Standing in what will soon be my vegetable garden, I remembered something I had been meaning to look into: Victory Gardens. Somewhere in the foggy recesses of my memory, was the knowledge that Americans had produced a large quantity of vegetables during World War II.

Some research yielded this information: “Victory gardens were vegetable gardens planted during the world wars to ensure an adequate food supply for civilians and troops. Government agencies, private foundations, businesses, schools, and seed companies all worked together to provide land, instruction, and seeds for individuals and communities to grow food.”

“Emphasis was placed on making gardening a family or community effort-not a drudgery, but a pastime, and a national duty.”

“Throughout the World War II years, millions of victory gardens in all shapes and sizes–from window boxes to community plots–produced abundant food for the folks at home. The US department of Agriculture estimates that more than 20 million victory gardens were planted. Fruits and vegetables harvested in these home and community plots was estimated to be 8-10 million tops, an amount equal to all commercial production of fresh vegetables.”

Wow, it’s amazing to think that–even for a short time–people re-learned how to grow their own crops. It’s also inspiring to think of what we can do when we  work both independently and jointly to get something accomplished!

Just now opening for the season is an exhibit/re-creation of a Victory Garden at the Smithsonian. If you live near the area, check it out!

If you, like me, live nowhere near the museum run a search for “Victory Gardens” in flickr and see some gorgeous photos others have shared 🙂

10. In line at the DMV

9. At home mopping the floor

8. The woods during a long walk or run

7. The tub, with a glass of wine or a beer or even a bowl of ice cream

6. On the train

5. On a break at work

4. At a garden, while pulling weeds

3. At the grocery store.

2. On a plane

1. In line at the DMV.

Happy Friday and enjoy using Audiobook Builder!

Scanning the news, the title of this story caught my eye, “Your iPhone Is Secretly Tracking You All The Time.” Okay, I loved 1984. I’ll bite.

What is my iPhone tracking and why?

Files stored on my iPhone itself as well as on my computer contain a record of where I have been and when I was there. As explained by Rosa Golijan, the author of the above mentioned story, “These files are basically very long lists of latitude-longitude coordinates and timestamps, and they can be found on the devices themselves as well as within the software backups saved on users’ computers.”

Later that day, while searching amazon.com for all the gear needed to live comfortably in an underground bunker, a friend of mine sent me this alternate perspective on the Apple iPhone tracking issue.  Alex Levinson, the author of “3 Major Issue with the Latest iPhone Tracking “Discovery”‘ pointed out that California state law prohibits the use of an electronic tracking device to determine the location or movement of a person. “Apple is not harvesting this data from your device. This is data on the device that you as the customer purchased…” Levinson goes on to show us that this information is “neither new nor secret.”  And that this tracking feature was written about in 2010.

The tracking information is being used by third party applications. For example: when you type a restaurant into google.maps, the information on your phone creates the starting point for the directions to get there.

Its my understanding from both articles that the only way one can access this information is through one’s own iPhone or one’s own computer. So, it would be a problem only if someone stole one of these devices. The major issue seems to be that the information is unencrypted.

I guess I can keep living above ground for the time being…though 2012 is right around the corner…

We had just moved into our pre-used new home when one night, after collapsing in bed following a marathon day of remodeling, I met one of our unwelcome guests.

When a bat wakes you, the first thing you notice is a creepy sensation that you are not alone. Your heart races, its beating drumming in your ears. Sweating is not far behind.

That year was busy – stressful enough as it was – but the flying mice were the last straw in my moving experience, the thing that made me say, loudly enough for my new neighbors to hear, “This is too much! I am never moving again!”

In reading a variety of articles detailing how money is often a source of stress for couples, I wondered how frequently the tax season is the ‘last straw’ in a marriage.

Good news, though spouses might find that they are at each others throats about where that needed receipt is at, tax season is not prime time for divorce. Though studies have shown that arguments over finances are a strong predictor for divorce, the most common month for people to separate is January.

Why January? The holidays push people over the edge. Or they might decide that they can’t stand each other another year. Some people actually wait until the year ends, so that they can file taxes jointly one last time.

So, if you’re filing your taxes at the last minute, relax, take a deep breath, read up and/or visit an accountant, consider tracking your finances in the coming year, and smile at the one you love.

You made it through the holidays, and you’ll get your taxes done as well.

While having lunch, a cousin of mine commented on her recent push to eat more veggies. Not being much of a fan of green foods since childhood this has proven to be quite a challenge. “Well,” I said, “At least you know that if you buy it you WILL eat it.” We both grew up in families that simply did not let anything go to waste. She stopped chewing her sandwich to laugh.

In a recent editorial about the personal finance habits of Americans, the author began by stating, “People who lived through the Great Depression learned and retained some hard lessons about living in lean times.” Going on to say that, “… the recession of the last few years has not been long or painful enough to get the same message across to today’s families,” the editorial outlines the ways in which Americans are not properly managing their money. The tips given by the author  to improve money management are, “Set some money aside for emergencies, pay extra toward your debts until they’re all gone (and stop signing up for more debt), and have a portion of your paycheck diverted to a long-term savings plan.”

Isn’t it painful enough? Most likely one or two of the 8.8% of unemployed persons in the U.S. would be inclined to disagree. Sometimes, when enough time has passed, we tend to romanticize a bygone era. Perhaps this will give away my age, but I did not live through the Great Depression. Still, the value of using things to their full potential-of not wasting time, food, energy, money was passed down to me (and my vegetable eating cousin).

Obviously, the best time to start learning about personal finances is at the start. The very start of your life. For many children, who do not have the opportunity to learn about healthy spending, the consequences of credit card debt will come as a shocking surprise.

Only 4 states require students to take a course in financial education, while just 20 states have standards that math classes include some financial objectives in their curriculums. Would it benefit young adults to learn more about finances in school? That depends.

Personal finance is, well, personal. My vehicle is old. The side is smashed up from a suicidal deer that met its end in the ditch near my house.But that car stills runs. Paid in full several years ago, that car gets me when I need to go (and I’m okay that it isn’t entirely beautiful).

I can’t say, though, that everyone should drive a beater. Why not? Because each person has their own set of circumstances. How much trust would the average person place in a lawyer or accountant that drove a junky looking car?

Financial education in schools would be helpful for the basics. Understanding how to balance a checkbook, how credit cards (and interest) work, and some basic guidelines for how much to save for emergencies could benefit young adults as they head off to college. But it’s still going to be up to each individual to define their priorities.

Hopefully, the next generation of students will make decisions that will contribute to their long term happiness, rather than short term comfort. Is there a way to teach that in school? I’m not sure.