A Plug for Paz

La Paz Restaurant, Market & Carroll Creek Park, Frederick
When one is in need of a bit of afternoon refreshment on a lazy Sunday afternoon I hardily commend La Paz restaurant. My favorite is a cold draft, the Avocado & Tomato salad and chips with their homemade salsa. It is close enough to the Frederick Free WiFi that you can relax while browsing (note the Iphone at KenRockwell.com). The atmosphere on the sidewalk seating area is nice and soft rock plays gently in the background (even in this heat today). This is a great way to relax, enjoy the park, the city, and enjoy good food and drink
msc
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Lovely Lavender

Carroll Creek
Emerging from that torrid flood of a few week ago is this lovely flowering bush on the very edge of the creek. The creek is pristine this day, clear, gently flowing, and teaming with life. It is cool too whilst the sun is abominably hot. I am wondering if I can occupy myself along its banks today. I have in hand my yashica with a fresh roll of film and mean to spend the greater part of the day seeking worthwhile shots. Unlike digital folk who go about snapping at everything we film shooters tend to look for the best shot always.
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St Johns Ruins

Harpers Ferry
The old ruins this day have one to say the evening prayer according to the 1789 American Prayer Book
http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/1789/EP_1789.htm
Amen
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Beetlejuice -- Possum Delight

These yellow-headed beetles were swarming about the remains of this possum along the trail.
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Crampton's Gap

South Mountain
This is the intersection of Gathland State Park and the Trail. It is a lovely day for a little summer hike and photo shoot. The temperature is about 15 degrees below yesterday firecracker of 103. The shade of the trail promises a nice little trek. CSA defended here to delay the Federals. Semmes gambled that the real attack would come a mile away at Brownsville pass--and lost--on 11 September 1862
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The Native are Restless

Baker Park
Late this evening I approached the eastern most underpass in the park and was pleased to hear the sound of drums echoing in the chambers. I stopped for a second at the far end to let my beloved hear these sound over my BB. I then approached to find these bongo players and some dancers enjoying a wonderful evening in the park. I found a seat in the front row and enjoyed their jam session for several minutes as they graced our park with very pleasant rhythmic sounds and sights. Climbing the adjacent hill, I reached the street above and took this photo in relatively low evening light in order to capture this "Circle of Sound"....and the beat goes on.
msc
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Wisdom of Winnie the Pooh

This image and quotation sits above my desk and at work where my position requires that I think creatively about approaches to functional requirements. Often we find oursevles in the predicament of being trapped in a process. Winnie's Wisdom helps us to look beyond our experience. His creator wrote, "It is as far as he knows the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes feels there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it". Amen
msc

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Austin Healy 3000 Art

Sunoco, Flatwood, WV
I spotted this first a few days ago on our 40th Anniversary. The Healy was one of our two cars the day we were married (the other an MGB). In the year following, my beloved became its primary driver, and for several years thereafter. She had also owned one a few years before we were married. We hold many fond memories of our top-down excursions together -- including frequent country drives on little curvy and hilly roads throughout the Bluegrass-- as depicted in the cute bit of art.
msc
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Heat Wave

Louisa Kentucky
The reactors are going full blast this weekend to keep the electric power flowing to homes in Eastern Kentucky and neighboring West Virginia as the oppressive heat keeps the demand for electricity high in order to cool the homes and businesses here abouts.
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Cruising Canadians

Carroll Creek
I've been watching this family of geese since the young one were just little fussy things. About 40 days ago I posted this musing I called Geese on Guard. http://markscarroll.blogspot.com/2011/06/geese-on-guard.html
This evening I found them cruising in single file up Carroll Creek, with one adult in the lead. We are fortunate to be able to observe nature so closely in Baker Park.
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Urban Legends

Patrick Street, Frederick
Home of Barbara Fritchie
Today the internet is plagued with urban legends that seemingly discerning people fall for. I would think that most reading this post have fallen victim themselves. There is nothing new under the sun. A case in point is this home from which the owner was made famous in a poem during the Late Unpleasantness for waving her Union flag defiantly before Stonewall Jackson as he led his corps through Frederick. Never happened, but many accept it as Gospel. He was attending Church services, perhaps half asleep, and she was bedridden. Her neighbor said she never did appear. Never let facts get in the way of a popular cause. Something to consider as we see some of the claims from various sides emerging in this season and Presidential campaign. It is good to take it all with a grain of salt and get the facts straight.
See more here
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Fritchie
msc
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Carrollton Manor

This is the stone set in the gate pillar leading up to Carrollton Manor 1820. The stone three story house at the end of the drive is not open for viewing. I read somewhere that property is controlled be St Joseph Parish which is only about 800 meters away or so. See photo of the home and description of the estate here
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrollton_Manor
Charles Carroll used this address in 1776 when he signed the Declaration of Independence and built Tuscarora, the Manor House, in 1764--undoubtedly living in other Maryland cities. Daddy said he had seen the old Carroll Family bible the listed Charles Carroll, he father was also Charles Carroll of Annapolis.
msc
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55 Vet -- Beats the Rest

Shab Row
This is a beautiful restoration. It has been a 10 year project of Ray Owings. It is a remarkable job and I need not look any further than here for auto beauty this day. Automatic trans, 235 ci 155 HP 6 cyl (one of only six ordered with this engine) and a history of drag racing.
msc
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Benz Street Flood Reservoirs

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Baker Park Flood

This is a shot of the flood that occurred this afternoon after a heavy rain storm. The lower end of the park was not flooded so bad as this, and the reservoirs and flood controls at Benz street seemed to be working well.
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Hot Lips Delight

Baker Park
Chili galore! These folk won my vote. I even bought and extra ticket so I could give them another vote. I talked to one of the chefs to find out if they sold this great chili anywhere. It is all for their pleasure, and he said they would be back here again next year -- so be sure to come down to the Chili Cookoff. All the contestants were good this year, but the sweet-touch edged "Doug & JP's TNT" to the front of the pack. Honorable mention goes to "Smokee" and also the "African" sample that was sweet and hot. I figure this cookoff is about the best thing going in Frederick--and a sure place to get Hot Lips.
msc--A Chili Lover
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Hot Mommas

These ladies are indeed hot Mommas as they put on a fire twirling show for the crowd that gathered at Carroll Creek Park this afternoon and evening for the annual regatta, music, and festivities. I ate dinner just across from these ladies at Five Guys tonight.
msc
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