This past weekend was the spring open house at Baily's Dairy at Pocopson Meadow Farm, and it was full of little animals and little humans -- both very cute. Four-day-old ducklings cavorted in a little blue plastic pool, diving and splashing; we spotted the older generation of ducks swimming placidly in the creek. Two pygmy goats were hugely pregnant and, the sign said, ready to give birth any day. We saw lambs, calves and baby goats (along with some grown-up sheep, cows and goats). A bunch of yellow chicks cheeped as they bustled around their pen, warmed by a heat lamp. A group of bunnies were nestled together so tightly I couldn't tell how many there were.
It may be unnecessary to add that we treated ourselves to a bottle of Baily's unbelievably delicious chocolate milk while we were there.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
SPRING: A happy afternoon in the garden
I was just out doing some garden cleanup, cutting down last year's dead fern bracts, and as always in early spring I found a few surprises. The nicest was that the Pachysandra terminalis flower has a lovely fragrance. All these years, and I had no idea that such a workhorse of a groundcover had such an exotic smell. Opines the Missouri Botanical Garden: "Flowers are not particularly showy, but on close inspection are quite attractive."
The daffs are in full bloom, although some, I'm sorry to see, suffered from the late freeze, with brown-tipped leaves and soggy stems. The perennial tulips (pale yellow with a hint of red) are doing better than they ever have. The grape hyacinths, the rest of the tulips and the violets will have their turn to shine next.
(A reader just emailed me that Longwood Gardens is predicting their tulips will bloom earlier than usual, with a peak display in mid-April.)
The hostas are starting to show their pointed, tightly furled leaves above the ground. The periwinkle is already flowering and attracting bees.
Looks like it's going to be a banner year for the monkshood, which is spreading like crazy and may even be pulling ahead of the lamium in the west-garden challenge.
I don't have any forsythia, but they are a blaze of yellow everywhere else.
I'm glad to see the tiny leaves of the valerian emerging. Talk about a paradox: the flowers smell intoxicating but the roots smell disgusting (I'm sure I'll be able to use that as a metaphor somewhere). I've heard the smell compared to sweat socks, but it's actually far gamier and longer-lasting than that. Some people buy valerian leaves to brew as a sleep aid, and I've noticed that the box has to be double-wrapped at the health-food store to contain the odor.
The daffs are in full bloom, although some, I'm sorry to see, suffered from the late freeze, with brown-tipped leaves and soggy stems. The perennial tulips (pale yellow with a hint of red) are doing better than they ever have. The grape hyacinths, the rest of the tulips and the violets will have their turn to shine next.
(A reader just emailed me that Longwood Gardens is predicting their tulips will bloom earlier than usual, with a peak display in mid-April.)
The hostas are starting to show their pointed, tightly furled leaves above the ground. The periwinkle is already flowering and attracting bees.
Looks like it's going to be a banner year for the monkshood, which is spreading like crazy and may even be pulling ahead of the lamium in the west-garden challenge.
I don't have any forsythia, but they are a blaze of yellow everywhere else.
I'm glad to see the tiny leaves of the valerian emerging. Talk about a paradox: the flowers smell intoxicating but the roots smell disgusting (I'm sure I'll be able to use that as a metaphor somewhere). I've heard the smell compared to sweat socks, but it's actually far gamier and longer-lasting than that. Some people buy valerian leaves to brew as a sleep aid, and I've noticed that the box has to be double-wrapped at the health-food store to contain the odor.
NEWARK: Yet another way to say it
Last week I wrote about how surprised a Verizon help-desk person in Newark, NJ, was to learn that there is a Newark, DE, with a different pronunciation. In response, a reader wrote that she was born near Newark, NJ, and now lives near Newark, DE, but "also lived for eight years near Newark, OH. They pronounce it Nerk. Rhymes with jerk."
Friday, March 25, 2016
SPEED: The face of safety
A friend reports that, while driving near West Grove, he encountered a traffic sign that not only flashed his speed but also frowned at him for (slightly) exceeding the limit.
I asked for details about this new wrinkle in policing.
"It was a smiley face but with an upside-down smile," he said. "It's not going to give anyone nightmares."
I was on that road on Sunday, driving under the speed limit, and spotted the sign. For a moment I was tempted to deliberately evoke the frownie-face, but my better judgment kicked in immediately.
I asked for details about this new wrinkle in policing.
"It was a smiley face but with an upside-down smile," he said. "It's not going to give anyone nightmares."
I was on that road on Sunday, driving under the speed limit, and spotted the sign. For a moment I was tempted to deliberately evoke the frownie-face, but my better judgment kicked in immediately.
Monday, March 21, 2016
WEST GROVE: Meeting for Worship to welcome spring
This morning I attended a special "Welcome Spring" meeting for worship at the New West Grove Friends Meetinghouse on State Road. The 1831 meetinghouse is "laid-down," which means it's open only for special occasions. There is no electricity or plumbing, and the only heat comes from a Victory #20 pot-bellied wood-burning stove.
What a lovely hour it was! There were maybe 15 people there, bringing life and spirit to the normally dormant building. Even though it was barely above freezing outside, daffodils were in bloom. Three other ladies and I sat close together under a blue fleece blanket, and we had the warmest spot in the room, right next to the stove.
Silent worship in the style of Quakers is not actually so silent; you just hear different sounds that you don't usually pay attention to, like the singing of birds, the cawing of crows, the gentle creaking of wooden benches, and your own breathing and heartbeat.
What a lovely hour it was! There were maybe 15 people there, bringing life and spirit to the normally dormant building. Even though it was barely above freezing outside, daffodils were in bloom. Three other ladies and I sat close together under a blue fleece blanket, and we had the warmest spot in the room, right next to the stove.
Silent worship in the style of Quakers is not actually so silent; you just hear different sounds that you don't usually pay attention to, like the singing of birds, the cawing of crows, the gentle creaking of wooden benches, and your own breathing and heartbeat.
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| Rubbings from two of the gravestones in the burial ground. These two families founded Conard-Pyle Nurseries. |
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| The 1831 New West Grove Meetinghouse. |
Sunday, March 20, 2016
JIMMY'S BBQ: Smoky and slow-cooked
If you happen to be in central Chester County and have a tummy that's calling out for BBQ, you can't do better than to visit Jimmy's BBQ, which is in a strip mall in Frazer (309 Lancaster Ave., opposite the Clews & Strawbridge boat dealership).
I ordered the pulled chicken platter with mac and cheese and coleslaw. My fellow tummy-rumbler had the BBQ sampler with pork, chicken and beef brisket, along with mac and cheese and cornbread. Everything's home-made, including the rubs, and you get your choice of sauces. This is delicious hearty eating. They provide you with a roll of paper towels instead of napkins, and there's even a sink where you can wash your hands afterward.
The friendly owner, Jimmy, came over and greeted us while we ate. He is extremely proud of his business and told us he'd been there for seven years. It was clear the place has a loyal following, as Jimmy welcomed most of the customers by name as they entered ("My business plan is for people to come in once a week," he said).
I ordered the pulled chicken platter with mac and cheese and coleslaw. My fellow tummy-rumbler had the BBQ sampler with pork, chicken and beef brisket, along with mac and cheese and cornbread. Everything's home-made, including the rubs, and you get your choice of sauces. This is delicious hearty eating. They provide you with a roll of paper towels instead of napkins, and there's even a sink where you can wash your hands afterward.
The friendly owner, Jimmy, came over and greeted us while we ate. He is extremely proud of his business and told us he'd been there for seven years. It was clear the place has a loyal following, as Jimmy welcomed most of the customers by name as they entered ("My business plan is for people to come in once a week," he said).
