTY FIVE

2005-01-24T06:27:00.000-05:00

Good Morning,

It is cold in the Tennessee Valley this morning. The sun is supposed to shine very brightly today, but right now at 6 AM the tempeature is 12 degrees. It is colder here today than it is up in Green Bay, I just checked there and WeatherBug says 17.

I don't have much to talk about on this cold morning. So I am going to give you a little thought for the day that I like and then go and get me a cup of that good coffee. It sure smells good.

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THE WORLD NEEDS

" A little more kindness and a little less creed, A little more giving and a little less greed: A little more smile and a little less frown, A little less kicking a man when he's down; A little more "we" and a little less "I", A little more laugh and a little less cry; A few more flowers on the pathway of life, And fewer on graves at the end of the strife.

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All for tody. Smile today if you possibly can. Bye Bye

ENTRY # FOURTY FOUR.

2005-01-21T08:08:00.000-05:00

Hello to You, ( Sunday morning, Jan.23-05. Hope you feel as good as I do today. The tempeature is 18 at 5:30 AM. Will see you Monday morning. Smile today . Dad.

I want to make a special note to my Journal friend in Canada. I made a comment on your Blog and for some reason it published it 10 or 11 times! Sorry this happened----Dad.

It's still warm in The Tennessee Valley. I am ready for spring, you know without me telling you what I would like to be doing this morning.But I will just have to be patient and wait, it won't be long." Those Good Home Grown Tomatoes " nothing like them. There is a song titled," Home Grown Tomatoes". My good Florida friends sent this to me some time ago, and I always think of them when I look at this song.

At 8 AM the temperature was 45 and we expect a high of 48 for this day. there is 80% chance of rain on Saturday.

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I like this little thought. We all should be careful how we walk, especially fathers. But all of us need to realize that
someone may be following us.

THE LITTLE CHAP WHO FOLLOWS ME

A careful man I ought to be; A little fellow follows me; I do not dare to go astray, For fear he'll go the self-same way.

I must not madly step aside, Where pleasure's paths are smooth and wide, And join in wine's red revelry- A little fellow follows me.

I cannot once escape his eys; Whate'er he sees me do he tries- Like me he says, he's going to be; The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine, Believes in every word of mine; The base in me he must not see, The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go, Through summer's sun and winter's
snow,I'm building for the years to be, A little fellow follows me.

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This is all I have for this day. Hope to back soon. I hope that we all can have a big smile on our face today. BYE BYE

ENTRY # FOURTY THREE.

2005-01-19T22:12:00.000-05:00

Good Morning,

Hope all is going good with you. Things are good here in The Tennessee Valley. The weather is some warmer, which makes us glad. I haved changed templates , hope this will be better. The tomato season will soon be here, and we will be answering lots of questions, and showing many pictues from my garden. Different stages of our growing tomatoes.

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Here is a poem that I like, Edgar Guest said these words..

I BELIEVE.

I believe in friendship, and I believe in trees, And I believe in hollyhocks a-swaying in the breeze, And I believe in robins and roses white and red, And rippling brooks and rivers and blue skies overhead. And I believe in laughter, and I believe in love, And I believe the daffodils believe in God above.

I am no unbeliver. I know some men are true, I know the joy of summer time when skies above are blue, I know there no earthly power can shape a budding rose, Or bring a daisy into bloom; with all that wisdom known, It could not fashion, if it would the humblest blade of grass, Or strech a living carpet where the weary travelers pass.

I believe in friendsip, for I have found it good, And I believe in kindly words, for I have understood; My faith is founded on the years and all that I have seen, Something of God I've looked upon no matter where I've been. Within a swamp but yesterday a lily smiled at me. And only God could set it there to bloom for me to see.

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All for now ,see you later if all goes well. BYE BYE.

ENTRTY# FORTY-TWO

2005-01-15T20:34:00.000-05:00

Good Morning,

I hope all is well with you today. The weather is a little warmer here in The Tennessee Valley this morning. At 3:30 AM the temperature is 36. It will be 45 toay, Sunday is one day that I like to keep quiet , so this is going to be all for today.

If all goes well hope to talk to you Monday, Keep a smile on your face.

Bye Bye.

