tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40997928501027890702024-02-18T19:46:31.675-08:00The Merry Wife of WindemereMerry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-50907929389318180192014-01-11T06:31:00.000-08:002014-01-11T10:23:11.415-08:00Baby It's Cold OutsideOver the last few weeks, I've made friends with my ice scraper, realized the necessity of all-season tires, and learned a new phrase: <i>polar vortex</i>. Sounds horribly menacing, doesn't it? Meanwhile, my friends and family in L.A. tell me that the sky is blue, temps are hovering in the 70s and 80s, and you can even see the mountains. Just another perfect day...<br />
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When they ask me, cautiously, how I'm adjusting, I surprise them and myself by saying that I love it here in New England. Certainly, going back to work has been good for my psyche. As a naturally high strung person, I need a focus for my neurotic tendencies, and the Merry Husband is relieved that my target is no longer him. Although I am thankful that I was able to take almost six months off from work, I feel more productive, energetic, and, well frankly, a lot happier now that I have a job. Remember Dicky Fox from Jerry Meguire?<br />
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Ah, Sweet Purpose, how I've missed you.<br />
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But I didn't expect to like winter. I thought I'd be miserable and counting the dark days until spring. Instead, when I wake up to fresh snow covering everything in sight, I feel like Elsa from <i>Frozen</i>.<br />
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The Merry Husband has been trying to temper my expectations. He says that March will be difficult. Right now, though, I'm enjoying the novelty of it all.<br />
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Unlike Ice Queen Elsa, I have to admit, the cold bothers me a little bit. Fortunately, these New Englanders are a tough breed and have developed helpful coping mechanisms.<br />
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<b>1. Legal Sea Foods' Clam Chowder</b>. If I could mainline it, I would.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.legalseafoods.com/">Via</a> Legal Sea Foods</td></tr>
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<b>2. <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/43281?feat=shearling%20boots-SR0&page=women-s-bean-boots-by-l-l-bean-reg-10-quot-shearling-lined">10" Shearling-Lined Bean Boots</a>.</b> Keeps even my Raynaud's disease-ridden toes toasty warm.</div>
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<b>3. Running</b>. Seriously, the runners are still out there. This is prime training season for the Boston Marathon, only 99 days away. Just be sure you wear a reflective vest.<br />
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<b>4. Alcohol</b>. Last weekend, the Merry Husband and I stopped in for lunch at the <a href="http://www.centuryhousepeabody.com/">Century House in Peabody</a> while we were waiting for an oil change on my car. At 1:00 in the afternoon, the bar was absolutely packed. I asked the waitress if there was a special game or other event going on. No, she said. Every Saturday, people rushed in as soon as the bar opened at 11:00 in the morning to claim their seats for the rest of the day. They watched whatever was on (that day, it was Bruins hockey), played Keno, and socialized.<br />
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<b>5. Friends. </b>New Englanders have a reputation for gruffness. Think Bill Belichick in his cut-off hoodie.<br />
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They all seem to have been here since the Mayflower. They give directions by referencing defunct businesses. ("Turn right where that Dunkin' Donuts used to be ten years ago.") They drive with one hand permanently positioned over the horn. But once they decide that you're alright, never will you find more loyal friends. Case in point, our 72-year-old neighbor, a former highway patrolman, who insists on checking up on us at least once a week, even if that means braving his icy driveway with his cane. With friends like this, spring can wait.<br />
<br />Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-5785374198966035902014-01-04T15:39:00.000-08:002014-01-04T15:39:44.595-08:00Snow DayWe had a snow storm yesterday, which meant that I got to work from home in my pajamas, a novel experience for me. Another first: I made a snow angel. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Merry Dog didn't find the snow nearly as entertaining as I did. She was too busy growling her disapproval over the snow plow guys. </div>
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With my little front yard art installation, I've officially knocked 9 items off my <a href="http://dayzeroproject.com/user/MerryWife/list/79718">Day Zero Project</a> list. I'm making some progress on a few of the long term goals too. I've committed to running the <a href="http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/index.htm">Toronto Waterfront Marathon</a> on October 19, 2014 (yikes). And I've started to learn Cantonese. I've downloaded an app called <a href="http://www.earwormslearning.com/discover/">Earworms</a> Rapid Cantonese, in which a very sexy sounding British guy tells you how to order a round of drinks. So far though, my attempts at communication with the Merry Husband in his native tongue have been a flop. Apparently, the Cantonese phrase for <i>some drinks</i> sounds a lot like the word for <i>stupid </i>(oops). </div>
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I hope that all of you had a very Happy New Year, and that 2014 brings health and happiness your way.</div>
Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-5507520336809775372013-12-25T08:50:00.001-08:002014-01-11T08:17:05.918-08:00Merry Christmas to All!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wishing all of you a merry and bright holiday season.<br />
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XOXO,<br />
Merry WifeMerry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-60428481937548025552013-12-10T05:42:00.000-08:002013-12-10T05:42:45.583-08:00You're Gonna Make it After All<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thank you to everyone who commented on Sunday's neurotic post. Yesterday evening, I got the call from my recruiter that I got the job. Since I didn't have a beret handy, I settled for giving the Merry Husband a high five as he ran down the staircase to congratulate me.<br />
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It's been over four months since I left my job, and although I desperately needed this break, it feels good to be heading back to work. I start on Tuesday, the day after I get back from a long weekend in L.A. to celebrate my sister's 40th birthday.<br />
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This is a contractor gig, so while the pay will be more than I'm used to, I'll only be there a few months. After that, I start this whole process over again. But I am happy that I will start the new year gainfully employed. For those keeping score at home, <a href="http://dayzeroproject.com/user/MerryWife/list/79718">Goal #38</a> has been crossed off the list.Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-51823279586378213862013-12-08T17:44:00.000-08:002013-12-08T17:50:19.961-08:00Lament of the (Would Be) Working Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I used to work for a woman who loved to interview for new jobs. After a bad day at the office, she'd go home, fire up her laptop, and send her resume out to her broad network of contacts. She thrived in new environments, and her enthusiasm invariably dazzled her interviewers. Every couple of years, she moved on to a new job and new challenges. Just last week, she packed up and moved from Southern California to Alaska. She is fearless.<br />
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I, on the other hand, break out in a cold sweat at the mere mention of CareerBuilder. So you can imagine my terror when I was asked to come in for an interview on Friday, my first in over 10 years. In the days leading up, I worried myself into red, bumpy, painful hives that covered my neck (not a good look). At night, I dreamed about everything that could go wrong - getting lost on the way, flubbing interview questions, and (worst of all) realizing just as I was shaking hands with my potential colleagues that I was wearing faded jeans and a sloppy shirt.<br />
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This last subconscious worry seemed about to become a reality as I scoured my local malls for an Interview Suit. When I graduated from law school way back in 2001, you could cruise into any Ann Taylor and pick up a navy or gray skirt suit in acetate or viscose. Pair it with a cream-colored polyester shell, throw on some sensible black heels, a good watch, and some pearl studs, and you were done. Incidentally, we were instructed by Career Services to avoid black (too severe) and pants suits (unprofessional). It went without saying that we were to wear pantyhose, preferably Donna Karan. To paraphrase Melanie Griffith's Tess, you wanna be taken seriously, you need a serious suit.<br />
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Now admittedly, the Interview Suit was no one's favorite article of clothing. As soon as you signed your offer letter, the Interview Suit retreated to the dark recesses of your closet. Perhaps you wore its sibling on your first day or pulled it out occasionally for important meetings, but soon enough, business casual reigned triumphant. Eventually, your whole look devolved until, by the end, you were wearing flip-flops on Fridays. No? Okay, I guess it was just our office then.<br />
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So while I'm glad that many of us no longer have to wear suits on a daily basis, I was irritated when I realized that Brooks Brothers (of all places) does not stock navy or gray skirt suits. The saleswoman even called into the warehouse for me. Zip, zilch, nada. I made my way over to J Crew, where a salesman told me that the store had recently stopped stocking suits altogether, but that I could still order one online. Irritation gave way to panic. Giving up my dream of natural fibers, I visited Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Talbots, and Macy's. Still no Interview Suit.<br />
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In desperation, I tried Burberry and yet again came up empty handed. But here, an angel of a salesman whispered in his British accent, "Go to Lord & Taylor. Everything is on sale." And there, in the middle of the first floor, was an Interview Suit bonanza. Racks and racks of suits made by someone named Arthur S. Levine. Plain, no-nonsense suits in plain, no-nonsense colors. Let me tell you, relief feels like poly-blend.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahari Arthur Levine<br />
<a href="http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/womens-apparel/wa-suiting/two-button-blazer-0145-33rrm369--1">Two Button Blazer</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahari Arthur Levine<br />
