May You Always Find Your Home

“Wasn’t that the definition of home? Not where you are from, but where you are wanted?”       Cutting for Stone by Abraham Varghese.

Making a house a home changes throughout your life.  From your first apartment to the place you settle into slippers, your ideals change.  The home maybe an apartment at first, getting progressively bigger as your needs for space changes or remain an apartment.  What we continue to seek remains constant with each home, it is not the physical space but the feeling of comfort, strength and happiness. 

My agreement with Abraham Varghese obtains its roots from my childhood.  Due to an illness, I did not always live with my mother.  In the houses where I stayed I did not feel welcomed or wanted.  It was during that time I realized exactly what felt like home to me.  I have strived for that feeling in my homes ever since.  

My first apartment had one big room.  I separated areas with the proverbial beaded curtains.  I gathered furniture from family cast offs and articles I “found” alongside the road waiting for garbage pickup.  Actually, I had close to 10 years of first homes consistently furnished that way.  I always had plenty of (inexpensive) food to feed friends and family.  Everyone was always welcomed at any time in my home.

The purchase of my first home was a group effort; I needed co-signors.  Luckily, my mother’s sentiment regarding your home coincided with mine: everyone is welcomed so everyone can help.  She was co-owner along with my aunt.  In the beginning, my furnishings were sparse and seen better days.  My house had a large porch, an eat-in kitchen and everyone was welcomed.  We had heavily attended “bring a dish” picnics.  The goal was to share my home with everyone that sought a welcoming space.

My adult homes have changed with my occupation, workplace and state.  I have owned homes in California, Virginia, and several towns in Pennsylvania.  My concept of home does not waiver.  If you want to come over please feel welcomed and make yourself at home. 

I am content when my home is full of people having lively discussions, playing music, games or puzzles scattered on tables, laughter, maybe a sporting event with adults screaming at the TV, plenty of food and beverages.  In the summer, we move outdoors to the deck with badminton, horseshoes, fishing, archery, basketball, barbecues, running through the water sprinklers and even a hammock to watch it all happen. 

I am also satisfied to sit on the porch glider in the morning with my dog and a cup of coffee knowing that I have made every effort to ensure people are comfortable in my home.  Home is where you are welcomed and wanted.  I have that in my home.  A wish from me to you - may you always find your home wherever you go.

Welcome to my home

High Flying Flag

Normally, people write flag stories during the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day or Veterans Day.  I think today is a good day for a flag story.

DGK Insurance flies two flags, the United States of America flag and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan flag.  We recently had to replace the US flag.  It became worn and torn after several years of flying proudly over our building.

It was a sad moment for me as the flag we retired was my father’s flag, not the one given to me at his funeral but the one he proudly displayed at his home.  I am the daughter of a Sergeant in the Marines and a Lieutenant in the Navy.  Respect and honor for the United States flag was not an option when I was a child it was a requirement.  I learned what I was taught as I did not want to get in trouble especially since both parents were officers in the military!

As a child, I had no real concept of what the flag meant to my and many other American families.  However, I learned how to raise a flag, salute a flag, lower the flag to half-staff, how to fold a flag, dispose of a flag and receive it at a funeral.  I was able to teach my fellow Girl Scouts how to handle a flag and when it was the fifth graders turn to raise the flag every morning, I became quite popular since I knew all the moves.  The flag was a task I learned and mastered. 

Through the years, I came to understand what my parents tried to teach me.  I realized their commitment and dedication to their country was symbolized in the flag.  The understanding develops at an early age to those that serve in our armed forces or who listen to their parents.  Sadly, it took me a little longer.

DGK’s retired flag now lays on my desk waiting to be given to the Veterans Assoc. for disposal.  It is folded to the proper standard that was shown to me by my parents.  I hope I have served them and our flag well.

If you would like to learn how to handle a flag please stop by our office, several of us are "experts". 

Semper Fi  & Fair Winds and Following Seas. 

Someone's in the Kitchen

Almost half (47%) of all home fires are kitchen fires.  Thirty-seven percent of burn injuries are from kitchen fires.  I know these statistics because I once set my sweatshirt on fire while I was cooking.  The material apparently was flame resistant because it did not burn instead the flame traveled up my arm towards my face. 

I like to wear big baggy sweatshirts around the house and while I am cooking. One afternoon while making ganache, I did not realize the flame was feathering out past the pot sitting on the burner. When I turned too close to the burner, I set my sleeve on fire.  While the flames flickered its way towards my face, I calmly proceeded to pat out the fire on my sleeve; I have no idea how I stayed calm.  I decided baggy clothes are not appropriate for cooking.  Actually, I threw the sweatshirt away; it smelled burnt. 

Since I love to cook, I rarely cause an actual fire in my kitchen.  I also have a redbone-lab mix dog who loves to eat.  Anytime my dog senses the possibility of burning food, she howls.  She is an excellent fire detector.  The day I set my sleeve on fire was a fluke.  It did set me on a path for stove fire safety.  I have a fire extinguisher under the sink but not everyone does.  



My fearless fire detector.



The following is a video how to extinguish a fire on the stove.  I hope you never have to use the information.