Since I could write a book about this, I decided to do a TTW radio broadcast instead. It's a lot faster than writing, although I'm not certain it's more entertaining. Perhaps I may write the story at a later date, but, for now, my narration should give you an idea of the problems we had getting to work.
© 2012
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Friday, October 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Truth smacked us in the face
Reading the paper this morning, reality hit us hard. Derek McCoy, President of the Maryland Family Alliance, spoke out against gay marriage at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department last week. Fearing Maryland may follow New York's legislative lead next year, he vowed to rally national organizations and the citizens of Maryland to defeat next year's planned bill. He also vowed to take the issue out of the legislative process and force a referendum so Marylanders can decide if same sex couples should be allowed to marry.
We've said it before in prior posts, but it's worth reiterating. When Keith and I moved here, we were scared to death of what the reaction of the local people would be. We held the stereotype that our neighbors would be dumb, macho rednecks living a mentatility of fifty years ago. If they knew we were gay, they would vandalize our home with nasty spray paint, if they didn't burn it down first, and for a Saturday night of fun, they'd beat us up and leave us in the marsh for dead.
Yeah, I know. What extreme thinking. Unfortunately, both Keith and I have known gay people who suffered such violence for no other reason than they were gay. We won't bore you with our stories, but you can see our fears of moving here weren't without basis.
For almost the first year we were here, we said nothing. When we were at Carolyn's Stonehouse, a couple of people would hint around about us being gay to see how we would respond. We simply blew them off without admitting we were a couple, nor denying it. Everyone knew we were a couple and bent over backwards to make us feel welcomed and accepted in the community. It became apparent to us we had to be honest and forthcoming with them.
The people down here in Toddville shattered our stereotype of the local people here and on Delmarva. They were very much with the times and accepting. Sure, a couple of people had a problem with the gay couple who moved in. We could see their expressions when we walked into Mr. Pritchett's store or Carolyn's Stonehouse. But no one gave us a hard time.
After six years of going around town up in the high country to do our shopping, employees of the Food Lion, Royal Farms, Lowe's, Snow's Turn, and a couple of the restaurants we eat at fairly regularly have figured out we must be a couple. We don't hold hands or kiss in public like a straight couple will do, but I reckon they know two guys don't hang around with each other as much as we do for as long as we have. They figure we must be more than friends. It's something we know they know, especially if one of us shows up without the other and the waitress or cashier will ask, "Where's your partner?"
We get a real charge out of the talking heads on TV or the radio who complain about the growing acceptance of gay people. "Why do they have to go around telling everyone they're gay?" they'll rhetorically ask.
Well, we told no one and still tell no one, yet everyone knows. So we have to rhetorically ask, "Why the Hell do you care?"
Back to last week's meeting with Derek McCoy, president of the Maryland Family Alliance. Let's not gloss this one over. Anytime there's an organization with the word, family, in its name and the organization's purpose is to promote strong healthy families based on Christian values, you can be guaranteed it's members simply hate gay people. Derek McCoy and the Maryland Family Alliance is no exception.
Obviously, we take exception to Derek McCoy and the Maryland Families Alliance's comments and stance on the issue of same sex marriage. Keith and I will be starting our twelth year together. So far, we have stayed together almost twice as long as about half of the legally married couples who tied the knot when we first committed to each other. Derek McCoy, if you and your organization are about promoting strong families, why were those couples allowed to marry, only to bail ship, but we aren't allowed to marry?
At the time we got together, Keith's daughter was nine-years-old. Because we couldn't get married, I couldn't add his daughter to my health insurance plan. As you push for legislation to make families stronger,do you consider the sons and daughters of gay people as being not as important as the children of straight people?
People in prison, people on the sex offenders list, people with a history of spousal abuse, and people with a history of child abuse or neglect can all legally get married. In your effort to create a positive environment to raise strong families, are you saying all these people are good role models, but gay people aren't?
Alcoholics and drug addicts can legally marry. Are you saying they're good role models for a strong family unit, but gay people aren't?
Almost half the marriages in this country end in divorce. Aside from trying to prevent same sex couples from marrying, what are you doing to prevent couples, who don't understand the meaning of "Until death do us part", from marrying or are you saying that a straight marriage ending in divorce is better than a life long marriage between a same sex couple?
In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled a marriage between two people is a basic, civil right. Since when did you and your organization decide the people should get to vote on which civil rights we'll let people have?
Much to Keith's chagrain, I sort of hope Maryland does take the issue of same sex marriage to the people to vote on. Whether it will pass or not is beside the point for me. If you really want to start letting people vote on which civil rights we allow to which groups of people, I have a whole list of referendums to start flooding our state legislature with. I guarantee you nor anyone affiliated with your organization will like any of them.
Oh wait. Up until about fifty years ago, we did vote on which civil rights people were or were not entitled to. It wasn't a pretty picture, was it?
For once, we would like to see someone from any homophobic organization out there, including the Maryland Families Alliance, publically answer any, preferably all, of the questions we posed above. For the casual reader of Toddville Tidewaters, we ask you ponder the questions we posed for yourself.
© 2012
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
We've said it before in prior posts, but it's worth reiterating. When Keith and I moved here, we were scared to death of what the reaction of the local people would be. We held the stereotype that our neighbors would be dumb, macho rednecks living a mentatility of fifty years ago. If they knew we were gay, they would vandalize our home with nasty spray paint, if they didn't burn it down first, and for a Saturday night of fun, they'd beat us up and leave us in the marsh for dead.
Yeah, I know. What extreme thinking. Unfortunately, both Keith and I have known gay people who suffered such violence for no other reason than they were gay. We won't bore you with our stories, but you can see our fears of moving here weren't without basis.
For almost the first year we were here, we said nothing. When we were at Carolyn's Stonehouse, a couple of people would hint around about us being gay to see how we would respond. We simply blew them off without admitting we were a couple, nor denying it. Everyone knew we were a couple and bent over backwards to make us feel welcomed and accepted in the community. It became apparent to us we had to be honest and forthcoming with them.
The people down here in Toddville shattered our stereotype of the local people here and on Delmarva. They were very much with the times and accepting. Sure, a couple of people had a problem with the gay couple who moved in. We could see their expressions when we walked into Mr. Pritchett's store or Carolyn's Stonehouse. But no one gave us a hard time.
After six years of going around town up in the high country to do our shopping, employees of the Food Lion, Royal Farms, Lowe's, Snow's Turn, and a couple of the restaurants we eat at fairly regularly have figured out we must be a couple. We don't hold hands or kiss in public like a straight couple will do, but I reckon they know two guys don't hang around with each other as much as we do for as long as we have. They figure we must be more than friends. It's something we know they know, especially if one of us shows up without the other and the waitress or cashier will ask, "Where's your partner?"
We get a real charge out of the talking heads on TV or the radio who complain about the growing acceptance of gay people. "Why do they have to go around telling everyone they're gay?" they'll rhetorically ask.
Well, we told no one and still tell no one, yet everyone knows. So we have to rhetorically ask, "Why the Hell do you care?"
Back to last week's meeting with Derek McCoy, president of the Maryland Family Alliance. Let's not gloss this one over. Anytime there's an organization with the word, family, in its name and the organization's purpose is to promote strong healthy families based on Christian values, you can be guaranteed it's members simply hate gay people. Derek McCoy and the Maryland Family Alliance is no exception.
Obviously, we take exception to Derek McCoy and the Maryland Families Alliance's comments and stance on the issue of same sex marriage. Keith and I will be starting our twelth year together. So far, we have stayed together almost twice as long as about half of the legally married couples who tied the knot when we first committed to each other. Derek McCoy, if you and your organization are about promoting strong families, why were those couples allowed to marry, only to bail ship, but we aren't allowed to marry?
At the time we got together, Keith's daughter was nine-years-old. Because we couldn't get married, I couldn't add his daughter to my health insurance plan. As you push for legislation to make families stronger,do you consider the sons and daughters of gay people as being not as important as the children of straight people?
People in prison, people on the sex offenders list, people with a history of spousal abuse, and people with a history of child abuse or neglect can all legally get married. In your effort to create a positive environment to raise strong families, are you saying all these people are good role models, but gay people aren't?
Alcoholics and drug addicts can legally marry. Are you saying they're good role models for a strong family unit, but gay people aren't?
Almost half the marriages in this country end in divorce. Aside from trying to prevent same sex couples from marrying, what are you doing to prevent couples, who don't understand the meaning of "Until death do us part", from marrying or are you saying that a straight marriage ending in divorce is better than a life long marriage between a same sex couple?
In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled a marriage between two people is a basic, civil right. Since when did you and your organization decide the people should get to vote on which civil rights we'll let people have?
Much to Keith's chagrain, I sort of hope Maryland does take the issue of same sex marriage to the people to vote on. Whether it will pass or not is beside the point for me. If you really want to start letting people vote on which civil rights we allow to which groups of people, I have a whole list of referendums to start flooding our state legislature with. I guarantee you nor anyone affiliated with your organization will like any of them.
