If you don't have a yard, don't despair. Plant a bean or tomato in a pot. All you need is a sunny spot to set it, on your porch or patio. You can even put it inside in a sunny window.

4. Put up a birdfeeder in your backyard or on your patio. Birdfeeders are not too expensive, but here's an idea for making one of your own. It's easy and kids can help.

Buy a fresh coconut and cut a 2-inch hole in side, near top. Drain juice and scrape out meat. Drill a small hole in top and also in bottom. Insert an eye bolt in top hole and secure with a nut inside and out. Fill feeder and hang it up!

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Preserved Children

Take 1 large field, half a dozen children, 2 or 3 small dogs, a pinch of brook and some pebbles. Mix children and dogs well together; put them on field, stirring constantly. Pour brook over pebbles; sprinkle field with flowers; spread over all a deep blue sky and bake in sun. When brown, set away to cool in bathtub.

Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the bi-weekly newsletter "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another", bringing you practical, money-saving tips, recipes and ideas. Visit her online at http://www.cynroberts.com to subscribe and receive the Free e-course, "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".

Television. Saturdays were ultimate in animated television programming. I still recall wasting my morning sleep on 7am Saturday mornings just so I could go and watch Scooby-Doo. Because then, Saturday morning was ONLY time kids could watch cartoons. During remainder of week, there were three channels - not including public television. And worst of all, if President was holding a press conference, he was on ALL three channels. Needless to say, kids didn't have infinite viewing options then as they do today.

Phone. Years ago, we would have marveled at now common "touch-tone" and "cordless" phone. Our minds would've been blown by global "walkie-talkies," (now called cellular phones) - not to mention Internet access. Of course that was a different time though.

Extracurricular Activities. Swimming would've been one of my favorite pastimes. I said, "... would have been," because back then, families had to travel miles to get to nearest public pool or swimming hole. At that time, commercial pool clubs were far and few between, and if you couldn't afford a membership - well, then you had rare pleasure of "running through a sprinkler" on hot, humid days. Even with our own private in-ground pool, my teenagers are sometimes "too tired" or "just don't feel like swimming." Modern generations of kids never cease to amaze me. Even with so many choices available to them, they still cannot seem to get "un bored."

In conclusion, after all efforts have been depleted, I simply tell them to "Stand on your head and laugh."

© 2004 Lady Camelot

Lady Camelot currently serves as Public Relations' Director for www.holisticjunction.com

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