tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62804297507789837852024-03-13T20:59:50.012-07:00Adventures with MaMa BerryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-24562497136767518102019-09-15T13:50:00.000-07:002019-09-15T13:55:13.622-07:00Grandchildren make life grand!I love having my children and grandchildren around. I love when my grandchildren jump out of the car and shout "MaMa Berry!" as they run toward me; the hugs and kisses are priceless. The younger three still like to sit on my lap and cuddle. The older two like to sit close and snuggle.<br />
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The older three like to play board games. The younger two are more interested in knocking the game pieces off the boards! All the children like for me to read to them. The youngest, my only granddaughter, likes to sing. All the children like to dance. Life is lively when my grandchildren visit.<br />
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I enjoy watching my grandchildren run around the farm and ride their bikes and motorized tractors. We built a swing set for them and a small "ninja" course. The barn loft is their fort. I usually stay outside with them, but I can sit in our sun room and watch their play. I bought a set of walkie-talkies so we can communicate, and our two dogs stay close to them.<br />
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My children are raising their children with the values their father and I raised them, and that makes my heart sing!<br />
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The month of August flew by. I was busy writing and playing with the children.<br />
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I hosted 2019 Camp MaMa Berry, which included riding the horses. Earlier in the month we attended the Cape Charles Crab Festival and watched my husband's boating club race their skiffs. My oldest grandson enjoyed a few laps around the course after the races were over. He was all smiles.<br />
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The day before we had explored the NASA Wallops Visitor Center and Chincoteague. The boys launched water bottle rockets at NASA Wallops, then we hopped over to Chincoteague. We were thrilled to see the ponies. We need to go back. Virginia's Eastern Shore has so much to see and do.<br />
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Another highlight of August was attending the Hot Air Balloon Festival at the <a href="https://www.flyingcircusairshow.com/" target="_blank">Flying Circus</a> in Bealeton. Unfortunately, the fog didn't burn off early enough for the balloons to launch, but we had a good time listening to the whoosh of the fire as the balloons inflated. The Flying Circus--a good old-fashioned barnstorming air show--is a must see.<br />
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We packed a lot into this summer. We had fun and made lots of memories.<br />
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School is in session. Adventures have taken a back seat, but we still are having fun and making memories!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-23805549369846395042019-07-18T22:08:00.000-07:002019-09-16T19:06:32.978-07:00Apollo astronaut and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Al Worden presents “Apollo 11: Behind the Scene”<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXY7E3bHbHs/XTEx1mN7X8I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/OBOSDuRGxpwvA9MjMxioQwF9ktYJGoIxQCLcBGAs/s1600/66851476_10156364129631398_8709705012088930304_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXY7E3bHbHs/XTEx1mN7X8I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/OBOSDuRGxpwvA9MjMxioQwF9ktYJGoIxQCLcBGAs/s320/66851476_10156364129631398_8709705012088930304_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>My older son, Craig, my four-year-old grandson, Hunter, and I heard <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Apollo astronaut and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Al Worden talk about his experiences as the command module pilot</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> on Apollo 15 and reflect on Apollo 11 when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon July 20, 1</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">969. It's hard to believe it's been 50 years!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Worden called Neil Armstrong the second Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh, in 1927, became the first man to fly an airplane across the Atlantic Ocean. Aviation still was new, and flying nonstop across the ocean was dangerous. Worden also said of Armstrong, "He was the consummate pilot who never lost his cool." Armstrong's confidence was important when a glitch required him to land the module on the moon manually with just 17 seconds of fuel left! Worden said of the other Apollo 11 astronauts, "Mike Collins was a test pilot extraordinaire" and Buzz Aldrin, who wrote his doctoral thesis at MIT on rendezvous and docking was the "brains."