ENTRY # FOURTY ONE

2005-01-14T16:09:00.000-05:00

Hello to all of you.

Yesterday I ask for help, I wanted to know how many muscles it took to smile and how many it took to frown.Well I got an answer, Click on the link below and see what the man says. Thanks to one of my journal readers for the help on this, I can always depend on you.

All for this trip, I'll see you tomorrow. Keep that smile on your face.
Bye Bye

ENTRY # FORTY

2005-01-14T09:38:00.000-05:00

Good Morning,

The weather is cooler in Tennessee today. At 8 AM the tempeature was 40 degrees with a high of 45 for today. Tonight it will be 25.

I don't have a lot of interesting news today, so this is all for .
now. See you later . Bye Bye.

ENTRY # THIRTY NINE

2005-01-13T09:23:00.000-05:00

Good Morning.

I have changed the Template on this journal, don't know if it will be better or not.

The weather is still warn in The Tennessee Valley, but colder weather is on the way. This morning at 9 AM the tempeature was 67, and rain is predicted for today . This will be all as this is just a little test , more later.

Smile today if you can, it will help a lot. Dad.

ENTRY # THIRTY EIGHT

2005-01-12T09:21:00.000-05:00

Good Morning,

I really don't have anything to say that would be helpful, but I could wish you a happy day, and give you the weather in the Tennessee Valley. At 6:30 AM the tempeature was 52, with an expected high of 68 for today. Cloudy with rain expected tomorrow,

Here is a little thought for today.

" You don't get to choose how you're going to die, or when. You can only decide how you're going to live "

Joan Baez

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Thats all for today. Smile today if you possibly can.

BYE BYE.

ENTRY # THIRTY SEVEN

2005-01-11T10:22:00.000-05:00

GOOD MORNING TO YOU:

I don't have any thing new today . Just wanted to say Hello , and hope that every one is doing good . The weather here in The Tennessee Valley stays warm . It was 48 at 8 AM this morning, and a high of 64 is expected for today .

Don't forget when the tomato season arrives , I would like to hear from you . all for today. Keep a smile on your face today , it will help.
Dad.

ENTRY # THIRTY SIX

2005-01-09T06:03:00.001-05:00

Good Morning:

Sunday is a day that I try to keep quiet . I like to keep this day to read, and meditate on all the good things that have come my way,

It is still warm here in the Tennessee Valley. It is 35 at 6 AM.
High today will be 60, and no rain in sight.

On my, Dad's Tomato Garden Journal, I have some news about some new varities of tomatoes that Burpee's have for 2005. They sure look good This link is to the page . Look them over . I am going to try them this spring. I will be haveing lots of tomato news in the weeks ahead. Keep in touch.

All for now. Keep that smile on today Bye Bye Dad

ENTRY # THIRTY FIVE

2005-01-06T09:33:00.000-05:00

Good Morning:

Its raining in Tennessee today. Still warm , at 9:30 AM it is 54. But we will have cooler weather soon .

Here is a little thought for today.

" With all the progess that we have had, Don't you just wish , just once, you could slip back in time and and savor the slower pace, and share it with the children of today. "

This is all I have for today. Keep a smile on your face today, it will help you and the ones that are looking at you.

BYE BYE Dad

ENTRY # THIRTY FOUR

2005-01-05T14:10:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon:

We are enjoying some warm weather here in the Tennessee Valley. It is 66 at 2 PM. Looking out our window it looks like spring. But I know this won't last many days. I am waiting for spring to arrive. I specialize in producing Tomatoes, and with my web page I try to help others, answering any questions that I can about any problems they may have. Here is a link to that page.

http://hometown.aol.com/white6416r/myhomepage/garden.html

We will be glad to hear from you at any time if you have any problems. My E-Mail address is white6416r@ aol.com Give me a question any time. I would appreciate a comment on this.

*******************************

All for this time. Keep smiling BYE BYE

Entry # Thirty Three

2005-01-01T17:09:00.000-05:00

Good Morning:

Here is a funny little poem, that I like.

Then Laugh.

Build for yourself a strong box, Fashion each part with care; When it's strong as your hand can make it, Put all your troubles there; Hide there all thoughts of your faliures, And each bitter cup that you quaff ; Lock all your heartaches within it, Then sit on the lid and laugh.

