February 21, 2015

Where In The World is JB?

JB got into Dulles late this past Monday as the snow was starting to come down. He spent the night in DC and drove home on Tuesday blazing trails through the new fallen snow. On Tuesday evening he hosted the entire family at Sobos, a restaurant in Salisbury, MD. The reason for the dinner, Kathryn's Birthday, We had a wonderful evening of fine dining and Jeff's story telling of three weeks in Pakistan. A trip from Islamabad to Peshawar in a motor convoy between the two shall not be in my travel itinerary any time soon. If you bump into him any time soon, let him tell you how his employer gets you from point A to point B over there. Just wait until you hear where the next Port of Call is. Tune in next week for the continued adventures of "JB," only this time with the Mrs. Ooh Rah !

Where In The States Are M.F. and K.F.

The girls arrived back at BWI on time. Snow, Ice and hazardous driving conditions prevailed while leaving OKC. They arrived back in the Bury just as the snow started falling. We all met at Sara's condo on the Frozen Wicomico for a scrumptious Roast Beef dinner. A great time with all, once again listening to stories of Sam and family. One quite interesting story surrounded the Lock Down of Tinker AFB, the evacuation of the Commissary while the girls were shopping. The incident led to the girls being led out of the store as it emptied into the parking lot just as a flight of F-16 were taking off with other aircraft. For 2 hours all the shoppers were sequestered in the parking lot on a gorgeous 80 degree day. Staff brought H2O to the shoppers as Grannie and Great Grannie had fun chasing Mia about the parking lot. Oh the joy of two year olds. M. A. now home in the cold of the Middle Atlantic States. Kathryn, on the road again, stay tuned. You'll all be envious when you find out in the next edition.

Pics of the girls, Mia and Ana.

AKA "G" getting some Grannie time.

Grannie and Mia on a bad hair day.

Mia being a good eater.

Ana finished her bottle.

After the bathtub.

 

So What's Going With The Weather

 

I'm sure we all awoke with a what the heck is going on with this weather if you'r anywhere in the Northeast these past few days. The Washington Post pretty well captured all the record lows in the below article. It looks like above freezing for Sunday and right back to freezing once again. Damn Groundhog.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/02/20/120-year-old-record-low-broken-in-d-c-one-of-many-today-and-in-the-past-week/

 

What ISIS Really Wants

The White House says religion not involved. Click on "What ISIS Really Wants" and you be the judge. "The Atlantic" is just one of my many reads each week. The author, Graeme Woods has a lengthy background reporting on the Middle East.

 

A Close Shave

My shaving station.

Several editions back I mentioned a Christmas gift from my son Matthew who resides in snow covered Connecticut. I could not help but think back to times long past when I read the section on shaving.  "The Art Of Manliness" is a must read for every man who recently honored his favorite lady with a Valentine. For those of you still trying to find that lady,it's even more important to read it. Perhaps you could learn some tricks of the trade, so to speak. Available on Amazon Prime for $12.68.

I do remember the first time I shaved, I was 15 years old and was living in Wildwood Crest, NJ. There was a dance coming up at the local Yacht Club and I had a date. Some hair was growing on my cheeks, not a lot mind you, but hair no less. Off I went with money earned from gathering Conk shells after storms to the closest Pharmacy. No CVS  or Rite Aid back in that day. The stores usually carried the name of the Owner/Pharmacist or perhaps the geographic location. 

That first Razor., a double edge Gillette with a pack of Blue blade.

When it came time for the shaving cream the lady behind the counter handed me a can of Burma Shave. For years whenever traveling in a car I loved reading the signs of Burma Shave along the road. They were usually placed some distance apart and you could just anticipate what the next one would be. Yes, you could say I'm a bit nostalgic.

 For those us who have ever been traveling down I-95 to Florida, we can all reminisce about Pedro and his "South of the Border" signs. When we traveled south from Connecticut I remember seeing the first sign in Virginia just south of Washington, DC. The kids always wanted to stop and buy the Mexican Jumping Beans. As for me and my gas pedal, just keep on going.

