New Beginnings | Peaches Prattlings

{April 1, 2024} London Day 3: Changing of the Guard! Here we come!

It’s a new day, day 3 and we have lots to do! First, I want to take you on a tour of the restaurant in the hotel, it’s fun!

It’s a nice restaurant, wide, open, and inviting, if that makes sense. They have a few walls with animal heads, but just wait…the animal heads are all made of newsprint! Most likely paper mache on the outside, if you look closely, you can see headlines and typeset in the ears and on the face, horns, etc. It is very clever, if you take the time to look at it all!

The food presentation is nice, they have everything you might want or need for breakfast, pre-made scrambled eggs, eggs made to order, potatoes, grilled tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, think full english breakfast, then there are pancakes and waffles made to order, breads, cheeses, yogurts, fruit, breakfast cereals, muffins, coffee, tea, juices, you name it, they probably have it!

It was time to head out and say cherrio to London, and btw…they don’t say that, just in the movies, and if they do, I haven’t heard it!

They do say love at the end of every sentence, and I have to tell you, I like it, it doesn’t bother me, like in the south when someone , who I don’t know, calls me hun, or sweetie, it’s syrupy sweet and I’m not a fan! But call me love, it works, it’s just part of their vernacular. Ooh, I love that word!

We’re off…we got an Uber to Green Park, we were meeting our tour guide by the Constance Fund Fountain of Diana, isn’t she stunning!? I could just imagine, when it’s summer and the water is flowing.

There were so many tour groups meeting there, we finally found our guide, Alan, who was fabulous, by the way! I always thought if I was retired or we were living somewhere for PSM’s job and I couldn’t work for whatever reason, I would get a job as a tour guide, I would love it! One of these days I’ll tell you about a tour business…shhh…

We started walking, and Alan was very knowledgeable, giving us all sorts of tidbits and history and also very conscious of where the steps would be that we would need to get Miss A’s chair over. For the whole tour, everyone in the group was very aware and helpful where we were and if we had to pull the chair over something.

We started off, our first stop was by this amazing statue, across from the guards station on Marlborough Road, at St James Palace. We were waiting for the band to come out, we had such a great vantage point! While we waited, Alan gave us lots of great information, like there were only 2 guards there, that meant the king was not there. Interesting!

I love that I got Alan’s audio! He was telling us that when you look at their hats, the higher the hat, the higher the rank. There was an inspection first, I hope they pass!

Sorry it was slightly shaky, I was holding my hand up above my head, harder to keep it steady, everyone was so much taller than me!

Alan was trying to guess what they would play, would it be something serious or something light hearted. These are the Scottish guards, apparently they passed muster, here comes the band. Do you recognize the song?

Did it make you think of Shrek?!

We hated to leave the band, they were so very talented and I love that song! But…if we didn’t leave, we wouldn’t have the fabulous spot we did for the next phase of the tour and changing of the guard! [a lot of really cool background in that link!]

Next stop…right near Clarence House, where King Charles and Queen Camilla reside. We watched and listened as the band marched and played down the road and then the Horse Guards came, cool fact, they have female guards now! Women first joined the regiment in 2018, and for Queen Elizabeth‘s Platinum Jubilee, it was the first time female members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment participated! Go girl power!

As we waited for the guards, we learned a few things. King Charles does not want to live in Buckingham Palace, understandable, with 775 rooms…it’s more of an office, so that’s why he and Queen Camilla are taking up residence at Clarence House, which only has 5 bedrooms, a little more manageable, which, was where William, the Prince of Wales had their residence, but since the King and Queen are there they’ve moved to Kensington Palace.

Since there were only two guards, that meant that the king was not in residence, if he was, there would be more. Also…the reason they walk back and forth, about every 10 minutes, is because it was a rule set down by Queen Victoria, if they are walking back and forth, they are proving they are not drinking or gambling! Oh my!

And from where we were standing, we could have reached out and touched a horse, we didn’t, but we could have! oh wow! such precision! such beauty!

Here are the guards walking back and forth!

Here comes and there goes the band! I don’t know if I said this, they only have the changing of the guard on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, mainly it’s dependent on the weather! Check out the full schedule in the link!

Here’s Alan telling us about the women in the guard! We definitely saw one! And the police officer at the end was a woman, again, girl power!

Next, we walked through the Household Calvary Museum courtyard to get to the entrance of St James and Buckingham Palace to watch the horse guards come in. This is actually the Punishment Parade!

This was so exciting to watch, and this up close. Normally, you might be outside the gate or across the street, we were up close and personal! Turns out this is punishment duty! Oh my, that is quite the punishment!

After the tour was over, we got to stand and take pictures with the horse and guard! It’s definitely allowed, as long as you don’t touch their reigns or bridle, I think that’s what it was. I was ok, I didn’t touch anything! But…it was awesome! The horse we were standing/posing with put his head on my shoulder! He did!!!

