Whether you have kids or grandkids, ZOO BOO is a great way to celebrate fall.  Last night was my first year making the trek to the ZOO BOO 2009 at the Erie Zoo.  Now I am hooked.  I am sure that I will plan to attend ZOO BOO every fall. Would you like to see a few photos I took last night before it got too dark?  Do these kids look anxious to go?       So many people, but very organized.  Each of 12 Treat Stops were decorated, staffed & loaded with yummy treats throughout the Erie Zoo.  Some of the areas were decorated by local organizations like a Girl Scout Troop.  Very creative!!!     Left:  Alien Spaceship Landed (My favorite display--VERY CREATIVE)                                Right:  ZOO Tube hosted by one of Erie's radio stations.  Kids are rock'n.  Such Fun!!!!    No Halloween... 10/22/2009

Arriving home after three weeks vacation we needed to get back to the basics of a Healthy-Lifestyle of living and eating.  Hence I planned a few very basic menus even though I was invited to join this Bon Appetit group. To me  'Bon Appetit' says gourmet food, but fortunately over the years I have learned that gourmet does not need to be unhealthy good.  Good food that is prepared with a little flair with emphasis on Presentation can be just as gourmet and deserving of the 'Bon Appetit' logo.       Grilled Salmon Glazed with Honey & Dill            Fried Zucchini with Hint of Dill            Lettuce & Spinach Salad      Salmon: Notch the top middle of salmon fillet to remove brown section (tastes fishy).  Place on rack or pan covered with foil.  Drizzle with fresh lemon or lemon juice, s... 10/09/2009

There is no place like home.  Home, Sweet Home          How often we hear or see these words, but until you have been away you don't really appreciate their meaning.  Vacations are fun.  We look forward to going, enjoy the places and the people we see,  There is no place like home.  Home, Sweet Home    Even though we saw mountains, fiords, glaciers, whales, dolphins, eagles, totem poles and so much more along the Alaskan Inside Passage & down the west coast to San Diego, I missed my (almost) daily walks to Lake Erie. ______________________________________________________________      So join me today as we walk to Lake Erie.  Enjoy the fall foliage and brilliant fall colors.                              At end of my road & across the highway to Avonia Rd leading to Lake Erie           ... 10/09/2009

Heather & Mary Heather Chavez   Who Says It Never Rains in Southern California? Over the last few months Heather & I have been communicating via ActiveRain, Facebook and Plaxo.  Many days I would 'run into' Heather on more than one site.  I can't remember when we first meet, but we always seem to be there for each other when the one of us needs a shoulder to cry on or hand to 'pick up the pieces' just like a 'real-life friend.' When Dave & I were planning our fall vacation on the west coast I knew I wanted to connect with Heather Chavez if possible.  Being the agreeable person he usually is, he said okay to driving up the coast to meet Heather for lunch at the Beach House overlooking the ocean.         The sun, the water, service & food were great, but the comraderie was unbeatable.  He... 10/09/2009

Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate     Classes start soon in Erie, Pennsylvania Real Estate Practice---October 10, 11 and 24, 25   Real Estate Fundamentals:  November 7, 8 and 14, 15   Held at Bel-Aire Hotel/Clarion Inn (2800 W. 8th St. Erie, PA 16505)   Do not delay - register today to reserve your seat in this premier class Your Real Estate Career Starts with Alan Kells   10/02/2009

Learn the Skills of Success!  Toastmasters Interested in improving your public speaking and leadership skills?  Communication is essential for success in so many professions in today’s competitive workplace. Toastmasters meetings provide a positive atmosphere in which you can develop speaking and leadership skills.  No matter what your current level of speaking ability, Toastmasters has something to offer you.  Feel free to sit in on a meeting.  You will not be pressured to make a presentation. Join Toastmasters Noon Timers on Second & Fourth Thursday Location:  Keystone Office Building, 3823 West 12th Street (just west of Powell Ave) Erie, PA 16505 Time:  12-1 pm Contact:   Mary Yonkers 881-7548   09/23/2009

  Simple Do-it-yourself projects could save you $$$$$$ Turn off water while brushing your teeth Replace leaky faucets Repair toilets that run constantly Other projects that will lower your water bill include: Install new energy efficient hot water tanks Install tankless hot water heater   For these and other plumbing projects I recommend:  T & T Plumbing 814.836.0305   09/16/2009

