Ocean City, NJ

This was the first whole day of my vacation. This is a very picturesque city. On a clear day, you can see forever; on a foggy day, you can't.

When you go to the Boardwalk here, you must stop at Shriver's and watch them make salt water taffy. Buying some to eat is secondary. ha ha

Lunch was a double pork roll on a bun ( a boardwalk delight). No cheese on mine.

And for dessert, a dish of gelati -- Italian ice cream. OH YUMMMMM! If I remember correctly I had 1/2 pistachio and 1/2 banana. It was huge and I only ordered a regular size. I would have taken a picture of the dish but it needed my undivided attention immediately.

Vacation is history

I'm back in GR this afternoon after a wonderful vacation in NJ/PA. I spent over a week with a really good friend in NJ. We really kept the road hot. Visited PA twice -- once to see a quilter friend, Cheryl in Amish country and once to visit Longwood Gardens. Thanks Cheryl for a wonderful day and for helping me enhance my stash (4 yards bought -- YTD negative 11.63 yds).

I also met up with Elaine, another quilter friend, for another wonderful day. Thanks Elaine for a great tour of the area and a fabulous lunch. We talked about the tearoom and lunch several times since.

It was so great to hook up with long-time quilt friends. Thanks Karen for being a wonderful hostess, cook, opponent, photographer assistant, chauffeur and tour guide. I loved every minute (even the game when you beat me to pulp) and am looking forward to another visit some day. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to your visit this way.

I took hundreds of pictures of which I'll post some in days to come.

Tomorrow -- back to real life.

Spring!

Today was a beautiful day. Still is, in fact. A friend and I went to a little city east of here, Grand Ledge, to check out a little quilt show they were having in conjunction with their Victorian Day. The quilts were quite nice but the park by the Grand River was beautiful.

We stopped at one of my favorite quilt shops on the way back. I think it is now her favorite shop. What is so cool is that during this tough economy, they are doubling the size of their shop. The owners said their business has been great. It is always good to hear some good news.

Upcoming Weekend

The weekend is here. Seems like it was a long time coming. Seems like forever since last weekend when I had such a great time. This weekend is looking good though. Going to a Victorian Day Festival which is having a quilt show. I don't think they have vendors. I think quilts are just displayed in some of the stores, etc. A friend is going with me so we should have a really nice time. Sunday is church, lunch with friends and a visit with my parents. And the weather is supposed to be sunny!!! Amazing. Oh so welcome.

A fantastic day

Today was day one of a photography weekend put on by Rocky Mountain School of Photography. OH MAN!!! I had my choice of 9 classes over 3 sessions. I wanted to take all 9. The three I chose were so full of good stuff. I can't believe how much I learned. The trick will be remembering. The guys are such good teachers. After the class I had on Low Light and Night Photography, I was so psyched to go out and try the things he told us about. Some really easy tricks. I want to attend one of their week long workshops sometime. They have them in MT where the school is located and also several great locations throught the US and one in Victoria, BC, Canada (one of my favorite cities). I can't wait for tomorrow's classes. There are two videos I'd like to buy but I'm going to choose only 1 -- I think.

Jazz Bands Concert

Tonight I went to my 13 year-old nephew's Jazz Band Concert. Now, mind you, the kids were grades 7-12. There were 4 different bands. The first band consisted of several 7th and 8th graders. They decided they wanted to be a band. These kids were fantastic. The next band was 7th - 12th graders. Well, they blew my socks off too. The next, a combo was 6 guys grades 8-12. They not only totally amazed me, they blew everyone's socks off at a competition a couple weeks ago and it was their first time participating. They received a standing ovation from the other bands. The last band also consisted of all the grades. Those kids were fantastic too. And Saturday they go for regional competition at Michigan State University. These kids do a lot of their own arranging of the songs and for the most part, their music was memorized.

They have a new director this year and he is fantastic. He has taken the kids to new levels. Two of the bands meet during non-regular school hours. The combo comes in at 7:00AM daily and one meets during G period which I think is supposed to be kind of a free period. The kids in the 1st group even get together on Saturday mornings at one of their house's for outside practice. This school really encourages music. In most schools, kids aspire to be the top sports star. In this one, it is the top musician. I've never seen so many good musicians in one school and it is a small school -- a charter school. And I've never seen middle and high school play together. Usually there is such a difference in skill level, the high schoolers would not want the younger ones playing with them. These kids all have such a great time playing together. One of the boys who plays in the combo and the last group plays fiddle and guitar. Right after he graduates in a few weeks, he is joining the army and will become a member of the U.S. Army Band. The kid can play!

Black River, you guys rock!!!

Bike Ride

I got the bicycle out today after work. I had a chiro appt which is about 3 miles from my house. Jumped on the bike and headed over to his office. It felt so good to be out there riding. Supposed to have another few nice days. Hopefully I can get a few more rides in of longer duration.