After the pictures and me squealing about the royal horse putting his head on my shoulder, you are welcome for the ear worm! We walked to Trafalgar Square, it was right up the street. It wasn’t overly crowded, unusual, but nice. The fountain was doing it’s thing, people were walking around, climbing on things they weren’t supposed to, oh well, and the traffic was going by as if nothing would stop it.

I don’t know about you, but we were hungry! So…we went to The Clarence Pub in Whitehall. Thing thing about The Clarence…I was there with my dad in December 2022, then again with my dad, PSM, and my sister’s family in December 2022, a few days after dad and I discovered it. The food is good, they have a great veggie burger and sticky toffee pudding! I think I first saw it either on Gordan Ramsay or The Great British Bake Off and I first tried it in Glasgow, Scotland and fell in love with it and now, I try it whenever I can!

I just had to introduce it to SDL and Miss A and it did not disappoint! They went out of their way to find us a table, SDL had steak and ale pie and a beer, I had their veggie burger and a pot of tea, and Miss A had, you guessed it, sticky toffee pudding with ice cream, she was happy.

It’s a great atmosphere, warm and inviting, cozy, friendly, great staff, great food, great ambiance, what more could you want!? Would I go back? You bet, it might be my go-to for London trips for a good, affordable, convenient lunch!

It’s time to explore again! No the day isn’t even close to being over! We walked back down Whitehall looking at the architecture, the people, listening to the sounds of every day life in London, all the way down to Big Ben and Parliament. We learned somewhere that Big Ben is actually ‘just’ the clock and the tower itself is called the Elizabeth Tower, imagine that!

As we walked back down Whitehall, we were treated to another changing of the horse guard, but we were on the outside this time.

Let’s keep walking… we walked back to Buckingham Palace in all its glory and then we walked Constitution Hill to the Wellington Arch. It started to rain while we were walking, but did we care, nope, not at all! We were in London, the sun was out, and we were having a grand time! As we came out of Constitution Hill at the Wellington Arch, what did our eyes spy…THE Hard Rock Cafe! London!

Now…when I say THE Hard Rock Cafe, I mean THE Hard Rock Cafe, the very first, established in 1971, a very good year, if I do say so myself! The cafe was established June 14, 1971 and it was just that, a cafe. We decided we had to go in! [We really needed a looooo!] We maneuvered in, got a table, SDL ordered cheesecake for herself and a piece for Miss A and I had a pot of tea, there honestly wasn’t anything there for me, and we were just looking for dessert, I was happy with my pot of tea. Let’s just say the cheesecake was a big hit!

After we relaxed a bit and Miss A enjoyed the music, it was cool, they were playing classic videos on the TVs, things I haven’t seen in years! Next, you know we had to, we went across the street to the shop. I don’t know if I told you, but…wherever we go, we always look for the Hard Rock, SDL likes to collect their t-shirts, if it’s cool and the price is right, for me, I have a friend that I always get a pin for! I got him one when I was here the last time, at the store on Piccadilly, and I wasn’t originally going to get one this time, but it’s the original cafe/store! Shhh…don’t tell him!

As we were walking around, this guy who works there offered to take me on a tour of the museum downstairs, SDL wasn’t interested, so I went and it was cool! They had the corset Madonna wore in the Express Yourself video, Slash’s guitar, John Lennon‘s lyrics to Instant Karma (We All Shine On), a chair from Freddy Mercury and more! It was quite the treat!

When I came back upstairs, I found them waiting and Miss A was nodding off in her chair, it was time to go! I got us an Uber back to the hotel, there was no way we were walking! It was 3.2 miles and we had just walked how many miles, no thanks! 15 minutes by car or 60 by foot, hmmm…

We got back to the hotel, ordered some takeout and chilled out, it was a great day, but we were tired! I might fall asleep as I’m writing this to you, could you blame me?! What does tomorrow hold?! It’s only day 3, we have so much more to see!

Have a fabulous evening!

{March 27, 2024} Planning mode

Tomorrow I head to dad’s and on Friday, he takes me to the airport for my next grand adventure.

Brain is in planning and packing mode, work? Yeah, I’m still working, but is my head there? Well, it is, actually, I’m impressed with myself on that one! ha ha. I had two deliverables due, yesterday and today…got them in and now I have other work, but I feel free and clear to travel on Friday.

So…I’m traveling with SDL and Miss A, another one of our epic trips and I cannot wait, it’s going to be so much fun! We both came up with lists of places we want to go, since I was there 2 years ago, I know we haven’t talked about that trip yet, we will…since I was there 2 years ago, there’s a few things on her list that I’m happy to do again and I have some new stuff to add, weehoo!

