Remembering Other Times

Torrey, NY on Senaca Lake
October 4, 2018

December is passing day-by-day and as we are now past mid-month, the end of both the month and the year are in sight.

Bully Hill Winery
October 3, 20218

On top of the December darkness, it has rained non-stop for the past 36 hours. The forecast is for continued rain well into the afternoon today.

To escape the gloom of the sunless dawn, I downloaded some of the images from our early October wine tasting trip to Upstate New York.

The images reminded me of warmer times, although not necessarily dryer times. It rained during that trip. 

Senaca Lake near Torrey, NY
October 3, 2018

Despite the occasional rain, I was able to get Radio Flyer airborne for some nice images. Flying over Senaca Lake was a new experience. It was fun, but I was also nervous because I knew that if there was an emergency and I couldn't get Radio Flyer back to short, it would be lost. 

Fortunately, there was no emergency, although the winds aloft did cause me to shorten my flight a bit and recover the drone. 

Remembering past trips helps me to escape the dreary days. December will be over soon and the new year will be full of warmer and drier days to enjoy.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Taking to the Sky

Sunset Over the Neighborhood
December 13, 2018

For many reasons Radio Flyer, my DJI Spark UAS, has not been airborne since our get-away trip to New York during early October. 

Some of the reasons include the almost constant rain, the basement remodel project, the early onset of darkness since the time change, and the pace of life which has been incredibly busy with the arrival of the holiday season. 

Christmas Decorations on the House
December 13, 2018

Last evening around sunset, I made a point of getting Radio Flyer airborne, even if only for a short nine minute flight. It was good to get the controls back into my hands and my drone into the air. 

Wreath at the Peak

I was amazed at how many small things I had forgotten about flying the drone--mostly getting everything ready on the ground. But, they all came together and I had a successful flight checking out the Christmas lights on the house. I was able to do a close-up inspection of the wreath at the peak and determine that I will likely need to change the batteries for its lights during the next nice day, whenever that happens. 

As an added benefit of the flight, I also downloaded some videos and stills from the October trip to the Finger Lakes from the memory card onboard the drone.  

It was a short flight, but I was happy to slip the surly bonds of Earth, even if only for a few minutes and through the lens of Radio Flyer. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wine in the Finger Lakes

Sunrise October 4, 2018
Senaca Lake in Torrey, NY

Chris and I scooted off to the Finger Lakes region of Upstate NY for a quick get away and to sample some local wines during the early part of October. We had hoped to enjoy the colors of the autumn leaves, but the change had not yet begun. 

The Symbol of Heron Hill Winery

We were treated to some spectacular sunrises, some great white wines, all while enjoying a beautiful house on the shores of Senaca Lake in the town of Torrey, New York. 

The days went by quickly and during the time we were there we visited 13 wineries and sampled an untold number of wines. The white wines were, as expected, very nice and all had a fantastic price point. We were able to obtain a couple bottles of the New York Governor's Cup winning wine for $17.99 from Keuka Springs Vineyard. It was their 2017 Gewurtztraminer. 

While enjoying the wines was certainly a highlight of the visit, the stunning sunrises and and views over Senaca Lake were really the highlight of the trip. 

I enjoyed the sound of the gentle waves hitting the shore and Chris and I slept with the window open to let the sound of the waves provide a peaceful night's rest.

Radio Flyer took to the skies on a couple of occasions to document the sights we were seeing. 

It was a quick trip, but relaxing and enjoyable. 

I highly recommend a repeat visit, next year.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Seven-Day Weekend

What do you get when you combine a four day get-away with a three-day holiday weekend? 

Dawn Arrives
October 5, 2018

A seven-day weekend of course.

It seems strange to think about it, but getting seven days off for the price of four vacation days is not a bad deal, especially when my annual summer vacation was only one and not the usual two weeks long.

Looking at the seven days in discrete sections makes the time off even more appealing. I have loosely broken it into four days away leaving three days for projects and golf.

Grape Press in Operation
October 4, 2018

Yes, I have a tee time for tomorrow. I am playing a lot less golf this year than last through no fault of my own. The weather has been horrid, but I expect to be playing golf into December this year if the snow holds off.

