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This past weekend on July 3rd marks the second anniversary of the passing of my mom, Rita (Tardif) Garboski, 87 of Middletown, Connecticut, the wife of my dad, the late George Garboski. She had passed on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at Middlesex Health Care Center, in Middletown, CT, My home town. I created a special tribute video which I hope you enjoy featuring musical artist Marty Q .

She was born in Lac-Baker, New Brunswick, Canada, daughter of the late Joseph and Eva Marie (Daigle) Tardif. I have very fond memories of Lac-Baker as a kid.  As a family we would go there to visit my Grandfather and Grandmother, who lived on the edge of the lake.

The Village de Lac Baker has some real interesting history going back to the late 1800’s.  Most of the families who came to Baker Lake before 1873 were nearly all of French Canadian origin. Some family names were: Soucy, Pelletier, Caron, Nadeau, Garrity (the only Irish), Boutot, Caouette and Tardif.

My mom, Rita Tardif was born August 10 1927. There are a few great websites that have the history behind the village which even mentions my grandfather, Joseph Tardif, who was born in Lac Baker on 07/15/1878.  Check out Lac De Baker Website .

On the photo on the left, the white house was where my grandparents lived for many years.  I remember that house as a kid and our grandfather taking us fishing in the lake.  Visiting that village is definitely on my bucket list.

Make sure you visit this site and check out some of the blog posts I will create with more updates. I wanted to get the tribute video posted on the site on her anniversary but will continue to post more content about the celebration of my mom’s life.

 

 

 

The Cadillac of Tiny Homes complete with Solar Power and Transportable
The more I see these tiny homes, the more I like them.  I’m from the Metro New York City area and over the years I’ve become accustomed to what I call “Shoe Box Living”, a term which New Yorkers can identify with.  With more individuals and families downsizing and living the “Minimalist Lifestyle”  (Check out the TheMinimalists.com and on Netflix), many are starting to re think being burdened with a 15 or 30m year mortgage and turning to living a mobile lifestyle off the grid in a Tiny Home.

Whats cool about these Tiny Homes is that they are portable and if you don’t like where you are located, you can simply hook it up to a truck and find a new place to live. How’s that for not being tied down!  What a way to retire! The incredible home above is The Cadillac of Tiny Homes constructed by boat builder and cabinet maker Jeff Hobbs who has taken Tiny House construction to the next level. It’s packed with clever design features, high quality materials and sustainable technologies.

Checkout Bryce from  Living Big in a Tiny House  who travels and documents the very best tiny homes, alternative dwellings and stories of downsized, eco-friendly living.  Check out his website and YouTube channel to learn more about this fascinating lifestyle.

A Very Affordable and Mobile Tiny Homes 

While everyone nationwide is enjoying their Thanksgiving weekend, New Yorker’s celebrate a special day that goes back to 1783, Evacuation Day.

It is celebrated on November 25th every year in lower Manhattan celebrating when the British left Manhattan island after what was the end of the of the American Revolutionary War. A little unknown fact is that there were many battles that were fought here in New York City and at one time New York City was under martial law and occupied by the British.

Fraunces Tavern in lower Manhattan  still stands today and in celebration of Evacuation Day we bring back my interview of Jessica Baldwin Phillips, Executive Director of Fraunces Tavern Museum, who tells some of the stories going back to 1783 including Evacuation Day.