Oh wait. Up until about fifty years ago, we did vote on which civil rights people were or were not entitled to. It wasn't a pretty picture, was it?
For once, we would like to see someone from any homophobic organization out there, including the Maryland Families Alliance, publically answer any, preferably all, of the questions we posed above. For the casual reader of Toddville Tidewaters, we ask you ponder the questions we posed for yourself.
© 2012
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Suriving two weeks of an earthquake, hurricane, and tropical depression
Three weeks ago, we had our worst nightmare forming out in the Carribean. A strong hurrican named Irene had its sights set for Delmarva. A week in advance, before it even hit Puerto Rico, we were on edge. A tropical storm or hurricane usually hits us within a week of Labor Day weekend. In fact, we moved into our house on Labor Day weekend, and the day we moved into our new home five years ago, tropical storm Ernesto welcomed us.
Since that time, Keith has pondered, every year, what would happen if a category one hurricane hit us on a path right up the Bay. Hazel was our last category one hurricane to hit and that was way back before either one of us were born. Fifty-seven years ago, to be exact. A major storm like Hazel is supposed to hit us every thirty to fifty years so we figured we were on borrowed time.
On Friday, the day before the Big Storm, I went out on a mission to get sandbags and some other storm prep supplies. I couldn't find a sandbag within a fifty mile radius. To top it off, I couldn't find a decent flashlight nor batteries to operate the little ones we already have. Knowing Irene was going to blow in with a vengeance, we realized too late the importance of being prepared way before you even know what might hit you.
I managed to get twelve bags of sand and bought my own bags to make my own sandbags. On the night of the storm, I sandbagged the doors and had a few more ready to fight the water anywhere else it could find a way in. We also got everything - and I mean everything - off the first floor. The big things that we left behind were ready to be moved when the tides came pouring through. We were set as much as available supplies and our budget would allow.
Saturday came and Irene began knocking on our door. She brought heavy rains and breezes, a warning that she could be vicious and gentle at the same time. All we could do was wait. Our flood tides don't happen during the storm. They always come as the storm exits.
So we waited - and drank beer. The original forcast had the brunt of the storm coming after midnight, but on the five o'clock news, the forcasters upped the time for the strongest part of the storm to hit after eight pm. That was only three hours away, and while we had a deluge the entire day, the winds were only breezy. We've had stronger nor'easters.
Keith's pessimism began to show through. "Where's the hurricane? The trees are supposed to be bending back and forth and things are supposed to be flying through the air."
In Keith's defense, his pessimism wasn't without foundation. Three days earlier, as we drove to work, he mentioned that he had never experienced a category one hurricane and he wanted to experience one. His grandmother talked about how bad Hazel was in '54 and Irene was his chance to experience what his grandmother had told him. He added, "I've never experienced a tornado or an earthquake, either. I don't want to experience a tornado, but I'd like to see one. And I'd want to feel an earthquake. I can't imagine what one feels like."
"If you want to feel an earthquake, you have to go to California, and I ain't going to California. If Apryl [his daughter] moves to Ohio, you can visit her during tornado season, but I ain't going," I replied.
That afternoon, I ate my lunch under the pine tree on the hill behind where I work, then lay down to take a nap. As I dozed off, the ground felt like jello and I instantly sat up, startled. I rocked as if I were sitting on a bowl of jello, and the hill felt as if it were going to slide down. The sensation only lasted a few seconds, but by the time I gathered my senses, I sat there wondering if there was something physically wrong with me or if we had an earthquake. I lit up a smoke and then I heard someone yell, "We had an earthquake!"
I breathed a sigh of relief knowing there was nothing wrong with me. Then I remembered Keith and our conversation this morning and wondered if he felt the quake he caused. Yes, he caused it. He wanted a blizzard and we got two back-to-back blizzards. He wanted the spring to dry out so his flowers would grow, and we had no rain for two months, plunging us into a moderate drought. He wanted to feel an earthquake, and we got a 5.8 quake. Mother Nature listens to Keith, but, unfortunately, gives him more than he asks for.
I felt the quake he asked for. He didn't. He was in his work van and didn't feel a thing. He's still upset about that. All I can say is everyone east of the Mississippi should brace themselves for another - and much larger - quake, one that drivers will even feel.
Now here we were, three hours away from the height of a category one hurricane, and all we had were breezes and lots of rain. "I missed the earthquake and now we ain't going to get the hurricane," he lamented.
I pulled up the weather observations for Bishops Head. Winds were steady at 23 mph, gusting to near 40. We weren't even in tropical strength, yet. Maybe Keith was right.
About an hour later, I refreshed the stats, and winds were steady at 39 mph, with gusts just over 50. I woke Keith up. "It's coming, Keith. We're in tropical strength now and the peak is still two hours away. Grab some beer and let's go."
Keith got excited until he looked outside. "It doesn't look all that much more windy."
I packed our beer and explained, "We'll go out to the docks and see the full force. We're too protected here with all the trees."
We headed out to the mouth of Tedious Creek, where we go fishing and crabbing. Normally, Tedious Creek is calm with little ripples lapping the shore. During storms, it turns into a viscious flood machine. When the winds blow right, the water is forced up the creek, over the land, and, at least once a year, into our yard. Now, keep in mind, we don't live on Tedious Creek. Tedious Creek is a mile or two from us. So when it comes into our yard, you can imagine the volume of Bay water the wind has pushed up the creek to reach us. It doesn't even have to be a strong wind. A steady, persistent breeze from the right direction is all it takes. The Mother's Day storm of '08 testifies to that.
We got down to the docks and the wind howled. Waves crashed on the shore. For the first time that day, we felt we were in a tropical storm. The good news was the waves slammed against the east side banks of Tedious Creek instead of blowing straight up the creek.
"We're not going to get flooded, Keith. Look where the waves are going."
"You're sure?"
"With the tides around here, no, the tides do what they want, but what I'm seeing is a good sign. The waves are wrong and high tide is still a good six hours away." (It's only an 11-second shot, but you can view the peak of our storm as seen at the mouth of Tedious Creek following the rest of the story.)
As darkness crept in and our beer supply dwindled, we went home. There's only so much wind and repetive wave action one can watch before you realize you're running out of beer. As we left the docks, the winds seemed to get less harsh. By the time we got home (ten minutes later), there was no storm. It wasn't even raining.
I pulled up the radar and it showed the storm passing us. The stats showed the steady wind speed at 23 mph with gusts to almost forty. The storm was over, which meant the flood tides were coming. Keith, already dejected because he didn't get to exprience a category one hurricane, had fallen fast asleep on the sofa. I didn't expect much of anything, so I let him sleep and headed out on my own.
The exiting storm brought in a bit stronger winds, I'm sure, but nothing stronger than what we had seen all day. The tides, however, were coming in. On my short trip around the block, the block being about a square mile radious of country roads, the usual low-lying parts of the road had water coming across.
I got home and woke Keith up. "The tides are coming in. Let's go fo a ride."
You're expecting something exciting to happen here, huh? Sorry, no. The flood tide was nothing more than a full moon tide. The low spots of the roads flooded and that's about it. Irene turned out to be a non-event. Our sandbags not only didn't hold back flood waters, they didn't even get wet.
About five days later, the remnants of tropical storm Lee hit us. I can cut this story short. Yes, we had more rain, maybe an inch or two, but no winds and no flooding. Lee had no effect on us.
Ironically, between the two storms, people living in the high country had way more problems than we had. One thing we learned is that no matter how much rain falls, the marsh asorbs it all. It's the winds partnering with the tides that flood us. Irene and Lee proved that. Between the two storms within the same week, we had well over a foot of rain. We had no flooding. Last spring, we had a nor'easter that dropped about an inch of rain, but the winds brought in a tide that flooded our house.
Keith missed our earthquake and our category one hurricane. He'll get over it. According to the Mayans, the end of the world is a little over a year from now. He figures that December 2012 will bring a major earthquake, hurricane, tornado, and probably an asteroid. He's already planned his time off and started thinking about an end-of-the-world party. If Mother Nature really does listen to him, we're in for some wild events next year.
© 2011
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Since that time, Keith has pondered, every year, what would happen if a category one hurricane hit us on a path right up the Bay. Hazel was our last category one hurricane to hit and that was way back before either one of us were born. Fifty-seven years ago, to be exact. A major storm like Hazel is supposed to hit us every thirty to fifty years so we figured we were on borrowed time.
On Friday, the day before the Big Storm, I went out on a mission to get sandbags and some other storm prep supplies. I couldn't find a sandbag within a fifty mile radius. To top it off, I couldn't find a decent flashlight nor batteries to operate the little ones we already have. Knowing Irene was going to blow in with a vengeance, we realized too late the importance of being prepared way before you even know what might hit you.
