I Think I Will Keep the Title

Several months ago I posted about my friend Terry and how she was the first in my circle of friends to turn 60 in 2006. In that post I used Terry's birthday to close out the year on all of us who had turned 60 in those 12 months. It is pretty amazing how the time has flown past and now I 60 with 61 rapidly approaching. I have considered the title of my blog again and have once again decided that it will remain 59 and Holding (Don't I Wish?). It is, after all, a state of mind.

When I did that post in April I included in the named achievers my friend Mary. I don't think she realized she was there because as I was to find out later she had not turned 60. Good for me she didn't notice. Last week Mary turned 60. I will never forget riding in the trunk of her Metropolitan (I had the shortest legs and was the most flexible) that was stuffed with other sorority sisters. Mary had a car and we would take a ride any way we could. I prayed we would not crash because no would find me. Crazy Ole Mary was what we called her. She with the heart full of love. When she married and headed off to exotic and remote locations it was her Christmas letters we all anticipated. Around our house it wasn't Christmas until we had received out latest update of her and Bob's adventures from the desert. Mary and Bob have each faced tremendous health issues the last few years. They have done this with grace and strength. Happy belated birthday, Mary!!

Here's to all who are 59 and Holding.

Bentley is 1

On a much happier note for us, yesterday Bentley turned one year old. For this special occasion we went to the local doggie cafe. However, because they were remodeling the kitchen he could not have his favorite lunch. Another time for that. Instead, we bought him a raincoat because his coat mats so when it gets wet. He is long enough and certainly heavy enough to wear a larger size. But, his legs are short, much like mine, and we had to opt for the smaller size. I think that this coat is only a "temporary." He also got a new squeaky toy and some special decorated treats.

Yep, we are pretty silly about this pooch. He is a whole lot of fun and frustration. Mostly, though, he brings us true unconditional love.

Update

For all who visited our last posting, we have removed it. The Pokey Little Puppy will return another day. We will wait for another time for our first grandchild. We love you Erica and Geoff. Know that all of our hugs are for you right now. It will be better.

Sugar Maple

Driving from here north to Wilmington last Saturday we came upon this huge, beautiful tree. We have driven past it numerous times since it is not too far here. For some reason it has not stood out as much on our previous travels. It is possibly because it was not dressed as nicely as it was on Saturday and again on Monday when I had reason to go to Dover. The tree is a Sugar Maple. It stands on the edge of a newer subdivision called appropriately enough Sugar Maple Farms. I have better photos of the tree but this one shows the solitary strength and presence of this lone tree. When I look at the photos it is hard to believe that until now we had not noticed this beautiful specimen. Perhaps it is because we have always been speeding down the highway, being overwhelmed by the number of new subdivisions, or more probably not seeing the tree because of the forest. For whatever reason, we will always see this tree from now on when we pass it.

Beer

Several posts back I said that there would be more on beer at a later date. That later date is today. As it turns out, today might just be the perfect day to tell about beer. So, Bill was tiring of retirement very early on in the process. I am not sure if it was because of the pushed forwardness of the retirement, he was not ready or that I was driving him crazy. I think it was some of all but mostly I was driving him crazy. Well, in early July he went to work again but in a whole new industry for him. And, for all who know him, it is just two miles from home -- no major commute! What industry you ask? Brewing. Yep, there is a wonderful craft brewery right here in Milton, Delaware.

He went to work for Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. If you look closely at the carton you can see the words "Off-Centered Ales for Off-Centered People." Perfect fit, right? Right!

Bill has never been a real beer drinker. When he would go out and was asked what he would like to drink he say, "Bring a beer." To which a server in frustration always responded, "We have yada, yada." He would answer, "Yada" until he found Alaskan Amber but would still mostly just ask for a beer. That is until he discovered Dogfish. He loves the beer and now that he is working there, he loves it even more. Do visit the website (linked above) for a fun look at the place.

Now, why was today the right day to talk about this beer? Well, let's look at this "off-centered" person Bill who now orders his drinks specifically like, "I'll have the 60 Minute" or "Make it the IPA." This morning was classic. He wore four shirts before he went to work. The first when he got up and took the dog outside was one from last night and went into the laundry hamper when he headed for the shower. The second one he put on after he showered. Then a little later he took Bentley for a walk. As they were walking past the neighbors house a sprinkler came on a got him full force -- shirt drenched. The third shirt ended up with a big splotch of something on it. The fourth shirt I hope will make it through the day.

Next he tried to check on the status of an insurance claim only to find out that the delay was because he used his full name one place and his shortened name has always been the one of record. Funny how things work that way.

