Outdoor Living

It finally happened this year.

Martha Stewart Lily Bay Outdoor Living

We found an outdoor living suite which we both agreed upon and in a moment of insanity or lucidity, we purchased the outdoor living furniture of our dreams to install under the deck next to our beloved, albeit underused, tiki bar.

As some know, it arrived yesterday at the house, unannounced, in three huge boxes which I needed to zip home and get out of the rain. Yes it is outdoor furniture so that dampness should not be a problem, but I hate playing with wet Chinese cardboard. Yes, it was made in and shipped from China.

The area looks fantastic and if we can keep the mosquitoes away long enough to actually enjoy sitting out there when the temperatures finally begin to stabilize somewhere above 75 degrees, I can imagine bottles of wine consumed with friends under the dancing light from the tiki torches as the evening falls and the bats begin playing in the air above the open space the is the pool.

It was too cold last evening to enjoy the newness for more than just a few minutes.

But my mind was full of visions of the future and the pool is open. All that is missing is--warmth!

But summer is coming! At least that is what the calendar says and we are ready for its arrival a bit more each day.

Cindy's on a Tuesday Night

The local hang out in Elkridge, MD is the soft serve ice cream shop--Cindy's.

On warm summer evenings the lines can stretch to the street as the locals stand in line to get some ice cream or other frozen treat.

Last evening, Chris and I decided to make one of our infrequent visits to Cindy's along with the ever faithful Makayla.

The evening was warm--but not hot. Low humidity and of course the mosquitoes were not yet biting too badly.

It was busy--but not mobbed. I was amazed at how many young people there were--but Chris reminded me that the local school does not start classes until 9:30 AM.

The servings are ample and the prices fair.

We have been enjoying Cindy's for many years now and the opening of Cindy's in April is an event not to be missed. The closing in October is always sad as it precedes the coming winter.

But for now--Cindy's' is open and it is the place to be in Elkridge on a warm evening.

The kids were amazed at Makayla's fur last evening as they played and alternatively came over to enjoy her. And she them.

It is a sign that the season is changing from cold to warm. I was attired in shorts, sandals and a tee shirt--good mid-summer fare even though it is only May.

Cindy's--we enjoy it. And we can hang out with the other residents of Elkridge and enjoy a soft serve ice cream without the hassle.

Springtime Azalea

The flowers are out all over the area. Currently, it is the annual blossoming of the azaleas which is stealing the visual display around the area. The red, pink and white flowers are so pure in color and so full on the bushes that they look like brightly colored snow cones in the yards.

Mine are not large, but they do provide that splash of pizazz in the yard.

I have been fascinated by the size of the blooms and their pure white appearance.

All through the summer, I forget how beautiful they are during the springtime--but every year they remind me.

My white bush is just beautiful.

My red bush is just full of color sitting next to the already growing large hostas on the north side of the house.

I only wish they stayed in bloom all of the summer--the color is stunning!

And I am enjoying them every day.

Thoughts of the Day - May 2, 2011 The Day After a Terrorist is Dispatched

Minutes later, more word came over the transom. "We've IDed Geronimo," said a disembodied voice, using the agreed-upon code name for America's most wanted enemy, Osama bin Laden. Word then came that Geronimo had been killed.  Time Magazine

And with those words--a ten year effort to eradicate the mastermind of 9/11 was concluded.

Said the president: "I think we can all agree this is a good day for America."  The Guardian

The woman who bin Laden tried to use as a human shield was killed in the U.S. raid, Brennan said. Whether she shielded him willingly is not known.   ABC News

What a brave terrorist! Afraid to face the sentence he exacted upon so many people who died far braver that he did.

"Thinking about that from a visual perspective, here is bin Laden, who has been calling for these attacks, living in this million-dollar-plus compound; living in an area that is far removed from the front; hiding behind women who were put in front of him as a shield," Brennan told reporters. "I think it really just speaks to just how false his narrative has been over the years."  Channel 4 Nashville

And then the Toby Keith song: Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue

Hey, Uncle Sam put your name
At the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty
Started shaking her fist
And the eagle will fly
And it's going to be hell
When you hear Mother Freedom
Start ringing her bell
And it will feel like the whole wide world
Is raining down on you
Brought to you courtesy
Of the Red, White and Blue

Oh, justice will be served
And the battle will rage
This big dog will fight
When you rattle his cage
You'll be sorry that you messed
With the U.S. of A.
Cause we'll put a boot in your ass
It's the American way


Or maybe a bullet in your head!

Monday Musings - May 2, 2011

1. Yesterday was May Day -- a holiday in much of the world which Americans do not celebrate, yet!

2. When I went to bed last night, I had no idea what a band of brave American special forces had been doing earlier in the day. I was awakened about 10:30 PM to the sound of the telephone and Patrick telling me to turn on the TV because the President was going to make an announcement that Osama Bin Laden was dead. About an hour later--he did in fact announce the demise of the mastermind of 9/11.

3. As I watch the news about the death of Bin Laden--I am amazed at the spontaneous demonstrations that occurred across the United States--he is, after all, perhaps the most hunted criminal in the history of the United States.

4. We planted our herb garden yesterday, dodging raindrops to get the plants into the ground.  But, we got the plants planted as are anticipating fresh herbs very soon.

5. As we sat out by the pool Saturday evening with the grandsons, both Chris and I remarked on how great the area looks with the pool open as opposed to closed. Even though we have not been in it yet--the promise of fun in the sun is powerful.