 

Getting back to my new razor, I bought a set from the German manufacturer Merkur about a month ago and am quite pleased with my purchase. There are some very expensive single edge razors out there. I pretty much purchased a no frills model. If I continue to like it and don't slit my throat I may step up to a spiffier mode. I also must add that Mary Agnes gives me that cheek to cheek rub, just to check my "Art of Manliness." She can tell when I'm lazy and use the Electric Razor, she's not a fan of that means any longer.

Matt and Beth on Valentine Eve. Obviously not a reader on The Art of Manliness.

Cody Fiddler, now he is really in need of a shave, but ready for the Connecticut cold.

It would be four short years after that first shave when I would gain an entirely new perspective on "The Art of Manliness." That experience would come at Parris Island, SC, courtesy of the United States Marine Corps. We shaved very close to the skin back in those days. Styptic pencils were commonplace in each Marine's Toilet Kit.

Making sure you knew what a Razor and Shaving Cream were. Those were the days my friends.

Winter North and South 

 

 

 The Fiddlers back and front yards, Tolland, CT.

God Bless Mary Agnes and Fred Moore for getting rid of the snow. Every aging man needs a strong women and Farmers for friends when it snows in Back Country, Wicomico County, MD

A Walk To The Yacht Club

On Thursday morning with the wind blowing 20 knots and the Thermometer reading 15f I drove partway
 to the Wicomico Yacht Club to see for myself what winter had brought on this day. We had another inch of
snow added to the 8" we got on Monday. Yeh, Yeh Yeh, I hear you people up there in New England.
We are south of the "Mason Dixon Line," we do not need this kind of weather. I left New England 26 years ago
 to get away from this type of physical and mental abuse. Been there, done that, don't want to do it no more.

Stay warm, stay safe and I'll chat with you next time around.

The Rest of the Story "The Mouse?"

 Happy Valentine's Day

A Modern Guide to the Love Letter

From the right kind of stationery to the wrong kind of metaphor, a how-to on the art of epistolary wooing.   

The above article is from The Atlantc. If you'v ever been a romantic, are a romantic or think you may be at some point in your life read the above. Do not forget what today is and at least honor the woman in your Life with the words "Happy Valentine's Day." As for me I like to start each day with "Have I told you lately that I Love You?"

To all you ladies out there, especially Mary Agnes, Kathryn, Sarah, Beth, Sam, Rachael, Abby, Jill, Rebecca, Mia and Anna,  "Happy Valentine's Day," from this old Rooster. Hey Lois and Cheryl, "Happy Valentine's Day also."

My thoughts to all.

The Tolland, CT Fiddlers

Matt and Beth recently took a day off for just the two of them and ventured north to Vermont. The rented snow mobiles at Mt. Snow and played in the white stuff instead of cursing it for a change. Good for you guys.

 Where in the world is JB?

Have not heard differently so I'm assuming he's in this area on a lay over or getting on Big Bird for the flight home. Will have to spend a few days in DC to complete the dreaded paperwork, then cross over the bridge and head home.

Where in the States are Mary Agnes and Kathy?

The two ladies took a hop on Southwest on 02/12 and headed out to OK City for a visit with the Davies family. Roomer has it that they will take over parenting of Mia and Ana on Friday night and Sam and Zed shall get an overnight, out and ALONE. Back to BWI on Monday.

Got Your Long Johns Out?

 

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/northeast-snowstorm-blizzard-valentines-weekend/42131356

FOX NEWS WEATHER CENTER

Boston braces for Valentine's Day weekend winter storm

 A Boston Street, Courtesy of The Guardian

The Mouse? (Continued)

Mary Agnes went off to the Dentist on Thursday the first thing in the morning. I began my usual chores with the chickens. We get a lot of food donations in the form of breads and vegetables from our daughters and neighbors. This morning I spent a bit of time making a food collage for our eight girls and their overseer Casper.

Thinking once again of the elusive prey somewhere in the house, I prepare another device for his capture. I have a special place in mind up in the loft’s eves. There has been occasional forensic evidence in the past that would leave one to believe it could be a passageway for the yet to be found perpetrator of ill well towards Simon. If he's there, he will surely enter this portal.

Once back in the house Maggie quickly realizes I’m carrying a strange device with luring crystals inside it. I hang up my hat and coat and begin the assent to the second floor and ultimately to the loft via a second steep staircase. Trying to be as stealth as possible, in hopes of hearing  the critter scurrying, my cover is broken. Maggie, right on my tail, comes bounding up the steps behind making enough noise to awaken the dead buried in the old cemetery directly opposite our home.

