Oat Meal Cookies

To make 40  healthy cookies,
please use -

2 cups of oats
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup sugar white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp. vanilla
1/4 cup  of water
1 cup butter

Baking time is 20 min. Enjoy!

Winter Poem

"...and, in this stillness, 
starlight behind daylight
 wherever you gaze."

Here's to a New Year enriched by poetry!

Rebirthing Books

Spread the wonders and joy of reading to others while conserving woodlands and other resources and keeping books out of landfills by donating them. As printed books are in process to be replaced by eBooks, we still need them to teach children to read and enjoy reading. We are the nation of reading, knowing, and learning.

Consider the novelty of re-gifting books. With the big holiday season approaching, parents can bestow a Shakespeare play or Mark Twain tale that meant so much to them decades ago to their kids - including a card explaining its poignancy and significance. The gesture can even spark greater interest in reading.

• Many public libraries are support by community volunteer "friends of" organizations that sell donated books at deep discounts to the public. Funds raised help underwrite host library programming.

• Along with selling new and used books online, including BetterWorldBooks.com accepts book donations that support national and global literacy initiatives, including in Latin America and Africa. They recently forwarded 37,000 donated books to UK teachers and other educators, and also operate a senior outreach program.

• Local chapters of national organizations like Girl Scouts, Kiwanis International, Rotary International and General Federation of Women's Clubs frequently collect gently used children's books.

• Other donations sites include The Salvation Army, Goodwill, thrift shops and used and antique bookstores.

• BooksForSoldiers.com lists specific titles military members are requested. BooksForAfrica.org has shipped 41 million books to Africa's 54 countries. BooksThroughBars.org supply prison libraries, while BooksToPrisoners.net links donated books by the public to requests.

• Include unwanted books when planning a yard sale.

Garden in November

Photographer: Ida Tomshinsky, 2018

A Moment of Truth

So close, that someone can touch the bird, 

but not for a long time.

As soon as the bird sensed human presence, 

it took off.

Photographer: Ida Tomshinsky (2018)

You Make a Life by What You Give

A Set of 3-items: White and Blue 

Crochet Baby-Wear

Designer & Photographer: Ida Tomshinsky, 2018

"You make a living by what you get. 

You make a life by what you give."

Winston Churchill

Once Upon a Time...

Text, Design, and Photographer 

made by Ida Tomshinsky (2018)

Once a upon a time, 

the universe was ready 

for a new baby-girl to arrive.

It was time to design 

the new baby-shoes to start 

the welcoming move to new life -

one day the baby-girl

will walk and run in the 

'new'

baby-shoes.

Meantime, the green leaves made a soft nest;

and the purple flower looked ahead

and gave it approval;

and suddenly, the little bird was ready

to fly and spread the bird-song 

that a little baby-girl

 is ready to be arrived soon, very soon.

Enhancing Nature with New Life

Design & Photography Made by Ida Tomshinsky, 2018

Media: Crochet

Textile: White and Mix Blues of Yarn

Give gifts to a child to come

and enjoy the fun and laughter, 

giggles and grins

that ends with a big hug!

Birds on Wires

Photography: Copyright by Ida Tomshinsky, 2018

This picture was taken from the car, 

behind the windshield glass window.

Birds on the electrical wires 

in front of a tall building.

This is the usual spot, a designated place 

where birds find their resting place.

Perhaps this is the Earth's parallel 

that is on the way of birds' migration.

Birds brain keeps the navigation plan,

and their memory leads them in their 

fascinated journey.

Unfortunately, the resting place is in the city.

There are not too many trees and nature

as a food supply point.

I am fascinated by birds:

I see them all the time at the same street.

It is a very power view 

when all the birds taking off 

at the same time,

led by a strong mature leading bird 

to there next destination point.

Linda's Life Adventure on the Beach

From the beach chair, outdoors, my darling Linda shields her blue eyes from the strong sunlight. Our sixty-four-year old girl is wearing sunglasses. Fun, sun, and clear waters are calling. Just imagine – what a wonderful day could be at the ocean! Few hours, while away, taking fresh air and the majestic smells of the Atlantic Ocean, to keep her young and energetic. Who knew that a little coffee is actually healthy, thank you, science?! “Ahhh!” Linda just keeps going. She has her sunshine, laughing and talking.

Nowadays, her positioning and priorities changed. The main motto is vivid: “Retired from work, not from life!” For many, this is the time much-needed to rest, to slow down and rediscover themselves. Above all, of course, writing. The inspiration is everywhere.

