Mary Quast's Blog, page 14
May 4, 2021
#TiaraTuesday
May 3, 2021
Illegal Erections

I'm the township treasurer and we were short staffed today so I fielded a few calls.
One time I answered the phone: Montrose Twp, Mary speaking. How can you help me? I quickly corrected myself. The caller and i had a good laugh.
Later..
A resident called to complain that his neighbor was erecting a building on his property that didn't have a permit posted. He ranted for a few minutes so I put him on hold to transfer him to our new building inspector/code enforcer. Today was Bill's first day so I don't have his extension programed in my phone. I walked to his office to let him know he had a call. Me: "Kevin Peterson is on the phone. He wants to talk to you about his neighbor's illegal erection."
Bill: turns beet red and struggles to hold back a smirk
Me: "That didn't sound right, did it?"
Bill: shakes his head and gives me a full smile.
I walked away like a boss thinking "I'm going to stick to counting money so I don't have to talk to people."
May 2, 2021
A Great Day

Flyboy is in Cali so it's just me and Teen Boy. We did all our chores yesterday so we could veg today.



What are you doing today?
April 29, 2021
Celebrate Trees, It’s Arbor Day

It's always romantic to walk through a park with your honey. Maybe even steal a kiss on bench. Perhaps the canopy of trees and wildlife enhance the romance.
Here in Michigan, we celebrate trees. Arbor Day, celebrated by Michigan the last Friday in April, is a holiday to recognize and appreciate trees and all the wonderful things they do.
Arbor Day, first held in 1872, was envisioned as a way to spread awareness about the importance of trees and to encourage tree planting.
In 1885, the Michigan Legislature resolved "that the Governor is hereby requested to call the attention of the people of the state to the importance of planting trees for ornament and by naming a day upon which the work shall be given special attention, to be known as Arbor Day."
Did you know? Until 1965, the Upper and Lower peninsulas had separate Arbor Days in the spring because of the difference in weather conditions for tree planting. Today's Arbor Day celebrations usually take place during the whole last week of April.
Get into the spirit of Arbor Day by planting a tree. Some of the trees in my small town were planted years ago by scouting groups with seedlings. If you live in Michigan, visit the Arbor Day website for information on 6-12” seedlings to plant. https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/tree-seedlings.cfm

Here are a few other ideas to celebrate trees in fun and creative ways:
Take your family on a tree-ID walk. Visit the DNR's Nature at Home webpage to help kids discover the wonders of the natural world. Give a tree as a gift. Unlike cut flowers, trees can be enjoyed year after year. Create and share tree-themed art. Use tree coloring pages to get started or make nature crafts from pine cones, leaves and twigs. Learn about the importance of trees and sustainable forest management. Have a picnic near or under some trees.Enjoy a hike around your local park to spot wildlife living in the woodland and forests.

Not feeling, celebratory? Grab a cup of Joe and relax on your porch or deck. Take in a deep cleansing breath and look around. Leaves are sprouting so fast; one could almost hear them. Can you?
What are you going to do to Celebrate Trees?
April 28, 2021
A Moment of Mediation from Crow Magic #Excerpt

Mountains climbed from the edges of the lake reaching for the cloudless sky. Envisioning she was the first human to witness such beauty, she listened to the whispering pines, lapping waves, and songs of the living earth. No boats graced the water, no calling children played, only pure nature. Clean air filled her lungs with every purifying breath. Dropping her robe to take in the rays of sunlight, she journeyed to the beach. Enchanted, she extended her arms and waded into the water in expectation of a baptism by nature.
She imagined the spirits of the natural world calling out to her and instructing to let go of the loneliness. A simple task of emotional spring cleaning so room could be made for the physical intimacy she craved. Standing with the water surrounding her legs, an eerie power seeped into her pores. Tingling pulses in rhythm with the waves traveled through her cells.
Looking at her own reflection in the water, she watched a grin find its way from her heart to her lips.