6. Amazingly, the Orioles have climbed back to .500 at 13-13 and remain within striking distance of the hated Yankees. Even better--we are third in the AL East--crawling out of the cellar during the weekend.

7. The swing-set got its first workout, the boys played on it for all of about 15 minutes the other day. I've spent more time than that disassembling and reassembling it--not to mention transporting it.

8. It is going to be a cool and rainy week--a good week for indoor activities.

Dynamic Duo Create Memorable House Concert Evening

Jill Sobule at Cellar Music

Friday evening, Cellar Music presented a formidable one-two punch of singer-song writers Ellen Cherry and Jill Sobule in what proved to be an enjoyable evening of music, wine and camaraderie. The venue continues to be an excellent and intimate place to enjoy music.

The crowd on Friday night was really into the music and allowed the performers to really highlight their abilities and their work. Both of the song writer-performers interacted well with the crowd and the closeness of the setting highlighted the well developed talents of both performers.

The wine, other drinks and the munchies that everyone brought also make this venue as spectacular place to interact with singer-songwriters. It is clear why the home concert venue is a superior place to support the arts--it is an enjoyable experience, not at all like being crammed into a stadium designed for sports activities and then trying to enjoy a performance at binocular range. Being able to interact with the performers on a personal level is what makes it all work.

ellen cherry

Ellen Cherry was a true surprise and a joy. She was the opening act of the evening and performed a single set of her own music. She has a clear, strong voice and her guitar work compliments her song style. Her music is very deep, and she touts the historical themes in her music which make her songs very meaningful and at times poignant.

Her guitar work was easy and smooth. The stories she told about each of her songs provided a great introduction to the songs--and her vocal work did not disappoint. I enjoyed her clear, strong voice coupled with her direct interaction with the crowd. She was a pleasure to meet and her music and personality fit very well into the house concert format.


Jill Sobule, the main act of the evening, performed two sets and demonstrated an innate ability to interact with the people at the concert. She has an easy personality which comes through in her music. Probably the highlights of the evening were the times when she got the crowd to sing along--even on songs that until she performed them, were unfamiliar to everyone.

Jill Sobule

Jill has a great sense of humor and her music reflects her unique perspective on the world. Her style is real--strong and self-assured. She interacted well with the people assembled to hear her music. She covered one song that she used to get the crowd singing along with her--and it worked very well as nearly everyone sang along with her. I think she truly enjoyed the response her music received from the crowd and she continued to make the evening an interactive experience through nearly every one of her songs.

Her songs speak to the pain and trouble she has experienced in her life. Her broken heart and the scars that she carries. She expresses her feelings in a sarcasm that while designed to make people smile or even laugh, but is is a thin veil for deeper hurt hidden in the song lyrics.

A great evening and a big thanks go to the hosts--Cellar Music--keep them coming, this was by far the best one yet.

Pool is Open

Pool opening day has been a success. The pool is open and in a week or so I will be ready for some serious swimming.

Saturday--Pool Opening Day 2011

It is pool opening Saturday--something I forecast back in January, but almost decided to delay a week or two into May.

The weather is scheduled to be awesome.

The pump is already assembled and ops checked.

The water is clear and the desire is there.

Are you ready for some clear, cold water?

I certainly am. But unless the cover gets off the pool it is not going to get any warmer.

The opening of the pool ushers in the summertime season for all of us. It provides a true escape from the hastle of everyday life and I know the thought of falling into the pool after an especially log day at work often is the driving force for getting me successfully through the day.

Asleep on a floatie, a beer in my hand, baking in the afternoon sun.

Can it possibly get better than that?

BTW--today is the last day of April 2011. The year is 120 days old already. Where did it go?

Storms

The past few days have seen some terrible weather across the eastern half of the United States.

I work with people who are keeping tabs on loved ones and friends in the south--specifically Alabama; and I also found out that a rare tornado hit in my hometown in upstate NY destroying the house of a family friend.

These are the times when the best of people come out.

The sense of community and caring for those who suffer loss.

I watched the news the other night from Missouri where the flooding is occurring--and thought of my sister who lives there--wondering how the flooding was affecting her.

The news is bad.

Wednesday evening we watched the news as it was tracking possible tornado laden storms across our area--within miles of Nicole and Mike's house.

We prayed then. We pray now.

And we offer assistance to those who are hardest hit by the severe weather.

Weather is one of those things that transcends life and places in perspective our daily work--it can all be changed in so short a time.

So help those who are afflicted by the severe weather--be it wind or flood or earthquake or tsunami.

Be a commmunity united to help .

Birthers Fuss and Lose

President Obama released his birth certificate yesterday.

He was trying to hope the fuss would draw down and that no one would be unduly embarassed. But the fanatics wouldn't back down even in view of all of the evidence against their position.

They should have.

I like this quote for why he released the copy of the birth certificate:

"The president believed the distraction over his birth certificate wasn't good for the country," Pfeiffer said. "It may have been good politics and good (television), but it was bad for the American people and distracting from the many challenges we face as a country," according to CNN.

It was an issue with no possible happuy ending--except if the challengers has politely withdrawn before having the hard evidence used against them like a sludge hammer.

But alas--people will believe almost anything if they want it to be true.

I'm told some people believe the world is flat--because they clearly cannot see the curve on the horizon.

And the moon is made of green cheese, too.

And donkey's fly.

And Donald Trump has a chance of being president after making the following assertion: "Donald Trump recently seized on the issue, saying he had doubts about Obama's background." again according to CNN.

What a great way to invite the opponent in for a meal--

said the spider to the fly!