The Dackel Princess

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you and your family enjoy camping? What do you enjoy most/like the least when it comes to family camping? When was the last time you camped?

It’s been a few years since we camped, but we use to camp with our motor coach. So my idea of camping is to drive out in our motorized home, complete with fridge, microwave, TV and indoor facilities, and enjoy a rural camping area. People tease me about it, but I am not a tent girl and never have been.

2. Did you attend a summer camp when you were a kid? Is that a happy or not so happy memory?

Yes I did. It was Briarwood, Episcopal Camp, and it is where I met my friend Gail. She and I have been friends since we were thirteen years old!

3. Over the course of your life, what have you probably spent more time pondering than anything else?

Losing my daughter. I have never understood how or why her life ended.

4. Which of the seven natural wonders of the world would you most like to see? There are many lists of ‘wonders’ but this is the standard natural wonder list-Mount Everest, The Great Barrier Reef, The Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls, The Harbor of Rio de Janerio, Paricutan Volcano and The Northern Lights.

I would like to go to Machu Picchu to see the ancient ruins of the Incas!

5. What was your first real job?

When I was about twelve years old I started baby-sitting for a new born little boy. His parents were Biologists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and so I worked caring for this wee child. He was so small (5 pounds) and I fed him, changed his diapers and basically was a Mommy. I’m always amazed that they trusted me with their little bundle of joy!

6. Lemonade or Sweet tea…which do you prefer on a hot summer day?

Lemonade.

7. What is something that always brings a smile to your face?

We live just above a lake beach and in the summer when I am sitting on my porch I can hear the sounds of Loons on the other side of the lake, and children laughing, and splashing around at the beach below.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It is so nice to be back home where I can snuggle with my doggies. I love going away, but most of all, I love coming home to my babies!

The Reunion…Part 2

Friday morning, Hubby and I woke after a great night sleep. The funniest thing happened on Thursday night. Hubby and I share a King Size bed here at home, but the Inn’s bed was a Queen Size. In the middle of the night, Hubby started to push me over towards the edge of the bed! He claims he thought I was a dachshund!

We had breakfast at the Inn. Both of us had eggs and toast and I had the local sausage and Hubby had bacon, and we had lots of coffee!! Then we headed over to the campus Chapel for a Class Memorial Service. Most every one of Hubby’s classmates made the effort to come and we remembered the lives gone from this earth. One especially made me cry, because I knew him and his wife quite well.

After this, the Class met on the steps of the church and they had the class picture taken.

Here is my sweetheart! I took a ton of pictures and got several good ones of him.

Lunch was what I would call campus food. I tried to eat salad and stay true to the diet, but it was a challenge. After lunch we went on the hike.

Up, up, up, we hiked to an overlook of the town of Middlebury. Going up wasn’t so bad, but my knees rebelled going down and I wanted to cry out in pain, but I looked at those 72 and 73 year olds and I refused to complain!

After the hike we went back to our room and I changed into a nice skirt and top and we went to the Breadloaf English Center, where they had things set up for our dinner meal.

Our friends from Cape Cod had arrived by then, and so they sat with us at dinner. Courtney and Carolyn have been friends with Hubby since their college days, and Courtney was an usher at our wedding.

After the dinner, Hubby and I headed back to the Inn where we were able to get another good night sleep. One thing I learned is that you can definitely do too much on a Reunion Weekend. Next time, I plan to go slowly. Perhaps savoring things a bit more.

This is the end of Part 2.

What I Did Last Weekend…Part One

On Thursday morning June 2nd, Hubby and I finished packing everything we could possibly use at Hubby’s 50th College Reunion into our car. I’d made a thermos of coffee, and had two bottles of juice, and we had two fried egg sandwiches to eat in the car for our breakfast! The trunk contained two suitcases, two duffel bags, two suit bags, two computer bags, a shoe bag and a camera bag. I’d also tossed in an iron, some diet soda and snacks. Oh yes, and a couple of umbrellas, jackets and the GPS!

So, off we went, up and over the mountains from New Hampshire to Vermont. It’s funny how different the two states are. Our roads tend to be twisting and turning and up and down, and in Vermont, they have miles of flat pasture land with the mountains on either side. We did our fair share of driving the Vermont Mountains to get to Middlebury though and they sure have a number of challenging mountain roads!

We arrived on campus about 1 o’clock in the afternoon, taking us just over three hours to get there. We checked in, got our name tags, folder of information and parking placard for the car, before we left and headed to The Middlebury Inn to check in there. Since we had a TON OF STUFF with us, we asked for help filling up our room. A very nice man got the luggage cart, and brought us up in the elevator. After that we took the grand staircase, as it was truly a lovely thing to do.

The old Inn, founded in 1826 has so many finely carved wooden shelves, stairs, bars and registration areas.

Our room was beautiful and best of all…quiet. I slept like a baby.

Tea was served every afternoon, making me think lovingly of my grandmother. In fact the Inn itself, made me think of her.

