Maryland, My Maryland

One of the great loves of my life is travel. I not only like to travel, but I like to plan to travel. I like reading about places to visit, browsing the guide books at the book store and poring over the NY Times travel section over the weekend. By the time I got to high school I had my first list of places I wanted to see -- London and St. Paul's; Paris and the Louvre and India and the Taj Mahal. From then on the list kept growing. For every place I visited two more popped up. As time went by the places I longed to see became more exotic. Right now Laos and Bhutan are at the very top. I don't know if I will get to either destination, but I enjoy reading about them.

I've been to Maryland a number of times, but had never had the good fortune to spend time in Frederick County and the area where Marydon and Harold live. What a great treat. Not as exotic as Bhutan, but I had a wonderful touring morning. We saw a number of sites related to the Civil War, which was fascinating. A definite high point was a historical marker about Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He also helped form the government of the Maryland, and became US Senator from Maryland. In a fascinating side note -- thank you Wikipedia -- I learned that one of my favorite neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens, was named for him.

A charming bed and breakfast

Maryland country church

I had a wonderful time during our tourist day. There are few things I enjoy more than seeing historic sites with dear friends who also have a deep interest in history. But I also learned a great lesson. Yes, I still want to visit Bhutan and Laos and Wales and the Lake Country in England. But if I never leave the East Coast there is more than enough to enjoy, to see for the first time and to keep me learning. So please pass me the Maryland guide book. I've got to read about Annapolis. 

Tea Time...

...and the loveliest tea imaginable!

On reflection, it seems a little odd that a weekend can hold so many memories. It's a time span of just 48 hours. I know that there's a television show where the entire season spans only 24 hours and classic plays take place in a day, but in the average 48 hours not much seems to happen. It seems to be rounds of work, commute, grocery shop, do little errands, read the newpaper, read email...But this weekend held enough richness for the weeks where very little seems to happen.

On Saturday Marydon hosted a lovely lunch at a local restaurant. The group of bloggers who came together were warm, lively and fun. I didn't know most of the women and weren't familiar with their blogs, but the ice was broken quickly and our time together flew by. We returned to Marydon's for the lovely tea -- raspberry cheesecake, chocolates, delicate candies -- and as we chatted the conversation flowed.

These are two photos from our luncheon. I've never posted a photo of myself and rarely post pictures of others, but as we are bloggers posing for what were definitely pictures to-be-posted I am making a rare exception and violating my rule. I couldn't get one photo where we all are clearly shown and in every picture somebody's face is covered, but here are two that I liked a lot.  For all those who wondered what I look like, I am right in front in the black sweater and print skirt.

I feel so grateful for our blogger day -- the friendship, the laughter and the memories. My only regret is that more of our blog friends couldn't join us. Thanks, Marydon, and hugs across the miles!

Walking My Baby Back Home

During our fascinating history morning in the Maryland countryside today we came upon this fellow walker. I was taken with his odd dog on the left...and then realized he was walking his goat, along with the two dogs. Yes, folks, that is a goat out for a walk. 

I'm home from our wonderful blog-friends weekend in Maryland. The house is too quiet. I want to be back in Marydon and Harold's warm and lovely house, visiting with them and dear Sherry. Just about this time we would be chuckling at our photos, recalling the beautiful tea and luncheon yesterday and our great day at Arlington National Cemetery today. It may have been a nippy April day, but our hearts were warm. 

Buttercup's blessings are overflowing. Thank you Marydon and Harold for the warmest hospitality imaginable, Sherry for your smiles, friendship and laughter and my cowgirl necklace and my new blogger friends, what lovely women. This is a weekend I will cherish for a long time. Of course, there will be pictures! 

Buttercup is Springing

Spring is springing along, and so am I. In just a little while I am leaving for a blogger get-together in Maryland. I am so excited. I will get to meet Marydon and Sherry and other blogger buddies. Got to go and get organized, so that I can spring down to Maryland. There will be pictures!

Hugs and wishes to all for a great weekend.