Real Estate Information Archive

Blog

Displaying blog entries 1-3 of 3

Tips For a Bug Free July 4th

Saturday, June 28, 2014
by Don Roth

When it comes to 4th of July gatherings, the old adage “the more, the merrier” almost always applies. With humans, that is. The thing is, insects also love a good party, but they’re much less fun to hang out with than your friends and family.

picnicTo avoid spending your holiday swatting at six-legged party crashers, keep these tips in mind:

1. Use Marigold Centerpieces

Not only are marigolds an attractive accessory, they’re also natural insect repellants. Placing a pot of them on the table will keep bees and other bugs from milling around your tasty 4th of July treats.

2. Keep Food Covered

Speaking of treats, your guests won’t be the only ones attracted to your watermelon slices and potato salad. Keep bugs from sampling the spread by covering dishes with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

3. Place Cucumbers on the Ground 

To keep ants from scaling the table, place slices of cucumber (which ants hate) on the ground surrounding its legs. Tip: If you don’t want to confuse your guests with strangely-placed vegetables, grate the cucumber into fine shreds so that it is camouflaged in the grass.

4. Distance the Trash

Placing the garbage can near your eating area is a logical-but-buggy choice because trash is a major pest magnet. To spare your guests unnecessary swatting efforts, keep your waste covered and away from the action.

5. Grill with Herbs 

Sage and rosemary smell dreamy to us, but they’re a bug’s worst nightmare. Placing these herbs directly on the coals of the grill when barbecuing (AKA “The BBQ Bomb”) will have your human guests gathering around and insects fleeing for the neighbors’ yard.

6. Garden Smart 

If you have a garden, plan ahead and plant natural bug-repellants like lavender, citronella, spearmint and chrysanthemum so that they’ll be in full bloom by the time your party rolls around. Tip: If you’re late to the planting game, you can still buy these plants in pots and place them strategically around the yard.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.
 

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Happy 4th of July!

Friday, June 28, 2013
by Don Roth

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”  ~Elmer Davis

july 4 As Americans, we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th to honor our nation’s birthday.  It is day replete with parades, cookouts, picnics, flag waving, fireworks, and a heavy dose of patriotism. 

JULY 4, 1776:  The Second Continental Congress completed its work on the Declaration of Independence.

JULY 4, 1941:  Independence Day was first celebrated as a federal legal holiday.

 

“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.”.  ~William Faulkner

Did you know that there is a one-gun salute fired at noon on July 4th on every capable military base?  It is called the Salute to the Union.

IT’S A GRAND OLD FLAG…and there are specific rules about displaying it proudly and properly. Click here to brush up on how to honor Old Glory.

FABULOUS FOOD:  Having a cookout or picnic with friends and family?   Think about foods that come in patriotic colors--white snow cone cups filled with red and blue berries, e.g.  Be sure to offer hot dogs, hamburgers, cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans, and watermelon for an all-American meal.  Maybe even Mom’s apple pie to top it off!  Food Network stars share many delicious recipes for this holiday, and the web even offers a video of grilling safety tips.  For updated and healthy food choices, visit Health.com

Having a holiday gathering?  Better Homes and Gardens has many websites to help you with food, decorations, and crafts for the kids.  Click here for trivia questions such as” How many verses does the Star Spangled Banner have?” to challenge your guests. 

fireworksSpread the word—and patriotism.  123Greetings.com offers a good selection of holiday-themed cards to send to family and friends.

FIREWORKS FINALE:  Nearly every U.S. city or town offers an exciting fireworks display to end the day’s festivities, and we’re never to old or young to ooh and ah at the spectacle.  Perhaps the longest celebration is fittingly held in Philadelphia---a 9 day festival culminating in back-to-back fireworks!

George Washington once said, “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”  Do remember, however, that such a plant needs to cherished, nourished, and protected by each and every American.

 

Have a safe and happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July to all the men and women who serve and protect.

Friday, July 2, 2010
by Don Roth

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th of July to all the men and women who serve and protect.

 

 

Daddy's Poem
 
 
Her hair was up in a pony tail,

her favorite dress tied with a bow.

Today was Daddy's Day at school,

and she couldn't wait to go.


  


But her mommy tried to tell her,

that she probably should stay home

Why the kids might not understand,

if she went to school alone.


 


But she was not afraid;

she knew just what to say.

What to tell her classmates

of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,

for her to face this day alone.

And that was why once again,

she tried to keep her daughter home.

 

 


But the little girl went to school

eager to tell them all.

About a dad she never sees a dad

 who never calls.

 

 

  


There were daddies along the wall in 
back, for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently,

anxious in their seats.


 

One by one the teacher called

a student from the class.

To introduce their daddy,

as seconds slowly passed.


 

At last the teacher called her name,

every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching,

a man who wasn't there.


  


"Where's her daddy at?"

She heard a boy call out.

"She probably doesn't have one,"

another student dared to shout.

 

 


And from somewhere near the back,

she heard a daddy say,

"Looks like another deadbeat dad,

too busy to waste his day."


 

The words did not offend her,

as she smiled up at her Mom.

And looked back at her teacher, who 
told her to go on.


 


And with hands behind her back,

slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,

came words incredibly unique.


  


"My Daddy couldn't be here,

because he lives so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be,

since this is such a special day.


 

And though you cannot meet him,

I wanted you to know.

All about my daddy,

and how much he loves me so.

 

 


  
He loved to tell me stories

he taught me to ride my bike.

He surprised me with pink roses,

and taught me to fly a kite.


 

We used to share fudge sundaes,

and ice cream in a cone.

And though you cannot see him.

I'm not standing here alone.

 

 


"Cause my daddy's always with me,

even though we are apart

I know because he told me,

he'll forever be in my heart"


 


With that, her little hand reached up,

and lay across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat,

beneath her favorite dress.

 

 


 

And from somewhere there in the crowd 
of dads, her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her daughter,

who was wise beyond her years.


For she stood up for the love

of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her,

doing what was a right.


And when she dropped her hand back 
down, staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft,

but its message clear and loud.


 

"I love my daddy very much,

he's my shining star.

And if he could, he'd be here,

but heaven's just too far.


  


You see he is an Canadian Soldier
and died just this past year

When a roadside bomb hit his convoy

and taught us all to fear.


  But sometimes when I close my eyes,

it's like he never went away."

And then she closed her eyes,

and saw him there that day.


  


And to her mother's amazement,

she witnessed with surprise.

A room full of daddies and children,

all starting to close their eyes.

 

 


Who knows what they saw before them,

who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second,

they saw him at her side.


   


"I know you're with me Daddy,"

to the silence she called out.

And what happened next made believers,

of those once filled with doubt.

 

 


  
Not one in that room could explain it,

for each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her,

was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.


 


And a child was blessed, if only for 
a moment, by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing,

that heaven is never too far.


 

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.


   


Send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to send it also to the person that sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them.


 

If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry and that you've forgotten your friends.


 

Take the time...to live and love.


Until eternity..


 

God Bless


There must be many children in the same boat as this little girl, thanks to our servicemen and their families for the sacrifice they are making to keep our country Free.

The ULTIMATE sacrifice is being left behind.  Don't forget them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Displaying blog entries 1-3 of 3

Syndication

Categories

Archives