There are a few things that are time sensitive, that we should book before they sell out, most things we can get tickets for last minute or they don’t cost anything. So…last night and today, I took our list and found some more comparable pricing on some things and then I added the hours and prices for others, we have options! Next, we need to get on the phone and map out what days we want to do the things that are filling up, for example…there is a Jack the Ripper tour, well, there are several of them, but it looks like the only day we can go is Saturday, April 6th, let’s book it! Other than that, we’ll try to schedule some stuff and play the rest by ear.

That is done, pretty much packed. I pulled out my clothes the other day, after doing laundry on Sunday and Monday, then I found the packing cubes, then today, I packed the cubes and put everything in one of my new eBags rolling backpack. It’s smaller than the travel backpack we usually travel with and as much as I like it, I have a feeling I’m going to have to go to my travel backpack, it’s just a wee bit bigger. What if I want to bring something back for PSM, or you my friends! I’m hoping to not buy too much on this trip, I was there two years ago, I brought back some good stuff! But you know me, I like to spoil!

My bag is packed, sort of, re-thinking at the moment, media/entertainment downloaded to my tablet, what’s left? Oh yeah, today I received the new toiletries I ordered, shampoo and conditioner bars so I don’t have liquids, let’s see how they do, I love my bar shampoo that I am currently using.

Yeah, I think I’m good to go, and yes, I have my converter for the electronics! I put it in the bag first, which i’m really happy about, because…almost every time I go to Europe, I forget to bring it and have to buy one, not gonna do it this time!

Ok, going to get some sleep because I still have to work tomorrow! But…getting very excited to share all our adventures with you! Ok, rambled on enough!

G’night!

{March 19, 2024} I’ve learned something about myself. And Happy Spring!

Ok, I sort of knew this, and it’s not always applicable, but…I do better blogging sitting up at a desk or a table than in bed with my laptop propped on my knees. I’ve said it, it’s out there.

When I’m sitting in a chair, I’m more focused, when I am laying or lounging in bed, I don’t seem to focus as well and let my mind wander, which is a good thing for me, that’s where I get my inspirations sometimes, but other times, my mind is wandering when I should be talking to you! And wouldn’t you rather me talk to you than stare off into space?!

Then sometimes I stare off into space for so long, or scroll on my phone that I run out of steam and I start to doze off, great…I used to blog on my phone, I love having a phablet, tablet/phone, it’s big enough, I could use the s-pen that came with it, to feel like a pen, but I really like using a keyboard, I like hearing the tick, tack, tick, tack, typing on the keys, there is something satisfying about that!

Now… I do have a tablet and I have a keyboard for it, so I use that sometimes too, but even then, I feel like I need to be sitting up when I do it, in a chair, at a table, I know, I already said that! But I do, I feel more productive, what is wrong with me?! I love writing, I should be able to do it from wherever, whenever!

I do actually enjoy writing with a pen and paper as well, but, and do you find this…since we are in the computer age, it’s harder to write, your hand cramps and gets tired! I’ve thought about getting a reMarkable ‘paper tablet’, you write on the tablet with a special pen and it converts your written word into text. I think they might be coming down in price, not sure. But it’s a thought.

Anyway, I’m sitting here, cross-legged, writing to you, at my desk, on my laptop. Yeah, I’m happy, and I’m writing, and it’s 1132pm, I’m watching my fingers fly over the keyboard, sometimes amazed that I can type that fast without looking at what I’m typing, but I know, I just said I’m watching my fingers fly, I can see them as I’m looking at the screen. I’m not that tired, who knows what’s going to happen when I step away from the pc and the desk, I might go get in my jammies and sit in bed and… watch tv, read a book, practice my Duolingo, the possibilities are endless!

But I do know that I have to stop rambling or you might fall asleep while you’re reading that! So, to you, I will say Good Night, parting is such sweet sorrow, until we meet upon the morrow. And…

Happy Spring! [officially!]

{March 18, 2024} Mother Nature…seriously?!

It’s Spring, right? Well, technically tomorrow is Spring, I know, but we’ve been having Spring weather for a bit, some chillier days thrown in here and there, maybe a colder morning, warmer afternoon, but it’s Spring, right?

Another way I know it’s Spring, I’m sneezing my head off, allergies are in full effect, I’m taking my flonase, but I can’t stop sneezing and saying “I hate Spring”, “I hate Spring”…I know, I know…I always say hate is a strong word and it is and I’m sorry, but in the moment I can’t stop sneezing, I hate Spring, that’s all there is to it.

So…Mother Nature, as wonderful as you are, bringer of all things nature and make me marvel at the world and what nature has to offer, you have made the crocuses push through the ground, the daffodils are in full bloom, trees are sprouting new growth, the sound of lawnmowers are in the air, the robin redbreast is hanging out with the blue jay, and the snow geese have gone.

