Many, many years ago, I was a 4-H member.
Not as many years ago, my daughter was a 4-H member.
So every year when August rolls around, we make sure to head out to the Montgomery County 4-H Fair on Route 113 in Skippack.
Here are just a few photos from opening night.
As you look at these, remember that the fair continues Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can check out all the various projects completed by 4-H members, take in cattle shows, see the rabbits and guinea pigs, eat a part of the world's largest sausage patty and enjoy live music on Friday evening by the Daisy Jug Band.
Maybe you'll even be inspired to have your children join a club, or check out ways in which you can help the 4-H program.
It's a great event! If you want more information, check out the Montgomery County 4-H program website. Don't miss the fair!
At the end of December 2011, I retired from The Reporter after more than 38 years on the job.
At the end of July 2015, I retired from Harleysville Veterinary Hospital after three and a half years, so I guess that qualifies me as "old."
This is the oh-so delicious cake that we devoured last Friday, in addition to the goodies that hospital staff brought in as part of "dip day," a tradition at the hospital on occasions of such celebrations as marriages, births and yes, retirements.
I truly appreciate the send-off, and it was bittersweet to leave the practice. It had always been a dream of mine to work there, having been a client forever, and it was wonderful to be able to realize that dream.
But it's time for another chapter in my life. I hope to do some traveling, with some plans already in the works; I want to pare down my belongings; I want to spend more time with family and friends; and I want to do some volunteer work.
I also hope to do more blogging and more photography.
There are other items on my bucket list, but I guess this is enough for a start.
So here I am on my first official day of retirement… It will be interesting to see what develops in the years to come!
And, of course, it will give me more time with our kitties … including this little mischief-maker, Wednesday!
The weather looked rather iffy when I got up on Saturday, but we decided to brave the elements and head to Went'z Garden Tour, presented by Wentz's United Church of Christ. The promo said it would go on rain or shine, but we were glad the rain held off until late in the day. It was a great tour of gorgeous gardens!
Here are a few shots from some of the stops.
First up: Center Point Pond on Valley Forge Road, Worcester. The fish were cool to see … and if you want a fake hippo head for your pond, you can get them there!
The multitude of flowers, water features and feeling of serenity -- and awe -- abounded at the Kimmel home near Eagleville:
Equally impressive was the Livezey home in Collegeville:
Here are a few other shots from other stops along the way on the tour…
Such a wonderful day… If you missed it this year, check it out in 2016!!
FINALLY! I am getting around to posting some photos from a trip to Vermont that I was able to squeeze in during May with my daughter. It had been a few years, so it was great to be back. In May, you could still spot the snow on Mount Mansfield, near Stowe.
I'm sure by now the church in Stowe is framed by lush greenery...
You gotta try the homemade pie at the Halfway House diner in Shoreham… always outstanding!! And as you walk in the door, there's a "library" where you can take a book or leave some.
We were sad that Pie in the Sky no longer exists in Stowe, but the food at The Bench was awesome!
And we always have to stop at Magic Hat in South Burlington.
And the Shelburne Museum always has something new to discover...
And along a street in Burlington you can find this -- the tallest filing cabinet ever!!
The view of Mount Mansfield from our motel….
And we always stop in Johnson, Vt., to take in a few favorite sites...
Luckily they opened the road across Smuggler's Notch on our last full day there. It closes during the winter. Spectacular!!
And we even found the herd of Jerseys up above Stowe that we like to visit…
Love seeing these whale tails on every visit!
And then there was this … a John Deere made out of hay bales.
Can't wait for the next trip up north!
