Catching UP!!!!

June, 2014
It has been a year and a half since I last posted on my blog.  Very lax indeed.  So much has happened and that is probably why I haven't ........ just hit the wrong key and wiped out the two paragraphs that I have completed already.  I could really learn to hate this machine if it didn't provide me with so much, i.e. place to save my writings, photos and keep in touch with family and friends via the social network.  So I put up with the quirks.  It's just that when things like this happen and I don't know what I did to make it happen - it makes me a little bit paranoid.

I have been been on this machine since early this morning.  My first task was to print out the message that I typed for my son a month ago in honor of  father's day. He is not a father for real, but he has done his best to help his girlfriend with her son (15 already - was six months old when they started going together).  He would have made a good dad, too bad it is never going to happen.  That's just the way it happens sometimes.

I have organized my photos and saved them to a flash drive to protect them in the event my computer decided to crash or some such thing.  I also saved some of my more important writing projects.  I would not want to recreate them in any way, shape or form.  I enjoy writing and I really have not done enough of it during the past year.  Probably would have felt better if I had filled up my time but putting my fingers to the keyboard and produced words.

I did this because a virus attacked my phone and in order for it to be fixed they had to do a Master Reset-they managed to save my photos and my contacts, but the info in my task and memo folders was erased and had to be recreated, which I did with flying colors.  Buggar!!!!!!  The only thing that I have to do is to put birthdays back on my calendar (already replaced the dr. appointments etc.).  It was my fault that the virus hit my phone - I thought I was doing good but in actuality I did bad.  A message popped up telling me I had three viruses that I needed to handle and that I should click okay to start the cleaning process.  Guess what - clicking on okay is what gave the viruses the go ahead.  I paid for it - took a couple of hours at the AT&T fix-it store in Pikesville to get rid of it.

This past winter did not treat me well.  I was not a happy camper.  I do not like cold and I do not like snow and we had tons of both.  Unfortunately the snowblower gave up the ghost so it was shovel time.  I did get plenty of exercise because of the shoveling.   We had two major storms that if I had my way would have closed down the household until it melted, these were the two times that I was very glad that the neighbor from across the street came over with his snowblower and moved the majority of the snow before we went out to shovel.  God bless neighbors who look out for us.

There have been a lot of storms this spring as well - wind, rain and once or twice there was hail.  The temps are still on the cooler side, but that is going to change this week.  Looks like we have some warm and clear days coming up this week.  They will be greatly appreciated.  Doing my outside projects has not been easy cos it hasn't been dry enough long enough to get them done.  Painting does not like wet.  Still have some weeds around the perimeter of the yard that need to be sprayed, but once again rains reek havoc with that as well.  I am actually hoping that we are almost past this stuff.

I have not been very faithful with my exercise routines.  Haven't been to the gym in months.  In fact, I am not even sure that the  gym is still in the same place.  The jist of the last Facebook post is that it has moved.  I am going on a hunt tomorrow to see if I can find it - I really need to get back into a routine.  I have gained a few of my lost pounds back - more due to inactivity than eating too much because I have managed to maintain my 1200 calorie limit for the day.  Something to be said for that - even if I do say it myself.

Time to think about cutting this off - it is almost dinner time and I am in need of a cup of coffee.  Take care world......hi to anyone who might run across this and take the time to read.  I can get pretty long winded sometimes.

Cancer - A Bump in the Road

Back on December 28, 2011 I started a new phase in my life.  I went for my annual mammogram which resulted in the diagnosis of Cancer.  It was called DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in situ).  It was a stage zero cancer  (doctors told me that if I was destined to get cancer this was the best kind to get) that has been taken care of.  After two surgeries (both lumpectomies)  in February (2nd and 16th) I was put on a cancer medication (will be taking it for five years) and as of the end of March I started a seven week course of radiation treatments.