I can't even believe I just wrote that word in an October blog post.

I am sitting here watching the sunrise again. IT is far different this morning. The sky is clear and there are fewer clouds to make it a interesting as yesterday, but the whole horizon is involved in celebrating the dawning of another day. 

A Tilted Shack on a Beach
From Radio Flyer
October 4, 2018

Yesterday was fun as we checked out some wineries and enjoyed watching tons of grapes being poured into a press to extract the juice which is then musk and will eventually become wine. It is easy to forget that wine production is agriculture until seeing the process up close and personal.

We leave later this morning to return to the crushing pace of life at home. The week ahead, after the Columbus Holiday, weekend holds some new beginnings. Having had my birthday just a week and a half ago, I am hoping that my 64th year is a lot better than my 63rd. Remember, we celebrate birthdays at the end of the year and so we are always working on the next one-up year until we have our birthday and then we start all over again.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Arrives

Pool Closing from Radio Flyer
September 22, 2018

Autumn, heralding the arrival of the dark season, arrived last evening and with it the weather has already changed. The cooler air blew in while Chris and I were enjoying dinner with the temperature dropping to 64 degrees as we headed home. This morning the temperature has fallen to 59 degrees. A confirmation of Autumn's arrival.

The Water Level is Lowered
September 22, 2018

With the cooler weather, the rains have returned. We are facing a week of rainy weather.

The big project for the yesterday was closing the pool in advance of the cooler weather, falling leaves, and rains. Frankly, I was tired of hauling leaves out of the pool everyday and I had not swum in the pool during the past few weeks since returning from the cruise. Of course, I would have been swimming on Labor Day, but the pool was green and I was killing the algae bloom that had developed while we were away.

Chris and Finnegan Helping to Close the Pool
September 22, 2018

I flew Radio Flyer to get an image of the pool closing. By about 7:15 AM, I already had the back-up pump running to draw the water down in the pool. I had to use the back-up pump because the primary pump had burned out a few days ago. I also had the pool cleaner, known as the Dolphin, running one last time to rid the pool of leaves and debris. 

Once the water was lowered to the winter season level, I added the chemicals, my witch's brew as I call it, to help the pool make it through the next almost eight months. I used the pump and outlet hose to mix the water and chemicals to be ready for the final act--installing the cover. 

Cover Installed Ready for the Dark Season
September 22, 2018

Finnegan turned out to be very interested in the entire process of closing the pool and was by our sides the entire time. He did give us a scare as he started to run across the not yet fully installed pool cover and Chris was concerned that he would fall into the water and that I would then have to rescue him. You read that correctly, she wouldn't rescue him, I would be responsible for that act of courage and bravery. 

Sunrise, the Last Day of Summer Dawns
September 22, 2018
Radio Flyer

By 11:17 AM, when I took the image of the fully installed cover, the process was nearly complete. All that remained was to fill the lines with anti-freeze and close them off. Then it was clean up time! We were done well before noon. Another successful pool closing.

I still have to get the newly arrived pump motor set-up, but that will not take too much time. I won't actually install it into the pump until Springtime. Pool opening day is about 223 days away, tentatively scheduled for May 4th of 2019!  Of course if the weather seems nice in April, I may open it earlier. 

We may resurface the pool at some point during the off season which will also cause us to take the cover off and effectively open it. Hopefully after the leaves are all off the trees. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Consider the Moon

Moon over the Neighborhood
From Radio Flyer
August 24, 2018

The moon made an impressive appearance last evening.

The moon was evident during our late evening dog walk and then later rising over the trees around the house.

The sight was more impressive because the sky was clear and the temperatures cool, almost autumnal.

Moon Over Elkridge
Duckett's Lane
August 24, 2018

Too autumnal!

August is rapidly giving way to September and with it, the arrival of Autumn. Even though the next season is still almost a month away, the shortening of the days and the cooler temperatures are already heralding the its arrival. 

Moon Over Duckett's Lane Elementary School
August 24, 2018

But last evening it was the moon that was on display. 

I was able to get Radio Flyer up for a quick flight to capture the fading colors of the sunset after we walked the dogs. 

