If you look closely, there are several things going on with these plants.

• The green lichen on the branch is a sign that the air quality within the environment is good.
• The tree is beginning to bud.
• The yellowing of the pine needles does not necessarily mean that the conifer is unhealthy; some needles discolor as they age and the needles will eventually drop.

Now is the time to assess your garden’s needs. If you took notes of problems in the fall (you did, didn’t you?), you can address problems with diseases early as some *pesticides are pre-emergent. 

*Note: make a concerted effort to find organic methods for treating plant and tree problems.

Daily Gratitude: seeing a beautiful, female Terrapin turtle

© Teresita Abad Doebley All rights reserved 2009-2012.

Related articles

• what can i do to increase pine needle growth on pine trees? (greenanswers.com)
• Build A Lovely Pesticides Flower garden With These Tips (boldstate.com)
• Organic Gardening (osolutions.wordpress.com)

Woo
You might not ever get rich
But let me tell ya it’s better that diggin’ a ditch.
There ain’t no tellin’ who ya might meet.
A movie star or may be even an Indian Chief.

I took two of my students with me to the car wash last year. I had them press their little faces up against the window as the brushes rolled over the car.

Then I told them to scream as loud as they could since no one would hear them.

I screamed too . . . and it felt kinda good.

Hey
get your car washed today.
Fill up and you don’t have to pay.
Come on and give us a play.
Get a wash right away.

Daily Gratitude: one doctor visit out of the way for another year

Quote of the Day for YOU: If you want to be happy, be.  ~Leo Tolstoy

© Teresita Abad Doebley All rights reserved 2009-2012.

Toe Raises

This week’s exercise is easy–very easy!

Benefit: improving strength and flexibility in your calf muscles

How to: Position your toes close to the edge of the stairs. Raise up on your toes as far as you can and hold for a few seconds. Then drop the toes down just below the edge of the stairs–hold for a few seconds. Repeat 10 Xs, 2 sets. If you can, try not to hold onto the stair rail–engage your core and move through the exercise slowly.

Quote of the Day for YOU: The greatest wealth is health.  ~Virgil

21st Street, Ocean City

After interval training today, I went for a long walk with an old friend. Who would have ever believed it was February–President’s Weekend is traditionally a big snow weekend–was in the 50s! The boardwalk was packed and there were people strolling the beach. Looking down the path to the beach, it drew me in too!

Daily Gratitude: beautiful weather and a lovely, clear blue sky

Quote of the Day for YOU: Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up.  ~Jesse Jackson

© Teresita Abad Doebley All rights reserved 2009-2012.

Related articles

• Ocean City Boardwalk Named One Of America’s Best (philadelphia.cbslocal.com)
• Weekly photo challenge: Down (jmsimpson.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Down (passion2read.wordpress.com)
• Ocean City, NJ is Happy To Be Listed As ‘Least Angry’ City In America (philadelphia.cbslocal.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Down (thescroobiouspip.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge: Down (mikehardisty.wordpress.com)

The first time I did one of these, I thought I was going to fall face first into the weights and chip my pearly whites or bring up the weight too quickly thus crushing my jaw! Using weights that have straight edges are highly recommended because the rounded ones have a tendency to roll which could cause one to do a forced arm straddle resulting in a broken nose! 

• Get into plank position.
• Pull up on the weight in a slow, controlled movement, keeping your elbow close to your side.
• Alternate between both arms.
• 10 reps, 2 sets