</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RvedMhvz0s/XTFVt9uiLyI/AAAAAAAAAdY/a_GyDM0_dFo-TKRyyBoq44PH02M-3QOlACLcBGAs/s1600/Screenshot%2B%252834%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="994" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RvedMhvz0s/XTFVt9uiLyI/AAAAAAAAAdY/a_GyDM0_dFo-TKRyyBoq44PH02M-3QOlACLcBGAs/s320/Screenshot%2B%252834%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Worden was the first man to perform a deep-space extra-vehicular activity, or space walk, just outside lunar orbit, and he made 75 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">solo revolutions around the moon while his colleagues, David Scott and James Irwin, performed science experiments on the lunar surface. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">He said he saw the earth rise 75 times and wished everyone could see the earth from that perspective. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--dKoDL5UnhE/XTFFOZNkboI/AAAAAAAAAdA/xGzehdIQVac5yxV1Hnxql-2tFBIJQkIGgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC02500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--dKoDL5UnhE/XTFFOZNkboI/AAAAAAAAAdA/xGzehdIQVac5yxV1Hnxql-2tFBIJQkIGgCLcBGAs/s400/DSC02500.jpg" width="341" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">He also talked tonight about how each NASA mission built upon the previous missions and each became more scientifically focused. Apollo 15, which launched </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">July 26, 1971, and returned to earth August 7, 1971, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">was the first to utilize the Lunar Roving Vehicle. The mission was notable for several other reasons, including the astronauts spent more than 18 hours on the moon, as opposed to a few hours for the astronauts aboard Apollo 11; the spacecraft was </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">the heaviest object to ever lift off the ground at nearly 7 million pounds; the lunar module landed 27 degrees north of the moon's equator at Hadley Rille (the equatorial pull was unknown, so that was an extra risk); the landing was at an angle of 26 degrees, the steepest approach of any of the earlier Apollo missions, and it had to cross the Apennine Range, one of the highest points on the moon; and August 5, Worden climbed out of the command module to retrieve film cassettes (digital photography didn't exist then) from the service module. He </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">said the only picture of that historic event is of his butt climbing out of the command module. (He thinks that was by design!) However, an artist created a painting to commemorate the space walk!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63R4XweY_Ic/XTEx3SkLZoI/AAAAAAAAAcU/ct5IJd7h1zg2Vl9mtXhuJIoFte0F02jUwCLcBGAs/s1600/s71-30463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63R4XweY_Ic/XTEx3SkLZoI/AAAAAAAAAcU/ct5IJd7h1zg2Vl9mtXhuJIoFte0F02jUwCLcBGAs/s1600/s71-30463.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Worden's reflections about the Apollo 15 patch elicited a few cheers from the women in the audience when he mentioned Emilio Pucci, a fashion designer famous for bold colors and kaleidoscopic prints. Worden said Pucci studied agricultural engineering at the University of Georgia and was a bomber pilot during World War II before becoming a fashion icon. Because a friend of a friend of a friend knew Pucci, he designed the stylized three bird motif for the Apollo 15 patch. However, he used blues and greens, which the crew changed to the patriotic red, white, and blue.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">NASA didn't want to use Roman numerals on the patches, but the crew hid them in plain site. Do you see them? Look between the red and blue wings and you will see the stylized craters! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I am sure Hunter will not remember tonight's presentation, nor do I think my son realizes the significance it holds for me. I am thrilled to have heard Col. Worden's presentation and to have had the opportunity to say hello and shake his hand. I am grateful.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I missed his radio interview this morning. If you'd like to listen, visit the link below!</span><br />
<a href="https://obxtoday.com/things-to-do/astronaut-al-worden-to-share-unique-insight-on-apollo-11-this-thursday-in-corolla/">https://obxtoday.com/things-to-do/astronaut-al-worden-to-share-unique-insight-on-apollo-11-this-thursday-in-corolla/</a><br />
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#Apollo15Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-67265540445792549142019-07-17T18:36:00.000-07:002019-09-15T11:51:12.390-07:00The Wright Brothers National Memorial<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="1rtem" data-offset-key="5gfv0-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="5gfv0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">My grandsons and I had another Adventure with MaMa Berry day. We toured the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, NC. If you haven't been, put it at the top of your bucket list! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few thoughts. First, today was a scorching 102 degrees, but the breeze was delightful. It evaporated the perspiration and was cooling. However, it still was miserable! However, I chuckled to myself thinking the Wright brothers definitely were on to something when they picked the area for their flight. It definitely was breezy. