[energy tips]
BY MARVIN HASS
Beyond the grove up toward the house grew a lilac bush so fair. Along in May or early June its fragrance filled the air.
In its branches was the newest where she did new life await. Four robin eggs of robin blue and cowbird’s surrogate.
First flowers on our tables were lilacs new in bloom. Ma put ‘em in a Mason jar that graced the dining room.
We wondered how to honor her when Ol’ Snucks got old and died. Dad dug the grave down by that bush. We prayed and then I cried.
We always were so very proud to welcome spring time’s glow. “Where should we have the picnic?” “Oh, down where the lilacs grow.”
Picnic, wedding, funeral or the home the robin knew, the bush it welcomed one and all with its quiet purple hue.
The neighbor girl that helped my ma lost her mother way last fall. Was to marry Jake from north of town, so Mama planned it all.
The folks would gather special blooms, on Decoration Day. We’d honor all the family gone, at their graves, a mile away.
“We’ll have it here in early June. Oh, heavens there’s lots of room. We’ll have it by our grove of trees when the lilacs are in bloom.”
It’s funny how the heart drifts back, … sixty years, yet it’s all like new. The joys and sorrows all were there, down where the lilacs grew.
Marvin Hass, known as The Prairie Poet, is a member of Sangre de Cristo Electric. Read his poems at www.prairiepoet.org.
Guidelines, style, type BY JAMES DULLEY
W
What are the most important features to look for when shopping for windows? The proper window selection not only depends on the characteristic of the window, but also on your specific house and family lifestyle. From the standpoint of energy efficiency, the glass type and style of window are more important than the frame material, which has a greater effect on functionality, durability, maintenance and appearance. Because glass is most of the window, the type you choose is the key to its energy efficiency. Double paneglass with low-E (low-emissivity) coatings and inert Double-hung windows have gas in the gap behidden latches that allow tween the panes is each sash to be tilted in for easy cleaning. adequate for most climates. Triplepane glass may make sense for severely cold climates. The location of the low-E coating on the various pane surfaces, often more than one, affects whether the glass is better for winter or summer savings. You may end up selecting different glass options for different windows in your house. The style of window you choose may depend more on the appearance and features you desire than the energy efficiency characteristics. For example, people often select double-hung windows because they can be tilted in for easy cleaning from indoors. Windows that close on a compression seal, such as casement and awning windows, tend to provide the best long-term airtight seal. Also, casement windows can catch breezes and direct them into the house for natural ventilation. Source: Weathershield
WHERE THE LILACS GREW
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For more information on the best windows for your home, visit coloradocountrylife. coop. Click on Energy Tips.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop May 2013 25