Adventures continue...
Living in a new state offers many opportunities to learn and do. We are just completing our first year in Delaware and, as my abundant energy no longer has work to focus on, I am planning events and activities like mad.
We are just beginning to understand what it means to live in a state with an ocean coastline. On Saturday, we went to a training session with MERR, or Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute. We think it should be called MERRI, but hey, no one consulted us. It is one of federally-mandated 'stranding' organizations in the states that border the Atlantic, meaning it is the 'official' organization that deals with the stranding of marine mammals and sea turtles. The website is http://merrinstitute.org/.
The training session was a revelation. What marine mammals are found in the Delaware Bay and the Delaware part of the Atlantic Ocean? Dolphins, porpoises, 6 kinds of sea turtles, humpback whales, finback whales, minke whales. I am not kidding. Plus sand tiger, spiny dogfish, smooth dogfish and sandbar sharks. I feel stupid about how agog I am about the fact that the ocean is the ocean, with all the life in the ocean right here.
So we are going to be part of a stranding event team at some time. We are 'upstate' in Delaware, so will be called for events in the Delaware River rather than the bay or the ocean proper. I am very jazzed about the idea of doing anything involved with MERR. Apparently most events are not helping marine mammals return to the sea, but are perhaps heartbreaking events of ill or dying or dead animals who are necropsied and even buried on the beach.
Another major attraction for me is that we are surrounded with Civil War sites. I went to Harpers Ferry on Sunday and it too was amazing. It's 135 miles from home; not exactly next door, but doable as a day trip. I drove the few miles in Delaware to Maryland, then went through a tiny bit of Virginia to West Virginia, the location of Harpers Ferry. I think of it primarily in connection with John Brown and the Civil War, but it has a long history of strategic importance to the US. It is at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers and in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Very beautiful. A mere 18 miles to the east is the Antietam battlefield. No actual Civil War battles occurred at Harpers Ferry, but it was the site of the largest American surrender until World War II. Confederate soldiers took more than 12,000 Union soldiers into custody in 1862. It was too cool. I then drove back to Frederick and had dinner with Paula Larson at Ayse, a very good Turkish/Lebanese restaurant. It was a happy day.
I suppose that retirement will one day be much quieter, but as long as we have the wherewithal and interest, we have much to explore. Lucky!
Monday, June 9, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Memorial Day, 2014
Having been in New York this week, a New York Times story about the sunset that will line up with the avenues caught my attention. Dear Reader, if you are in New York, go outside at 8:00 and you will be rewarded.
We have had a week of good friends, pouring love over us like warm syrup. Linda came from Michigan on Thursday. Ken was still away in Chicago, so she and I ate at home, then headed out to Longwood Gardens. It was warm and muggy and did not rain on us, so we were happy to wander the pathways and look at the gorgeous late-May flowers. I especially like the fountains. We then went up to Kennett Square and cruised its Woodstock-like streets. We ate dinner at Big Sky Bakery in Wilmington, which is Zingerman's-kind-of-like. Great bread and a fabulous chocolate chip cookie!
Ken was supposed to be home on Thursday night, but got stuck due to weather. Linda and I toured Newark and the University of Delaware campus. When Ken finally made it to Delaware, we headed for the beach: Cape Henlopen State Park and Rehoboth. We ate lunch at Homegrown in Newark - a very Ann Arbor-ish kind of place, and then dinner at a nice Turkish place near the boardwalk at Rehoboth. We power-waded at Cape Henlopen. The water was in the low 70s and people were in the water, but wegot wet below our knees. On our way home, we went to the beach at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, thinking we could be part of the community that rights horseshoe crabs during their mating season. We were either too late or just in the wrong place, as there were no horseshoe crabs to turn. However, there were three men fishing from the beach and we wondered, 'how's the fishing'? 'Not bad', they replied. 'We caught two small sand sharks'. Really? We looked into their cooler and there were two small sharks, resting in their own blood. That sent me to google sharks in Delaware and lo and behold, Dear Reader, but there are six kinds of sharks in these waters, including the Common Hammerhead. Will wonders never cease? The statistics on shark attacks and fatalities, however, indicate that in the last 152 years, there have been 3 attacks in Delaware and no fatalities. But I plan on swimming in these waters this summer and as they say, you cannot uncork the bottle, and now I know that there are sharks in the water. Just think about it, Hammerheads!