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Second, the sand dune may have been isolated in 1903, but it sits in the middle of housing developments, highways, and commercial businesses. Their patent surely would have fallen to industrial espionage if today had been the historic flight. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Third, I always thought the historic flights took off from atop the sand dune. I learned the sand dune was the origin of their glider flights. They perfected their designs with the information they learned during those early experiments. The four powered flights of December 17, 1903, took place on the sand in front of the dune. Orville was the pilot for the first three; Wilbur was the pilot for the fourth and longest flight of the day. I also learned Wilbur and Orville flipped a coin to see who would pilot the airplane first. Wilbur won, but crashed the plane during the December 14, 1903, attempt.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The bronze sculpture depicts Wilbur Wright as he releases the <span style="color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">wing of the Wright Flyer when Orville goes airborne.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Memorial consists of a visitors center, a First Flight airstrip, two reconstructed buildings where Orville and Wilbur worked and lived while in NC, a granite boulder where the first flight left the ground, four markers that indicate the distance, paths, and landings of each of the day's four flights, a 60-foot monument atop the 90-foot sand dune, and a recreated scene of the first </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">flight. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Orville Wright pilots the first heavier-than-air, powered and controlled airplane December 17, 1903, at Kill Devil Hills, NC.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The original Wright Flyer is in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Wilbur Wright runs alongside the Wright Flyer to steady the wing until Orville lifts the plane off the rail. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The federal government erected a 60-monument in honor of the historic flight atop the 90-foot sand dune.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> My grandsons were curious as to where the pilot sat. They were surprised to see Orville Wright was on his stomach during the flight.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Orville Wright concentrates as he steers the plane in 27-mph winds. <span style="color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">He didn't want to make the same mistake Wilbur had made three </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">days earlier when, after leaving the rail, he oversteered, climbed </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">too steeply, stalled the engine and dove into the sand.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Three of the five witnesses to the first flight: Left to right, Johnny Moore, a 16-year-old who lived his entire life on the Outer Banks and worked as a hunting and fishing
guide; </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Adam </span></span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Etheridge, a member of the US Life-Saving Service at Kill Devil Hills. A life-long friend of the Wright brothers, he took care of their camp buildings when they left the area in 1903; W.C. Brinkly, a lumberman from Manteo who happened to be visiting the Life-Saving Station when the Wright brothers asked them to help with the flight.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Willis Dough, also a member of the US Life-Saving Station, helped the Wright brothers in their 1908 flights when they returned to Kitty Hawk the last time together.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dqlA1EYd5R8/XS-u6OX5plI/AAAAAAAAAZw/qDZMSS3BdxAoMEJTblFnd3tPmfdYMdI2wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC02408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dqlA1EYd5R8/XS-u6OX5plI/AAAAAAAAAZw/qDZMSS3BdxAoMEJTblFnd3tPmfdYMdI2wCLcBGAs/s320/DSC02408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The life-size bronze and stainless steel flyer weighs 10,000 pounds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> John Daniels from the lifesaving station snapped the shutter <span style="color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">on a preset camera owned by the Wright brothers and </span><span style="color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">captured the image of the airborne aircraft.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1uPXNgR33w/XS-vUD9A1RI/AAAAAAAAAa4/ahOhJ_EVELAuS7oDpoahzLuYL680AIwAgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC02421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1uPXNgR33w/XS-vUD9A1RI/AAAAAAAAAa4/ahOhJ_EVELAuS7oDpoahzLuYL680AIwAgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC02421.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Park Service recreated the historic day in this bronze and stainless steel life-size sculpture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppNWSxBqPtQ/XS--7EdmSNI/AAAAAAAAAb8/vtNfeinkGAsdU5h9ikdvYCZ_MkZ46vWfgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC02387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppNWSxBqPtQ/XS--7EdmSNI/AAAAAAAAAb8/vtNfeinkGAsdU5h9ikdvYCZ_MkZ46vWfgCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC02387.