The eyes observe the familiar landscape: flowers, plants, sneaky lizards and the creeping grass. The songs of birds lead to the birds. Great, she retired from her jobs, both at the office and home, and seeks adventures at time to time. O, yes, she earned the spotlight in more ways than one. Now is the time to relax and have some simple fun. For Linda, sun n’ sand means the straw hat, straw tote and other summer accessories. Of course, it is the pressure time for recreational reading, self-expressions in essays and writings, and endless creativity through handmade craft and vintage goods appreciation.

Linda loves the beach – a place of relaxation, rest, and tranquility. The Ocean waves of surf side ambience for stress relief. The walk on the beach is a priceless beach therapy.

People say dreams are made from “sand and sun…” What this mean? Perhaps to pursue the fullness of life, the happiness.

“Palm trees,

Ocean breeze,

Salty air,

Sun kissed hair,

Endless summer,

Take me their…”

The topics of sand, sun, and retirement brought up a logical question of protection from sun and wind with the use of common fashion accessories from the historic perspective.

Wise women know better – feeling good means looking good and that could be translated to wisdom words of wellness. Beside the healthy food philosophy and energy-exude exercises women should not be afraid to break the rules. After all, in France, women wear bikinis until they are eighty. The goal is to heal, repair, and protect skin from further sun damage. To guard the skin means to shield the sun to bake on human body.

A little breeze is a treat, but the strong winds of the hurricane seasons always should be taken seriously.

Back to School:

The summer is almost over and school is back.

 Did you finished the 

Summer Reading list of books? 

Is you book report is ready?

Last moment school preparation brought us to 

The Library!

The greatest William Shakespeare said:

"A Book, A Book

My Kingdom for the Book!"

August Is Here

Funny how the longest season of the year

 always feels like it's slowly passing us by - 

how each lazy afternoon blurs into the next until, 

suddenly, it's August. Soon summer is fleeting. 

The summer day are melting away 

under the hot summer.

Text and photo: Copyrighted, 2018. 

Royalty of Ida Tomshinsky

Inspiration

It is matter what you do!

I'm very tolerant to stillness. 

I'd rather not move my hands just to move them. 

I'll wait for the right thing.

My advice to writers would be 

to aggressively seek the truth -

forget about your ego-

and do one more draft to make it right.

if you have the story to tell,

the most important thing is the story,

not the form you use to shape it.

Squirrel at Lunch

Squirrel Documentary: Part II

The squirrel fiesta continues.

The fresh young coconuts taste so good!

Look at me: "I cannot stop eating it!"

The documentary story in photos

 made by Ida Tomshinsky (2018)

Squirrel Documentary in Photos

Main character - squirrel. 

Location - my backyard, 

under the palm tree, in Florida.

High jump to the tree to get some small coconuts.

Lunch break! 

Leisure time after a good meal. 

Showing up the cool side: 

"Yummy to my Tummy! I have a full belly!" 

Photography and 

the very short story written 

by Ida Tomshinsky, 

local Florida Author. 

Copyrighted 2018

Unexpected Visitor: Photo Essay

Landed and checking out the location.

Examine the car - there is 

a long surprising look at the Toyota. 

Welcome home, "unexpected visitor."

 Please let us know

how we can help

Photographer: Isaak Tomshinsky, 2018

Meet the Parents

When time comes, we are with full enthusiasm, appreciation, and love celebrating Mother's Day in spring, and Father's day in summer. And we want to honor the both heads of the household. In the modern times of acceptance, equality, and family diversity, both parents sharing the same duties and chores. Both Mamas and Papas are "Power Parents." Every child knows when we ask the Mother and she does not want to take the responsibly for a decision, Mom would shout out "Ask your Dad!" And after you we go to the Dad to ask the same question, he uses the reverse psychology and family diplomacy by telling the child that without Mother's approval he cannot say "yes."

This days, the family is all about the teamwork. More often, we talk and read about the teamwork in the work setting and at any organizational structure. Of course, the power of the family also is within strong roots of teamwork and family members that deeply care for each other not only on Mother's Day, Father's Day, or at the Thanksgiving table. Celebrations are a part of our traditions. We honor are heroes, we honor our parents and grandparents that we love and admire. They are our role-models, and very often we not only proudly carrying our family name, by also the same DNA - the genes. We care the parents' love throughout the life.

Therefore, not always we have to wait for the big day celebration, because we can say the simple words "I love you!" or "Thank You!" on a daily base. And when the children are the young adults, what counts is, to call or text to say: "How are you? How you been? I miss you!"

Librarians Libraries

"Red Carpet" at 

2018 Florida Library Association Conference 

in Orlando, May 23-25, 2018

Library Workers Day

Poetry Month

Job Fair for Career Opportunities

Earth Day

Various book displays 

by multiply themes and 

major outreach programs

to draw library users awareness and

to celebrate National days with books.