It was a beautiful evening for flying and capturing the scene developing above us. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Weather, News, Plans, and Sunsets

The rains returned with a vengeance last evening. The lightening show associated with the rains was somewhat muted, but the sound of the rain hitting the house was noticeable over the television at mored than one point during the movie Chris and I elected to watch. We were lucky to complete our evening dog-walk as the rain began falling.

I guess the rain was good because some of our plants were getting a bit dry from successive days without rain. 

The blue skies are expected to return today, the gray overcast of the past days was draining and made me want to head off on a Caribbean vacation even sooner. Tonight, however, is a special event as we attend the Kenny Chesney concert at Merriweather Pavilion. Here's hoping that expected good weather holds for the outdoor concert.

The news was no help in distracting attention from last evening's storms, either. What a terrible news night. The President was implicated in a felony, there were the usual murders in Baltimore, the story of the murdered family in Colorado took a sick twist, and a missing girl was found dead in Iowa.

We definitely need a change in the news media. I need to find a good news station!

Chris is at the doorstep of retirement becoming a reality. Howard County teachers return to the classroom in force today as the pre-schoolyear activities and training ramp up. It is hard to believe that the summer has already begun to wind down.

Because of the gloom last evening, I went through some of Radio Flyer's recent video and found one of a beautiful evening with a spectacular sunset to remind myself how a day is supposed to end. I love sunsets almost as much as sunrises. 

Making the video made me feel better and look forward to today's improved weather outlook.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 20, 2018

Finn in his Football Jersey
Ready for the Season

1. August is slipping by gain. The days are already shortening perceptibly.

2. Why is going to the ice cream store for a hot fudge sundae after dinner such a treat? It almost seems sinful.

3. Chris and I were sitting around last evening and the subject of our old animal friends came up. I teared up thinking about our old companions: Hans, Meghan, and Zach.

Crepe Myrtle on a Summer Day
August 19, 2018

4. Summer is ending. The teachers are heading back to school. Chris is happily retired and is not suffering from the end-of-the-summer stress.

5. Finn tried on his football jersey the other day, just to be ready for the NFL season kickoff. 

6. House project abound. Yesterday's project: stain the ceiling of the porch!

7. I finally and successfully acquired the correct blade for my chainsaw. That was a lot harder than it had to be.

8. The crepe myrtles are in bloom. Radio Flyer was up yesterday getting a different view of the magnificent crepe myrtle next to my pool.

9. Radio Flyer was busy during its flights yesterday finding things around the neighborhood. 

10. The Orioles had a particularly bad week. They are 2-8 for their last 10 game posting a 37-87, .298 record 50.5 games out of first place and looking at losing 114 games this season. The highlight was a complete game, 100 pitch win by Alex Cobb on Saturday. 

11. Today in History. On this day in 1911, a dispatcher in the New York Times office sends the first telegram around the world via commercial service. Exactly 66 years later, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) sends a different kind of message–a phonograph record containing information about Earth for extraterrestrial beings–shooting into space aboard the unmanned spacecraft Voyager II.

Headlines

Greece’s Bailout Is Ending. The Pain Is Far From Over. - The New York Times

‘Please come help’Eastern Shore crab houses are suffering this summer because they didn’t get the visas needed to hire enough pickers from Mexico. - The Washington Post

‘‘Wasted our lives’: Catholic sex abuse scandals again prompt a crisis of faith - The Washington Post

Trump rewrites history as Russia probe pressure mounts - CNN

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last - but eat you he will.



-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 13, 2018

Blackened Tenderloin

1. August is nearing the mid-point. Time is zipping by faster than I could believe possible. 

Deer on the Course
August 11, 2018

2. It is very hard to compose a blog on my phone. I miss a lot of typos. I need to do better when I am traveling without my laptop.

3. Autumn colors are beginning to creep into the bushes of Upstate New York. I saw many sumac trees which have already begun to don their autumn finery while traveling this weekend. Rumor has it that it may be an early Autumn.

4. People drive very differently depending upon the location. Maybe it is just that Maryland drivers are an impatient lot and like to get to their destinations quickly. I thought everyone knew to add 10 to the speed limit sign.