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of my grandsons stand in front of the granite marker that indicates the spot where the Wright Flyer went airborne. Notice the rail in front of the marker. The rail was a crucial element of the takeoff. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vWXLjIsSqZM/XS--jGmMIOI/AAAAAAAAAbs/04K0NhGXIc4ac8zIwcS8tmOTjBViY7RHgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC02386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vWXLjIsSqZM/XS--jGmMIOI/AAAAAAAAAbs/04K0NhGXIc4ac8zIwcS8tmOTjBViY7RHgCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC02386.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Wright brothers launched their plane four times December 17, 1903. The granite markers indicate the path, distance, and landing spot of each flight. The first flight lasted 12 seconds and flew 120 feet. The second flight lasted 12 seconds and flew 175 feet. The third flight lasted 15 seconds and flew 200 feet. The fourth flight lasted 59 seconds and flew 852 feet.</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-22658881511302192019-07-01T13:58:00.000-07:002019-07-01T14:01:44.099-07:00Diggerland is everything I expected and more!<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Diggerland USA is the epitome of a kid-friendly theme park! The staff is super nice and helpful, and the park is clean and easy to navigate.The heavy equipment has been revamped with governors, so little ones can drive the machines safely. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pG-nQoDB82s/XRpl0ZWEnOI/AAAAAAAAAYE/GFP6escPG6YYOIbhNyeccEbU8IjYrORgACLcBGAs/s1600/65582768_10219065577967990_4469742722298675200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="960" height="185" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pG-nQoDB82s/XRpl0ZWEnOI/AAAAAAAAAYE/GFP6escPG6YYOIbhNyeccEbU8IjYrORgACLcBGAs/s200/65582768_10219065577967990_4469742722298675200_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Children 48 inches tall or taller can ride and/or drive most of the adventures independently; children at least 36 inches tall can ride with an adult. The 2-year-old is too young for all but two of the rides; but there was no admission charge for her. The 7-year old could operate most of the rides alone, and he was thrilled. The other three (ages 3, 4, 6) rode with my son when necessary, and everyone had a grand time. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GcVdwpAX7mo/XRpmfUHtjoI/AAAAAAAAAYU/HQOTVnhYrRIiG8PtBdLvekliymx-N1VqQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC01305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1600" height="146" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GcVdwpAX7mo/XRpmfUHtjoI/AAAAAAAAAYU/HQOTVnhYrRIiG8PtBdLvekliymx-N1VqQCLcBGAs/s200/DSC01305.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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We visited Diggerland during the week and it was not crowded; the children didn’t wait in lines at all. A few rides may have had two or three people in front of them. The staff said weekends are very busy. </div>
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Fortunately, the humidity was low, which made the high heat bearable. Misting fans are placed throughout the park, and they were a welcome relief!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyR1O7os8nE/XRpmmq4lE4I/AAAAAAAAAYY/xCPnuAWlkpYqT-kYHHjgGaZsrb7GxSsAwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC01406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1600" height="167" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyR1O7os8nE/XRpmmq4lE4I/AAAAAAAAAYY/xCPnuAWlkpYqT-kYHHjgGaZsrb7GxSsAwCLcBGAs/s200/DSC01406.jpg" width="200" /></a>Diggerland has three food establishments (food and drinks are pricey), but none of them have eat-in facilities—plenty of picnic tables and an air conditioned pavilion, but we left the park for a lunch run to an air conditioned restaurant.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A2vBo00iB2w/XRpmCUXXknI/AAAAAAAAAYI/K13zjuGfRUIPcp9LH6X-kznIGM068GkkwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC01640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1600" height="108" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A2vBo00iB2w/XRpmCUXXknI/AAAAAAAAAYI/K13zjuGfRUIPcp9LH6X-kznIGM068GkkwCLcBGAs/s200/DSC01640.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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We returned and visited another section of Diggerland. The boys loved driving the go-karts and the tractors. </div>
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I noted the percentage of boys to girls at the park. Boys outnumbered the girls, but not by much. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rscjq7b6IFA/XRpmyVWMF7I/AAAAAAAAAYc/3OZRZqSb9T4U0iYpYKI9hZuqfD3-RLS4wCLcBGAs/s1600/SpinDizzy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="146" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rscjq7b6IFA/XRpmyVWMF7I/AAAAAAAAAYc/3OZRZqSb9T4U0iYpYKI9hZuqfD3-RLS4wCLcBGAs/s200/SpinDizzy2.jpg" width="200" /></a>The park is huge; it covers 14 acres. We didn’t have time to explore all the rides even though we spent the entire day, from 10-6, at the park. The kids did not want to leave they were having so much fun.</div>
