Christmas in Redhouse

Redhouse, Md. – I’m here at my father-in-law’s house in Garrett County, Maryland. It is unseasonably warm today – 65F at the moment, which is more common for May or June.

We did a little shopping yesterday in Oakland, Md. Not exactly a big city. We started at the Dollar General where we picked up some half-price Christmas cards for next year. Then we headed on over to Wal-Mart for a few groceries and some wrapping paper that was on sale. We stopped in the down town area at a little jewelry store and Cheryl’s dad ordered a 50th anniversary gift for his brother. And we finished off our trip at a second grocery store where I bought a couple of pieces of chicken (and two turkey drum sticks) that we’re going to shake and bake tonight for dinner.

Last night we had the family’s traditional Christmas dinner. Those present: Cheryl’s dad (Benny), brother Steve and his wife, Janet, along with their three daughters (Emily, Sarah, and Jennifer), complete with Sarah’s boyfriend Spencer and Jennifer’s boyfriend Brody; and sister Nancy, with her husband, Mitch, and their daughter Holly (who spends a week with us each summer). So that 13 people. We had pork loin, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, yeast roles, apple sauce, green beans, corn, cheese, deer sausage, a pumpkin roll, fudge, and some cheese cake.

Most of my time during the days has been spent blogging through a dial-up connection. We played Phase 10 last night for a couple of hours. Tonight we’re discussing a trip to the high school to watch a girl’s basketball tournament.

Cheryl and I drive home tomorrow…

Visit to Redhouse, Md.

We got up Saturday morning (June 14th) and drove to Redhouse, Md., where Cheryl's Dad lives. Cheryl finished work for the year on Friday. I was out of school but still working on a graduate course.

On June 13th the Bluebirds started their second nest of the season. When we got home yesterday they'd finished the nest and had one egg in it. They laid a second egg last night. We'll see if they make it to five again...

We drove through heavy rain in a few spots to get to Redhouse. Benny (Cheryl's Dad) has been working on his garden. He picked a pint and a half of strawberries on Monday. And we made a couple of trips down to look at the orchard and garden in between the thunderstorms that hit while we were up there. The weather was generally cool and wet.

While we were there we got word that my cousin, Chase Stillwell, was killed in a motorcycle accident. Chase was almost 20. It was sad. We went to his wake at the funeral home tonight. Tomorrow is the funeral. My daughter, Hannah, should be here this evening late and will go with us tomorrow before returning to Asheville.

Then Friday we leave for Myrtle Beach.

I finished the graduate course today and I am now more or less free until July 7th when I start a second class.