Ocean City, Maryland

Crossing the Bay Bridge in route to Ocean City. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge (commonly known as the Bay Bridge) is a major dual-span bridge in the U.S. state of Maryland. Spanning the Chesapeake Bay, it connects the state's rural Eastern Shore region with the more urban Western Shore.

Kite flying is fun~ Baby discovers treasure in the sand.

Waiting for just the right wave to ride boogie board in~ And later, spending the afternoon on the Boardwalk. Jimmy and Megan Ride the Sling Shot!!! We enjoy Thrashers French Fries, etc...




I and, of course, I enjoy looking for just the right shot~

Photo made from balcony of our condo ~ lots of soft white imported sand ~ it's as soft and white as the Gulf Sand. Nice!

A lovey time with family~ Great food is easy to find~the beach wasn't crowded and the waves were HIGH ~ alternating a little rough to lots of fun.

Tuesday, a cool wind blew in to remind us we were in the Eastern Shores where Autumn arrives early. The sweat shirts came out and we went to the Boardwalk ~ The Drifters song, "Under the Boardwalk" danced in our heads as we enjoy all the goodies sold by vendors...absolutely the BEST Carmel corn I have ever eaten....or it could have been just being there with the carnival, unlimited junk food, shops and happy people walking along the Boradwalk.

It was all good! Very Good.

Skirts for Travel

Skirts seem now to be on the comeback for travel.

While in Airports last week, there was a change for women's attire. Many wore full, tea length (calf length) skirts which looked as comfortable as I know them to be and very, very nice.
Many had thong shoes or sandals. What happened to covered toe shoes for travel?
Skirts?
I have long known to wear skirts for travel as so much easier.
HOWEVER...
A nightmare came true for me on a flight from Miami to Washington one time. I was in a then fashionable "jump suit" and of course, nature called. While in the tiny restroom on board and
in flight, with jumpsuit totally undone and down in place, the plane hit unexpected turbulence which altered the little room Naturally, the collar of my jumpsuit was soaked. Horrified, I realized
there was totally nothing I could do about it...what was done was done.

Arriving in D. C., my friends met me and of course, expected a hug, which would put their nose right into my collar. "I have a little cold...no hugs please." A convenient white lie which is allowed, I am assured.

We were advised to wear skirts while in China due to the atypical restrooms we will encounter along the way.

The Farthermost Corner on Earth

To read just a little history of the farthermost corner on earth itself is an amazing experience.
I want to know their history, how the lived thousands of years ago and how that historical journey brought them to this point in history. I want to know what's in their head as they walk along the streets.
I want to go and walk with them on their journey.

Tibet, which has been on my "Bucket List" since I was young, Located where the highest mountains on earth rise to meet the sky...the country sits overlooking China where everything is BIGGER, LARGER than anything on earth. I am in a dream world which just can't be true.

I've read this and that, I've seen movies, specials, but never read in depth as am doing now. To see the Great Wall of China is the very last thing on my "Wish List" which was compiled when I was a little girl.
Have you seen the movie, "Bucket List"? If not, please do. My Wish List is actually my "bucket list."

Quality of Life

Dear Readers,
I am just back from a trip south ~ while gone, I received a phone call from the daughter of a long time friend saying my friend had died peacefully. The daughter lives in Paris as did her Mother for many years. Sadden, I look back on my friend's life and all the reasons she is my friend~ I so admire her for the quality of children she raised and life she lived. She lived a many faceted life ~ and shared her secrets with me over the many, many years. She and I had totally different political views which I overlooked as she overlooked mine. She had too many other redeeming qualities and I assume she thought same of me as well. I will miss Cay.

All that said, and mentioning I have been away for this past few days ~
took an early morning flight down south to check on my elderly Aunt. God Bless her, she has entrusted her well-being into my hands as did an Uncle for the last few years of his life.

I look back on those years, and my responsibilities to my Uncle as being one of my finest accomplishments. With him, it was a monthly flight from Key West, Fl to spend time and shop with/for him. With my Aunt, at the point, that won't be necessary. Thank God. She is still in her home and I phone daily, so this keeps me close to her.

I found my Aunt Dot doing well...very well indeed. In fact I will say she looks fabulous to be rapidly approaching 90 and becoming her sassy self again.

We give thanks for Mike who was willing to move in with her so that she can stay in her home.
He is doing an outstanding job. He manages her, the house, lawn, food and over-see her medicines, Doctor's appts etc.. He's a great cook and loves to help her. He has actually brought her back from the brink of death.

It was heart-warming to see her laughing and happy. Met with cousins as she has no children, and some of us worked on legalities for her and then went on a shopping spree to enhance her life~ We met with her Doctor as well.