I knew that the chances of me being diagnosed with cancer at some point in my life was pretty good.  My mother died from the disease.  She let it run its course and did not tell anyone, including the family, until what turned out to be about a month before she succumbed to the disease.  I vowed that if I were to get it that I was going to do everything to fight it.  I am winning the battle.  Surgery removed all traces of the cancer, the medication is keeping any cancer cells from slipping out to the rest of my body and the radiation is making sure that any cells left behind are being, as they put it, "fried".   That sounds so radical.   I guess that it is.

So far things are going great.  No major side effects are showing their ugly head and because of the fact that I was so active before all of this started it is a good chance that many of them will not materialize.  I am just getting back into full swing at the gym.  It has taken a little bit of time, but I am getting there.  I have managed to maintain my weight (I lost 50 pounds last year) so I am very happy about that.  I am ready to start losing the next 50 - then I will be ready to take my dream trip to New Zealand.

$3349 vs. $1269

The above numbers represent prices quoted to me for a new flue for my oil furnace. The first company (which shall remain nameless) came to the house, inspected the flue and told me that it was in very bad shape and the following things needed to be done: a large hole cut in my basement wall so that the terra cotta tiles lining the current flue could be broken up and retrieved; a new 5" stainless steel flue inserted; an insulating material added to the chimney; fix the hole in the basement wall; replace the crown of the chimney and install a new rain cap. All of this was going to cost me $3349.

Sticker shock hit and I called a second company to inspect the flue and give me an estimate. They came, checked things out and quoted me the price of $1269. Why so much difference in the prices I asked. I was told that the first company had added all sorts of procedures to inflate the price. I was so glad that I called the second company (one that I had dealt with in the past and new to be honest). I had my flue repaired that very afternoon and I was given a lifetime warranty on the work as well, something that company number 1 did not offer.

I am so glad that I called company number 2. I had the money to pay both companies but being the "tightwad" that I am I did not want to part with so much money. I am of the opinion that company number 1 thought they saw an easy mark. I may have had blond hair at one time, but I have never been "dumb". Only goes to show that it pays to get a second opinion, someone may be trying to take advantage of you.

Another Fitting Monument

It has been over six years since my husband - Paul John - passed away. Does not seem like it has been that long, but it has.

My husband was cremated and expressed the desire that his ashes be scattered at his "crabbing spot" on the Eastern Shore. This will be done someday, but in the meantime he is resting on a shelf above the television set in the living room.

For the longest time he was in a plain black box, but I decided that I needed to find something more appropriate. After searching I came up with the sea chest (thought that it was a nice homage of the fact that he was in the Navy and his love of the sea) and it has been his home ever since. The "sailor" bear is a Boyd's bear and represents his younger self and the old time seafaring man (hand made by me years ago) is representative of him in his later years.

I tell people that he is with me always - he is sitting on a shelf at home being a part of the family on a daily basis.

Fourth Day of Marvelous Weather and Coming Events

This is the fourth straight day where I have had the windows open and breezes blowing through. It feels good to have fresh air blowing through the house and making everything smell nice. Although it is a little bit on the gloomy side today = a new front is getting ready to move through and is supposed to bring us some rain. Can't complain, it has been awhile since we got some and my plants deserve it. Have been watering them, but they like fresh rain water better.

Watched a squirrel out my window today. He was eating a leisurely lunch and oblivious to the fact that he had an audience. Me and my cat Scooter. She was very interested, but maintained her composure and just decided to watch what was going on.

Today is the first day of summer for Eddie. Yesterday was the last day of school already. Doesn't seem possible the school year is over. Grades, homework assignments and attitudes were all over the place this year. Was just like a roller coaster ride around here - this summer promises to be more of the same, except for homework assignments. Eddie is going to have a very long list of chores to do over the summer and much prompting by his mother is going to be required - going to be interesting.

Next month I will be going to California for a couple of weeks. A week in the mountains and almost a full week at my brother's house in Redding. I am looking forward to it - going to be some driving involved because will be flying in and out of Reno. I hope to see some countryside that I don't normally get to see when I travel to Cali. Pictures will be taken and posted, both here and on FaceBook.

