Greg's General Store

Spring is here in all its glory. The birds are singing, the bees are buzzing and the flowers are blooming. And you know what that means…. time to sell tadpoles. Now most of you are probably thinking that no one could sell tadpoles because no one in their right mind would buy them. Wrong. We proved it. A few years back when we first started going to the flea market, my son came up with the idea of selling tadpoles. This is how it all began; We were going to the flea market selling plants. We had a few water plants to sell as well. We thought it would be a great kid-attractor to have a minnow in the jar with the plant and it was. Kids can spot a live animal a mile away. When families were walking by our booth, more often than not, the young children would see something moving in the jars and stop to see what it was. Most of the time, the parents stopped as well. The first step in making a sale is to get someone to stop so we were on our way to a sale. If the child wanted the fish, we wou...

It’s been an exasperating day. And it isn’t even half over yet. Today started out like any other day but by the time I got to work, I was ready to chew glass. It must be “See how close you can follow Greg day” or something like that because no matter which road I was on, someone was right on my bumper. Now I don’t mind if people do that and then pass at the first opportunity but these people had lots of time to pass they just wanted to get up close and personal and blind me with their headlights. So in an effort to shake one relentless tailgater, I made a quick stop at a local gas station. I figured I could shake this fool and get a nice cup of coffee to calm my nerves. So I got to the coffee counter and poured a nice big cup of Joe and then started looking around for the creamer. There in front of me was a big sign on the cream dispenser saying; Sorry out of order. No biggie, I can always use those little tiny tubs of creamer. Well guess what. Those were all gone. But wait, I have a t...

I just read the funniest story on a blog that I found through Jenny's blog . If you go there she will link you to her friends post and I guarantee it will make you laugh. It reminded me however of a bathroom experience that I had a number of years ago. I was in a local hardware store one day and I had just finished a large soda when the urge hit me. I knew I would never make it home so I decided to go use the men's room. This was a very large orange hardware store and they are all the same so if you know which one it is don't say but the restrooms are all in the same place. They are in the back right behind the kitchen section. When you go through the opening to the restrooms, there is an employee break room right ahead of you and the men's room is to the right and the ladies room is to the left. That tells me what they think of their employees to put their break room between two bathrooms. So by the time I get there I am about to die and know that I don't have time...

We have more flowers in bloom. They are blooming faster than I can take photos. This is a Tunbergia that my sister gave me. These pansies are a little late but they keep blooming. One of the two white Iris' bloomed. The other should bloom tomorrow. They have multiple blooms so maybe I can catch them both at the same time. We were supposed to get rain today but all we got was a lot of wind. That broke the pollen lose and I ended up having an allergy attack. I am inside for the night now. I am praying for rain tomorrow. Have a great day, Greg

Is there such a thing? Who out there knows? I am thinking that some of you bloggers may know the answer to some of these questions. I have questions, you have answers. So let’s get started. If you go into a public restroom and someone is in a stall (I will leave it at that) and also talking on their cell phone and you come in and finish what you came to do because that’s just how you are, you don’t linger in public restrooms, is it proper to flush while this person is talking on his cell phone? I mean if I were on the other end of that phone and I heard flushing I would be disgusted. I’m Just asking. If you are one of those people who feel the need to cover the entire bathroom stall with TP before you use it, what are you supposed to do with all that TP when you finish? Leaving it draped all over everything is the wrong answer because the next person to use the stall now has to deal with it. And did you really think that the germs would hold off until you covered everything? I’m just a...

For those who aren't from Charleston, it is frequently referred to as the Low country. I think that is because parts of it, including much of the City are actually below sea level. And they wonder why it floods when we get a little rain. But as I said, Spring is here, and I have the photos to prove it. My son and I with a little help from DW and my youngest son have been busy getting the plants ready. So without further ado, here are the photos I took today: Can you tell we like azaleas? The climate here is perfect for them and almost every yard has some. Here is our forsythia. It is growing on a gazebo that I made. Although my big pear tree didn't bear this year, my little one did. Scarlet asked to see the full size of this maple tree. I pulled it up by hand many years ago and replanted it where it is. The redbuds in the area are the best I have ever seen. Ours included. The Dogwoods were looking good until that last cold snap. Oh well you can't have everything. Ok yo...

Jenny over at Flutterbye Chronicles gave me an award. I found her blog a couple weeks ago and now I am a regular visitor. In addition to having a great blog, she also has a great Sister in Law who just happens to be my blogging BFF. Now my son says that men aren't allowed to use the word "Fabulous" or BFF for that matter, unless you are.....well, you know, but I am going to accept it anyway. He will just have to get over it. Thanks for thinking of me Jenny. Two rules accompany this award(like I follow rules haha): 1. Confess 5 things you are addicted to. 2. Pass the award on to 5 deserving bloggers. Five addictions: 1.Coffee, Some days more than others. Today coffee is the only thing keeping me going. My allergies kept me up most of the night and I am working on only 4 hours sleep. It's going to be a long day. 2.Blogging. I don’t mind admitting that I am totally addicted to it. I sometimes dream about blogging. 3.Taking pictures. If I had a dime for every photo I hav...

