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

An Exciting Opportunity

I am so pumped because I am going to be a judge at the 65th Annual State Science Day at St. John Arena! I loved the science fair when I was in school. The most memorable fair was when I was in 8th grade at St. Philip, the year my science teacher, Miss Chapin, reluctantly sent me on to the state science fair. I think she believed my project on prisms was too simple for the state competition. Imagine her surprise when my project received a "Superior" award! A childish vanity has that report and ribbon stowed safely away  in a box in the basement.

Can't wait to meet the clever young people at this year's state science day!

On a Mission to Learn about Urban Missions

11:36 p.m. -- It was an inspiring day. Very cool seeing so many folks from across the state (and some from outside of Ohio) gathered together at the all-day conference (see earlier post below), which was sponsored by Christian Community Development and City Vision. Really enlightening. I think one of the most thought provoking challenges issued by Dr. Bob Lupton was to not do for the poor what they have the capacity to do for themselves. Definitely something to chew on.

The entry below was from earlier 12:36 p.m. today ...
In Cleveland today to learn more about how to be truly impactful in the urban mission/ministry arena. The keynote speaker encourages us to remember we can help best through empowerment - a hand up and not a hand out - planting the seeds for sharing the message of Jesus' love and forgiveness. Sitting in now on a discussion about jobs and workforce.


Pics o' the moment: Opening of the conference at Elizabeth Baptist Church. The second photo is of Dr. Lupton who spoke on his book, Toxic Charity.

Things to Smile about on Rainy Days

I am a slug this morning. The rain, and my golden girl, keep me in my cozy bed. I have read my devotional, said my prayers, and contemplated the day ahead. It is time to get moving, yet here I sit typing. I think, too, that my absence from Bosomundheit has left me with a torrent of creative writing thoughts that are pressing against the floodgates. They will have to wait a little longer.

Until then, I will share some recent photos that bring a smile to my face this rainy day. The first is of my great-niece, sitting in a rocker from her Great Aunt Laura, enjoying a book - a child after my own heart. The second shows some sweet blooming roses given to me by dear friends (sorry about the photo being turned sideways), and the third is a snapshot from a recent evening of service at Jericho's Lightclub where there was good food, fellowship, and music.