This week I have been working in Hunt Valley, north of Baltimore, at the Community College, off of McCormick Road. I pass Schilling Road on the way to the site.
How did these roads get their names, I wonder? I vaguely remember stories from mother-by-marriage Sandy that there used to be a big seasoning factory near Inner Harbor. 20 years ago you could smell them as you drove by on 95, a pleasant memory in my earlier-I-am-so-impressed-with-my-boyfriend's-hometown phase.
This week I thought I must be driving by a great Mexican restaurant and then the wind would change, and I could smell roasted peppery garlic wafts. Not hamburgers, but intense spice, the way you can tell if someone is grilling in your neighborhood, how the smell carries pleasantly and you wish you were invited over to eat.
Today it smelled more Italian, lots of oregano and pepper and basil... (official website of McCormick talks about following)
.Vanilla
• Unjha Seed
• Sage
• Saffron
• Red Pepper
• Oregano
• Ginger
• Egyptian Basil
• Cumin
• Cloves
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Black Pepper
• Anise
• Allspice
and more peppery smells. It was in the high 80's, very, very warm spring weather. I wonder if it affected the smells from ______ factory? I was in an industrial area, lots of big businesses. I can't quite tell what direction it is coming from. Just a really strong, appetizing, and consistent smell! Fascinating sensory experience!
Heat and yummy smells. The wind was blowing nicely when I finally left the building. I brought a personal electric fan to make fake wind for the classroom today. Every time I stopped reading aloud I would walk over and stand right in front of it to cool off.
As a huge favor: please go check the front of your living quarters RIGHT NOW and make sure your address is clearly posted! Not written in camouflaged old numbers that blend with your exterior! Be nice to the 2010 census workers! We are working for you!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
First Formal
Stewart is 17 and all dressed up (in Grandpa John's tux) for a church sponsored youth formal. No dates, but the kids had to be 16+ to go (so Max isn't quite old enough).
I met John when he was 17. Sobering thought. Who will Stewart meet tonight? What will he feel? What will he remember?
I remember baby Stewart crying. Lots. He had colic, and I didn't know then what my sisters have since discovered: while nursing fussy Babcock babies STOP drinking/eating all milk products, and the baby calms down. A lactose thing? Maybe it would have helped Stewart. He was not happy those first 6 months. The first night he slept through the night we must have conceived Max, since they are so close together in age...people thought they were twins when they were little--two tow headed boys almost the same height!
Stewart is a sober son. Very thoughtful, deep thinker. He really listens to people, watches them. He is very focused and smart. Brilliant. Scored super well on ACT. Wants to work in the sciences. Working on his eagle.
He has a deep chuckle, that is hard to resist once he gets going. I have seen him laughing so hard tears drip down his face. He has a good sense of humor, loves puns like his Grandpa Ken.
He is very serious. From wrestling practice to reading intensely to mastering Rock Band Wii skills, he works hard at everything he does.
I hope he has fun tonight! My Prince-Charming son!
I met John when he was 17. Sobering thought. Who will Stewart meet tonight? What will he feel? What will he remember?
I remember baby Stewart crying. Lots. He had colic, and I didn't know then what my sisters have since discovered: while nursing fussy Babcock babies STOP drinking/eating all milk products, and the baby calms down. A lactose thing? Maybe it would have helped Stewart. He was not happy those first 6 months. The first night he slept through the night we must have conceived Max, since they are so close together in age...people thought they were twins when they were little--two tow headed boys almost the same height!
Stewart is a sober son. Very thoughtful, deep thinker. He really listens to people, watches them. He is very focused and smart. Brilliant. Scored super well on ACT. Wants to work in the sciences. Working on his eagle.
He has a deep chuckle, that is hard to resist once he gets going. I have seen him laughing so hard tears drip down his face. He has a good sense of humor, loves puns like his Grandpa Ken.
He is very serious. From wrestling practice to reading intensely to mastering Rock Band Wii skills, he works hard at everything he does.
I hope he has fun tonight! My Prince-Charming son!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
From Luanna to me to you--
Sister Lu had this posted on her blog and I included my comment below:
(if you want to see it full-screen, just double-click on the video, it should pop up in a new window)
I loved it! It made me cry, too! (So it isn't just your hormones!) Thanks for passing on a bit of joy! I've been thinking about WHY I cried--even knowing it was planned and 2 practices, it was thrilling to see people coming together, united, joyful, smiling, wondering. The spontaneous feel of it--thinking about people breaking into song and dance in an ordinary cirumstance around you--making you a part of a fantastic musical...like a dream come true fantasy. Wishing the world were more like that. If we could only sing our days and the troubles would disappear, or seem less staggering. Hopeful, that what this video is, all about the "Come what may" and smile anyway. Be cheerful wherever you find yourself. Did I say thanks already?! Love you!
