Look where I have been!

It was a quick trip, just overnight, but everyone should go to Niagara Falls! Its an amazing place. I went to visit the Maid of the Mist, who has operated vessels that run right up under the Horseshoe Falls, and they have been doing that since 1846. Amazing that they can learn anything from me after that long. They have an amazing history, and a great collection of memorabilia to tell their story. I even learned about the 7 year old that went over the falls after a boating accident, who was saved by the crew of the Maid, and comes back each year to visit. After you see the falls, you can't believe anyone could survive. And you really see them, since we are standing almost under them on the American side.

Friday, I went to see my Oncologist for my 6 month check up. Clean bill of health again! Coming up on my 2 year anniversary, amazing that it has been two years already.

Saturday Bert and I played a round of golf at our local golf course. First round we have played in about 4 years, and we weren't as bad as we could have been! It was nice that it was cool enough to get out and play, and we will try to get out more often as it starts to cool off, hopefully cools off! We don't need anymore of that 100 degree heat!

We make a quick trip to Orlando

What a big week we had! After enjoying my bachelorette weekend at home, I jumped on a plane on Tuesday and joined Bert in Orlando. A crazy place in August, we felt like we were the only ones without half a dozen crazy kids! We spent some time at the pool, and found a public garden in downtown Orlando that we enjoyed in spite of the heat. We did have it all to ourselves, that's for sure!

We had a couple nice dinners at two of our favorites: an Emeril's restaurant and also House of Blues, which is always good.

Then, on Wednesday morning, we were on our way to Kennedy Space Center for the launch of the Space Shuttle. We did a stint as Astronauts....

isn't it great that we could help out the team that went up in the shuttle!?

We spent all day at the visitors center, saw a great IMAX (even better because it had air conditioning!) and we got to go in to the space shuttle (a retired one, of course). I had always been bitter that the shuttle at the Smithsonian was not open to see the inside, so now I can say "Been there"!

Then, at three o'clock we got on buses and went out to the "VIP" seating. Just use and 5000 other VIP's. Very elite! Luckily, we found some shade for our beach chairs, and settled in for the launch of the shuttle. We knew we were in luck when we heard Johnson Space Center and Kennedy Center talking over the loud speaker, and heard the famous words "Houston is go for launch!" It was all very cool, and in spite of the fact that you are still a long way away, I recommend it for everyone.

When I got home on Thursday morning, it was straight back to work, and then, on Friday, great joy when the heat and humidity broke! Last week, you just couldn't stand to be outside. Bert got home Friday from hims trip. We had a beautiful weekend, and actually enjoyed some outdoor activity, did some gardening and went for a walk.

Having a heat wave!

Hit a 100 today, truly disgusting. I was a Seattleite for too long. When I look out and see grey sky, water moisture hanging in the air, and the occasional raindrop, I still think it should require a sweater and raincoat. Then, you open the door and get hit with hot, wet, sticky air. I don't think I will ever get used to it. Maybe no one should!

Been busy at work, as Congress has been busy nipping on the heels of the Coast Guard. Three hearings in 3 weeks, and each requires a couple trips to DC with preparation, testimoney and follow up.

Bert and I having been working on our house, and been on a couple trips. A friend invited us to a house party in NJ 3 weeks ago. She lives right on a canal on the shore, a couple blocks from the beach. We went the 'long way' getting there, thru Delaware and New Jersey via Philadelphia, took us all day! It was fun til we got stuck in traffic in Wilmington. The next day we had a nice bike ride, through all the crazy houses in her neighborhood. On our drive back we went to Havre de Grace, a little town in Maryland that is very cute, lots of old houses and nice view across the Chesapeake.

Last weekend we went to Luray, in the Shenandoah. Bert sent most of you the pictures of the cave we visited. We went by our property in Luray as well, and had a nice gab with our new neighbors out there. Still wish we could build out there, it so nice there.

We have been doing a little work on our house, but not too much in the heat. But, it looks nice to finish the front of the house, and Bert's window boxes are the perfect addition to the house. It is really nice to open the curtains on the inside, and see the cheery red geraniums outside the window!

On Wednesday, Bert left for Florida, and is having a great time down there fishing. I have been enjoying my time alone, working on some little projects. But, I am flying down Monday to meet Bert and we have tickets to go see the Space Shuttle launch on Wednesday. I am pretty excited to see it, and Bert is REALLY excited. Then I will fly back home, and Bert will fish his way back home. If the launch is delayed again, Bert will stay until it lifts off (within reason!) I don't like having him gone for THAT long. Cross your fingers for me that it won't get delayed again!

