Trick or Treat?

In my trek about around town tonight I saw many kids, big and small, in costume. I lucked upon this cute little ghost that one of the kids had dropped along the way and wondered whether it held a trick or a treat beneath its spooky gown. I was rewarded with two Reeses cups! (Photo shot in my new light box)
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Fall Colors

Carroll Parkway.
I notice walking home from the park this morning that the trees in front of our apartment have some decent color. In Kentucky it seems much less so, and even these colors are somewhat muted from past years at this time. We experienced a dry season in September and that may have affected the foliage. Still, I always enjoy this time of year, the fall colors and nice weather, and am thankful to God for what we enjoy.
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Cuban Breakfast

I broke fast this morning with a new experience: a Cuban breakfast at "That Cuban Place" at 300 Market. Two eggs, chorizo, and plantains with Cuban toast and Cafe con Leche. Pretty good meal. See menu and more here www.thatcubanplace.com
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Zion Church's Confederate Dead

Urbana
Just about eight miles south of the Monocacy is this very old church which has been nearly restored now. I recall its ruins when I came here several years ago to visit the graves of these cavalry officers (foreground) of the 17th Virginia who fell in the here in an ambush in the battle for Washington in 1864. It is good that they rest beneath their country's flag. It would not surprise me if some busybody comes to demand that these CSA battle flags be taken away. I think it private property, and so protected by our Constitution. I pray those who control this property will exercise the wisdom to resist such foolish suggestions. Just on the other side of the church rests another soldier from that Late Unpleasantness whose grave flies Old Glory. Well done good and faithful servants.
Deo Vindice
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Mill Creek Pond

Monocacy Battlegrounds
The sun casts a longer shadow as I relax on this park bench and contemplate this old mill pond. The ducks feed on the surface algae; a snake surfaces for a breath of air, and minnows surface to feed and ripple the stillness. Behind this bench not 100 feet is the old mill house which served both sides in that famous battle. In a minute I'll walk this portion of the grounds where the RR carried Lew Wallace's troops to block Early's mounted threat to Washington. The day is exceedingly pleasant, and the view quite enjoyable. The breeze carries that coolness of fall and I think of colder days to come.
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Peace, Victory, Valor. Arlington

This is a model of the east side of the unknown soldier. I shall spend the afternoon here to remember of fallen. It is ironic that this most hallowed ground of the US was illegally taken from Robert E Lee, once returned to thee family it was graciously donated for its current use
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Octoberfest at Shifferstadt

Stopped in to visit the folk at this old house built by one of the first German settlers in this region along Carroll Creek -- just down the street in 1756 (about the same time as Zetta's forefathers were in this area)
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Renaissance Festival

Annapolis. Much of this festival had to do with food (turkey drumsticks, wurst, etc.); drink (meads and beers); and entertainment (dancing, games, song, jousting, and including the very crowd that came in various stages of period dress. (I observed many in kilts which would likely not have been found in the Renaissance fairs.))
The grounds were familiar as I had been here with family years ago (96?). I found that I was at a disadvantage as my hearing is so poor, and took time of leisure to return to a chapter or so of Pride and Prejudice when not walking about. The mead was tolerable, not nearly as refreshing as Carroll's Mead
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Mountpelier Mansion

Laurel Maryland
This is a beautiful home-now museum between Washington and Baltimore. It was finished in about 1783 and served as the home for the 9,000 acre plantation. Tobacco was the cash crop. I suspect that was the case all around Maryland. It was a difficult photographic shot with the blackberry as the backlight and direct sunlight was significantly affecting the setup. The is no was to use increased exposure values as with many good digital and SLR cameras. So an old trick was needed. Note my hand in the top right corner to shade the lens.

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