Lots of Things Happened

It has been a few weeks since I wrote on my blog and lots of things have happened in that time. First and foremost I was sick for a few weeks - three weeks in March and two in April. Bronchitis and Sinusitis, the usual spring routine, but this year it lasted much longer than normal. A sign of the times - I had to admit that I am indeed getting older. Notice I just said older, NOT old (that I will never admit to).

Spring came - grass has been mowed twice as of today, wild violets and dandelions are in abundance and the daffodils, tulips and dogwoods in the neighborhood are blooming away. This is the earliest that I have had dandelions in my yard - wonder what that means.

The stink bugs are making their presence known as well. I have done some stuff in the house (caulking hiding spaces and putting up trim boards etc.) and am constantly harping on keeping the doors and windows shut - this makes Terry happy because he has an excuse to turn on the air conditioner (so far only to dehumidify). There is going to be more money spent on Kleenex and water as the bugs are consigned to a watery grave via flushing. The fact that we have had so much rain has not made things fun either. Just when I get psyched about the sunshine it rains. UGH!!!!

Aaron came and did the yard work that needed to be done. He fixed the fence that was demolished by the neighbor's tree falling on it two summers ago. He cut back the bamboo encroaching into my yard (same neighbor). He cleaned up the weeds and vines growing on the fence. He fixed the white lattice fence that hides the trash cans (leaning too far out of line). He is worth the money to get all of these things done.

Now it is my turn to welcome spring - I just wish that I had more energy. I have spring cleaning to do (bedroom and my t.v. room are in really big trouble in that regard) and I have all sorts of projects out front for my flower pots etc. I have a butterfly bush to plant before it decides to "go south" on me and I have flowers to plant to brighten up the front of the house. I am a pot gardener and all my pots are in dire need of some help - new dirt, weeding etc.

I joined a gym just two weeks before I got sick and was just getting into the swing of things - now I have to get back into the groove. Made it through last week and Monday of this week, but still have to make it there today. I guess that as soon as I get off the computer I will go. I actually feel a little bit better after doing my "workout" - not that it is too strenuous, I am just starting to get into the exercise scene and my doctor said okay, as long as I work at it slowly. So slow it is - I have an eventual goal in mind. Not too ambitious - just want to feel better physically and mentally. Gives me order to my life.

Well I have jabbered on for long enough. It is time for me to get ready for the gym. Have a good day.

Winter Is Still Here

Ole Man Winter was not done with us. He blustered through last night and left behind about 5" of snow. Just enough to bring out the foul language that my son reserves for situations that he dislikes. The snow wasn't all that bad, but the ice underneath was the kicker. The driveway and cars are all cleared off and he finally left for work. Going to be a short day for him, but that doesn't bother him (except in his pocketbook).

Hard to believe that a few short days ago we were reveling in springlike weather. The yard was even giving forth a hint of green - new life. Hopes were dashed last night though. I guess that spring will come, it is just going to be later than what Puxatawny Phil (the groundhog) predicted.

I have been amazed by the view out my bedroom window. There is a tree out there that has five or six leaves on a branch. They have been assaulted by every kind of weather this winter (rain, snow, sleet, gale force winds to mention a few) and they are still hanging in there. A great lesson - tenacity is a good thing. Hang in there through thick and thin, good and bad, and you will be rewarded in the end. If those seemingly lifeless leaves can survive all that they have then I can do the same. God works in mysterious ways and gives us messages via the smallest most insignificant way. His wonders will prevail.

My Work Station

This is an antique secretary desk that my mom and dad gave me a long time ago. It is perfect for my laptop and other assorted things. At the moment it is squeezed in between my bed (to the right) and my window to the world (to the left). It is the place where I spend a great deal of my time socializing via electronic means - e-mails, FaceBook and this blog. I also do some writing - it is my way of venting, remembering and stretching my mind.

For a long time this little gem of a workspace sat in my other room - the one that holds my recliner, my television, my PC (which has since died) and my treadmill (3 years old and unused to date - time is coming though because I am losing weight to make walking easier - so far all I have had to do is cut back on my food intake and eat the right things).

