Sun and Moon Jars

Greetings gardening friends,

I have been experimenting with solar lights this year to add some visual interest in the garden at night.  I've incorporated several lights in two areas, but I have to use caution because I had several lights stolen from an area.  Basically, any solar lights we use in the garden must be woven around structures and placed out of reach for people who unfortuneatly like to steal.  Today, I'd like to report on an interesting solar light idea known as the "moon jar".  This is a pretty cool idea and I have enjoyed playing around with this jar in the garden.  I have a hook that rises above human reach and that is where this jar went:)  There are several color options...there is the sun jar(yellow), the moon jar(blue), pink moon(pink), and the dragonfly jar(white lights that slowly flicker on and off).  And the last one is the one I purchased.  The video is below and it's really cool to watch....and very relaxing. There are 2 power options.  There is the solar panel located on top of the jar. One runs on the solar option and the other runs on regular battery power.  You choose your switch on how you want the jar to operate. The jars can be a bit pricey at around 25 bucks, but I had had a couple glasses of wine when I made the online purchase:)  Bad idea, but cool little gadget.  These items can be found on Amazon or at Think Geek.  My next purchase will be the Moon Jar:) And to make this post a little more personable, here is a story to share. I was a kid when all this happened.

One of the best things about Grandparents is that they are way cooler than your parents.  They are more patient.  They don't yell at you.  And they spoil you and love you unconditionally.  Sometimes after a weekend with my Grandparents, I didn't want to come home to all my 5 siblings and raging parents:)  I am going to take you to some very special places this upcoming month from my recent trip to Wisconsin.  I will feature several stories from this Great Lakes state and from my last surviving Grandma along with several nature highlights that you won't want to miss. Anyhow, back to my story with my Grandparents who lived out in the country.  I used to collect fireflies as a kid and trap them in a jar.  Don't worry.  I released them.....in their house!!!  One of the things that I love to do is play practical jokes on people.  One of the irritations my Grandparents had with me was this evil little joke I'd play on them.  I had two options.  The first one was to release the fireflies in their room during the day, but that sometimes backfired as the fireflies headed to the front door and back outside or in the kitchen where Grandma was making dinner.  The best time to do it was at night when both of them were asleep.  I crept into their room and opened the jar and let them buzz about....and I'd run back to my bed laughing my ass off.  Why?  They would flash their little abdomen lanterns in their room and my  Grandma would wake up screaming my full name.  I'd pretend to sleep and I knew they wouldn't wake me up(because you never disturbed a child while they were sleeping:), but I'd hear about it in the morning.  Grandpa would sit me down and have a stern "chat" with me about releasing fireflies into the house.  I would lie and say that they got out by accident and Grandpa would say, "Okay, but just don't let it happen again."  But it would and I'd be labeled a "little s#$t" by my Grandma....especially when I couldn't keep a straight face at my little prank. I'd then have to capture them all and release them back by the river. But it was worth it....just for their reactions:)  That's how big families operate.  We show our love by playing practical jokes on one another.  My Grandpa taught me everything I know:) When I look at this firefly jar, that memory surfaces in my mind and I smile.  No fireflies were hurt in the writing of the post:)  Stay tuned for more....