Live in the Moment

Jay is always reading boating magazines, going to boat shows, and talking about how we are going to outfit our trawler. We don't actually HAVE a trawler; we have a cruiser. But a trawler is his wish boat. I listen and add my 2 cents and sometimes really believe we will have a trawler some day. He's even figured out a way to fit all my quilting stuff on a trawler; sewing machine, cutting table, pressing station, etc. Yesterday Jay left me a short article to read that was written by a Kady Krogen sales guy (Jay would love a Kady Krogen trawler). The article really hit home and I wanted to share parts of it with you. For me, I AM, finally, living the quote and gist of his article. Maybe some of you want to do the same, but are still waiting for "some day" to come. At the very least, it's something to think about.

The author, Greg Sapp, wrote about a quote his dad, John, put at the end of his emails. Here it is: "Remember, somewhere right now, someone with less money than you is having more fun." Very true and for me, timely. Since closing my business last month, instead of dwelling on the fact that we have very little income stream, I am waking happy, with tons of ideas of what I want to quilt, how to express myself through my art, and feeling positive. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the value of money. Jay and I have had lots of ups and downs in the money department. We were very poor while I was in grad school, then had and saved some money while I taught and ran an accounting practice. Then we lost the money in the tech bubble bust of 2002. Then we built the portfolio back up again when my recruiting practice took off, and once again, like most of us, lost another bunch in the current financial crisis. A veritable roller coaster ride. Right now we're at the bottom of the ride, but I can feel the excitement building about where the ride is going to take us next. Not exactly sure of the destination, but I can feel it, nonetheless. A great parallel here, is that boaters know that it's not the destination of the cruise that is important and exciting, but the journey itself.

Both Jay's dad and my dad passed away on the young side, each was in his early 70's. Both men waited most of their adult lives to do what they wanted to do until retirement. And neither one got to live their dreams. Don't wait till you're old enough to afford your dreams or believe you finally have the time to live them. Find the time now, while you have it within your reach . As Greg Sapp said in his article, there are many quotes to pick from along the lines of "You can't take it with you" and Time waits for no one" because the point is obvious. And as Greg says, "Please don't leave your family with a fat portfolio and a skinny photo album."

Until next time...

P.S. The picture above is my "Seaside Cottages" Quilt made in 2008. I am working on a larger and more detailed quilt similarly themed for entry in a large Florida quilt show later in 2009.

In Good Company

If you run into someone that says this recession hasn't affected them, laugh out loud! This economy sucks. There isn't anyone that isn't feeling the pinch in one form or another. But since we're all in the same boat, it kind of makes it less painful, don't you think? After all, misery loves company and desperation is the mother of invention. OK, so at this point you're probably wondering what direction this post is taking, right? Well, believe it or not, I am thoroughly enjoying the recession. Let me count the ways...
(that's Jay - no shirt, and me, in the yellow-on our boat celebrating Jay's 50th birthday with an overnight raft-up with our boating friends).

1. The concept of "Keeping up with The Jones" is vanishing before my eyes. Everyone I know is slowing down their consumption. Instead, people are bragging about how little they have and how well they are living on less. It's like a badge of honor to find cool and innovative ways to not be a "Jonesy." Downsizing is cool. People are trading in the big fancy cars for efficient small cars that they can keep "forever." Yeah, we did this too- gave up the Lexus lease and paid cash (no more car payments!) for a Subaru Outback station wagon. Of course, we did have ulterior motives for choosing the Subaru. Rachel said she wouldn't be caught dead in it.


2. I don't have to dress up to go anywhere and I mean anywhere anymore. I'm very basic. Give me a t-shirt, clamdiggers, and boat shoes and I'm good to go.
   
3. Life, for me at least, is simpler and more grounded (yeah, I am starting to sound like the new Sun Trust Bank commercials...). We're going back to basics. My new girlfriend, Georgia, had her 45th birthday party last Saturday night. I only recently met Georgia as well as most of the party goers, since we just moved to the new neighborhood. As a new member of the unemployed club, I was perplexed as to an appropriate gift to bring. Not really into the standby bottle of wine gift or spending $30-50 on some thing, I decided to make her a gift instead of buying something. Yes, I made her a gift; french purse, aka wallet. But why am I telling you this? Because when I was talking to Jenny (the Love Garden Jenny) at the party, I told her I made Georgia's gift and you'll never guess what Jenny replied. Jenny and Mike MADE Georgia's gift too. WOW!


