Just a plain ole update

It has been dryer than a pair of gym shorts on the long cottons cycle. I mean seriously. We have had 0.27 in the last 27 days. The temperature forecast for tomorrow is 105deg. I've been managing to keep things alive. I bought a new soaker hose for the vegetables. They seem to enjoy it. I also laid down some of that weird no weeds cloth stuff to keep the weeds from getting all the water. So far the vegetables seem to be loving the change. The peppers are finally recovering from being eaten nearly to the ground by the deer and the beans are flowering. My 1$ cherry tomato plant is covered in green tomatoes on the back porch. I planted it in much to small of a pot so it requires daily watering. Live and learn right! My parsley, germander, chives, and oregano are all blooming. It really is amazing that people don't plant them as ornamentals! One of my neighbors actually asked "what that purple flower is". The look on his face when I told him chives was priceless. Dan and I also planted two apple trees. They are both 3 in 1 trees with gala, fuji, and yellow delicious. The deer ate about half of one of the trees so we will have to wait and see what happens. I think we may completely loose the gala branch. The chickens are doing well, however, Cookie hasn't laid an egg this month. I think she might be going through a molt, but it is hard to tell. Maybe she is just getting lazy. I have started a new workout regimen to try to meet my wedding weight goal. I have set myself a realistic goal and fingers crosses, I will achieve it not just for the wedding but for my own health.

Thanks for visiting!

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park- Memorial Day P2

So after we left Manassas and the battle of Bull Run, we drove to Harper's Ferry. We arrived at the HF Econo Lodge to spend the night. As soon as we crossed from Maryland to West Virginia the GPS lost signal. "Welcome to West Virgina. We don't call people." Luckily the Econo Lodge was just over the bridge. Harper's Ferry is a historic town with a lot happening. It is located at the corner of Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.  It is also where the Shenandoah River hits and joins the Potomic River. Needless to say it is very pretty and their are lots of signs. The historic part of the town is a recreation of mid-late 1800's business district. Your quick history lesson: Remember that guy you learned about in 8th grade history, John Brown the abolitionist? No? Well he tried to arm the slaves to start a battle to end slavery starting in Harper's Ferry. He was hanged. He should have waited a few years because the civil war started 2 years later. Harper's Ferry was also home of the largest Union surrender of the war. 12,500 Union troops were captured and told not to fight anymore until they were all traded for captured Confederates. Imagine half a full baseball stadium. Surrendering. And then someone saying, "Right so we can't actually put all of you in prison, so just promise me you wont fight 'till I say ok -ok?" The honor system was awesome in the 1800's.

These handy things were everywhere!

John Brown's Fort. It was only here some of the time. Apparently they moved this building around a lot in the 1800's. Brick by Brick. 

A view of the Shenandoah River from near Chambers' Farm and one of the foundations of John Brown's Fort on the Murphy-Chambers Farm Trial. 

Manassas National Battlefield Park- Memorial Day P1

After a wonderful holiday weekend visiting friends in Crofton, MD (a town nestled between DC and Baltimore). We headed to Manassas (aka Bull Run) Battlefield to spend our Memorial day properly- looking at memorials. We arrived a bit late in the day, around 4pm. This was due to an accidental poor route choice, where, instead of going around DC on memorial day- we tried to go directly through it. In the parking lot that was Pennsylvania Ave, I did get some cool pictures of some of the more attractive buildings in DC:

After arriving (finally) at the battlefield we caught the last tour of the day. A 45 minute short "hike" that explored the first battle of Manassas. I wish all civil war battles were so easy to understand! We were able to view all the major points of the first battle of Manassas in 45 minutes of stop and go walking. The second battle of Manassas on the other hand took a 3 hour 18 mile car trip to hit the major stops. Your quick history lesson: The first battle on Manassas was the first major battle of the civil war. Most people thought it would be the ONLY battle of the civil war, so they came out to watch. Well they were wrong. The Confederates won. The Confederates also won round two at Manassas. 

The Henry House- kinda in the middle of all the fighting. 

There's a bluebird on my.... cannon? That was captured by the Confederates? Do'oh!