July 4th, Family Reunion

Here I am with my Mom's lovely cousin Connie; the host of our Cuddy family reunion in rural Pennsylvania. Connie and her husband have a gorgeous forty-three acre farm that is worked by neighboring Amish. This year she and Fred celebrate fifty years together. Congrats Connie and Fred!
On the way back from Rochester Mills we took a huge detour and discovered another piece of paradise, Savage River Lodge in Frostburg, MD. I'm hoping for a break when we can visit this amazing resort.

June

Poems: "June 10," by David Lehman, Reprinted at The Writers Almanac

June 10

The sun like whiskey and caffeine

goes right to your head

slowing you down then speeding you up

you spend one hour looking at three

hanging plants and ten minutes

reading the obits lamenting the man

(I knew him, we had Irish Coffee

one cold December night)

who had the ill fortune to die

on a day when somebody really famous

like the leader of a rock band

died and so his obituary was overlooked

and I am thinking of him today

I'd tip my cap to him if I were wearing one

but I'm not I'm standing here

unprotected in the sun

that has gone to my head like a song

Mermaid Party

Mermaid Party

Last weekend, Miss Paula rocked the house with a fun ballet party for our four year old princess. Contact her at dynopaula@yahoo.com

Gone and Goodbye

Soundworks, the local Stereophonic/ Hi Fi Equipment dealer (really?!) at the corner of Ct. Ave. and Knowles is finally gone. So what will replace the blacked-out, bizarro world store? Hopefully something cheery like a Big Wheel Bike Shop, an All Fired Up Store , Milton Chandeliers from West Howard Ave. or a Vespa Dealer. Something FUN would be oh so nice!

Six Years Ago Today

Six years ago we had our first child. She now informs us of her favorite birthday cake flavor and gift preferences.
Just Cakes in Bethesda is a family favorite for their yummy carrot cake and fancy frostings. They offer adult and kid classes these days as well as a mean Key Lime Pie.



Free cupcake coupons can be had if you register for their e-newsletter.

Horse Rental

Today we drove by Meadowbrook Stables at my friend Kelly's suggestion. We love horses and the kids really enjoyed getting up-close with the horses and walking around the stables. Meadowbrook offers a great summer camp and lessons for ages six and up.
Local trail rides are more difficult to find but check out Wheaton Park Stables where you can drive up Georgia Ave. and book a Sunday ride for under $40.

The nicest trail riding around is west to Virginia at the Marriott Ranch in the Blue Ridge foothills. I plan to be there at least once this autumn. Sunday, July 12th is a 9a.m. Breakfast Ride through Paradise Valley with breakfast served beneath a tree. Saturday, July 18th is a Twilight Dinner Ride beginning at sunset which includes a cowboy dinner and guitar entertainment. Stay the night at the ranch's B&B and tour the neighboring wineries the next day for fun. Then bring a few bottles back home for yours truly.

Free Baseball

We recently discovered Bethesda Big Train Baseball at Shirley Povich Field & Cabin John Regional Park. Big Train is something special. These summer college baseball games are choice local family fun. Every seat at Povich Field is a good one and kids five and under get free admission.

-Friday, June 12th: Andy's Parties sponsors, "Halloween in the Summer," night where kids in costume get in free.
-Saturday, June 20th: Carnival Night. Arrive at 5:00 for unlimited moon-bounces, rides, games, and prizes. Sponsored by Talk of the Town.
-Sunday, June 21st: Washington Nationals' Night. Father's Day where Dads & kids can play catch on the field before the game. Sponsored by Washington Parent Magazine.