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Friday, August 9, 2019

Clean Your Bathtub Without Harmful Chemicals or Fumes

Clean a porcelain bathtub without any fumes or harmful chemicals! The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser does a better job of cleaning the tub too.

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers Reviewed

For many years, actually decades, I knew cleaning day would end with a migraine headache. Even if I took a pain reliever before I started, I still ended up in excruciating pain.

I knew the smell of the strong chemicals was to blame, but we had to have a clean home. Therefore, week after week, I toughed it out, cleaned and suffered.

Even with fans and open windows, the fumes were just too much for me, until I discovered Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. No only do they erase dirt and grime, they do it without harmful chemicals. Therefore, they also erased my cleaning day migraines and I am most grateful!

Though it may no longer be necessary because of chemicals I can smell, I still protect my skin by wearing disposable nitrile gloves when I clean.

The Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

My husband's aunt was the first person to recommend the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to me. She shared how they easily cleaned scuff marks off her kitchen floor, baseboards and walls. I purchased a package for that purpose.

Then one day, not too long after I started using the awesome erasers on my baseboards, I had an epiphany. If they work so well on baseboards and scuff marks, why not try them on the bathtub?

Eureka! I had finally found a way to clean a porcelain bathtub without any fumes or harmful chemicals!!! What's more, that little eraser does a better job of cleaning the tub, in my opinion.

The Magic Eraser shows the Dirt & Grime Removed From This Bathtub

The bathtub in the photo is used every day for showers, and it is over 20 years old. This particular tub is in a windowless bathroom. It was the one I dreaded cleaning the most because I had only a fan to help eliminate the fumes while cleaning, and that simply was not enough to forestall the migraine.

I have no doubt my body was trying to tell me something, loud and clear, with those migraines. Believe me, it wasn't that I didn't understand, nor was I ignoring their warnings. It was simply a matter of necessity. I had to clean our bathrooms! Now, I can enjoy a clean bathroom without paying a painful price.

How to Clean a Porcelain Bathtub with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

The erasers need to be wet to work. I leave the bath water running and draining while I rub the entire surface of the bathtub with the wet Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Then I swoosh the water around to rinse the residue. It really is very easy and odorless. My biggest complaint now when I clean the tub, it won't stay that way for long. They shiny porcelain beckons one to bathe.

Now, I can sing while cleaning. I can take deep breaths and hit high notes that are not related to pain and suffering.

The Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are one of the greatest discoveries in my life!

Magic Eraser Scrubber, Extra Durable, 2-Pk.Check Price

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Review of Nobska Lighthouse and Sharing Photography with Children

On a recent July morning I was able to visit this historic lighthouse on Cape Cod and share my love of lighthouse photography with my granddaughters.

Brief History of Nobska Lighthouse

When we arrived at this historic lighthouse on the southern point of Cape Cod in Falmouth we took a few minutes to read the signs and learn a bit about the history of the lighthouse.

The lighthouse is nestled between Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay with Martha's Vineyard spread right out in front of it.

From the early colonial days until the twentieth century the route from Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds provided the shortest route to bring passengers and goods from Cape Cod to all points south and west. In the 1800's vessel traffic through this area was second only to that of the English Channel. Because of this a need for a lighthouse to keep vessels safe was imperative.

Nobska light was first opened in 1826 as just a tower above a keepers house. It was replaced in 1878 by the present 42 feet cast iron tower. This tower sits 87 feet above sea level. It flashes every 6 seconds and is visible for 17 miles.

Photographing the Lighthouse

The above is a photograph of my granddaughters, Kate and Emily in front of the lighthouse. They both brought along their new cameras to learn about photographing the lighthouse with me.

The next two photos are ones that were taken by the girls. The first, a close up shot of the lighthouse, was taken by Kate. The second one was taken from across the street by Emily.

Pathway to Nobska Lighthouse photo by mbgphoto

I too enjoyed the view from across the street from the lighthouse. Here are two photos that I took looking back at the lighthouse.

Across from the Lighthouse

After looking at the lighthouse closeup we crossed the street and took a path that led down to the beach. It was a fantastic view of the islands that lay just off the coast. Here is a map that tells about what we saw.

It was very interesting to see the map and then look at the scene ahead of us. We watched ferries leave from Cape Cod heading over toward Martha's Vineyard. It was early morning when we arrived and the fog was rather heavy, but as the morning progressed the fog started to lift and we could see more of the islands.

