Photo Snippets

200-plus year old garden pavers

I don't want too much time to pass before I post something about the trip to Mount Vernon/Alexandria, VA, so here are some snippets. Again, the overcast skies were not ideal, but the sincerity and warmth of the people I was with acted like umbrellas that kept the damp from ruining a weekend of fun and exploration.

There was much to be in awe of at Mount Vernon, from the views of the Potomac from the big front porch and elaborate (yet practical) gardens to the amazing library and giant cooking hearth inside the house. But oddly enough, my favorite thing was walking up and touching trees that were planted under Washington's direction and continue to thrive on the grounds today (see photos below). I also thought it was cool to walk along pavers in the vegetable garden that were laid during Washington's time. According to Dean Horton, our tour guide the Director of Horticulture at Mount Vernon, most of the trees on the estate were no more than 15 feet tall when Washington died. Today, there are trees that tower at least 140 feet!

I could get used to that view!

After the gardens and the house tours, we had free time to roam the grounds. So, a group of us marched down to see the Washingtons' burial tombs and some of the less structured areas of the estate.

I find it amazing that the house and estate are owned and maintained by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. I guess I'd always assumed it was all owned and managed by the feds. Glad to know I was wrong. Thank you, Ann Pamela Cunningham, founder of the association in 1853.

On the Road Again

We've left Alexandria are headed back to Ohio. While the weather was not as pleasant as I would have liked the company more than made up for the gray skies. As Karen Kasich said at the start of the trip, "This isn't just a fundraiser, it's a friendraiser." That proved prophetic as I feel I will end this trip with several new friends, some of whom I know I will stay in touch with. 

As for details of the trip and accompanying photos, those will come once I have more than my iPhone upon which to write!:)

Quick Post

Really, really tired so just a quick note: got into Alexandria at 5:15, but it took another half hour to get to the hotel. Staying at the Westin - tres nice. Below are some selected pix from the drive - hence not super crisp images.The first is of the mountains through Virginia. The second is of the Potomac River and the third shows the Washington Monument surrounded by scaffolding. More to come. 

I am b-e-a-t.

Going to See George

Our coach bus left the Ohio Historical Society at 8:45 this morning bound for Alexandria, VA and a weekend spent touring George Washington's Mount Vernon. This is a fundraiser for the Governor's Residence and Heritage Garden. There are about 35 of us on the bus, including Ohio's First Lady Karen Kasich and her twin daughters. 

We will stop in Morgantown, WV for lunch at the ubiquitous Crackle Barrel and arrive in Alexandria around 5pm. Should be a fun and interesting weekend - I love Colonial America history.

Sent from my iPad

Fabulous Bookends

At the French Field House

Started the day early at OSU's French Field House to serve as a judge for the annual State Science Fair. What a great experience. More than a thousand students from grades 7-12 (and a scattering of 6th graders) presented their projects to judges of all stripes -- I say that because judges ranged in expertise from nephrologists to communications directors! :) And, interestingly enough, grade school sweethearts. Bumped into one of those, someone I hadn't seen in at least 30 years. Life is full of surprises. Every one of the students and their respective projects I had the honor of judging deserved to win. One of my favorites was "Tootsie pop versus blow pop." I forget the student's hypothesis, but one of her findings was that men tended to lick the Tootsie Pops and Blow Pops faster and with shorter 'licks' than the women, whose fewer and longer licks got them to the center of both suckers faster. I have considered several clever quips to insert here, but I think it's better just to leave it alone.

Serving @ Jericho's Light Club.
My sis, Mary Ann along with
Jason and Cindy, all newcomers to JLC

The second half of my Saturday was spent in preparation for serving down at Jericho's Light Club. Sloppy Joe's were the meal du jour, which I made from scratch and were pretty darn good. A nice bonus was my sister Mary Ann being in town for a visit and joining me to serve that evening. It was an awesome night with my sis and having some truly excellent fellowship.

Happy Friday

That is all. Just Happy Friday. I am happy it is the month of May. I am happy warmer temps are upon us. And, I am happy because of this sweet picture of my niece and great-niece. Big smile.

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

Note: I wrote the following post on Saturday (April 28), but lamentably, forgot to hit "publish." Not one to waste words, here is the belated post.

Ah, a beautiful day today -- one that had me up and out early for a Saturday. Met with a group of friends and their kids from home church and went birding up at Highbanks Metropark. We had the great good fortune to have as our leaders John and Martha McCormac and their son Mike -- all three are avid birders and wonderfully patient with a pack of noisy big and little people.
We saw many of Ohio's most common songbirds, some of which are my most favorite such as northern cardinal, white-breasted nuthatch, gold finch, downy woodpecker, blue jay, chickadee, etc. Here are a few more really cool ones:
- rufous-sided towhee
- yellow-rumped warbler
- red-headed woodpecker
- brown thrasher

One of the most animated moments of the field trip came when the kids discovered a pair of water snakes hanging out near a rock just below the surface of a small pond. Even more excitement arose was when they discovered one of the snakes had slithered up on a log to sun itself!

It was good being out on the trail, which gave me a chance not only to exercise my legs, but exercise my limited knowledge of flora and fauna. Made me nostalgic for my former employment. :) Also reminded me that  I lost a couple of seasons last year and I have lots of making up to do in 2013.

Pics o' the Trip