Using a flashlight I brought with me, I remove a piece of drywall craw in a few feet and check the area behind it. I check the insulation to the right and left, no signs of mice scat. Dang, I was sure I was on the right path with this light bulb moment.

I craw out backwards, my flashlight shuts off and I am instantly so in the dark. Claustrophobia sets in a bit as I scurry backwards to my escape portal. I reach my opening and quickly stand up. Oops, “#@*&*#^%*$, “ I say as my bald head hits the pipe we use to hang off season clothing on. A happy camper I am not. Now there is even more reason to complete my journey of eliminating this nuisance.

With Sarah still out of town selling seafood to snowbound New Englanders we journey into Salisbury and make dinner for our grandson Tommy. After a meal of Spaghetti and meatballs we tidy up the place, say goodnight to Tommy and head on home. As is the norm here on the Eastern Shore we pass many Whitetail deer on the 11 mile journey home along country roads going home. Once again we travel the gauntlet of car vs. deer without contact. Seldom is this not a trip without a few deep breath moments.

Our oldest daughter spends a great deal of time on the other side of the Pond, as we call it. She works a lot in Baltimore and you must cross the Bay Bridge from Kent Island to Annapolis over the Chesapeake Bay to get back and forth. On this day she was returning after being gone for four days and stopped by to catch up on the goings on. Now would you believe she and her mother had a glass of wine while she was here? Ah, you must know them.

We filled Kathryn in on the goings on of a few nights ago and my quest to end the invasive one’s life. All was well in her world as we got caught up in the news of our son in-law in Pakistan and our granddaughters in Oklahoma and Mississippi. I also filled her in on the exploits of Libby, Lady Liberty to be formal. Libby is a 100 pound Yellow Lab who we care for when this traveling family is gone.

One night this week as I took my last of usually four Libby runs around 8;00 pm turned into a bit of an adventure. I knew driving over this trip could adventuresome, it was raining cats and dogs. You see Ms Liberty does not like to go out in the rain. Upon arrival I lured the mutt out with a few Beneful Dog Food kibbles. I was in luck, getting wet but in luck as she traversed her usual path toward the tree line in the rear of the garage. It was but seconds until she disappeared in the dark of the night.

I gave her a good five minutes of roaming time to do her necessaries and called to her. With the heavens sending down buckets, no, make that 55 gallon drums of water and the wind whipping down the plain I continued to call to no avail. Did I mention the temperature was just a few degrees above freezing?The smile of my jovial self as I met her ten minutes earlier has completely passed. I’m pissed now.

I pull out my iPhone 6, turn on the flashlight and begin to search. I don’t want the dog getting hit by a car on my watch. Inside I’m seething as I slosh through backyards . I call out in the dark, ”Here Libby, want a treat, come on girl lets get a bone.” Nothing but cold wet rain beating on my face and drenching me from head to toe.

Suddenly a thought comes to mind, what if one of these home owners whose yards I’m traipsing through looks out and sees a man in a hoodie with a flashlight walking around his house? The only thing that comes to mind is Travon Martin in Orlando, FL. I make a U-turn and its back to the house I go.

I put the Keurig to work, make a cup of Jo, and begin to warm my bones when I hear a “Woof -Woof” competing with the rain beating on the windows over the kitchen sink.
My words are unprintable as I head to French Doors off the porch to bring the Harriet Houdini of Electric fences in. Heaven only knows the mess she would have made on the kitchen floor.

I dried her off, cleaned the mud from her paws and brought her in. I was happy she was safe, held my tongue from what I really wanted to say and gave her a Rawhide bone as a reward for her safe return. I chalked the night off to my little contribution to establishing Foreign Policy and Health Care Reform. ie: Libby’s parents being with the State Dept and Care First BC/BS.

I know, I’ve gone completely off track regarding my own animals and their quest for the elusive critter in my own house. With our teenage care completed and back home in the dry warmth we watched a bit of American Idol. I guess it’s what seventy somethings do. With about twenty minutes into the show, the Mrs. calls it a night, makes sure the show is recorded and heads to bed. As for me and my dog at my feet, we continued to stay up.