I managed to get twelve bags of sand and bought my own bags to make my own sandbags. On the night of the storm, I sandbagged the doors and had a few more ready to fight the water anywhere else it could find a way in. We also got everything - and I mean everything - off the first floor. The big things that we left behind were ready to be moved when the tides came pouring through. We were set as much as available supplies and our budget would allow.
Saturday came and Irene began knocking on our door. She brought heavy rains and breezes, a warning that she could be vicious and gentle at the same time. All we could do was wait. Our flood tides don't happen during the storm. They always come as the storm exits.
So we waited - and drank beer. The original forcast had the brunt of the storm coming after midnight, but on the five o'clock news, the forcasters upped the time for the strongest part of the storm to hit after eight pm. That was only three hours away, and while we had a deluge the entire day, the winds were only breezy. We've had stronger nor'easters.
Keith's pessimism began to show through. "Where's the hurricane? The trees are supposed to be bending back and forth and things are supposed to be flying through the air."
In Keith's defense, his pessimism wasn't without foundation. Three days earlier, as we drove to work, he mentioned that he had never experienced a category one hurricane and he wanted to experience one. His grandmother talked about how bad Hazel was in '54 and Irene was his chance to experience what his grandmother had told him. He added, "I've never experienced a tornado or an earthquake, either. I don't want to experience a tornado, but I'd like to see one. And I'd want to feel an earthquake. I can't imagine what one feels like."
"If you want to feel an earthquake, you have to go to California, and I ain't going to California. If Apryl [his daughter] moves to Ohio, you can visit her during tornado season, but I ain't going," I replied.
That afternoon, I ate my lunch under the pine tree on the hill behind where I work, then lay down to take a nap. As I dozed off, the ground felt like jello and I instantly sat up, startled. I rocked as if I were sitting on a bowl of jello, and the hill felt as if it were going to slide down. The sensation only lasted a few seconds, but by the time I gathered my senses, I sat there wondering if there was something physically wrong with me or if we had an earthquake. I lit up a smoke and then I heard someone yell, "We had an earthquake!"
I breathed a sigh of relief knowing there was nothing wrong with me. Then I remembered Keith and our conversation this morning and wondered if he felt the quake he caused. Yes, he caused it. He wanted a blizzard and we got two back-to-back blizzards. He wanted the spring to dry out so his flowers would grow, and we had no rain for two months, plunging us into a moderate drought. He wanted to feel an earthquake, and we got a 5.8 quake. Mother Nature listens to Keith, but, unfortunately, gives him more than he asks for.
I felt the quake he asked for. He didn't. He was in his work van and didn't feel a thing. He's still upset about that. All I can say is everyone east of the Mississippi should brace themselves for another - and much larger - quake, one that drivers will even feel.
Now here we were, three hours away from the height of a category one hurricane, and all we had were breezes and lots of rain. "I missed the earthquake and now we ain't going to get the hurricane," he lamented.
I pulled up the weather observations for Bishops Head. Winds were steady at 23 mph, gusting to near 40. We weren't even in tropical strength, yet. Maybe Keith was right.
About an hour later, I refreshed the stats, and winds were steady at 39 mph, with gusts just over 50. I woke Keith up. "It's coming, Keith. We're in tropical strength now and the peak is still two hours away. Grab some beer and let's go."
Keith got excited until he looked outside. "It doesn't look all that much more windy."
I packed our beer and explained, "We'll go out to the docks and see the full force. We're too protected here with all the trees."
We headed out to the mouth of Tedious Creek, where we go fishing and crabbing. Normally, Tedious Creek is calm with little ripples lapping the shore. During storms, it turns into a viscious flood machine. When the winds blow right, the water is forced up the creek, over the land, and, at least once a year, into our yard. Now, keep in mind, we don't live on Tedious Creek. Tedious Creek is a mile or two from us. So when it comes into our yard, you can imagine the volume of Bay water the wind has pushed up the creek to reach us. It doesn't even have to be a strong wind. A steady, persistent breeze from the right direction is all it takes. The Mother's Day storm of '08 testifies to that.
We got down to the docks and the wind howled. Waves crashed on the shore. For the first time that day, we felt we were in a tropical storm. The good news was the waves slammed against the east side banks of Tedious Creek instead of blowing straight up the creek.
"We're not going to get flooded, Keith. Look where the waves are going."
"You're sure?"
"With the tides around here, no, the tides do what they want, but what I'm seeing is a good sign. The waves are wrong and high tide is still a good six hours away." (It's only an 11-second shot, but you can view the peak of our storm as seen at the mouth of Tedious Creek following the rest of the story.)
As darkness crept in and our beer supply dwindled, we went home. There's only so much wind and repetive wave action one can watch before you realize you're running out of beer. As we left the docks, the winds seemed to get less harsh. By the time we got home (ten minutes later), there was no storm. It wasn't even raining.
I pulled up the radar and it showed the storm passing us. The stats showed the steady wind speed at 23 mph with gusts to almost forty. The storm was over, which meant the flood tides were coming. Keith, already dejected because he didn't get to exprience a category one hurricane, had fallen fast asleep on the sofa. I didn't expect much of anything, so I let him sleep and headed out on my own.
The exiting storm brought in a bit stronger winds, I'm sure, but nothing stronger than what we had seen all day. The tides, however, were coming in. On my short trip around the block, the block being about a square mile radious of country roads, the usual low-lying parts of the road had water coming across.
I got home and woke Keith up. "The tides are coming in. Let's go fo a ride."
You're expecting something exciting to happen here, huh? Sorry, no. The flood tide was nothing more than a full moon tide. The low spots of the roads flooded and that's about it. Irene turned out to be a non-event. Our sandbags not only didn't hold back flood waters, they didn't even get wet.
About five days later, the remnants of tropical storm Lee hit us. I can cut this story short. Yes, we had more rain, maybe an inch or two, but no winds and no flooding. Lee had no effect on us.
Ironically, between the two storms, people living in the high country had way more problems than we had. One thing we learned is that no matter how much rain falls, the marsh asorbs it all. It's the winds partnering with the tides that flood us. Irene and Lee proved that. Between the two storms within the same week, we had well over a foot of rain. We had no flooding. Last spring, we had a nor'easter that dropped about an inch of rain, but the winds brought in a tide that flooded our house.
Keith missed our earthquake and our category one hurricane. He'll get over it. According to the Mayans, the end of the world is a little over a year from now. He figures that December 2012 will bring a major earthquake, hurricane, tornado, and probably an asteroid. He's already planned his time off and started thinking about an end-of-the-world party. If Mother Nature really does listen to him, we're in for some wild events next year.
Irene's peak fury
© 2011
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tour Toddville Tidewater's Tombstones
Keith and I are getting dangerous. Ok, I'm getting dangerous. I've been playing with Window's Movie Maker, again.
There is logic to my madness. Keith loves his music, particularly anything from the '50's, 60's, and early '70's. While he favors doo wop and surf, he is almost as equally entralled with the psychedelic '60's and the garage bands of that era. Lately, he's been into the cover craze mode. Many songs he loved and thought were the original, he is now discovering that someone else had done them before.
Ok, I started him on the cover craze. I put together a cd and included the song, Love Hurts, by Nazareth released in 1975. To rock and roll fans, we all know Nazareth was the original and Nazareth soared to fame with the number one song. Who would dare cover such a huge hit?
No one. The song, though, was not a Nazareth original. It was an Everly Brothers original released in 1963. The song never charted and, as much as Keith knows his oldies and loves The Everly Brothers, he never knew they originally did the song until I made the cd. He's now on a cover craze theme with six volumes made and counting. Oh, and Nazareth wasn't the first to take the song to number one, as Keith learned. While not a hit in this country, Roy Orbison did take it to number one in Australia.
Keith's cd collection is dang near large enough to rival any radio station's collection. He gets excited about his music and always laments that he wishes he could share it with others. After a little research, I figured our own radio station would be just too dang expensive.
Now that I took you through the meadow, over the hills, and across the ocean to Australia, let me bring you back to Toddville and the point of why I've been playing with Window's Movie Maker. Simply, I wanted to create a way for Keith to share his music that we could afford.
You Tube is affordable because it's free. I like free. My first attempt at how we could share our music resulted in a short clip dedicated to Keith, Experimenting with music videos. Of course, Keith loved the video, but it didn't seem impressive enough to motivate him to do his own clips to share his music with y'all.
This time, I learned a bit more and got a bit more creative. This past Memorial Day, we discovered a long forgotten cemetary that someone else remembered. After writing the article, I went through my files of pics and realized I could give everyone a tour of a few of the cemetaries down here. I also realized I could be a little more creative and, hopefully, inspire Keith to start sharing his music as he always wishes he could.
My idea for Toddville Tidewaters Radio (TTW Radio) was born. Sure, it's not a live broadcast, but y'all can select the segments you want to listen to. That's what we do when we listen to the radio in the car. We're always switching stations to hear something better. With TTW radio, you browse the titles of the segments and decide what you want to hear as if you're switching stations on the car radio.
So, under our new tag, TTW radio, you will find all of our programming. And, tonight, we bring you our second installment, "Tour Toddville Tidewaters Tombstones", featuring the song, Saudade, by Love and Rockets.
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
There is logic to my madness. Keith loves his music, particularly anything from the '50's, 60's, and early '70's. While he favors doo wop and surf, he is almost as equally entralled with the psychedelic '60's and the garage bands of that era. Lately, he's been into the cover craze mode. Many songs he loved and thought were the original, he is now discovering that someone else had done them before.
Ok, I started him on the cover craze. I put together a cd and included the song, Love Hurts, by Nazareth released in 1975. To rock and roll fans, we all know Nazareth was the original and Nazareth soared to fame with the number one song. Who would dare cover such a huge hit?
No one. The song, though, was not a Nazareth original. It was an Everly Brothers original released in 1963. The song never charted and, as much as Keith knows his oldies and loves The Everly Brothers, he never knew they originally did the song until I made the cd. He's now on a cover craze theme with six volumes made and counting. Oh, and Nazareth wasn't the first to take the song to number one, as Keith learned. While not a hit in this country, Roy Orbison did take it to number one in Australia.
Keith's cd collection is dang near large enough to rival any radio station's collection. He gets excited about his music and always laments that he wishes he could share it with others. After a little research, I figured our own radio station would be just too dang expensive.
Now that I took you through the meadow, over the hills, and across the ocean to Australia, let me bring you back to Toddville and the point of why I've been playing with Window's Movie Maker. Simply, I wanted to create a way for Keith to share his music that we could afford.
You Tube is affordable because it's free. I like free. My first attempt at how we could share our music resulted in a short clip dedicated to Keith, Experimenting with music videos. Of course, Keith loved the video, but it didn't seem impressive enough to motivate him to do his own clips to share his music with y'all.
This time, I learned a bit more and got a bit more creative. This past Memorial Day, we discovered a long forgotten cemetary that someone else remembered. After writing the article, I went through my files of pics and realized I could give everyone a tour of a few of the cemetaries down here. I also realized I could be a little more creative and, hopefully, inspire Keith to start sharing his music as he always wishes he could.
My idea for Toddville Tidewaters Radio (TTW Radio) was born. Sure, it's not a live broadcast, but y'all can select the segments you want to listen to. That's what we do when we listen to the radio in the car. We're always switching stations to hear something better. With TTW radio, you browse the titles of the segments and decide what you want to hear as if you're switching stations on the car radio.
So, under our new tag, TTW radio, you will find all of our programming. And, tonight, we bring you our second installment, "Tour Toddville Tidewaters Tombstones", featuring the song, Saudade, by Love and Rockets.
© 2008
Mark Darien
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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Memorial Day 2011
Coming home from shopping, we passed Cedar Creek Road on the main road, Wesley Church Road. When the short way out of Toddville isn't flooded, this is the route we have taken for years. Cedar Creek Road is a simple dirt road that dead ends about a mile back at what we would assume is Cedar Creek.
We've been down Cedar Creek Road hundreds of times. We tried fishing, but caught nothing. Another old timer fishing there claimed he caught lots of catfish, but that might have been the typical fish tale enhanced with beer. He had left, but we stayed awhile trying to catch something. About a half hour later, we called it quits and headed out. On our way, there was the old timer, cold beer in hand and truck stuck in the marsh. He was waiting for his son to come tow him out. The road doesn't go quite the same way as one sees it when they've had a few too many beers - as the old timer found out. We think the one too many beers also had something to do with his catching a lot of fish that obviously weren't there.
Mostly, we love going down Cedar Creek Road a night. It leads out to the wide open marsh and we get an unlimited view of the night sky. We've enjoyed many meteor showers and plenty of more nights just gazing at the vastness of space while our dogs run around doing dog things.
In all these years, we never knew there was a cemetary right on the corner where Cedar Creek Road meets Wesley Church Road. The corner was too overgrown with bacchus bushes, greenbriars, poison ivy, and phragmites.
Someone knew that cemetary was there. Sometime late Saturday or early Sunday, the day before Memorial Day, they cleared the corner out to reveal the gravesite of the Insley family. They placed a single flag in front of the fallen tombstone of William Insley, whom we believe was the father of the family. Behind this plot stands a tall tombstone of a twenty-eight-year-old Captain William T. H. Insley, whom we believe was the son. A single flag was placed in front of his tombstone, a silent tribute to someone who served our country 120 years ago.
To the left of the Captain's grave are two small graves. The tombstones are too weathered to be readable, but the size of the plots and tombstones lead us to believe two children, newborns or, at most, one or two years old, lie here. To the right of the Captain's grave is where we believe the mother of all three lies.
We don't know who the Insleys were nor do we know any Insleys currently living here. But someone remembered.
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
We've been down Cedar Creek Road hundreds of times. We tried fishing, but caught nothing. Another old timer fishing there claimed he caught lots of catfish, but that might have been the typical fish tale enhanced with beer. He had left, but we stayed awhile trying to catch something. About a half hour later, we called it quits and headed out. On our way, there was the old timer, cold beer in hand and truck stuck in the marsh. He was waiting for his son to come tow him out. The road doesn't go quite the same way as one sees it when they've had a few too many beers - as the old timer found out. We think the one too many beers also had something to do with his catching a lot of fish that obviously weren't there.
Mostly, we love going down Cedar Creek Road a night. It leads out to the wide open marsh and we get an unlimited view of the night sky. We've enjoyed many meteor showers and plenty of more nights just gazing at the vastness of space while our dogs run around doing dog things.
We don't know who the Insleys were nor do we know any Insleys currently living here. But someone remembered.
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Spring has been a wild ride!
If there is one natural event that defines how we live down here in Toddville, unquestionably that event is our tides. To most people, tides are the natural cycle of rising and falling waters that follow a predictable, roughly six to eight hour cycle and are strongest during a full moon. Spend some time down here in Toddville, and you will learn tides are everything except predictable.
When we first moved here, Keith and I tried to learn all we could about the tides. To our surprise, the watermen born and raised here knew as much about the tides as we do. That fact didn't strike us as any more odd than the number of watermen down here who don't know how to swim. We decided we had to learn about the tides ourselves.
Here's what we know: tides come in and they go out. How far they come in and how far they go out can be explained only after they've done their cycle. In general, fall and spring tides are the highest and always peak during a full moon cycle. They also peak during the new moon cycle, but not at the level of a full moon cycle. And they don't necessarily peak at the times listed on the tide tables. Wind speed, direction, and duration plays a key role.
We're in the middle of our spring tides. With two exceptions, each lasting about a week or less, we haven't had our spring tides. The past two springs, the short way out of Toddville was flooded from about the middle to end of March until about the end of May. Last year, the spring tides persisted until July. We have since learned the long spring tide cycle was due to strong currents out in the Atlantic that affected tides all up and down the East Coast. This year, we haven't had the spring tides. Two coastal storms brought in the tides for a few days, but the normal spring tides lasting several weeks have been nonexistent.
In fact, by April 16th, we had no spring tides. The tides were actually running below normal, almost like winter tides. (Winter tides are our lowest.) On April 16th, a strong coastal storm moved through, bringing strong easterly winds from Friday night through Saturday night. We had no doubt we were in for a strong tide, but because the tides were running so low prior to the storm, we weren't worried about our house flooding.
The morning tide was a flood tide, but one of the normal spring nuisance tides. Keith and I left for town to do some shopping and were gone for most of the day. When we returned, what should have been our low tide was still a near flood tide. Those persistent, strong easterly winds never let the water flow out to the Bay.
Around eleven-thirty at night, the winds calmed to a dead still. We saw no sign of flooding and peak high tide was only an hour and a half away. We felt sure that we were safe from flooding. The two hours before peak high tide and the two hours after peak high tide are the critical times. The winds were calm and no sign of flooding meant we had to be safe.
About one in the morning, the peak high tide time, I let the dogs out and there still was no sign of flooding. The dogs and I came back in (we go out with the dogs because Kiwi is high on the owls' menu list) and I confidently told Keith we had nothing to worry about with possible flooding.
An hour and a half later, I looked outside. Water surrounded our house and was rising fast. It came, literally, within a hair's breadth of breaching our front door threshold. Unfortunately, where the original house joins the extension added in the seventies sits a little lower than our front door and water began seeping through.
Since it was nighttime, we can't say for sure how extensive this flooding was. Judging by what we could see, we reckon this flood was worse than the Mother's Day flood of '08. After that flood, we did some changes in our yard to allow the water to run more freely and obviously that helped on this flood. Instead of the whole bottom floor of the original part of the house suffering water damage, only a small part in the living room received water damage this time around.
We're back to redesigning the yard a bit. Flood insurance will help us raise the low part of the house where it joins the extension. Maybe the next tidal flood will just flow on by our house without incidence - at least to the house. Our gardens suffered under the salt water inundation. One thing we all agree on down here: the tides will go wherever and whenever they damned well please and there's no stopping them. All we can do is mitigate the damage.