When Adrienne visited me this last summer I moved it into the dining room so that we would have a place to set up the laptop so that we could download pics from cameras, set up files to share and put pics on thumbnail drives. It worked out so well that I decided to find a way to squeeze it into my bedroom - I succeeded. After tomorrow it will have even more room. I am putting up my new bed (a full size rather than queen - don't need all that room any more), moving out the cedar chest and putting in a much smaller table to become home for the small printer that I bought to hook up to the laptop. Then my workspace will be complete - fully functional.

I will continue to enjoy the best of all worlds - I can do my writing, listen to my music, watch tv programs that I missed, and keep in touch with my friends all while I keep track of what is going on outside my window (watching the seasons come and go as well as the wildlife that inhabit my yard on a seasonal basis). I can also give the cats back their window perch so they can enjoy the view as well.

Aerialist Show

This is the final result of the trim job done on the two trees in the back corner of my yard. There is so much more sunlight that comes through. Just maybe I will be able to grow some grass back in that corner now that the sun can shine through. I have tried for years to get grass to grow there without any luck. Cross fingers everyone - just maybe Mike will have more grass to mow back there.





This is the final result of having the tree closest to the house trimmed. It was keeping a lot of sun from coming in my bedroom window. This is the tree that I watch squirrels in and the tree that my cats watch the birds in. I love to watch them staring really really intently at their prey and watching their tails flick back and forth. Keeps the cats entertained that's for sure.






This is the chipper - lots of noise, but it was fast at gobbling up the branches that were taken from the trees. It amazed me just how many branches were cut away and how many were still left. They were big branches too.









This was one of the guys up in the tree. A ladder, a rope, a small chain saw and a couple of small hand saws are their tools of the trade. I like the fact that they have chosen to carry on the "old traditions" when it comes to doing their job. So many of them have gone over to the mechanical age and literally won't climb the trees. More fun to watch when bucket trucks are not involved. This is also the tree that they found a hornet's nest. The bugs were stirred up and had to calm down before the job was completed. Don't envy these guys that aspect of the job.


These trees are in the back corner of my yard neatly tucked in between my two sheds and shows just how ragged looking these trees were. They have been there since we bought the house in 1986 and God only knows how long before that. They needed a "haircut" in the worst way. They will be much healthier in the years to come as well.







This is the before shot of the tree next to the house. It to was in dire need of tending to - we had cut on it in the years past, but like a bad haircut ever once in a while you just have to rely on the professionals to do their job to make them look beautiful.








I just wish that I knew how to manipulate the photos better so that they were in the right order. Forgive me, but I am still learning. Once again it was a sheer joy to watch "artists" doing their job.

One more project to be completed (driveway resealed) and I will be done for quite awhile. I have accomplished quite a lot in the three years since I retired - new windows all around, new shutters (handmade by me), gutter guards, tree work done in the front yard, new roof over the back porch, and finally the trim work in the back yard. And people wonder why I have not done any traveling since I retired.

Traveling - my next two projects: California next summer to visit the family and then New Zealand to visit my pen pal two years after that. I can't wait to publish on my blog regarding the travel.

My Crepe Myrtle

This crepe myrtle bush was given to me as a retirement gift by my friend Linda. That was three years ago. It finally decided that it was time to bloom and I must say that it has done a good job. I think that it must have heard my son threatening to dig it up if it did not do something this season.

I am so glad that it listened. She has attracted butterflies galore, which has been an added pleasure. I like watching the wildlife around my home and "flutterbys" are a particular favorite to watch.

The color is called raspberry. It is mostly pink with white on the very edges of each petal. I have tried to take good close up photos of the blossoms, but to no avail. For some reason the white just does not want to show up all that well. Therefore, I must be satisfied with this picture of the full bush, Hopefully it will bloom more and more for many years to come. Thanks to my friend - Linda - for the years of joy that I have to look forward to.

That is the life of a retiree - when a mere flowering bush can create so much excitement and happiness.

Summer Getting Closer and Closer

Soon Spring will be over and Summer will be here. I did not think that it was ever going to happen the way that winter was holding on. We have survived wind, rain and even some early bouts of high temps and high humidity. But here we are....

