LADY CARDINAL

"The distinctive crest can be raised and pointed when agitated or lowered and barely visible while resting.

~All About Birds - Cornell University.

My gal pal here was pretty agitated. Every time she would start eating the seeds on the ground, a red-winged blackbird would chase her away. After several attempts, she turned the tables and went after Sir RWBB, She raised her crest and put quite a scowl on her face and that blackbird definitely got the message...

...Don't mess with a woman having a bad hair day!

RI SCENES - II

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch--we are going back from whence we come."

~John F. Kennedy

My very favorite place in RI is in Newport. Ocean Drive is a 10-mile road that curves and twists with the coastline. The views are spectacular, stretching out to Breton Point and the Atlantic Ocean. We often sailed past this coastline on our way to Cutty Hunk Island or Martha's Vineyard. But when on land, this is the place I most wanted to be, especially on a day like this one, when the skies were dark and the sea was roiling. I love to feel the salt spray on my face and inhale that unique fragrance that is the sea. These are the last images of RI from this trip. I'm not sure when we'll be back there, so the memory of this day will have to last me for awhile. The photos will speak for themselves.

RI SCENES - I

Random scenes from our RI trip.

Seaside Bouquet

Portsmouth, RI

Dinghies

Sakonnet Point, RI

The Gathering

Sakonnet Point, RI

Lobster Pot Markers

Sakonnet Point, RI

Crab Traps

Ocean Drive, Newport, RI

Location, Location, Location

Ocean Drive, Newport, RI

RI STONE WALLS

 " Good fences, make good neighbors".

~ Robert Frost from "Mending Wall"

Turkey on Stone Wall, Little Compton, RI

In New England farmers built stone fences that separated property and kept pastures, meadows, orchards and farmland marked off. My house in RI sat on piece of property that in earlier days was a working farm. There were many remnants in the landscape that gave clues to what life on that farm must have been like. But the stone walls that bounded our property were the reason I wanted to live there. I loved them. I loved looking at them, repairing them, sitting on them and watching the scurrying to and fro of the family of chipmunks that lived in the wall. We were wary friends. I was allowed only so close when I left nuts and fruit for them to eat. I miss my stone walls. I miss seeing the stone walls that dotted the landscape no matter where you walked or where you drove in this smallest of New England states. We spent 7 days back in RI visiting family and friends. It was cold, gray, rainy and damp six of the seven days. But that was ok--well, I really hated being cold and achy, but the rain changes the color of everything,greens are greener and browns are browner and the gray skies are perfect backdrops for the bright spring flowers. This is my pictoral ode to RI stone walls.

Stone Wall, Little Compton, RI

Some walls are straight and true.

Stone Wall, East Greenwich, RI

Some walls need repair, which usually happens in the spring.

Stone Wall, Sauderstown, RI

Chipmunks live and hide in stone walls.

(Unknown photographer)

Ferns growing at the foot of RI Stone Wall.

DISCOVERY HAS LANDED

"Where there is no vision, the people perish."

~Proverbs 29:18

Our last day in Maryland, we drove out to Dulles Airport to visit the new Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. This is an incredible museum, even better than the one on the Mall in Washington, DC. The highlight of the day was seeing the shuttle, Discovery, up close and personal. It had just been brought to the museum the day before after its 45 minute flyover of DC. No work was done to the craft, so you see the burn marks of the tiles. When you see the shuttle piggybacking on the 747, it appears small, but not so. It makes you appreciate the size and power of the plane that brought it to its new home. Growing up with the space program, witnessing all the firsts in space, the moon landing, and the tragedy of Challenger, I have to admit to having an emotional reaction to standing so close to this spacecraft. If you are ever in the DC area, I strongly encourage you to visit this wonderful  museum.

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum-Dulles Airport

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum-Dulles Airport

DISCOVERY

DISCOVERY

 Tiles that protect craft on re-entry to Earth's atmosphere.

The tiles on the upper part of the shuttle resemble quilted squares. Not being able to get near enough to touch, we were intrigued by the look of them.

The space provided by the four brackets is not that large. Thankfully, no emergency ever required the need to cut out that square.

There was one other exhibit that also struck an emotional chord--one very different from that of viewing the Discovery.

CROQUET ANYONE?

Our trip to Annapolis to visit our son just happened to coincide with the Annual Croquet Match between the Naval Academy Midshipmen and the student's of St. John's College. The traditional event was held on the green at St. John's and the crowds turn out to watch the match, but I think mainly to partake in the party atmosphere of this event. The college green, conveniently, is located at the end of the street where my son lives, so we wandered over to see what was happening. It was quite a lot of fun to see how far "tradition" was actually taken.

Players were very smart in their white sweaters and trousers.

The shot went a little wide, but the form was great.

Long dresses and fancy hats were worn by women and men sported bow ties and straw boaters.

Starting young.

This lovely young lady was enthralled by the Trident Brass, the Naval Academy Band who entertained the throng with selections from Ragtime to Jazz.

This was by far the most elaborate costume we spied while walking around the green.

This group brought a smile to my face. Can you say 'Preppy'?

Champagne, being sold by the bottle, seemed to be the drink of choice of this croquet crowd.

And of course, there were the other men in white. Our naval officers and midshipmen.

Food tents offered a variety of meal choices...

...or many brought their own picnic feasts, both elaborate and simple.

The event was well attended and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Although I did notice very little attention was being paid to the croquet players. I think this is all about the "Party" and not the "Match."