Not five minutes into watching TV alone, Maggie bolts from beneath my feet, knocking over the hassock where my feet co comfortably rested and bolted up the stairs. Once again, the chase was on I thought. I heard items from the sewing studio being knocked over and the leaping of four cat paws hitting the floor. During this time I could discern Maggie, treading in place as she tried to gain traction on the hard wood floors. All hell was breaking loose above me.

I jumped up instantly, well not really jumped and not quite instantly, but I got up quicker than usual, I am over 70 you know. I headed to the stairs at the same time the cat and dog were descending back down the stairs. As I started to reprimand the two ruffians as they came towards me I found myself eye ball to eye ball with a huge Bat. I went to my knees instantly. Phew, missed me.

“Mary, “ I said, “we got us a BAT,” as I stood next to the head of our bed which is adjacent to the stairs. With speed like Mark Spitz diving into an Olympic Pool, Mary dove, only beneath the covers like she was in quest for an Olympic Gold. I would have no help in eliminating this elusive flying rat other than the duo of Simon and Maggie.

So folks, the chase was on.  I first went and opened the door to the porch and the porch door. While doing so the incessant echolocating of the Bat creating a mental picture of the walls of the rooms echoed in my ears. The cat and dog took to the path of the Bat like thoroughbreds at Churchill Downs, passing by the quilted body of Mary Agnes down deep beneath the covers. Yes, I alone was responsible for removing this intruder.

I would gather up the Tartan Plaid Binky Mary Agnes snuggles with while on the couch and attempt to use it to divert the critter. Numerous attempts at this diversion failed to direct him from the house. I hollered to my hunkered down spouse that I was off to retrieve my fishing net out in the garage. I did so in my socks over the freezing pebbled driveway. Amazingly the net was where it should be and I was back in the house in a flash. Well, maybe a slow burning fire of several twigs. I would be the Prince to the rescue.

As I strode through the doorway, the bat, cat, and dog slipping still to gain traction, comically circled round and round the two downstairs rooms. I felt like a parent watching his children on the Merry Go Round. I hollered to the Mrs. “ I’ve got the net,” there was a muffled indiscernible reply. I knew where she was, it was up to me.

I took position at the end of the short hall and waited. The Bat made the turn, Simon leaping behind it. I readied the net, cast it upward and missed. “(*#^*&% “said I as I readied for the next pass. Nicknacks are falling from their respective places of honor as the trio makes another go-around. I ready once again in my crouched position, this time I am victorious. As i hurry to the door I bang into the kitchen table, I drop the net and before I can pick it up the ugly rodent takes to flight once again. With foresight I move the table and some chairs.

I return to my position for apprehension once again and await the circling trio who are back on the Merry Go Round. I glance at the Mrs., under cover with only her Butt sticking up in the air. There are no words of encouragement.

Around the bend they come and once again I complete a perfect entrapment. Holding the base ring of the net to the floor, I scurry to the open door and toss the net out onto the porch, slam the door shut and let out a sigh of relief. I holler to the Mrs. “All Clear.” Simon and maggie look at the door with that, what the hell just happened look. Their play toy is gone. All Quiet on the Fiddler front.

The Mrs. comes out of her hibernation, we have a celebratory glass of wine, look at each other as we bang glass’ and bust out laughing as I say, “ Got the bastard!”

                                                                         The End

Snow to the North, Blah to the South

Where In The World

Old Where The World is still sitting in the same place as we go to press.

Snow in Connecticut

Matt and families back porch this past week.
This past Friday Matt got to relive an experience with Rebecca that he had with Jill several years ago.
It was the February Father and Daughter Dance at Rebecca's school. Way to go Matt, we just know she and you had the time of your lives together.

Coming for Saturday through Monday, Check out The Tolland Patch for all the latest news.

Mary Agnes spoke to Donna on their usual Saturday AM phone update. This has been going on every Saturday since July, 1988. It seems Uncle John is getting the Roof Rake out which I left behind when we moved. I think I got an old Sand Bucket in exchange to take south with me. What is a Roof Rake you ask.

This is how it's done. I should add this skill to my Resume, with 20 years of experience I might add.
Don't hurt yourself Uncle John.

A Fine Pasta (CIPRIANI)

Mary Agnes has made several trips to a Harris Teeter store lately. The above is unattainable down here in Wicomico Count, MD. Should you care to try a very fine pasta and are fortunate enough to have it in your local stores, give it a try.