On Saturday, we headed west and south to Baltimore, where we had lunch with Deb and Casey. Deb turned 60 yesterday, so she was in celebration mode. We reviewed the school year just ended and had a lively conversation about rape on campus. We left and went further west to Butterfly Lane to see Bud, Paula, Karen, Jim, Erin, Stephen, Ian and Barbara! Dinner was at that bastion of culinary delights, the Elks Club. Not a friendly place for the vegetarian, but the company was prime.
Linda left early Sunday morning. I went to the pool, and we tinkered around with two more stepping stones. What I learned: draw the pattern you want on the stepping stones before actually applying, in this case, the marbles. Also, the cement pigment doesn't seem to have made much of a difference. We are going to try cement paint next. Ideas: 1) Jack, Mark and Luke handprints and dates; 2) Ken and Jackie handprints; 3) score and pain like a checkerboard. We already have 1) shells; 2) marbles; 3) marbles. Now we need 9 more ideas, as we figure we need 15 stepping stones.
On Monday, we went to the pool, then headed for Long Island. Ken worked in Hauppauge Tuesday and Wednesday. We went down to Long Beach, which has a reconstructed boardwalk (after the destruction of Sandy) and charges $12 a head to get onto the beach. We went into Manhattan on LLR and met Kate for dinner. She is living in Brooklyn and will start work next week at a women's health research unit in lower Manhattan for the summer. Unfortunately, Hoomoos Asli was closed, so we ended up at Mexican Radio and then walked around a bit.
I wandered Manhattan on Tuesday, eating too much but walking a lot. I shopped some. Ken came back to the hotel and we met Deb, Casey and some of Deb's student affairs friends on the 54th floor of a hotel in mid-town. The view was fantastic. We then went to see "Violet," a show at a theater on 42nd Street. It won us both over in the end, but I have to say it was one of those shows with too many big numbers and a sound system that was unconducive to hearing words.
Wednesday was actually Deb's birthday. Ken went to work and I met Deb and Casey in Chelsea Market and had a late breakfast at a new place there. I then went to see "Fading Gigolo," which was preposterous, and I agreed with some reviews that called it 'vulgar', but John Turturro is always interesting to watch. He's a grad of SUNY New Paltz. I also liked seeing Tonya Pinkins in a small but choice role.
By the time Ken left Hauppauge, the rush hour traffic was in full bloom. Our original plan was to meet at Newark Penn Station, but after waiting there for a bit and talking to him, I took NJT to Trenton. The timing was perfect, as he was there to pick me up in 10 minutes. We headed for home and arrived, after a dinner stop, about 9:30.
The weather in Newark is cool and overcast today, but it did not actually rain. When I went to the pool, air temp was 60 and water temp was maybe 76, so it was a chilly swim. But, like all swims, perfect in every way.
We have had a week of good friends, pouring love over us like warm syrup. Linda came from Michigan on Thursday. Ken was still away in Chicago, so she and I ate at home, then headed out to Longwood Gardens. It was warm and muggy and did not rain on us, so we were happy to wander the pathways and look at the gorgeous late-May flowers. I especially like the fountains. We then went up to Kennett Square and cruised its Woodstock-like streets. We ate dinner at Big Sky Bakery in Wilmington, which is Zingerman's-kind-of-like. Great bread and a fabulous chocolate chip cookie!
