Dead Guy Ale

Carroll's Branch
Tonight Tyson and Amy treated me to a bottle of "Dead Guy Ale". This cheerful skeleton sits upon the Keg with his mug in hand and some sort if pointed skull cap. The Keg reads "Rogue". It was created in the 1990s as a private label. Appropriate for hallow's eve. This Oregon brewed ale has a great bold flavor and a punch. See here. http://www.rogue.com/beers/dead-guy-ale.php
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Friday Fries

Revena Kentucky
One of my favorite foods since a kid has been Lamb Fries with gravy. For several years we used to go to Rogers Cafe in Lexington to find them. It is now closed and it had been about five years since I'd enjoyed this treat. Tonight I found them in the little town of Revena at Michael's Restaurant, and they were every bit as good as I remembered them. The owner told me they are a special for Friday nights, so when home I'll be looking forward to frequent Friday Fries
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GAR Veteran

Gettysburg
Albert Woolson. CiC GAR. The Last Survivor. This is a statue erected to remember the Union Veterans. It was be the auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War--of which I am registered. I have an old spoon passed down to me where my great grandfather William Taylor Carroll had attended a GAR encampment. I wonder if he met Woolson, who here wears his medal on his breast, a pin on his lapel, and the GAR hat insignia on an officer slouch hat. His buttons carry the US Eagle. My 2nd great grandfather, Noah May, did not survive the War. 1955 by Avara Fairbanks
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Frederick Illusions

Community Bridge
We have quite a few illusions in Frederick, and especially here on the Community Bridge at Carroll Street and Carroll Creek. The murals are maintained by the "Faux School", whose studios are adjacent to the bridge. Faux art is one of the more charming aspects in this community -- freely enjoyed by it citizens.
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Geese Grooming

These Canadian geese have stopped over at the little upper falls along Carroll Creek. They decided to use this little platform to groom their feathers and maybe pause for a rest.
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Iron Bruno

One of the most interesting pets that I have met in the past year is Bruno. He took a liking to me right away. Bruno is frisky to say the least and is well suited to his owner. He is almost exactly the same size as this Iron Bruno that I discovered today on West Church near the Courthouse -- guarding a lawyers office.
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Walkersville Days

City wide yard sale today. Visited friends, had a nice stroll, and picked up a few choice items to include a good Dell Inspiron desktop computer at a great deal loaded with software. The best treat was this old fire truck which is probably about the same age as I am. It is a Ford. I liked their color of blue they use for all of their vehicles. There are many old homes and buildings in this antebellum town worth seeing and photographing -- on another day
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Checking out the Chicks

As I observe the young men stroll along Carroll Promenade I am thankful that the ancient vocation of girl watching is alive and well. We used to call it "checking out the chicks" in my younger days. Well, tonight I got to enjoy the real thing with these cute Dixie Chicks in Carroll Creek! I can assure you the drake that sired these chick did a bit of girl watching himself not long ago.
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Demanding Ducks

This Mallard duck decided I ought to provide her with a portion of my meal as I sat on the patio overlooking Carroll Creek at Five Guys. Her drake was nearby--not nearly so forward as she. By and by a fellow came over and shared some peanuts with them. They were a delight to the kids gathered around
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USMC Half Marathon

One Mile Marker,
Fredericksburg Virginia

This morning I awoke to voices outside my camper a few minutes before 7:00. I then heard the sound of the drums and Marine band playing, beneath a huge American flag, John Philip Souisa's Stars and Stripes Forever. An observer told me there were about 8,000 in this run. It is a beautiful morning for a Half Marathon. And a great day to honor America's Marines.
Semper Fidelis
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Alive @ Five

Thursday jams at the Carroll Creek amphitheater. Beer, wine, food, music, and fun. The bridge overhead makes a nice frame for this shot. I am going to pass this evening and stop in at another "five" -- Five Guys that is -- for their delicious fries and peanuts.
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Greek Treat!

It is that time of year again and the Greek Orthodox Church of St Peter & St Paul put on another delicious meal of a Gyro, Feta Cheese Salad, and Beer.
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Bell Tower at Twilight

Baker Park, Frederick
I have always enjoyed this view on my evening strolls. I decided to attempt to capture it with the BlackBerry and was pleased with the shot. With this low of a light, camera shake and blur is always of concern, but a steady brace of my elbows against my ribs--in close--with controlled breathing helped. This is the main entrance to the park which was dedicated in 1927. The fountain was a memorial to Mayor Culler for his service. The bell tower was dedicated in 1941 in memory of Baker.
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Grotto of Lourds

Emmitsburg
This image is a bronze relief titled "Jesus is Condemned to Death". It is one of the Stations. It is set in stone along a walkway back to a pool that was established here years ago. Elizabeth Ann Seton used to come here and worship in her day (1809). "Mother" Seton, as they called her, had several children. She was assigned here by my kinsman, Bishop Carroll of Baltimore and the first bishop in the United States, after she converted from the Episcopal Protestant Church to Roman Catholicism. Later in the century, the Sisters of Mercy (as I recall they were called) were among the first caregivers to arrive at Gettysburg after the battle. They could hear the canon from their convent.
Just before stopping here on the way home, I purchased a large cast centurion statue at the antique made in about 1880. I had wondered what I might call it. It compliments another statue that I bought three years ago of the same era and genre which I named Fidelis Bellicus. Today's image has come at just the right moment and has given me an ideal name--Longinus.
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Rocks in the Walls

This very old home on All Saints is going through remodeling. I was surprised to see large flat rocks set between timbers. The rock was the same as used in the foundation--just in smaller pieces. The church across the street had an old marker dating the previous structure there to 1818, so it is quite likely that this is the same. Good construction I would say.
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Legacy 1949 Hudson

This old Hudson sedan is the same age as I am. It tends to give one a sense of age reality in looking at it. The fellow wanted 17k for it. The one next to it was a TR6. I used to race against them in my old Healy and always would have liked to have owned one. I did have the TR7, but there really wasn't a comparison in quality.
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Sign of the Times

Frederick
Hard times come a knocking on the door of this Christian Science church downtown on 2nd Street. The big old churches have been closing for some years, but more lately as the economy has taken a toll on offerings, maintenance increases, congregations age, birth declines, and folk turn from organized religion to other sources for their moral and spiritual guidance (goddess Oprah comes to mind).
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Church Steeple?

This concrete block building has an interesting facade that reminded me of a church. The sides were frame and it appears now to be a garage. I wonder what voices were heard there in days gone by. Small churches are becoming a thing of the past for many. High mobility and entertainment attract young to the theatrical antics of the emerging mega churches where the Word is often laid aside in order to preach the PC Nue Gozble to itching ears and set "7-11" lyrics to rock rhythms. Oh for that old-time religion and hymns. One may still find it in traditional Anglican churches of all sizes where the 500-year old prayer book still governs the solemn worship.
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Marathon 2011 May Days

I stepped out to watch the Frederick Marathon this morning along Carroll Parkway and got to see the leaders well out in front. These days are gone by me now, and I've resolved that I'll get my Marathon this day strolling the city's May Days festivities, with a break at my favorite pub for the Derby
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