Why…oh why…was it flurrying on my morning walk and why…oh why…is snow predicted this Friday?! Seriously? Mother Nature, do your meds need to be changed?! I’m happy to help, what is it?!

Happy Spring to all! It’s coming, I promise! At least I think so…

{March 17, 2024} A walk, a ride, breakfast, a block shoot, and clean bikes

That was our Sunday, what was your Sunday like?

I decided the pups could sleep with me last night, it was great, until…Well, Ruby fell asleep next to me, Bee started in the crook of my left side, we were all good and then I woke up in the middle of the night had my beagle turned into a cat and was sleeping inbetween my legs! I felt like I was held hostage, I couldn’t move! ha ha. I moved her over to my left side, fell back asleep and woke up to her in the exact same place! No wonder I couldn’t pull the blanket over my legs, really?!

We stayed happy, cuddling, and content, until Ruby decided it was time to wake up, and by that I mean lick my face, and hand, and arm, and…until I gave up and got out of bed. I love the dogs, I do not love getting licked into oblivion! Ok, ok, I’m up! Got dressed and got them ready to go for a walk.

Came back from the walk, fed them breakfast and soon it was time for us to get some breakfast. On the bikes and off to Heisy’s Diner. We really like this place! I think I told you about it, it’s a train car that they just added and added to, it goes on forever! We sat at the counter, which we love to do, ate, drank coffee and tea, talked, laughed, planned, you know, the usual.

Back home we didn’t go into the house to get the dog’s hopes up, we just switched from bikes to truck and headed out towards Bethel, PA. In Bethel, we went to the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club‘s Bethel Grounds for a Block Shoot. It’s a cool property, they have a building big enough to hold several picnic tables with benches, riding lawnmowers and garden tools, there is a kitchen, and around back there are port-o-potties. They have a firepit and a lot of space. In the summer, if you want, you can camp for $10 per night. I’m not sure what other events they have there, but the block shoot happens twice a year.

So…if, like me, you were wondering what a block shoot is…at the core, you are shooting at a block of wood with an index card on it. Ok, more details…Everyone signs up, if you want to shoot, you can, if you don’t want to shoot, you can have sponsor someone to shoot for you, yes, you guessed it, that’s what we did. It’s $2 per shot, we each put in $10 for 5 shots each and someone was assigned to shoot for us, there’s a prize at the end!

When it’s time for the shooting to start, there is a target, it’s a wooden block with a white index card on it and you shoot from 50 feet away from the target. There is someone in the big metal box-type thing who puts the block with the index card on the pole, there is a red slider up in between each round, when the person who is setting up the blocks is ready switches the red slider to green and the person knows they can shoot. This goes back and forth until everyone who has put in money has either shot or had someone shot for them.

At the end of the round, or first shoot, they bring in all the blocks and the index cards are examined and the card, which has a number assigned to it/you, with the pellet closest to the center of the X is hit, that is declared the winner! Guess who won $25 for the first round? PSM! Go PSM! And he didn’t have to do anything for it except sponsor someone to shoot for him!

The next thing they do is called a Spinner Round. There is a giant circle with boxes in them with everyone’s number assigned and the winner of the block shoot round gets to shoot the spinner, which is spinning, as the name suggests and the number with the closest X is the winner, not us, sadly!

The clubhouse, as it were, opens at 11 for food, they had hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, drinks, cupcakes, all sorts of goodies. There was a firepit outside and everyone socializes until the block shoot starts. They continue to socialize, but it’s harder to hear if you’re in the back, but it doesn’t stop anyone.

There were other raffles, a 50/50 for our club, a gun raffle and a cash prize raffle for another club. There are all these opportunities to fundraise and help each other out, it’s nice. After the first round block shoot and the 50/50 raffle, it was time to head out and head home.

At the house, we let the dogs out, PSM pulled all the bikes out and we got to work cleaning them. They were in desperate need of baths. Please don’t tell too many people but…we hadn’t given them proper baths since we went on our 3-week trip out west over the summer. We are embarrassed! We’ve wiped them down, but not the given them the detail they really need. And the bugs on the windshield… O M G! We cannot do this to them again! Don’t they look all shiny and pretty?!

Next…into the house, sit down and breath! Oh, and practice my Duolingo, more on that another time!

Who ever heard of sitting still on a Sunday!? Dogs are in the crate, writing to you…g’night!

{March 16, 2024} A meeting, brunch, a mud sale, a new brewery

It’s Saturday, why did I have to wake up first at 2am, no idea. I fell back asleep, thankfully, then woke up close to 7a, in a slight panic, why didn’t my alarm go off?! Oh yeah, it’s Saturday! Wahoo!