Join my daughter, the grandkids and I at Liberty Park overlooking Presque Isle Bay to hear the Last Blast of Summer as the Brig Niagara fires off its cannon for the last time this season.   Last Blast of Summer     Erie Philharmonic                     Join my daughter, the grandkids and I at Liberty Park overlooking Presque Isle Bay to hear the Last Blast of Summer as the Brig Niagara fires off its cannon for the last time this season  What a scene!  Thousands of people on lawn chairs, blankets or just milling around listening to the music of several local bands and the Erie Philharmonic. But I only got two glimpses of this idyllic scene as the kids were more interested in  . . .     While the Philharmonic played the 1812 Overture the Brig Niagara shot off its cannon with fireworks ov... 09/14/2009

Erie, PA Toastmasters Clubs Just a quick note about the upcoming Humorous Speech and Table Topics competition.  Please mark your calendars for September 19th from 9 to noon at the Blasco Library on Erie's Bayfront.  We need volunteers from all groups to compete, judge, assist and most important support each other.Weekends are crazy for everyone.  This is a great opportunity to hear speakers from other clubs and meet those members.Looking forward to seeing you there.  Ink in the date today!  For more information, call Mary Yonkers, 881-7548.  Erie, PA Noon-Timer Toastmasters 09/13/2009

Howard Hanna Sunday Showcase of Homes TV program airs 800th Show on Sunday            Sept. 13, 2009 at 11:00   TV's most watched   Erie, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Harrisburg   Chairman & CEO, Howard W. "Hoddy" Hanna, III, described the weekly Showcase of Homes as,  "an integral part of our marketing program." The Showcase of Homes gives Howard Hanna's sellers a marketing venue not offered by other Real Estate companies in most markets. Congratulations Howard Hanna     09/12/2009

  3530 Muriel Drive, Erie, PA 16506 $144,900 QUIET CUL-DE-SAC.  OVER ONE ACRE WITH FRUIT TREES AND MATURE WOODS AT BACK OF PROPERTY. 12X14 TOOL SHED/ WORK SHOP.  NEW ROOF OVER 10 X 23 SCREENED PORCH. BEAUTIFUL HARDWOOD FLOORS IN LIVING ROOM/ KITCHEN.  REMODELED KITCHEN AND BATHS.   Contact:  Dave Yonkers, Coldwell Banker Select Realtors 1.814.833.3331 x231 or his cell 1.814.881.8303 **************************************************************************************** My Hubby, Dave, listed this home for navy medic & his wife who really would like to find a family who will love this remodeled home as much as they did.       09/12/2009

      Is this you in the picture?  Lost behind a mountain of work that never goes down? Are you working your tail off for little or no money?  Do do feel under-appreciated and over-worked?  Or maybe you lost your job due to the recession? Are you one of the Lucky Few who did not lose their job, but now are doing the work of two or three people with no extra $$$? Are you in a rut, but don't know which way to go?      Not challenged?  Can't wait for 5:00?   Is it time for a career change?                                                                      Are you ready to work for yourself? Do need & want a job with flexibility                   "Sky Is the Limit!" income potential Assess your strengths Goal-oriented Ambitious Self-motivated Persevering People-oriented   A career in Real... 09/10/2009

No matter what my schedule is like I try to squeeze in a walk each day.  I have many favorite routes.  Since the weather was rather pleasant today I picked one of the longer ones that goes all the way down to the shores of Lake Erie.  Great sunsets here, too Of course if I lived on the waterfront I would have this Million $$$$ view 24/7   Consider the pluses & minuses of owning lakefront property with a million view. Plus:  The view Plus:  Easy access to the water Plus:  Awesome beauty Plus:  Sunsets every evening Plus:  Very calming Plus:  Great escape from the trials of life Minus:  I am out of ideas.   Oh yes, if I have to be realistic the price tag and the upkeep of lakefront property might considered minuses, but don't the pluses out way the minuses????   For Sale:  Described as a ... 08/29/2009