From the Medical World

Medpage Today had an interesting piece on people with Heart Disease and if they would or would not take a pill that could increase their lifespan by two years. One third of the respondents said they would not take the pill. Since I've had some coronary issues in the past I try to keep up with the news in this area. Should you be interested check out: http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Prevention/49903?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-02-07&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g728417d0r&userid=728417&email=thefidd%40icloud.com&mu_id=5896712&utm_term=Daily

Motivation

ITS Tactical has the above motivational poster available for sale.
 There are other items within
 their online store you may have a hankering fore also.
 Check out their web site if you haven't already visited.

Sarah and Family

NY, NY from the Amtrak tracks heading to Providence from Wilmington, DE.

Thomas Palmer becoming self sufficient with a traveling mother.

Sarah played hostess for Mary Agnes, Kathryn and I last Sunday for the Super Bowl. Pregame setup was a scrumptious Hummas and sliced Olive dip. One item on the dinner menu was a homemade Wonton Soup made by Mary Agnes. It was the best Wonton anyone of us had ever tasted. Sarah made Grilled Cheese sandwiches that were reminiscent of a fine NY Deli. Grilled with a Mayo and Butter spread with a filling of fine meats, cheeses, onions, and a topping of fine sweet pickles. Ah, I'm hungry again. Great job Sarah.

Not the Rooster's Comb.

Hair Studio 720 with Mary Agnes sitting in. An interesting experience for the
husband on this day. Spent the entire day with one car in the shop for 60K service and a recall.
Togetherness on our scheduled missions this day. Just a busy day with us both in close proximity.

Restless Nights

The Mouse?

"What, Think you have your eye on me?"

It was Monday night February 2, 2015, and I am settling down with a hot cup of dark French Roast coffee. I do not want to fall asleep tonight. My reason for staying awake is Uconn Women’s basketball. For those not in the know, that’s the University of Connecticut. Not some place up in Alaska or the Provence in Canada.

On this night the ladies will be trying to gain win number 900 for their coach, Gino Auriama. His first name is really Luigi by the way. Check out Gino on the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geno_Auriemma

I’ve been a fan of Uconn sports ever since moving there in 1969. Be it Football, Soccer, Field and Ice Hockey or men and ladies basketball, I am a fan. It happens to be a great academic school also.

So on this night I settle into my easy chair, kick back and tune in the ESPN Network for the game. Mary Agnes likes Uconn also, however not enough to cause her to stay up past her bedtime. On this night I get the big wide screen TV in the living room while she heads off to do a little quilting in her studio with the 12” TV tuned to the Hallmark 

Channel. It’s a girl thing. By eight o’clock she will be under the covers and the night is mine.

On this night Uconn is favored to win, they are playing the University of Cincinnati whom they have already beaten once this year, winning by a score of 96 - 31. The outcome for this game would be similar with the final score being in favor of Uconn 96 - 36.

The game however on this night would not be the only drama. Our Cat Simon and dog Maggie would make most of the noise on this night. Several times during the game I would hear rustling coming from our second floor. Two bedrooms and Mary Agnes’ sewing studio as well as a loft are above me. Each time the noise traveled downstairs Maggi would dash up the stairs. Maggie feels she is the sole disciplinarian for Simon in this household. (It drives Mary Agnes crazy). 

On two occasions I called Maggie down and once went up, looked around and guided her back down the stairs. Nothing out of the ordinary was observed. And Simon, he was just stretched out on one of the pillows in the twin bedroom. Nope, all was OK.

Uconn won the game, Gino got his 900’th victory, I was happy and by ten o’clock was in bed. My sleep would be slow to come as Maggie made another dash, this time from her cage after Simon’s feet hit the floor and his scurrying about up stairs. Out of bed I go, call Maggi and point to her cage for her to return, which she does.

Having a digital clock enables precise reporting. It was 1:07 when I hear the chase is on once again and I repeat the Maggie retrieval. This is not normal folks, but upon inspection once again, nothing out of the ordinary is observed. By 1;15 I’m all comfy back in bed. Sleep will come instantly.

