Isn’t Valentine’s Day a day many look forward to and some not so much? There seems to be mixed feelings of love in this month of February. While some are planning the perfect gifts, the perfect date, others are planning their dateless night. Funny memes depict the single person staying home with their pet. But, many can choose to still love the day if they think outside the chocolate box.

There are so many things to love, and it really doesn’t have to be your one and only. There are friendships, pets, your town, your favorite places, your favorite charity. I suppose many people look at only one way to love this day. Really there are many ways, and if you stop to think of what you love and who you love, it can be the best experience!

Social media is one place that is fun to see all the happy valentines shared with beautiful colors to friends and family. Let’s find the joy in others to be our joy. Isn’t that even better? Showing love to others will get, in most cases, love back. Just reach out to your friends and family too and share a sweet message of appreciation for them. After all, it is social media and isn’t that why we’re there, because we love it?

Make this day not only for yourself, but give love to a charity that warms your heart. There are charities that actually have gift cards that you can give to your recipient, and they can choose which charity to give to. Isn’t that a real “feel good” thing to give the gift of love for someone to forward love? How great is that? If you want a place to start, go to this website. https://www.sixdegrees.org/ It was actually started by actor Kevin Bacon. Who doesn’t love bacon? Their core value: Harnessing the kindness that connects us to make the greatest positive impact.

Partner with friends, family and the loves of your life to join a cause. What better way to make Valentine’s Day a day for everyone to LOVE?

Even summer's most ardent fans have to admit that fall offers some irresistible pleasures. Luckily, you can enjoy autumn's signature foliage show even if you live where summer cools gently into a mild winter and many leaves simply go brown before they fall. Here’s what you do to make sure your landscaping puts on a colorful fall show, just plant some key trees and shrubs that produce reliable color wherever they grow.

Here are some generally well-behaved plants that do well in a range of climates. All of them dazzle in the fall, and, as a bonus, many also put on a show in other seasons, too, with flowers in the spring or summer, fruit later in the year, and interesting bark in the winter.

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/10-best-trees-and-shrubs-fall-color

With the weather turning cooler and winter approaching, these great colorful planting tips will give you a great winter project. Get your landscape design on paper and when spring comes around, you are ready to start planting. 

Do you prefer a hometown diner or a big chain restaurant? Pros and cons…hometown diners are usually smaller and more personal. The waitress or waiter knows your name, remembers your favorite foods, what you usually order and your drink. You might see some friends and acquaintances while you’re dining. Your waitress or waiter might be someone you babysat for or your next door neighbor. If you’re just passing through and chose a small town eatery, you’ll still feel at home because most of the time the décor and ambience is comfortable and relaxing. The menu will usually be filled with homemade comfort foods and desserts that leave you wanting more…although you’ll usually find the portions large enough for a small army! Now that we’ve talked about the pros, let’s look at a few cons. Seating is usually limited and the diner itself is may be small. The menu may be somewhat limited on choices and lower fat versions of familiar dishes. Privacy might be an issue due to the smaller size and the fact that you may know several people, who just might want to chat with you through your meal. Or, if you know the waiter or waitress well enough, they may talk with you throughout your meal. Parking might be limited and you may have to walk a little further…at least the walk back will help burn off some calories!

So now let’s talk large chains…they normally have larger menus with more choices. Lower fat and calorie choices are usually available. Most chains serve alcohol, which you will not find at your hometown diners. Parking is never a problem, unless it’s Friday or Saturday night, then you may have to search or wait for someone to back out. Portions are usually smaller with chains, although you’ll get plenty to eat.  Cons: You won’t have to worry about chatting during your meal; the staff will be very busy with several tables and usually won’t know who you are. The food choices and desserts may be more processed than what you will get at a hometown diner. Prices will be a little higher at chains vs hometown diners.

So…which do you prefer? As for me, I love the quiet, personal, friendly atmosphere of a hometown diner. The delicious, less processed, homemade foods are just icing on the cake, literally!

This weekend, why not load up the car and the kids and head to Cincinnati for a great time at one of Cincinnati’s well-kept secrets. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. This park is not just for the kids, adults love it too. Get out there this weekend and create another great family memory!

It might surprise you to know that Ohio is full of enchanting destinations and little known parks that make you feel like you’ve stepped foot into a living, breathing fairy tale. Glenwood Gardens in Cincinnati is another one of Ohio’s hidden gems just waiting to be explored. It’s a beautiful place to spend a sunny afternoon with the whole family.

Take a look: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/ohio/llittle-known-park-fairy-tale-oh/

Trees that are more than just Trees!