<a href="http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/womens-apparel/wa-suiting/tommy-pencil-skirt">Tommy Pencil Skirt</a></td></tr>
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All this has left me wondering if the Interview Suit is a dying breed. Perhaps the smaller stores needed to clear out boring basics this month to make room for their more exciting holiday offerings. Perhaps women have collectively decided that the old "rules" are nonsense, and that their education and experience should speak (rightfully) louder than a black pant suit. Or perhaps women aren't interviewing because of the poor job market. I just don't know.<br />
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I do know, however, that I'd really like a navy or gray suit in wool. If you have suggestions, please let me know. There is <a href="http://www.elietahari.com/en_US/seasonless-wool-skirt-suit/ETLOOKS201327.html?start=6&cgid=women-shop-suits&PathToProduct=women-shop-suits">this</a> one from Tahari, which I might be able to try on in Boston. Then again, maybe it's time to go custom with <a href="https://www.moi-meme.com/">Moi-Meme</a>.Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-52128151963132027092013-10-31T06:39:00.001-07:002013-11-01T08:34:32.055-07:00Happy Halloween!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granary Burial Ground, Boston</td></tr>
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<br />Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-75499802475422968102013-10-24T13:21:00.001-07:002013-10-24T13:56:34.221-07:00101 Things in 1,001 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.personalfinancewhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/sick-as-a-dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.personalfinancewhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/sick-as-a-dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sick as a dog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am fighting off an infection and have been laid up in bed for the past several days. On the plus side, I'm all caught up on the Kardashians and the Long Island Medium. It's driving the Merry Husband nuts. At this point, I think he wants me to get well almost as much as I do.<br />
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Nothing like a few hours of watching other people's lives to make you feel like you are wasting yours. So, I was intrigued when a friend of mine mentioned that she is doing the <a href="http://dayzeroproject.com/">Day Zero Project</a>. Essentially a bucket list organizer, the Day Zero Project allows you to set goals, monitor your progress, and share your success with the website's online community. The site's most popular challenge is its "101 Things in 1,001 Days" list. 1,001 days is approximately 2.75 years and puts me just a couple of months shy of my 40th birthday. I'll keep you updated as I (hopefully) strike goals from my list.</div>
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<div id="header" style="font-size: 12px;">
<h1 style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; margin: 8px 4px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px;">101 Things in 1001 Days</span></h1>
<h3 style="color: #666666; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 4px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oct 22, 2013 - Jul 19, 2016</span></h3>
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<div id="list" style="margin-top: 20px;">
<ol class="inlineList" style="margin: 0px;">
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Build a bonfire and toast marshmallows</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wake up at 5:00 AM everyday for a week</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kiss at the top of the Empire State Building</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pack a picnic</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Volunteer 50 hours through the Junior League</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See Niagara Falls (New York)</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paint the walls</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy something fabulous for myself</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take a yoga class</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go to London</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a baby</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Run a marathon in under 4 hours</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Host a cocktail party</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See a Broadway show</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Become flexible enough to touch my toes</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy an original piece of art</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Complete a 100 Pushups Challenge</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read 10 classics I should have read but have never got around to</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Watch the sun rise over the Atlantic and set over the Pacific in the same day</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See the Northern Lights</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eat a lobster in Maine</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Visit Julia Child's kitchen in the Smithsonian</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy a new car</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have professional photos taken of my dog</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eat caviar and drink champagne on New Year's Eve</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do a hangover run on New Year's Day</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go snow shoeing</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn a new language</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take a lesson at the Land Rover Experience Driving School in Equinox, Vermont</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go canoeing</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reach my goal weight</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eat dinner at Commander's Palace in New Orleans</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hike part of the Appalachian Trail</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Join a book club</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go to a jazz club</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See a Shakespeare play</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn to sew</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Find a new job</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Complete my silver pattern</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go to the Brimfield antique show</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do a detox</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Refinish an old piece of furniture</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Attend a lecture</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a spa day</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Enter something in a food competition</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Attend a black tie gala</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Attend a unique small-town event</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go to the top of the CN Tower</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eat oysters at Union Oyster House</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn to drive a stick shift</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rock a bikini at the beach</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get certified in CPR</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go to a live professional sporting event</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Try 10 new local restaurants</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go on a spiritual retreat</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Order engraved stationery</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go on a road trip</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go to a wine tasting</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Participate in a political party or an organization</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Donate money to charity</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do a home improvement project</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a candlelight dinner</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stroll the Cliff Walk in Newport (Rhode Island)</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Test drive a convertible sportscar</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Visit Nantucket (Massachusetts)</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do some birdwatching</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eat a food I've never tried before</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Host a tea party</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Attend finishing school</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go to see an Opera</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take piano lessons</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go a month without junk food</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take a self defense class</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Make a new friend</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Create the perfect up-do</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Landscape the backyard</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take a knife skills class</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get a passport</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge, just in case</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn how to change a tire</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take advice from an older & wiser woman</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Make a snow angel</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Send cookies to troops overseas</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Catch a firefly</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn to play bridge</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Visit the Lincoln Memorial (Washington, D.C.)</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go clam digging</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See the Christmas carolers at Faneuil Hall</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Climb a mountain</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Climb an indoor rock wall</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mix a French 75</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ride on a sleigh</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stay up all night</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn how to do a cartwheel</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See a lunar eclipse</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Visit a cave</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do something completely spontaneous and crazy</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Show gratitude</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See a financial planner</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fly on a trapeze</span></li>