I went downstairs, the dogs had stayed out, meaning out of the crate, so about 730a, I went downstairs and whispered to them, ‘who wants to snuggle?’, you don’t have to ask twice! They came upstairs and got in bed with me. I fed them, then took them for a walk, a little out of order, but they were happy, they love the snuggles and their walks!

After we got back, PSM and I got into the truck and drove out to the monthly IMRG, Indian Motorcycle Riders Group, Susquehanna Chapter 1903, meeting, great to see everyone, talk about future rides and getting back out there. The meetings don’t last too long, which is good, no lunch after this month. Very excited to get to ride with these guys again, gotta love Spring!

Then we went to Starbucks up the street to grab some drinks, we didn’t get to get anything on the way. I called DR, who I had reconnected with at the funeral, and we met him for brunch at the Lion’s Pride Restaurant in Red Lion, PA. It was a cute little town, the best part, there was a Red Lion on everything, including the street signs, I love that!

The restaurant was a good down-home place, pretty big with lots of room for a lot of people with several rooms to eat in. The food was good and the beverages were hot. Not sure we’d go back there for breakfast, only because it’s about an hour from us, and we like to do breakfasts a little closer, but it was very much worth it to see DR and introduce him to PSM, they had some stuff in common. Always helps when your friends can get along with your better half!

After brunch, we all went to a Mud Sale in Airville, PA, DR had told me about this, it was really cool! It’s basically a fundraiser to help the local volunteer fire brigades! It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced, it was auction city! Outside, in tents, in the firehouse, everywhere you looked, there was an acution! And the auctioneers…the Amish men themselves! First, it was odd to see them using technology, like microphones, but they were also fabulous auctioneers, just like you see, or hear, in the movies, could barely understand what they were saying! I can’t think how to explain it in words, just check out the video!

The first tent we went to was animals, and animals galore they had! They had started the animal auction at 930, we were there close to 11a and they were still in full swing! They had bunnies, oh my the bunnies, that’s what was being auctioned when we got there. Babies, full grown, medium, brown, white, black, you name it, you could find whatever type of bunny you wanted. PSM said no…you know I asked!

Then…squeal..squeal…squeal…voice goes up a few octive…they had BABY GOATS!!! O M G! I want one sooo badly. PSM said no…Please? No…we could get a color for it, like we have for the dogs and they can stay in the backyard! Please? no… oh well!

There were grown goats, big kids, little kids, there were fluffy sheep, lambs, big pigs, baby pigs, chickens, pigeons, peacocks, swans, like I said, you name it, they had it! As we walked around, it seemed like almost everyone was walking around with a chicken or a bunny! I don’t know who got the goats! Can I come and play?!

We went to the next tent, crafts, PSM thought he lost me, but I done good! It was a lot of Americana, wooden crafts, rabbits, bird houses, yard signs. Then on to the farm tools, then beautiful wooden furniture, into the firehouse where they were auctioning these amazing quilts, oh my word! They had it down to a science. Pull one up for all to see, highest bid wins, it comes down as they are hoisting the next one up, it was pretty cool.

There were food vendors inside and out. Back outside we went to the other side of the property and they were bidding on plants, sporting equiment, tractors, mowers, generators, tool chests, you name it, they probably had it and were trying to sell it! Oh, and if you buy a bunch or can’t carry what you bought, there were Amish kids there with their wagons to help you get your purchases to your vehicle!

Oh, and gotta love the buggy parking! One of my favorite things today! besides the bunnies and the baby goats!

After we walked to every auction, we decided to head out. Back to the vehicles in the corn field, the reason we didn’t ride the bikes, although it would have been the perfect day for riding. I appreciate PSM giving me an out to not ride in the flattened corn field, it would not have been fun!

We decided to find a local brewery to get some drinks and food. We went to Wyndridge Farm, a large beautiful space with a spacious and bright bar area, we sat right next to the tasting room, they also have an event venue, it was beautiful. I sent a picture to BJS because it reminded me of where she got married, great memories!

We had some grub, drank, talked, laughed, shared stories, and just had a really nice time. We talked about being able to get together sometime soon, I told DR about the Lebanon Valley Libations Trail and he has agreed, well, I twisted his arm, to join us at some of the breweries. ha ha. I know it will be tough, but he’s a trooper!

Afte we parted company, PSM drove us back home, we were about an hour away, and aside from the Amish cologne, that’s what someone called the fertilizer smell! It would have been the perfect ride. I’m hoping we can do it again!

Home, take the dogs for a walk, well, take Ruby, Bee got just past the driveway and decided she wasn’t going and dug her heels in, at that point, just like with a child, you pick and choose your battles, so…battle won for Bee, we went back, I deposited her at the house and Ruby and I went for a nice long walk.