Oh, and now we understand why the watermen born and raised down here don't understand the tides. The tides have a mind of their own and just when you think you understand them, they go and do something different.
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
When we first moved here, Keith and I tried to learn all we could about the tides. To our surprise, the watermen born and raised here knew as much about the tides as we do. That fact didn't strike us as any more odd than the number of watermen down here who don't know how to swim. We decided we had to learn about the tides ourselves.
Here's what we know: tides come in and they go out. How far they come in and how far they go out can be explained only after they've done their cycle. In general, fall and spring tides are the highest and always peak during a full moon cycle. They also peak during the new moon cycle, but not at the level of a full moon cycle. And they don't necessarily peak at the times listed on the tide tables. Wind speed, direction, and duration plays a key role.
We're in the middle of our spring tides. With two exceptions, each lasting about a week or less, we haven't had our spring tides. The past two springs, the short way out of Toddville was flooded from about the middle to end of March until about the end of May. Last year, the spring tides persisted until July. We have since learned the long spring tide cycle was due to strong currents out in the Atlantic that affected tides all up and down the East Coast. This year, we haven't had the spring tides. Two coastal storms brought in the tides for a few days, but the normal spring tides lasting several weeks have been nonexistent.
In fact, by April 16th, we had no spring tides. The tides were actually running below normal, almost like winter tides. (Winter tides are our lowest.) On April 16th, a strong coastal storm moved through, bringing strong easterly winds from Friday night through Saturday night. We had no doubt we were in for a strong tide, but because the tides were running so low prior to the storm, we weren't worried about our house flooding.
The morning tide was a flood tide, but one of the normal spring nuisance tides. Keith and I left for town to do some shopping and were gone for most of the day. When we returned, what should have been our low tide was still a near flood tide. Those persistent, strong easterly winds never let the water flow out to the Bay.
Around eleven-thirty at night, the winds calmed to a dead still. We saw no sign of flooding and peak high tide was only an hour and a half away. We felt sure that we were safe from flooding. The two hours before peak high tide and the two hours after peak high tide are the critical times. The winds were calm and no sign of flooding meant we had to be safe.
About one in the morning, the peak high tide time, I let the dogs out and there still was no sign of flooding. The dogs and I came back in (we go out with the dogs because Kiwi is high on the owls' menu list) and I confidently told Keith we had nothing to worry about with possible flooding.
An hour and a half later, I looked outside. Water surrounded our house and was rising fast. It came, literally, within a hair's breadth of breaching our front door threshold. Unfortunately, where the original house joins the extension added in the seventies sits a little lower than our front door and water began seeping through.
Since it was nighttime, we can't say for sure how extensive this flooding was. Judging by what we could see, we reckon this flood was worse than the Mother's Day flood of '08. After that flood, we did some changes in our yard to allow the water to run more freely and obviously that helped on this flood. Instead of the whole bottom floor of the original part of the house suffering water damage, only a small part in the living room received water damage this time around.
We're back to redesigning the yard a bit. Flood insurance will help us raise the low part of the house where it joins the extension. Maybe the next tidal flood will just flow on by our house without incidence - at least to the house. Our gardens suffered under the salt water inundation. One thing we all agree on down here: the tides will go wherever and whenever they damned well please and there's no stopping them. All we can do is mitigate the damage.
Oh, and now we understand why the watermen born and raised down here don't understand the tides. The tides have a mind of their own and just when you think you understand them, they go and do something different.
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Friday, April 29, 2011
29 April Around Dorchester
MAY 3, 2011
Main Street Gallery Meet and Greet With Chesapeake Film Festival 6:00 p.m. 413 Muir Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. Chesapeake Film Festival welcomes Cambridge and Dorchester County film lovers and the business community to the Main Street Gallery on May 3 for a meet and greet session with the film festival staff. You will hear about the plans for this year's film festival, the goals of the educational outreach program, what to expect for Cambridge, and how you can help with the continued success of the film festival and its objectives. Please come and join in the excitement of another year of great independent films and the filmmakers who create them. Staff members will be available to discuss volunteer and sponsorship opportunities. FREE For additional information, email at info@chesapeakefilmfestival.com or call 410.822.1012. http://www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com/
May 4, 2011
Veterans Recognition Committee Meeting 6:00 p.m. at Pleasant Day Adult Day Care Center, Route 16, Cambridge Maryland. Please join us; everyone is welcome in planning the annual tribute, which takes place in September 2011.
May 5, 2011
Cambridge Mainstreet Farmers' Market 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The market is open every Thursday until the end of October in downtown Cambridge at the corner of Muir & Academy St. Cambridge, MD 21613 Buy fresh local produce, fruits, and meats from local farmers. Craft vendors, plants, and baked goods available as well. Every Thursday May 5 through October 13/ For information: http://www.cambridgemainstreet.com/, office@cambridgemainstreet.com, 443-366-3741.
May 6 & 7, 2011
Hot and Tangy BBQ Chicken at Linkwood Salem VFC 10:00 a.m. till? Rt. 50 - 9 miles east of Cambridge in Linkwood, Maryland 21835 1/2 BBQ chicken with bread $6.50. 1/2 BBQ Chicken with bread with Baked Beans & Macaroni Salad $8.50. Also 16oz. cup Sweet Tea $1.00. Feel free to call-in your orders!!! 410-221-0169
May 6, 2011
Happy Hour is Back at Layton's Chance! 5:00 p.m. at Layton's Chance Vineyard and Winery 4225 New Bridge Rd. Vienna MD http://www.laytonschance.com/ 1 st & 3 rd Fridays at the winery. Live music, spiced wine, Frappe Vino and all your favorite wines! Buffet includes homemade chili, hot wings and fresh veggies for only $7. Music starts at 5, winery closes at 8:00 p.m. This evening: JohnE Wa2C
May 7, 2011
Visit Emilys Produce Mother's Day Weekend Family on the Farm 8:00 a.m. - 2206 Church Creek Rd. Cambridge, MD 21613. "Kyle's Farm Fun" activity area, Coty Jones Photography will be taking "Pictures in the Patch" So come ready for a special family photo. 410-228-3512 Emily's Produce is now open 7 days a week through October! http://www.emilysproduce.com/ "Moms" can finish the weekend at Emily's Produce on Sunday with a dish of FREE Strawberry Shortcake...an annual tradition! Get ready for a weekend full of fun along with their own LOCAL Strawberries too! 443-421-0789 visit their website: http://www.emilysproduce.com/ or on facebook: www.facebook.com/emilysproduce Emily's produce is open every day through the October!
Chesapeake Classics Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting At Their New Location 12:30 p.m. 300 Sunburst Highway, Cambridge, MD 21613 410-228-6509
Lighthouses of Dorchester Town Hall Event 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Dorchester Visitors' Center 2 Rose Hill Road Cambridge, MD 21613. FREE All ages are welcome. Guest speaker from US lighthouse society, Chesapeake Chapter, light refreshments, historical displays. Come hear about lighthouses serving Dorchester County since the 1870's, and learn about the progress of the Choptank River Lighthouse Replica project. Also Lighthouse book signing by the Author of "Keep Your Glow On".
Cambridge Mainstreet's SPRING FLING! 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 a.m.At the Cambridge Yacht Club. Mad Money, Music, Food and Fun! Watch for details at http://www.cambridgemainstreet.com/ and www.facebook.com/cambridgemainstreet Tickets are $50. Call ahead to reserve yours now! 443.477.0843
Terry Allen Gives Bird Walk at Blackwater NWR 8:00 a.m. 2431 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD. At the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center (their temporary location at the head of Wildlife Drive) and usually lasts 3 to 4 hours. The Birding party is usually in car pools, stopping at various points around the refuge's Wildlife Drive. Binoculars and field guides are recommended, and they will gladly lend you one of theirs. No fee or registration. Please call 410-228-2677 for more information.
1 Hour Walking Tour of Cambridge Historic District 1 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. $8 Adults, Children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult. Meet your colonial costumed guide at Long Wharf at the foot of High Street. Free parking available. www.weca@cambridge.org. 410-901-1000.