He dipped his head and broke the gaze then flexed his toes, apparently uneasy about the wound on her wrist. Lucy blinked.
“It doesn’t hurt.” She gave him a small smile.
After a gentle game of tug-o-war and an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve her earring from his beak, she tapped her fingers on his back to distract his attention in hopes that he’d drop it.
But content with his position on her arm, he held the earring tight. With her arm extended slightly, she left the water and sat on the warm sand of the beach. She tucked one foot under her while keeping one knee raised to rest her arm and support his weight.
Gazing upon him with wonder as he sat at ease, she slid her palm leisurely over his back and stroked his lustrous feathers. The heat of the animal greeted her skin and a low, throaty sound drifted to her ears.
“You are so beautiful; I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything or anyone so perfect.” A sudden, strong yearning to fly and soar on the winds of passion possessed her. In the daydream, strong hands touched her, drawing out her feminine cravings. Erotic visions of lying under a dark warrior flamed her desire to life. She imagined charcoal eyes and a masculine face framed by wild strands of black hair.


BLURB FOR CROW MAGIC ~
Lucy Richards is tired of being timid around men and turns to Madame Eve to give her a man for a night that will help her overcome her fears to feel like a real woman. Eve arranges a night tucked away in the Castillo Poconos Resort with a handsome Shawnee shaman who will teach her to use her womanly power and take her to unimaginable heights.
Seth Crowe, a shape shifter and Keeper of the Spiritual Law, considers himself to be a carrier of souls from darkness to light and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic. When his brother refers him to 1 Night Stand he certainly didn’t expect to find a fiery angel sleeping in a sensuous body and experience the true balance of nature. BUY IT NOW ON AMAZON Scribed Barnes & Noble Apple Books Smashwords
April 25, 2021
Wine Anyone?

The original skeleton key for the lock came with it.

The rack is filled with mostly wines from Michigan Wineries. I'm a big believer of supporting local businesses.

I also enjoy trying wines from wineries whenever we go in our travels. Feel free to post your favorites!
April 23, 2021
Ahhhh...the First REAL Coffee of the Year

Yeah...thats it. That's what I'm talking about.

Im so happy the snow is gone and spring is here. Flyboy and sons put the deck furniture out for me before they left so im enjoying this moment of tranquility.

Until the new pup decides to use my leg to prop a stick against my leg while she chews on it.

April 22, 2021
Happy Earth Day!

In 1970, an idea was born when thousands of people came together in the United States to speak up and demand cleaner air and water. It was decided to set aside one day a year to celebrate our planet. In 1990, Earth Day became global when 200 million people in 141 countries spoke up together about global environmental issues. Today, we celebrate the 51st Earth Day! This year's theme is Restore the Earth. Classrooms around the world are learning about the environment and conservation.

I checked out around me to see what's going on. A group over in Chelsea is planting trees. A group in Flint is participating in the Great Global Cleanup. Many other communities are cleaning parks, school yards, trails, and more. Some students in Montrose Twp did a bit of recycling and made bird feeders out of plastic bottles and toilet paper rolls. What are you going to do for your part?"We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb
April 21, 2021
Magic Mint

Grandma used herbs in many of her remedies. Her recipes for teas, rubs and oils were passed down from her grandmother who moved to Michigan after the Civil Gram grew a variety of mint in her gardens; Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemonmint, and a few others. Mint grew along the banks of Coldwater Lake. When my cousins and I spent summers with her at the cottage, she often would have us "harvest" the mint. She used it fresh in salads and her yummy panfish dish. Her Mint Tea would solve tummy troubles. Her mint salve calmed us and soothed our skin. However, she would keep some fresh sprigs in water on the widow sill for her mint juleps.
Mint is much like a groundcover so it is suggested to plant it in a pot or within a border. Gram gave mint its own garden with a border. I planted mine in a ditch so it may crawl wherever it wants. I often harvest tender leaves for salads, teas and dishes.
Spearmint is traditionally used to help relieve
symptoms of indigestion, nausea, vomiting and gas.
It is high in antioxidants.
Used to balance sex hormones -great for ovarian support
Reduce facial hair in women.
Improve memory
Lower blood sugar
Fight germs
Lower Stress
Awaken the senses
Fight pain and stiffness in joints
Lower blood pressure

I use mint essential oil for salves and in my diffuser to give a room a fresh, clean scent.
I love visiting Those Nature People in Frankenmuth or the SVRC Marketplace in Saginaw. They have a nice display of essential oils you can give a sniff to test.
April 19, 2021
Howard Jones - Simple Man (Official Video)
Former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and current LIGHT THE TORCH singer Howard Jones performed a cover version of LYNYRD SKYNYRD's "Simple Man" for a recent episode of "The Oyster" podcast.
That is the song my son and I picked out for our dance at his wedding reception. I love Howard Jones strong operatic voice and I never heard this rendition before. Definitely, enjoyed it!