Back home, feed the pups and then I went upstairs and decided I wanted to take a shower, but…I remembered at the Mud Sale, they had a claw foot tub, which I love, so I decided to take a not hot bubble bath and oh my word it was wonderful! I practiced my Italian, watched some videos, and all around just basked in the bubbles, the heat, and the steam. What could be better I ask you!?

And now, dear friends, I am sharing my day with you, as I love to do. So…shared! And now…g’night!

{March 8, 2024} A visit, a new place for dinner, we got in!

A normal work day, in the afternoon MM arrived, picked up PSM at work, went to a new place for dinner, then a club meeting, a movie, nighty night!

MM came in because tomorrow, we’re heading to Staten Island to attend the funeral of a friend. I don’t know if you recall me telling you about the passing of AGM on February 14th, a good friend from high school, someone who comes in and out of your life and it’s like no time has passed and just thinking about him right now I’m smiling. Well…tomorrow is the funeral, and then following, the celebration of life.

Since MM lives in South Carolina and he was driving up, I suggested he stop here, it’s about 7 hours from here, spend the night and we go together. We further planned…we are going to go to the funeral, then the celebration, then spend the night at my dad’s, there’s a brunch on Sunday, then we drive back to PA.

So…MM is here, I drove PSM to work because the beetle bug is in the shop, so we went to pick him up, we came home, chilled out for a while, then decided to head out and get some dinner. We went to the Lebanon Valley Craft Brewery, now we’ve been there before, but they only had a giant popcorn machine and food trucks on occassion, now…they have a full kitchen! Let’s eat!

The place was packed, and when I say packed, I mean packed, there was almost no place to sit. I happened to see two spots at the bar, I asked the people at the bar if they could move down two spots and we could sit there, thank you! We siddled up to the bar and settled in, right behind the taps, not a bad place to be, I love beer taps, they are so creative!

PSM had joined the LVCB Bierverkosters, basically a beer club. For your entry fee, you get a discount on food and merchandise, you get a 20oz beer for the price of a 16oz pint, and you get to punch a timecard on an old fashioned machine, pretty cool! And even more…

We ordered food, it wasn’t bad, I ordered a grilled veggie wrap, my only feedback was that it was cold on the inside, it should have been a hot sandwich, but it was tasty. Would I order it again? Yup, I will definitely give them another chance on this! They had a few things I might be able to eat, a few salads, not sure about the spicy black bean burger…but they have options. PSM and MM both had burgers, said they were pretty good.

One thing that wasn’t a plus was how long the food was taking. We thought because the kitchen has only been open a short time and it was really slammed in the place, the kitchen got slammed, add to that, we were all hungry, not a great combination. But will we go back and go back for more than just drinks, we definitely will, it’s a local place for us, the drink selection is good for PSM, they have very salty popcorn, fun to have while you’re there, the staff is very nice, and now they have a full kitchen, what more could you want? I’m sure as they grow, they’ll get better and I’m willing to go on the journey with them!

After dinner, we headed over to the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club for the Friday Night Meeting. We got there shortly before 8p, walked in, we were greeted so warmly, they know us now, especially since we’ve been to a few meetings. They missed us last week, that feels good to know! The last meeting they had some desserts that we both enjoyed and I told someone that I enjoyed the cherry bars, tonight, she gave me the recipe! Someone else had a recipe for their cake last week, but we weren’t there. Way to make us feel so welcome!

When we went upstairs for the meeting, they announced that we had been voted in, which was read from last week’s minutes, we had missed that, but we had a rousing cheer for us! MM introduced himself, we all had a good time, laughing, learning, just the camraderie! The events are starting to happen and I’m excited to participate! Thank you LVMC, we are excited to be here!

We came home got comfortable and put on Harlem Nights, one of my favorite movies of all time, just a classic with Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Red Fox, Della Reese, Danny Aiello, Michael Lerner, Jasmine Guy, and so many other great performers and comedians, I’ll tell you more about the movie another time!

Right now…gotta crash, getting up to get some brunch, then head to NYC for, well, you know.

Good night all, hug each other!p

{March 5, 2024} I’m in planning mode! Weehoo!

So…last year, I haven’t had a chance to tell you about this trip yet, but PSM and I went on a 3-week motorcycle trip with some friends, and made new friends. We enjoyed the trip so much, we talked about the next year’s trip while we were on that trip. And here we are!

It’s almost a year later and we are in planning mode for our 10 day trip for this June. We would have loved to be able to take a 3-week trip again, but some folks don’t have the time this year to take 3-weeks, but there’s always a next time!

So…what are we doing this year? Well, let me tell you… and you know I will give you a day-by-day of what we’re doing, complete with photos! I tell you just about everything now, don’t I?! Ok, so…JD is our ride captain, he plans the routes and found the hotels, maybe one day he’ll let someone else help with that! ha ha.

