Monthly Archives: June 2018

MIAGD: Make it a great day A heat wave is hitting more than half the country on this July 4th weekend. I’m trying to decide if I want to go do something or simply hunker down at home all day. … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day There were only 12 Mary Lincoln day lilies to greet me in the front yard this morning. By 9:30 AM, I was already in my seat at Wright State University for the final concert … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day It’s my Friday, or actually, my first Saturday with Friday being my Saturday|Part 2 and Saturday being my Sunday. A grand total of 19 Mary Lincoln day lilies gracing the front yard. In need … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day It’s my Friday, today. The skies look threatening but there’s no forecast for rain. However, the Miami Valley is known for its inconsistency with weather. Teaching 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM with no breaks, … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day It’s a beautiful, breezy Tuesday morning with seven Mary Lincoln day lilies greeting the day. Teaching begins at 8:00 AM with a full line up of eight seniors until Noon. Here we go! Make … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day We’re saluting June as it prepares to take a bow. Since today is my friend and former neighbor’s, Laura Parker, birthday, that is the starting gun that three months from today I will turn … Continue reading →

It’s here! Dayton’s very own Railfest at Carillon Historical Park. I love this event, each year, as it brings back all the fun of my childhood with model and electric trains. One of my favorite events was going to the … Continue reading →

While strolling the grounds of Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park, I happened to run into Brady Kress, President/CEO of this venue, and inquired about this structure. What a fantastic history lesson! The Shakers came to America from England in 1774. A … Continue reading →

It’s 9:00 AM, Friday morning and there’s precious little to report. The dogs allowed me to sleep in until 8:30 AM which felt great since it was a toss and turn night as the humidity rose to uncomfortable conditions. Yesterday … Continue reading →

AMERICANS… Earlier today, I had an exchange with an individual on a post. She made a derogatory reference to those seeking asylum at our southern borders. When she repeated her slur, “those slime,” I reminded her they, too, were Americans. … Continue reading →

It is officially summer. It arrived with a light rain shower at midnight and then the humidity shot up to uncomfortable levels in the early morning.  By 8:00 AM when I rose, everything was damp. Breakfast on the deck was … Continue reading →

My maternal grandmother, Donna Clary Barmes, was the younger sister of Ronald Monroe Clary. Friday, June 18, 1937, Ronald went back to the woods on the family farm in Madison County, Indiana, to retrieve the cows.  Ronald was either thrown … Continue reading →

June 20, 1984, thirty-four years ago, I was adopted by my stepfather in the Madison County, Indiana court chambers of Judge Carroll. Beginning that day, with the bang of Judge Carroll’s gavel, I legally became Darin Lee Jolliffe-Haas. With that … Continue reading →

It’s Wednesday, or rather, my Friday until teaching resumes this Sunday afternoon. Lessons began at 8:00 AM with several of my seniors who are going gangbusters with preparations for their senior year and future college auditions, some of which begin … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day My neighbor, Kay, has a beautiful hydrangea in her front yard immediately next to my driveway so that I, as well as all my students and their family, can enjoy it. Make it a … Continue reading →

Nicole Melin shared this beautiful piece with me. I’ve experienced the love of my dogs and cats, and have rejoiced in the love shown them, and myself, at their passing. What It Means To Be Loved By A Dog

MIAGD: Make it a great day Marilyn Monroe singing “We’re Having A Heat Wave” Hot! Hot! Hot! Yesterday, Sunday, it was 93-degrees. It’s not looking much better for today. My very old compressor/generator is chugging away, but I am constantly … Continue reading →

Breakfast and deck time was from 8:00 – 10:00 AM and I fully intended to begin trimming shrubs and mowing immediately after. At 10:10 AM I walked into my study to find Chief already settled in for another morning nap. … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day Since Clyde’s passing, two weeks ago, Bailey has been much more snuggly. The first night I brought the girls home, Christmas 2013, they immediately snuggled against me as we slept. It’s never changed. And, … Continue reading →