Photographing with my Granddaughters

It was a wonderful experience sharing my love of photography and lighthouses with Kate and Emily. They listened carefully as I showed them how to look for interesting photos. After they took a few of the lighthouse from different angles, their interest was more toward photographing the bees in the flowers.

Zazzle Products from our Photos

This keychain design was made from one of Emily's photos and the mug is from my photo.

Nobska Lighthouse Keychain
by mbgphoto

Path to Nobska Lighthouse Two-Tone Coffee Mug
by lighthouseenthusiast

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Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Mid Summer Heat and Your Garden, It's Time to Rejuvenate!

Oh the Summer of 2019 will probably go down as one of the better ones we have had in a long time. But, the heat can do some pretty mean things to your garden. Let's do a quick review on how you can make those baskets and annuals look a little nicer than they do right now!

When May and June rolled around, everyone was just so happy to see the weather become warmer. Garden centers everywhere were busy selling plants of every kind under the sun to people who had the worst cases of itchy fingers ever!

Who didn't go out to buy at least one or two hanging planters with bright colored geraniums or petunias? I know I did and the garden centers thanked me.

This is what they looked like when I bought them:

man sitting on a ledge surrounded by flowers

*photo from pixabay

Now that we are well into August, they are looking tired and sparse. The stems that were so full of flower buds, have elongated into wisps of bare stems with maybe a flower or two at the end of the stem. Nothing at all like they looked when I first purchased them.

portulaca looking sad

But wait a minute, these plants can be revitalized with just a little tender loving care. I'm here to help you make the next two to three months much nicer again with the same plants that you already have.

How to Revitalize Your Plants

Let's get started.

Cut back the long strands of petunias, calibracoas, or moss roses (portulaca). Dead-head your geraniums so that more flower heads will appear.

1. Let the plant dry out just a little, so that you can remove it from it's hanging pot.

When you have the plant out, place it (soil ball and plant) into a pail of water. You will notice that the soil around the plant has probably gotten very solid and holds the shape of the pot it was in. That is part of the problem. When you water this plant, the water just falls right out of the bottom of the pot. The soil no longer holds any water close to the roots. We need to fix that!

2. Take the roots and gently pry them apart (or if you are not too scared, take a knife and cut the root ball into quarters) Do this inside the pail and place the pieces back into water. You may notice that some of the old soil is starting to fall away from the roots. Don't worry, that's what you want to have happen.

3. Get some fresh potting soil. I like to use Miracle Gro soil.** I'll tell you why later. Now take those quarters and place two or three back into the hanging pot. Fill the rest of the space with fresh soil and water well. You can even bury the crown of the plant in the new soil.

4. Leave these plants in the shade for a day or two, just to give them some time to get over the shock. Keep them watered well, but not drowning.

5. In a week, you should be able to see new growth coming up from the original root system. In two weeks they will look like brand new plants, even though there isn't a garden center around with fresh planters.

6. Sit back, relax and enjoy your hanging baskets for another two months or more.

If your hanging baskets are full of annuals, they will keep blooming until frost arrives and that could be late October or November even. They will slow down in blooming naturally once the long summer days are done, but they will bloom! They will also look so much nicer than those long wisps with only one flower on the end of each stem.

Now why do I like Miracle Grow Soil?** I told you earlier that I would explain. So here it is:

Purchased hanging planters from Pop-up Garden centers use plain potting soil for their planters (it's cheaper). Miracle Gro soil is not just soil, but Sphagnum peat moss, perlite and compost. It is also infused with Miracle Gro fertilizers that are time released for better blooms and healthier plants. I have used this for years and I can't remember ever having a summer of disappointment with my hanging plants. Now that I am in my apartment, I use this type of soil in all my balcony planters too.

Annual plants are wonderful for their color, long lasting blooming period and they are not too expensive either. So you really get a good bang for your buck. At then end of the season, remember to compost your annuals or if you are really keen, start seed saving so that next year you can make your own hanging baskets with Miracle Gro soil from the start and seeds that you have saved.

You can find out more about seed saving on another review right here: Let's Review The Best Proven Seed Saving Practices

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Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Numerology Bible Reviewed

The Meaning of Numbers (Numerology)

Do you know your numbers?
image courtesy of pixabay.com

I've been reviewing the meaning of numbers quite a bit lately. Numerology plays a minor role in my newest book Campground Corpse. Aunt Flossie has been known to tell her niece Taylor more than once that 'it's in the numbers, dear'. Even the name of the series (Cabin 9 Mysteries) that my book belongs to was chosen consulting the numbers. I didn't just pull the number 9 out of a hat. Nope, there is a reason Aunt Flossie can be found most of the time in or around that cabin in particular.

