Hanna Who? A Good Weekend Anyway

These flowers at Mount Vernon obviously like the sunshine that came Sunday after Saturday's deluge from tropical storm Hanna. Since I had an appointment in Baltimore on Friday we checked with Erica and Geoff to see if we could impose on them for the weekend. The original plan for Saturday was for the four of us to take the dogs and go to the distillery at Mount Vernon. However, the rainy weather on Saturday made us decide that that would not be a good idea. The rain started somewhere between 10:00 p.m. and midnight on Friday and continued through 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. At times it fell in what seemed like steady streams. The wind was not much of a factor but my oh my was it ever wet outside.

Deciding not to call the whole day a loss, Erica, Bill and I went to see Afghanistan Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul at the National Gallery of Art. The exhibition has been in Washington since May 25 and was closing on Sunday. The National Gallery of Art is always a wonderful place to visit. I love to visit the tower where the Henri Matisse Cutouts are displayed. The color and simplicity make me happy, especially in a tropical downpour. From there we went to the Afghanistan exhibit. What a thought provoking and beautiful exhibition this was to see. I do not have photos. There are several websites that show some of the items and tell of the bold steps to preserve the culture of the country.

Sunday was a beautiful day so Bill and I headed for Mount Vernon. We decided to take in some the exhibits on the way to the mansion even though we planned not to visit the mansion. The estate still is a working farm. There are sheep, cows (these are the animals I have seen so far), gardens and some small field crops. The sites we took in on this visit included some slave quarters, the shoe makers shop, the "archeology and restoration" museum, the back porch of the mansion and a couple of the gardens. In the scheme of things it was not a lot but being able to go at my slow pace and enjoy the scenes was wonderful. Of course, we will return and take in yet more of the estate.

This restoration of the "Dove of Peace" weathervane on the mansion was in the "archeology and restoration" museum. I am such a fan of representations of the dove. The museum was small but had some very interesting items including how the columns of the mansion are painted to appear as they are made of stone. This was a money saving effort ordered by Washington.

This picture was taken from my favorite (to date) spot on the estate. The first time I visited Mount Vernon was in 1999 when Geoff took me on Columbus Day. We had just been through the mansion and came outside to sit on the chairs situated on the back veranda. There one has views as this one. When Bill and I visited yesterday we came to an open pathway and sign that indicated we might be able to get to the porch without going through the mansion. This is but one of the pictures I took from the chair I sat in yesterday. Bill, who has visited the mansion before but had not come onto the this area before was delighted with the views.

It was hard to leave that spot on the Potomac but we had to proceed with our trek however slowly. We somehow managed to miss an upper entrance, if there is one, to the garden we had chosen to visit. So, we backtracked a bit. Some of the plants were showing signs of the fading summer and torrential rains of the previous day. There still were some beautiful flowers to be seen along with butterflies, bees and the like. Here are some more of the 170+ unedited pictures I took last weekend.

Capturing the images of this butterfly was the highlight of the day.

That is until I was able to get one of a bee.

I love the red of this plant.

Another butterfly. I must research to identify.

This one flew rapidly from flower to flower.

Another butterfly.

…gossamer wings.

Sheep seeking relief in the shade and enjoying a friendly pat.

It was a good weekend.

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.

Just Some This and That

Not much happening here on the streets of Milton. Oh, there was an auction for the Historical Society on Saturday. That was a good event with a party tent set up on a lot on Union Street. That was a fun time. The first couple of hours were devoted to snacks and drinks and the silent auction items. GREAT SILENT AUCTION items. Lots of historical books, pictures, antiques, items from local merchants, other gift bags. The live auction was also good with an antique tractor as the featured item. I took some pictures but with dwindling daylight they are not the best to offer up to you today.

It has cooled down enough to be comfortable outside. Today is windy and overcast but it is still pretty nice. The leaves are slowly starting to change with new trees dropping their follage already. The focus of the farm stands has moved from the delicious sweet corn that is here all summer to squash and winter vegetables and mums. Everywhere there are mums. I will be forced to come up with some this week.

Our friends Dave and Robin will be visiting later this week. It is always a good time when they come -- not raucus laughter but good, comfortable friends. We are looking forward to the visit and their tour of the local brewery (more to come in a couple of weeks).

Once again this past week I was reminded of how fragile life is when I learned of the death of a high school friend. He was lost his life in a motorcycle accident. We are not that old but there are fewer and fewer of us.

Then, on a happier note, one of my childhood friends is with her husband, her two dogs and her two cats on their first extended trip in their new RV. The wonder of the internet keeps her touch with the rest of the world. We have heard from them from Northern Idaho, the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and now Lake Chelan in the Northern Cascades. They plan to be out for about six more weeks. Today I received an email asking to keep her up on the news since television and radio reception has been so intermittant. How fun is that? Note: She has internet but wants me to send the news. Must be the same as me. It is hard to read on the computer screen.

A Fine Celebration

Last Saturday we went to Arlington to join in the D.C./Virginia celebration for Alexandra receiving her Ph.D. There was also a celebration in mid-August in State College when the degree was awarded. As with most everything held at Anca's the food and company were extraordinary. There was beef, pork, ribs, fish, parjoale (I think -- Romanian meatball), roasted egg plant, roasted peppers (sweet and hot), taboli, vegetable cheese pie, more salads and then desert. We brought the beer. (There will be more on beer in a later post.)

The food was wonderful but more so was the company. This photo is of just some of the smiling faces. The next is of Anca looking over the scene of her guests.

It was a very warm late afternoon and evening. There was lots of cold drinks -- water, soda, juice and beer.

It was a lovely event for a wonderful young woman.

Alex and her beautiful daughter.

Erica and her goddaughter Kiki.