<li style="border-style: none; margin: 3px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a Hawaiian bracelet engraved with my dad's name</span></li>
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Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-47478592516512002692013-10-14T15:48:00.002-07:002013-10-15T05:41:40.982-07:00Columbus Day in RockportThis weekend, artisans in the Cape Ann towns of Rockport and Gloucester opened their galleries for their <a href="http://capeannartisans.com/">30th Annual Studio Tour</a>. We decided that this was a lovely excuse to drive to the coast and enjoy the blue skies and salty air. Those of you who are George Clooney fans (and really, who isn't?) might know Gloucester as the setting for the movie <i>The Perfect Storm</i>. It's also home to that yellow slicker-clad icon, the Gorton's Fisherman. Gloucester is incredibly scenic, and deserves its own post sometime. For this outing, though, we decided to spend most of the afternoon next door in Rockport's Bearskin Neck, a touristy stretch of lobster shacks, art galleries, and souvenir shops.<br />
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Here on Bradley Wharf, you can see what has been called "the most often-painted building in America", a red fishing shack known as Motif #1.<br />
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After lunch at the <a href="http://bluelobstergrille.com/">Blue Lobster Grille</a>, we wandered down the streets and through the shops.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The intriguingly named<br />"Dark Star Philosophia"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorton's Fishergulls?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteXz1WQW_qf4tFDuIVg4OWR8hO_Z6tp6Esaiy8U6YnxgUHXhyphenhyphenlFrQQ7OnLJT7RpoQsChRG_LpLh1nB5ooax4a2-hRFTegLWOCopIWqmZZVC_t6KDzkX8YOlNMx76H5TdOxvo9Ok4QRqs2/s1600/IMG_3227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteXz1WQW_qf4tFDuIVg4OWR8hO_Z6tp6Esaiy8U6YnxgUHXhyphenhyphenlFrQQ7OnLJT7RpoQsChRG_LpLh1nB5ooax4a2-hRFTegLWOCopIWqmZZVC_t6KDzkX8YOlNMx76H5TdOxvo9Ok4QRqs2/s320/IMG_3227.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This buoy was calling my name.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster Traps</td></tr>
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<br />Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-52932839721262904252013-10-05T19:11:00.001-07:002013-10-05T19:29:08.841-07:00Fall Fashion Essentials: Boston Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I miss the L.A. uniform. Slip on a pair of faded jeans, a white gauzy tunic, and some flip-flops and you could blend in anywhere in the city, from the surf shacks of Manhattan Beach to the sidewalk bistros of Robertson Blvd. So easy. Of course, looking good in L.A. has always been about the body, not the clothes. It takes endless hours of hiking in Runyon Canyon to perfect that laid-back style. On second thought, maybe not so easy after all.<br />
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I'm sure it will surprise you not in the least to hear that there is a uniform in Boston too. Over the last week, I've been shuttling visiting relatives all over town, and doing some fashion reconnaissance on the sly. So, what are all the cool girls wearing this fall?<br />
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#1: Longchamp's Le Pliage<br />
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This bag is everywhere. Navy is the most popular, but several girls walking around the Common today sported dark red.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://us.longchamp.com/sites/us/files//product/standard/longchamp_sac_shopping_l_le_pliage_1899089300_0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://us.longchamp.com/sites/us/files//product/standard/longchamp_sac_shopping_l_le_pliage_1899089300_0.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://us.longchamp.com/pliage/nylon">Here.</a></td></tr>
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#2: Frye Melissa Button Boot<br />
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There are still a few brave souls wearing their Navajos, but most are tucking their skinny jeans and Lululemons into riding boots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://g.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/Large/3/_6843923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://g.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/Large/3/_6843923.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thefryecompany.com/womens-boots/view-all/77165/melissa-button">Here.</a></td></tr>
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#3: The Quilted Puffer Vest<br />
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Your torso is ready for the tundra in a down vest. Again, navy rules, but yesterday I saw a beautiful version in burgundy with ruffles down the front at <a href="http://www.saracampbellwebsite.com/">Sara Campbell</a> in Concord.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patagonia.com/tsimages/84246_352.fpx?wid=430&hei=430&ftr=8&effect=dropshadow,0x000000,10,8,120,8&cvt=jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.patagonia.com/tsimages/84246_352.fpx?wid=430&hei=430&ftr=8&effect=dropshadow,0x000000,10,8,120,8&cvt=jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/womens-nano-puff-vest?p=84246-0-352">Here.</a></td></tr>
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#4: The Infinity Scarf<br />
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I am convinced that <a href="http://unefemme.net/2013/10/casual-vendredi-17.html">Une Femme</a> is the only chick in Southern California who understands scarves. So, I'm encouraged to see women wearing circle scarves, like this one from Lilly Pulitzer. No mad origami skillz needed. Even I can pull this look off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thepinkdoormemphis.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/1/f1346281_brghtnvyromantic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thepinkdoormemphis.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/1/f1346281_brghtnvyromantic.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/Accessories-Shoes/Scarves/entity/pc/61/c/247/5098.uts?swatchName=Black+Serenade+Murfee">Here.</a></td></tr>
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#5: Needlepoint Hat<br />
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Worn with a bun peeking out at the nape of the neck.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://harding-lane.com/shop/32-145-large/h-l-martha-s-vineyard-on-weathered-red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://harding-lane.com/shop/32-145-large/h-l-martha-s-vineyard-on-weathered-red.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://harding-lane.com/shop/32-h-l-martha-s-vineyard-on-weathered-red.html">Here.</a></td></tr>
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<br />Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-83667213370602615882013-10-04T05:06:00.000-07:002013-10-04T05:06:25.273-07:00PSA: Brooks Brothers Shoe Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been stalking <a href="http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Calfskin-Kiltie-Heel/WF00164_____BEIG_08H______,default,pd.html">these shoes</a> forever. They are finally on super-sale for $45.60. Oh Happy Day!Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-64391196776241878002013-09-25T17:36:00.000-07:002013-09-26T05:20:17.717-07:00Apple PickingMy sister and niece flew out from L.A. yesterday to visit me for a whole week! The little one is currently obsessed with the Fancy Nancy book <i>Apples Galore</i>, so this morning we drove out to Stow to pick apples at <a href="http://www.shelburnefarm.com/">Shelburne Farm</a>.<br />
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You can walk through the orchards and fill up 10 or 20 pound bags with Macoun, McIntosh, Cortland, Empire, and Fuji apples. You can also pick what's left of the summer peaches, or get a jump on Halloween and buy a pumpkin instead.<br />
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We admired the farm animals, which included some donkeys and a llama, and then set out into the orchard.<br />
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We took a hay ride.</div>
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And we *had* to take a break for cider donuts!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cider donuts rule.</td></tr>
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So, what does 20 pounds of apples look like?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our haul.</td></tr>
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I tried to get my niece to do her best "Desperate Merry Wives" pose, but she went running after a dropped apple like Atalanta.<br />
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Tomorrow we head out to the Deerfield Fair in New Hampshire!Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-20300175836302528902013-09-19T06:02:00.000-07:002013-09-19T08:09:44.061-07:00Twilight on the PondDid you<span style="font-family: inherit;"> see the Harvest Moon last night? I forgot all about it until I took the Merry Dog for an evening walk around Horn Pond and glanced up to see its full white face.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the pond's resident swans.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-39551939042202807012013-09-16T14:18:00.000-07:002013-09-16T14:18:44.509-07:00Reflections of a Householder<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJwoeWK7E07TfmSrJVfWbbO5jbEN0ZWQnMJuRzGc2YpHmepLUyrWrCHMpm3EUYs2ADKICoSGEA8LfotI3-djaPHvqBZQgHxt8GETtk3I2f2ASgaIOWMh9uioovg9-4zLtnGVZSry43SfZ/s1600/IMG_20130915_165135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJwoeWK7E07TfmSrJVfWbbO5jbEN0ZWQnMJuRzGc2YpHmepLUyrWrCHMpm3EUYs2ADKICoSGEA8LfotI3-djaPHvqBZQgHxt8GETtk3I2f2ASgaIOWMh9uioovg9-4zLtnGVZSry43SfZ/s320/IMG_20130915_165135.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pond at the Minuteman National Park Visitor Center,<br />Lexintgon, MA</td></tr>
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While getting caught up on my high school alumni notes this weekend, I read that that a former classmate was ordained in July as a Benedictine priest. This after years of exploring Eastern spirituality and then living at a monastery in the Mohave Desert.<br />
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It is difficult for me to reconcile this holy image with my memory of the teenager who would sit and talk with me at lunch about cars, guitars, and surfing (the three primary obsessions of any So Cal teen) and then carry my books as we walked to 5th period Civics. But I am happy for him, and incredibly impressed that he has committed himself so completely to his pursuit of truth. Congratulations, Father Cassian.<br />