Hubby and I sat down and had lunch before heading back over to the college to meet up with Hubby’s friends from the class. There were meetings and events and a lot of joking around before we returned to the Inn to change into our evening clothes.

You all will recall that I was worried about finding a dress for this event. I even fretted that the dress I bought was not good enough, or the right look. Well, I needn’t have worried as most of the women wore slacks or even jeans. Hubby and I were surprised at how casual the entire Reunion was. Not to worry, I looked great and that helped me with my confidence.

Of course the saddest thing is, I don’t have one picture of me in my dress! It just didn’t work out. You see, it was Hubby’s weekend, so all the pictures are of him. I was the cameraman! The picture below is the only one of Hubby and I from the weekend!

The first night we met with the President of the college and his wife for a cocktail party. It was quite lovely, held in the garden of their home, under a tent. The President and his wife seemed very nice, but were shockingly young! He is only one year older than me!!!

After the cocktail party we all were driven to the Atwater Dining Hall. It had been specially decorated for the event and the meal and the short and sweet speeches made it a lovely night. The food was good, and the company at our table also quite nice.

Hubby and I headed back to our room at the Inn.

End of Part 1

We’re Back

I realized on the way home today, that I had not posted anything on the Blog! This never happens, but honestly, when we got back to the Inn last night I was exhausted! Those 72 & 73 year olds wore me out. I’ll write a more detailed post tonight for tomorrow, but I didn’t want anyone to worry or to think I’d dropped off the face of the earth!

This was half way through our four mile hike UP HILL! I made it both up and down, and I admit I worried a little, but I made it, and only limped a little afterward!

Middlebury Reunion

Ah, Saturday was one of the most splendid days we have had in New England in a while. It was sunny, in the upper sixties, and had just the gentlest breeze blowing.We enjoyed a lazy breakfast at the Middlebury Inn.

Then, we headed over to the campus for a Memorial Service for those classmates who have passed away.

After that they gathered the class on the steps of the Chapel and took the class picture. I was out in front with the photographer taking multiple shots of this occasion.

You can see Hubby in the back right row. His Class had the most attendees of any 50th Reunion Class, and their commitment to supporting the college is also greater than any other class.

Our lunch was at one of the cafeterias. It was good, but very unlike what I am used to. Gone are trays to place your food. Gone are lines, you pick up a plate, to to that station and help yourself. That was fine, I made myself a Cobb Salad.

After lunch we went on a hike with two of the young students assigned to host our class. It was a four mile hike mostly up hill and it gave us a lovely view.

We had to hustle to get down the hill and back to the bus to return to campus. Jack and I needed to change into our dinner clothes, so we came back to our room, and relaxed for a bit before changing and going out to Breadloaf which is a writer’s conference center, best known for Poet, Robert Frost’s love of the area. It is a special spot and I encourage you to visit the website and learn more.

But it was Joseph Battell, a wealthy breeder of Morgan Horses, who purchased more than 30,000 acres of forest and farmland in the mountains, and in 1915, willed all of it to Middlebury College.

We had an amazing buffet dinner and enjoyed the company of our friends and Hubby’s former classmates once again.

Friday Fill-Ins

And…here we go!

1. Hey! I looked and felt great tonight at the Reunion party.

2. The history of most politicians lives only has a kernel of truth to it.

3. Eat pray and love. .

4. I don’t want to let my feelings get in the middle.

5. First thing to note: I am loved.

6. You all give me the strength to be strong and not allow myself to be bothered by distractions.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a formal dinner with Jack’s class tomorrow my plans include Another formal dinner and a time to sit around and chat and Sunday, I want to have a safe ride home!

Thursday Thirteen

Here are some fast facts about Middlebury College.

Founded in 1800, Middlebury is a top-tier liberal arts college.
About 2,350 undergraduate students
Located in the Champlain Valley of central Vermont, with Vermont’s Green Mountains to the east and New York’s Adirondacks to the west
Renowned for leadership in language instruction and international studies
Graduate and summer programs: Summer Language Schools (10 languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish), Bread Loaf School of English, Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Monterey Institute of International Studies
More than 850 courses in 44 majors
9:1 student-faculty ratio
Most classes are small; the mean class size is 16
All courses are taught by faculty members (rather than graduate assistants)
29 NCAA championship teams since 1995: men’s hockey-8 titles (’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’04, ’05, ’06), women’s lacrosse-5 (’97, ’99, ’01, ’02, ’04), men’s lacrosse-3 (’00, ’01, ’02), women’s cross country-5 (’00, ’01, ’03, ’06, ’08), women’s hockey-5 (’00, ’01, ’04, ’05, 06), field hockey (’98), men’s tennis (’04), men’s soccer (’07)
Hubby graduated in 1961 with a Bachelors Degree in Economics.
He ran track, played soccer, participated in cross country and downhill skiing, and ski jumping.
In Hubby’s sophomore year he lettered in three sports, Track, Soccer, and Skiing.

