Summer's End

I love summer but this year was unusually hot in the mid-Atlantic region, so an end of summer trip to New England was the absolutely perfect way to get re-energized for Autumn. Yes, I know the official end of summer is still 10 days away, however with Labor Day weekend and the neighborhood kids back in school, it feels like the seasons are a-changing. I love these blue skies, cooler mornings, open windows and fresh air. Just like I saw in New England.

The tranquility and beauty of New England...aaaahhhh.

Covered bridge at Shelburne Museum, Vermont

Relaxing spot on Orr's Island, Maine

Boats on Lake Champlain, Burlington, Vermont

Vermont countryside

Beautiful goats at Fat Toad Farm, Vermont

White Mountains, New Hampshire

Presidential Range of the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Cog Railway chugging up Mount Washington, NH

Church in Bennington, Vermont

Top 10 Things Learned This Week

When one isn't working, one can still learn something new every day. Things may not be as intellectually stimulating, but inspiration is all around us. Here are the Top 10 Things I’ve Learned This Hot Summer Week:

1. I learned that stores will always post banners boasting their 75% off Clearance Sale, but when one gets inside, most things are only 25% off the regular price. That one thing that’s 75% off must be left from 2 years ago. Don’t fall for something that appears to be too good to believe.
2. I learned that storm clouds rolling across the sky, with the promise of a huge rainstorm to come, are energizing on hazy, hot summer days. Summer in the mid-Atlantic = wilted me. The clouds in a dark sky help rev me up to actually get work done. 
3. I’ve learned (actually I already knew this one but it was reinforced this week) that patience is a virtue. When heading home after an art show Tuesday evening, traffic was completely stopped due to a fallen tree across the parkway. My first inclination was to wish I had listened to the traffic reports so I could have chosen an alternate route, but it was too late. However, dear friend, cool car, quiet evening and good conversation meant waiting for the road to be cleared was enjoyable.
4. Peaches are the best food ever. I always thought I was a strawberry girl, but the beautiful, juicy, perfect peaches from Kingsbury Orchard are pure summer heaven (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack time). 
5. I am fortunate to have an abundance of friends – new friends and old (okay not old but long-time friends) – who go out of their way to share ideas and information, provide a sense of humor, plan outings, share meals, recommend books, commiserate, open a bottle of wine, and give welcome advice and encouragement. I learned we must be grateful for these friends in our lives and tell them so. 
6. I learned that to be a job seeker, one must be a risk-taker, too. It’s no time to be shy, modest, or quiet about looking for a job. 
7. I learned that if there is someone I really don’t enjoy spending time with, then life is too short to spend more time than is absolutely necessary beyond being cordial. 
8. I learned that I actually do like tomatoes (those growing in pots on my patio). As a child I loathed tomatoes but somehow I now think they’re pretty swell and a terrific lunch with fresh basil leaves, cottage cheese, and lots of ground pepper. 
9. I’ve learned that it’s beneficial to print out a cover letter and resume to proof before submitting online for a job application (trust me). Reading these things in print makes it much easier to catch errors than reading on my laptop screen.
10. I’ve learned that the best time of day is the very early morning, when no one is out and about in the neighborhood, the air conditioner sounds are silent, the sun is up but only just, the birds are not quite stirring, and I can sit outside, read my paper and sip hot, hot coffee while it’s still slightly cool on a July morning. I sense a hint of the light changing, not so bright at 6am, summer ending and Fall on its way.

Mid-Week Escapes

Believe it or not, even unemployed Job Acquisition Specialists need a break from reality...especially when the late June thermometer indicates a 72-degree day and there is no humidity in the air. This is the kind of day that tells me I must be outside.
No air conditioning needed. Lunch outside, preferably by the water. A change of scenery. Time away from the computer.






I'm ready for a proper vacation but with time on my hands, no great discount fares found this weekend, and no vaca planned, a couple of perfect days outside playing tourist was the ideal plan. Wednesday meant a beautiful day trip to the Chesapeake Bay and Friday was spent meandering through the activities at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in D.C.






A day at the Chesapeake Bay was the perfect mini holiday. A walk through Annapolis then lunch al fresco at Bridges on Kent Narrows: beautiful view of the water, delicious crabcake sandwich, perfect deck for outside dining. I could have sat there all day soaking up the sun.

It was a great day to check out the Chesapeake Exploration Center while at Kent Narrows to learn more about Maryland's long and fascinating history and the things that have been so important to its culture and economic growth: farming, tobacco, fishing, crabbing, and more. There is a nice observation deck and a path along the area being developed to prevent more erosion along the banks of the Bay.

And late June/Early July in Washington always means the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, with opportunities to check out the musicians, dancers, storytellers, craftsmen and artisans, food, and culture of different countries each year. This year featured Mexico, Asian Pacific Americans and the Smithsonian...unfortunately the weakest lineup I can ever remember (perhaps a result of budget constraints?).

Nothing memorable in the Asian Pacific American area (except for the very beautiful Sri Lankan dancers).

But Mexico had a variety of musicians, artisans and people making tequila (sorry, no samples) -- now that was a fiesta for the senses, too. A mini vacation in Washington, DC.

Mi hermosa hija: