The other day I was picking up a package and the friendly clerk asked for my name. There's another local woman with the same name as mine, who shops at many of the same stores I do, so to be safe he also asked for my address and birth date.
The computer was slow, and while we were waiting he told me that name confusion had led to some major hassles for him when he was applying for a mortgage. Apparently a man with the same name had a seriously spotty credit record, including defaulting on a liquor license. After many phone calls he convinced the bank that he was not in fact miscreant, and he was eventually able to buy his house.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
COUNTRY LIFE: Suddenly it's summer
As I'm writing this, the temperature in my office is 87.4 degrees. The sudden heat doesn't bother me, but poor Clarence has abandoned his cozy fleece perch and is sprawled in the corner of the room, with a fan blowing on him.
The transition to summer-like warmth has certainly been an abrupt one, and with it my life has suddenly become outdoor-focused. Within a half-hour after I put out fresh nectar in the back yard, not only one but two male hummingbirds showed up. The wren babies have hatched in the birdhouse -- a faint cheeping noise is audible -- and the parents are working hard to keep them fed. The pansies in my window boxes and planters, which were thriving just days ago, look distinctly wilted.
That faint yellow pollen dust that is coating every surface spells trouble for allergy sufferers.
The other day I was chatting to a front-desk clerk and she mentioned how miserable this time of year is for her. I asked her if spending the day in an air-conditioned office helps at all.
"Not really," she said, with deep resignation. "It gets in somehow."
The transition to summer-like warmth has certainly been an abrupt one, and with it my life has suddenly become outdoor-focused. Within a half-hour after I put out fresh nectar in the back yard, not only one but two male hummingbirds showed up. The wren babies have hatched in the birdhouse -- a faint cheeping noise is audible -- and the parents are working hard to keep them fed. The pansies in my window boxes and planters, which were thriving just days ago, look distinctly wilted.
That faint yellow pollen dust that is coating every surface spells trouble for allergy sufferers.
The other day I was chatting to a front-desk clerk and she mentioned how miserable this time of year is for her. I asked her if spending the day in an air-conditioned office helps at all.
"Not really," she said, with deep resignation. "It gets in somehow."
Sunday, May 14, 2017
MISPLACED: Where are they?
As I was leaving the restaurant after Mother's Day breakfast, I couldn't find my sunglasses and returned to the table to see if I'd left them there.
They weren't. I re-checked my bag, and sure enough there they were.
The waiter was amused. "Did you ever think you'd lost them and then you realize they're sitting on your head?" he asked.
No, I replied. I certainly have never done such a thing. Nope. Never. Not me.
They weren't. I re-checked my bag, and sure enough there they were.
The waiter was amused. "Did you ever think you'd lost them and then you realize they're sitting on your head?" he asked.
No, I replied. I certainly have never done such a thing. Nope. Never. Not me.
EAST MARLBOROUGH: Willowdale Steeplechase
In contrast to the pouring rain on Saturday, Sunday was a warm and sunny day for the 25th running of the Willowdale Steeplechase.
A highlight this year was the Miss Nancy Nicholas Memorial Side Saddle Race ("2 miles over timber"), in which the jockeys wear old-fashioned jackets and ankle-length skirts (and, fortunately, modern protective vests and helmets) and ride and jump with both of their legs on one side of the horse, rather than astride. We were in awe of the skill, balance and strength of these amazing equestrians. The winner was Julie Nafe on Mccradys, owned and trained by Lauren Schock.
We've been to Willowdale many times, but by happenstance this year we found that the best vantage point for watching the races is really on top of the hill. True, you don't get the close-up view of the horses galloping by, but you do get to see a lot more of the race course.
Socializing is, of course, a big part of the steeplechase experience, and I thank the folks who fed us (and very well). The tailgate displays were lovely, with scrumptious-looking food and beautifully arranged flowers. One nostalgic party of tailgaters came dressed as 1960s hippies, complete with headbands, love beads and leather vests, and brought along a bubble machine.
The energetic little kids, many carrying stick ponies, are always fun to watch, as are the canines. One Lab was having a great time splashing around in the creek near the fence line, and we spotted a huge mastiff, a Bernese Mountain Dog, a Vizsla, several dachshunds, and a very handsome Rhodesian ridgeback. We weren't sure what breed the latter was until we saw the distinctive line of whorled, against-the-grain fur on his back.
A highlight this year was the Miss Nancy Nicholas Memorial Side Saddle Race ("2 miles over timber"), in which the jockeys wear old-fashioned jackets and ankle-length skirts (and, fortunately, modern protective vests and helmets) and ride and jump with both of their legs on one side of the horse, rather than astride. We were in awe of the skill, balance and strength of these amazing equestrians. The winner was Julie Nafe on Mccradys, owned and trained by Lauren Schock.
We've been to Willowdale many times, but by happenstance this year we found that the best vantage point for watching the races is really on top of the hill. True, you don't get the close-up view of the horses galloping by, but you do get to see a lot more of the race course.
Socializing is, of course, a big part of the steeplechase experience, and I thank the folks who fed us (and very well). The tailgate displays were lovely, with scrumptious-looking food and beautifully arranged flowers. One nostalgic party of tailgaters came dressed as 1960s hippies, complete with headbands, love beads and leather vests, and brought along a bubble machine.