Busy since I got back from Seattle!

Wow, the days have been flying by.
As soon as I got home from Seattle, and caught up on my sleep after my awful red-eye home, I went to a busy 2 day meeting that I was the chair of, which didn't help me get rested up.
The next day, Michal and Jason arrived for our vacation. We drove on Saturday to the Eastern shore. I was really worried, 'cause it was cool and raining when we got to the beach, and I was worried we were looking at a visit to the beach for 3 days of rain! We went to Chinquoteque Island, famous for the ponies that live there, and by the time we visited the visitors Center, the sun was making its appearance. Thank Goodness. We were staying at a funny little fisherman's hotel in Quinby, VA. Not exactly on the Conde N'ast list! But it was fine, right on the water, and Quinby was a quiet little town where we rode our bikes, and watched fireflies. Oh, and got eaten by mosquitoes and bitten by black flies! Other than that, it was perfect!
We rented a boat in a little town called Washapreque, and went out to Cedar Island, which is a barrier island, facing the Atlantic on the eastern side. Nobody there, miles of pristine beach, it was great. Michal and I had some serious sunburns, though! When we got back we went to the fireman's Fair in Washapreque, which was really fun. A bad rock band, fair food (deep fried oreos!) Ferris wheel ride and bingo for a quarter. Good small town fun.
Then we were off to Williamsburg (yes, we really like it there) and Jamestown, which is in the middle of the celebration of the 400 anniversary of the founding of the settlement, and the first Americans. Very cool place, amazing museum with lots on costumed interpreters and recreated boats and buildings. The morning of the 4Th we were up and out early, arriving at Mt. Vernon before the crowds, and we were able to tour the house and then go see the encampment of the Continental Army on the grounds. General Washington himself came out and reviewed the troops, introduced the Declaration of Independence and then shared birthday cake with everyone there. A concert band played Sousa marches, and all in all, a great way to kick off the 4th of July. After a quick trip home for a nap, (we were up early) and let the Tornado Warning pass (!) Michal, Jason and I headed down to the National Mall to watch the fireworks. They were spectacular, with great music matched to the booms, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Jason said it was like a tour of American history!
The kids had to go home the next day, but we stayed at the Smithsonian until the last minute, and their trip was packed almost every minute they were here (except for that nap on the 4th).

I will have to get some photos to add, so that next year you will all want to come see the fireworks for yourself!

Bike Riding

Bert and I discovered that the main road through Rock Creek Park is closed to cars every Saturday and Sunday. Who knew that this really nice, quiet park is in the middle of the big city. Washington DC is always a surprise!

sitting in an airport, again!

Well, at least Portland has wireless connections. So, what better opportunity to update my blog.

Arrived for my flight home from the NW to discover that United is screwed up again! What else is new? At least I am not sleeping over in some place half way home, as many of my fellow travelers are, I will get home to DC at almost the same time I would have gotten home, after a loverly 11:30 PM flight to Chicago.

Had a really nice trip to Seattle to see Rachel and Michal, with Mom, mom-in-law, cousin and sister taging along. Great strides forward in the planning of the BIG EVENT in September! It was 3 days of all girl fun. Michael and Jason were nice enough to put up with us for short bursts, and made a really nice BBQ for all the ladies on Saturday. Even the rain held off until Sunday.

Snuck off to see some of you at a Clipperette wedding Saturday night. So fun to see everyone, and a special surprise to see Kelly.


On Memorial Day weekend, during my long 'no blogging' stretch, Bert and I took the Camero and made this great get away to Longwood Gardens, North of Wilmington, Delaware. I didn't want to leave out this great trip. A perfect get away for us, and its good that it isn't far, because there is no way to see all 1100 acres in 1 weekend. The photo is only a small part of the 4 1/2 acres that are in greenhouses at the garden.
If you ever have a chance, be sure to go here! Amazing.

I had to break in!

I kept telling blogspot that I knew my password, and finally tonight we agreed that I was right! So, here I am.

Now I have to remember everything I have been doing for over a month.

Right after my last entry I went to Chicago. I thought it was a great city. I had such a good time. I went there for the Harbor Safety Conference, but managed to go to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field (awesome) had dinner at the Chicago Yacht Club (very nice) and went on a river tour boat (of course!) that gave us a nice tour of all the great architecture in Chicago.