Skipjack Sail on the Nathan of Dorchester 1:00 p.m .- 3:00 p.m. Long Wharf, Cambridge MD. 21613. Adults $30; children 6-12 $10, under 6 free. Reservations: 410-228-7141 or info@skipjack-nathan.org http://www.skipjack-nathan.org/
2011 Six Pillars Century-Blackwater Bicycle Tour Character Counts Mid-Shore
6:00 a.m. Check in begins at Great Marsh Park, Cambridge, MD. 21613. This bicycle tour starts at Great Marsh Park in Cambridge. The majority of the ride is through the picturesque Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. 4 ride choices, including a 11 mile family ride, a 37 mile fun and fitness ride a 56 mile Ironman Eagleman 70.3 Course, and a 100 mile Century Course. Rain or shine and the cost of registration is $55 through March 31, and $65 per person through May 1. Registration for family ride is $40. For on-line registration and info please go to http://www.6pillarscentury.org/. 410-829-0436 or asteward@goeaston.net
May 9, 2011
The Early Bird Gets the Brunch At Adkins Arboretum Adventure/to Benefit Choptank Habitat 8:00 a.m. Starting at the Arboretum in Ridgley (Rain date Tuesday, May 10) Cost $65 per person. Hosts: Anne Croker and Margaret Worrall. 12 lucky enthusiasts will enjoy an early morning bird walk with Dr. Wayne Bell, noted bird expert and co-founder of the Washington College Center for Environment and Society. A sumptuous brunch at the home of Anne & Doug Croker will make for a lovely beginning to a spring day. To sign up for this event please call 410-476-3204
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Main Street Gallery Meet and Greet With Chesapeake Film Festival 6:00 p.m. 413 Muir Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. Chesapeake Film Festival welcomes Cambridge and Dorchester County film lovers and the business community to the Main Street Gallery on May 3 for a meet and greet session with the film festival staff. You will hear about the plans for this year's film festival, the goals of the educational outreach program, what to expect for Cambridge, and how you can help with the continued success of the film festival and its objectives. Please come and join in the excitement of another year of great independent films and the filmmakers who create them. Staff members will be available to discuss volunteer and sponsorship opportunities. FREE For additional information, email at info@chesapeakefilmfestival.com or call 410.822.1012. http://www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com/
May 4, 2011
Veterans Recognition Committee Meeting 6:00 p.m. at Pleasant Day Adult Day Care Center, Route 16, Cambridge Maryland. Please join us; everyone is welcome in planning the annual tribute, which takes place in September 2011.
May 5, 2011
Cambridge Mainstreet Farmers' Market 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The market is open every Thursday until the end of October in downtown Cambridge at the corner of Muir & Academy St. Cambridge, MD 21613 Buy fresh local produce, fruits, and meats from local farmers. Craft vendors, plants, and baked goods available as well. Every Thursday May 5 through October 13/ For information: http://www.cambridgemainstreet.com/, office@cambridgemainstreet.com, 443-366-3741.
May 6 & 7, 2011
Hot and Tangy BBQ Chicken at Linkwood Salem VFC 10:00 a.m. till? Rt. 50 - 9 miles east of Cambridge in Linkwood, Maryland 21835 1/2 BBQ chicken with bread $6.50. 1/2 BBQ Chicken with bread with Baked Beans & Macaroni Salad $8.50. Also 16oz. cup Sweet Tea $1.00. Feel free to call-in your orders!!! 410-221-0169
May 6, 2011
Happy Hour is Back at Layton's Chance! 5:00 p.m. at Layton's Chance Vineyard and Winery 4225 New Bridge Rd. Vienna MD http://www.laytonschance.com/ 1 st & 3 rd Fridays at the winery. Live music, spiced wine, Frappe Vino and all your favorite wines! Buffet includes homemade chili, hot wings and fresh veggies for only $7. Music starts at 5, winery closes at 8:00 p.m. This evening: JohnE Wa2C
May 7, 2011
Visit Emilys Produce Mother's Day Weekend Family on the Farm 8:00 a.m. - 2206 Church Creek Rd. Cambridge, MD 21613. "Kyle's Farm Fun" activity area, Coty Jones Photography will be taking "Pictures in the Patch" So come ready for a special family photo. 410-228-3512 Emily's Produce is now open 7 days a week through October! http://www.emilysproduce.com/ "Moms" can finish the weekend at Emily's Produce on Sunday with a dish of FREE Strawberry Shortcake...an annual tradition! Get ready for a weekend full of fun along with their own LOCAL Strawberries too! 443-421-0789 visit their website: http://www.emilysproduce.com/ or on facebook: www.facebook.com/emilysproduce Emily's produce is open every day through the October!
Chesapeake Classics Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting At Their New Location 12:30 p.m. 300 Sunburst Highway, Cambridge, MD 21613 410-228-6509
Lighthouses of Dorchester Town Hall Event 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Dorchester Visitors' Center 2 Rose Hill Road Cambridge, MD 21613. FREE All ages are welcome. Guest speaker from US lighthouse society, Chesapeake Chapter, light refreshments, historical displays. Come hear about lighthouses serving Dorchester County since the 1870's, and learn about the progress of the Choptank River Lighthouse Replica project. Also Lighthouse book signing by the Author of "Keep Your Glow On".
Cambridge Mainstreet's SPRING FLING! 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 a.m.At the Cambridge Yacht Club. Mad Money, Music, Food and Fun! Watch for details at http://www.cambridgemainstreet.com/ and www.facebook.com/cambridgemainstreet Tickets are $50. Call ahead to reserve yours now! 443.477.0843
Terry Allen Gives Bird Walk at Blackwater NWR 8:00 a.m. 2431 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD. At the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center (their temporary location at the head of Wildlife Drive) and usually lasts 3 to 4 hours. The Birding party is usually in car pools, stopping at various points around the refuge's Wildlife Drive. Binoculars and field guides are recommended, and they will gladly lend you one of theirs. No fee or registration. Please call 410-228-2677 for more information.
1 Hour Walking Tour of Cambridge Historic District 1 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. $8 Adults, Children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult. Meet your colonial costumed guide at Long Wharf at the foot of High Street. Free parking available. www.weca@cambridge.org. 410-901-1000.
Skipjack Sail on the Nathan of Dorchester 1:00 p.m .- 3:00 p.m. Long Wharf, Cambridge MD. 21613. Adults $30; children 6-12 $10, under 6 free. Reservations: 410-228-7141 or info@skipjack-nathan.org http://www.skipjack-nathan.org/
2011 Six Pillars Century-Blackwater Bicycle Tour Character Counts Mid-Shore
6:00 a.m. Check in begins at Great Marsh Park, Cambridge, MD. 21613. This bicycle tour starts at Great Marsh Park in Cambridge. The majority of the ride is through the picturesque Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. 4 ride choices, including a 11 mile family ride, a 37 mile fun and fitness ride a 56 mile Ironman Eagleman 70.3 Course, and a 100 mile Century Course. Rain or shine and the cost of registration is $55 through March 31, and $65 per person through May 1. Registration for family ride is $40. For on-line registration and info please go to http://www.6pillarscentury.org/. 410-829-0436 or asteward@goeaston.net
May 9, 2011
The Early Bird Gets the Brunch At Adkins Arboretum Adventure/to Benefit Choptank Habitat 8:00 a.m. Starting at the Arboretum in Ridgley (Rain date Tuesday, May 10) Cost $65 per person. Hosts: Anne Croker and Margaret Worrall. 12 lucky enthusiasts will enjoy an early morning bird walk with Dr. Wayne Bell, noted bird expert and co-founder of the Washington College Center for Environment and Society. A sumptuous brunch at the home of Anne & Doug Croker will make for a lovely beginning to a spring day. To sign up for this event please call 410-476-3204
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Friday, April 22, 2011
April 22 Around Dorchester County
Looking for something to do around Dorchester County? Check out these upcoming events: (Reprinted with permission from the Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce)
April 23, 2011:
One Hour Walking Tour of Historic High Street 11:00 a.m. And Continues every Saturday (weather permitting) April through October. Adults $8, Children under 12 years of age free (when accompanied by an adult) Meet your colonial costumed tour guide at Long Wharf at the foot of High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. Free parking available. Reservations not necessary, but appreciated. 410-901-1000 http://www.cambridgemd.org/
Easter Egg Hunt at Layton's Chance Today! 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 4225 New Branch Rd. Vienna MD 21869 Bring the family to the winery for an afternoon of crafts and games. They'll have an Easter Egg Hunt with candy and prizes (including something for the adults!) http://www.laytonschance.com/ 410-228-1205
April 24, 2011:
Harry Armistead Gives Bird Walk at Blackwater NWR 8:00 a.m. 2431 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD. At the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center (their temporary location at the head of Wildlife Drive) and usually lasts 3 to 4 hours. The Birding party is usually in car pools, stopping at various points around the refuge's Wildlife Drive. Binoculars and field guides are recommended, and they will gladly lend you one of theirs. No fee or registration. Please call 410-228-2677 for more information.
