Did anyone else hear the fighter jets fly over?

Yesterday, around 2:30 pm or so, I heard fighter jets fly over Cliffwood Beach. 

I haven't heard anything on the news.  Hmmmm... 

I do know the mosquito commisson was out spraying.  Perhaps our Tiger mosquito problem has gotten out of hand and they've taken to extreme measures?

September 11 2009

• Take some time to remember the events of September 11, 2001 today. Connect with family. Meditate or pray.


• September is Emergency Preparedness Month. Click here for a message from the American Red Cross on how to be set for disasters. With hurricane season upon us, there's no time like right now.

  



• County OEM will be participating with volunteer and professional emergency response groups in drills for the next few weeks. Monmouth County has an upcoming drill scheduled for September 26 with CERT, Medical Response Teams, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and many other groups. As a volunteer for both CERT and Red Cross I look forward to practicing the skills necessary for cooperative disaster management.

To a Life Well Lived

Hear, Hear, rejoice

ere a heart is stilled

a life anew begins

while sad we walk amidst our pain

our sorrows crowding in

Well thought a while

our memories past

of joys and warm caress

will walk with us all our days

to bring us happiness

I wrote this for couple of friends, separated by the passing of a loved one on 7 September 2009

Nothing like good Lakeside Property at Cliffwood Beach

Of all the things I love about living in Cliffwood Beach, one of them has to be the easy care requirements of the typical yard.

I keep my yard as natural as possible because it fits in so much better with the Lake, the Beach, and the naturally shady environment. My husband says we are merely lazy groundskeepers, but I object! Our yards love people who love nature, and landscapers at the beach would do well to sculp a trade in plants, yard designs and shrubs that yearn to abide in harmony with the deciduous forest and nearby wetlands. That you can keep a decent yard whether spending a fortune or a pittence is only a credit to the good sense of those that live here.

Here's some photos of my backyard. In some of them you can just see Treasure Lake peeking through. In the winter months the whole world opens up, but early Fall is a haven for critters.

For people that need to be closer to the water, just acquire a home on another section of the lake. Here's a view through the backyards just a few houses away.

My front yard is a resort to birds, not only because I favor them with seed and suet in the winter, but for the natural plants they love to find and eat. Below is a Japanese Lantern hybrid. I cannot find the variety in books as it does not seem to be a classic version. I think it looks a lot more like a 'lantern' than the ones in the books though.

The days spent raising a family in the easy care of a cozy community, shuttered away from the busy streets of the main roads simply cannot be valued. So many residents that buy in the Beach are returning to days fondly remembered growing up here, or spent happily visiting grandparents. Ahhhh! I'd love to thank the original planners who made our byways. Many of the streets are winding discourage fast driving, and our children are much safer, without the need of drastic street bumps or over regulating signage.

The Second Day of School

I took a number of photos from a brief walk outside my door, down the street, and around the corner. Here's a shot of some of the lovely yards and flowers on the street:

We love the log cabin! (on the left)

Here is the "ice house" according to neighborhood lore.

Some of the flowers, courtesy some gifts neighbors and their favorite hobby:

Ok, maybe I could have done without the Goldenrod, which is prolific in September, especially along the shore woodlands. I will have to look for the Ruby Crowned Kinglet, which generally makes Cliffwood Beach a migratory stopover just for this plant.

Whether coming home from school or walking around the neighborhood, you have to be a tides expert to properly navigate Lakeshore Drive. Today the tide is low at the close of the school day. I'll try and get another picture when the tide is high. You can check the Keyport tides before you step outside.

Today, the school bus has no trouble navigating Lakeshore Drive after school let out. I'm not sure what they do when the road has a foot (or more) of water covering it!

The Shore Bird of the Day - Geat Blue Heron

Today I finally got to borrow the use of the digital camera. I excitedly went to capture a photo of my favorite daily visitor, the Great Egret, a large white bird that frequently fishes in Treasure Lake.

To my enduring surprise I found a pair of Great Blue Herons instead. I'm not sure of how great a shot this is due to my inexperience with the Nikon Coolpix S1 camera will show.

Here one of the pair wades, whilst its mate flew overhead. (I think I rousted it when I leaned over the back fence). Any imperfections belong with the photographer, not the bird.

Life at the Beach

I love living in Cliffwood Beach, New Jersey.

The birds are attracted to my yard as much by the fish in Treasure Lake off of my backyard, as by the many and varied deciduous trees and shrubs that attract land and water fowl, the red fox, and yes, even the mosquitos.

In Summer months the Barn Swallows take a pretty big hit when the Monmouth County Mosquito Commission orders wetlands kill sprays, but hopefully the flying insects that don't dwell in the marsh will make up for the loss of diet.

When Mission Matawan volunteers came into the the heart of Cliffwood Beach to help a neighbor in need, they were impressed by the white picket fences, the flowing rose shrubs and the rabbits peering out through the dense garden foliage, like Peter Cottontail and family. Some of the streets truly appear as settings for Beatrix Potters stories.

I'll try to put up some photos from around the neighborhood to show you what I mean.

Til then, take care.