Farewell to Christmas

The tree wasn't just dead. It was more than dead, so time to say farewell. We didn't quite make it to February this year. At this house Christmas sticks around until Groundhog Day. It isn't always intentional, we just get busy.

Holiday things are getting tucked away for a few months before we bring them out again. The angel from our tree looks on, ready for a spring rest. In about 280 days she'll come out again, ready to watch over another holiday season.

Baltimore chill

I'm in Baltimore for business - and wow, is it cold! when I got here it was snow-flurrying, wind just cut right through you. 

Downtown Baltimore is colder than I expected in January. Still, we went for a walk, down to a local restaurant to get some lunch (and hot chocolate!). There's a fun ice rink downtown by the harbor, and lots of people are enjoying a skate. This rink has these little blue things for early learners, to help them feel comfortable on the ice - I had to take a picture because Obi asked Santa for ice skates for Christmas and wanted to go skating and I thought of him. 

Then we walked up to Federal Hill, a famous landmark in Baltimore. On top of this hill today is a lovely park and vista, a place to view both the city and the harbor at the same time. Beneath it during the colonial period there was once a mine for paint pigment - and tunnels below still exist, but collapse from time to time, requiring some cosmetic adjustments when one of the tunnels caves in.

In 1789 Federal Hill was the end of the parade to celebrate the Federal Constitution.
In 1861 it was occupied by Union Troops, who quickly erected a fort, pointing a canon at the business district, in order to assure allegiance to the Union. 

It was cold, a bit snowy, but fresh - the clean harbor air smelled and tasted wonderful.  Now if I can just get up the courage to the join the skaters, my visit will be complete. 

Miss Birthday

My little Alora turned 6 a couple of weeks ago. I can hardly believe it. Here she is with her Nana and Great-Grampa at her birthday party.