Came home in time to have Michael with us for a quick stay, which was really nice.

The following week I went on a retreat, Casting for Recovery. Three days of girlie fun, when I learned to fly fish. I even caught a fish! Huge fish!


More later!

I promise to be better

I don't know how a month went by without posting an entry, but sure enough, thats what happened!

The first week of April was busy, with a visit from Mary and from Marianne, both at the same time. Cherry Blossom festival was beautifulI, with warm sunny days, and Bert and the guests had a great time. I flew to Portland, Maine for a meeting, and flew into a big fat snow storm. 14 inches of snow in April; it was just plain wrong. Then by the time I got home, it had gotten cold here, and stayed that way for two more weeks. We got snow for Easter for goodness sakes! I was a quiet holiday, just the two of us, and the snow. by the middle of the month, I was soooo depressed, and sick of the cold.
Then, on the 19th, I drove down to Yorktown, to go to a Coast Guard meeting. When I got up the next morning, it was a beautiful spring day, and it has been pretty dang nice ever since. The drive home from Yorktwon was really nice, thru gorgeous farm land. We got out and worked in the yard that weekend, and even hit a bucket of balls at the driving range.

Work has been busy, but not crazy, and I have been in the office almost all month.

Last Friday Bert and I went down to Wilkesboro, NC, up in the mountains to go to a bluegrass festival that Bert had been hankering to see. It was pretty fun, and we got to see some of our favorite bluegrassers; two full days of music. Then we played tourist on the way back. visited Mt. Airy, home to Andy Griffith, and the 'real life' Mayberry. Cute little town, home to Aunt Bee's cafe! Man, we see the best stuff don't we?
Then we drove up thru Virginia, and went to Lynchburg, VA, home to Thomas Jefferson's other house, Poplar Forest. They said that after Jefferson was President, too many visitors came to see him, so he built this little house. the house was fabulous, and I have asked Bert to build me one just like it!

Now that it is nice again, we will be back to our usual adventuresome selves. I will be sure to keep everyone updated!

We finally got a break, not sure for how long!

After all those weeks, last Wednesday it started to warm up, and yesterday it was 60 degrees! So nice to go out without layers and layers, hat, scarf, mittens!

Traveled to New England last week. It only snowed a little, but man oh man, was it cold. It was a quick trip, visiting Providence RI, Hyannis, Boston, Mystic and Essex CT in 3 days. We don't let grass grow under our feet when we travel, that's for sure.

Got home to find so many birthday cards from all of you! I could not figure out how everyone knew I was having a birthday of some significance! And I was thinking "man, I never remember any ones birthday, how does everyone remember mine!" Then, I found out that my darling daughters had been conspiring with all of you, my friends, and EVERYONE knew it was my birthday. Thank you to all that contributed to my birthday book. It was a huge surprise, and great fun.

On the Sunday before my birthday, Bert had planned a small dinner at our favorite bistro. Unfortunately, about noon, it started to snow. Big fatty flakes that covered everything it nice snow. Not like that horrid ice that piled up two weeks ago. But, it was slippery enough that we stayed home and had a little dinner with just us.

On Tuesday my co-workers surprised me with a party in the office. John even bought a bottle of champagne, and the rest of the day passed in a bit of a fuzz!

We (the PVA staff) spent the last 2 days out in the Shenandoah Valley, at a little inn call the Inn at Narrow Passage. The boss likes to go there, and it is a cozy little inn with a work room that is perfect for our vast staff (10 this year!) to plan our strategy for the coming year. The inn was built in 1786, and when we got out there 8 or so inches of snow decorated the front yard of the inn. Very cute!

So, I hope this is really the end of winter, but I doubt it. Weatherman says it will be 28 again by Wednesday morning. Glad I am leaving for Cincinnati!

Hello from the deep freeze

Well, it doesn't look that cold, but trust me! Every night is around 15 and every day is around 30. We were being so smug when Seattle had snow and we were in shorts. Are we paying for it now. Been cold for about 3 weeks now, and no end in sight. Good thing we got away to Charleston for a while.
Before it got too cold in the garage, Bert did a nice job of building these shelves in our kitchen. They look great and help us with some extra storage. But it is so cold out there now that the Coke I had stored in the garage, which seemed like a good idea at the time, exploded! I am rethinking my storage out there.