As I look out my bedroom window I see all of the yardwork that needs to be done in my back yard. Trees are in desperate need of trimming and my fence is disappearing fast into the jungle of plants, vines and trees that belong to my neighbor (this will be taken care of when the trees are trimmed).

I finally managed to get all the weeds pulled in the front yard - now all I have left to do is replace the window well covers and plant flowers in my pots. I am a pot gardener because I can no longer lower myself to the ground comfortably. Once I get down there I have a devil of a time getting back up again. Thus, the reason for the garden seat that I am using this year. Will be working on this project later today after I go out to lunch, which is going to happen very soon.

I am so looking forward to having my yardwork done so that I can sit outside and enjoy my yard when the weather is nice enough. I would like to be able to sit at my picnic table with either a book in hand to read or my computer to write, a nice way to enjoy some of the days of my retirement.

No Round 3

We got very little snow during Round 3. It was a dud, but that is okay. I have seen enough snow this winter to last me for the next ten or so. We have had four times or annual snowfall in one month.

There was a blizzard that hit the northeast (PA, NY, NJ and the like) that was supposed to give us more snow but it did not materialize in my neighborhood. A few flurries and some high wind by that was it. There were a couple of times that I thought the house was going to pull a "dorothy" (Wizard of Oz) and end up in Kansas, but it was just loud and scary. Another storm expected the end of next week, cross fingers and say a prayer that it goes away as well.

My car was a snow hill for two weeks and I have taken advantage of the fact that it has been uncovered for the past week. Running errands, just taking rides and going to Mo's for lunch have been my favorite pastimes the past week. I waited for mother nature to melt snow off the driver's side door, Terry cleaned off the back window and I gunned the engine and drove out from under the remaining foot of snow. It was fun and much easier than having shovel all that crap.

Sunday B4 Round 3

It is Sunday, the sun is shining and the wind is blowing a little bit. You would never know that there is more snow coming. It is going to arrive Monday night and go into Tuesday. The weathermen are calling it a clipper and are saying that it won't be as bad as the last. They are not, however, giving us any idea as to how much snow it is going to drop on us. That fact alone is "scaring" me a little bit.

Some of the snow has melted, but not nearly enough for my taste. My car is still covered up, but I am hoping that it is going to be found today. It has paid dearly as a result of the last two storms - still under snow cover. I don't really think that I can expect it to handle much more without something going wrong. Besides it needs to be moved or it is going to get some flat spots on the tires, which would mean "thump, thump, thump" as I go down the road. The shocks are bearing up so far, but God only knows what would happen if more snow were added to the mix. Wish me luck.

I am hoping to be able to help Terry find my car. I don't know if he is going to allow me to do it. The leg is beginning to feel better, but he worries that I will slip the wrong way or something and put an end to all the good work I have done so far to get it better. I am looking forward to putting my nose out the door and breathing in some fresh air. Will let you know what happens.

Winter White - Part 2

Gizmo (looking out the front door) and Scooter (looking out the window), the family cats, are checking to see just how much snow they are going to have to put up with.


Terry cleared the driveway and found two of the four family cars and cleaned them off. The Saturn and the Suburban remain covered. They will be covered up even more because there is another storm rolling in (arriving Tuesday and ending 31 hours later) which will bury them even deeper. It is going to take a spring thaw for me to find my car.

It should also be noted that there seems to be a third storm heading east that should be getting to us one day this weekend. It was rain in California (caused bad mud slides in the L.A. area), but is probably going to be snow for us (so much colder here). God only knows how much snow that one is going to drop on us. If this keeps up we are going to look out the window and see nothing but white. Spring seems so far away.

I will not see my car until the spring thaw hits us - that is a crying shame. You would think that we live in the far north. I am so glad that this is not the norm for our winters. I guess it was just our turn to be blessed with not so nice weather. We (meaning my family and I) are lucky to be living in the area we do because it is not as bad as it is in other parts of the state.