Easter Brunch at Clearview at Horns Point 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 5650 Country Club Rd. Cambridge, MD 21613 410-221-0521. $25 per person, Children (10 and under are 1/2 price) - $12.50. Featuring Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Sausage, Waffles, Home fries, Smoked Salmon, Steamed Shrimp, Veg. of the day, Chicken Potstickers, Spiral Ham, Fruit, Desserts, Caesar Salad, Rolls and butter. 1 complimentary glass of champagne or mimosa. Reservations are Required. http://www.clearviewathornspoint.com/
April 27-29, 2011
Country School Flower Market Easton, MD 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 716 Goldsborough St. 410-822-1935 Annuals, geraniums, perennials, herbs and vegetables. A garden gazebo features accessories, baskets, ceramic and clay pots and fun garden related surprises. Select a ceramic pot or bring one in of your own and they'll plant in it for you! http://www.countryschool.org/
April 27-30, 2011
St. Paul's Flower Fair St. Paul's United Methodist Church 205 Maryland Avenue, Cambridge, MD. 21613 Join us during our annual event and start your garden growing with flowers, seedlings, bedding plants (flowers, vegetables and herbs) and hanging baskets. April 27 & 30, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 205 Maryland Avenue in Cambridge. Delicious crab cake and oyster sandwiches, clam strips, hot dogs, french fries, homemade candy and baked goods, funnel cakes, homemade ice cream, and more. This years events include a silent auction and an indoor yard sale, Thursday night dinner in the Fellowship Hall, beginning at 4:30pm with music following. You won't want to be late to the Yard Sale that will open on Wednesday morning at 8am for all you early birds. Wednesday hours, for plant sales only: 10am 7pm. All booths will open Thursday and Friday: 10AM to 7PM. And, NEW THIS YEAR - OUR FAMILY FRIENDLY SATURDAY HOURS are from 10am - 3pm. You won't want to miss out! For more details call 410-228-1424 or http://www.stpaulscambridge.com/
April 28, 2011
Emily's Produce Opens Today! 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 2206 Church Creek Rd. Cambridge, MD 21613. Fresh strawbberry pies, their own fresh picked strawberries, beautiful hanging basket, flower planters and a BRAND NEW LOOK for the market. 410-228-3512 http://www.emilysproduce.com/
Learn More about the Bay at Horns Point Laboratory Aquaculture and Restoration Ecology Laboratory (AREL) Lecture Hall. 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. "How an Estuary Works" Bill Boicourt. Suggested text book for outside reading during the series: Life in the Chesapeake Bay
Hurrricanes and the Chesapeake Bay Region 3:00 p.m. HSTC Auditorium 17 2S. Washington St. Easton, MD 21601. Sponsoring Organization: Talbot County Historical Society. Cost FREE. Rick Schwartz will discuss his findings and show track maps and photos from his seven years of research on 400 years of mid-Atlantic hurricane history.
April 30, 2011
Free Skipjack Sails on the Nathan of Dorchester During Oxford Day 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. In Oxford. No advance reservations accepted. Sailing from the Oxford ferry dock. www.skipjack-nathan.org
One Hour Walking Tour of Historic High Street 11:00 a.m. And Continues every Saturday (weather permitting) April through October. Adults $8, Children under 12 years of age free (when accompanied by an adult) Meet your colonial costumed tour guide at Long Wharf at the foot of High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. Free parking available. Reservations not necessary, but appreciated. 410-901-1000 http://www.cambridgemd.org/
Celebrate The Return Of The Shad Festival In Vienna, MD 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. On the banks of the Nanticoke River. Featuring events, demonstrations, vendors, music and the cooking of the shad. Cooking begins at 5:00 a.m., and the finished product will be available to the public at 11:00 a.m.. Shad planking demo by the Chicone Club. Sponsored by the Chicone Ruritans. 410-901-6124 ext. 22 for more information.
May 01, 2011
Gather At The River Today at "Old Trinity" in Church Creek 12:30 p.m. Old Trinity Church Road, Church Creek, Maryland 21622. Regional outdoor service and picnic sponsored by the Dorchester Episcopal Churches. All are invited to join in this celebration of Soil and Water Stewardship Week. Observed since 1955, Stewardship Week is one of the largest conservation-related observances in the United States. Speaker is Dee Zeller, Director of Camp Wright. All are invited to bring a dish to share. Chairs will be provided. Old Trinity Churchyard, 8 miles west of the Cambridge Hyatt on Route 16.
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
April 23, 2011:
One Hour Walking Tour of Historic High Street 11:00 a.m. And Continues every Saturday (weather permitting) April through October. Adults $8, Children under 12 years of age free (when accompanied by an adult) Meet your colonial costumed tour guide at Long Wharf at the foot of High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. Free parking available. Reservations not necessary, but appreciated. 410-901-1000 http://www.cambridgemd.org/
Easter Egg Hunt at Layton's Chance Today! 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 4225 New Branch Rd. Vienna MD 21869 Bring the family to the winery for an afternoon of crafts and games. They'll have an Easter Egg Hunt with candy and prizes (including something for the adults!) http://www.laytonschance.com/ 410-228-1205
April 24, 2011:
Harry Armistead Gives Bird Walk at Blackwater NWR 8:00 a.m. 2431 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD. At the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center (their temporary location at the head of Wildlife Drive) and usually lasts 3 to 4 hours. The Birding party is usually in car pools, stopping at various points around the refuge's Wildlife Drive. Binoculars and field guides are recommended, and they will gladly lend you one of theirs. No fee or registration. Please call 410-228-2677 for more information.
Easter Brunch at Clearview at Horns Point 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 5650 Country Club Rd. Cambridge, MD 21613 410-221-0521. $25 per person, Children (10 and under are 1/2 price) - $12.50. Featuring Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Sausage, Waffles, Home fries, Smoked Salmon, Steamed Shrimp, Veg. of the day, Chicken Potstickers, Spiral Ham, Fruit, Desserts, Caesar Salad, Rolls and butter. 1 complimentary glass of champagne or mimosa. Reservations are Required. http://www.clearviewathornspoint.com/
April 27-29, 2011
Country School Flower Market Easton, MD 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 716 Goldsborough St. 410-822-1935 Annuals, geraniums, perennials, herbs and vegetables. A garden gazebo features accessories, baskets, ceramic and clay pots and fun garden related surprises. Select a ceramic pot or bring one in of your own and they'll plant in it for you! http://www.countryschool.org/
April 27-30, 2011
St. Paul's Flower Fair St. Paul's United Methodist Church 205 Maryland Avenue, Cambridge, MD. 21613 Join us during our annual event and start your garden growing with flowers, seedlings, bedding plants (flowers, vegetables and herbs) and hanging baskets. April 27 & 30, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 205 Maryland Avenue in Cambridge. Delicious crab cake and oyster sandwiches, clam strips, hot dogs, french fries, homemade candy and baked goods, funnel cakes, homemade ice cream, and more. This years events include a silent auction and an indoor yard sale, Thursday night dinner in the Fellowship Hall, beginning at 4:30pm with music following. You won't want to be late to the Yard Sale that will open on Wednesday morning at 8am for all you early birds. Wednesday hours, for plant sales only: 10am 7pm. All booths will open Thursday and Friday: 10AM to 7PM. And, NEW THIS YEAR - OUR FAMILY FRIENDLY SATURDAY HOURS are from 10am - 3pm. You won't want to miss out! For more details call 410-228-1424 or http://www.stpaulscambridge.com/
April 28, 2011
Emily's Produce Opens Today! 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 2206 Church Creek Rd. Cambridge, MD 21613. Fresh strawbberry pies, their own fresh picked strawberries, beautiful hanging basket, flower planters and a BRAND NEW LOOK for the market. 410-228-3512 http://www.emilysproduce.com/
Learn More about the Bay at Horns Point Laboratory Aquaculture and Restoration Ecology Laboratory (AREL) Lecture Hall. 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. "How an Estuary Works" Bill Boicourt. Suggested text book for outside reading during the series: Life in the Chesapeake Bay
Hurrricanes and the Chesapeake Bay Region 3:00 p.m. HSTC Auditorium 17 2S. Washington St. Easton, MD 21601. Sponsoring Organization: Talbot County Historical Society. Cost FREE. Rick Schwartz will discuss his findings and show track maps and photos from his seven years of research on 400 years of mid-Atlantic hurricane history.
April 30, 2011
Free Skipjack Sails on the Nathan of Dorchester During Oxford Day 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. In Oxford. No advance reservations accepted. Sailing from the Oxford ferry dock. www.skipjack-nathan.org
One Hour Walking Tour of Historic High Street 11:00 a.m. And Continues every Saturday (weather permitting) April through October. Adults $8, Children under 12 years of age free (when accompanied by an adult) Meet your colonial costumed tour guide at Long Wharf at the foot of High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. Free parking available. Reservations not necessary, but appreciated. 410-901-1000 http://www.cambridgemd.org/
Celebrate The Return Of The Shad Festival In Vienna, MD 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. On the banks of the Nanticoke River. Featuring events, demonstrations, vendors, music and the cooking of the shad. Cooking begins at 5:00 a.m., and the finished product will be available to the public at 11:00 a.m.. Shad planking demo by the Chicone Club. Sponsored by the Chicone Ruritans. 410-901-6124 ext. 22 for more information.
