Celebrating our 43'rd

It's 0845 and we're off. The cat's in the cage on the rear seat in preparation for a drop off at The Pet Palace. We've planned a trip to the Western Shore, 45 miles across the bay as the crow flys. Only one problem, you can't get there from here. We have to go north, over the Bay Bridge through Annapolis and then south again. All in all it's a three hour trip.

Prior to leaving Grannie went next door to Ms. Gracie's to see if they could take care of the chickens. Yes we have chickens. After 6 years the flock of 24 is down to three hens and a rooster, all New Hampshire Reds. Gracie and John have been taking care of them when ever we go away. They're Free Range chickens, have the back yard to themselves and are only locked up at night for their own safety. Lately we've had an Eagle flying overhead and the chickens, on seeing it's shadow head underneath our shed barn for safety.

So, we drop the cat off, she gets a three story condo and is signed up for the Holiday macrame class on Friday and is going Kayaking in the Crisfield area at Janes Island, weather permitting. To keep our girl, Bailey is her name, happy, we always sign her up for the programs available.

So, we are off on a cold partly sunny and breezy day for our get-away weekend. Traffic was light the entire trip. Only negative was oncoming traffic on the Bay Bridge. That traffic pattern is something I've never been a proponent of.

We got to Solomns right around noon, and with our stomachs growling found a water front pier restaurant. Grannie ordered a Grouper sandwich and I got a Clam basket. The Grouper was great, the Clams were too deep fried. They did have Guinness on tap which we both had a pint of.

The next two hours found us taking a leisurely ride around the countryside. We drove up to Mechanicsville which is Amish country. On Saturday we're going to a Quilt Auction at an Amish farm. We stopped at McKays, a neat high end grocery store and got some cheese and crackers. We love checking out new grocery stores. We don't have many good choices in Salisbury.

Around 1500 hrs. we got to our hotel in Lexington Park, a Fairfield Inn that we have stayed in numerous times. Yes we seem to like the visits to this side of the bay. Grannie took a nap and I surfed for awhile on the high speed internet available. What a treat from my slow connection at home.

After our naps we watched a little TV and then headed out for dinner. We went to a Thai restaurant for dinner. It was a first for us after all these years. When we lived in Connecticut we did frequent a Vietnamese restaurant, The Lotus, quite a few times. The food was great, lots of Veggies and great rice. Grannie got a spicy Rock fish and I a Curry Pork, HOT! It was all great and no after effects.

Upon our return to the hotel Grannie was quickly in bed with the TV control. I was here with my Dell and had no say in the TV, until the old girl fell asleep. By 2115 hrs. the TV was mine and GA Tech was kicking Miami's butt.

We had a great nights sleep. I was down stairs getting the Mrs. her Coffee to have in bed at 0700. We got a good morning call from Kathy. Usually get one from her or Sarah when ever away, it's great. So far a great trip, we shall see where today takes us. Until later, we're off.

A Busy Week

We go through life week to week all too often and things are just mundane. This past week we had a little variety in our lives. Nothing to write home about understand, but at least we were moving.

On Wednesday we went off to Lewes, DE and spent the night with Bobby, Barbara and Old Aunt Sarah. Bobby did some grilling of Scallops and Steak on the Barbie as they say down under. We had a great salad and baked potato and Pumpkin pie for dessert. We also indulged in a few Guinness while we looked at pics from our trip to Ireland last year. A great visit as usual, spent the night, then home in the am for a 9:45 Eye Dr. appt.

After the eye doctor Grannie and I headed off for our monthly trip to Sam's Club, Tractor Supply, Chicken and bird feed stop and lunch at Panera's. We never got home until after 3:00 pm, where did this day go.

Thursday night Friday and Saturday saw much needed rain, 3.6" over all. I got to put the final coat of paint on a new cabinet out in the annex as well as watch a little football. I got to see Navy lose to Notre Dame and Air Force lose to BYU. Sam was on the Push Up detail, but we never saw her. Pretty soon it's Navy vs. Army in Philly.

I started this draft on Saturday and here it is Tuesday. Just 7 days and a wake up and Sam will be heading home for the first time in 5 months. Everyone is looking forward to her Thanksgiving visit. Although the visit will be short, and I'm sure fly by to all, it shall be great to see her. Just a little more than two weeks after she returns to the USAFA she will turn around and come home for her Christmas break on December 16 and be home through January 3.

We spoke to Matt over the weekend, all were well with the Connecticut crew. They were going to Foxwoods and the Pequot Indian Museum. Matt got a new car, Honda Civic. His other Civic met it's demise with Matt in it when a young girl hit him from behind. No injuries, bags deployed as the are supposed to, but the car was totaled. Kids and dogs all doing well.

On the football front the Eagles were horrible on Sunday finishing in a tie with the Bengals. That, as they say, is like kissing your sister, UGH! Uconn did kick butt on Syracuse Saturday night. Looks like the Huskies will go to a bowl game some place. Also, how about those Terps, they just squeaked by UNC. And last but not least, Delaware embarrassed its self once again loosing to James Madison.