Looking Across the Farmlands of Central New York
From the Camera Aboard Radio Flyer
August 11, 2018

5. I like returning home after a weekend away. Home is where I can just relax and be myself. 

Our Hole at the
5th Annual Troy Whittemore Golf Classic
August 11, 2018

6. Owning a home is like buying a hobby. There are always so many projects that need attention. I guess that is why we have houses, to do projects.

7. Why does it seem as if the rain is falling every day, again? Oh yeah, because it is!

8. I was able to get Radio Flyer airborne a couple of times this weekend. I had wanted to fly into the gorges around Ithaca, but we ran out of time. The scenery looking over the farmland just west of Cayuga Lake was beautiful, however. Radio Flyer has completed 86 flights for a totaling just over 12 hours of flight time.

9. The Orioles were swept by the Red Sox this weekend and have lost 5 in a row. They are 35-84, .294 and are on track to lose 114 games this season. That is an increase of two additional losses since I last computed the dismal number. They have returned to being the 30th best team in MLB.

10. On this Day. Shortly after midnight on this day in 1961, East German soldiers begin laying down barbed wire and bricks as a barrier between Soviet-controlled East Berlin and the democratic western section of the city.

HEADLINES

Rally by White Nationalists Was Over Almost Before It Began - The New York Times

America Has Stopped Being a Civilized Nation - The New York Times

‘They be pirates’ An old scourge is reappearing in the Caribbean - The Washington Post

World stocks hit one-month low as Turkish rout spreads - Reuters

RONALD REAGAN QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

“We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Twilight Flight

Looking up the Street at Sunset
July 27, 2018

Looking to the Sunset
July 2Nd 7, 2018

The weather cleared enough last evening for a quick Radio Flyer flight as the sun was setting.

I enjoyed the colors of the sunset and was anxious to get my drone airborne before they faded away.

I intended to fly to the end of the street and take a few shots looking over I-95, but due to the rain, the trees were impeding the quality of the signal between Radio Flyer and my controller. I kept losing contact at the target location and so I brought it back where I had full control and took some evening images.

I especially like the one where the golden colors of the sun are reflecting off the houses along my street.

It was a relatively short flight all-in-all, but I enjoyed the final results. It was a nice way to watch the end of the week fade over the horizon.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Beautiful Day

I spent most of yesterday at my parents in Danby, NY.

Radio Flyer spent a few minutes touring the area and I snapped this image looking North. Cayuga Lake is just visible on the horizon and the blue sky was welcome.

It was another great July day. This July has seen one great day after another. Although today has seen some much needed rain, the days remain the stuff that great memories are made from.

I was happy to help mom and Dad with a few chores around their house yesterday. It is too bad that the drive to see them eats up the better part of the day.

I am going to be very unhappy when July slips away next week. It has been a month to remember.

— Bob Doan, writing from Williamsport, PA

Flying and Family

The Cul de Sac at the End of Rainbow
July 10, 2018

I took Radio Flyer out for a quick afternoon flight yesterday. It was nothing special, but I am continuing to work on my map navigation skills. I flew my drone away from me over the trees and up the street and brought it back using the map for navigation and also putting it into the sport mode where it flies very fast. 

Chris and Finnegan on the Driveway

As I was ending my flight, I spied Chris and Finnegan returning from a walk. My battery was getting too low to actually fly close to them, but I did snap a quick image for posterity as I was landing. 

It is not a spectacular image. I had actually flown along the street earlier in an attempt to find them on the walk, but apparently the trees obscured them.

Later that same evening, Chris and I joined with Jeremy, Julie, Patrick, and Tina at Jeremy's house for an impromptu gathering. There were also some dogs involved as well. It was fun to meet together on a Tuesday evening and share the news of the day. What else are we going to do on a beautiful summer evening? 

I was honored by the love shown by my entire family, even those who were not available for the impromptu gathering. 