We live on a little island just south of Charleston. It is called Wadmalaw Island and it only has around 2000 inhabitants. Most of the time, I just tell people that I live in Charleston because it is easier to find on the map. Our island doesn’t have a gas station or a grocery store. There is a very small general store that sells lunches and two businesses. One is the Tea plantation (the only one in America by the way) and the winery (Irvin house vineyards). As you may know, my wife works at the winery which is about a mile past our house. About a mile in the other direction is a small community (4 houses) that is being built by Habitat for Humanity. Most of the work there is being done by volunteers. Yesterday at the winery, a couple stopped in that has been working on the Habitat project for the past two weeks. They came all the way from NY to work on these houses and were staying there in an RV. While they were at the winery they mentioned that today they were going back home to Alf...

It’s Wednesday March 18th and do you know what that means? Today is the first day of the spring Matrimonial Age Solstice in our house. For those that don’t understand what that means, today is the day when my better half’s age gets the closest to mine. It happens on the same day each year but it only lasts until July 27th when I again surge ahead. Yes I am talking about my wife’s birthday. Today she turns almost as old as I am but as she puts it, she will never be that old. So true. I could give you a big rundown of her life but she is modest and so I will just say Happy Birthday Diane.” Tonight we’re going to party like its two-thou-sand-and nine”. Hold up, it is. Actually we will probably just have a quiet dinner at home and some cake and ice cream (Just for the children you know) So here are some other notable things that happened on March 18th. 1. A man survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran. 2. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class becau...

I have a confession. I don't know who St. Patrick is. If I had to guess I would say that he is the patron saint of green beer but I really don't know. Heck I don't know why they say patron saint for that matter. Isn't a patron someone who is buying something? That would mean a patron saint is a saint that is buying something so St. Patrick would be the Saint of buying green beer. It all makes sense now. So when is St. Matthiew's Day? I just heard on the radio that they closed the schools in Savannah Ga today for the big celebration so he must have been someone really special. Anyone who lives around here knows that Savannah is the place to go to celebrate St. Patrick's day. That's why we stay away. I can't take seeing someone else get sick. Apparently Savannah is the place to get sick on St. Patrick's day. Sounds like fun doesn't it. I also don't know why people pinch you if you don't wear green. But not wanting to get pinched, I did brin...

Thank God it's Monday. And we finally got some rain. They have been calling for rain for three days now and it finally started this evening. When I look out and see the pollen colored water puddles, It brings tears of joy to my eyes. It has been a bad couple of days for this allergy sufferer. And to add insult to injury, my home computer went down and I couldn't blog. We got it fixed today though so all is right with the world. I got my Income Taxes sent off too so I really have a reason to tear up. Sunday was much better than Saturday. I started out making omelet biscuits for the family before we headed off to church. The service was a little different as our regular pastor was out of town. A much younger pastor filled in for him and it was.....lets just say a little different. The message was great but this guy is just a little to......how do I say this nicely? Energetic for my taste. Or maybe I am just getting to old to understand the younger generation. Oh that reminds me. ...

I know you have all been hearing about all this violence in the world lately but has it hit close to home where you live? It has here. Yesterday my son and I went to the Ladson Flea Market. He wanted to make a little gas money so we packed up a few plants and headed out. Despite the colder than expected weather he did make enough money for gas for the week. However during the day, tempers flared a number of times causing us to wonder if it was worth it to be there. The day started out peaceful enough. We arrived there while it was still dark and I took my usual nap before dawn. No sense wasting that dark time. Just about dawn, I awoke to the sound of someone setting up beside me. It was a younger man and his wife and I had seen them out there before. They mostly sell odds and ends and a bunch of boat parts. Apparently he does boat repairs as his main job. Shortly after he got set up, he decided to put up a tent. It is a homemade tent and in fact he is trying to make it there on the spo...

The Lizard man lives and I can prove it. Imagine yourself driving down a deserted road late at night, when suddenly, from out of nowhere something enters your field of vision. There up ahead illuminated by your one working headlight, you see the creature. It is like something out of a horror movie. It has the body of a man but a head and tail like a lizard. It stands there with that deer in the headlight look. You swerve to miss it, almost spilling your spit cup but somehow managing to hang on to your bottle of Jack Daniels. Fear grips you as your car skids to a stop on the edge of the road. You quickly down a few more gulps of courage before backing up to verify what you think you saw. With doors locked you slowly return to the site where the creature stood. Was it a dream or did you really see the legendary Lizard Man? There is only one way to tell and that is to investigate. After another couple more swigs of courage you stagger out of your car to look for evidence. You see nothing ...