My job, as cruise director, Julie McCoy, that was the nickname they gave me on our trip last year because I ended up in charge of figuring out where we were going to eat meals, dinners, at least, communicating these details, along with the meet time to head to dinner, and KSU, Kick-Stands-Up in the mornings. And don’t know I love it! I might need a name badge, or at least a t-shirt with that name on it!

So… we are starting in Middleborough, MA, well, some of us are, since we’re coming in from Lebanon, PA, if we don’t ride to Middleborough, we’ll meet everyone in Bar Harbor, ME, this is about a 6 hour ride and 360 miles. Our plan is to watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, you know that means an unseemly hour of the morning, I can’t wait, then ride to the ferry terminal in Bar Harbor to load our bikes and persons and sail 3.5 hours to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. When PSM and I were in Nova Scotia years ago, we found out it translates to New Scotland, when you look out over the landscape it looked like Scotland to those who named it, and after being there two years ago, I couldn’t agree more!

Our trip is along the Cabot Trail, so every stop is going to be a part of that, passports at the ready! When we land in Yarmouth, we are going to ride about 4 hours and 193 miles to Halifax, Nova Scotia [NS], I am so excited about seeing Halifax again, I loved it and wished we had had more time there! Then, day 3, yes we are only up to day 3, can you believe it?!…from Halifax, we ride to Baddeck, about 6 hours and 270 miles.

Days 4-5, we’re going to do day trips on the Cabot Trail, even staying at the Cabot Trail Motel. Day 6, we ride Baddeck to Tatamagouche, NS for the night where we get to stay in train cars! Cannot wait! Then Day 7, Tatamagouche to St John New Brunswick, about 5 hours and 200 miles. Day 8m we ride about 6.5 hours and 300 miles from St John New Brunswick to Freeport, ME, and we’re back in the US! The last day, sadly…day 9, we ride from Freeport, ME to Middleborough, MA, about 5 hours and 180 miles. Most likely, PSM and I will go from New Brunswick towards PA and then make our way home by June 16th.

I just sent out a spreasheet for us to keep track of everything and as I was filling it out/in, I was getting more excited! I cannot wait to share the trip with you, a daily recount, and as I promised, chock full of pictures!

But for now, dear friends, I am going to bid you a fare fondwell, wait, what?! no, that’s a fond farewell and bid you goodnight!

And…I have to tell you, I am so happy that I started sharing with you again, I have really enjoyed the past two months! O M G! It’s been two months and I’ve shared so much, being as consistent as I can, I know I’ve missed some days, but I’m not as worried about that as I used to be. But we’re talking again and that’s what matters!

g’night!

{March 3, 2024} A pahty, dinner with dad, drive home

I…am…beat…yeah, I’m done! I just got home from Bahston and dinner with dad, I’ll tell you about my day, then I’m crashing!

Got up, the pups had slept with me, they love that treat, I’ll admit, I love it too. It really is a treat because it doesn’t happen every day. I let them on the bed sometimes on a Saturday or Sunday morning, but spending the night on the bed, now that’s a treat. Ruby did her thing and turned around twice and laid down, Bee turned around twice and then dug herself into my side, it was soooo cute. She moved once or twice, but settled into the crook I made and it was warm and cuddly, sigh.

We got up, went for a walk, thank goodness the rain finally stopped! Oh my car window…we came back, they had breakfast, I took a shower, then we headed to J&A’s for Uncle A’s 80th birthday bash! I got there, asked if I could do anything and A said she completely forgot vegan stuff, and there was a gluten-free person coming, so I said I would go to the grocery store and get some, easy! GES is going dairy-free for a while, I wanted to share some of my favorite options with her too.

Ruby just came upstairs to tell me it was time for bed!

I went to Wegmans and picked up some vegan and gluten-free options. I forgot how much I really like Wegman’s and what a great vegan selection they have! And how expensive some of that stuff is! I know it’s expensive, but usually I’m only buying one or two things along with our other groceries for the week!

I headed back to the house and people were starting to show up, including my hubby, PSM! I hadn’t seen him since Friday morning when he headed towards Vermont, very nice to see him, the girls thought so too!

We were in town for Uncle A’s 80th birthday bash and what a bash it was! GES was able to come over for a little bit, try some of the vegan cream cheese and smoked gouda, oh my I was happy, I love this Violife brand! They have such good dairy-free options! She was able to have bagel-lox-and cream cheese, with onion, of course! Not for me, thanks!

We ate some good food, got to chat with friends and family, laugh, hug, tell stories, and have an all around good time! It was so good to see everyone, I don’t think we’ve seen them since the Chanuakah party the weekend of Thanksgiving!