January was busy, with a whirlwind trip to Honolulu and Lahaina, and a visit to the Bay Area to see my family. What a great idea it was not to fly 9 hours home on a red eye with a 5 hour time change, and instead break the trip in SF, and stay over with Mom and Dad for the weekend. My brother, sister and cousins all showed up for a visit, and it was gab gab gab!

The trip to Hawaii was short but productive. Its always amazing to step off the plane in Hawaii and remember just how fabulous it really is there. We had meetings with operators in Maui, flew to Honolulu for two days of meetings there, and back at the airport that night!

When I got home, it was a busy 10 days of work and meetings to get ready to go to the convention. Bert and I drove to Charleston, with the car full of fishing gear. It took about 10 hours to get there, because we are easily distracted and stop often. The tool outlet, and the pecan factory store were good distractions though. I was busy once we got there, but we did take time off to visit our friends Charlie and Joann. Their kids are great fun.

Bert tried to get some fishing done, but it was cold, so the last day he gave up and went to the art museum. We headed for home up the coast, and spent the night at Wrightville Beach, NC. We had intended to stay in Myrtle Beach, SC, but when we drove thru we were creeped out by the level of tacky commercial development that we saw. When you are used to NW beaches (ie no one there) Myrtle Beach is an eye opener. I have never seen so many putt putt courses and fake volcanoes! Not that I don't admire a good putt putt course, but not on every block!

The next day we toured the old part of Wilmington, NC and we were going to head out to Cape Hattaras. But the more we thought about it, the more we were worried that we had frozen pipes, or some other catastrophe at home, so we hit the Interstate and headed home. The house was fine, of course, when we got home, and while it is sunny out, dang it is cold. So we have spent the weekend inside. We did go to the movies yesterday, we figured that was a 'warm' activity. Today we are going to go for a ride, since it is supposed to start snowing tomorrow.

Come on Spring!

Hate new software

don't you hate when you have a website you use all the time, and then they update it! Well, Blogspot decided to upgrade, and so I dutifully logged in, and switched to the new "improved" site, and then couldn't get back in again!! Finally changed my password today, and am back to blogging!! The best thing for me is that the new software has spell check, and boy did I need it. But, I didn't have to tell you guys that. And, of course, a week went by while I was trying to figure it all out!

Got my MRI results, talked to both my doctors, and everything A-OK! Whoohoo. I was distressed to learn that my surgeon left me and moved to Dubai! I can't imagine. Good thing we don't need her anymore.

Busy couple weeks at work, and we had a very social weekend last weekend. I had bought Bert tickets to see Ricky Skaggs at our favorite music hall for our anniversary, so last Friday night we went to the show. Its a fun place because you have dinner, and sit at big tables that seat about 12, so you always end up gabbing with the other folks sitting around you. Turned out a bunch of Bert's fly fishing buddies were sitting behind us, so we had a big gab after the show.

Jennifer at work had a birthday party on Saturday, and our friends Mary and Alan drove over from Cincinnati for the party. Bert and I took them out to lunch on Saturday, and then drove around the monuments, and Embassy Row, and down the river to Mt. Vernon. I feel bad telling the Northwesterners this, but it was 75 degrees, and we had a great day together. A nice surprise to see our friends when it was not at a meeting or a convention, and everyone was running around like crazy. The party was fun, Bert was the life of the party, all the girls thought he was cute, and then we ended the party by watching the Seahawks win their game (which was about midnight here on the East coast).

Got crazy cold this week, I think between Saturday and Tuesday the temp. dropped 50 degrees, but by this week, back to almost 70 again. Yesterday we got up and went to the Saturday market in Alexandria, which we are trying to make a habit to buy fresh stuff, but January is pretty quiet. Flowers for a dollar though. We went out to breakfast, and had a very quiet weekend after that. Seahawks lost today, boo. We thought it interesting that it was colder in Seattle than it was in Chicago though.

Tomorrow I am off to Hawaii for 3 days of meetings Then home via the Bay Area for a quick visit with Mom and Dad. Eighty degrees there, and going back down to 20 here!

Happy 2007!

Well, it has been a happy busy holiday season around our little house, emphasis on little!