We're looking ahead to Thursday, we will be off to St. Mary's county for an Amish Quilt Auction. We went two years ago and really enjoyed it. As the crow flies it's a 45 mile trip, only problem is, you cant get there from here. We have to go North, over the Bay Bridge then go South an equal distance to Lexington park where we shall stay. It takes three hours to make the 45 mile distance. Shall tell you all about the trip next week.

Thought you might like a taste of what Kathy's writing.

From Kathy's Blog, Spirit of the Game (from Kathy's Blog A Simple Life)

Its a rainy day... we take out the Scrabble game and start playing. It's me, my mom, my sister, my daughter.... As we pull out the scoring notebook we see JUDY MARY LEE. I read their scores, and remember their visit from years ago - The score cards speak volumes about life, friendships, and other rainy Saturdays along the way - I can see where I have been - and where I am going. Remember that day, seven years ago, when Susan stopped by for tea. Her kids came too. You hadn't visited since her mom died. As you talked you all sat down to play Scrabble. She spoke of the funeral, the cards, the silence, the pain, the loneliness.

Then you remember the day all the boys wanted to play - They laughed, they joked and THEY CHEATED (not a surprise!). Regardless, they still didn't win! It was just before Andy graduated, the last time you got to see him before he left for college... what a great day!

The beauty of living simply is realizing that these little moments, these short events and diaries we keep are the building blocks of lives. These are the historical events of people and places who are important to us. It is only by taking a few moments to see them, to notice them and to place value upon them that we can appreciate what is truly essential.



As Antoine St de Exupery said... "What is essential is invisible to the eye...." These moments in time are invisible... but so essential to who we are and where we are going...

Everyone have a great day, we love you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Veterans Day

Veteran’s Day Tribute

When America had an urgent need,
These brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back;
They were proud to take a stand.

They left their friends and family;
They gave up normal life;
To serve their country and their God,
They plowed into the strife.

They fought for freedom and for peace
On strange and foreign shores;
Some lost new friends; some lost their lives
In long and brutal wars.

Other veterans answered a call
To support the ones who fought;
Their country had requirements for
The essential skills they brought.

We salute each and every one of them,
The noble and the brave,
The ones still with us here today,
And those who rest in a grave.

So here’s to our country’s heroes;
They’re a cut above the rest;
Let’s give the honor that is due
To our country’s very best.

By Joanna Fuchs

Birthday # 233

I was born on November 10'th 1775 in a tavern in Philadelphia, PA. My colors are scarlet and gold. My main clothing is hard to see, for camouflage is my working suit.
I am a United States Marine. Happy Birthday to me.

November 10, 1775
Birth of the U.S. Marine Corps

During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress passes a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces for the recently formed Continental Navy. The resolution, drafted by future U.S. president John Adams and adopted in Philadelphia, created the Continental Marines and is now observed as the birth date of the United States Marine Corps.

Serving on land and at sea, the original U.S. Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations during the Revolutionary War. The first Marine landing on a hostile shore occurred when a force of Marines under Captain Samuel Nicholas captured New Province Island in the Bahamas from the British in March 1776. Nicholas was the first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines and is celebrated as the first Marine commandant. After American independence was achieved in 1783, the Continental Navy was demobilized and its Marines disbanded.

In the next decade, however, increasing conflict at sea with Revolutionary France led the U.S. Congress to establish formally the U.S. Navy in May 1798. Two months later, on July 11, President John Adams signed the bill establishing the U.S. Marine Corps as a permanent military force under the jurisdiction of the Department of Navy. U.S. Marines saw action in the so-called Quasi-War with France and then fought against the Barbary pirates of North Africa during the first years of the 19th century. Since then, Marines have participated in all the wars of the United States and in most cases were the first soldiers to fight. In all, Marines have executed more than 300 landings on foreign shores.

Today, there are more than 200,000 active-duty and reserve Marines, divided into three divisions stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Camp Pendleton, California; and Okinawa, Japan. Each division has one or more expeditionary units, ready to launch major operations anywhere in the world on two weeks' notice. Marines expeditionary units are self-sufficient, with their own tanks, artillery, and air forces. The motto of the service is Semper Fidelis, meaning "Always Faithful" in Latin. (From History.com - this day in history)

As I was out on my appointed rounds today I did a lot of reflecting to years gone by and my time in the Corps. I was married while a Marine and my wife and I had our first child while in the Corps. Upon returning home from a weekly dump run to the local transfer station I found a beautiful Scarlet and gold bouquet of flowers from my favorite daughter. That's how the card was signed. But you see, I have two daughters. I'm constantly guessing not fair at this old age, not fair at all.

Back on 26 October, daughter #1 ran her first marathon, The Marine Corps Marathon. She completed her venture through our nations capitol in 4'43".