Pagoda - Spring Light

Early Spring in Baltimore

Under perfect conditions you can see the Key Bridge from this vantage point. Today, the light and weather didn't quite oblige.

This is one of my favorite views. There are some old cannons on the hill and I think if I lived here as a child, I would have spent hours pretending we were defending the waterfront and launching counter attacks against the British, pirates, and other characters of ill repute.

Ducks in the Park - Spring Light

Early Spring in Patterson Park

Spring Comes to Patterson Park

The Pagoda

Patterson Park 6:30 PM

Molly and I enjoyed long walk in the park this afternoon. Wanted to get some really good photos but I missed the really good light. There's always tomorrow.

Mornin from Tilgh

Who implores you to seek an advantage in a sea of change.

Case in point? C and I were off the routine and he spent several blissful hours on our bed. Gotta love that opportunistic little guy!

No comment on snuggle buddy (also in the photo) - he is the antithesis of Tilgh!

Reason to get to bed EARLY

If you fail to do so, you run the risk of finding these little monsters camped out iin your spot!

Latest Victims of my Gifting!

They won't know what to say. LOL! That's the typical response. Could it be the work is that bad? Or couid it be the unexpected element?

Do I care? Of course. I love giving my art away and I'd like to think it means something to the recipient.

It took me a long time to get this ready to give away. Is this what parenting is like? Somehow I sincerely doubt it Yet there sre parallels

My Window on the World

An honest to goodness d original acrylic on canvas. Inspiration was the view from my Father's deck - appropriately referred to as "The Sunset Lounge"

I don't have great confidence in my works so sometimes I force the upon others as "gifts" just to guage their feedback.

The Prince has his Dinners

Take away Allister's dish and he will remind you. It has to go in the dishwasher sometime! Reunited and it feels so good. . .All is right again in the world of Snuggle Buddy.

Yo Skillet!

Why is there no fantastic place in Canton that has good food after midnight? I mean really gooood food - not just greasy pizza!

C scored himself a cannoli and proceeded home for 2 veggie burgers. I had a bite (or 3). Pretty damned tasty and most likely more healthful than the alternatives. Still something is lacking. . .

Don't drink and bike!

Another Weekend

The Stanley Cup of pet dishes and bowls awaits while C remains glued to his computer game. Yes we have plans at nine. Yes the beasment WILL be clean before we go. Yes I clearly am a slave driver.

Allister

Also happily camped out in the guest room snoring.

One of the best things about pets is how easy it is to make them happy. One of the many things we humans should try harder to emulate.

Winding Down

The bookends are ready for nighty night. Molly is snoring. Tilghman can barely keep his eyes opened. Very peaceful - if not for the screeching TV. Our TVs always seem to be on and yet seldom watched. Strange and wasteful.

Mornin' From Dexter. . .

Who, ultimately doesn't give a flying flip either way, but will still wish you good day.

He is anxious for spring and vacas and better days. . .Warmer weather brings more adventures in the yard, more time at home without the dogs, and more bugs to stalk and dismember.

Plus he's orange - a natural O's fan!

Think Spring, Vaca's & Better Days #144

Tilghman. . .The Road Warrior. . .Headed towards Deal Island, MD 7/08 - A mosquitoe riddled tribute to C's 34th birthday. So much fun. . .For real. . .It was.

Think Spring, Vacas & Better Days #161

Tilghman - Patterson Park Boak Lake Summer 2008

Tilgh's progress in the year we've had him reminds me of how easy it is to grow and learn if you want to.

Think Spring. . .Vacas & Better Days #175

Chincoteaque, Virginia 10/08

Think Spring. . .Vaca's & Better Days #42

Mexico 11/2006 - Focus on the fabulous bird. . .Not the hideous sunburn. Thank you very much.

Fluffy Buddy. . .Doin' What He Does Best

Being Comfortable and Looking Adorable. . .Sooooo smug. He knows it.

Is it possible to wear Tilghman out?!

It's getting late, he's been run, walked, snuggled, treated, and "konged". Of course our "senior" pet Molly is right here egging him on. . .I love the Lab in our Lab mixes!

Happy pups know spring is near!

We had nice walks today and no messes in the house. I do suspect someone was on the bed for the most part of the day (Tilghman!). Molly got to visit her fav neighbor Mike this morning. She adores him. Which is heartwarming and a little perplexing since I don't think he's ever once fed her. It was a good day.

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY!!!!!

May love and laughter light your days,and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!

Thoughts on Heritage. . .

"The immigrant's heart marches to the beat of two quite different drums, one from the old homeland and the other from the new. The immigrant has to bridge these two worlds, living comfortably in the new and bringing the best of his or her ancient identity and heritage to bear on life in an adopted homeland."- Irish President McAleese

Think Spring - Flower

Happy (Early) St. Patty's Day from Molly!

And d and County Donegal. . .(dun na ngall - Fort of the Foreigners). . .The beautiful home of some of my Irish ancestry. St Patty's Day is fun but it always serves to me as a reminder of how hard my entire lineage has worked and how truly challenging their lives were as Irish natives and American immigrants (and to a lesser degree more recent generations even). It's a reminder to do well, work hard, be honest, and be true to my heritage. . .to build on strong solid proud roots.

What's Cookin?

Had an opportunity to leave work a little early today and jumped on it. Things have been pretty stressful and while I've taken a couple of sick days, I haven't had a day off yet so far this year as best as I can recall.

This allowed me to have dinner nearly ready for C when he walked in the door. Typically, he's home almost two hours before me and is fending for himself. Made "shrimp cakes." This was a first and while it didn't exactly take long, it was another glaring reminder of why maybe we do need a food processor. . .The blender works but it's not the same.

Shrimp cakes with jalapenos and orange zest. . .Slaw. . .Fresh "salsa" salad and a few tortillas. C is about to dig in. . .We'll see if the extra time off work was worth it or if I should have just stopped at Baja Fresh. . .He says they're great! Yeah. Not sure if they garner his "permenant rotation" designation. (That's when C likes a dish so much he wants it made routinely).

I guess it's basically a kicked up coddie. . .Not really deep fried tho. . .Just browned in some olive oil. You could make it with almost any sort of fish or seafood. It was fast, esp since I used pre-cut slaw and just shredded extra carrots into it. We like fast and healthful.

Reading a fascinating book call In Defense of Food - Maybe I'll gas off about that later. It basically supports what we all know: Eat mostly plants, simply prepared.

Think Spring - Happy Shamrocks

Think Spring Series - Flowers

Eat Bertha's Mussels. . .

Paid a visit to this Fells Point institution this past weekend. Haven't been there in ages. Some things changed. The iconic (and ubiquitous) bumper stickers remained.

There goes the neighborhood!

What could this poor soul have been doing pushing a grocery cart down the middle of our street yesterday afternoon? Hope he made it to where he was headed safely.