I was walking out of the Post Office after mailing 'Skeeter Skidaddler to some folks who had ordered online. Out among the cars in the line up was a man pacing, talking on a cell phone. Without thinking, what I noticed first was his differences. He looked different. He talked different. He moved a bit differently.

Maybe we are wired like that. Maybe we learn it. Maybe we see others doing it and so we do it, too. We notice what is different in others. Maybe its their language, or their clothing, or their manner that we notice. The thought flickers across the inner fibers of our awareness - "different"

Something touched me when I over heard him say,
                       ..."I love you'"...

I walked on to my truck. The "different" impression fading rapidly...and I smiled at myself, having watched myself through the whole episode of these few moments.

Buddy: My family likes your bug repellant.
Buddy: I got BOTH the pet-safe and the human versions.
Me: nice
Me: it makes me smell better 
...
Buddy: My 21 year old son is a roofer.  I think he took the human version and put it in his work bag.
Me: thief!
Buddy: Well....I let him actually.  I told my wife to use the pet version.
Buddy: Then I slept on the couch.
Me: The old wisdom says when a man gets married he needs to first build a good dog house, because he will be spending a lot of time there.
Buddy: Ain't that the truth!
Me: (hehehe)

This past Friday when I was delivering a 'Skeeter Skidaddler order to the Center for Maine Crafts at the Maine Mall in South Portland, I saw three young men having fun while walking to their car in the parking lot. Not surprising. Everyone likes to have a good time.

What was different (to my seeing) was that these guys were just enjoying life without concern for being "cool". Two of them were preparing to race each other, while the third guy was the 'starter'. The 'starter' kept saying 'Mark. Set...' then would delay the 'Go', and the other two kept false starting...a classic mind messing thing guys do to each other :)

I smiled. It reminded me of days without electronic distractions. It brought back a few memories.

These young men found a secret treasure: just being who you are. In this case they were two goofy, teenage rivals who finally insisted on running full bore in a friendly competition, completely disregarding their final "false" start. It wasn't "false", really. It's always a good start in life just to have fun being who you are and enjoying the company of one's compatriots.

I hope they never lose that gift. And I hope that more of those who see them running like crazy might catch a glimpse and try their own version of 'just being who you are'. Could be a new trend in the making.

Corey, the owner of Mooseville in Farmington, Maine mentioned that a fisherman who had bought 'Skeeter Skidaddler from him recently came back into the store and said, "I was out in the woods for over 4 hours and nothing bit me...that stuff really works."

I like hearing that! Its good to hear that others find 'Skeeter Skidaddler to be effective. I know that guy is going to have a lot more fun out there all summer long. He's got his fun back!

I am thankful to again have the opportunity to provide 'Skeeter Skidaddler at both Chipman's Farm Stands. You may click here to see their Facebook page:
Farm location: Range Hill Rd, Poland, ME 04274 
Phone 207-998-3450 We have been growing fresh produce for over 30 years. We love what we do and take pride in the freshness of our produce.
Strawberry Hotline 207-998-2027
We have two farm stands:
One right on rt 26 in Gray - 207-657-4925
One on rt 302 in Raymond - 207-655-2148

When we go to a store and see the many products which invite our interest, the offerings are a considerable amazement in their variety, quality and inventiveness. A maker of things sees that which may not be recognized at first glance.

Suffice it to say there are countless hours, some of them sleepless, which make it so. Materials and production problems crop up and need to be resolved. Little things matter a great deal. If not dealt with the small things will snowball into a big mess. What we see in our stores are the results of a tremendous effort on the part of many, even from far flung corners of the globe, which greet us with a seeming ease and calm.

I am thankful for being a receiver of all their efforts, as well as being a giver to you of my own. And if you also are a maker of things, my hat is off to you! You do good work and it shows.

I have posted a notice with links for my customers and retailers regarding reported leaking of a few bottles of 'Skeeter Skidaddler. After testing have found the problem and am in process of correcting it and testing all bottles before they are shipped. Resuming shipments Friday morning.

In a day when literally trillions of dollars are being manufactured in an attempt to cover up multiple frauds at the highest levels, and when the air waves are filled with more hot air than a fleet of those "balloons" people take for a sight seeing tour, excessive hot air exhausted by both financial and government "leaders", I am diligently working to make sure that what I manufacture is a good product and a good value for folks who do not wish to donate blood to flying biting insects.

If it were possible I might try developing a repellent to protect people from other blood thirsty varieties...in which case I'm certain I'd become a squillion-aire over night. But for now I will make sure that each bottle of 'Skeeter Skidaddler is leak free when shipped to you, my valued customers. Its a modest, but worthy, goal.

Thanks to GR for mentioning trouble ordering 'Skeeter Skidaddler in the Store. I have corrected the problems and now everyone can "click" to order once again.

Strange things these website builder programs. They can be a little quirky at times. At some point, maybe next winter, I will dive into the code and cleanse the bits and pieces that underlie the ordering page. Until then we are operational.

Please do let me know via the Contact Us page if there are ANY problems with the site, store or any other stuff. I might miss a few things if I don't hear from you.

Thanks, GR!! (you know who you are :)

These days, I have observed, folks seem a bit preoccupied, distracted or just plain oblivious. Plenty of near miss accidents. People walking out into traffic. People doing crazy things on the road. People not stopping, looking or listening.

Be safe out there, where ever you may be. If it makes sense give a little more space, take a few more moments. Keep an eye on the other guy.

Blessings to you!

In the past I have refered to long periods of cloudy weather as a 'light drought'. In cool weather, with thick clouds, food producing plants tend to goof off. But they are hatching a plan in the mean time.

Once the light comes back they go nutz. Its a beautiful thing. And of course the bugs want to take advantage of all that lush, new growth, so they have a hatching party and start to chow down.

The sooner we deal with the bugs when they are small, the better. I have a solution I use for spot treatment of emergent bug-beasts:

Use 2 cups 80 or 100 proof vodka to soak 1/8 cup ground thyme, 1/8 cup ground rosemary, 2 Tsp ground cayenne pepper for 2-5 days, preferably the full 5 days. (in glass Mason jar, swish concoction about 2 times daily to mix well)

Mix 1 part of the above extraction with 15 parts water, spray at will, soaking the bugs. Repeat application every 3-4 days till signs of emergence and bugs ends. (***You may wish to test this first to see if it harms your plants in any way.***)