Seeing someone for the first time or even the tenth time, unless we have taken the time to get to know them gives us little to know grounds for judging them but all too often we let a first appearance be our marker for what we think that person to be without really knowing anything about them at all. No one should judge another. It is not up to us to be their judge. (Except in a court of law for crimes they may be charged with; and then you need proof beyond doubt to make that judgment.)

Concretions are one of those rock curiosities that rock hounds love to find. They are fascinating and tease the imagination. Since the early 18th century these fascinating rock formations have been considered one of the world’s geological curiosities and wonders. I’m a rock hound and I collect rocks and minerals and have a few of these marvelous rocks in my collection.

Park Street School is a historical old building and has served as a public school for well over a century but it has closed, closed at least for use as a school. It closed as a school at the close of the school year 2009-2010. It has served the town of Springfield as a public school for over 115 years bringing knowledge and social skills to the children of our community from kindergarten through high school graduation throughout the years. For many years Park Street School was Springfield High School until the new high school on South Street was built.

It wasn’t too long ago that my sister and I were visiting a vintage and antique shop and I was admiring the beautiful old pieces of potter they had on display. The prices on some of these pieces were astronomical. To be honest, I was a little astounded, especially when I think of pottery and being made from clay. However, there are various types and grades of clay and some of it is more suited to making pottery products than others. Of course a lot of the price, the value of those pieces is also related to how and who created them and the age of the piece.

You can find genuine treasure in some very unusual places and quite often when you least expect to find it..   

Do you ever go “treasure hunting?” I’m not talking about salvaging some sunken privateer or pirate’s ship at the bottom of the sea or trying to find some buried treasure on some uninhabited island in the middle of the Pacific, Atlantic or Indian Oceans; oh those would be marvelous treasures to find and they are out there somewhere but that’s not what I’m referring to.

The strawberry is a member of the rose family and you can find it growing abundantly in fields, the open woods, along shaded banks and roadsides and across dry hillsides. These wild ones are much smaller than the domestic, home grown varieties but they are oh so sweetly delicious. Birds, deer, rabbits, the little white-footed mouse and such wildlife love browsing on them so you may have a fair amount of competition in gathering a good harvest but with a little effort on your part, you’ll get your share and there will be enough for the wildlife too.

Real succotash is a whole lot more than what comes in a can of corn and beans at your local super market. It is a cross between chowder and a casserole and it has been around for eons of time. It is delicious and even better is good for you, filled with fiber and lots of good vitamins and minerals.