Wikipedia

Apparently Wikipedia 

does not 

count as 

a literature review.

@SAGA research methods

Wind-Resistant Shade Trees

When the heat and wind meet, they bring the hurricane The local people of South Florida know a lot about hurricanes and the trees to plant that can withstand an onslaught of intense heat and bad weather.

There two trees that will leave residents worry-free when the hurricane season will come. Both Exothea Paniculata (Inkwood) and Guercus Virginiana (Live Oak) provide shade from sun during the summer months, and help save the energy bills.

Inkwood is an excellent accent tree for commercial landscaping. It has dense foliage, and grows to 45 feet in South Florida.

The Live Oak is a large sprawling, picturesque tree that provides large areas of deep shade. Growing to 40 to 60 feet, with a 60 to 100 foot spread, sinuously curved trunks and branches, and a trunk that can grow to more than six feet in diameter, the Live Oak is an impressive sight for any large-scale landscape.

The Australian Pine and Laurel Oak are very beautiful, but not to be able to withstand hurricane-force winds.

Photo and text: Ida Tomshinsky

The Rose Did Caper On Her Cheek

The rose did caper on her cheek,
Her bodice rose and fell,
Her pretty speech, like drunken men,
Did stagger pitiful.

Her fingers fumbled at her work, -
Her needle would not go;
What ailed so smart a little maid
It puzzled me to know,

Till opposite I spied a cheek
That bore another rose;
Just opposite, another speech
That like the drunkard goes;

A vest that, like the bodice, danced
To the immortal tune, -
Till those two troubled little clocks
Ticked softly into one.

by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

Where the Birds Came From?

About 160-million years ago, the creature called Archaeopteryx had skeleton characteristics identical to small dinosaurs that lived during that same time. This creature also had toothed jaw and feathers that allowed the Archaeopteryx to move from place to place ‘transporting’ through branches. Some scientists believed that Archaeopteryx is the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and what today we identify as birds. Also, birds’ beaks, legs, and the ability to lay eggs indicates a strong relationship between birds and reptiles. New discoveries are helping to better understand how birds evolved and how they are related to each other, from the tiny hummingbird to the towering ostrich.

In 2005 bones discovered from Antarctica’ fossil gave new and very exciting facts: the skeleton of Vegavis dated to around sixty-seven million years ago bears traits that exist only in a modern-day duck. The new discoveries combined with more advanced methods of genetic tests suggest that the avian family tree got their start just before the asteroid strike. (Jaggard, 2018) An asteroid stroke sixty-six millions years ago. It devastated the dinosaurs, but scientists today have proof and evidence that there were a few survivors that evolved many millions of years of the mass extinction and begot today’s birds.

One Blue Door

To make a poem
listen: crow calls.
Rain paints a door,
blue in the sky.

To make a poem
you need the door
blue and lonely
swinging in the rain.

To make a poem
you need to leap
through that blue door
onto a crow.

To make a poem
you need to glide
on crow's black caw,
skimming the trees.

To make a poem
you need to taste
petals of rain.
Open your mouth.

To make a poem
you need to hear
fountains sprouting
in your hands.

Leap through one blue door
onto crow's black call.
Catch rain's petal-fall.
Music in your hands.

Leap through one blue door.

(Pat Mora, 1998)

Nursery Set of Boots and Bonnet

Baby boots

Baby boots are delicate, bright and bold;

pretty and practical in "Red Heart' pink yarn,

signaling the beautiful crochet gift is for the newborn girl.

Associations with nature

The set of nursery boots and bonnet in pink color

decorated with

white and pink flowers and a lady bug button 

 as a reflection on nature's call.

Crochet gifts for the nursery 

Of all the traditional crafts, crochet must be one

of the most versatile.

It could be used to make a wide range

of beautiful items,

including objects for the home,

clothing, jewelry, flowers, toys, and trimmings

for all types of other needlework.

Text, photography, and craft by Ida Tomshinsky

Copyrighted by IT, 2018

Save the Oranges!

In Florida, beyond the beaches, theme parks, and condo districts there are the farms, ranches, and greenhouses. Florida is more famous for tourism, but not everybody knows that we are living in an agricultural state that is rated second in the nation. Florida is the nation’s top producer of oranges, sugar cane, sweet corn, and watermelons – and a major producer of tomatoes and other vegetables, strawberries, peanuts, and various other crops.

