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Observing changes in neighborhood

A problematic neighbor situation involving the cabin my wife and I own south of Warren on the Allegheny River has ended, at least for now, to the satisfaction of both of us. But the fact that we feared a real problem shows how property owners can find themselves in irksome situations as a result of actions by neighbors. Even as the situation on the river seems resolved, a neighbor problem 100 miles to the southwest at our home in Boardman has not had as happy a conclusion. We feared for the nature of the new tenants not long after a very imposing new home was constructed scant feet ...

Being tight-fisted in inflationary times

Cheap. Cheap. Cheap. It doesn’t matter whether or not we clip coupons, or if wedecide to pick up change in the parking lot. We are all tight-fisted about something. My Uncle Chet was the quintessential Scotsman … tight as the bark on a tree. Late in life, he suggested that my mother, his sister, meet him for dinner. After many decades of treating him in restaurants either plain or fancy, she was prepared, as usual, to take the check while he sat on his hands… as usual. When he reached for the tab and opened his wallet, my mother began slapping her hands together all across the ...

Enjoy mums for the moment

As we all enjoy the beautiful fall mums we have purchased in our Garden Centers it is only natural that the thrifty among us would like to know if they can be planted in our gardens and enjoyed next fall. The simple answer is probably not. The mums purchased from our garden centers with ...

New routines bring change of perspective

Editor’s note: This series will connect topics between Christianity and hunting. The series will run throughout the archery and rifle deer seasons. A few years ago I hunted from sunrise to sunset. While walking out of the woods after a full day of hunting, the phrase “from the stars to the stars” came to mind. I remember entering the woods early by the light of the moon and seeing the vastness of the stars. Throughout the day I watched as the sun rose, then made its way across the sky, and finally set over the western horizon. Then, the stars came back out again. It was ...

Brush with simpler times

More than 50 years ago I subscribed to a craft magazine that I do not even remember the name of. I always got excited when the next issue arrived. I had a lot of time on my hands at that time. My children were young and took naps. Naptime was my time to do crafts. I was living in a mobile home. It was not one of the larger ones either. I had to get out my craft and be sure I could put it away before the children awoke. I sent for some paintings. They were the paint-by-number type. I got the four seasons plus the frames for them. Now, let me tell you that I am not at all ...

Astounding surprise from Mother Nature

BOOM!! The noise was HUGE and beyond startling. The sound explosion propelled me out of my seat. It was midday, I was writing on my laptop, and I couldn’t imagine what could create such a frightful noise. It sounded like it came from the front hall – maybe by the front door? Perhaps it was – OMG – the furnace? Fearfully, I raced to the utility room. Nothing. Everything normal. Then back through the kitchen and dining room to the front hall. I opened the door, looked around the stoop, down the steps, and in front of the rhododendrons. Nothing. I thought, OK, if the house ...