-
“H”ome, sweet home
Photo © Diane Weidenbenner I was born and raised in Denver, Colo., and had no intentions of ever moving. The smog, traffic, nearby mountains and high-tech employment had always been “my home.” Due to a “providential” set of circumstances, I applied for and was offered a wonderful marketing position with a Catholic non-profit in Terre Haute, Ind., near where my husband was born. After I accepted the offer, I had one day to fly out, look at houses with a realtor, make an offer on a house and return home. It seemed like an insurmountable task. Our realtor, Betty Lanke, was a seasoned professional in the area, and had created…
-
Veggies – here we come!
I signed up for my first CSA experience (community supported agriculture). Next week Joe and I will pick up our first one-half share of locally grown, organic vegetables, fruits and herbs from White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. Being “wild” about eating my vegetables is a fairly new experience for me. Knowing how to prepare vegetables so that they are tasty is even a more recent experience. While I enjoy most raw vegetables, cooking and serving them for a meal is a whole different story. After moving to Indiana seven years ago, and having access to locally grown organic produce, I appreciate the fact that it seems to taste 100 percent…
-
First flower bouquet
If this season’s “preview” of flowers is any indication, it’s going to be a wonderful spring and summer around the Weidenbenner house. Our roses are off to a healthy, robust start. The reddish coral one that you see is from our Bernie Weidenbenner bush that he brought up to our house in 2010 in memory of my mom. The white blossom is from a rose bush that my mom purchased for us (it happens to be our largest bush at this point). The purple bud is from a bush that we purchased last year and the irises are from bulbs planted by the past owner of our house (pre-2005). Joe…
-
“W”abash Valley Life
This photo of a farmer filling up his tractor at the gas pump is just one image that portrays life in the Wabash Valley, which I have truly come to appreciate. Obviously, we’re not all farmers. However, there is a practicality and down-to-earth nature among the residents that make it a comfortable place to live. Neighborhoods truly support each other as the people who work at Big Lots, Baesler’s grocery store and Family Video, also live in the area. In these tough economic times, things are definitely not “slower” in a smaller town. In fact, many people I know work two jobs or have both parents in a household employed…
-
“V”ulture
Photo by Sally King Husband Joe is the grill-meister. He makes an enviable grilled Bourbon salmon, barbecued chicken, and melt-in-your-mouth T-bone (and I’m not a steak-lover). Even his blackened hot dogs are incredible – my mom was Joe’s biggest grilled hot dog fan! There is literally nothing that he can’t grill to perfection. Just ask the vultures! One evening after we’d sat down to enjoy our dinner, we looked out on the deck to see a large (they all look large up close, don’t they?) turkey vulture sitting on our deck, right next to the grill. At this time, we had an outside kitty named O.C. and I was worried…
-
“S”napper: mow, mow, it’s off to work we go!
When we moved to Indiana, my father-in-law kindly donated his “seasoned” Snapper riding mower to our almost-one-acre of land. (The fact that he wanted a new, zero-turn radius mower sweetened the deal). Husband Joe was up to the task of tackling the brambles, branches and bushes as well as neatly mowing and trimming the grass. The first mow of the season took two and a half days – not solid mowing time of course and only during daylight hours. Adjustments needed to be made to the seat, spark plugs, carburetor and blade. And, it quickly came to our attention that mowers need oil. Who knew? Joe’s dad knew. However, Joe…
-
Blogging from A to Z: Amish hunting
Martins eat mosquitoes so they are good to have around. Amish culture fascinates me, partly because it holds true to a simpler, more traditional way of life and its community is grounded in strong Christian beliefs. After moving to Indiana, I was thrilled to learn that it is home to several Amish communities. While the largest ones are located in Northern Indiana, there are several just northeast of Terre Haute. My friend, Sandy, and I enjoy weekend driving and unearthing treasures, whether it be at a garage sale, knitting shop, backdrop for the perfect photo or Amish farms (hence the term “Amish hunting”). Last year, we came across a small…
-
Animal house
-
All creatures, great and small
I’m a big fan of God’s creatures. The only things that make me uncomfortable are large, jumping spiders or roach gangs (you know they never travel alone). That said, when I woke up in the middle of the night to let my dog outside, and happened to wander into the living room to find our three cats strategically hunkered down around the swivel chair, I became apprehensive. Tails were swishing in wide strokes (except for Ollie, the Manx cat sans tail) indicating the hunt was on. With only my outdated eyeglasses and lack of courage to guide me, I returned to bed. One of three things would happen: 1) Whatever…
-
Lessons I have learned from Raja, the Kroger kitten
Enjoy life to the fullest. Race around joyfully at unexpected times and play with imaginary (or real) airborne objects. People will wonder what you’ve been up to. Eat, play, nap and repeat. Include others whenever possible (except when visiting the litterbox). Sunny spots on the floor are warm as are the places recently vacated by others. Pay attention to the small things in life. This includes spots on the wall, people’s toes, hair, eyeglasses and strings hanging down from just about anything. Pens, pencils, drinking straws, mascara tubes, jewelry, etc., make wonderful hockey pucks and increase one’s dexterity. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. After each meal, it’s best to wash…