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I, on the other hand, am shopping around for God, or (more precisely) a new spiritual home. As a Unitarian in Los Angeles, my options were pretty limited. My preferred church was a good 40 minute drive away. Between the commute and coffee hour (free-trade, of course), I was lucky to get back home by 2:00.<br />
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But now I find myself in Unitarian Central - there are six congregations within a 5 mile drive. For the first time, I can be picky. On a rainy Sunday a few weeks ago, I visited First Parish in Lexington, right on the Battle Green. With its tall white steeple, Hutchings pipe organ, and old cemetery out back, it is the quintessential New England Church. Yesterday, I attended services at the Follen Church Society, also in Lexington. Follen is the oldest standing religious structure in Lexington. It was also the site of Emerson's last regular preaching gig before he chucked it all for Transcendentalism. They've kept his pulpit all these years, and now the congregation's brand-new slip-of-a-thing Reverend Claire preaches from it every Sunday at 10:30. A self-described Jewnitarian, she gave a beautiful sermon yesterday about Yom Kippur, imperfection, and atonement. I like to think Emerson would have approved.<br />
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I couldn't bring myself to take photos inside the sanctuary, so I've taken a few from their <a href="http://follen.org/">website</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://follen.org/wp/wp-content/gallery/follen-building/follen_front_spring_smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://follen.org/wp/wp-content/gallery/follen-building/follen_front_spring_smaller.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Follen Church Society<br />755 Massachusetts Ave.<br />Lexington, MA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://follen.org/wp-content/gallery/follen-building/sanctuaryphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://follen.org/wp-content/gallery/follen-building/sanctuaryphoto.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sanctuary was shaped like an<br />octagon so that church-goers could<br />see and hear the minister and each other<br />easily.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://follen.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/pulpit-detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://follen.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/pulpit-detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of Emerson's pulpit. Originally, the pulpit was at pew-level<br />so that the minister was not above his congregants. </td></tr>
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In a sign of the times, the old Unitarian church building in Woburn is now the Satsang Center. I like to think that Emerson, who was influenced by the Vedas, would have approved of this as well.</div>
Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-52352489298562188002013-09-09T06:14:00.000-07:002013-09-09T06:14:53.745-07:00Independent Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am currently enjoying an extended sabbatical. That is, I haven't quite convinced myself to look for a job yet (it's on my to-do list, I swear). Instead, I'm using up my new town's free services, first and foremost, the library.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woburn Public Library,<br />
aka Winn Memorial Library</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd5m-09k5np9xdoPXf8pq_HUHFFWDSRft61X9f5lkB1sTc4ZQmkdDC13z-WtbKiVGnzvXJfprYoVqi7jAb8KG8D0pJCO1p7aCAzYfGxT_a6NS4jlbS_HFgfZsP9-HyuTolO5T6HQpfEQA/s1600/IMAG0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd5m-09k5np9xdoPXf8pq_HUHFFWDSRft61X9f5lkB1sTc4ZQmkdDC13z-WtbKiVGnzvXJfprYoVqi7jAb8KG8D0pJCO1p7aCAzYfGxT_a6NS4jlbS_HFgfZsP9-HyuTolO5T6HQpfEQA/s320/IMAG0073.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Thompson">Benjamin Thompson</a>.</td></tr>
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Isn't it pretty? The architect was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hobson_Richardson#Public_libraries">Henry H. Richardson</a>, who also designed Trinity Church in the Back Bay of Boston. The statue out front is of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Thompson">Benjamin Thompson</a>, a Woburn-born physicist who served as a soldier for the Loyalists during the Revolution. After the war, he moved back to London. Apparently, all has been forgiven, and he now keeps a careful eye on the courthouse across the street.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ5pF0DBJ_LyU81CZ8yCapxgF9ic1tCWwf0xQ31hFLiMO1BYP5XuWTgXbQta31GSmthQcg8sEW6ThXvI_soOFm1CwAMsLvtQK2mSXj42BDf9FDPL2ZReWGG_gk-_Q-kCIRH5p9jagEk58/s1600/IMAG0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ5pF0DBJ_LyU81CZ8yCapxgF9ic1tCWwf0xQ31hFLiMO1BYP5XuWTgXbQta31GSmthQcg8sEW6ThXvI_soOFm1CwAMsLvtQK2mSXj42BDf9FDPL2ZReWGG_gk-_Q-kCIRH5p9jagEk58/s320/IMAG0080.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The book stacks in the morning light.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJdoBpcONfLgmPa8ABZy10u81ab8GYPmbsCJLEwSi53RLs9CwMzRvQQonBbB-oMetQt0o4U-TK5o6LFXMy7xxa1udVa8Rlz4Ms6kMmJZWoS9e2vmTLYyQMpAfpQ_kWW70FTrWSoD-4z_l/s1600/IMAG0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJdoBpcONfLgmPa8ABZy10u81ab8GYPmbsCJLEwSi53RLs9CwMzRvQQonBbB-oMetQt0o4U-TK5o6LFXMy7xxa1udVa8Rlz4Ms6kMmJZWoS9e2vmTLYyQMpAfpQ_kWW70FTrWSoD-4z_l/s320/IMAG0078.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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When I moved here, I pictured endless hours spent loitering on the upper levels of the stacks, like Burgess Meredith in that Twilight Zone episode before he breaks his glasses. Imagine my disappointment when I learned that the stairs to the upper level have been chained off. The lovely iron balconies have become too rickety (librarian's words, not mine) and only library employees are allowed up. My inner reaction? "That's not fair. That's not fair at all. There was time now. There was all the time I needed....*sob*."<br />
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But onward. I am now happily requesting and checking out books with abandon, everything from 84, Charing Cross Road to the Prose Edda. Let the semester begin!Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-81402266649275095292013-09-04T16:13:00.000-07:002013-09-04T17:59:09.938-07:00Running and Eating (But Mostly Eating)On Labor Day, I drove an hour and half through the (very un-summery) pouring rain to meet up with some friends for the Acushnet 4 Miler Road Race. Fortunately for us, the storm cleared for the race. Though the humidity was still oppressive, at least we didn't have to contend with soaking feet and the attendant blisters.<br />
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Acushnet is an old whaling town with a large Portuguese population. My own heritage is mixed (think vigorously shaken, not stirred), and some of my ancestors were Portuguese whalers from the Azores who made their way to Honolulu, Hawaii. On lazy Sunday mornings, my dad would often fry up a batch of the Portuguese deep-fried pastries called malasadas that he loved so much as a kid.</div>
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But then, everyone loves malasadas. You could say that malasadas are to Hawaii what beignets are to New Orleans. <a href="http://www.leonardshawaii.com/malasadas/" target="_blank">Leonard's</a> is the most popular place to get them (though I like <a href="http://lilihabakeryhawaii.com/" target="_blank">Liliha Bakery</a>). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.leonardshawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/slideshow-placeholder-575x343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://www.leonardshawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/slideshow-placeholder-575x343.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malasadas at Leonard's Bakery in Hawaii</td></tr>
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In short, I have really, really happy memories of eating malasadas. As an adult, I would often pick up a box of malasadas when I visited my parents on the weekends, stopping by <a href="http://www.kingshawaiian.com/" target="_blank">King's Hawaiian Restaurant</a> or standing in line for the "malasada lady" at the Torrance Farmers Market. They were, though, never as good as the ones my dad tossed into a vat of lava-hot oil and then into a brown paper bag of sugar.</div>
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Before the race, I asked my friend's husband where I could get a malasada nearby. As luck would have it, there was a Portuguese festival running through the holiday weekend. We could get malasadas there! The line though, he warned me, could take as long as 2 hours.</div>
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After the race, we sauntered over the festival, tired, grungy, and stinky. Luckily, the line wasn't terrible - yet. When we got to the front of the line, we waited several minutes for our order to be filled, allowing us to observe the malasada-making process up close.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQRmRQ6Xs0H0QhMYtmxP_fD-BR9ueOuHH62qiaLBJGoo5rMMBGuJdlqHLqWilRHa-cIsHZEbiZ919gzoNBdwhNx6E8lrix6ofbjmjRGuu7DrhnWutafc6hyDHzscxH4T_E97kquf968X9/s1600/Malasadas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQRmRQ6Xs0H0QhMYtmxP_fD-BR9ueOuHH62qiaLBJGoo5rMMBGuJdlqHLqWilRHa-cIsHZEbiZ919gzoNBdwhNx6E8lrix6ofbjmjRGuu7DrhnWutafc6hyDHzscxH4T_E97kquf968X9/s320/Malasadas+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bits of dough were patted out into discs (like a small pizza dough). Then, into the fryer they went before being coated with sugar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnNv7OJGyELTpdCX09Ahqfqmg64GY0FDoxHsopHGHu9wDdkqZEtUBaLXD3rr5JWUiTZjHWv-iUOYodnTUnpXXY_xU3MeIkSL7XlZud6B5ToKy7ImYBVxb3cTEtlO9nHbqtSGZ1VKJoeyh/s1600/Malasadas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnNv7OJGyELTpdCX09Ahqfqmg64GY0FDoxHsopHGHu9wDdkqZEtUBaLXD3rr5JWUiTZjHWv-iUOYodnTUnpXXY_xU3MeIkSL7XlZud6B5ToKy7ImYBVxb3cTEtlO9nHbqtSGZ1VKJoeyh/s320/Malasadas+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The finished product looked like this:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM1QRiIWKMSplTFK34LRZQpAHXVb6qlNfBYKjgn870UA9mixP_o4lST2FkpnX0-0LWx-T1E3IhGoKR3fgogDz5zlEfHKbgAhhdYigHy-CaXs3YkUyzP0BivS8R-dZcjzNLuNZBM7tAWnO/s1600/Malasadas+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM1QRiIWKMSplTFK34LRZQpAHXVb6qlNfBYKjgn870UA9mixP_o4lST2FkpnX0-0LWx-T1E3IhGoKR3fgogDz5zlEfHKbgAhhdYigHy-CaXs3YkUyzP0BivS8R-dZcjzNLuNZBM7tAWnO/s320/Malasadas+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweaty but happy.</td></tr>
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Note the empty picnic table behind me. By the time we left (after eating other delicacies like clam cakes and linguica sandwiches), the line was at least an hour long and every available seat was taken. In fact, people were camped out on their own folding chairs.<br />