The energetic little kids, many carrying stick ponies, are always fun to watch, as are the canines. One Lab was having a great time splashing around in the creek near the fence line, and we spotted a huge mastiff, a Bernese Mountain Dog, a Vizsla, several dachshunds, and a very handsome Rhodesian ridgeback. We weren't sure what breed the latter was until we saw the distinctive line of whorled, against-the-grain fur on his back.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Charlie Zahm concert
Local balladeer Charlie Zahm and fiddler Tad Marks will be performing from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at London Grove Friends Meeting. Charlie and Tad have a vast repertoire of songs, from traditional Celtic to hits of the 1960s, but on Sunday they will be singing "lots of traditional songs from across the world." The concert will be held indoors in case of rain or outdoors if it's sunny. A $10 donation is suggested.
RIP: Thank you, Chief
My deepest condolences to the family of Ed Zunino, the former Kennett Square police chief who died Friday, May 12. I got to know Eddie (and his wife, Lois) years ago when I was working as a police reporter, and he was always pleasant, humble, smart and fair. He was always available to answer my questions, and if he couldn't he'd explain why. He was a well-respected gentleman and a great, hard-working cop.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: The Plant Sale
Quakers have a reputation for being hardy folks, and that quality was certainly on display Saturday morning at the London Grove Friends Meeting's annual Plant Sale. I've been attending the plant sale for more than 25 years and can never recall such steady, heavy rain. Even though they were cold, muddy and soaking wet despite their foul-weather gear, the Friends remained cheerful and welcoming.
We arrived at about 8:30 a.m. and Mark and Anna Myers' field was already so muddy and rutted that cars were getting stuck. We went inside the meeting house, bought breakfast sandwiches and coffee, and then made an abbreviated tour of the sale, saying hello to Betsy Walker, Jill Benjamin, Margaret Walton, Tammy Brosius, Pat and Doug Mooberry, Grace Pfeifer, Dale Hendricks, and Kelli Trice.
Attendance and sales were so dampened by the weather that the sale was extended for a few more days.
We arrived at about 8:30 a.m. and Mark and Anna Myers' field was already so muddy and rutted that cars were getting stuck. We went inside the meeting house, bought breakfast sandwiches and coffee, and then made an abbreviated tour of the sale, saying hello to Betsy Walker, Jill Benjamin, Margaret Walton, Tammy Brosius, Pat and Doug Mooberry, Grace Pfeifer, Dale Hendricks, and Kelli Trice.
Attendance and sales were so dampened by the weather that the sale was extended for a few more days.
TRACK: The Post-Season
It's on to the District track meet this Saturday, May 20, for the Young Relative! Thankfully the competition will be held close by, at the Coatesville High School stadium. We attended the League meet on May 10, also at Coatesville, and as always had a great time cheering for the YR and his team-mates.
Sitting near us in the stands was a serious-looking man with binoculars, a stopwatch, several electronic devices, a clipboard and a bunch of binders. Who else could it be, we speculated hopefully, but a college scout!
Sitting near us in the stands was a serious-looking man with binoculars, a stopwatch, several electronic devices, a clipboard and a bunch of binders. Who else could it be, we speculated hopefully, but a college scout!
KENNETT SQUARE: Invasive plants
The Four Seasons Garden Club of Kennett Square has asked me to mention that Kelly Sitch, a botanist from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will be giving a talk about invasive plants in our area and their impact on the environment at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Kennett Square. The public is welcome.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Living history
I have the honor of being a Board member at Primitive Hall, the wonderful 18th-century Pennock homestead in West Marlborough, and on Saturday afternoon I was giving a tour to a group of ladies from the Chester County branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution. With great enthusiasm I told them that over Memorial Day weekend a group of Revolutionary War re-enactors would be camping out at the Hall. Then I realized that these particular re-enactors are, in fact, British troops ... D'oh!
Loyalists and rebels alike are welcome to stop by and visit with the re-enactors, who portray the members of His Majesty's 40th Regiment, Light Infantry Company. Activities will include building brush huts, roll calls, marching, weapons and tactical drill, cooking, sewing, washing and hygiene, and they will be dressed in uniforms or period clothing throughout the weekend. They've told us that they love having modern visitors.
The Hall (830 N. Chatham Rd.) will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, May 27, free of charge. And that evening, adults can join the Company's officers inside the Hall for "Pub Night": "taste ciders, grog, and British ales and try your hand at card games played by British officers during the War for Independence." Pub Night admission is $25.
Loyalists and rebels alike are welcome to stop by and visit with the re-enactors, who portray the members of His Majesty's 40th Regiment, Light Infantry Company. Activities will include building brush huts, roll calls, marching, weapons and tactical drill, cooking, sewing, washing and hygiene, and they will be dressed in uniforms or period clothing throughout the weekend. They've told us that they love having modern visitors.
The Hall (830 N. Chatham Rd.) will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, May 27, free of charge. And that evening, adults can join the Company's officers inside the Hall for "Pub Night": "taste ciders, grog, and British ales and try your hand at card games played by British officers during the War for Independence." Pub Night admission is $25.
KITCHEN: There is such a thing as too efficient
I made brownies on Saturday and, opening the utility drawer to get a spatula, I noticed that one I had never used before had made its way to the top of the pile of implements. It's a newfangled one, with a flexible silicone scraper, and it was so well designed and efficient that it removed absolutely every trace of delicious gooey chocolate batter from the bowl.
Who sees the downside here?
Who sees the downside here?
MOTHER'S DAY: A good answer
A gym friend reports that, in preparation for Mother's Day, the members of her four-year-old son's preschool class were asked what their mothers' "superpowers" were. Her son's answer? "She goes to class at the Y." The mom's heart was instantly melted.
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