We showered her...new dresses for home wear, new shoes, hair cut, closets arranged and then, yesterday, we put the icing on the cake, so to speak ~ we bought for her the largest LCD, HD flatscreen TV they make...

She once was a pro golfer and of course an avid follower of the game plus football season is almost here. Seeing her new flatscreen, was amazed and thrilled~

She looked like a million dollars and everyone was HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!!!
What a wonderful four days in my life.

Hot Air Ballooning on Daughter's Birthday

Ballooning over Northern Virginia

Aug 16, 2009.

This the top of their balloon while we were above them

Their pilot took them low enough for him to pick a flower for Birthday girl....

Today was the day we celebrated all of Birthdays...we sent all daughters up in Balloon together.

I went along with other friends in another balloon for photos of them in flight.
There were 11 of us who went up in 3 balloons....there were 7 balloons in the air total. Of course, it was so, so fun.

They LOVED it and thought everyone should have that experience in their lives.

Mint Julep

Earlier blog about the Kentucky Distillery has generated lots of emails, especially from my Wine loving group. As you know, we are members of the American Wine Society, therefore, touring and enjoying a Distillery seems way off track.
Decided we needed to blog.

Yes, I love the ceremony of opening the wine too ~ I love the presentation of red wines on a silver tray already opened to breathe. I enjoy the little glasses of Port and the aroma of a fine cigar...

BUT, I tell you, NOTHING TOPS a MINT JULEP, especially when you are sitting in a big swing on a large porch, on a sultry summer afternoon, looking out on those magnificent Southern Magnolias and visiting with friends.

Today, we take a short-cut using Bourbon and sprite over crushed ice, crushed mint, topped with a sprig of mint, served in a tall glass.

Here is THE BEST RECIPE

MINT JULEP

The following recipe for Mint Juleps comes from Booker Noe, Jim Beam's grandson. It produces juleps on par with the recipe given to me by Bill Samuels of Maker's Mark, but it is much less labor intensive.

There are six essential ingredients for a proper mint julep:
good 90 proof bourbon whisky (I prefer Maker's Mark),
sugar,
fresh mint leaves,
metal cups (preferably silver),
short straws, and
shaved ice (the kind snow cones are made with). Once these accoutrement have been assembled, you are ready to proceed.

You cannot make just one mint julep and have it taste worth a damn. You must make them in batches. What follows is a recipe for one quart and change. Multiply accordingly for a big party.
Pick a bunch (enough to fill a quart-size bowl) of dime to quarter sized mint leaves - but no stems; they're bitter. Wash the leaves and pat dry.

Now prepare some simple syrup by combining two cups sugar to one cup water in a saucepan and heating over medium heat until it turns crystal clear. Do not let it boil, which causes the sugar to caramelize and ruins the whole wretched mess. Pour the simple syrup over the mint leaves in the bowl and let it steep like tea for 10-15 minutes (longer can't hurt).
Now you're ready to make julep. Pour a quart of whisky into a non-plastic container that holds more than a quart. Add four ounces of mint flavored simple syrup to the quart of whisky, and stir well. Put the resulting mixture back into the whisky bottle, cap tightly, and refrigerate for 24 hours. (Since you've mixed a quart of whisky with four ounces of syrup, you'll have four ounces of julep that won't fit into the bottle. The obvious solution: drink it!)

Next day, pack a metal cup with shaved ice. Cut a plastic straw so that the end extends no more than two inches above the rim of the cup. Shove the straw down into the shaved ice, and fill the cup with julep. Remove the straw and place a large sprig of mint in the hole where the straw was. (You won't be able to get the mint through the ice otherwise.) Replace the straw, sip and enjoy. Your nose should be right down in the mint leaves for full enjoyment. Be sure to put a cocktail napkin around the cup, because it will soon be too cold to hold.

The mixed up julep can be refrigerated for up to a year, and the syrup can be refrigerated for three or four months.

Garden Club ~ Gardens Through A Camera Lens

Our Garden Club is lucky enough to have a professional photographer as a member. Jeannie presented the program for us on Monday evening. "Your Garden Through the Camera Lens."


She presented digital photo shots for us with and without special effects, even moving the camera to make the shot a little blurred. Of course, different lens produced this and that effect. I could have listened to her talk about her work for hours.

Was eager to try shots of my garden, but they are not wildly interesting.

Maybe it is time a refresher course to bring me up to day in today's technology. I always think I need a new camera...can't be me, right?


I really enjoy her presentation and learned so much about the capability of my cell phone camera. Unreal what that little thing can be programmed to do.
I did hear a report of the 40th Anniversary of landing on the moon. It was said our little cell phone has more capability than the computer that landed that Space Craft. Amazing!

I have taken the first photo with my camera, but can't figure out how to send it to my computer.
As soon as we think we are up with the latest technology, something comes along to throw us back to the stone age, it seems.
June