Outside the town of Derby, in Western Australia, is another tree that has been put to use by mankind. The Boab Prison Tree is named so because its stout trunk, 14m in circumference, has been cut in two forming a small cell used as a prison. Police who were walking their prisoners into town would use the tree as a temporary holding cell overnight before carrying on to their final destination. The Boab is approximately 1500 years old, and visitors are asked to view it from behind a fence to stop it from being damaged, however few resist the temptation to go inside.

Root bridges are a specialized form of arboriculture practiced in the forests of northern India. The rubber trees of the Cherrapunji have been exploited for centuries by the Khasis people to grow their own bridges over streams and rivers. To grow your own bridge you need to hollow out a log, lay the log over the gap you wish to cross, and direct the roots of the tree to grow into the log. The roots will grow until they find solid earth to attach to, anchoring the bridge. Once the roots have formed a bridge, soil and stones, or other wood, are laid over them to protect them from damage as people cross.

Le Chêne Chapelle (The Oak Chapel) in Allouville-Bellefosse is an oak which has been carved out to house two chapels within its enormous trunk. The oak itself is approximately 800 years old, and the chapels were added in the 1600s. A lightning strike burned the core of the tree but the tree survived and remained standing, allowing the local priests to build their chapel within it. Today the tree is beginning to show signs of its age and the pressures of housing a religious site, and so requires supporting struts. Despite this, the chapel remains in use and a mass is celebrated twice a year at the site. To reach the upper of the two chapels there is a staircase which winds around the trunk.

Wouldn’t it be great to be a gardener all year round and better still, to be able to enjoy the things you grow all year long! Creating a “cold frame” growing area is the equivalent of moving your growing season one growing zone to the south. Putting a “cold frame” inside a greenhouse is the equivalent of moving your growing season two growing zones to the south. For exceptionally cold areas, like Ohio where I live, you will want to put hay bales or bags of leaves around your cold frame to help hold in heat. During the months when sunlight is at a minimum, put aluminum foil over the windows to increase the warmth inside. If temperatures are higher than 50 degrees Fahrenheit outside, be sure to lift the top of your “cold frame” slightly so your plants do not become too hot and wilt.

And for the really good news…spinach, kale and arugula, the fantastic super foods, grow very well in a “cold frame” and keep you extra healthy! Your “cold frame” vegetables are not limited to these super foods so start reading up and decide which veggies you want to start growing this winter!

Check out this link for all the details. Have fun, eat healthy…be a cold weather gardener.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/yard-and-garden/8-cold-frame-plans-for-year-round-gardening-zm0z16aszmar

We were out on a job the other day and when we were finishing up, our client asked us if we could help with one more thing. You see, atop a very tall pole was a tangled flag, one not reachable with a simple ladder. We were more than happy to reposition our bucket truck, extend the boom and have our team member fix “Old Glory.”

With so much chatter hitting social media right now regarding the disrespect of our country and the flag, the symbol that reflects the freedom of the citizens of this nation, it was an honor to help our client get the red, white and blue freely flying again.  

One piece of history behind the creation of the flag is that it was created to represent unity, something that there is very little of in this nation today. Although the American flag set our nation apart from Britain, it definitely was meant to be a sign of unity within a nation set apart.

Below is a great link that has some interesting history about how the American flag came to be such an important symbol for the United States.

https://www.reference.com/history/discard-faded-american-flag-8173b4b36e7eac6b?qo=contentSimilarQuestions#

This tree company “went the extra mile” to save some baby woodpeckers! The company was called to take down a tree, when the tree was down they realized there were two baby woodpecker in a knot hole. So they did the most humane thing they could think of, they duct taped the portion of the tree with the babies in it to the tree next to where the old tree had stood. Minutes later…mama was back feeding the little ones. Heartwarming story of kindness and humanity! McCullough’s Tree Service gives a huge thumbs up to this tree company!

These baby raccoons, better known as “kits” were rescued when McCullough’s Tree service needed to take down a tree that had become a hazard. These tiny tots were relocated to a safe place in the area, out of harm’s way.

Why would we take the time to do it, because every species of wildlife has a purpose, that’s why! Raccoons are beneficial to humans because of their consumption of pesky insects and mice, their aesthetic qualities, and their fur. 

It’s important to understand that a wild animal is just that, wild, so you shouldn’t handle them unless absolutely necessary. These little guys did not put up a fuss, they were happy to be safe

Oak Wilt Disease has been identified in the United States for quite some time, but most recently it has made an appearance in the Central Ohio area. McCullough's Tree Service is leading the way in the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Check out this fact sheet for more information, then give us a call…we’ll make sure your trees are in great shape.