ONE OF OUR WEDDING PHOTOS FROM 43 YEARS AGO

Yesterday Gregg was going through a brief case, and came across one of our old wedding photos.  The briefcase belonged to his parents, a photo they must have ordered.  We both looked at it and were surprised, because neither of us can remember this particular one.  Our own wedding album doesn't have it, so this was a very nice surprise.  It was taken in England, just after our wedding ceremony 43 years ago.  In some ways it seems like yesterday.

We did not want a long distance courtship and, as Gregg had to leave England to start a new job in Washington DC, we decided to get married in December.  The Church was built in the year 1100 AD. The only heating inside the church was a small electric heater by the altar.  When we said our vows you could see our breath.  That winter turned out to be the coldest in well over a hundred years.  We were smiling at someone out of frame.  I wish I could remember who it was, but that day flew by in a whirlwind. Three days later I was on my way to the USA and a new life with my husband.  

I added the photo above from our last trip home in 2015, when we visited my village church. Those windows are the same as in our wedding photo, apart from being taken outside 40 years later, when the weather was a lot warmer and the roses were blooming.

"I love your feet because they have wandered over the earth and through the wind and water until they brought you to me."

~Pablo Neruda, Your Feet~

A touch of nostalgia thanks to finding another of our old photos.

Enjoy the rest of your week everyone, 

and thanks for stopping by.

KENILWORTH AQUATIC GARDENS, WASHINGTON DC

As mentioned in my last post on the Hummingbird Moth, last Sunday (the 5th) we went to a park we haven't been before. Gregg saw it on a local TV channel a couple of months ago and made a note of it.  When we were trying to decide where to go he remembered this place.

We headed to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington DC.  

We didn't explore even a third of it.  The truth of the matter is it was incredibly hot. Our first clue when we arrived at the parking lot, was a lady who had already had her walk and was getting into her car.  She looked exceedingly tired and she told us it was way too hot for her, as shown by the overheated look she had, and the way she sat into the driving seat with a thud.  

We looked at each other and knew that I would have the same trouble with the heat, and I did.  Hubby's warning, "Now remember, as far as we walk in, that's how far we have to walk out." Oh wise sage, he is always right. He is and always has been my Jiminy Cricket. I can get that look in the eye like I am going to climb a mountain, and right now I would have a hard time climbing an ant hill.  

Yes the writing was on the wall, but we had both enjoyed a lovely walk around a couple of the ponds and for now it was enough.  And here is my wise sage.

Even that short walk exceeded all expectations, and we will be going back in the cooler weather.

I think we saw the flowers and plants at their peak though.  These are the kind that love this weather, and it may be past the prime time for water lilies and lotus by the time we get back.  Thankfully we took lots of photos between us.

Everywhere you look there are the most beautiful lotus, and water lilies, and other pretty flowers too.

There were three artists on the other side of one of the ponds.  By the time we got there two were on their way out, but what I saw of their work was lovely.  

I asked the lady in the photo below if she sold her paintings.  She said yes, that she would have them displayed in a gallery soon, and gave me her card.  I was told that if I looked on the website given, it would have a list of places we could view her work.

A small crowd had gathered.  She was very nice and was patiently answering the questions of a young girl, whose mother proudly stated she was very artistic and liked to draw.   Pastels were this lady's medium.  What I could see on her easel I would have loved hanging up in our house.  Hopefully we can get to one of her gallery showings.

We are not too far from our car and there is blessed shade.  The heat goes down at least 10 degrees and I spot another shade lover.

It was loving the shade as much as I was, and as soon as I left another lady walked into my spot and started taking photos.  She saw that it had its own kind of beauty, just as I did.

When we reached the car we drank a river of water, which was still lovely and cold.  We drove through Washington DC and I took more photos of the lovely old homes and tree-lined streets.

As we pointed the car home, Gregg asked me if I would like to eat at a Vietnamese Pho Soup restaurant he used to go to before he retired. He found it as though his last visit was yesterday, and we had a nice bowl of beef and noodle soup.  Why not, hot weather and a hot bowl of soup?  It was excellent and we had no problem with it.  I wish I could remember its name, but I took no further photos.  Next time, as I am sure we will go the next time we visit Kenilworth.  It was a very nice ending to the day.

There will be more photos from here at a later date.  

Thank you for stopping by and have a great day.

A FEW PHOTOS FROM MY BIRTHDAY WITH OUR FAMILY

I had a real nice time on my birthday.  My son and daughter-in-law came over and we all went to the Cheesecake Factory.  

I haven't been there in years.  The young lady who took care of us was very sweet.  As busy as she was, she didn't bat an eye when I asked if she would take our photograph. 

You will recognize some of these photos from my post yesterday.  

My Darlings made it extra special by being there. We had a lot of fun together, as is always the case.

The guys had fish tacos...

daughter-in-law had a delicious looking salad...

and I had the chicken pot pie, and this delicious chocolate cake.  I had heard a few of the staff singing happy birthday to someone, and I looked at our son and said, "No thank you!"  I knew what was on his mind.  Our young lady heard me and got the message, and her face was a question mark, like don't you want us to sing?  I said out loud no thank you with a greatful smile.  But she did bring me this, which I thought was a lovely touch, and not expected.

It was delicious, very rich and I could only eat a couple of bites.  I took the rest home to be enjoyed later.

 Gregg ordered a piece of cheesecake...

 and son and daughter-in-law shared key lime pie.

Gregg had given me two birthday cards early in the day, along with these gorgeous flowers.  

My favorite color roses.

And our son and daughter-in-law gave me the prettiest pillow.