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If you happen to find yourself near Acushnet and there isn't a festival going on, I have it on good authority that the place to go is <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/lydias-bakery-inc-new-bedford" target="_blank">Lydia's.</a> </div>
Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-55828347695615712152013-09-03T06:27:00.000-07:002013-09-19T08:09:44.064-07:00It must be fall because...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Pumpkin Spice Latte is back!Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-81432128171426416102013-08-31T17:32:00.000-07:002013-09-04T18:34:52.090-07:00The Merry Wife's Completely Non-Authentic Bermuda Rum Cake<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIRtfDXQlziTkCzbKtxvqHvjWIfcmQdd1O8eu7EbRjkLhCuhqwC5wsUyzhZz0EEINwewIxpLhiwHyNk-qh61EFO1-FZRB7jFBshptPpNphaQjbIWWFWrWZyLEXu5jOv2QGi9XSaxdCE-8/s1600/IMAG0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIRtfDXQlziTkCzbKtxvqHvjWIfcmQdd1O8eu7EbRjkLhCuhqwC5wsUyzhZz0EEINwewIxpLhiwHyNk-qh61EFO1-FZRB7jFBshptPpNphaQjbIWWFWrWZyLEXu5jOv2QGi9XSaxdCE-8/s320/IMAG0067.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rum Cake on Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz platter.</td></tr>
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Several years ago, my sister and her husband went to Bermuda for their honeymoon. When they returned, she raved about the pink sand, the Dark 'N' Stormy cocktails, and (best of all) the Bermuda Rum Cake.<br />
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The cake apparently has its origins in the Christmas plum pudding. As far as I can tell, it's a boozy Bundt cake made with dark-as-molasses rum. I've been tempted to order the real thing online from one of the several bakeries specializing in this cake, but so far, have just resorted to making my own. It's quite possible that I have completely misinterpreted the essence of the Bermuda Rum Cake, much like the medieval illustrator who, after hearing a description of an elephant, drew this strange looking monster:</div>
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Either way, it's a great excuse for me to break out a bottle of Gosling's Black Seal Rum.<br />
<br />
Here's the recipe.<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients for Cake</b><br />
<br />
1/2 lb. butter, softened<br />
1/2 cup shortening<br />
2 cups light brown sugar (packed)<br />
5 large eggs<br />
5 oz. evaporated milk<br />
1/2 cup dark rum<br />
3 cups flour<br />
1 tsp. baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1 tsp. salt<br />
1 tbsp. vanilla extract<br />
1/2 cup chopped pecans<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients for Glaze</b><br />
<br />
1/4 lb. butter<br />
1/4 cup water<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1/2 cup rum<br />
<br />
<b>Method</b><br />
<br />
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and shortening. Gradually add the brown sugar while beating at medium speed. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until just blended.<br />
<br />
Stir together the evaporated milk and rum in a bowl. In another bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternately beat in the flour and milk mixtures to the butter and shortening, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir in the vanilla.<br />
<br />
Grease and flour a 10-inch (12-cup) Bundt pan. Scatter pecans at the bottom of the pan. Pour in the batter. Give the pan a good tap on the counter to make sure that the batter has settled.<br />
<br />
Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, remove the cake from the pan to the rack. Let the cake cool for 45 minutes.<br />
<br />
For the glaze, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the water and sugar. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from heat and carefully stir in the rum.<br />
<br />
Poke holes all over the top of the cake with a thin skewer, chopstick, or carving fork (the pecans will help disguise the holes). Slowly spoon glaze over the cake.* It will take several minutes for the glaze to soak in, so pour on a little at a time. Continue until all the glaze is used.<br />
<br />
*Merry Husband suspects that superior results may be accomplished by injecting most of the glaze into the cake before pouring the rest over the top. So far, his theory remains untested.</div>
Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-17661079460137472812013-08-30T06:12:00.000-07:002013-08-31T17:37:27.855-07:00One Last Hoorah for Summer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beerandamovie.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/the_endless_summer.gif?w=350&h=461" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://beerandamovie.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/the_endless_summer.gif?w=350&h=461" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If only...</td></tr>
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Well, here we are. One last chance to wear our white shoes, break out our most obnoxious Lilly shifts, and grill up various and sundry meat products in the great outdoors.<br />
<br />
Except (today at least) the weather here isn't cooperating with my summer fantasies. Mother Nature has been reading the September Issue at the hair salon, and is craving tweed jackets and leather boots. Perhaps she will relent tomorrow.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I'm up for good fun. First on the list:<br />
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Any movie involving Simon Pegg, evil robots, and pubs just <i>has</i> to be good, right?<br />
<br />
Later this weekend, I'll check out the Fells, a 2,575 acre state park about five miles away. And on Monday, I'm meeting up with a friend to run a road race in the town of Acushnet, near the old whaling town of New Bedford. My legs have been cranky with me lately, so while I don't expect to race well, it will be nice to catch up with my friend with a cup of coffee later in the morning.<br />
<br />
This summer was excellent, and I'm sorry to see it end. Everyone keeps telling me that fall in New England is glorious, so perhaps the turning colors will be a good consolation prize. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy that last little bit of summer this weekend!Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-68645645665629451712013-08-28T13:45:00.001-07:002013-09-04T16:22:42.098-07:00An Afternoon at the Concord Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYZq_N5cStci5lnWehcwrD6huqzkaMjfjQgreM2arBsXEyNdS4xifen6v-okSuD45xi3_jnB4rm2OrHyz8ImYXLmdXZdZjsLI1XqKXmsfLLFoS7w_pzAGFTYA2ajCUpzk5XUCNIJ2xzUO/s1600/IMG_2422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYZq_N5cStci5lnWehcwrD6huqzkaMjfjQgreM2arBsXEyNdS4xifen6v-okSuD45xi3_jnB4rm2OrHyz8ImYXLmdXZdZjsLI1XqKXmsfLLFoS7w_pzAGFTYA2ajCUpzk5XUCNIJ2xzUO/s320/IMG_2422.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<div>
I'm slowing learning to adapt to life in the Boston suburbs. We've moved into the house that the Merry Husband bought several years before we got married and had rented out when he moved to California. It's an old house by my West Coast standards, built over 100 years ago by a turkey farmer. Over the years, parts of the house have been renovated so that the sleek Modern (granite counters!) now co-exists with the charming Vintage (radiators! original tile!) and the hopelessly Outdated (please tell me that is not my closet). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Everything here seems infused with history. As I write this, I can look out the window at the wooded remains of the now-defunct Middlesex Canal, which connected the port of Boston to the Merrimack River 27 miles away when it was completed in 1803. In the mornings, my running route takes me past a cemetery that looks like a set for Sleepy Hollow and a library that could double for Hogwarts. When I have insomnia, the old bell tower in the town center lets me know just how late (or early) it is.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But our town pales in comparison to the two giants of American history next door, Lexington and Concord, birthplace of the American Revolution. On a recent afternoon, the Merry Husband and I visited the Concord Museum, which had opened its doors for free for the day</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum Entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Here, you can see one of the two lanterns that hung in the belfry of the Old North Church on April 18, 1775, the night of Paul Revere's famous ride.</div>
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<div>
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<div>
Concord was also home to a different kind of revolutionary, Ralph Waldo Emerson. In 1930, the contents of Emerson's study were moved to an exact replica of the room inside the museum.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBj_b5WWGmCd2nrOPYPZMhxWxbOrcsHD5I_9XaQxJvn_V8OQWGXyYkanYPgaFwNayCpE90nz5rNrdIyWnGUPcccGD4DgWBpysMh1D1429Nv_LHonrpciHymTGInBpXGwGuLh_OrWIHC2FL/s1600/IMG_2436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBj_b5WWGmCd2nrOPYPZMhxWxbOrcsHD5I_9XaQxJvn_V8OQWGXyYkanYPgaFwNayCpE90nz5rNrdIyWnGUPcccGD4DgWBpysMh1D1429Nv_LHonrpciHymTGInBpXGwGuLh_OrWIHC2FL/s320/IMG_2436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As someone who keeps a book of Emerson's essays on her bedside table, I was especially thrilled to see this part of the exhibit.<br />
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The museum also houses other "period rooms", including this mock-up of an early 18th century chamber.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs51ka6WVKH2HRU5QIHiPZIMecxeqFYG5Leb_Fssw5kLzIEweyIHMqakacv4_8_58xj27-N-PgiNjVrlZOTCiM19MKxaDJUDNGRpBcVXfp7MxaGAaiw_Mb6CHPq78CGCCVEf8LPvLf_Bz9/s1600/IMG_2449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs51ka6WVKH2HRU5QIHiPZIMecxeqFYG5Leb_Fssw5kLzIEweyIHMqakacv4_8_58xj27-N-PgiNjVrlZOTCiM19MKxaDJUDNGRpBcVXfp7MxaGAaiw_Mb6CHPq78CGCCVEf8LPvLf_Bz9/s320/IMG_2449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a multi-function room, used for dining and<br />
entertaining. When not in use, the dining chairs were pushed<br />
up against the wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I should have asked the docent what paint was used in this room. To my eye, the color looked very similar to Farrow & Ball's Breakfast Room Green.</div>
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The "Mid 18th Century Chamber" featured a red and white Queen Anne easy chair that I would love to have in my own home.</div>
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<br />
I have a weakness for Staffordshire figures, so was very interested to see this one of Uncle Tom.<br />
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In the 19th Century Parlor, these figurines graced the fireplace mantle.<br />