(if you want to see it full-screen, just double-click on the video, it should pop up in a new window)
I loved it! It made me cry, too! (So it isn't just your hormones!) Thanks for passing on a bit of joy! I've been thinking about WHY I cried--even knowing it was planned and 2 practices, it was thrilling to see people coming together, united, joyful, smiling, wondering. The spontaneous feel of it--thinking about people breaking into song and dance in an ordinary cirumstance around you--making you a part of a fantastic musical...like a dream come true fantasy. Wishing the world were more like that. If we could only sing our days and the troubles would disappear, or seem less staggering. Hopeful, that what this video is, all about the "Come what may" and smile anyway. Be cheerful wherever you find yourself. Did I say thanks already?! Love you!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
"She felt fire in her soul..."
How would I describe getting married?
Exciting. Right. Wonderful. Satsifying. Happy. Joyful. Good.
Earlier today John stealthily got Max and some of the boy choir guys to seranade us with a very romantic song during intermisson of their concert. Sweet surprise. Max gave us a big hug and thanked us for getting married and having him.
Tonight Suzanna made us strawberry cake and we all sang, "Happy Anniversary to us!" with the "Tis LOVE brings us here" second verse to the tune of "Happy Birthday." It is the birthday of our Forever Family and a good reason to include the kids in the public celebrating!
Saturday we went down to Kensington to the LDS temple. Beautiful outside and magnificent inside. When you are in the area--driving around the beltway--take time to go to the visitor center to learn why this is such an important part of my beliefs.
Do you see the fire-flash between us? That is me taking a photo through the glass frame. Our photographer gave me the negatives and full copyright for this photo as his wedding gift.
Some times I think of making a huge one to frame. We were so beautiful and young and dumb! We don't look like this anymore. We aren't the same people. So much has changed. We've grown, learned. More in common.
He is a better kisser now! And so am I! We've had lots of practice!
Exciting. Right. Wonderful. Satsifying. Happy. Joyful. Good.
Earlier today John stealthily got Max and some of the boy choir guys to seranade us with a very romantic song during intermisson of their concert. Sweet surprise. Max gave us a big hug and thanked us for getting married and having him.
Tonight Suzanna made us strawberry cake and we all sang, "Happy Anniversary to us!" with the "Tis LOVE brings us here" second verse to the tune of "Happy Birthday." It is the birthday of our Forever Family and a good reason to include the kids in the public celebrating!
Saturday we went down to Kensington to the LDS temple. Beautiful outside and magnificent inside. When you are in the area--driving around the beltway--take time to go to the visitor center to learn why this is such an important part of my beliefs.
Do you see the fire-flash between us? That is me taking a photo through the glass frame. Our photographer gave me the negatives and full copyright for this photo as his wedding gift.
Some times I think of making a huge one to frame. We were so beautiful and young and dumb! We don't look like this anymore. We aren't the same people. So much has changed. We've grown, learned. More in common.
He is a better kisser now! And so am I! We've had lots of practice!
Friday, April 17, 2009
I knew he would rip it open!
This letter came in the mail today for Sam. 
He was really excited! He ran around the front of the school telling everyone he got a letter from the President!
It was a thank you for his kind letter to the Obamas, welcoming them to the White House.
He was ready to carry it around with him the rest of the day.
We took some photos, squinty sun eyes here...
Roxie in front yard.
Roxie took this one of me (the tree).
Sam took this one. This is me after a long day at the Baltimore office, getting supplies to train census crews.
He was really excited! He ran around the front of the school telling everyone he got a letter from the President!
It was a thank you for his kind letter to the Obamas, welcoming them to the White House.
He was ready to carry it around with him the rest of the day.
We took some photos, squinty sun eyes here...
Roxie in front yard.
Roxie took this one of me (the tree). 
Sam took this one. This is me after a long day at the Baltimore office, getting supplies to train census crews.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Applique is not my favorite: flowers and insects
Two flowers from training week. Lady bug, too--all to be given away in exchange for other quilters making things for me!
Have you heard of this book? Bro-in-law young librarian at a high school highly recommended it. It's about 17 year old hackers and national security and love and scary stuff. I learned a lot and want to pay more attention to security measures. The Constitution quotes were excellent. Lots to think about.
Have you heard of this book? Bro-in-law young librarian at a high school highly recommended it. It's about 17 year old hackers and national security and love and scary stuff. I learned a lot and want to pay more attention to security measures. The Constitution quotes were excellent. Lots to think about.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter to You!