So we will stay at the historic Middlebury Inn, and enjoy this golden celebration of Hubby’s graduation from college!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Have you ever been to the US capital-Washington DC? If so, what’s your favorite site? If not, what would you most like to see on a visit to that city someday in the future? Is it even on your list of places to visit?

I love The National Gallery. The paintings and various pieces of art work are lovely. The Smithsonian is also super, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is also spectacular with all the aircraft from bygone days.

2. When did you last attend a wedding? Are there any weddings on your summer calendar? Were you a summer bride? If you’re single, is summer the season of your dream wedding?

It’s been a while since I attended a wedding. But I am going to two this summer. My nephews, and the daughter of our friend. Both should be lovely!

Hubby and I married on a beautiful spring day in April!

3. What is your favorite way to eat strawberries?

Washed and sliced up. Or just plain washed and de-stemmed! Actually any old way!

4. What is one thing you are especially looking forward to this summer?

I think just the warmth of the summer and longer days. Other than the two weddings, and the reunion this week, our summer is looking pretty quiet. I hope my class will still have their 35th Reunion from High School, but it looks like that may not pan out. Perhaps just a nice dinner party for those of us who want to get together!

5. Do you use/like the self checker at the grocery store?

I do and I do. In my previous life I was a grocery store clerk. I ran the 14 items or less line and I was terribly good and very efficient! Before Hubby and I started to date, I used to look up in my line and find him waiting with his two or three things. Always made me smile!

6. Share a favorite piece of common sense advice.

Live in the present. Enjoy each and every day, love the people you are with and let go of your anger, and frustrations, the only person they hurt are you!

7. Barefoot, flip flops, tennis shoes, sassy sandals-your first choice for summertime?

Tennis shoes or Merrell sandals.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’ll be starting the process of packing our suitcases for the Reunion. I am so glad we are taking our car and not flying because then I can take everything but the kitchen sink. I was in the closet looking at things when I found a hand knit white poncho that I had gotten many years ago in Mexico. I asked Hubby what he thought, good for the evenings, or too much? He said it was probably just right for the evening banquet that will be held outside. I knew that 5 bucks I spent on it would pay off someday!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

It was another hot, but beautiful day here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire on Monday, Memorial Day. I decided that today would be the day I would select my clothes for the Reunion, and the shoes too. I’ve decided that men are far more lucky because Hubby only needs to pack oxford shirts and chino’s and his suit and a couple of funky ties and he is fine. A woman must pack pants, skirts, heels, flats, an evening bag, jewelry and of course, my blow dryer, curling iron and electric rollers!

Yes, it takes a lot more time and far more work for a woman to make herself look glamorous! At least I have most of it done and all I need is to get out the big suitcase and put these neatly stacked piles of clothing and shoes into it!

I also had a little episode that made me think that either I was pregnant or I was suffering from heat exhaustion. I came in and cooled off with the air conditioners, and sat down and drank four glasses of cold soda and sugar free juice. After the fourth glass, I felt like I was floating, but the dizziness had passed!

I love the summer, but not when we have 92 degree heat, with high humidity! Then I totally suffer. I prefer the temperatures to be in the upper 70’s or low 80’s. Then I am a happy girl.

As I go out and check on and water my garden, the dogs have all become great little helpers. They run back and forth around the fence, and play with their toys and each other while I water the plants. This is a departure from previous years when the puppies (Arnie & Anneliese) would run off, causing me to stop and chase them. In fact, this year as they get closer to turning 5, they have become more mature and pretty much abide by the family rules of staying in the yard.

Fritz is good. He just follows wherever you go and then while you are busy, he will lie down and watch you and stay close.

Hope you all had a great long weekend!

What I Did This Past Weekend

Our Memorial Day was full of bright, hot sunshine, and Lobster!

My cousin Janet was here with her boyfriend, Dave and they brought some of the best Lobsters and steamer clams ever! The weather was good, but very hot! At one point I looked at the thermometer and it was 92 degrees (F)!

We walked down to a local Craft Fair and checked out all the booths and I bought some spices to use when I make dips. Then we walked home, feeling the heat more and more!

When we got back, Dave and I cooked up those lobsters, clams and some corn on the cob. I’d already made some potato salad. It came out okay, but not as good as usual. Oh well, the first batch of the summer season is usually not my best! But I did try.

Saturday was house cleaning and laundry day, and really, that was not too interesting. I got it done and in the evening I settled in to watch “From Lark Rise to Candleford” before going to bed.

Friday was also rather uninteresting, in fact so much so, that I can’t recall what I did! Oh yes, we went shopping and I got a dress for the Reunion this coming week. Now I am all set for that!

Have a wonderful Monday everyone and a blessed Memorial Day to all those serving in our military! Here is a short montage done last Veterans Day to honor our military!

Hubby’s Veteran’s Day from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.