Ok who remembers that movie? Did anyone other than me see it? It was back in 1975. It was about alien spiders that attack the earth. Fortunately their attack is foiled by a heroic policeman and his trusty scientist friend. The policeman was played by a very fine actor Alan Hale Jr. of Gilligan’s Island fame. You know….The skipper. And his scientist friend was played by Barbara Hale, who is known as the scream queen from the Perry Mason episodes. With an all star lineup like that, how could they go wrong? I really don’t know why this film didn’t win an Oscar. Anyway….. This morning on my way to work, I had my eyes peeled for deer. I wasn’t about to let one of those crafty critters attack my car again. I did see a few but they know me now as the deer bumper so they stayed well clear. So I am driving under the nice big oak trees that line our road when I see it. It’s about the biggest spider I have ever seen and it is dangling by a web. I am guessing it is about 4” long. As it is hangi...

It’s that time again. Spring! And most people know that means March Madness. Of course that is followed by April insanity and “More of the same” May. Finally things begin to slow down in June and life returns to normal. Spring is my favorite time of year but it is the time when I am the most miserable. Not only do I not like basketball, there is evil out there waiting to knock me down. The madness has already begun. As usual, I have begun my transformation from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. I do it every year for as long as I can remember. It is a curse that I was born with and nothing I do makes the transformation any easier. You see I have allergies. No I have really bad allergies. To tell the truth I have the worst allergies on the planet. I hate to boast but I really think it is true. I was tested some time ago and I believe I tested positive to everything that they tested for. Here are my worst enemies: Tree and grass pollen. And this time of year, they are all blooming. Now those ...

My job is not an easy one. It may seem easy but it is very difficult and unsatisfying. Every week I make up work schedules and every day the schedules don’t get followed. When I ask people why they aren’t following the schedule they make excuses and then turn the situation around and say things like “You didn’t ask us for our input." So I take that to heart and ask them what they want next week’s schedule to look like. I get no response from anyone. Ok I did get one response and it was; “I aint got time for this (insert bad word here).” Every day at work, I try to do what is right and proper. I too make mistakes though no matter how hard I try. I actually like it when people point out my mistakes as long as they do it in a kind manner. Telling me that I filled out a form wrong is acceptable. Telling me that my work stinks isn’t. I like constructive criticism, not degrading comments. Give me something I can work with. Throw me a bone I can work with. (I love that saying) It is...

Well I am just about finished with my taxes. Lets just say the results weren't that good. I had hoped to break even but it looks like we will have to pay. I thought it was going to be better but when I got to the part where I get that new "tax break", I only got $150.00. Then in another section, they took away $5000.00 worth of deductions that I used to get. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out how much it helped me. Hardly the bailout I had hoped for. But at least we will be able to pay it without getting a loan. At one point, that is what I imagined we would have to do. So I am wondering. Did anyone out there, anyone at all see any relief from this bailout? Maybe I missed something. Can you claim cats as dependents? Tigger Tiger Cushing has kind of a nice ring to it doesn't it. Well no sense dwelling on the issue. Lets just watch a short video that says it all. And have a great day, They didn't take that too did they? Oh nooooooooooo they did. Can...

Well almost. It is supposed to be in the high twenties here tonight and then in the mid thirties tomorrow night but after that spring is officially here. It's just like the old saying goes about March; In like a lion, out like a lamb. And here is the lion to back it up. OK Tigger Tiger only thinks he is a lion but that is close enough as far as I am concerned. The plants know it is spring. This is the pear tree that I brutally cut back this past year. It has lots of new leaves on it but we aren't going to get any pears this year. My Maple tree is blooming too. I need to take a full size photo of this tree. It is about thirty feet high. I pulled it up by hand out of our back yard about 25 years ago and planted it in the front yard. Wow has time flown. The Camellias are in full bloom. They don't seem to mind the cold weather. And sun is forecast for the next week here. Yea, bring on the sun. Come on, wake up sun. Apparently, the sun is asleep. And finally here is the new flag...

I spent most of the weekend working on my income taxes. Now all I have to do is figure out which child I am going to sell to pay what I owe. I kept looking for those new tax breaks but there weren't any. In fact the one new credit that I heard about wasn't as much as expected. I think what really upset me was that final step where you can compare your tax return with the average American return. There are a lot of liars out there. No way do some of you pay that much to charity. So what does this have to do with Vacation Plans you might ask. Well due to the outcome of my taxes we are going to have to make some changes in our vacation plans. Wow look, more change. We had a number of dream vacation ideas before we got bailed out but it now looks like we may have to step down a little. Here are some places we dreamed of going before all this happened: Mount Rushmore, San Francisco, Grand Canyon, or possibly even Ireland to return to our roots. Well none of that is going to happen n...