After 3 trips to the local airports, Rachel, Michal and Michael were all here before the snow in Denver could mess with our holiday. I had some work to do on the Friday before Christmas in New York, so we piled in the car, left Bert to mind the mail box as we were waiting for sausages from Cle Elum to make our holiday complete, along with some last minute presents from the West Coast, and we went to the big apple. We stayed with Rachel's friend Meghan, who goes to school at NYU. and hit the big city Friday night. Dinner in Grenwich Village, and rain or no rain, we jumped on the subway to go to Rockefeller Center.

Well worth the trip and the rain, it was the quintisential Christmas experience. The tree was fabulous, the lights were a delight, and the dancing snowflakes were fascinating. We had so much fun! Then the next morning, we did 5th Avenue shopping. Macy's was an event all by itself. We left Michael and Meghan at the train station, where Michael went to Connecticut, and we went home. It was a quick trip, but great. And it was really great to spend time with Meghan, who we don't get to see enough. And Michael was such a good sport to go shopping with us!

Christmas Eve we went for a visit to our local park, and I made a new friend.

Christmas was a quiet rainy day, spent at home. We had Rachel's friend Jana with us for the holiday, and that was fun. She is from Spokane, but lives in Brooklyn, so has spent two holidays with us, when she can't make it to the West coast. We spoiled each other with great presents, good food and togetherness! And our family spoiled us too with great presents.

I had the fun of a post-Christmas MRI first thing Tuesday morning. Since we don't trust mammograms any more, I will get a MRI every year, six months after my mannogram. Haven't seen the pictures yet, pick them up tomorrow.

In the afternoon, we drove to Southern Maryland, to see the first city in Maryland, settled in 1630. Not quite the trend setters that settled Virginia, but only 23 years later. Its an archiological dig, no Williamsburg, but still a nice trip and an interesting visit. Also stopped at Pt. Lookout, and Solomon Island.

Michael came back on Wednesday, and were we glad to have him back! We all enjoyed a trip to Mt. Vernon. It was a really nice day, sunset was beautiful and the new museum there was great. Bert and I have season passes, so anyone that wants to go, we are ready! We enjoy going when the garden is in bloom, and the spring lambs are running around the estate.

Rachel and Michal left on Friday. We made Michal go with us on Friday to the Building Museum and the national Portrait Gallery. It was a quick trip, Michal was our 'time keeper' and only allowed us two hours there. Have to go back again when it isn't the holiday week, and not so crowded. She really wanted to go to the Capital and see President Ford, but she was overruled!

Michal had to go home on Sunday, and Bert and I proceeded to do nothing from then until now. Got the house back in shape, stored the decorations away for another year, and celebrated the New Year by going to an early movie and getting to bed before midnight. whoohoo! New Years Day was a wet one, we got almost an inch of rain today.

No work tomorrow, thanks to the big funeral in town. 6 month check up with my Oncologist in the afternoon. Will let you know how it goes.

Hope everyone else enjoyed their holiday too! The girls say next year, Christmas is in Seattle....

Thinking of you all, and happy New Year!

No White Christmas for us!

Since it was 70 degrees today, I don't think that we will be getting any snow for Christmas! We have had some cold weather here, down to 24, but then it goes right back to 60 or so.

So, its been a while since my last blog. Kendra tells me that to have a blog, you have to actually put entrys up once in a while!!

We continue to be business, projects every weekend. Add holiday errands, and that results in lack of blog!

We had a great Thanksgiving in Portland, nice to see all the family, and celebrate Bert II's birthday. We did reflect how much better this Thanksgiving was than last one, when I felt so crappy, and Bert had to cook all the meal! Much better this year!

Got home from Portland, and promptly went to LA for a few days for a meeting. Man, was the weather nice there, 80 degrees! Now I am home for a month or so.

I am loving our little house, it still feels nice and cozy, even if it is alittle too cool inside. The insulation folks are coming on Wednesday, and then hopefully we will stop heating air so that it goes right out the attic. We have fun watching the birds in the yard, blue birds, cardinals and all kind of little guys. Today we had a hawk, that was amazing. Getting used to the new commute still; some guys its is BAD, but when it is good, I am at work in about 20 minutes. Nice! Try to go down a different street in Alexandria all the time, because it is so fun to see all the different houses in Old Town. And now they are cuter than ever, with their colonial decorations. Last week our boss took us out for holiday dinner at Gadsby's Tavern, which has been in Alexandria for about 140 years. Perfect for the holiday, candles and fireplace were really nice, even though it was an unseasonable 60 outside. I am sure I sat where Thomas Jefferson sat!