Tell no one else its contents, Never its secrets share; When you've dropped in your care and your worry, Keep then forever there ; Hide them from sight so completely, That the world will never dream half; Fasten the strong- box securely- Then sit on the lid and laugh

Bertha Backus.
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Sunday is a day that I like to rest and be quite, so this is all I have for now. Lots of good pictures commng up soon, watch for them. And then Tomato season is slipping up on us, That is when you will hear a lot from me.

BYE BYE for now. Dad

ENTRY # THIRTY TWO

2005-01-01T07:29:00.000-05:00

Good Morning to You.

Hope that you have a very Happy New Years Day. I am not going to say much today, I think that we all should make this a quite restful day, and think about our blessins which are many. Smile today if you possibly can, you might be surprised what it could do for you.
All for this day- Hope to talk to you later. BYE BYE-- Dad.

ENTRY # THIRTY

2004-12-28T13:19:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon,
It's a beautiful day in the Tennessee Valley today. The sky is clear and the temperature is very nice, 43 at 1:30 P.M. No rain expected for a few days. The Birds are out in droves today, mostly Cardinals, and are they hungry. Keeps me busy filling their feeders, but that is what I love to do.

It won't be long until the new year will be with us, here is a little poem by Helen Fischer that I like. The years pass quickly and I am afraid that I waste a lot of my time. " Time is precious- do not waste it "

The New Leaf.

He came to my desk with a quivering lip; The lesson was done; " Dear Teacher, I want a new leaf," he said, " I have spoiled this one." I took the old leaf, torn and blotted, And gave him a new one ,all unspotted, And into his sad eyes smiled: " Do better now, my child!"

I came to the throne with a trembling heart;The year's work was done; " Dear Father I want a new year," I said, " I have spoiled this one ." He took the old year ,all torn and blotted, And gave me a new one ,all unspotted, And into my sad heart smiled: " Do better now, my child "

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Thats all for today, Here is a link back to Dad's Tomato Garden Journal. I will soon be talking about Tomatoes.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

P.S. I just happened to think, there may be a few of those cookies left, if they are help yourself to them. Scroll down to Entry # Twenty Nine.

ENTRY # TWENTY NINE

2004-12-24T23:56:00.000-05:00

Here is the plate of goodies that our friend Paulette made for us.

The link below will take you back to Dad's Tomato Garden Journal.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

ENTRY # TWENTY-EIGHT

2004-12-19T19:05:00.000-05:00

Two redbirds outside my window on a snowy December day.

I counted sixteen redbirds on this bush at one time!

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Good Morning,

This picture was taken yesterday in one of the many snow showers we have had. Notice the Blue Jay on the left gettin out of the way. This is first year that we have so many Cardinals to visit our feeders.I would like to hear from some of you about what is going on around your bird feeder. I would be glad to get a comment from you. They are very interesting and beautiful to watch I have another web page titled " Dad's Songbird and Rose Garden" We have a list of all the state birds on this page and just noticed that many of the states use the Cardinal as their state bird. I will give you the link to this page.

http://hometown.aol.com/white6416r/index.html

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It is very cold here in the Tennessee Valley this morning. At 6 A.M. it was 14. At 11 A. M. the tempeature is up to 21, so we may be having a nice day.

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Think about this today:

"I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everthing I will not refuse to do something that I can do "

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See you again soon. So Long.

(Note: One of my friends in Wisconsin told me they were having trouble placing a comment on this journal, they were ask to give a pass word. I don't know what is wrong, untill I find out would any of you wanting to give me a comment just use my E-Mail. white6416r@aol.com. Thanks Dad.

ENTRY # TWENTY SEVEN.

2004-12-17T09:14:00.000-05:00

Good Morning.

This blog is supposed to be all about raising tomatoes, but since it's not tomato raising time I have to write about something else ever few days so you will know that I am still around. When tomato times comes you will be hearing a lot from me. People from all over write me with question they may have, I try to answer all mail and publish it on this blog. So if you are interested in tomatoes keep in touch with me.

I have several pictures on this blog that were posted a few days ago, give them a look and see what a ninety one year old man looks like.

Here is a link to my daily journal . Dad's Tomato Garden Journal. Look it over when you have time.

