Autumn Color Continued

The primary purpose of our trip to Lancaster County last weekend was to view the leaves one more time. Many have fallen but many were still very vivid in golds and reds. It was, as I mentioned in the last post, a very gray day so the contrasts are not as evident in the photos. Even so, it was a pretty drive.

Bentley, loves to go places with us. His favorite spot is in the back on the load cover. It is just the right size for him to relax and enjoy the view.

This photo was taken a few miles from where we live. I have mentioned previously about the agriculture of this part of Delaware. The fields are rarely at rest as can be seen in this picture. On clear, bright days the contrast is amazing -- green of new crop against the blazing colors of autumn.

I love the drive through the Lancaster County countryside.

Passing a horse drawn cart. The dog just about went bonkers.

We love to stop at a farm to get homemade root beer. It is amazing. To get there you have to take a narrow road to the farm house and then drive to the stand where the root beer is then picked up. The drive circles around between the house and the barn and then back to the highway. This picture was taken when we picked up our root beer.

Saturday must be wash day in Lancaster County. It seems that the clothes are hung on the line regardless of the weather.

Just to prove we did see some beautiful color.

Rest Stop

When traveling through the country on major roadways, roadside rest stops are usually found every 35 to 60 miles along the way. When we drove across country last year we were taken by the differences in these facilities in the different states. There were ones of note as in noteworthy and ones of note as in not(e) so good. Perhaps the most noteworthy of these very needed places is right here in Delaware. First of all, Delaware is just long enough for one rest stop on Highway 1/13 (the main north/south route). There is one service area on I-95 as it passes through the northern most part of Delaware but it is not nearly as noteworthy as the one in Smyrna, Delaware.

For starters, the Chauncey O. Simpson Memorial Rest Stop is not just off the road. You have to take an exit and drive a mile or so before you get there and if you are not careful you end up in the town of Smyrna. Once there you are taken by the size of the facility and the meticulous grounds. What a surprise right in the center of Delaware! It is almost perfectly placed as far as distance is concerned for trips north. On returns to home sometimes the placement is not quite right (it is closer to Wilmington than to Milton).

Saturday we ventured out for another try at autumn color. We decided to drive to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The day was overcast so the brilliance of the color was not as great as if the day had been clearer but it was beautiful nonetheless. Here are some photos of the wonderful rest stop that show some good shots the foliage.

When Erica was a little girl she called a rest stop a "potty house." I say viva la potty house.

Taking Frankie Home

Wednesday, I took Frankie back home. Erica was home from her trip and they missed each other. On the way over I marveled at the colors as I passed field after field lined with beautiful trees all changing colors. The above photo is of an area here in Delaware just before crossing into Maryland. Coming back yesterday I was able to see the trees in the morning light. They were even more beautiful.

Before I left yesterday Frankie was on the bed for his early morning rest. The first photo is of him just pondering (Erica had gone to work). The second is one I caught when I came back to bedroom to get dressed. There he was all snuggled down and hiding in the covers.

Hope you like the pictures Geoff.

Frankie Is Visiting

Since Erica and Geoff are both on business trips this week, Frankie came to stay with us for a few days. That's okay except he and Bentley both just sit in the living room waiting for Erica. The hardest part is trying to get they each outside at appropriate times. Both have selective hearing -- Frankie, the older and somewhat stubborn; and Bentley, the younger and still preferring to ignore some commands. Right now Frankie is woofing at the holiday flag waving outside the living room window. When he is finished I am sure Bentley will start.

They have been pretty good especially when the giant container of Tide liquid sailed off the the dryer and went crashing to floor leaving blue oozing liquid all over the utility room and hall. Each went running to their appropriate spot and did not move for a couple of hours.

Here are a couple of pictures for Geoff and Erica to enjoy while they are away.

Frankie in the living room.

Bentley pouting in his corner.