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We returned the next day for a few hours, but still there are rides that will be new to the boys when they return.</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">I had bought the boys season passes for Christmas because Diggerland does an amazing job of planning special events throughout the year. Because the theme park is a bit of a hike for us, I knew I would visit at least the two days, so the membership has paid for itself. I am pretty sure my sons will take their sons back at least once or twice this season. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">Diggerland USA gets a definite thumbs up from the Berry family!</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-7195228104498905482019-06-10T15:42:00.000-07:002019-06-10T15:42:02.423-07:00Old-fashioned sweet treats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
H.E. Williams Candy Factory in Chesapeake, VA, is celebrating its centennial; no small feat for a family owned business. The third generation of the Williams family uses the same recipes, the same copper kettles, and the same, albeit modernized, equipment their grandfather used when he began candy making operations in 1919. </div>
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To say this place is magical is an understatement. Lillie Mae Williams owns the business, but she leaves it to her children and sister to run the day-to-day operations. The family opened its arms to my brood. My Littles sampled the candy and left on a sugar high. </div>
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The entire tour lasts an hour, but we got a late start and saw just the very end. No problem for antsy little ones. They watched the log of candy roll through a machine, turn into a candy ribbon, roll off the conveyor belt and land onto a work table. There the ladies chopped the strips into small pieces, sprayed water onto the warm candy, and sprinkled sugar on the entire batch. The Littles were mesmerized and all too happy to sample the warm, sugared confections. </div>
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From January to September, the candy factory offers tours Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. From September through December, the tours run five days a week. If you want to see the entire operation from beginning to end, I suggest arriving early. The store is open five days a week for retail sales 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.</div>
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Please tell them MaMa Berry sent you!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXNL8W2_x_M/XP7Ad83Vw-I/AAAAAAAAAXc/7IdLAcWb9VosMDgfm6GKp9tlkerC6PgDwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC00721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXNL8W2_x_M/XP7Ad83Vw-I/AAAAAAAAAXc/7IdLAcWb9VosMDgfm6GKp9tlkerC6PgDwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC00721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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H. E. Williams Candy Company</div>
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1230 Perry Street</div>
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Chesapeake, VA 23324</div>
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(757) 545-9311</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-21037950809041022372019-06-08T13:44:00.000-07:002019-06-08T13:44:14.074-07:00Wonky Donkey updateMy daughter found this <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=wonky%20donkey%20song%20unofficial%20music%20video%20site%3Ayoutube.com&oq=you+tube+&aqs=chrome..69i57j0j46l2j0l2.3936j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ved=2ahUKEwi9pfKp39riAhWor1kKHRJ1D4kQ2wF6BAgFEAg&ei=Ph38XL2OJajf5gKS6r3ICA" target="_blank">unofficial Wonky Donkey music video on YouTube</a>. It is worth four minutes of your time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-16071250017265617122019-06-08T13:29:00.001-07:002019-06-08T13:31:32.126-07:00Put a little Love in your life!Fifty years ago the Virginia Tourism Corporation created one of the most catchy slogans: Virginia is for Lovers. I always thought the slogan promoted Virginia as a great honeymoon destination. It may have. Today the slogan promotes the love of all adventuresome souls...those who love music, mountains, beaches, and anything the commonwealth offers.<br />
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For the last couple of years, VTC has been encouraging businesses and locales to create LOVEworks sculptures. These sculptures capture the essence of the location within the four letters: L O V E. I have seen pictures of many and several in person.<br />
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For the slogan's 50th anniversary, the VTC is encouraging LOVEworks sculptures as destinations. What an awesome concept! Capture family photos at each sculpture and your family sees the beauty of the commonwealth as your make memories.<br />
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I embarked on such an adventure with my Littles. So far, we have visited two. As I take the photos, I will add them to my Pinterest account: <a href="http://pinterest.com/adventureswithmamaberry">Pinterest.com/adventureswithmamaberry</a>!<br />