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A little thought for today.

" If you want to kill time try working it to death "

Sam Levenson.

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This is all for today. BYE BYE.

ENTRY #TWENTY-SIX

2004-12-02T18:37:00.000-05:00

Here I am on Thanksgiving Day, 2004, with my Great

Grandchildren, Kara, Zachary, and Mandy.

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Good Morning,

Here's is a picture that I am very proud of. These three bring me very much joy, and that is worth a lot to me in my old age. I don't want to ever do anything to disappoint them in me. I have another picture on Dad's Tomato Garden Journal today that means a lot to me also.

We have very nice weather here in The Tennessee Valley today. A lot of very bright sunshine. and no rain in sight. Tempeature at the moment is 44.

This is all for today. See you soon, BYE BYE.

ENTRY # TWENTY FIVE

2004-12-02T14:04:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon,

Just this little thought for this day is all I have for now. I do have some more pictures for next time.

Morning Prayer.

"When little things would irk me, and I grow, Impatient with my dear ones, make me know, How in a moment joy can take its flight, And happines be quenched in endless night
. Keep this thought with me all the livelong day, That I
may guard the harsh words I might say, When I would fret and grumble, fiery hot, At trifles that tomorrow are forgot- Let me remember, Lord, how it would be, If these, my loved ones, were not here with me."
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It's cold here in the Tennessee Valley today, it was 27 early his morning. see you later.
Dad

ENTRY #TWENTY-FOUR

2004-11-29T22:33:00.000-05:00

Dad on Thanksgiving Day, 2004

ENTRY #TWENTY-THREE

2004-11-29T22:08:00.000-05:00

Four Generations of the Ray White Family, Pictured on Thanksgiving Day. The ages run from 3 years old to 91 years old.

ENTRY # TWENTY TWO.

2004-11-22T07:48:00.000-05:00

Good Morning.
.
I am still here. Just haven't had time to write anything for the last few weeks . But I hope to get busy now. It's a few days yet untill Thanksgiving Day, but anyway I am going to post my favorite poem by Edgar Guest that I like , Titled " The Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving ." I am old enough to remember Thangsgiving days likes this, what sweet memories.

The Old Fashioned Thanksgiving.

It may be I am getting old and like too much to dwell, Upon the days of byegone years, the days I loved so well; But thinking of them now I wish somehow that I could know A simple Thanksgiving Day, like those of long ago, When all the family gathered round a table richly spread, With little Jamie at the foot and grandpa at the head, The youngest of us all to greet the oldest with a smile, With mother running in and out and laughing all the while.

It may be I'm old-fashioned, but it seems to me today, we're too much bent on having fun to take the time to pray; Each little family grows up with fashions of its own; It lives within a world itself and wants to be alone. It has its specail pleasures, its circle, too, of friends, There are no get-together days; each one his journey wends, Pursuing what he likes the best in his particular way, Letting the others do the same, Upon Thanksgaing Day.

I like the olden way the best, when relatives were glad, To meet the way they used to do when I was but a lad; the old home was a rendzvous for all our kith and kin, And whether living far or near they all came trooping in, With shouts of "Hello, daddy!" as they fairly stormed the place, And made a rush for mother, who stop to wipe her face, Upon her gingham apron before she kissed them all, Hugging them proudly to her breast, the grownups and the small.

The laughter rang throughout the hoome and Oh, the jokes they told! From Boston, Frank brough new ones, but father sprang the old, All afternoon we chatted, telling what we hoped to do, The struggles we were making and the hardships we'd gone through; We gathered round the fireside. How fast the hours would fly-
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Here is a link to my other Journal. Visit me there some time.

http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/

Bye for now.

ENTRY # TWENTY ONE.

2004-11-08T16:49:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon.

I don't seem to have anything to talk about today. We were very busy yesterday and I was very tired last night, so I have just been taking it easy today. We are sure having some nice weather here in the Tennessee Valley. Early this morning tempeature was 45, skies blue, bright sunshine and no chance of rain for a few days . High today was only 59.

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A little poem by Margaret Sangster and then I am going to stop untill I have someting to say.

" Oh, face to face with trouble, Friend, I have often stood, To learn that pain has sweetness, To know that God is good. Arise and meet the daylight, Be strong and do your best, With an honest heart and a childlike trust, That God will do the rest.

