...And, We're Back

Lake Champlain II
Originally uploaded by mmahaffie.

We're just back from our week at the northern end of Vermont. We had a great time. More pictures, and details, over the next few days. For now, the car's unpacked and I'm off to bed.

Heading North

Skytop Compass
Originally uploaded by bikeracer.

We're heading out again. This time to Vermont. We'll spend a week on the shores of Lake Champlain.

When we vacation, I like to go "luddite." So, no blogging for the next week-and-a-day-or-so.

But I'll be taking pictures.

Water: Beautiful

grandfolks bird bubbler
Originally uploaded by shwa.

Once in a while in my wanderings through Flickr, I find perfect moments of beauty.

Is It Still a "Blue Crab?"

Molly Murray has a story in the News Journal today that a commercial crabber has pulled an Albino blue crab out of Delaware waters. This is reportedly rare, but not unheard-of. I was intrigued to read that the fellow is thinking he might introduce the white crab -- a male -- "to some of the females in the shedding tank as an experiment to see whether they might breed more white crabs."

I hope Molly checks back on this story.

Meet Nick

Nick
Originally uploaded by mmahaffie.

Nick is the alpha male among the many cats at the Milton Equestrian Center. He's a stocky, tough-looking cat. By all accounts he's a good mouser. But he's a sweet cat, too. Likes people. Likes hanging out with horses.

Truer Words Were Never Posted

Truer Words Were Never...
Originally uploaded by mmahaffie.

This actually refers to fundraiser held by one of the offices in my building, but it struck me as I first got on the elevator this morning as a wonderful koan-like thought.

This is indeed today. I hope to see you there too.

Sixth Golf Game of 2005

On Bethany Bay Golf Course
Originally uploaded by mmahaffie.

Andy Southmayd and I played 18 holes at Bethany Bay Golf Course this morning. We wanted a tune-up prior to our two families' joint trip to northern Vermont where we like to play the mountainous courses.

I'd never played Bethany Bay before. It's an executive length, 9-hole course with eight par-3 holes and one par-4. A pleasant little course with some nice challenges.

Things got a bit crowded on our second time around the 9 holes, so we teamed up for the last few with two gents -- Jerry and Ahmet -- who have vacation homes at Bethany Bay. We were visited a Deer and by a Great Blue Heron.

I'm proud to say I carded an 88 for 18 holes. It is a short course, of course. Still, I cut strokes from the first 9 to the second 9 and Andy, who is a much better golfer than I , only beat me by two strokes.

Another round of golf in 2005.

AgriPhotos

Tractor and Field
Originally uploaded by mmahaffie.

As you may know, I spend a fair amount of time at the Milton Equestrian Center where Colleen rides and looks after her horse Jazzy. It's an interesting place to take pictures. I've started a collection.

Language that Makes Me Think

In a column by Al Mascitti in the News Journal this morning, there's a quote that gave me a moment's pause.

The column (It's racing interests vs. expanded gambling, and the purse is huge) is about the long-term effort to expand gambling's footprint in Delaware. What caught my eye, though, was part of quote from the executive director of the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems.

She spoke about the state having "an obligation to fund programs for the victims of public policy."

There's a notion that we should think about: "victims of public policy."

Another Form of History

cincinnati 1915
Originally uploaded by Least Wanted.

A Flickr member, Least Wanted, collects old photos discarded from law enforcement archives.

This one struck me because it looks oddly like my friend David Pedersen, of Georgetown. David with darker hair, a hat, facial hair, and a fancy collar.

Least Wanted's collection is a fascinating look back at fashion, hairstyles, and the faces of America over time. Remarkable.