And now it is Wednesday. Another day full of challenges and opportunities!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Going out in a Blaze of Glory

Radio Flyer Captures the Beginning of the Sunset
July 6, 2018

As the Sun Sets in Tanyard Cove
Radio Flyer
July 6, 2018

Yesterday was a busy day and it was a great day. It began on a local golf course, with Chris and ended as our friends said good-by after an evening of conversation, food, and of course wine.

I took a lot of images of the day's activities and flew Radio Flyer twice at Tanyard Cove in Glen Burnie around Fran and Mary's new house. 

It was fun flying around an active construction site where houses are in all stages of being built. And I will definitely write about that later.

July 6, 2018 Sunset from Route 100 Near BWI

The highlight of the day, however, was the stunning sunset which I captured from its very beginning until completion. 

July 6 2018 Sunset As the Colors Deepen

It was fortuitous that I was not driving because the most breathtaking views of the sunset were from the the road during the drive home.

The sky was ablaze with color and everyone in the vehicle commented on the beauty of the sunset. It has been stiflingly hot and the sunset carried the promise of more moderate temperatures, like those we are experiencing this morning. 

Sunset from the Road on Route 100 Maryland
July 6, 2018

I admit that I probably took too many images of the sunset. It was just that unique. 

Trees Silhouetted by the Sunset
July 6, 2018 

The beauty caught my eye and I was in a position to just enjoy the artist's work in the sky at the end of the day. And it was a beautiful ending. Most of the day was cloudy and damp with occasional rain showers to ensure the humidity remained at uncomfortably high levels. 

The sunset, however, provided the much needed  exclamation point that ushered the day away with the promise of a new tomorrow. 

Chris and I do not get to enjoy many sunsets like the one last evening. Aside from the infrequent occurrence, our house is located in a low spot surrounded by trees and we do not get to enjoy the expansive vistas that we experienced last evening. 

I am glad that I have the memory and the evidence of a colorful sunset which sent the day out in a blaze of glory.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

5 Day Weekend

A Full Pool from Radio Flyer
July 5, 2018

I am enjoying the middle part of a five-day weekend. With the holiday on Wednesday, it seemed natural to take leave for Thursday and Friday and effectively create a five-day weekend.

Boys Having Fun
July 5, 2018

That of course follows the four-day weekend that I created last week, meaning that I will have worked two days during an eleven day stretch! I call that a great mid-summer holiday. It was needed since our vacation is not until late August.

Yesterday was another hot pool day. 

We had some extra boys around to enjoy the water and it was a wild day. 

I flew Radio Flyer to capture the scene of six boys filling the pool with fun and sounds.

I also put together a short of Ethan taking shots at the basketball hoop in the yard on earlier in the week. I used Radio Flyer to get the video. 

It has been a busy and fun time around the house. 

On tap for the future? Golf! Definitely some golf this morning and again, hopefully, on Sunday. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Here Come the Rains, Again

First Sunrise of Summer before the Rains
June 22, 2018

After a brief respite, the rains have returned with a vengeance. It has been raining for the past two days, again.

It really had put a damper on activities.

Yesterday, I took Radio Flyer our for a quick shot of the dawn under the clouds before the rains started in earnest. I was a bit late getting the colors of the sunrise, but I wanted to document the dawning of summer.

Then it rained!

And it is still raining this morning.

I'm not sure what the day will bring, except more of the rain. We are five inches of rain over normal for the year. Someone postulated yesterday that if it were snow, we would have possibly 60 inches! Ugh. I'm glad it is not snow.

Well, at least summer has arrived. This morning it is a balmy 68 degrees outside with the rain.

In other news, the Orioles won a 15-inning contest last evening and lowered their expected number of losses from 115 to 113! The are 3-2 in their past 5 games!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday Again

The end of the workweek is upon us. Here comes the weekend.

I sometimes call it Aloha Friday and today I will be wearing a new Aloha-type shirt that Chris gave me for Father's Day. It is bright.

The First Evening of Summer
June 21, 2018

Today is also the first full day of summer. I feel robbed of the solstice since we had a fairly heavy cloud cover and I could not celebrate the first sunset of Summer 2018.

Even without a brilliant sunset to record from altitude, I flew Radio Flyer to document the end of the first evening of summer. I wish the images were better, but I had an inflight emergency that I successfully dealt with and saved my drone from loss or destruction. 