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I enjoyed admiring the museum's architectural details almost as much as the museum's exhibits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmyzm9oGbC6r9E-OInLOOoyAspbk6FjME6gl4BS1SeGO5luVvxwShj98CaWJhBaNI4ue3pWvRhMfAlWQ1dmVis3nJwpKYfTNbJ7ABMtIaAqYNhfmY_L0yzSCI7NPkRLZi-_rbhDnWfUWJ/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmyzm9oGbC6r9E-OInLOOoyAspbk6FjME6gl4BS1SeGO5luVvxwShj98CaWJhBaNI4ue3pWvRhMfAlWQ1dmVis3nJwpKYfTNbJ7ABMtIaAqYNhfmY_L0yzSCI7NPkRLZi-_rbhDnWfUWJ/s320/IMG_2485.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the museum across the lawn.</td></tr>
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If you find yourself in Concord for a day, you can easily work in a visit to the Emerson House, across the street from the museum.<br />
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Louis May Alcott's Orchard House, a must-see for anyone who loves <i>Little Women</i>, is just down the road too. For lunch or dinner, stop by <a href="http://www.concordscolonialinn.com/liberty-restaurant" target="_blank">the Village Forge Tavern</a> at the Colonial Inn.</div>
Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-91812230598026403602013-08-22T14:52:00.002-07:002013-09-04T17:43:52.013-07:00The Road Goes Ever On<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZvR2hy1BSsGKb8Lplw-Xqoqj7gFyLBSQOAx1UQGtvGT6-iX-_lpEXK1jF9ibLhF2H7X2Ba9jzV92zXpw6qYE5SQGpaz6KjY3xd7kK5c61NCIs_sIPXkVVcCRLRcHq8ovAz5Nk8ZAXTsi/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZvR2hy1BSsGKb8Lplw-Xqoqj7gFyLBSQOAx1UQGtvGT6-iX-_lpEXK1jF9ibLhF2H7X2Ba9jzV92zXpw6qYE5SQGpaz6KjY3xd7kK5c61NCIs_sIPXkVVcCRLRcHq8ovAz5Nk8ZAXTsi/s320/IMG_1743.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Mighty Mississippi in<br />
La Crosse, Wisconsin</td></tr>
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There comes a point in every road trip when the thought of yet another long day of cows, corn fields, and cramped legs is enough to make you wish the travel plaza served martinis along with those Auntie Anne pretzels.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQfpehDDnwVBAs6LnPU8RWN4I-rkmrLfOEDz4x32sTw5pEJs0nNxHAntD-bUQQVLswFoP6i_QEooss9c0RmPPjcG6kMGARPmWq0tUVyR3Cc0GBrF3CV3FCCbMgGMUj5AStO_gSo2sw3-8/s1600/IMG_1739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQfpehDDnwVBAs6LnPU8RWN4I-rkmrLfOEDz4x32sTw5pEJs0nNxHAntD-bUQQVLswFoP6i_QEooss9c0RmPPjcG6kMGARPmWq0tUVyR3Cc0GBrF3CV3FCCbMgGMUj5AStO_gSo2sw3-8/s320/IMG_1739.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After two weeks on the road, scenery like this<br />seems more depressing than interesting.</td></tr>
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So when one of my bridesmaids phoned to say that she would love it if we would stay at her house in Pittsburgh for a few nights, I danced a jig of pure happiness. A home-cooked meal and access to a washing machine? What could be better?<br />
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On our full day, we stopped at the P&G dinner for a huge breakfast of strawberry hotcakes. According to my friends, P&G is something of a local institution. Politicians, including President Obama, make a point to stop by for their photos ops.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtzUTnVTNxwD1mWmLbkPzJ7QPie3QXbJ4g6uGu5RoYzhwuzatA_Fre0CfKvSOkvmnT1D6uDLg4r2HiC6AzVW-vUm2zM2LVV9jKCDAIYUtTcCTUkQyjTCiCqxZbpS1-UuPdvhH2QH_4jrI/s1600/IMG_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtzUTnVTNxwD1mWmLbkPzJ7QPie3QXbJ4g6uGu5RoYzhwuzatA_Fre0CfKvSOkvmnT1D6uDLg4r2HiC6AzVW-vUm2zM2LVV9jKCDAIYUtTcCTUkQyjTCiCqxZbpS1-UuPdvhH2QH_4jrI/s320/IMG_1786.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for a table...</td></tr>
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Reminders of Pittsburgh's industrial past are everywhere in the city.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckNl8hKevQwQITjwHKMNL-0qNeJsckUzp1SJGs08Ebwb_78Nxfawu5XWeHolw-vpNxr5yh_CSa_YrLopNYUdZI94Eo5QTCdVYzcQw_ddjUr5uumv7-NLyxzdnA9ylsCcGEcljOZogsJn3/s1600/IMG_1791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckNl8hKevQwQITjwHKMNL-0qNeJsckUzp1SJGs08Ebwb_78Nxfawu5XWeHolw-vpNxr5yh_CSa_YrLopNYUdZI94Eo5QTCdVYzcQw_ddjUr5uumv7-NLyxzdnA9ylsCcGEcljOZogsJn3/s320/IMG_1791.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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You can even still ride the Dusquesne Incline, a funicular that once carried freight up and down Mt. Washington (aka Coal Mountain).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdIa6cvbkzPdkohiV8uuS9oz-8TJeNRtoDYcEMeVrgXixfI6fzemtE7teEYHFz49zPGQPvtBoBqXobxCauhLXBHEQhTbDzpVC2R-4IYvO6rVbweL8HbFIdy-EfAGDSUazz8OuRmvKoTO9/s1600/IMG_1822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdIa6cvbkzPdkohiV8uuS9oz-8TJeNRtoDYcEMeVrgXixfI6fzemtE7teEYHFz49zPGQPvtBoBqXobxCauhLXBHEQhTbDzpVC2R-4IYvO6rVbweL8HbFIdy-EfAGDSUazz8OuRmvKoTO9/s320/IMG_1822.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Washington</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdMuxjI5znPcG-FnqpG-G7ayVQQTY5JXJuvyVnF4X3xphea9Ojpnfo2MPiiyKiRWutr9zEcANI_7OGicMmaiGuI2_N7MZKjO4i_c6W9Emnu5LIUC4OdQI3yK3Tv9mmMJ8aTv0oaMJ_3QZ/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdMuxjI5znPcG-FnqpG-G7ayVQQTY5JXJuvyVnF4X3xphea9Ojpnfo2MPiiyKiRWutr9zEcANI_7OGicMmaiGuI2_N7MZKjO4i_c6W9Emnu5LIUC4OdQI3yK3Tv9mmMJ8aTv0oaMJ_3QZ/s320/IMG_1898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The station.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NO7sNQBt_C2pYPvr87DIR8nqQYzSQLHVkPiX3GBFExH__GHm0x27cpldzfUb4ndTij0HNeApRakNPMGPTqbCeRbir680sZT_MUkcfmjfg1jvFdoCuNw-W3Oiz1whwB1lomqnhwuyJCsu/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NO7sNQBt_C2pYPvr87DIR8nqQYzSQLHVkPiX3GBFExH__GHm0x27cpldzfUb4ndTij0HNeApRakNPMGPTqbCeRbir680sZT_MUkcfmjfg1jvFdoCuNw-W3Oiz1whwB1lomqnhwuyJCsu/s320/IMG_1873.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ride up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklGBDJWcfvY9yZx2ePMEHDcmnvLLRoZRoVjHqrhyPEx2ExdxI-r4sgQ_Qx11tvaO5Tq2MvFWrQe6nfr0HcuLb-5A9UuZ5zmKNzKtS0-4DIBUASERUlc6FWdObJ25JSmsnDHd366x5h0Ri/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklGBDJWcfvY9yZx2ePMEHDcmnvLLRoZRoVjHqrhyPEx2ExdxI-r4sgQ_Qx11tvaO5Tq2MvFWrQe6nfr0HcuLb-5A9UuZ5zmKNzKtS0-4DIBUASERUlc6FWdObJ25JSmsnDHd366x5h0Ri/s320/IMG_1884.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ42cNgO1LD9Muvu9DnIu4cXmXb6L9M6aX2iisxdSwhb3FgdtcXVwQBljIPNAcTP1xOBi-Cy9mlYaxZ2yLPVMzbvCLeqJwBmJFOhB9kMcOUyauxgNOtHsRI8gHMegsaX5mKNsuOZWWupWb/s1600/IMG_1893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ42cNgO1LD9Muvu9DnIu4cXmXb6L9M6aX2iisxdSwhb3FgdtcXVwQBljIPNAcTP1xOBi-Cy9mlYaxZ2yLPVMzbvCLeqJwBmJFOhB9kMcOUyauxgNOtHsRI8gHMegsaX5mKNsuOZWWupWb/s320/IMG_1893.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going back down (not for the faint of heart).</td></tr>
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Pittsburgh has done much to get past its Rust Belt image. Point State Park, located where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River, is a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon in the downtown district.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmFxkSyau3oAQGZ-WydlXZXn0idiiMtpjIFUUcYTHKYMEL8jyw3Wm6lTFIO7TqxjPYHYw2onOs9IOpz1x4nL9DBcUFKO32gSmttZdvpgjlwNadOiAPmSDWLLlJC_cY7oCt7qyQgDLp_M5/s1600/IMG_1826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmFxkSyau3oAQGZ-WydlXZXn0idiiMtpjIFUUcYTHKYMEL8jyw3Wm6lTFIO7TqxjPYHYw2onOs9IOpz1x4nL9DBcUFKO32gSmttZdvpgjlwNadOiAPmSDWLLlJC_cY7oCt7qyQgDLp_M5/s320/IMG_1826.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heinz Stadium in the background.</td></tr>
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We were entertained by the Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps, visiting from Plymouth, Michigan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtR4BQn1OVXt6zFSxtF4BzXts4_CDY9fq1AeApqNr-KpvnMTEbHv2vXYC3DKGGJXMhlZA5uhu84i4S744D4Zk6t_8_BCfD7pL1RciC5D8dev2HPXBoKaVWFtq9nuCQNKQuea2cg6XgMG40/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtR4BQn1OVXt6zFSxtF4BzXts4_CDY9fq1AeApqNr-KpvnMTEbHv2vXYC3DKGGJXMhlZA5uhu84i4S744D4Zk6t_8_BCfD7pL1RciC5D8dev2HPXBoKaVWFtq9nuCQNKQuea2cg6XgMG40/s320/IMG_1840.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor kids. It was 100 degrees that day.</td></tr>
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While in Pittsburgh, we ate Church Brew Works. Formerly the site of a Roman Catholic Church, the brewery now serves beers like the Pipe Organ Pale Ale and the Pious Monk Dunkel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cMRIVwfGPTEOuXTe_EWlv53TELN9DX7veW0NoSxRWNqtlQ1Wug8U_TCZRrv0cRakmpvPoCESTXeMpfO3TQX91ZMMFDi3U7AVYuw_7-dPMgiGz1HAwhSVcJRI2PbElvXp4vz7PaEKxw3D/s1600/IMG_1918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cMRIVwfGPTEOuXTe_EWlv53TELN9DX7veW0NoSxRWNqtlQ1Wug8U_TCZRrv0cRakmpvPoCESTXeMpfO3TQX91ZMMFDi3U7AVYuw_7-dPMgiGz1HAwhSVcJRI2PbElvXp4vz7PaEKxw3D/s320/IMG_1918.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAV7XOzTe6Utto-5lMvBbRT3c0Aam4P5dnqExVPAWTDmkob9vBYwK8pXNa9Yhx9oC6Ns1m1894m1p-bhZgokUPaybqVa4sO1mLyavHaIQy6nALr2Xl84nfQEUR6zz1nCb_v5Jpjqkunot/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAV7XOzTe6Utto-5lMvBbRT3c0Aam4P5dnqExVPAWTDmkob9vBYwK8pXNa9Yhx9oC6Ns1m1894m1p-bhZgokUPaybqVa4sO1mLyavHaIQy6nALr2Xl84nfQEUR6zz1nCb_v5Jpjqkunot/s320/IMG_1924.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the booths are old pews.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6878qUkoPzjmQ3iMBmaa5VzFBsKkK3uri_Q_A_2MN0ghUvweGOJV1JcoEkeoGTPkFPV0HyRgXNoRVCwNZK744qxDDQha6U7oTrg1_Q1AAEn6b56jRkRwWKt2kL_5TuZ5X5LUIXwypFOao/s1600/IMG_1925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6878qUkoPzjmQ3iMBmaa5VzFBsKkK3uri_Q_A_2MN0ghUvweGOJV1JcoEkeoGTPkFPV0HyRgXNoRVCwNZK744qxDDQha6U7oTrg1_Q1AAEn6b56jRkRwWKt2kL_5TuZ5X5LUIXwypFOao/s320/IMG_1925.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The altar.</td></tr>
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It was so nice to catch up with our friends, and I was sorry to leave. Brooklyn, where we would stay for a week with the Merry Husband's parents, was a mere 8 hour drive away. Unfortunately for us, we arrived in the middle of a severe heat wave, and sight-seeing seemed daunting. On one day, we ventured out to Coney Island, where we stayed just long enough to get ice cream cones. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEx7G5pRULkK9r-zeAaBQ21XtvOJ8TEzOwZoEwetQbEphT11k25zmR79TcPFu9IQzhjyqt2PL9N7ZQYW3bC6E2xkTXoSCdjOYwvq1eikhiZXwlaKhfeMWPb8JHM2DRuDwhGiVrncmws9zz/s1600/coney+island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEx7G5pRULkK9r-zeAaBQ21XtvOJ8TEzOwZoEwetQbEphT11k25zmR79TcPFu9IQzhjyqt2PL9N7ZQYW3bC6E2xkTXoSCdjOYwvq1eikhiZXwlaKhfeMWPb8JHM2DRuDwhGiVrncmws9zz/s320/coney+island.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wonder Wheel at Coney Island.</td></tr>
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I also forced the Merry Husband on a cupcake run.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxFWzRFewQcilBc4voApm4KChgU20l9N6_97EsdT1UPeLID62opx37GDbg2YF-M2uejuVplWv5IDkEGYNOV2-UzbMHNbQDqY6WfrUXYkvcJZLPcHBERvIi0ZnLP4DvvB3oyFkOk8Z7erj/s1600/Cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxFWzRFewQcilBc4voApm4KChgU20l9N6_97EsdT1UPeLID62opx37GDbg2YF-M2uejuVplWv5IDkEGYNOV2-UzbMHNbQDqY6WfrUXYkvcJZLPcHBERvIi0ZnLP4DvvB3oyFkOk8Z7erj/s320/Cupcakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Cupcake Bakeshop, Brooklyn</td></tr>