Ground Hog Day

according the Puxatawny Phil we have six more weeks of winter to go. This is always the case when 2/2 arrives no matter what the shadow says. The past couple of weeks have been something. I have been hampered by pulled muscles in my right leg that have kept me hobbling around the house--so much fun. Hopefully this time around between the ibuprophen, Vicks VapoRub, and muscle relaxers I am going to make it work.

I have been spending my time in the living room watching t.v. and my bedroom cyber socializing. My only connection with the great outdoors has been my bedroom window and at the moment the ground is covered in white and there is more on the way. It seems like it is never going to end. Not that it matters much at the moment anyway, I am not going outside for quite a while.

Hopefully Thursday evening will be my first time out in two weeks - it is time for my yearly visit to my tax man so that I can get the bad or good news, whichever it happens to be. I am really not all that worried he has done very good in the last 20 years of finding all of my deductions etc. and getting me money back.

I have had alot of fun cyber socializing via Facebook and MyFamily.com (El Tigre page). Most of the people that I have been exchanging info with on El Tigre were nothing but names that I knew about when I was in School. I am developing some really nice relationships with these people - I have learned a lot of history about them and the area where I spent most of my youth. It has been very interesting and is keeping the mind active - which at this point in my life is very important.

Time to run, have a couple of things to do before I plop my bottom side in Terry's recliner in the living room to watch my programs, as my Gram used to say. I mean the soaps of course.

Mother Nature at her best

These are a few pictures showing the results of the snowstorm that we just had. The third largest in the history of December storms for Maryland. We usually get out big storms in late January through the end of February, with a smattering of smaller storms up until spring arrives. Mother Nature has just made sure that we get our fair share of the weather that has been going around.

The storm started late Friday night and lasted until the wee hours of Sunday morning. It took us (I should say Terry) most of the day to dig us out. Even with the help of the neighbors snow blower (half the size of ours, which was sitting on the back porch broken) it took most of the day. I helped as much as I could by cleaning off the vehicles and shoveling snow into the path of the snow blower. Terry did go to work today with a big load of snow in the back of the pickup. I figured that we could at least get rid of some of it that way.

Today it is sunny and looks rather nice outside and even though we are able to get out I have opted to stay home, bake some cookies for friends' Christmas presents and occupy myself in my "cyber" world of e-mails, blogs and other social networks. It is time to go get something to eat move on to the next project. Talk more later...

Winter Is HERE!!

Two days before winter is actually official and we are getting hit by a major snow event. So far the flakes are little and dry, but I just noticed that they are getting bigger, wetter and heavier. This is supposed to go on until the wee hours of Sunday morning. Terry and I will have to go out and shovel or snow blow some of the snow so that by the time that it ends the job will not be impossible.

Major snow means double digits - 18 plus inches is what they said earlier, but I am going to bet that it will be closer to two feet. Big UGH!!! I am so glad that I went out yesterday and stocked up on the essentials (bread, milk, eggs and of course T/P) and got the rest of my errands done so that all I have to do this weekend is watch it happen from my window. Of course, I will get out and help with the removal part - I just wish that I could remove it all the way, but the best that I will be able to do is clear off vehicles and make pathways to get around.

I will take some pics when we are out in it and after it is over and done with to post here and on the El Tigre page from MyFamily.com Several others have posted their winter woes on El Tigre so far, so I will join the club and post mine as well. This storm is going to end up being fed by a good old fashioned "Nor'easter" which is a type of storm that generates a lot of its power and moisture from the ocean. Looks like we may have our White Christmas after all.

Gloomy Days

We have had rain for the past 4 days (not really complaining just observing) and this is by far the gloomiest of all those days. So far there has been no hint of sunshine like there was all the other days. The rain is steady. Rain can be depressing - not only for me but for my cat as well. She has been sleeping more lately (her favorite spot is my lap). She is my shadow most of the time.

