As I sit here writing, I'm watching a robin build her nest on the top of our gutter outside my window. This really delights me.

Before our house was sided, there was always a nest up there and in the summer you could sit quietly in the pool and listen to her babies chirp. Then you'd see the mom come back and forth and feed them.

When we had our house resided, the old gutter was torn down and so last summer the robins never came. But they're back. Out of the corner of my eye, I see wisps of little branches flying by and her tail moving as she constructs her new home. Though I'm back to wearing my winter coat, seeing her means spring is finally here. I just hope she doesn't freeze before she gets a chance to lay her eggs.

Of course with spring is always the excitement of Garage Mahal, set for May 17. Bargain lovers should mark their calendars for the most fun all-day experience of shopping in the Region. It's also a great way to see our Whiting-Robertsdale neighborhoods.

As you're cleaning out that garage, basement and attic, set aside waste products and bring them from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 31 to the City Garage, 1915 Front St.

The Lake County Solid Waste District will accept batteries, cleaners, oils, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, antifreeze, corrosives, elemental mercury and thermometers, gasoline, oxidizers, aerosols, oil-based paints, poisons, unwanted medication, medical syringes and ammunition.

The district also will accept outdated computers, monitors, telephones, VCRs, copiers, radios, pagers, printers, CD players, computer paraphernalia, electronic games, fax machines, televisions, electric typewriters and cell phones.

I always look at this list and remember a childhood friend playing with a broken thermometer, bouncing the mercury around on his hand. I found it fascinating.

Growing up in the Boomer age, we never heard of environmental problems. And think of all the "dangerous" things we did.

We rode bikes without helmets. We skated without kneepads. Our parents could pack kids in the car without worrying about seatbelts. (Actually, I don't think seatbelts had been invented yet.)

We followed the mosquito spray truck. We played outside and our parents had no need to "find" us until supper. We ate white bread. We ingested saccharine and red dye.

People were just who they were without a thought to what was "politically correct." And yet somehow, we survived - though I sometimes wonder about "mercury" boy.

- Gayle Faulkner Kosalko is secretary of the Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society. The opinions expressed are her own. Reach her at puccini99@aol.com or (219) 659-8129.