4. I'm biking a lot more. I'm without a car most days. Yes, we are a 2-car household, but Rachel has the second car , a used Honda CR-V, with her up at school, leaving me without wheels, well, 4 wheels anyway. I biked over the Hutchinson Island bridge to the bank and to Publix. And Tuesday I biked to the quilt shop, an 8-mile round trip. I couldn't miss out on the big St Patty's Day sale.
   
5. We're getting a tax refund check for the first time in 11 years!


6. I am back in the classroom teaching. Some of you don't know that, as a PhD in accounting, I spent 9 years teaching at the university level. Well, after an 11 year sabbatical, I am once again teaching intermediate financial accounting at our local university in the fall. I can't wait! A whole new batch of students get to experience "Scary Harry teaches accounting."
   
   
7. I finally have time to make enough stuff to launch my own Etsy site. http://www.etsy.com/ is a great place to "buy and sell all things handmade." I will have my own "store" up and running, hopefully, in the next 2-3 weeks. More to come on that front.


8. People, in general, are much kinder to each other these days. I had the car today and did my "big" weekly food shopping only to find a completely flat to the rim, rear tire when I left the store with a full cart of groceries. A big burly guy named Lee jumped out of his truck and offered to change my tire for me. So, there I stood, with my grocery cart, watching this very nice guy get all greasy doing a good deed for me. I shook his hand and told him how much I appreciated his help and all he said was "when you can, do something for the next guy that needs your help."


9. I am taking time to sit and read a good book.


10. Blockbuster rents movies for only $2 now!! Perks of the recession and Netflix.


11. I am working on my first quilt that will be entered in a quilt show. I am taking pictures as I go, so I will be able to share the journey with you.


12. As I mentioned before, we recently moved across town. We downsized, if you will. Jay and I talked and talked about whether we should give up the house or the boat. We have a 34 ft Searay Sundancer named "Take Two." We concluded that the boat is our floating vacation home and we'd rather give up the big house than our boat. Even when the weather is bad we can escape down below and rock the boat ( you know what I mean).

Well, I'm off to work on my quilt.

Till next time-

Fresh Veggies on the Cheap

In keeping with my journey towards becoming a raw foodist, I am trying to find ways to put fresh, organic veggies into my diet. While I cannot grow raw nuts, since I have no clue how to do that (but I have the feeling Mark will teach me how), I can buy or grow (check out my green peppers) local veggies in my never ending quest for good stuff on the cheap.

Some of us are lucky. We have incredible supermarkets (Wegman's for example- yes I am jealous we don't have one here in Stuart or anywhere in Florida) offering the very best in fresh produce available. As a matter of fact, whenever Jay and I visit family in Northern Virginia, our first trip is to Wegman's. Unfortunately here in Florida everything is shipped out of state, so we Floridians are left with the ugliest produce imaginable that has been picked too soon and trucked across the country on a cold truck in a semi frozen state. And to top it off, not only do we have poor quality and selection, but high prices. UGH.

There are options, however.

Most cities and towns have at least one local farmer's market. Typically these places are open air stands piled high with colorful and fresh veggies and fruits that were picked locally that same morning. Here in tiny Stuart there are several such markets: Barbours and Roarabecks are the 2 biggest. Barbours is, by far, the superior market, with not only more variety, but cheaper prices too. For you locals, Barbours is on Indian River Drive about a mile south of Jensen Beach Blvd. Remember to bring cash, since that's all they accept. I spend no more than 25 cents on the dollar compared to the supermarket and always walk away smiling like I've won a prize! Weird, but true. And these days, why spend more money on stuff than necessary, especially when you can get better stuff for less.

Another option is to grow your own veggie garden. Now don't go rolling your eyes quite yet. I'm not suggesting you dig up your grass, turn soil, or start composting. I'm talking about a veggie garden in pots. You don't need much space. Janet and Gino, my sister and brother in law, live in a second floor apartment home, and don't have a yard. What they do have is a small screened in patio where Gino grows tons of veggies, successfully. Not only are they saving money because they are motivated to eat what they grow, but Gino's having fun!