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My E- Mail Address is white6416r@aol.com I would like to hear from you, or leave me a comment on this journal.
Dad.

ENTRY #TWENTY

2004-11-06T10:03:00.000-05:00

Good Morning.
It's a beautiful morning in the Tennessee Valley. The sky is a beautiful blue, not a cloud to be seen, At 7 A.M. the temperature was 39 and we expect it will go to 65 today. No rain is expected for several days.
I feel good this morning, don't seem to have any complaints. Just hope that I can do a few things today that are needing to be done.
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Here is a little poem by Edgar Guest that I think is good.
How and Why.
Still as children asking why, Adults gaze upon the sky. Still as children, grownups seek, Reason for the comet's streak; Still to sages baffling are, Sun and planet, moon and star. On a garden's tiny space, Miracles are taking place. And as children, Age explores, God's bewildering out-of-doors. Questing, till the day they die, Life's great mystery - how and why ?
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A little thought for today.
" The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter "
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All for today, see you soon. BYE BYE.

ENTRY # EIGHTEEN

2004-11-04T13:40:00.000-05:00

Hope all is going good in your part of the world. We are having some wet weather in the Tennessee Valley. More rain predicted for today. My main interest is in growing Tomatoes. But since our season is over I have to think and write about other things. But just until spring comes again, then you will be hearing a lot from me about tomatoes. This is all I am going to have for today. I will have more pictures in a few days. When you have time look at my Journal, Dad's Tomato Garden Journal. Hope to talk to you soon.

BYE BYE

ENTRY #SEVENTEEN

2004-11-01T19:28:00.000-05:00

YRose2004, originally uploaded by Tomato Specialist.

Good Morning,

Above is the rose that we were talking about in Dad's Tomato Garden Journal.

To day is Wednesday Nov. 4-o3-o4 I don't have any thing for today, Mabye tomorrw.

Dad.

ENTRY #SIXTEEN

2004-10-31T11:40:00.000-05:00

Dad New Office, originally uploaded by Tomato Specialist.

Good Morning to you.We have finally got every thing working pretty good. So we hope to be showing some interesting pictures soon We are well pleased with our new camera, just slowly learning to use it. This is Sunday morning 10-31-04 at 4 A.M. All for today, hope to get started Monday morning. BYE BYE

ENTRY # FIFTEEN

2004-10-26T07:56:00.000-04:00

Good Morning.

It's a nice morning in Tennessee, at 7:45 the tempeature is 52 , with a high of 75 expected today. I don't have my pictures ready yet, so I am going to post a poem that I like written by Edgar Guest.
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Old Age.

I used to think that growing old was reckoned just in years, But who can name the very date when weariness appears ? I find no stated time when man, obedient to a law, Must settle in an easy chair and from the world withdraw. Old age is rather curious, or so it seems to me, I know old men at forty and young men at seventy-three.

Some men keep all their friendships warm, and welcome friendships new, They have no time to sit and mourn the things they use to do. This changing world they greet with joy and never bow to fate; On ever fresh adventure they set out with hearts elate. From chilling fear and bitter dread they keep their spirits free, While some men seem old
at forty they stay young at seventy-three.

So much to do, so much to learn, so much in which to share ! With twinkling eyes and mind alert some brave both time and care. And this I've learned from other men, that only they are old, Who think with something that has passed the tale of life is told. For ages not alone of time, or we should never see, Men old and bent at forty and men young at seventy-three.

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All for today. See you soon with some interesting pictures.

BYE BYE

ENTRY #FOURTEEN

2004-10-09T14:52:00.000-04:00

Fall Dogwood.JPG
Originally uploaded by Tomato Specialist.

Hello to You Wherever you are.

I am sorry that I have been so slow in getting something going on this journal . But I think that I am about ready to go. We have our new camera and hope to have some interesting pictues very soon. Visit me sometime on Dad's Tomato Garden journal.

Your Tennessee Friends

Dad, Mary and Princess.

