Author Archives: Freedom Hiker

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About Freedom Hiker

I served in the USMC directly out of high school and then taught for two years in the Bronx, NY. I was then a Special Education Coordinator/Special Education teacher at a public high school in the Lower Hudson Valley in Westchester County, New York, for over 20 years. Although I love going to Anthony's Nose, I try to get to different spots in the area. One great thing about living in the Hudson Valley is the abundance of great hikes. You can do the same hike in different seasons, and it will be as if you were hiking that trail for the first time. It doesn't get much better than that!

It’s that time of year…again

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It’s that holiday time of year again,

When we pledge our lives and ask where humanity has been.

But what we see throughout the year,

Is hate and rancor and lots of fear.

But what I don’t get and will never see,

Is why we put up with this hypocrisy.

If you can be nice during this fine holiday season,

Then the rest of the year should stand without reason.

So if people are telling you that you’re always a jerk,

It’s your rotten disposition that might need some work!

Happy Holidays!!!!

 

Hand Crafted Kitchen Island

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One of the other activities that I have found that promotes my inner peace is building things with wood and pallets. I don’t know what it is about it, but I have found some real satisfaction with putting something together and having a use for it. Now believe me, I am by no means a carpenter, but the whole process of figuring out what I want to do and then actually doing it is pretty cool.

When my daughter recently moved into my sons room (he is away at college), she had to take his old bed apart. Since it couldn’t be salvaged, I used the slats from the bed as the top and the lower level of the kitchen island. 4 x 4’s were used for the legs and 1 x 4’s are what surrounds the top. Of course I attached wheels so it could be moved around easily.

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The island prior to being stained.

 

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I decided to use a pretty dark stain to contrast the white walls and white cabinets in our very small kitchen. 

If you were wondering, the entire cost of this project, including the wood, stain and wheels was about $45. It took me 4 hours to sand and assemble the entire island. With that said, I did have the folks at Home Depot cut the 4 x 4’s since I don’t have anything big enough to cut wood that thick (at least not yet!).

Even if you have no aptitude for this type of activity, I strongly suggest at least trying it!!! The internet is full of smaller and easier projects that you can get started with.

Peace to everyone!!!