I started her (Scooter) on a new eating regime because the vet said she was getting too fat and the prospects of diabetes was more and more real. Not going to let that happen - the thought of sticking her with a needle on a daily basis was daunting. I am a mass of scars now from when she gets mad at me - what do you think she would do to me when I am coming at her with a needle once a day. Anyway, not going to happen. Since the end of July she has lost three pounds (1/5 of her total body weight). All this happened because her dry food was changed to canned food (duck and green pea). Vet had told me that it would take awhile because cats lose weight slowly. Hopefully there is nothing else wrong that would have caused this. Have to take her back to the vet in a couple of weeks to monitor the weight loss (they are concerned that she lost it so fast) - we went yesterday because it was mani/pedi day. I do not attempt to cut her nails either.

Well, it is time for me to move on for the day. I have spent enough time on the computer today - have to eat, do some housework and then get ready for a memorial party honoring my brother-in-law David, who passed away earlier this year due to complications from MS. Diagnosed 1986 and lived his life to the fullest until 2009 all due to his loving wife Bernadette (who is having a hard time adjusting back into the "real world"). Her sole purpose for the past 23 years was to make sure that David had the best life possible - dealing with the day to day trials and tribulations of dealing with doctors, government agencies, and charitable groups to get what he needed. Because of that she is now in a position where she has to start over and focus on taking care of her future - going to be a daunting task. I have no doubt that she will succeed however.

Zypher Winds

A week ago yesterday we had a huge storm go through our area. It brought along a zypher wind (straight line winds with tornado strengths), which can be very devastating. Personally we got off a lot easier than many of our neighbors. For awhile I did think that I was going to end up in Kansas - made my house shake a little bit. The trees in my back yard have fewer branches in them. One tree is in need of some tender loving care from a tree expert. If mother nature continues to trim it her way there will be very little of it left. The other trees in my yard did okay, but they are fifty plus years old, very tall and one is getting sick. We are going to have to address this problem soon.

A Zypher wind is quick and destructive. Trees went down all over the area - there were even a couple of deaths due to a tree falling on a car - sadly they were kids. We lost our electricity (tree down on the lines and a transformer up the road "blowing"). We were lucky though repairs were quick and it came back on at five a.m. the next morning. A hugh cheer from the rest of the house - meant the air conditioner came back on - me, i did not miss it all that much. I just opened the window and turned up my ceiling fan. Some people did not get their electricity back for 4 to 5 days because of all the cleanup work that had to be done before the electric lines etc. could be replaced.

We have to count our blessinigs though because of all the storms that have gone through Maryland this summer this is the first that has caused any significant damage in our area. Today is sunny, hot and humid -- typical Maryland weather for this time of the year.

For the most part the storm is a mere memory - fewer trees in the area, but we have survived and I am counting my blessings.

Infamous Reservoir

Finally learned how to upload pictures from my camera to my computer - hip hip hooray!!! I am coming closer and closer to entering the 21st century all the time. My house is located in the area to the left end of the bridge depicted in the upper left corner - less than 1/2 a mile away - probably closer to .3 of a mile.

The reservoir is beautiful when it is full - as shown in these pics - but it can be very worrisome very early in the spring when the water levels are as much as 10 plus feet lower than what they need to be. This is one of the major water supplies for Baltimore City. Those of us that live close do get to "stick our toes in the water" so to speak. It is our source of water as well as we are on the city water system. This is something that was worked out many moons ago when the dam was put in and the town of Oakland was flooded.

If I were a scuba driver it might be fun to do an underwater tour of the area just to see how much of the original town was still there. There are reportedly some pretty good sized fish in "the pond" as well. It is a favorite boating site - that is as long as you have an electric motor - no gas motors allowed.

It is hard to believe that this only ten miles from Baltimore, MD. This is why I like my area so much. All of the comforts of city life close at hand, but the serenity of country living right here. It is quiet, we have wildlife in the front yard and neighbors at a respectable distance so that we know they are there, but not right in our living rooms.

The sun has finally decided to show itself. I can see the trees and bushes moving so the breezes are blowing as well, but I am not ready to open the window to let them in. It is supposed to be fairly warm out, but the humidity is what is through the roof. I get "soggy" just thinking about it. Not my "cup of tea"........