Lucky Numbers or more?

We often hear people say they picked a number because it was their lucky one. Maybe it was for a lottery or to open a door on a game show but their reasons can often be that they feel that number or numbers were lucky ones for them. Thirteen is often considered an unlucky number. Tall buildings can be found around the world without a 13th floor because the builder felt it might bring bad luck. Do numbers bring luck, good or bad? Do the letters that make up your name (when changed to their numerical value) tell something about your personality? Since the time of Pythagoras in the B.C. 500's many people believe that they do. In mathematics numbers never lie, could it be so in the study of numerology? Just as in astrology when we look up the traits of our "sign" we see similarities in the descriptions; our Life Path Number, Soul Number, Dream Number often show an uncanny resemblance to ourselves.

In a scene in the book Campground Corpse, I have Taylor question whether numerology was something she should avoid due to her faith. Aunt Flossie reminds her that God has often been called The Great Mathematician and that numbers were important to Him and can be found repeatedly holding significance in the Bible. The number 3 stands for the Trinity and is suggested for different practices. The number 7 is looked at as a most sacred number in the Jewish Faith. The seventh day, the seventh year and seven cycles all hold importance. Revelations mentions seven a lot; seven seals, seven bowls, seven trumpets, etc.

It was with this idea of the role numbers play in the Bible that I decided to intertwine numerology into the books that will be in the Cabin 9 Mysteries. It won't play a major role in the solving of mysteries but every once in a while...a number will come up. (See what I did there?)

To Find Out More About Numbers

You can dabble a little about numerology by reading my newest book, if you like. I would love that! I think you might enjoy meeting Taylor and Aunt Flossie and the rest of the characters. Did I mention that Aunt Flossie is also the resident spirit at the campgrounds? I didn't? Well, she is and she is pretty funny for a person who isn't on our side of the veil anymore.

If you would like to delve more into the actual meaning of numbers and how they add up in your life, I recommend this book.

The Numerology Bible

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Monday, August 5, 2019

Book Review: A Curve in the Road by Julianne MacLean

Abbie is a woman with a great life. She has a successful career as a surgeon. She has been married to Alan, a cardiologist, for 27 years. Zach is their son. Zach is a good kid who will soon be on his way to college. Winston is the aging family dog. They have everything a happy family could have. Until it literally comes crashing down. Will Abbie survive? Will she be able to put the pieces back together? This novel written by Julianne MacLean kept me interested and kept me turning the pages well past my bedtime.

Abbie's family lives in a city in Nova Scotia while her mother lives in a small historic town nearby. Abbie and family typically spend Sunday evenings with her mother. However, on this particular evening, Abbie and Winston have gone alone.

While they are headed back to the city, Abbie anxious to catch Zach's hockey game, an oncoming car crosses the center line. A drunk driver nearly kills her and her dog in a horrific wreck. Abbie is trapped and Winston has been thrown from the car and is missing.

With the tragedy of the wreck, devastating family secrets are revealed. Between the discovery that her life was not as she had believed and the resulting physical problems from the wreck, she finds she has to reinvent herself. The decisions she has to make from the crash forward are not easy ones. And many of the dilemmas have no "right" answers. These are not things that anyone can plan for in advance.

There was one point in the story that I thought, "hmm, I'm not a doctor but I really don't think that would have happened that way." But for me, the rest of the story kept me engaged. There were a couple of times that I thought I could guess what was happening next. Happily, I was wrong. And while this is a love story, about life and adult relationships, there were no sex scenes. I am not against gratuitous sex scenes but I know that some readers prefer not to read them. So I thought I would mention that there are none in this book.

After I read Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens I had a really hard time starting another book. The characters and scenes of Barkley Cove were so vivid in my mind that subsequent

books just didn't seem interesting. I started several books but wasn't able to get past the first chapter or two before laying them down. But A Curve in the Road was easy reading and interesting enough to get me going again. Some reviews refer to A Curve in the Road as "stunningly emotional" and "gripping". I would not refer to the story as that intense for me. However, I did want to know what would happen next. It says a lot when a book keeps me up long enough to read a few chapters each night before bed.

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