There are lots of advantages to a pot garden over a garden planted in the yard. First, it's portable, which for us was a big plus as we moved across town a few months back. I started my veggie garden in October and we moved in December. I threw the pots in the truck and brought them to the new house along with all the other stuff we continue to move from house to house to house. Ahhh, but I digress as that's another post all together. Back to the garden... Second, if the weather surprises you, just bring the pots inside for the night. Third, if you find the veggies aren't happy where you've parked the pots, move them to another spot. That's pretty hard to do if everything is planted in the ground. Lastly, pots can be placed away from critters that may want to eat them. We had bunnies at the old house. While adorable to watch scampering around your yard, they aren't so cute when they eat your garden.

But I think the real beauty of a pot garden is that any pot will do. Don't give Home Depot or Lowe's your money for plastic pots. I asked the bakery at the supermarket to keep the 5 and 10 gallon tubs of frosting they toss when empty. The bakery ladies were so nice. They took my name and number and called me when they had collected a bunch. FREE POTS!! We had some tin buckets in the garage we had previously used for beer and ice- those work too. Just remember you have to punch some holes in the bottom of all your buckets for drainage.

You will be surprised how many people have started veggie gardens recently. Tell your friends about your garden. I promise you there are more people than you can imagine trying it. You may even be able to swap stuff with each other.

If you think you may actually try this idea, call your local Home Depot or Lowe's. I know I just told you not to give them your money. But my Home Depot offered several FREE seminars on growing a veggie garden at home and in pots. And everyone that attended the seminar was given a ticket to exchange for a free starter veggie of their choice. I chose a strawberry plant. And Home Depot has racks and racks of seeds, both organic and non organic as well as starter plants for those of you a bit impatient. Talk to the garden guys. They know their stuff and are happy to help you.


On the other hand, some of you may decide to adorn your yard with artistic pots- you know the kind I'm talking about. Those gorgeous ceramic pots that come in all shapes and sizes and colors. Fill them with your veggies and create your own veggie art!! Our friends, Mike and Jenny, own "The Love Garden" http://www.lovegarden.us/ in downtown Stuart. Sitting in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of Stuart (well, those of you that know Stuart know that is a bit of an exaggeration) is a magical garden that Mike and Jenny have created with winding paths dotted with beautiful garden art. And soon you will find some of my art quilts there too!!

Anyway, pot gardening is not an all or none idea. Grow stuff that is easy and buy stuff you can't grow.

And please send me information on YOUR local farmer's markets- where are they located? What is best about them?

Until next time...

Well, this is my very first post to blue dog talk. You may be wondering why I've called my blog blue dog talk. Good question, with a silly answer. We share our lives with Toby, a 4 year old blue merle australian shepherd. We've had lots of dogs, but none like Toby. He is the dog with a thousand expressions. You'd think he really does talk. And he does really smile- yes, smile, from ear to ear whenever we walk in the door. And his coloring is way cool- merled black, white, grey, with one blue eye and one brown eye. I think Rachel may be a bit jealous that I didn't name the blog after her, but "rachel" just doesn't have the same catchy ring as blue dog talk. So there you have it.

blue dog talk is about life. It's about friends, politics, smart energy, food, boating, quilting, living in the US, likes and dislikes, lists and lists of cool stuff related to whatever it is that I'm blogging about, advice on all sorts of stuff, and just plain fun.

I am struggling with changing to a raw foods lifestyle and I'll be blogging about my journey. I'll have lists of great places to find raw foods, vegan foods, local farmers markets, how to cook- or not cook- to be healthy and fit without draining the old pocketbook. I have plenty of help on this subject as our daughter, Rachel, is in love with a great guy named Mark. Mark and his brother Alex, are raw food guys. Actually, Alex IS the raw guru. You can check him out at http://www.rawguru.com/ And the boys also have a sprouts business at http://www.sproutliving.com/ The problem with going raw is that I really, really enjoy a hot cooked meal. A bit of a dilemma, wouldn't you say? But I've been on a few very cool sites that have yummy recipes, so I am going to start S-L-O-W-L-Y and work myself into it. Naturally Jay is going to have to be on board, since now that I am unemployed, for the first time in our 19 years of married life, I am the head chef. Also, I just got $20 of boneless chicken breast for FREE at the local produce market when they had a buy 1 get 1 free sale. So I think I'll wait till the chicken runs out before going raw...