I looked at the square shaped package and had a good idea what it was, even after our son jokingly said, "Bet you can't guess what this is Mom." I loved it and it couldn't have been a more perfect gift. I have been looking for pretty pillows to brighten our sofa.  I even turned it into a painting.

Here is my card from them, next to the pretty paper rose that came on top of the parcel.  The bulldog Bobby was a gift from our son years ago when he went to England on a school trip.  His grandfather, my father, was a 30 year career police officer in the UK. The background is part of a painting of the village I lived in.  That church is where Gregg and I were married in 1975.  I've shared all this before but am adding these little tidbits just in case there's anyone new popping in since then, and it was a long time ago that I last mentioned it. 

And that was this year's birthday.

ALASKA CRUISE-MAY 2018 - ON THE SHIP ALL DAY TODAY

I will add this on every post, just to let anyone who doesn't know, that we have been back home since May 31st.  I am now sharing my journal of our holiday from the beginning of last month.  If you want to see all the posts written so far, you can click on the label below this post entitled, Alaska Trip-May 2018.

FRIDAY, MAY 11TH, 2018 - ON THE SHIP ALL DAY, NO PORTS OF CALL

3.37 a.m.  I woke up rolling one way and then the other in my bed.  Not bad but it was enough to wake me up, and I am a light sleeper anyway. The captain had announced over the intercom yesterday evening, that the weather that night would be a little windy.  I found it oddly soothing, like being rocked ever so gently.

6.28 a.m.  I awoke again to find Gregg out on our balcony taking photos of that gorgeous scenery. (In our time away it never truly got dark, because we are so far north.  I remember waking up at midnight one night and thinking it was twilight, because I could still see light over the mountaintops.) The hills/mountain sides are covered with fir trees, and the sun is trying to peak out.  There is a mist on the mountaintop.  I opened the sliding glass door for a minute to breathe in this crisp morning air, and closed it soon after because I was still in my night clothes.  It was brisk but the chill in the air was lovely.  I am a cold weather person, and would rather have this than the high humidity and heat in the middle of the summer where I live, but once again I am thinking I should have brought more sweaters with me.  The scenery is amazing.

(picture found in the buffet seating area on Deck 10)

I am definitely loving this.  Gregg is in the shower now. I expect he will be going for a walk. I did not sleep as soundly as Gregg and woke up a few times, so am still waking up. I will take my walk later.  I don't want to waste a single moment on this ship, but even being in the cabin, going out on the balcony and looking at all that gorgeous scenery, is a special part of our holiday.

(Intriguing art sculpture found in display case in buffet area, also on Deck 10.  I will share more at a later date.)

9.25 a.m.  A little later than I wanted but I am showered and ready to go.  We spoke to our niece on the phone. Nephew is in the gym and we will join them when he gets back. (This photo was taken later that day.)

Watching the TV's ship channel as I got ready, there are various excursions being shown.  I am eager to get out now. The ship is sailing the Inside Passage, and we reach our first port tomorrow. The man on the TV said we should arrive in Ketchikan in the afternoon.  

Apart from the gentle roll that I woke up to, we don’t really feel much motion on the ship.  But every now and again I feel a sway.  It is an interesting sensation, one I have never felt before. 

The Queen Charlotte Sound is on our left, and the Pacific Ocean. We are also just moving beyond Vancouver Island. Some names on the map. 

Allison Harbor

Alert Bay 

Port Harbor

Port Alice

Cape Scott 

Bay Harbor

Quatsino

Beaver Cove 

And many more.

3.04 p.m. we are back in our room after a few hours topside.  Earlier niece and nephew knocked on the door and the four of us went up for breakfast on Level 10.  It is buffet style. There were different areas and we went to the English Breakfast. We all had sausage and egg, bacon and toast. I added black pudding to my plate (don't judge me non-believers).  It was the best I remember since leaving the UK. A total nostalgia addition, and one I am looking forward to repeating. 

We are not going to be losing any weight on this trip.  All food comes with the price of the cruise, and we have what they call alcohol packages every day.  Also you can use your room card/key anywhere on the ship.  Not only does it get you back on board, it acts like a credit card and you can buy purchases at the many shops, food at any of the restaurants or lounges, and also any kind of beverage, whether it be a cup of tea, coffee, soda, a glass of wine, beer or cocktail.  They just have to check your card every time, just to keep a tally on things.  Extra add-ons will be charged if there is anything special.  

We walked the length of the ship, passed the inside and.... 

the outside pools. 

A man saw us taking a selfie and offered to take our photo. Very nice of him.  It was a little windy, you think?

 Niece and nephew took the one from above.  They enjoyed taking photos as much as we did on this holiday.

We also walked by the gym (picture already shared in my post), the spa and a place where people could get acupuncture. 

We found a very quiet area and it was lovely.  My sister-and-brother-in-law walked in half an hour later. We chatted with them for a while. 

We walked through the casino and I played on one of the slot machines. It wasn’t as fun as I remembered years ago.  I look like I am enjoying myself and I did, but did not bother with those again.  

Further along in another lounge area, there were two very talented musicians playing classical music, a violinist and a cellist. 

We got to our cabin and sat outside on the balcony where we saw a pod of orcas swim buy. No photos, the ship was moving swiftly in one direction and they were moving swiftly in the other.  People were out on their balconies enjoying the sight as much as we were. 

At 7.30 p.m. we have arranged to go to the chef’s table for a sumptuous meal and a tour of the kitchen.  I will share that in another post though, as I think this has gone on long enough for now.  

More to come.