At 3:17 I feel Mary Agnes bounce out of bed, bound upstairs, and speak harshly towards Maggie who once again has intercepted Simon to find out just what the hell is going on.  After several minutes Maggie and the Boss return. “Anything” I ask. “No” comes a grumpy reply, “I’m sure a mouse is up there,” she says. If so, it’s the first of the year.

Within 30 seconds I hear the “zzzzzzzz” and the little lady back in her dream world. All remains quiet on the Fiddler front for the remainder of the night.

Needless to say, there was a lot of discussion about the night’s events over breakfast, Oatmeal, the Whole Oats kind, has been the breakfast of late. I mix mine with Jams and Jellies. Mary Agnes, a bit of milk is her concoction. We deduced it must be a mouse and I shall play executioner by baiting a trap. We have the craw in kind they can’t get out of and the dog and cat can’t get in. By the end of the day, the trap was set.

Tuesday passes, the trap is checked, empty is the finding. Tuesday night proves to bring quiet to the household and sleep to all the occupants. We awake with smiles, great dispositions and enjoy our time together. Once again the Whole Oats kick start our day after a cup of warm Lemon Water. Yeh, we do that also. Mary Agnes has been doing it a while, I recently jumped on the Band Wagon and do enjoy it. There are twenty good reasons why. check it out: http://www.healthyfoodhouse.com/20-reasons-you-should-drink-lemon-water-in-the-morning/

Wednesday comes and goes and we enjoy another wonderful nights sleep. There was a bit of a chill in the air however when arising. You see the little lady is a fresh air fanatic and she surreptitiously opens windows in the middle of the night. Of course the heat is already off also. No blowing snow coming in this year, but it has in the past. Don’t they do that sort of thing in Institutions?

We awake refreshed, walk to the kitchen on frozen floors and I gather my snugly slippers quickly. The woman is daft. After breakfast I once again check the contrivance for bringing about the rodents demise. Once again the cagy varmint has eluded capture. Or, has the stealthy Simon vaulted from his sleeping pillow onto the slippery rascal and enjoyed it for a midnight snack?

To be continued.

Post New England Blizzard

Where in the World

    

Jeff is still in Pakistan living in a Conex Box. And what is a Conex Box living facility you ask. A Conex Box is a shipping container that comes in a variety of sizes. Some are as large as 53 feet. I imagine the box Jeff is in looks something like the picture below.

Got the word this morning (01/29/2015) that he's out of Islamabad and now in Peshawar.

An Unlikely Hero

Click on the above for a Conex Box story from 1966, Viet Nam.

There are many more stories available from the Mighty Ninth and the Viet Nam era if your interested.

Weather Forecasting

For the past week our minds tried to absorb all the Weather Reports coming across the airways. For some areas the forecast was completely erroneous.  For others, particularly Nantucket, the forecast was spot on.

Stop and Shop Boston courtesy of The Guardian.com

The below link is a Glossary of Weather terms.

http://forecast.weather.gov/glossary.php?letter=number

For the past week our minds tried to absorb all the Weather Reports coming across the airways. For some areas the forecast was completely erroneous.  For others, particularly Nantucket, the forecast was spot on.

An interesting new approach from some of the regional National Weather locations who are rethinking their ways of reporting pending storm forecasts. One such site, Mt. Holly, NJ is looking at the attached scenario.

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/storm-intensity-forecasts-lag-putting-communities-more-at-risk

The Difference 350 Miles Make

Just prior to retiring from the Connecticut State Police in June of 1988, I was engaged in conversation with a fellow soon to be retired Trooper. I will always remember what he said during that conversation. I asked him where he was retiring to.  "Lee," he said, " I'm going to start walking south with a Snow Shovel over my shoulder and when I finally get to a place where someone says, what's that, I've reached my spot." He retired to the Columbia, SC area.

I on the other hand was hoping to retire in the Naples-Ft. Myers area of Florida. The cost of living and the cold of Connecticut had lost it's appeal on me. Mary Agnes, God bless her reasoning from where ever it comes, was desiring a move to the Bar Harbor-Penobscot Bay area of Maine. Having been married for 22 years at the time we reached a kind of middle of the ground compromise and settled in Allen, MD. We would have been a little closer to the middle had we settled in Virginia Beach, VA. After 26 years we're quite happy here on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Contrasts

Allen/Eden, MD 01/27/2015

Penobscot River, ME
Courtesy of Wiki

Fort Myers Beach, FL
Courtesy of Wiki

Vernon, CT 01/27/2015
Thanks Donna

Images of Nantucket Blizzard of 2015

The Davies, Sam, Zed, Mia and Anna

Here is a link for the recent accomplishments of Anna Davies, 6 moths old this week. 