The next occurence of the day he does not know about yet because it happened after he headed for his day at the brewery. Late yesterday I asked him to make sure the towels from the master bath were in the laundry. I was speaking of the towels I had left on the floor when I put clean ones in the bathroom. Fast forward to this morning. I have just completed a nice warm shower, reach for my towel and no towel to be seen. So, I put my skimpy nightshirt back on, grab my crutches and go to the other end of the house to retrieve a towel from the linen closet. I had to put on the nightshirt because I am sure the neighbors would not have appreciated a public display of my nakedness. I know I should have checked, but it is more fun to blame him.

He'll come home with a new case of his favorite ale tonight and all will be well.

Day Trip to the Poconos

Saturday we set off for a leisurely day trip to the Poconos. I have been moaning lately about not seeing mountains for sometime. You know that the highest point in Sussex County is 44 feet and that is a landfill. I was in need of some altitude and wanted to see mountains in fall color. It is about three hours from here to Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. That's on a good day with no traffic. But we made to see hills and leaves after four hours or so.

Before embarking on this little trip I checked to see when the leaves would be at the best color point. We had planned to go a week ago and indications were that "peak color" would be this past weekend. It seems that the extended drought has impacted all things in the region including the "peak color." There was also an unexpected warmer than normal period earlier this month which obviously had some impact. So, we were too early for "peak color," but only by a couple of days or so.

The last time we were in this area was 23 or 24 years ago. At the time I remember being very concerned about acid rain and I kept looking for signs of it. There were signs but not what I was expecting. There were areas where trees were dying but not to the extent I had envisioned. Instead I was overwhelmed by the hills and hills of trees. It was then that I resolved we should return someday in the fall to see the leaves as they are changing.

That's what we saw this past weekend -- hills and hills of trees that were changing colors as the season wears on. Perhaps if I were more of an artist I would have realized that the colors we see are really influenced by the light of the day. Saturday was partly cloudy and at one moment I would see a beautiful hillside in reds and golds and then in the next moment I would see the same hillside in shades of green.

The next time we visit, and we will for sure, we will make it a two or three day trip so that we can enjoy some of the recreational areas like the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area. The day was much too short to get it all in. We kept looking for look-outs and vistas to view but on these busy roads there were none to be seen. So, we must go back and see more. We will catch the colors in morning, midday, afternoon and early evening light.

We did stop for a "linner" (late lunch/early dinner) of tappas in Stroudsburg. The place was was called Everybody's Cafe and it was very good. The picture below was taken just outside their door.

All in all it was a good day.

My Own Little Idaho

Last night as I was folding clothes I watched the end of 60 Minutes. The story was about a man from the panhandle of Idaho. His name is Forrest Bird and it is an amazing story of his inventions and his activities. Aside from that was the beautiful scenery of the Lake Pend Oreille area. I was reminded of just how beautiful that part of northeastern Washington and northern Idaho is -- mountains, forests, rivers and lakes. Not too much later I was flipping through the channels trying to find something of interest to watch when I happened upon Napoleon Dynamite. I had heard so much about this movie but had never seen it. It is definitely a strange little flick.

What really caught my attention was where the movie was filmed. Preston, Idaho is just about as far south a you can get and still be in Idaho while Lake Pend Oreille is about as far north as you can get. Preston is in sagebrush country, but, is so much of the Idaho I love. The movie shows houses that I recognized both in reality and as very much the style of the area. There were doors like we had on our house where I grew up. There were green lawns but pretty short shrubs (short growing season). There were fields of grain and in the distance the mountains. This quirky little movie made me think of family and friends. It reminded me of where I am rooted.

Idaho with its many contrasts in beauty is a long way from Delaware. I have definitely branched out but my roots are still in those mountains. Those roots made for some pretty strong branches.

This is a picture of the Preston, Idaho area. I downloaded the picture from the the Internet. You can see the mountains I love in the background.

Warm Spell Continues

The leaves are turning, the fields are being cleared, the grass is getting browner and browner, the clouds are overhead, the wind is blowing and it is still very warm for this time of year. Besides which, the humidity is awful. I suppose it is because it is so sticky outside that I am stuck on the weather. Nothing like a good cold front to change ones mind.

I continue to be amazed by harvest bounty here. When I think of "harvest home" I think of the winter vegetables and fruit that are abundant in the stands here. When I think of "harvest time" I think of field workers and trucks clearing the fields of potatoes or the combines harvesting grain in fields of the Mountain West and the Pacific Northwest. Maybe I think like that because of what we are taught in school and the traditions that continue. And, of course, what surrounds us as we grow.

As is evident with this post, it has been a pretty slow week around here. I changed the background color of the blog to reflect my current harvest state of mind. Here are a couple of photos of our favorite farmer's stand. This one has a great arbor and like all sits very close the road.