We bade everyone goodbye, PSM loaded the girls in the Jeep and headed towards home, I got in my car, programmed the directions and headed to my dad’s house. Let’s just say, no one likes driving through Connecticut! Aren’t they done with construction yet? Maybe that’s the national pastime in Connecticut!

It was a 4.5 hour drive with no stops, I had to get gas once and use the facilities a few times, and with traffic, it only added about 30 minutes, not too shabby. And…it got up to 70, guess what I did…dropped Annie’s top and we wer rockin’ down the road, that helped! I got to dad’s about 5p, we hugged hello, then loaded up in his car, I needed a minute not to be driving! We enjoyed Zara’s so much on Friday we decided to go back and even got the same meal!

We had the appetizer platter with babaganoush, hummus, tabouleh, eggplant salad, and sauted eggplant, it was so good! And we had a shepherd’s salad, the bread they bring out is fabulous and enough for the appetizers, I had a cup of turkish tea and we ended the meal with an order of baklavah! Sooo good! I’m ready for the next time.

Back to dad’s house, I helped him with his new timer light and then it was time to drive home. It’s only 2.5 hours, but when it’s been a long day and you’re tired, and already drove 5 hours, 2.5 can be tough! Especially after driving to Boston yesterday! But…made it home safe and sound, hello to the hubs and the dogs, unloaded the car, I’m talking to you and as soon as I click publish…I’m going to introduce myself to the back of my eyelids. Now…you know me, I know this, and you know this is just me talking a big game! ha ha

I’m going to give it the old school try! Night!

{March 2, 2024} Breakfast with dad, drive to Bahston, dinner with my sis

All is a day, of course!

I got up way to early for a Saturday, why can’t I sleep past at least 6am!? I decided to linger, I didn’t feel like getting out of bed, going out into the rain, and the bed got softer and I kept sinking deeper and deeper into the warmth and comfort of my childhood bed. Don’t roll your eyes, it’s a very comfortable bed, the mattress is just right, and the blankets were piled on and just cozy! It’s a twin, yup, you know how much I love a king or california king bed, but I grew up sleeping on a twin bed. You should have seen the number of pillows and stuffed animals I had, used to give people ‘hives’!

I got up eventually, got dressed, got the dogs out of their travel crate, and took them out for a walk. It was still raining, not too hard, but enough, hoping it wasn’t going to get too bad on my way to Boston, but I was not so lucky! We walked around the block I grew up on, back to the house, say good morning to paw-paw, fed them, let them hang out for a few minutes, then back in the crate and dad and I went to Z-One for breakfast. First, we tried to go to Zara Forest Grill, we saw they had breakfast, but it turns out they don’t open until 11am on Saturdays, that’s brunch, not breakfast!

I love my one-on-one time with my dad, we talk about everything and nothing, we reminisce, we plan, we strategize, we joke, we tell stories, it’s just that good!

After breakfast, we made a pit stop at Michael’s, it was for him, not for me! But who am I to stand in the way of creativity! I had so much fun crafting with him last night! When we got back home, I packed up the pups crate, food, and bowls, and of course, the dogs, got in the car, made sure the window cover was secure, plugged in the address of the hotel and headed out into the rainy day for parts, I can’t say parts unknown, I know where I’m going! ha ha.

It was about a 4.5 hour drive with no stopping, well, we know me well enough to know that’s not possible! With the rain, stopping for gas, and one or two potty breaks, I made it in about 5-5.5 hours, that’s not bad at all! I got the dogs out, walked them in the rain, got them into the room, unloaded the car, got the crate and their bed set up and then I got to work feeding them.

After a bit, I got in touch with GES and we worked out that I would go over to their house so I could see MGS, and we would order take-out, but if they bring it to you, is that take-in? hmmm…it was good, we had pho, and it was pretty good. I definitely had leftovers to bring home! We hung out, talked, played with Bailey, their dog, and Piper, the labradoodle they were dog sitting for the weekend. We talkd, laughed, enjoyed just spending time together, then EJS came home, and then ACS, the gang’s all here!

It was nice, I hung out until about 10p and I was getting a little tired, only because I knew I had to drive back in the rain, then drive back to PA tomorrow, with a pit or dinner stop at dad’s. I got back to the hotel, they let me park my car at the entrance, so hopefully the plastic holds and no rain gets in, thank you Romeo!

I’m back in the room, the dogs have been walked in the rain, I think I’ll let them sleep with me tonight, I have this whole bed to myself, and I know they would love the cuddle. I’ll love the cuddle, except for the part where they push me out of the giant bed! grrr…

Tomorrow, it’s a birthday party for Uncle A, I get to see PSM, and his whole family, celebrate, then drive to dad’s and then back to PA. I need a nap!

G’night!

Email Subscription

What was I thinking?