My bags are packed...well, getting closer to being packed.

Today was spent in Cherries
Canned both raw sweet cherries and cherry syrup.
Totally missed tart cherries this year.
Nectarines are next

Schedule for July:

DC fireworks- done

Cherries- done

Nectarines

Holocaust museum with oldest grand- 8 July

Phoenix for Mom's birthday- 11 July

West Point for grand's birthday- 17 July

Peaches canning

Dentist- July 24

Kid watch at our house

 during dad's radiation treatment- 25-30 July

Mom begins the last of her 80's this year
She wanted a sample of my work
since she never canned
ever
And I am going to carry on my bags.
Even if you are very nice
and have a global entry
they won't let you take 
your mother some home canned things.

So....I improvised

Cherry, blueberry and strawberry syrups 

with my makeup and toothpaste.

Love the stand up baggies!

I'll spend one day in Phoenix looking at 

Air b n b for next summer

when all 12 of us come for Mom's 

big 90 party!

My bag is packed for Phoenix. 

Changing out for West Point won't take much
Minus swim suit. Plus raincoat.
Wash and go.

 I am hauling this box for the party
One little girl is going to be doll housed soon!



I need to get at least 20 jars of peaches this year.... it will be a squeeze in time.

And I need to make some beach plans 
for the grands staying with us
as to not drive my husband insane.

August will be here before I know it!

Celebrating the country

After a week of three:
new tires,
new dishwasher,
new roof

My husband was surprised when I boarded the bus to DC

 for the birthday party!

We drove through loads of corn, soy and wheat fields. 

Sweltering, but beautiful.

Across the Chesapeake

into the Frey.

Celebrating means remembering to me.

First stop, the movie on the Rim Pac 

Carrier - on the IMax.

Then a quick visits to my favorite 

air vehicles

A quick jaunt across the humid mall

I visited a number of my old friends

Then down the mall to see a parade with a million of my nearest and dearest

It was fun to count the number of languages

I heard spoken

32 (that I could distinguish).

I always remember Mary Todd Lincoln on this day.

Such a difficult life

Her family was southern

and her husband lead the north

What did she think about being an "American"?

The Smithsonian has a wonderful new area in the Natural History Museum

It is all about the process

Here is something from our newest state-

how those amazing capes are made.

They are also highlighting ether's work. Not the stiff Smithsonian of the past.

The rains came and went.

Actually the heavy rain went, the light rain hung out

With my trusty IKEA poncho

I ventured out to find a place for the fly over.

This is half the crowd. 

By nightfall, there was not one space on the grass 

from the Capitol to the Lincoln (5.5 miles).

Every walk of life and political POV on display

The flyover did not disappoint.

The Fireworks were great at the beginning,

but the humidity held them down 

And then it was back to the bus for the journey home.

Sometimes I forget where I live

I long to travel,

but there is so much to see here.

I love this country

and, after visiting over 25 others,

I would not choose another.

Happy Birthday USA!