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The evenings were a bit less oppressive. We took in Times Square...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5eGsN01O4ymOJxEB2wO8w8X0CBiNmZ-cccOCw85P2BaEfxtBkz6IEsth_0pQrA5zM2Ttt4ClgmQopTMPYL1w8hF4v49Mdl6JpbvY6ry9MWL1brJZ-TGyatgg2VGLRJr22qkmzhNPBPwJ/s1600/times+square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5eGsN01O4ymOJxEB2wO8w8X0CBiNmZ-cccOCw85P2BaEfxtBkz6IEsth_0pQrA5zM2Ttt4ClgmQopTMPYL1w8hF4v49Mdl6JpbvY6ry9MWL1brJZ-TGyatgg2VGLRJr22qkmzhNPBPwJ/s320/times+square.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And we admired the Lower Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn Heights Promenade, just down the street from the church where we were married.<br />
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We're now back up in Boston (or rather, in a suburb about 10 miles from Boston proper). We've recovered from the trip and have unpacked most of our belongings. My car has finally been delivered, so I'm starting to get my bearings. I'm looking forward to exploring my new home and starting this new chapter of my life.</div>
Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-74225370410318605592013-08-18T15:15:00.000-07:002013-09-04T17:43:52.005-07:00Zen and the Art of Subaru Maintenance<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2uWVEUSkmA32J1GFcNRulJg96BRzGX_D6AZM9p_2NF3kTsmYB4uZcWcu1bPRgNA_owcYg8dPUanBj9r-JAjflzqvrfApzDvC8Jv9OSknFmJajwtWV-KYcpwPhDHJQxdn7xp4_VILQ41k/s1600/IMG_1520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2uWVEUSkmA32J1GFcNRulJg96BRzGX_D6AZM9p_2NF3kTsmYB4uZcWcu1bPRgNA_owcYg8dPUanBj9r-JAjflzqvrfApzDvC8Jv9OSknFmJajwtWV-KYcpwPhDHJQxdn7xp4_VILQ41k/s320/IMG_1520.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a zoo out there.</td></tr>
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After Mt. Rushmore, our next stop was Sioux Falls, South Dakota, near the Minnesota border. At the suggestion of our motel's night check-in clerk, we decided to stop at the "world famous" Wall Drug Store. What, you've never heard of it? Me neither. Clearly, I'd been missing out.<br />
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A drug store might sound like an odd attraction, and indeed it was. However, this is no mere Walgreens. At 76,000 square feet, this Western-themed gift shop, soda fountain, and (yes) pharmacy is the kitschy tourist traps to end all kitschy tourist traps. Several hours before you reach Wall, South Dakota, you'll start noticing billboards like this.<br />
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After seeing these billboards every 100 yards for several hours, a kind of Stockholm syndrome sets in. You. Must. Go. And even though the summer temperature soars above 100 degrees, 5 cent coffee seems too good a deal to pass up. Once there, you wise up and order an ice cream float instead while admiring the taxidermy covering every inch of wall space.<br />
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From Wall, it was just a short drive to Badlands National Park. The park looks as though someone scooped up several thousand square miles of Martian landscape and dropped the craggy peaks and bright red canyons in the middle of the great American prairie.<br />
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The Badlands have yielded some impressive fossil finds over the years. Something, though, strikes me as a little off about this display.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everybody walk the dinosaur.</td></tr>
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Before getting back on the highway, we stopped to fill up our tank, only to find that the tank stubbornly refused to be filled. With the tank less than half full, we didn't have enough gas to get to Sioux Falls. Instead we rolled into Kadoka, South Dakota, population 654. According to the town's website, Kadoka is the Lakota word for<i> hole in the wall</i>. Seriously, people, you cannot make this stuff up.<br />
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So, there we were, on a 104 degree afternoon, at Osburn's car repair behind the Sinclair Gas, feeling vulnerable and somewhat inept and wondering just how long we'd be staying in Kadoka.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sad day for the Merry Mobile.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At this point, our trip started to feel like the beginning of a <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">clichéd Hollywood thrille</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 16px;">r.</span> Luckily for us, though, we were in the hands of perhaps the world's last honest mechanic. Two hours and $77 later, our ventline was repaired and we were on our way</span>. That evening, we celebrated our good fortune with beer and fried pickles at the Texas Roadhouse next to our motel.<br />
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Up next: the road home.Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-34144048959504177182013-08-16T07:22:00.001-07:002013-09-04T17:43:51.993-07:00Don't Fence Me In<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road side poetry at a rest-stop in Montana.</td></tr>
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From Seattle, we traveled east on Interstate 90. As we crossed the Columbia River in Eastern Washington, we spotted the Wild Horse Monument, 15 life-sized sculptures of galloping mustangs.<br />
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We continued on to Idaho, where we drove a scenic byway around beautiful Coeur d'Alene Lake. My mom told me later that my grandparents had gotten married here. The Late Great Gaga always did have great taste.<br />
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Our resting spot for the night was the charming college town of Missoula, Montana. Should you ever find yourself in Missoula, do yourself a favor and eat dinner at the <a href="http://riversidecafemt.com/" target="_blank">Riverside Cafe</a>. Their rhubarb pound cake wins for best dessert of the trip.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking along the Clark Fork River in Missoula.</td></tr>
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The next day, we set out for Keystone, South Dakota, a 10+ hour drive away. My goal was to get us to the town just outside Mount Rushmore so that we could beat the crowds and the heat by viewing the monument first thing the following morning. This was, I think, a mistake. I wish now that we had added at least another day to the trip here and wandered south to see Yellowstone National Park. Someday, perhaps, we will get back and see the wilds and rivers of Montana not visible from the highway.<br />
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Instead we pressed on, stopping for BBQ brisket sandwiches in the quaint resort town of Bozeman. In the afternoon, we visited Little Big Horn National Park, otherwise known as Custer's Last Stand.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Stand Hill</td></tr>
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From there, we took what we thought would be a short cut on the 212 highway through the Cheyenne reservation. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Town America</td></tr>
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The route turned into the loneliest stretch of road we had ever seen. For miles and miles, there were no cars in ahead of or behind us. There were no services either, and we were grateful we had filled up the tank before switching highways.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sLy1plbs-z59j9lfQ7kE0sky-JzEtL5O-lCQWYAavdeprqGrYEtgbuXUX75OaD-MqYQipO3noeXrB8DjwWVfWynN2RMJU27JOrvyasCEwjzOQFUn6zgeaWZD5nkUmNUoB-s2Ap3dANhI/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sLy1plbs-z59j9lfQ7kE0sky-JzEtL5O-lCQWYAavdeprqGrYEtgbuXUX75OaD-MqYQipO3noeXrB8DjwWVfWynN2RMJU27JOrvyasCEwjzOQFUn6zgeaWZD5nkUmNUoB-s2Ap3dANhI/s320/IMG_1562.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lonesome Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE_3NDpCOqZt969M_wejjw_Dhyphenhypheno_I0SX9VwaDF3PVZ3K_E4LmBs1LWJ2CL8cQsgvphnD9f3-DoPiemimkAErCs__vCPDTovZ4BpSdhk6ZamhythiPiC4UpeEJl-4KXpXoW3YGHnQ79G37/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE_3NDpCOqZt969M_wejjw_Dhyphenhypheno_I0SX9VwaDF3PVZ3K_E4LmBs1LWJ2CL8cQsgvphnD9f3-DoPiemimkAErCs__vCPDTovZ4BpSdhk6ZamhythiPiC4UpeEJl-4KXpXoW3YGHnQ79G37/s320/IMG_1572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yuDTcuk7xIxGuNV38wVN3nRs0socovPrHAVoV4aDnXazN1m_Zl2NQlOnytHwbP9eeKQNVh7mR_EW8FgdS_WAupyZfV99AZVfczd2HLwzk6JNfn5fOKtV5uxEk6q6xQt_sIWpW4Xw5NFD/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yuDTcuk7xIxGuNV38wVN3nRs0socovPrHAVoV4aDnXazN1m_Zl2NQlOnytHwbP9eeKQNVh7mR_EW8FgdS_WAupyZfV99AZVfczd2HLwzk6JNfn5fOKtV5uxEk6q6xQt_sIWpW4Xw5NFD/s320/IMG_1580.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antelope!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhF5apXviJ_k2Uy47rlMP_dkFozgdywbcBErGyj2msTczLMPFVOkjFMGoNx393zU988hyphenhyphenI0GoCcvmnVMj7Su84Pxf7NRrMaAUt9z1CHPKNlOQ0mMQY2yASDuvOx6Ym8GFGFJglqFH1YGn/s1600/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhF5apXviJ_k2Uy47rlMP_dkFozgdywbcBErGyj2msTczLMPFVOkjFMGoNx393zU988hyphenhyphenI0GoCcvmnVMj7Su84Pxf7NRrMaAUt9z1CHPKNlOQ0mMQY2yASDuvOx6Ym8GFGFJglqFH1YGn/s320/IMG_1582.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Until the cows come home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In the evening, as we came into South Dakota, we started passing through small towns again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7qSs7g9UJnBpQTuzrN_bAHIR3rL7l2MYFgBxifCpuLBFG8bQNSnfDtIIUPRigT_pLcusKYNlKAOfTmLyb7ug6aKF7adQfmMJKB8Hv48beZUAbnw84vD9WWdW2Z6aeGRoSDDbHH9z1XKF/s1600/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7qSs7g9UJnBpQTuzrN_bAHIR3rL7l2MYFgBxifCpuLBFG8bQNSnfDtIIUPRigT_pLcusKYNlKAOfTmLyb7ug6aKF7adQfmMJKB8Hv48beZUAbnw84vD9WWdW2Z6aeGRoSDDbHH9z1XKF/s320/IMG_1591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3AazTzobXJO-iS-zhVDq0lOJ0cpVHHXoijb-Np60omFnttxQqf5VG_ChJUpiXIOJiNFaMabqmfFPpwPmy_aYax9CSjNXt73U_TNCKFvTAnZf5_PULeeB0DJEagfX-ITNjLMzUDHQ1wum/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3AazTzobXJO-iS-zhVDq0lOJ0cpVHHXoijb-Np60omFnttxQqf5VG_ChJUpiXIOJiNFaMabqmfFPpwPmy_aYax9CSjNXt73U_TNCKFvTAnZf5_PULeeB0DJEagfX-ITNjLMzUDHQ1wum/s320/IMG_1593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our stop for the night. (Thank God, no.)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LorG-IdTEoDXnupwh8wHH-GMs9hVJkr6pYXkntyXF8XdN9hcKvtJLthN8zyKsYjWQk61iD4ZWxdevnrFX8Nq9-hEv3yf-h8AsVm_9tkKUr14qbhKiULf_3W-74C-Y4SJQagHKyr18IDE/s1600/IMG_1595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LorG-IdTEoDXnupwh8wHH-GMs9hVJkr6pYXkntyXF8XdN9hcKvtJLthN8zyKsYjWQk61iD4ZWxdevnrFX8Nq9-hEv3yf-h8AsVm_9tkKUr14qbhKiULf_3W-74C-Y4SJQagHKyr18IDE/s320/IMG_1595.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We rolled into our motel at 11:00 p.m., grateful for a shower and comfortable bed. At 7:30 a.m. the next morning, we drove to the Mt. Rushmore Memorial. We arrived so early that the staff were still power-washing the walkways. We had the viewing platform to ourselves as we watched the light bounce from the granite faces.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPv3HtcuIjqSs96nz7pYiAzoBtCG0-frgatQRh1cIrcF-3deqqJHnxRCJ0T1neOF0ZRhmjwheCPXIrORyqmGI1kGx0SQdIYVpqhtXmFz1Mgz54YAiEPSukB7CHbQqRVRMnyFopn0sLnTK/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPv3HtcuIjqSs96nz7pYiAzoBtCG0-frgatQRh1cIrcF-3deqqJHnxRCJ0T1neOF0ZRhmjwheCPXIrORyqmGI1kGx0SQdIYVpqhtXmFz1Mgz54YAiEPSukB7CHbQqRVRMnyFopn0sLnTK/s320/IMG_1618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihybTVmehbfUuI1Zfg4cdhXQfORKHaK8Bj6LvLvifzlH_rS1vzjuDGT7QNb7Vd7ORWFC093WCmmqAGJcgP9PVB2wAaac_vFm4MTAsj0LQTlcm73Hb_y-144BlQRnGiByFxK4ZIyXp3GfzJ/s1600/IMG_1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihybTVmehbfUuI1Zfg4cdhXQfORKHaK8Bj6LvLvifzlH_rS1vzjuDGT7QNb7Vd7ORWFC093WCmmqAGJcgP9PVB2wAaac_vFm4MTAsj0LQTlcm73Hb_y-144BlQRnGiByFxK4ZIyXp3GfzJ/s320/IMG_1636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our next stop was Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a mere five hours away. We'd get there in the early afternoon, relax, stretch our feet a little, and grab a steak dinner somewhere. It was going to be great.</div>