LATE SHIFT: Talk to the animals
The kibble situation was close to desperate on Saturday night, so we stopped in at a chain pet-food store. We were the only customers other than the two young women who worked there. They were having a dull evening and were so happy to see us that they almost fought over who would escort us to the correct aisles.
"If you have any questions, let us know," said one.
"Please," begged the other. "Please ask us questions. We love questions!"
"If you have any questions, let us know," said one.
"Please," begged the other. "Please ask us questions. We love questions!"
CHALFANT: One of Kennett's treasures poised for renovation
One of the very cool things about this reporting gig is that I get to satisfy my curiosity and see what's behind locked doors --- legally!
On Thursday afternoon Jayne Bair, the new owner of the historic Chalfant Mansion in downtown Kennett, was kind enough to show me around the fire-damaged treasure, which she hopes will house her real-estate business (Century 21 Pierce & Bair).
"It's very exciting," said Jayne. She purchased the Queen Anne-style mansion earlier this year from her mother, who had owned it since the 1980s. Designed by Frank Furness and built in 1884 for William Chalfant, it has been vacant and boarded up since a fire in November 2014 displaced the tenants (it had been split up into four apartments).
Inside, it's dark and still smells of smoke. Some of the woodwork is charred. Soot covers the mirrors and lighting fixtures. There's graffiti on the walls. Lath and wiring is visible.
But when it's cleaned up and restored, this place will be magnificent again. The ornate fireplaces, with elaborate mantels, are stunning and the tile seems to be intact. There's a huge wall safe, and back and front staircases.
Crews have already demolished the kitchen that was at the west side of the house (it was a later addition) and have removed some of the blackened interior plaster, leaving bare brick walls. Tarps and Plexiglas protect the interior from the elements.
Jayne has hired Dennis Melton as the architect and MOBAC as the contractor. She said the project may be completed as soon as early 2017, but she realizes that a complicated renovation like this will probably take extra time.
The house was an important work by Furness, who also designed the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts on North Broad Street in Philadelphia, the old library at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Wilmington train station.
On Thursday afternoon Jayne Bair, the new owner of the historic Chalfant Mansion in downtown Kennett, was kind enough to show me around the fire-damaged treasure, which she hopes will house her real-estate business (Century 21 Pierce & Bair).
"It's very exciting," said Jayne. She purchased the Queen Anne-style mansion earlier this year from her mother, who had owned it since the 1980s. Designed by Frank Furness and built in 1884 for William Chalfant, it has been vacant and boarded up since a fire in November 2014 displaced the tenants (it had been split up into four apartments).
Inside, it's dark and still smells of smoke. Some of the woodwork is charred. Soot covers the mirrors and lighting fixtures. There's graffiti on the walls. Lath and wiring is visible.
But when it's cleaned up and restored, this place will be magnificent again. The ornate fireplaces, with elaborate mantels, are stunning and the tile seems to be intact. There's a huge wall safe, and back and front staircases.
Crews have already demolished the kitchen that was at the west side of the house (it was a later addition) and have removed some of the blackened interior plaster, leaving bare brick walls. Tarps and Plexiglas protect the interior from the elements.
Jayne has hired Dennis Melton as the architect and MOBAC as the contractor. She said the project may be completed as soon as early 2017, but she realizes that a complicated renovation like this will probably take extra time.
The house was an important work by Furness, who also designed the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts on North Broad Street in Philadelphia, the old library at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Wilmington train station.
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| The date stone, and one of the iconic "top-heavy" chimneys, said to resemble smokestacks. |
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| View from the third floor, looking down on North Union St. Jayne is considering using this room as her own office. |
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| This fireplace is in the entry hall. Note the brilliant yellow tiles. |
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| The west side of the house, with heavily damaged parts already removed. |
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| This ornate safe has lots of cubbyholes. The "PT" stands for "Patented." |
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| A glorious ground-floor fireplace. Note the soot-covered mirror, the radiator and the bare-brick walls. |
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