Rachel arrives tomorrow, which I am very excited about! Michael comes Wednesday, and Michal on Thursday, and then we really will have a cozy little house!! Bert says we should hang the christmas tree from the ceiling.

Merry Christmas to all!

Snug as two bugs

Well, there are still lots of boxes in the garage, but I am feeling pretty comfy in our little cottage. We like our new kitchen, which Bert says is the galley. not a kitchen. due to the VERY narrow shape. We still have so many little projects, and every day is still full of hauling boxes and hanging cabinet doors, and there still is no art on the wall and the step outside the door is 2 feet down, but so many more little things. But, dang the floor looks good, doesn't it?
Everything fit in, or didn't fit in, just about the way we planned. Not that I have been here that much. I was in Little Rock, AR this week, Fort Lauderdale last week, and Burlington, VT the week bofore that. Rained in VT, rained in FL but fabulously beautiful in Little Rock. Who knew? We used one of the members boats for our meeting, so you could actually enjoy the nice day, instead of being stuck in a conference room.

So it was really nice to have a 3 day weekend, which ended too soon. Back to work tomorrow, 2 days full of meetings, and then off to Seattle for a week, and then Portland for the holiday.

WHY DO WE DO THESE CRAZY THINGS

Moving always seems like a good idea at the time.........then you have to actually do it!

New carpet went down today, packing tonight, movers coming first thing tomorrow! Bert went fishing, its his big pay back for the last 3 moves, when I went to work, and he moved.

By tomorrow, I will be back where I started here in the apartment...me, a small tv and my air bed! Not sure how so much STUFF got in this apartment in just 3 years.

Next post from the house!

such a bad little blogger!

Things have been moving fast and furious around here, and travel has been hectic, so sorry to be remiss in keeping up.

This is a quick update, promise more later.

House is coming along, moving date set for 28 Oct (hope). Hope to be in the house for Halloween, trick or treat! Looks more trick right now, but coming along. Would be faster, if I would stay in town and help Bert.

6 days in LA, home for a weekend, and 6 days in southern VA. My mom has been here all week, great visit, off tomorrow to the frozen mid-west! If they have the modern conveniences in Wisconsin, will try to blog more while on the road!

busy doing nothing, I think

We certainly have fallen into a routine. Monday thru Friday, go to work. Saturday, I get to sleep in until 8 and then we are off to the Home Depot/Lowes (we try to spread the wealth) and then work until dark. Veg at home in front of the TV and get up on Sunday and do it again. On Sunday, we usually skip the stop at the store, just to vary the day. We had had cool, Seattle-ish weather for the last couple weeks, ever since Ernesto blew thru, but today was summer again. Got some painting done, since it wasn't so damp.

At the house, we have moved into projects that seem more like "finishing" than starting. We are painting and trimming out the living room. Bert got a welder this week that repaired the living room window, so that was good to get that off our 'to do' list where it has been all these months. Now we have a working window, or we will when I get the glass installed in the frame!

We also got rid of the port-a-potty out of the yard. The neighbors graciously said they weren't worried about it, but I know they must have breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't permanant!!!

Our neighbor at the end of the street is turning into one of those neighbors everyone needs. He takes care of our little street, filling pot holes and mowing the grass. Last week he came over just as we were discussing buying a table saw, and he says "I have one in my garage I have never opened". So, today, Bert set up a nice table saw in the garage. Took a few trips to Bernard's to find all the parts, but by the end of the day, we had most of them. Seems that Bernard has a bit of everything in his garages. Yes, more than one was needed apparently.

Will try to post photos later! We might even go buy a hot water heater this week!

got it!

  

I know you were all waiting...

To see our beautiful garage door! Will figure out how to get that silly picture in here later!!

August 23rd anniversaries

This day last year wasn't a very good one for New Orleans, or me. My surgeon called me at lunch with the results of my biopsy one year ago. Way to ruin a good city and a good meal. I am hoping for a much better day this year!

Big day at the house yesterday: the new garage door went up. I haven't seen it yet myself as I was at work, but will post a picture this weekend.

Bert did tell me I was remiss at not posting the picture of me roofing the addition.
Its quite the strangest form of physical therapy, don't you think.

Bert and I had a nice outing a couple weeks ago to the Kenilworth Garden here in DC. The lotus and lilies were in full bloom, and Bert had fun with his new camera. But apparently one visitor was not a fan of the garden, or maybe it was having his picture taken.



Happy almost the last week of summer!