There was quite a contrast in weather scenarios for the kids in Oklahoma City this week.

The past few days have brought temperatures in the high 70's.

 At this writing, Wed, 1/28 it's 76 f on OKC. Enjoy it kids, the forecast for Saturday is rain and snow.

Mia and Anna during reading time.

Super Bowl Sunday

Tom Brady

Love him or hate him, if you’r a sports fan the attached is great story on Tom Brady. 

With everything depending on his play February 1st in University of Phoenix Stadium,

 the New England Patriots will hope to keep the Seattle Seahawks from being repeat
 winners of the coveted Super Bowl. 

New England was the last repeat performer in the event doing so in 2005.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/magazine/tom-brady-cannot-stop.html?lang=en&utm_campaign=10today&flab_cell_id=2&flab_experiment
_id=19&uid=47905173&utm_content=article&utm

_source=email&part=s1&utm_medium=10today.0128&position=0&china_variant=False&_r=0

http://www.patriots.com

http://www.seahawks.com

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/seattle-seahawks-12th-man-super-bowl-49-wilson-the-12th-pony-012815

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Idina-Menzel-Says-She-Feels-Proud-Sing-at-the-Super-Bowl-20150126#

Separation of State

A 3 way marriage made in Heaven is coming to an end. Brian the Brain is jumping ship to an other 3 letter Agency and separating from Jeff and Matt. These three men started together at State. This picture story is known but to a few.
Best of Luck Brian, you and Rose have become family over the years. Don't be a stranger.

Rachael Palmer

Rachael has has spread her wings and moved into her own place with two of her Zeta Tau Alpha sisters. She is in a cute 3 bedroom home in Salisbury, MD right around the corner from a Royal Farms store. Perhaps some Fried Chicken will be on the menu in the future. Her roommates are from Long Island, NY and Cambridge, MD. . Just so she wouldn't starve on her first full day in her new home Granny made her a Kale Salad, Mac and Cheese and threw in a nice bottle of Red Wine.

Congratulations Ray

Casper and the Girls

Yesterday, Saturday, 31, January 2015 was a cold blustery day early with lots of sunshine here on the Eastern Shore. For our resident flock it was a day to wonder around in yard the Free Range way. Their pen, 65 x 25 is mostly shaded by large Pine trees. The trees are great for the summer shade, however during the cold of winter we like them to have the opportunity to roam when the sun’s shining brightly.

They usually head back to their hutch at dusk and are for the most part on their roost by 5:15 or so. At that time one of us usually heads out to secure the door to the hutch and lock the gate to the pen. We don’t want another 2:00 AM visit from the genus Volpes. A cunning varmint always using his ingenuity while trying to outwit us.

Mary Agnes took over the incarcerate task last night right after making the statement, “looks like they’re all in, I’ll go put them to bed.” This was about 5:15. After shutting the door and throwing the latch she secured the gate and returned to make dinner. As she was standing at the sink filling a pot of water she said “ damn, there’s a hen still out.”  Being a true loyalist to her flock, out she went again to save the maiden from a night of freezing and roosting in a tree to to avoid the sly old fox.

It was but a few minutes later when she appeared with the wandering Jezebel safely tucked in her arms. These girls are spoiled rotten by this women. Frank Pudue would be proud of her.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday and Casper and the girls got a treat first thing this morning. Their tray was brimming with a healthy mixture Kale, Green Peppers, dinner rolls and Cinnamon bread. They were in Heaven. 

Later this afternoon we will be dining on homemade Wonton soup and Grilled Cheese sandwiches during the game. If you watch enjoy the game. If your reading this after the game, I hope your team won. As for my team, I'm sure they're someplace warm and playing golf. May my Eagles and Jeff's Lions have a good draft.

I shall put this edition to be with the following:

And, it is the Eye of the beholder who shall pass judgement.

The Rooster Crows and The Fiddler says  "Semper fi."