Ken was supposed to be home on Thursday night, but got stuck due to weather. Linda and I toured Newark and the University of Delaware campus. When Ken finally made it to Delaware, we headed for the beach: Cape Henlopen State Park and Rehoboth. We ate lunch at Homegrown in Newark - a very Ann Arbor-ish kind of place, and then dinner at a nice Turkish place near the boardwalk at Rehoboth. We power-waded at Cape Henlopen. The water was in the low 70s and people were in the water, but wegot wet below our knees. On our way home, we went to the beach at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, thinking we could be part of the community that rights horseshoe crabs during their mating season. We were either too late or just in the wrong place, as there were no horseshoe crabs to turn. However, there were three men fishing from the beach and we wondered, 'how's the fishing'? 'Not bad', they replied. 'We caught two small sand sharks'. Really? We looked into their cooler and there were two small sharks, resting in their own blood. That sent me to google sharks in Delaware and lo and behold, Dear Reader, but there are six kinds of sharks in these waters, including the Common Hammerhead. Will wonders never cease? The statistics on shark attacks and fatalities, however, indicate that in the last 152 years, there have been 3 attacks in Delaware and no fatalities. But I plan on swimming in these waters this summer and as they say, you cannot uncork the bottle, and now I know that there are sharks in the water. Just think about it, Hammerheads!
On Saturday, we headed west and south to Baltimore, where we had lunch with Deb and Casey. Deb turned 60 yesterday, so she was in celebration mode. We reviewed the school year just ended and had a lively conversation about rape on campus. We left and went further west to Butterfly Lane to see Bud, Paula, Karen, Jim, Erin, Stephen, Ian and Barbara! Dinner was at that bastion of culinary delights, the Elks Club. Not a friendly place for the vegetarian, but the company was prime.
Linda left early Sunday morning. I went to the pool, and we tinkered around with two more stepping stones. What I learned: draw the pattern you want on the stepping stones before actually applying, in this case, the marbles. Also, the cement pigment doesn't seem to have made much of a difference. We are going to try cement paint next. Ideas: 1) Jack, Mark and Luke handprints and dates; 2) Ken and Jackie handprints; 3) score and pain like a checkerboard. We already have 1) shells; 2) marbles; 3) marbles. Now we need 9 more ideas, as we figure we need 15 stepping stones.
On Monday, we went to the pool, then headed for Long Island. Ken worked in Hauppauge Tuesday and Wednesday. We went down to Long Beach, which has a reconstructed boardwalk (after the destruction of Sandy) and charges $12 a head to get onto the beach. We went into Manhattan on LLR and met Kate for dinner. She is living in Brooklyn and will start work next week at a women's health research unit in lower Manhattan for the summer. Unfortunately, Hoomoos Asli was closed, so we ended up at Mexican Radio and then walked around a bit.
I wandered Manhattan on Tuesday, eating too much but walking a lot. I shopped some. Ken came back to the hotel and we met Deb, Casey and some of Deb's student affairs friends on the 54th floor of a hotel in mid-town. The view was fantastic. We then went to see "Violet," a show at a theater on 42nd Street. It won us both over in the end, but I have to say it was one of those shows with too many big numbers and a sound system that was unconducive to hearing words.
Wednesday was actually Deb's birthday. Ken went to work and I met Deb and Casey in Chelsea Market and had a late breakfast at a new place there. I then went to see "Fading Gigolo," which was preposterous, and I agreed with some reviews that called it 'vulgar', but John Turturro is always interesting to watch. He's a grad of SUNY New Paltz. I also liked seeing Tonya Pinkins in a small but choice role.
By the time Ken left Hauppauge, the rush hour traffic was in full bloom. Our original plan was to meet at Newark Penn Station, but after waiting there for a bit and talking to him, I took NJT to Trenton. The timing was perfect, as he was there to pick me up in 10 minutes. We headed for home and arrived, after a dinner stop, about 9:30.
The weather in Newark is cool and overcast today, but it did not actually rain. When I went to the pool, air temp was 60 and water temp was maybe 76, so it was a chilly swim. But, like all swims, perfect in every way.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Post Dessert Party
Hello dear readers. Ken and I and our lovely party attendees know today that we indulged properly on 2010 Valentine's Day! Here's a little accounting:
- Chocolate espresso fudge cake - really wonderful
- Chocolate chip peanut butter cake - remains will go to Records & Registration today
- Triple chocolate pumpkin pie - ho hum
- Chocolate pudding pie with whipped cream (aka fire) - untouched, it went home with Carly.