I was backing out of my garage and glanced quickly across the road and saw three deer just beyond the fence.  Fortunately I had my camera in the car.  I wanted to get out of the car, but knew I would scare the deer.  If I had been on the porch I would have gotten a shot of all three.   Two deer: left of flag pole Photo taken from car Doe & two fawns Unfortunately or fortunately Hubby, the hunter, was not home to see them.  Occassionally the deer come across the road to our property and walk along the stream (Trout Run).  In late winter I saw where four deer had bedded down overnight under pine trees.  We had had a fine dusting of snow which was melted where the deer had been.             Wildflowers near Manchester Beach, another great location for sunsets.              Mary's Flowers M... 08/28/2009

Asbury Woods Nature Center--donated by Otto Behrend to Millcreek School District          Join me and a few friends as we walk about three miles along the banks of Walnut Creek.  During the winter this is a great place to cross country ski.  In spring and fall many birders watch for migrating birds. Resource Center has Erie's only Green roof.  I will write about that another day.     This section reminds me of a primeval forest with fog from Walnut Creek rising from below.                            Just bring a good book & spend the day             Let's set a date to walk together 08/27/2009

Join me as I walk a mile to Lake Erie. I took my new camera just to try it out and was lucky enough to capture a few wildlife photos, too. One mile to Lake Erie (see small circle opening) Million $$$$ View Years ago I thought I wanted to own property on Lake Erie, but have become very content to enjoy my (almost daily) one mile walk to the lake.  Today I saw two deer, three turkeys, a cedar wax wing, locust, snake and numerous mosquitoes including the one that bit me while waiting for perfect shot of deer.  Enjoy the photos taken with my new Sony Cyber-shot.     If I lived on the lake I might not feel motivated to walk down the road.  Not only would I miss the opportunity to feel energized by a walk, but I would miss seeing wildlife. If I were 10 again I would climb this tree along with... 08/25/2009

Fun night at the Erie Seawolves game in front of Sold Out Crowd.          6,952 in attendence bought a record number of Smith's hot dogs, Erie's favorite hot dog.  6,800 Hot Dogs Sold        (Hot dogs $1.00 and I ate two!) I love the antics of the sideline entertainers (stuffed wieners and the Seawolves' mascot) and the vendors wearing wiener hats. Erie is not the major league, but we have fun. Many businesses, churches and families enjoy a great evening at reasonable cost.              Kid's Stampede             Seventh Inning Stretch Unfortunately the Seawolves lost 3-1, but we will be back again in the ole' ball park next weekend. 08/25/2009

"And we are off to the ole' ball game"  As a kid I remember my grandfather and my dad listening to baseball games on the radio on our front porch.  Once each summer the two of them would go to a Pirates game in Pittsburgh with other men from church.  In the fall our teachers sometimes allowed us to listen to the World Series games at the end of the day.  What a treat! Now Tv ahs spoiled us with instant replays, but nothing beats a live game.  Tonight we are off to the ball game with a groups of friends from church.  Erie Seawolves Weather conditions are perfect! 08/24/2009

First I must beg forgiveness.  Last night I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets of the summer, but I didn't have my camera with me.   BUT I did have my scissors ! ! ! Wildflowers Attitude adjustment:  Since my property is heavily wooded I have hard time growing flowers during the summer months.  BUT the field across the road has lots of beautiful flowers. My Promise:   Next time I will take both my scissors and the camera.  Hubby drove his SUV with 4-wheel drive through a lot of muddy ruts along the corn rows, etc.  (PS  He is a great guy!) The sunset was awesome! 08/18/2009

Every state, region, business and organization would like a piece of the stimulus pie the gov't is dangling in front of us as the solution to the economic crisis. For The Arts and Charities and businesses like the auto industry stimulus money is their 'life-line' for survival. In the Erie county the race is on to get $$$$$$$$$$ from the gambling pot, fees paid by the Presque Isle Downs Casino to Erie County for distribution.  Law suits, tempers and cries of 'playing politics' are raging this summer. However, quietly in other sectors, organizations are asking for donations of time and the expertise of volunteers.   A few have come to my attention this summer. The Neighborhood Art House/Erie, PA is asking for donations of time to read to children during the Hooked on Books Summer InternPr... 08/17/2009