Thomas Conte

Author: Thomas

  • Autumn is Here

    Autumn is Here

    A Season of Learning

    Peak color is in full swing here at the schoolhouse.  Our maple trees are displaying their brilliant red and orange leaves, while the Willow, Catalpa and Osage Orange trees have turned their dismal yellow.  Even the evergreens are shedding needles. Shaking their branches to make the needles rain down has become a favorite part of our morning walks.

    With Autumn’s arrival we’ve been observing and talking about change. The falling leaves, birds flying south, outside temperatures and the adjustments to our wardrobe have all made for great learning.

    Yesterday we observed swarms of bald-faced hornets, (more…)

  • Life on the Stump

    Life on the Stump

    An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
    ~ Henry David Thoreau

    Wood Decay Fungus

    Our morning walk around the pond lead to an amazing find.  We discovered all of these wood decay fungus examples growing on the north side of a single old stump. The stump has long been a landmark on our nature trail, but with this discovery it’s sure to be a frequent stopping point as we watch these decomposers do their work.

  • Museum of Western Reserve Farms & Equipment

    Museum of Western Reserve Farms & Equipment

    Most of us spend too much time on the last twenty-four hours and too little on the last six thousand years. ~ Will Durant

    History is Alive In Richfield, Oh

    (more…)

  • Fungus

    Fungus

    Fall is Mushroom Season

    We’ve had lots of mushrooms growing this year.  This patch was growing in the front yard near our pines. The bulk of this organisms is actually growing under the surface of the yard.  Only the fruiting bodies emerge along the  edges of the the underground fungus.

  • Propulsion Factory Launch

  • Growing Memories

    Growing Memories

    Looking Back

  • Phone Projector

    Phone Projector

    Shenanigans?

    The internet is overflowing with impressive life changing hacks, but when attempted so many reveal themselves to be nothing more than shenanigans. These too-good-to-be-true projects are all over websites like Pintrest, and that’s just where I found this.

    The ‘pin’ claimed it was possible to build a $1 projector for your phone. I had a dollar and a little time so I gave it a try.

    As it turns out, (more…)

  • The Choo Choo Bob Show

    The Choo Choo Bob Show

    Making Trainiacs Was Never So Much Fun

    choo-choo-bob-showThere is no shortage of children’s shows available. There is however a shortage of quality shows.

    Back in 2009 I was introduced to a new series called the Choo Choo Bob Show. It wasn’t until this past year, when our little boys began watching programs, that I truly came to appreciated the quality of this series.

    The Choo Choo Bob Show is a live action television show for little train fanatics, but there is plenty action for all ages to enjoy. In each episode, Choo Choo Bob and his friends visit museums, ride trains, sing railroad songs and have lots of goofy fun. The programs are entertaining and educational. As a viewer it doesn’t take long to appreciate the producers understanding of children and passion for trains – it’s a perfect mix. (more…)

  • Atlantic & Great Western

    Atlantic & Great Western

    Making Tracks

    Not far from my childhood home is a rail bed that once belonged to the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad. Many of my summer afternoons were spent patiently waiting along the rails for a glimpse of the local shortline freight train to pass. Those lazy afternoons gave me time to imagine what it would have been like to see a mighty A&GW train rumble pass. (more…)

  • Easy Bread Machine Recipe

    Easy Bread Machine Recipe

    The smell of fresh bread is well worth the five minutes of preparation needed to make this easy bread recipe. Don’t have a bread machine? Why not? If cost is holding you back, start visiting your local thrift stores and pick one up for less than ten dollars, just be sure it has a pan and beater inside before you hand over your cash.

    So, here it is. A simple and very inexpensive recipe for white bread.

    3 tablespoons white sugar
    1.5 teaspoons salt
    2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
    3 tablespoons vegetable oil
    3 cups of flour
    1 cup warm water

    * If you have an uber-fancy machine with more than five buttons then you better read the machine’s instructions for bread making, but for the rest of us who have the all purpose general style machines, read on.

    1. Pour each of the ingredients into the bread machine pan.
    2. Set the machine for basic bread and push go… or whatever button makes your bread machine do its thing.
    3. Enjoy.