People say “an apple a day, keeps the doctors away.” March means getting in best shape and live a letter healthier live, by learning to make better choices with great food and exercises as the BFF. Mothers know best – “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Today orange juice is not for breakfast anymore. Young Americans who typically skip breakfast, preferring a carbonated soda, vitamin-enhanced water, and the expresso coffee.

For most of its 500-year history, Florida had been synonymous with the orange. Introduced in 1565 by Spanish settlers, citrus found Florida to provide the ideal environment for production. Not everyone knows that since the 1940s, Florida has ranked first in the United States’ orange and grapefruit production. In 1970s, citrus groves cover one million acres in Florida. Citrus canker disease was first detected in 1984. The infected trees were burned. Florida locals remember – government workers were going house by house and chopped off the beloved orange trees. The 1989 Christmas freeze practically wiped out orange groves along the north of Intersection 4. The beneficiaries of this disaster were Florida real estate developers, and Brazil replaced Florida as the world’s leading orange producer.

In 1995, citrus canker returned. Citrus greening disease is discovered in Homestead orange grove. Scientists are calling the new disease “canker on steroids.” Unfortunately, the citrus greening disease invaded all 32 citrus-producing countries. Sadly, the greening fight affects bees, another vital element associated with the battle to save the Florida orange trees. The citrus greening disease originated in China, in 1911. With the growth of global trade, the disease made its way to Americas. It was detected in Brazil, Florida, and spread to Texas and California. Natural science professionals race to find a cure. Today, scientists modifying orange trees with bacteria-destroying gene from a virus that contains both syntactic gene and strong organic gene from onion, spinach, and - even a pig.

The city’s youth do not know that as usual oranges ripen on the trees. Oranges are picked and shipped from the land to the order – oranges never warehoused. “Small things like drinking an orange juice with pulp or eating an apple is being received like a telephone call to your genes. Every thought, everything you eat, every single little thing can tweak your genes activity towards healing.” (Deepak Chopra)

So, what is happening in the naranja-land? Local scientists are working on replacing orange groves with peach orchards. All they have to learn is to develop the new peach varieties adapted to Florida’s short and warm winters. Blueberries also considered as an alternative crop. Today, Florida’s blueberries harvest topped $62 million, larger than that of Florida tangerines. Surprisingly, some farmers have taken an interest in producing olives.

What else? Almost half of the nation’s tomatoes are grown in Florida. Florida paths only California in strawberry production. Surprisingly, Florida is producing 20 % of sweet corn national market. Peanuts grow well in northern and central parts of the state. Would you believe that Florida is the nation’s number-one producer of watermelons? People often ask, where? In Panhandle, along the Gulf Coast, and in north-central Florida.

Ant and Dove: Aesops Fable

To proof the doves and pigeons are kind and carrying, let us turn to Aesop’s fable Ant and Dove. An ant went to a fountain to quench his thirst and, tumbling in, was almost drowned. But a dove that happened to be sitting on a neighboring tree saw the ant's danger and, plucking off a leaf, let it drop into the water before him. The ant mounting upon it, was presently wafted safely ashore. Just at that time, a fowler was spreading his net and was in the act of enmeshing the dove, when the ant, observing his object, bit the man’s heel. This made the man drop his net and the dove, aroused to a sense of it danger, flew safely away. The timeless story has a moral: one good turn deserves another. “One act of kindness, how small is ever wasted.” (Aesop, N.d.)

Little Tiger From the Jungle

Photographer: Ida Tomshinsky

2018

Birdscaping Your Garden

Growing native plants means to provide native food and shelter to attract certain species of the geographical zone within someone is living. How to get from landscape to birdscape? Then ask more questions?

• Are these plants for birds to hide? Songbirds need protective cover from potential enemies, such as cats, snakes, and hawks
• Are these places for birds to nest? Birds would come during the breeding season, if there are inviting places to nest, such as trees, shrubs, hedges, brambles
• Are these shelters areas protect them from enemies and weather conditions? Evergreens against the walls and fences will protect will them from cold, wind, and rain
• Is there food and water? Natural food sources are coming from flower nectar, grass seed-heads, fruits, berries, diversity of plants that attract insects. Plus, to provide an access to a small pool, pound or puddle will accommodate the needs of thirsty birds

3-Projects for the Nursery

 

Bonnet and Boots for the Little Boy:

Rustic Country Style coordinated

in Brown and Green

 

Once upon a time there was a mom

who was expected a boy, and

these little boots were a perfect gift

for the little boy soon to come

and to be welcomed by the family

 

Baby Blanket with an Ornament

 

Warm Soft Brown Bonnet Decorated

with Green Border to Adjust the Size

and 2+2 Lady Bugs for Each Side

 

 

Warm Baby Boots