- Apple pie - A++
- Lemon bars - very lemon-y
- Large & luscious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies - A++
- Deep dark chocolate fudge cookies - A
- Chocolate chip cookies - A+++
- Fudgy brownies - brownies were not a major hit
- Salted fudge brownies
- Supernatural brownies
- Fruit crisps - just did not go
Apple/Cherry
Cranberry/Apple
Blueberry/Raspberry - Ice cream - Stewart's & Soy
- Fruit - mixed
- Cupcakes brought by Carly
- Chocolate chip pie brought by Wilma
For the future:
1 batch of cookies will be sufficient
1 batch of brownies at most
1 crisp
1 marquee cake
Apple pie always a favorite
The cheese brought by Shelly was a hit
Mostly regular coffee
For the present: lots of cookies and brownies need a home
So now we are post Ken's birthday, post Valentine's Day and on the lip of Lent. Can spring be far behind?
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Dessert Party
Happy Valentine's Day - a day early. We are having our even-year-dessert party on Valentine's Day, celebrating love with much chocolate. And fruit, don't forget the fruit. Here is the list:
- Chocolate espresso fudge cake
- Chocolate chip peanut butter cake
- Triple chocolate pumpkin pie
- Chocolate pudding pie with whipped cream (aka fire)
- Apple pie
- Lemon bars
- Large & luscious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
- Deep dark chocolate fudge cookies
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Fudgy brownies
- Salted fudge brownies
- Supernatural brownies
- Fruit crisps
Apple
Cherry
Cranberry
Blueberry - Ice cream
Stewart's
Soy - Fruit - mixed
Our recipe sources:
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman (our new food bible)
Vegan Express by Nava Atlas (a local woman, she got a master's from SUNY New Paltz)
Death by Chocolate by Marcel Desaulniers (given to me by Candace Vancko after our first party in 2007)
Various things clipped from the New York Times and magazines, including the Thanksgiving issue of the Martha Stewart magazine, seen at TresOlay, my salon in New Paltz.
Our food sources:
Local as much as possible. Flour and oatmeal from Wild Hive (://www.wildhivefarm.com/), local and close. Ice cream from Stewart's (made near Albany). Eggs from Farm and Granary (farmandgranary@gmail.com), local and close. Organic chocolate. Unsalted butter made as close to the Hudson Valley as possible. Apples, blueberries and cherries frozen from the local harvest last fall.
Already stored in the garage: cookies and brownies. To come today: everything else.
Excess on the way!
Monday, January 25, 2010
The real new year...
The spring semester begins today, which means 2010 is really underway. For my readers in the higher education biz, happy new year!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year
Well, 2010. It even resists the keystrokes. How often will we write 2009? Or 2020? Or 2001? What will we call it? Two Thousand and Ten? Twenty Ten? Two Thousand Ten? Ten? We'll have to wait and see, eh?
We celebrated the new year with friends and it was perfect. Dinner with Bud and Millie, with Paula's lasagna and Barbara's apple pie! Oh heavenly. The luxury of good friends. Barbara and Tom came over to our B&B in Frederick and we talked and exchanged gifts. Ken and I were sound asleep at the turn of the decade/year.
We then drove to Deb and Greg, having breakfast with them and Casey and a slew of her friends, who had had a New Year's sleep-over. Amid memories of Casey on the volleyball gym floor in Ann Arbor all those years ago, we toasted the new year and promised to see each other more often. I will see Deb and Greg later in January, so we're getting a good start on that resolution.
Then on to New York City, and a Broadway show and a movie. It was cold, but festive in the city. We oh-ed and awe-d at the tree in Rockefeller Center and watched the skaters in Bryant Park. We saw "In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play," which is about exactly what the title suggests. It was written by Sarah Ruhl, and was definitely from a woman's point of view. Movies today. Ken saw the Sherlock Holmes movie and I saw the Tom Ford movie, "A Single Man." Very painterly. We saw "Invictus" on Wednesday night, so that makes four movies so far this season. I have ambitions for more.
We came home from the city late this afternoon to a very cold house: the motor that moves hot water throughout the house was burned out. Let's hear it for small towns - the fix-it man was here within two hours and the hot water is circulating as I write.
A new year and a new decade - I hope for the best for all of us.
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