ENTRY #Thirteen

2004-10-06T15:34:00.000-04:00

Here I am in my daily activity. I'm trying to remember whether I'm getting ready to go to sleep or if I just woke up. Love from Princess
P. S. Dad says Hello and that he will write soon. He's busy in his garden working. What does "Work" mean? Is it anything like "Sleep?" Bye for now......ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

ENTRY # TWELVE.

2004-10-01T16:17:00.000-04:00

Good Afternoon,

I had intended to work more on this journal before now, but we are hoping to get a new camera soon, and then we will be able to show some interesting pictures. I am not going to have much to say today. Just wanted you to know that I had not given up. We are having nice weather here. Very pleasant temperature, it was 57 at 4:30 this morning, a 50% chance of rain Saturday. Hope all goes well with all of you. Hope to be back soon. I have another journal Dad's Tomato Garden. Visit me there sometime.

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Below is a poem that touches me.

Ripe Old Age

"If to a ripe old age you'd live,
Then heed these warnings that I give,"
The doctor said: "Drop every care
And every burden that you bear
Be not disturbed by loss or gain
View all things with supreme distain.
Dismiss at once both love and hate
And like a cabbage vegetate."

"A ripe old age!" As there I sat
I wondered what is meant by that.
Summed up in terms of useful years
Commendable the goal appears,
But homeward bound I chanced to see
Witin a yard an apple tree
Stripped bare of every fruit, but one
Which hung the topmost branch upon.

Still to the leafless twig it clung
A withered thing that once was young;
It had outlived its brothers all;
Had seen companions early fall.
It had escaped the storms and missed
The hungry youngster's eager fist.
Too high for men to reach or climb
It had eluded harvest time.

"A ripe old age!" I shook my head,
Recalling what the doctor said.
Away from care and worry run,
And every useful purpose shun.
"A ripe old age!" It sounded nice!
I wondered is it worth the price?
Does any man desire to be
The oldest apple on the tree?
-----Edgar Guest

This is all for today. BYE BYE

ENTRY # ELEVEN

2004-09-20T09:09:00.000-04:00

Dadincart5
Originally uploaded by Tomato Specialist.

Good Morning to You.

I was thinking this morning just how far out does this little journal go it would be interesting to know .I would like to hear from some tomato growers in other parts of the world. And find out how they do things. It would be interesting.

. This is me on my cart on my 90th Birthday. The cart was a gift from my children and my grandson. It is a great help to me in working in my garden and filling the bird feeders. I turned 91 this year, and I am still working in the garden and yard, so I am grateful for that!

We have beautiful weather here in the Tennessee Valley this morning. The tempeature at 3AM is 53, sunny skies no rain predicted for this week. This is nice fall weather.

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My thought for this day.

" You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time you must make it. "

All I have for today, more pictures comming soon. Bye Bye

ENTRY # TEN

2004-09-20T02:40:00.002-04:00

Good Morning,
You won't believe this. It's only 2:52 AM Monday morning and I am sitting at my computer. I was very tired last night , so I was in bed early. I can only take so much sleep then I have to get up.

Here are some interesting facts about tomatoes. Free radicals, which can damge the body's tissues, can benefit from a chemical called lycopene that is found in tomatoes. It is effective at sweeping away particles of these free radicals. One study has suggested that just taking lycopene as a dietary supplement, by taking a pill, is not as effective as eating whole tomatoes.Interestingly, lycopene is the substance that makes tomatoes red.
(Source: BBC News)

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I will be posting all the interesting information that I receive about tomatoes and other vegetables.

My thought for this day.

" We always have enough to be happy if we are enjoying what we do have, and not worrying about what we don't have."

All for this day. BYE BYE.

Entry # NINE

2004-09-17T10:29:00.001-04:00

Good Morning,

Well it looks like storm has just about passed over. Here in the Tennessee valley we have some light rain and a prediction that it will clear up tonight. The temperature at 9:30 was 70, and that will be about our high for today.

I am anxious to get outside and do a little work. You soon get tired of just sitting in the house.

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Here is a poem by Edgar Guest that I like.

Autumn

I want to come to autumn with the silver in my hair, And maybe have the children to stop to look at me and stare
I'd like to reach October free from blemish or from taint, As splendid as a maple tree which artists love to paint.

I'd like to come to autumn, with my life work fully done, And look a little like a tree that's gleaming in the sun; I'd like to think that I at last could come through care and tears And be as fair to look upon as every elm appears.