Good Morning

Here on the pulse of this new day

You may have the grace to look up and out

And into your sister's eyes, into

Your brother's face, your country

And say simply

Very simply

With hope

Good morning

by Maya Angelou

Just a few minutes ago I decided to take a break and check the Weather Channel. While cruising with the remote I paused on the Martha Stewart Show. Her guest was Dr. Maya Angelou who read the above passage from "On the Pulse of Morning." I thought it would fit the above photo taken Wednesday morning. I was also reminded of a day several years ago when I was so fortunate to attend a luncheon where Dr. Angelou was the speaker. I loved her work before then and ever since I have been in awe of her. Never before or since have I seen so many people so captivated for so many minutes. Imagine if you can a large convention area, concrete floors and all; hard seats; tables needing to be cleared; 2,000+ women; and not a sound except those coming from the lips of the speaker. I came from there believing that when Maya Angelou says, "Good Morning" she means it from the heart.

So, Good Morning.

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.

Harvest Time

It is said that the harvest moon is the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox. This year it fell last week. I could not get a more defining photo, however, this shows how much light filled the sky. The moon was more orange but waning last night. I love the moon this time of year. There were times when I was teaching evening classes in Spokane that I would have to stop for a few moments because the moon just seemed to fill every inch of space in windows of the room. I haven't seen it as big here but it is bright enough to walk without a flashlight.

There are tons of other harvest things going on around here. Saturday we found beautiful mums. They grow mums by the thousands here. We now have four lovely plants brightening the front porch.

Then we went on a search for pumpkins. We found all manner of pumpkins, squash, gourds and other autumn produce. The corn is just about all done for the season as are the tomatoes but we are still finding both. I love going to farm stands. They are all so much alike yet unique in every way.

This collage is some of the sites over the past few days. They is corn all exhausted in the fields, soybeans too, wagons of mums and pumpkins, purple beans on the vine and other such discoveries. We'll have more on fall I am sure.

Hopefully, the Last Days of a Hot, Humid, Dry Spell

The title sounds a bit contradictory. It is however true. This week has brought very warm temperatures for late September. It keeps hovering between 85 and 90 at midday and the humidity has been very high. The moisture on the morning windows is not because it is cold outside and warmer inside. It is there because it is warm outside and cooler inside. There hasn't been significant rain for sometime now and things are starting to look very parched.

Today as I look out the window it appears to be a very blustery autumn day. The sky is gray with clouds, the wind is blowing but at this moment it is 81 degrees outside with a "feels like" temperature of 85. It is supposed to be nicer by the weekend -- a little rain tonight or tomorrow and cooler temperatures and brighter skies by Saturday. I sure hope so.

Still Warm Enough for Dinner Outside

Here we are and it is now officially Autumn. It is quite warm here although it is cloudy and windy. Last night we had dinner at the local grill and enjoyed eating outside. Our friends Dave and Robin were here and that seemed liked to best way to cap of a very nice visit. So we sat outside and enjoyed the sunset on the pond.

I am so intrigued with this pond and what happens on it. There is always someone fishing. Last night there were a couple of boats until after dark. Every morning and afternoon there is someone fishing from one or both of bridges we cross during the day. There are turtles, cattails, lily pads, ducks, geese and, of course, the heron. The heron could be a she but because it is so solitary it is for me a he. The pond in winter is pretty clear and then in summer at our end it becomes filled with all matter of greenery. It looks down right stagnant to me but folks keep on fishing. As the nighttime temperatures start to drop the water starts to clear and then the water fowl begin to return. Which reminds me, I haven't seen turtles for a couple of weeks now.

He's Back

The season are surely changing. The heron has returned to the pond. I still have not been able to capture him when he is right at the roadside. As soon as I drop the window he flies to a spot just beyond my clear focus range. This adventure shall continue.

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.

First of the Season

This past week I saw my first signs that the seasons are changing. The leaves on some plants are beginning to change color. The temperature does not feel like fall. It is in the high 80's today and the humidity is high. But, it looks like a blustery fall day outside today. It is overcast and the wind is blowing. It is much too warm to be that blustery day when you step into the open air. If this picture is any indication the beautiful, crisp days of fall are not far away. Other signs that fall is near:

• hours of daylight are definitely getting shorter
• daily high temperature is inching downward
• nights are a little cooler
• annuals are looking spent in the flower beds
• neighborhood kids are coming home in long pants, polo shirts and toed shoes -- not shorts, tank tops and flip flops
• local organizations are up and running once again
• time for a warm cup of peppermint tea

Summer is Coming to an End

The days are growing shorter, the temperature is moderating, and yesterday I saw a few signs of leaves changing colors. The weather has been beautiful yet there are subtle changes like crisper, cooling breezes. Last week at the "concert in the park" the temperature and breezes were almost perfect. Those of us who love fall were really enjoying that night. We'll go to the park tonight for the last of the season's concerts and to help with the Milton Clipper Express. This is a very short video of the train last week. What fun the people have with the train!