First quilt talk: I've been working on the obligation quilt blocks for the Lassies Faire, all sealed up and ready to mail on the deadline months. I knew I would have less time to sew in the coming months, so tried to get a bunch of them done back to back...
Love this simple and graphic block, easy to make, nice with black. I want to keep making them for me!
Saturday morning we drove the big green monster gas-guzzling monster van down to Virginia to visit my brother and his family. Beautiful place! Rappahannock county.
Some of us went tree shopping (dogwoods for $25! Redbuds $50! I only bought one little cilantro plant, but was awed by the local plant choices and great prices!) Polly pointed out the old slave quarters on our way back to her house. Across the street was the Big House. We passed cherry orchards, pears, apples?
Leg of lamb for lunch. Plenty of food, great guests to talk with. Front porch with most of us (some missing adults) after the crazy egg hunt. Hard to figure out how to make it fair and kind, so everyone gets a chance at the goodies. We let the kids into the yard by age, youngest first, and set aside a teenage section with money in the eggs. Next time I will try something different. Suggestions?
Then we played a silly game--inspiration was Chubby Bunny, but I didn't have enough jelly beans or peeps, so we sat in a circle, gave everyone 2 peeps told them to wait for the signal, then put them inside each cheek and then we sang, "Happy Easter, to you" to Happy Birthday tune. And ate the peeps.
My favorite way to eat them is in three weeks after poking a hole in the package so they are nice and dried out and chewy! Yum! They are okay fresh, too.
Love this simple and graphic block, easy to make, nice with black. I want to keep making them for me!
Saturday morning we drove the big green monster gas-guzzling monster van down to Virginia to visit my brother and his family. Beautiful place! Rappahannock county.
Some of us went tree shopping (dogwoods for $25! Redbuds $50! I only bought one little cilantro plant, but was awed by the local plant choices and great prices!) Polly pointed out the old slave quarters on our way back to her house. Across the street was the Big House. We passed cherry orchards, pears, apples?
Leg of lamb for lunch. Plenty of food, great guests to talk with. Front porch with most of us (some missing adults) after the crazy egg hunt. Hard to figure out how to make it fair and kind, so everyone gets a chance at the goodies. We let the kids into the yard by age, youngest first, and set aside a teenage section with money in the eggs. Next time I will try something different. Suggestions?
Then we played a silly game--inspiration was Chubby Bunny, but I didn't have enough jelly beans or peeps, so we sat in a circle, gave everyone 2 peeps told them to wait for the signal, then put them inside each cheek and then we sang, "Happy Easter, to you" to Happy Birthday tune. And ate the peeps. 
My favorite way to eat them is in three weeks after poking a hole in the package so they are nice and dried out and chewy! Yum! They are okay fresh, too.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Un-Finished Objects
Quilters talk about their UFO's often. I have a few...too many, probably. This is a small sampling--black and white blocks that my Lassies-Faire are helping me complete (two blocks on far left are first installment). The baskets are from the Wild Threads small group, part of the Flying Geese Quilt Guild I am in.
I've spent a week of training for a new job. Acronyms can be silly or fun or even worse than just saying what it is. The 2nd day I took some handwork to do on breaks (I am a fast reader). Usually I prefer machine piecing because of the efficient speed and the excitement of seeing a finished block quickly. But if you know you will have time to sit for awhile, hand-work is nice. HWIN
I have been concentrating on finishing some Obligation Blocks. Duty-Friendship Blocks. Finish And Then Do Own Work, Start Now While I Have Time, Must Arrange To Do Today, Need Something For My Hands To Do Or I Will Go Crazy With Boredom, Sit And Listen Sewing, Calming And Diverting-work:
OB, DFB, FATDOW, SNWIHT, MATDT, NSFMHTDOIWGCWB, SALS, CAD
Last night (while eating delicate Meyer-Lemon and Raspberry bars) with 2/3 of John's sisters and his parents we talked about texting, Twitter. Sara mentioned the irony of historically going from smoke signals and short, abbr. communication, to elaborate documents, full speech, telephone, faxing, email, and back to texting with abbr. short messages...John dislikes strongly the lack of content. No form, he says.
But he is a man of words. He loves pure communication.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Message from your parents & Silent E
Giving credit to Mr. Fairey and his great poster art, there is a site where you can obamacon your picture, add your own slogan.
Hee, hee, hee, fun to play with the colors!
To our student daughter, before finals:
(Dad was making goofy pictures after he shaved!)
The Birthday gift I forgot: Metal "E" from an antique store in Virginia! I can't believe I forgot this one! Happy late Birthday, Em!
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