Make the best of everything you have

They say if you can’t have the best of everything, make the best if everything you have

I woke up this morning and studied the trees outside my bedroom window

Gold, rust, deep red, orange and green were all on display

Autumnal colors are just about peaking in this area

Its costs nothing but a few moments in time to be in awe of this dynamic explosion of nature’s palette

I took a walk along a wooded trail

Stepping on a carpet of fresh fallen leaves

They rustled and swished under my feet

Urging me to look down at their fallen display

Their last hurrah before mulching into the winter soil

I picked up a few brilliantly colored leaves on the trail

Brought them home and pressed them in a book

I will bring them out some time in the future

To relive these beautiful autumn moments

Leaves keep falling

Seasons march on

A spectator pauses to make memories

Make the best of everything you have today

Fabulous fall

Eastern shore

Late October

Early morning

Heavy dew

Crisp air

Chilly start

Low sun

Trees waiting

Light floods

Leaves illuminated

Nature’s artist

Painting frantically

Before sun

Rises higher

Moment captured

Experience documented

Cheeky Monkey

Impressions shared

Fall colors

Full bloom

Obliging oranges

Yearning yellows

Beautiful browns

Ridiculous reds

Passionate purples

Grateful greens

Memories made

Poem posted

Fabulous fall

Family reunion in the Lake District

A family reunion in the Lake District of England

Beautiful scenery is poetry for your eyes

Wide expansive estuaries meet low rolling hills

Tidal waters disappear twice daily

Revealing vast expanses of golden sands

A feeding ground for wading birds

The Pennine mountains watching over you

Protecting this well preserved landscape

Steeped in history with houses built from stone

Quaint little villages waiting to be explored

Well kept walking paths welcoming your feet

Great British pubs offering you shelter from the rain

Have a pint with some fine English cuisine

Order a second pint with friendly banter at the bar

The pace of life is slow and to be savored

Its stopped raining at least for a while

Visit a bird sanctuary to check on migration

Rare birds occasionally stop by to peek at the ornithologists

Holiday makers come in search of tranquil scenery

This is not a destination for sun worshipping night clubbers

Its a perfect place for those seeking peace and nature

The locals here appreciate this unique environment

Quality time here with the family is precious

Enjoying the gift of every moment

Abi and friends make rain memories

The day began with a heavy gray sky promising rain that would nourish the earth

The first droplets tapped gently on the window playing a soft symphony of nature

Abi pressed her face against the glass as she was eager to feel the cool drops on her skin

She was a curious little girl who loved to play and explore

She ran outside embracing the refreshing shower that kissed her cheeks

The scent of wet earth filled the air in an aromatic signal of awakening life

Puddles in the street formed mirrors reflecting the world above

Abi studied the images before splashing through them

Her laughter mingling with the sound of falling rain as she shattered the wet images

A group of children spotted Abi and quickly joined in

Their joyful shouts echoing through the neighborhood

They raced each other as they splashed in every puddle along the way

Each splash sent water flying in the air like tiny sparkling diamonds

The rain joined in the outdoor revelry and danced around them

A nearby old oak tree stood tall with its leaves rustling softly in the breeze

Abi ran to its sturdy trunk seeking shelter for a moment to catch her breath

She watched as the rain created a curtain of droplets at the edge of the canopy

A ladybug landed on her finger seeking refuge from the storm

Abi smiled as she marveled at its tiny red shell

Heavy rain was drumming against the roof of the old barn nearby 

She and her friends scurried inside to escape form the downpour

They were all laughing and shaking off the water like wet puppies

The barn was a treasure trove of forgotten memories and dusty hay

They built a fort out of bales as they settled in for a rain-soaked adventure

The storm raged on but they felt safe and warm inside

They played games and told stories of magical creatures that danced in the rain

The energy of the storm fed their imaginations and the tales got wilder

Eventually the rain began to lighten into a gentle patter

The sun peeked through the clouds casting a golden glow

They ventured outside once more to be greeted by vibrant rainbows arching across the sky

They splashed through puddles while squealing with delight

Abi twirled under the sky embracing the magic that had unfolded

The rain had brought them together to create a day filled with laughter and joy

The setting sun made everything glisten to heighten their awareness of the moment