In other happenings of the Labor Day weekend, Erica and Geoff came over from Virginia. Erica helped (mostly did) paint our bedroom. What a great thing to have done. She and Geoff spent some time at the Dewey Beach and were able to swim and enjoy some the end of summer activities there. Here are some photos taken at the Iguana Grill. We had lunch there before they went back home. It was fun because we were able to take the doggies with us.

Erica is checking on Frankie and Bentley who are enjoying a bucket of ice water.

Ice cubes are one of Bentley's favorite treats. Here he thinks that ice water might even be better.

Frankie and Bentley sharing the treat.

Again with the Email

It must seem that I am obsessed with email. Truly, I am not but I find some things that happen to be pretty amazing. There are days when I feel the world is huge and I am very insignificant in the scheme of nature and such. Then there are days when I am in wonder of how small the world is. Email is one of the vehicles that keep me wondering. Here are couple of examples that have entered my mailbox in the last few days:

• I received an email which had a cartoon of "Michael Vick's Jury." It was as you can guess a jury of famous cartoon dogs. I thought about forwarding it but decided to wait. That was probably a good decision because I have since received four more of the same cartoon from friends across the country. The folks who sent these are very different. Besides being friends of mine and animal lovers, the commonality here is that each is or has been in an education profession. I find that quite interesting. I also believe that I will received the cartoon at least two more times within the next month when other folks return from vacation and others opt to forward.

• Last night I opened an email from a childhood friend. I love getting hers because they are usually very humorous. I clicked the forward envelope and before I clicked on the very amusing attachment I was drawn to the forward trail by a name I recognized. So, I peered down the page and was amazed at the people (5+) whose identities I recognized. This was not like people I see or have seen in the last few years. This moment was seeing names of people I knew 45-50 years ago. The true irony of the moment was that the attachment was a humorous but sad political one. I had a great feeling that in the heart of uber Republican Idaho there are still some free thinking Democrats or a few least social liberals.

Jack Is How Old?

Today is my brother's birthday. He is, shall we say, moving right along in his 50's. Jack was born Russell Lewis but I kept telling my parents that we would name the baby Jackie whether it was a girl or a boy. Well, Jackie he was and Jack he became.

Jack was always a tiny, wiry and almost always in trouble little guy. He would blame it on his sisters but I swear there was nothing quite like him. I searched through some old items left at our mother's for some of the priceless pictures of him in just his underwear and cowboy boots (that was his favorite attire) but it seems that he had cleaned them out. Keeping an eye on Jack was Mom's primary activity on any given day as he was growing. You could find him just about anywhere (always in cowboy boots and most often sans clothes) -- in a neighbors chicken coop, pushing a doll buggy down the road, climbing the city water tower, hiding under the church steeps or fishing in the deepest of mud puddles. He introduced himself to a Sunday school teacher as "Roy Rogers."

He was never bad as in delinquent. He was full of energy and full of mischief. He loved to tease us and he still does. When they were little, he and our youngest sister Connie, would have nightly wrestling matches and "Jon and Con" would then ride the arms of the couch as their make believe horse. These activities seemed to go on for years.

Once after we were all grown and had moved onto our separate lives Mom told me that she missed we three girls very much when we left but she thought she would go crazy when Jack left. You see he had filled every waking minute with his noise and activity. You could always tell when he was trouble by the absence of noise.

I always thought that our dad was the world's craziest person about grandchildren. That is, until Jack became a grandfather. He is absolutely nuts. He has three beautiful grandchildren, Rusty, Gavin and Caralynn. If you don't believe they are beautiful, just ask him.

Jack is still a tease but he is also one of the hardest working people you could ever meet. He is loyal, proud, loving and caring. He is dedicated husband to his wife Linda. He is a loving father to Stacy and Josh. Oh, and did I say, proud grandfather.

He is my crazy bother and I love him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACK!!