countrypap

A Walk along a Country Road with a Little Buddy

One of the main reasons I retired over a year ago was so I could help provide daycare for my grandkids while my girls worked. Today is one of those lucky days I get to watch my youngest grandson. We are winding down the summer season, so it was a perfect day to take aContinue reading “A Walk along a Country Road with a Little Buddy”

Thoughts and my daily agenda from a Retired Educator on the First Day of School (warning, some soapbox paragraphs here)

This will be my second year that I have been retired from the public school system. Wow do I miss the kids and their excitement, but I don’t miss the adults who have a personal agenda, or are not truly there for the kids. Thankfully that is a minority of people involved in education, butContinue reading “Thoughts and my daily agenda from a Retired Educator on the First Day of School (warning, some soapbox paragraphs here)”

Babcock State Park, New River Gorge

Last week my wife and I were able to get away for a few days, and our choice of destination was Babcock State Park in Clifton WV. A choice we really liked and recommend if you are looking for a quiet place to get away from it all! Babcock truly is out in the middleContinue reading “Babcock State Park, New River Gorge”

Retired Life in the Country

I have now been retired after 37 years in education for a little over one year and I will have to say that I have not regretted my decision for one instant. As my sister who is also retired told me, I am probably busier than I ever have been but I am doing theContinue reading “Retired Life in the Country”

Biking on the Greater Allegany Passage

My wife and I have been getting more and more into bicycling lately. It is something we can do together and stay together while doing it. I was trying to run again this spring, but my knees were not accepting that well, so biking it is! This spring we took our first trip to OhiopyleContinue reading “Biking on the Greater Allegany Passage”

American Ginseng

I recently posted a blog and in it had a picture of one of my favorite plants that grow in the mountainous forests and woodlots of the Eastern USA. That plant is American Ginseng and it is not my favorite because of the mystical cures and benefits that it may have, but how it hasContinue reading “American Ginseng”

Spring Gardening in the Western MD Mountains

It has been a long time since I have written here, but I will blame it on spring. I have been rather busy the last few weeks watching grandkids (which I can’t get enough of even though they can wear me out,) taking care of the lawn, getting fully vaccinated, and FINALLY gardening! I wasContinue reading “Spring Gardening in the Western MD Mountains”

Kendall Trail – Friendsville MD

My wife and I decided to hike a trail in our county that we have talked about for a while, but have never done – the Kendall Trail in Friendsville (Garrett County) Maryland. The trail head is located in Northern Garrett County about 5 minutes off Interstate 68 and is in the town of FriendsvilleContinue reading “Kendall Trail – Friendsville MD”

Running Progress – Week 5 of 11

A little more than a month ago, starting to live with some health problems that are not uncommon for a 60 year old man, one of my daughters suggested that maybe I should get back into running – something that had crossed my mind as well. I used to run a good bit, coached highContinue reading “Running Progress – Week 5 of 11”

Spring has Sprung in Western MD (knock on wood)

Took a morning walk around the place today, listening to our young rooster crowing with joy, and completely enjoying the signs of spring that are so apparent now. Living in the Western Maryland mountains and the higher portions of the West Virginia area, spring takes a while longer to get here than the rest ofContinue reading “Spring has Sprung in Western MD (knock on wood)”