The ducks aren’t doing so well…

By Elizabeth Prata A month or so ago, a flock of ducks took up residence in my area. It looks like they are mallards, and either a duclair or a duclair-mallard cross. I live down a lane that has a 3-apartment building, and 4 mobile homes to my right. To my immediate right across the …

Vintage Haul to open my Spring Break week off!

By Elizabeth Prata It isn't really a huge haul, lol, but I did pick up a few things. It was from an Antiques Market about 35 minutes away from me. I enjoy that place for two reasons. Firstly, I drive through stunning rural countryside. There are pastures galore, barns in all sorts of conditions- freshly …

A successful, fun, nice day!

By Elizabeth Prata A successful day! I needed to change my bookcase in front of the window, because it was too high and obscured my view. It drove me nuts. I saw an antique dry sink with Victorian brass lion's head pulls at my fave vintage, minus the back (I don't need the back) for …

Thrift Haul on a fine Saturday

By Elizabeth Prata It's spring here in Georgia. That means the birds are flying about chirping happily. The trees are aflame with avian song. The first flowers are budding; forsythia gleams yellow amid the other bare branches. It's warming up, enough so that when you stroll around outside people have that goofy smile on their lips …

January in Maine and in Georgia

By Elizabeth Prata January in Maine, where I used to live, January in Georgia where I live now. EPrata photos In Maine, you close down, button up, seal yourself in for the winter. I mean literally- we had to put towels in front of the bottom of the door to stop the cold air from …

Who audits the auditor? “Georgia Transparency’s” Russell Pickron

By Elizabeth Prata The Rise of Citizen Auditors (or, Content Creators with an ax to grind...) Social Media is accessible for viewing to one and all. Hallelujah! It also means any schlub with a GoPro, a Youtube channel, and an ax to grind can create content for anyone else on social media to consume. And …

Thrift Haul: How’d I do?

By Elizabeth Prata What a surprise came to us this week! Our Governor distributed bonuses for all educators. Paraprofessionals included (that's me). So I splurged with a bit of it and bought 4 new books, Merry Christmas to me! I got I got 2 NEW theology books and 2 non-fiction historical narratives. James Durham is …

Food Haul: How’d I do?

By Elizabeth Prata Regular readers know I'm frugal. I have to be. I live for 365 days on a 190 day salary. I have to make it stretch. Groceries is one of the biggest expenses we have in normal daily life. I'm not talking about the big exceptions of buying a car or house. Of …

My one-time taste of The Gilded Age

By Elizabeth Prata I grew up in Rhode Island, "The Ocean State". It's the smallest state and the ocean cuts it almost in half, so you are never far from it no matter where you are. We lived about 3 miles from Narragansett Bay and were often at the Bay, on the Bay or driving …

In the Christmas Spirit!

By Elizabeth Prata I've been enjoying 'All Things Christmas' more this year than I ever have. Maybe because it's my 3rd Christmas in my new apartment and without cats, and over time, I've accumulated some wonderful decorations. Maybe it's the three Christmas CD's I found that I really like. (Nashville Christmas, The Brothers Cazimero A …