Radio Flyer in the Yard during the Winter

The battery lost charge suddenly and I had to make and emergency landing. Fortunately, I found a suitable location that allowed me to successfully recover Radio Flyer. I learned a lot about emergency procedures, but most of all I learned that the screen I use to control the drone becomes clogged with all sorts of warnings that hinder the ability to identify a safe landing location.

In other news . . . 

The Orioles continued losing and remain on pace to lost 115 games this season. The only question I have is whether I should round up or down when dealing with the fractional part of the losses? Is 115.397 really 116 losses? On the good side, they have won 2 of their last 4 games and are playing .500 baseball this week, so far.

Despite the Radio Flyer emergency and the O's loss, I am excited about the beginning of summer. It is, after all, my favorite season of the year.

Bring on the heat, the sun, the sand, and the fun! And palm trees, cue the palm trees!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

End of Year/Retirement #3

The party season continued around the pool last evening as some of the staff from Lime Kiln Middle School gathered to celebrate the end of another school year along with Chris' retirement.

End of Year Party Just Beginning
June 15, 2018

We have held the end of the year party at the house for many years now and I look forward to rubbing shoulders with Chris' co-workers. This year has been especially tough as Chris was moved to a different team and had to learn new curriculum and make new friends in the school. But she did!

The Fire Pit is Lighted as the Day turns to Night

The Party from Above as the Day Ends

She was sitting here this morning with me reflecting upon the night and made the incredibly profound statement, "Well, another chapter is done." Wow. I hope I can keep it together like that when my time comes. There are two half-days remaining and a 22 year career will be complete. 

I launched Radio Flyer on two occasions to help document the event. I did forget to take snap shots of the party goers, I was kinda busy partying.

Most importantly, however, Chris had fun. It was a great evening and some party goers remained until the wee-hours of the morning arrived. 

Or so I am told. I was in bed before then. 

Thank you to all who came and partook of the last Lime Kiln Middle School party to be held around the pool AND to also wish Chris "calm seas and fair winds" as she sails off into retirement. 

And a big thank-you to Patrick and Tina who took care of ensuring that the party-goers were properly lubricated with libations. You were a huge help!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Watching the Polo Match

The Stable and Pitch at King Family Vineyards
from Radio Flyer's Vantage Point
June 10, 2018

I had a new experience this weekend when I attended a polo match. The match was held at King Family Vineyard on Sunday afternoon. It was a sight to see. The ponies and the riders charging along the pitch hitting the ball. There is a whole language associated with polo.

It was fun to watch the ponies run and to see the teams score. I could tell that it takes a lot of skill.

I have to admit, it was breathtaking to see the ponies and riders charging directly at me. It made me wonder if they were really under control. While I do not fully understand the intricacies of the rules, it was a basic game of hit the ball through the goal--complicated by the fact that the players were riding ponies at full gallop!

I did learn that a chukka is a period in polo. Although the rules call for six chukkas in a match, I am pretty sure there were only four in the ones played on Sunday.

It was a fantastic day at the vineyard and we sampled some truly special wines while we were watching the ponies compete. 

Polo Ponies on the Pitch

We were lucky that we left during the second match and were on the road before the torrential rains set in late in the afternoon. Getting out of the vineyard in the narrow road was probably a nightmare.

Departing when we chose was a good call.

And now I have experienced polo firsthand and I understand the attraction, of course, having a vineyard serving wine constantly while watching the match is not a bad thing either! The two go together very well: polo and wine.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Weekend with friends

Out for a Walk as Viewed by Radio Flyer
June 10, 2018

Chris and I are spending the weekend in the Charlottesville area with friends. The weather has been fantastic, so far, and today we are at King Family Vineyards for a polo match.

What could be better than drinking wine and watching horses play? It has been an exciting past few days with the Stanley Cup being won by the Capitals, the Warriors sweep, and a triple crown winner. Wow.

Even though the weather threatens, we are ready for the horses to run on the pitch.

And drink some wine.

— Bob Doan, writing from Roseland Farm, VA