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Next time: car trouble!</div>
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Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-69793381781639216592013-08-11T19:49:00.001-07:002013-09-04T17:43:52.001-07:00Eastern Migration: The Pacific Northwest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik86IZcOZ0uBhX9qZLgywZGOAp5xI-4FQghgs0kDLxNwFKAJvDF-axdMNPEZbckZeT9zB_A3ruQoA5pLi03llW1jryCVU4ZUq5eslJPB6xWxejeTIoFhDnvve4ovU30LJjlmHD8UXwSp6B/s1600/1.+Traveling+Dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik86IZcOZ0uBhX9qZLgywZGOAp5xI-4FQghgs0kDLxNwFKAJvDF-axdMNPEZbckZeT9zB_A3ruQoA5pLi03llW1jryCVU4ZUq5eslJPB6xWxejeTIoFhDnvve4ovU30LJjlmHD8UXwSp6B/s320/1.+Traveling+Dog.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travelin' Dog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Where were we?<br />
<br />
It's been an embarrassingly long time since I updated the blog. I had grand plans of updating every night from the road, but after about three days, exhaustion - from the move, from the drive - set in.<br />
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But we were in the Redwoods. And I mentioned driving through a tree.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGkdiCWxNnt4J7k2OHS-J8L4uwrGwamZ11_57woLcwpj1dkJCq7tpEr9-6ytEn2cscGvet8HMR4BDPkasZp7Tqqfx0yHqP6HCxw4VGIt3IVOQ9oZlIdkCvRi0QRKIKc4GsmfBWEV8T8_D/s1600/2.+Chandelier+Tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGkdiCWxNnt4J7k2OHS-J8L4uwrGwamZ11_57woLcwpj1dkJCq7tpEr9-6ytEn2cscGvet8HMR4BDPkasZp7Tqqfx0yHqP6HCxw4VGIt3IVOQ9oZlIdkCvRi0QRKIKc4GsmfBWEV8T8_D/s320/2.+Chandelier+Tree.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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So, yes there we are, side mirrors defiantly outstretched.<br />
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But as big as this tree was, it wasn't *the* Big Tree, which resides in Redwood National Forest. The giant is 304 feet tall and 21 feet across.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4wRcq_9U4s0dx9i2_ZtkhFeNoo7T0b9NgKCCe2Bwutw8Kdz5OMJ4GvVgbioU2HCChEZCGWV0YGFa2QLVWR1sGxCgbrQWUVSOhYIy2d9uVdOx6lY_4k477p1TeYC9rFISUKtwssq4GH-K/s1600/3.+Big+Tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4wRcq_9U4s0dx9i2_ZtkhFeNoo7T0b9NgKCCe2Bwutw8Kdz5OMJ4GvVgbioU2HCChEZCGWV0YGFa2QLVWR1sGxCgbrQWUVSOhYIy2d9uVdOx6lY_4k477p1TeYC9rFISUKtwssq4GH-K/s320/3.+Big+Tree.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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As we walked through the trails, I felt like an extra in the Land of the Lost.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9xDSBd_r7Mq5aS46tPOMtyzMWlMaA3TNphfpMicL0N-08a_lILMHzjsEVAfin1EKZyFgBmomVF_iFmEOE6A99J23QvSAIWWH07pxwu_Mc7bfDa1NIXLpHJGoU3myYSKN7oS3YHxFFfXY/s1600/4.+Walk+through+the+woods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9xDSBd_r7Mq5aS46tPOMtyzMWlMaA3TNphfpMicL0N-08a_lILMHzjsEVAfin1EKZyFgBmomVF_iFmEOE6A99J23QvSAIWWH07pxwu_Mc7bfDa1NIXLpHJGoU3myYSKN7oS3YHxFFfXY/s320/4.+Walk+through+the+woods.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OH12pfu4lI_oPJGnp84hHfrazNv2xfaBrtvINJOkAwKlFVRKRY_MpaWG3YnogQ4xcTaPYA12vmtZubXQS22xSwEcbalbB-aqIBXwiFV4dbzGxX1mSfMsFC7o8GiwbDAV0FWp3LP7BN-r/s1600/5.+Walk+through+the+woods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OH12pfu4lI_oPJGnp84hHfrazNv2xfaBrtvINJOkAwKlFVRKRY_MpaWG3YnogQ4xcTaPYA12vmtZubXQS22xSwEcbalbB-aqIBXwiFV4dbzGxX1mSfMsFC7o8GiwbDAV0FWp3LP7BN-r/s320/5.+Walk+through+the+woods.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0frLX_Ma2NsGDHppBBH-WZ3j5SJ07c2sMKnDKKxgca3z5LfgDFIHZTfxx6zy_TvJxYgiEtQ_HM5NAlY_EM8UXE-mpTEHQ9ngGwi5NTz26aFchrFhpj_G3wzs2Z5oCsBiVKAdsFbVo2Tp/s1600/6.+Walk+through+the+woods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0frLX_Ma2NsGDHppBBH-WZ3j5SJ07c2sMKnDKKxgca3z5LfgDFIHZTfxx6zy_TvJxYgiEtQ_HM5NAlY_EM8UXE-mpTEHQ9ngGwi5NTz26aFchrFhpj_G3wzs2Z5oCsBiVKAdsFbVo2Tp/s320/6.+Walk+through+the+woods.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were a few other surreal sights. Leaving the park, we passed this poncho-clad rider and his three horses...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ntk21LCTwi7PeYvhmoxJC1cWnoBnvyQ9TBOxBh8BSDvFmN9MIE3iTbejs0Tbs9QMZLWsfNxkt9QEwVsaR8952loRUPiU2gT_uNApBrKwSefv1ylLShg92qS_LGGFCWLN5IagM5Zp_dDI/s1600/7.+Transportation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ntk21LCTwi7PeYvhmoxJC1cWnoBnvyQ9TBOxBh8BSDvFmN9MIE3iTbejs0Tbs9QMZLWsfNxkt9QEwVsaR8952loRUPiU2gT_uNApBrKwSefv1ylLShg92qS_LGGFCWLN5IagM5Zp_dDI/s320/7.+Transportation.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and the hippie mobile.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocqCHin2KD6Ls2eebp36xYW_2SmSDFey0qaM-xeY448-6Wdyd5Yp3mWNlypvfhCvwqXv8ZDdERMoU5mEYeOmAOgtklouj8kGmZA0CmrJmeykANCC5eWU98L0AKnND-QrUmfUnTel3Tc8Y/s1600/8.+Transportation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocqCHin2KD6Ls2eebp36xYW_2SmSDFey0qaM-xeY448-6Wdyd5Yp3mWNlypvfhCvwqXv8ZDdERMoU5mEYeOmAOgtklouj8kGmZA0CmrJmeykANCC5eWU98L0AKnND-QrUmfUnTel3Tc8Y/s320/8.+Transportation.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Big trees require big lumberjacks. Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe, can handle the job.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8uOHp1DLlX_KKxv0Xihor6cdZmTrnC2LeeZSjvtw6LwxE9HP3VxneAQCNlSYhyphenhyphenMl4qII9pWFODPqjmX7wtt8GZaTcs5UfAR4K9ESjEqAQyTP1hottIWwHRTvTbxmaXwU52NDYxso19Yz/s1600/9.+Paul+Bunyan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8uOHp1DLlX_KKxv0Xihor6cdZmTrnC2LeeZSjvtw6LwxE9HP3VxneAQCNlSYhyphenhyphenMl4qII9pWFODPqjmX7wtt8GZaTcs5UfAR4K9ESjEqAQyTP1hottIWwHRTvTbxmaXwU52NDYxso19Yz/s320/9.+Paul+Bunyan.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After one last glimpse of the California coastline, we drove up to Oregon to spend the night with a friend.</div>
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The next morning, we drove up to Seattle. One of our first stops was the Pike Place Market.</div>
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Here, you can watch the fish vendors throw fish to each other. If you are brave, you can be on the receiving end of a flying filet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guy in the pink shirt made the catch.<br />Very impressive.</td></tr>
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We wandered happily through the market, buying healthy homemade treats for the Merry Dog and bunches of flowers from this stand.<br />
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During our stay, we also visited the Ballard Locks, which boats use to get from the Puget Sound to Lake Washington. Salmon also travel up the locks during their migration through a "ladder". </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Native American harvests salmon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A viewing area allows visitors to view the salmon as they<br />fight upstream.</td></tr>
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We also visited Seattle's most famous landmark, the Space Needle, built in 1962 for the World's Fair.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Requisite shot in front of the Space Needle.</td></tr>
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Next door is the Experience Music Project, a museum created by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The building was designed by Frank Gehry, who also designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.<br />
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We watched kids play in the International Fountain, while the water danced to the strains of Ibrahim Ferrer.<br />
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Without doubt, our best meal of the entire trip was at Ray's Boathouse on Puget Sound, on our last night in Seattle.<br />
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We watched the sunset from the bank of windows, and dined on gruyere puff pastries, grilled salmon, and smoked sablefish. To drink, I couldn't resist the Dreamboat, a gin cocktail with <span style="background-color: #fcfbf5; line-height: 18.1875px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ferrand Dry Orange Curacao.</span></span><br />
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I'll show you photos from Big Sky Country tomorrow. In the meantime I leave you with a perfect sunset on Puget Sound.</div>
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Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-80530782650454462692013-07-05T21:28:00.002-07:002013-09-04T17:43:52.009-07:00Day 4: Redwoods<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Merry Husband is there somewhere.</td></tr>
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We continued our drive up the 101 from San Francisco to Arcata in Humboldt County. Along the way, we stopped to see the the Chandelier Tree in the aptly named Drive-Thru Tree Park.<br />
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For $5, you too can fold down your side-view mirrors and drive through the 315 ft high, 21 ft wide, 2400 year old tree. Apparently, carving huge, car-sized chunks out of the bases of these giant trees was all the rage in the 1930s. Don't worry, we don't do it anymore because (whodathunk) it's really, really bad for the trees.<br />
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Tomorrow, we continue through the Redwood National Park and on to Oregon.<br />
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<span id="goog_584010897"></span><span id="goog_584010898"></span><br />Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099792850102789070.post-61144738643579732032013-07-04T18:43:00.003-07:002013-09-04T17:43:51.997-07:00Day 3: San Francisco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We joined the throngs of tourists at all the scenic lookouts around the Golden Gate bridge. I stupidly forgot to put my memory card back in my camera last night, so all I have is this photo taken from my cell phone.</div>
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Happy 4th of July!</div>
Merry Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06856408467466440033noreply@blogger.com3