They knew the memory of today would stay with them forever

what vintage are your memories

they say travel broadens the mind

exposing you to previously unseen things

diving into different cultures

taking you out of your comfort zone

it can also create long lasting memories

we took a trip to Portugal in 2018

exploring the cities of Lisbon and Porto

visiting wineries and tasting delicious port wine

we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary

in a small town called Pinhoa 

deep in the heart of the wine country

on the banks of the river Douro

eating lunch in a small restaurant overlooking the river

followed by an afternoon stroll through the town

chatting to the non-English speaking store owners

communicating through gestures pointing and smiles 

we stumbled upon a wine store

the owner spoke perfect English

helping us chose a rare ten year old vintage port

directing us to a late afternoon river boat cruise

boarding a small traditional flat bottomed Rabelo boat

originally used to transport people and goods 

on the shallow fast moving waters of the Douro river

which has since been calmed by many dams

there was only one other couple on that boat

a father and daughter from South America

touring Europe to celebrate his retirement

chatting as the boat glided through breathtaking scenery

the boat captain miraculously had clean glasses

toasting our 10th anniversary with our new friends

sipping on 10 year old vintage port

swapping life stories in the short one hour trip

declaring 2008 to be a fine vintage year

 making lifelong memories on the Douro river

The Journey

Sam

Its been a month on the road and in the air

We flew to London

Then flew to Milan

Drove to Tuscany

Met our Miami besties

Stayed at a Vineyard

Drove to Sienna

Took a train to Civitavecchia

Boarded a cruise ship

Sailed to Crete

Stopped in Greece

Explored Istanbul

Wandered around Sorento

Drove to Rome

Explored Rome

Said goodbye to our Miami besties

Flew to London

Drove to East Sussex

Had a whole week with the family

Saw my grandson in a play

Laughed a lot

Cried a little

Walked on Brighton Pier

Visited the home of King George IV

Ate fabulous meals

Drank fine wines

Drank warm beer in English pubs

Played games

Exchanged lots of hugs

Felt the family love

Drove to Heathrow

Now waiting to board a plane to DC

Its been an incredible journey

Made lots of memories

Took a lot of selfies

Probably gained a few pounds

Would do it all again

Its still spring in Maryland

Its still spring in Maryland

A few summer teasing days came in April

But in mid May is still cool, rainy and windy

Warmer weather will arrive around Mid June

Until then summer is just an illusion

Its still spring in Maryland

We will have a Memorial day cookout

As the official start of summer

But it might be a cool dreary day

As we anticipate warmer days

Its still spring in Maryland

The marsh grasses have finally turned green

Birds have already nested 

Shrubs are starting to grow

No flowers in bloom yet

Its still spring in Maryland

Pools are not open yet

Because the water is still cold

They will look inviting by early June

Only the brave or foolish will swim then

Its still spring in Maryland

Rabbits are eating all the new shoots in our garden

Deer are stripping fresh leaves from our trees

Our landscaping is an endless buffet for wildlife 

They never say thanks or leave a tip

Its still spring in Maryland

Watermen have put out their crab pots

I see they are not catching much now

The water is not warm enough yet

Come summer there will be bumper harvests

Its still spring in Maryland

Looking forward to the summer

Long bike rides down empty country lanes

Lazy days by the pool

Sunset cruises with wine and jazz

Its still spring in Maryland

We are busy getting ready for summer

Soon to be enjoying those long hot days

Having fun with friends and family

Making memories of Maryland spring, summer and fall

Travel Blog finale

Street party for the Queen

We paused the travel blog while we spent three weeks catching up with family and friends. Today we are flying back to the US so its a good time to reflect on the last three weeks in the UK.

Its hard to describe the pain of being physically separated from loved ones for three long years. For sure we kept in touch virtually throughout the pandemic but its not the same as being together. With the lifting of lockdowns, travel restrictions and quarantine, we planned this three week trip across the pond. We took trains, planes and drove a rental car to be greeted with long hugs from loved ones. We broke bread, drank wine, sipped on many wee drams of fine single malts in front of real fires as we treasured every precious moment of being reunited with our family.

We visited our favorite places in the Scottish highlands, making new memories while reminiscing of previous adventures together.

My daughter moved out of London during the pandemic, taking advantage of remote working to relocate to the beautiful countryside of East Sussex. We fell in love with the Downs, cliffside walks and cute medieval villages there.

During the height of the pandemic, we listened to the Queen of England promising that we will endure the separation of lockdowns and one day all meet again. How fitting that her platinum Jubilee occurred during this trip. We celebrated in style with 5,000 people in the UK’s biggest street party spanning 1.7 miles of the Morecambe promenade. My sister’s jam scones tasted devine as we sat waving Union Jack flags while sipping warm English beer. God Save the Queen.

We shall indeed meet again.