But when I reach October, full contented I shall be, If those with whom I've walked through life shall still have faith in me; Nor shall I dread the winter's frost, when brain and body tire, If I have made my life a thing which others can admire.
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This is all I have for today. See you tomorrow. Bye Bye.

ENTRY # EIGHT

2004-09-16T09:58:00.000-04:00

Good Morning,

Hope every one feels good today. I did have a good rest last night, and that does make you feel more like doing a little work. There is a 100% chance of rain here in the Tennessee Valley so I don't expect to be outside today. The hurricanes have been very bad all of us have been concerned because most of us would have family and friends in its path. There are some of our friends in Florida and the Cayman Islands that we have not heard from yet.

Here is a little poem by W.H.Davies that I like.

Leisure

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs,

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see in broad day daylight,

Streams full of stars, like stars at night.

A poor life this if full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

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In a few weeks we hope to have a new camera, and then we will be able to give you some good pictures of scenes in The Smoky Mountains .

All for today BYE BYE

ENTRY# SEVEN

2004-09-15T11:12:00.000-04:00

Good Morning,

Hope all is well with you today. We all would have worries about Ivan. If we don't live in it's path most of us would have friends that do. We hope to get word from them soon. The weather is good here in The Tennessee valley at present but heavy rain are predicted for this week end.

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I enjoy reading this poem by Edgar Guest.

The White Oak

The white oak keeps its leaves till spring when other trees are bare,
And who will take the time to look, will find the young bud there;
The young bud nestled smug and warm against the winter's cold; The young bud being sheltered by the knowledge of the old.

And when the spring shall come again - and gentle turns the day,
The youthful bud will swell with strength and thrust the old away;
The youthful bud will seek the breeze and hunger for the sun, And down to earth will fall the old with all its duty done.

Then heedless of the parent leaf, the youthful bud will grow
And watch the robins build their nests and watch the robins go.
Then something strange will come to it when that young leaf grows old,
It, too, will want to shield its babe against the winters's cold.

It, too, will cling unto the tree through many a dreary day,
Until the spring-time comes again and it is thrust away;
Then it will flutter down to earth with all its duty done,
And leave behind its happy child to drink the morning sun.

How like man's life from birth to close! How like the white oak tree,
Which keeps a shelter for its young against the storms are we!
We guard our children through the night and watch them through the day,
And when at last our work is done, like leaves we fall away.

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If any of you love to produce tomatoes I would like to hear from you, it don't make any difference where you live.

All for this day, hope to see you tomorrow. BYE BYE

ENTRY # SIX

2004-09-14T11:17:00.000-04:00

Good Morning,

As you would know by the title of this journal, that I am interested in growing tomatoes, and I do enjoy talking about that and helping others who might have any problems. But the tomato season is about over, so I will need to talk about some other things beside tomatoes for a while. I do enjoy pictures, and we are going to get a new camera very soon, and I hope to share pictures of my gardens, The Tennessee Valley, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and The TVA Lakes. Also every bird or animal that we see. Also pictures of our precious Kitty, Princess.

I also enjoy good poetry. I especially like the poems that Edgar Guest wrote. Here is one today that I like.

Life

Life is a gift to be used every day, Not to be smothered and hidden away; It isn't a thing to be stored in the chest, Where you gather your keepsakes and treasure your best; It isn't a joy to be sipped now and then, And promptly put back again.

Life is a gift that the humblest may boast of, And one that the humblest well make the most of. Get out and live it each hour of the day, Wear and use it as much as you may; Don't keep it in niches and corners and grooves, You'll find that in service its beauty improves.

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We are having nice weather here in the Tennessee valley today. Early morning tempeature was 58, and a high of 80 expected. No rain expected untill wed night .

All for today, see you tomorrow. Bye Bye

My E-Mail address is white6416r@AOL.com

ENTRY # FIVE

2004-09-13T18:34:00.000-04:00

Hello,

I changed the photo on "My Profile." I am adding this new post so it will take effect today.

I am going out to put feed in the bird feeders, and I will also check the roses. One bush is still blooming and has a lot of buds on it. It is a beautiful pink rose.

So long for now. Hope to see you tomorrow. Bye Bye.