May 01, 2011
Gather At The River Today at "Old Trinity" in Church Creek 12:30 p.m. Old Trinity Church Road, Church Creek, Maryland 21622. Regional outdoor service and picnic sponsored by the Dorchester Episcopal Churches. All are invited to join in this celebration of Soil and Water Stewardship Week. Observed since 1955, Stewardship Week is one of the largest conservation-related observances in the United States. Speaker is Dee Zeller, Director of Camp Wright. All are invited to bring a dish to share. Chairs will be provided. Old Trinity Churchyard, 8 miles west of the Cambridge Hyatt on Route 16.
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Monday, April 11, 2011
Experimenting with music videos
We've made our first music video. Ok, more aptly stated, we made our first music slide show. We're fairly certain the video isn't headed for VH-1 Top Video Countdown nor will it get a Grammy or Oscar nomination, but we certainly won't object to anyone out there making the suggestion.
I made the video to show Keith we can at least do simple slide shows set to music. Keith loves his music and spends hours compiling his own CDs. The next logical step for him is to start compiling videos so that not only can he listen to his music, but also watch it. Somewhere down the road, we'll master the animation software we downloaded (Blender) and maybe be able to afford a digital cam to produce live videos. In the mean time, a simple slide show suffices as a good start to learning how to make videos.
The video documents the changes in our yard from a sloppy, swampy mess to a decent piece of land over the last five years despite all the challenges Mother Nature has thrown at us. All of the pictures in the slide show were taken down here. Now hold on to your seat. We have a special guest appearance by Daphne, our tree frog that has made the side of our house her home. Hey, what good is a music video if you don't get a big-named star to make a guest appearance?
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
I made the video to show Keith we can at least do simple slide shows set to music. Keith loves his music and spends hours compiling his own CDs. The next logical step for him is to start compiling videos so that not only can he listen to his music, but also watch it. Somewhere down the road, we'll master the animation software we downloaded (Blender) and maybe be able to afford a digital cam to produce live videos. In the mean time, a simple slide show suffices as a good start to learning how to make videos.
The video documents the changes in our yard from a sloppy, swampy mess to a decent piece of land over the last five years despite all the challenges Mother Nature has thrown at us. All of the pictures in the slide show were taken down here. Now hold on to your seat. We have a special guest appearance by Daphne, our tree frog that has made the side of our house her home. Hey, what good is a music video if you don't get a big-named star to make a guest appearance?
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Monday, April 4, 2011
Shop Local Delmarva
Once again, we've been neglectful of this site. I reckon Keith and I simply lead rather mundane lives and there isn't always something to write about.
We are coming out of the winter doldrums and now we spend a lot of time trying to fix the yard up so we can grow something - anything. Between heavy clay, water less than a foot down from fall to late spring, and the periodic flooding with salt water from the Bay, growing anything isn't just a challenge - it's dang near impossible. But every year we try.
We've also been very busy doing things on the computer. Every fall to spring, Keith lives on the computer getting his music compiled onto CDs. I've been busy building Shop Local Delmarva, learning You Tube, and trying my dangdest to figure out movie making and animation. Shop Local Delmarva is my contribution to help our locally owned businesses maintain a competitive presence on the Internet with the nationally owned chains. Learning You Tube and animation is both Keith's and my desire to take our CD making skills to the next level - making music videos of how we interpret the songs we listen to.
With spring here and us being more active, we'll try not to be neglectful of this site. And the faster we learn this movie making and animation software, the sooner we'll be able to add a new, and hopefully entertaining, dimension to Toddville Tidewaters. If anyone has any tips on animation software and how to use it, please share.
I tried Synfig and frustratingly deleted it. I am now trying Blender. So far, I think I'm about as smart as an oyster when it comes to this animation stuff. I had no idea so much went into even the most simple animation sequence. I can't wait for the day when the computer gee-whiz kids figure out how to hook my brain up to the computer and all I have to do is think of the movie or animation I want and the program would automatically compile it. Mr. Gates, if you're reading this, please send me the beta software and I'll test it out for you. I know someone has to be working on telepathic software. You are, aren't you?
Now that I got you to read this far, I'll close with a sales pitch. Shop Local Delmarva!
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
We are coming out of the winter doldrums and now we spend a lot of time trying to fix the yard up so we can grow something - anything. Between heavy clay, water less than a foot down from fall to late spring, and the periodic flooding with salt water from the Bay, growing anything isn't just a challenge - it's dang near impossible. But every year we try.
We've also been very busy doing things on the computer. Every fall to spring, Keith lives on the computer getting his music compiled onto CDs. I've been busy building Shop Local Delmarva, learning You Tube, and trying my dangdest to figure out movie making and animation. Shop Local Delmarva is my contribution to help our locally owned businesses maintain a competitive presence on the Internet with the nationally owned chains. Learning You Tube and animation is both Keith's and my desire to take our CD making skills to the next level - making music videos of how we interpret the songs we listen to.
With spring here and us being more active, we'll try not to be neglectful of this site. And the faster we learn this movie making and animation software, the sooner we'll be able to add a new, and hopefully entertaining, dimension to Toddville Tidewaters. If anyone has any tips on animation software and how to use it, please share.
I tried Synfig and frustratingly deleted it. I am now trying Blender. So far, I think I'm about as smart as an oyster when it comes to this animation stuff. I had no idea so much went into even the most simple animation sequence. I can't wait for the day when the computer gee-whiz kids figure out how to hook my brain up to the computer and all I have to do is think of the movie or animation I want and the program would automatically compile it. Mr. Gates, if you're reading this, please send me the beta software and I'll test it out for you. I know someone has to be working on telepathic software. You are, aren't you?
Now that I got you to read this far, I'll close with a sales pitch. Shop Local Delmarva!
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Spring is right around the corner!
Spring is right around the corner, or so three little birds and two squirrels told me yesterday.
I'm working the third shift this week, and tried to sleep yesterday. No one wanted me to sleep. Dogs want to go out. Phone rings. Heating oil man comes. Each time, I'd wake up and then it'd take about another hour before I could go back to sleep.
During one of my sleep interruptions, I looked out the bathroom window, and there was the first lone robin of the season. He performed his tell-tale scuttle: head up listening intently; head down and quick shuffle a foot or so across the grass; stop with head up listening intently; then head down and another quick run. He stopped at a puddle of rain water to drink. As he drank, not one, but two bluebirds flew down to join him for a drink at the watering hole. They were beautiful sky blue with a patch of ruddy bronze on their throats.
The first of the spring birds have arrived so spring has to be right around the corner.
As if the treat of seeing the two bluebirds and robin weren't enough, two squirrels visited the bird feeder, but these weren't your every day squirrels. I am almost positive they were our endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrels. They were huge and sported a tail almost as big as their bodies. The one on the feeder kept his tail straight out and the one on the ground kept her tail flat on her back, curling slightly at the tip to the back of her neck.
I assume they were male and female since they were together and Delmarva Fox Squirrels give birth in February or early March. If they were truly Delmarva Fox Squirrels, then they are preparing to mate and nest now, which surely is another sign that spring is right around the corner.
Keith was at work so he missed the exciting news. "Robins," he said, "stay practically year-round now-a-days, thanks to global warming, and our woods are too thick for Delmarva Fox Squirrels."
He's skeptical, but I put binoculars by the upstairs window and the downstairs window so he can see it all for himself. I know they were Delmarva Fox Squirrels.
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
I'm working the third shift this week, and tried to sleep yesterday. No one wanted me to sleep. Dogs want to go out. Phone rings. Heating oil man comes. Each time, I'd wake up and then it'd take about another hour before I could go back to sleep.
During one of my sleep interruptions, I looked out the bathroom window, and there was the first lone robin of the season. He performed his tell-tale scuttle: head up listening intently; head down and quick shuffle a foot or so across the grass; stop with head up listening intently; then head down and another quick run. He stopped at a puddle of rain water to drink. As he drank, not one, but two bluebirds flew down to join him for a drink at the watering hole. They were beautiful sky blue with a patch of ruddy bronze on their throats.
The first of the spring birds have arrived so spring has to be right around the corner.
As if the treat of seeing the two bluebirds and robin weren't enough, two squirrels visited the bird feeder, but these weren't your every day squirrels. I am almost positive they were our endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrels. They were huge and sported a tail almost as big as their bodies. The one on the feeder kept his tail straight out and the one on the ground kept her tail flat on her back, curling slightly at the tip to the back of her neck.
I assume they were male and female since they were together and Delmarva Fox Squirrels give birth in February or early March. If they were truly Delmarva Fox Squirrels, then they are preparing to mate and nest now, which surely is another sign that spring is right around the corner.
Keith was at work so he missed the exciting news. "Robins," he said, "stay practically year-round now-a-days, thanks to global warming, and our woods are too thick for Delmarva Fox Squirrels."
He's skeptical, but I put binoculars by the upstairs window and the downstairs window so he can see it all for himself. I know they were Delmarva Fox Squirrels.
© 2008
Mark Darien
All rights reserved
Please include this copyright notice if you share this article
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