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Geraniums In Place - I'm Taking It Easy

By Elizabeth Bolton

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA

May 30, 2010 02:51 PM

old family plot in a cemetery in Shirley Massachusetts Every Memorial Day weekend my family plants geraniums at the cemetery. My Dad's been visiting the family plot in Shirley, Mass for over 70 years and I've been going along for years.

This weekend we went on Saturday after my appointments were over. I love old cemeteries but we didn't linger since we were planting the geraniums in the rain.

That leaves the rest of the weekend to kick back. I've actually taken both Sunday and Monday off - hurrah!

In reality a day off means I've got time to dig out the house. Straightening my office has taken the entire day - it's been a long time coming.

I've been entertained while I organized all day by the Drop Dead Diva marathon. I love TV marathons on holidays. Tomorrow is the Hoarders marathon.

And tomorrow - yes - we will barbecue. In fact, my parents bought a small Webber grill and a fire starter this afternoon for the occasion. We're a non-grilling family but we're going to give it a shot. I've been inspired by the delicious smells coming from my next-door neighbor's grill - time to cook up some burgers of my own!

Hope that you're enjoying the weekend - it's back to work on Tuesday!

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Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Liz, when I lived up in MA with my family we would tromp to Woodlawn Cemetery so often, I can remember playing there while the elders did their thing. How nice you are still going with your dad. And enjoy the rest of the holiday!!!! Happy Grilling!

May 30, 2010 03:02 PM

Jay Lloyd

Cape Coral Florida - Cape Coral, FL

Allpro Home Inspection

Hi Elizabeth, What a nice tradition your family has to plant geraniums on the family plot. I'm taking it easy this weekend too....which for me means trying to learn how to use my new phone. Enjoy the family barbeque, jay

May 30, 2010 03:06 PM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Andrea ~ I remember when I was a kid finding a very old wooden grave marker in this cemetery - now long gone. I really love old cemeteries - have since I was little.

Hi Jay ~ That's a good thing to do! I need to master my phone but the house is going to walk away on its own if I don't get it under control - maybe I''ll master the phone on the July 4th weekend!

Liz

May 30, 2010 03:12 PM

Barb & Sal Dragotta

Macomb, MI

Macomb County Michigan

Elizabeth...that is a nice tradition; how lucky you are to have your Dad to share this with. Do you plant the flowers -Red Geraniums- in a family plot --or do you grace many headstones in a similar fashion? Do enjoy your days off; your family gathering AND your cleaned out office. We are having our major remodel beginning on June 2nd, so i am in the process of moving all Kitchen items and some pictures from one Bath out of the way. How in the world did we ever collect so many treasures. I understand the small bath since I made it a Picture gallery
--some sctual photos & some fun prints--all about music and musicians a recycled cabinet is going up over the toilet. thought you could use a LOL on me.
Barb

May 30, 2010 03:20 PM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Barb ~ It's the family plot on my father's side that we go to every year. My grandmother on my mother's side died a few years ago so went to that cemetery too. My parents bought the plants and brought the tools - my primary job was water toter.

Love the photo of your bath! It reminds me of the "Mother bathroom" my mother had a while back. She collected Mother mottos and filled the downstairs half bath with them. Good luck moving everything - what a project!

Liz

May 30, 2010 03:40 PM

Leesa Finley

RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC

RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

How nice, Liz that you are going to be able to take it easy today! You'll have fun using the grill even if you aren't "regulars" with grilling. Well, you know my story for the day......thanks for the heads up on Hoarders - I'll be in bed all day so now I know I have something to watch. Have a super fantastic day, liz!

Wake Forest NC House Chick

May 31, 2010 12:52 AM

Joseph D. Federico

MVP Realty - Naples, FL

Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico

Liz-I hope you are enjoying this Memorial day weekend!

May 31, 2010 01:14 AM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Leesa ~ Hoarders gives me inspiration to pick up, throw out, etc. I use it as a wake-up call since I'm a disorganized collector. And if Hoarders is too intense - and believe me it can be - it looks like there's a Clean House - Search for the Messiest House marathon on too. Inspiration in every direction!

Hi Joe ~ You too! It's nice to have a good excuse to take a day off - and it looks like the weather will be great for the day. Enjoy!

Liz

May 31, 2010 03:49 AM

Paula Swayne

Dunnigan, Realtors, Sacramento (916) 425-9715 - Sacramento, CA

Realtor-Land Park, East Sac & Curtis Park -Dunniga

Hi Elizabeth!
Once you barbecue, you will never go back....there is nothing like the smoky flavor that barbecuing gives!

May 31, 2010 05:10 AM

Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Liz: Planting Geraniums. What a wonderful family custom to continue. And oh how you will remember doing that for as long as you live.

I would love to visit my parents in their family plot. But... alas... as often happens in what has become a "moblie society." I am way too far away from my parent's family plot. It is up in Cleveland, and I am down here in Fort Worth... garden spot of The People's Republic of Texas.

How great to be able to continue to be surrounded by your family history.

And... enjoy the grilling. I think I can smell those burgers way down here. How fun. Grilling with the family. Really... that's something I have not done since 1987 when Mom passed away. Oh... how she loved to grill her chicken quarters... basting away with her butter sauce. I miss that so.

Take care... and hugg your parents.

May 31, 2010 09:42 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Liz:

I worked all three days with a relocation client. But, maybe next weekend - I keep saying.

I hope yours was relaxing. The flowers look gorgeous and that is a great tradition to continue.

Jun 01, 2010 12:24 AM

Jim Frimmer

HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA

Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I'm presuming you have to plant geraniums each year because they freeze and die when the cold weather and snow arrives. Our geraniums are like the Energizer Bunny. They just keep going and going and going.

Jun 01, 2010 01:34 PM