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The LOVEworks sign above is located in the VIBE district </div>
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of Virginia Beach at the Oceanfront library, 700 Virginia </div>
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Beach Boulevard. The LOVEworks sign below is in front </div>
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of the Bunny Hutch at 1165 Jensen Drive, off</div>
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Birdneck Road, south of Virginia Beach Boulevard. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-47664256550447673892019-05-30T08:57:00.000-07:002019-06-13T21:11:49.748-07:00Dinosaurs roamed Virginia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Millions
and millions of years ago, dinosaurs roamed throughout North America, including
Virginia. Many fossils and dinosaur bones, teeth and tracks have been found to
substantiate the claim; most, however, are buried beneath vegetation, bridges,
roads, and parking lots. Astute observers are finding the tracks before they
are paved over. One such site is in Northern Virginia near Culpeper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In 1989,
Robert Clore, a stone engraver from Orange County, and several of his coworkers
found almost 2,000 three-toed dinosaur and reptile tracks. It was the most
numerous find on Earth at the time. More have been discovered; today the number
is close to 5,000 tracks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
newspaper reporter quotes Clore as saying of the initial discovery, “It was 17
tracks. It looked like a big chicken had walked through."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">He wasn't
too far off!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Paleontologist
Robert E. Weems studied the tracks and identified six dinosaurs: Agrestipus,
Anchisauripus, Apatichnus, Eubrontes, Grallator, and Gregaripus. Agrestipus and
Gregaripus were herbivores; the others were carnivores. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
Grallator is a member of the coelurosaur family and is more related to birds
than dinosaurs. Dr. Weems noted the Grallator may have had feathers. Although
not capable of flying, the dinosaur must have had “sufficient aerodynamic lift
to run easily at high speed.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
Gregaripus was a member of the ornithischian family; ornithischian means
bird-hipped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
Anchisauripus, Apatichnus, Eubrontes were members of the carnosaur family. Fast
and agile, these meat-eating dinosaurs ran on two legs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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their long necks, long tails, small heads, and four thick legs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Each
year the quarry welcome, visitors one day only, to examine the tracks. Past
events have sold out fast, and the same is true for the 2019 event. Tickets
this year were $20, with all proceeds going to the Museum of Culpeper History.
The museum has on site one of the dinosaur tracks and an entire exhibit
dedicated to </span>the late Triassic period of between 235 million and
200 million years ago.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-34815688917923476892019-05-24T16:08:00.002-07:002019-05-24T22:13:36.351-07:00Happy 6th Birthday!Grandson #2 turned six years old Tuesday. I no longer can say my grandchildren are 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. They now are 2, 3, 4, 6, and 6...at least for another two weeks when the oldest will turn 7! The four boys were born in four successive years between May and July...one big celebration! So much fun!!! The youngest, a girl, has a winter birthday.<br />
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As a treat, I took Grandson #2 to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.berry.3760/videos/pcb.10217841175215382/10217841140374511/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Shakalod Chocolate Factory in Virginia Beach</a>. He assembled a house from chocolate---even the "glue" was chocolate! He had such a good time.<br />
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The store gives tours and provides opportunities for guests to assemble chocolate projects. My grandson selected a project from six available choices. The fun began with covering a marshmallow in chocolate.<br />
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While the marshmallow cooled in the refrigerator, the owner helped my grandson assemble the house pieces. She was impressed with his eye-hand coordination; my grandson promptly announced he might want to make chocolate when he grows up.<br />
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The chocolate factory was a great place to take him. I had considered taking the entire brood, but decided against it. I really enjoyed the special one-on-one time. He did, too!<br />
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If you decide to visit the store, tell the owner MaMa Berry sent you!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-22176474237940487242019-05-20T09:09:00.000-07:002019-05-20T09:09:00.258-07:00A week-long birthday celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I celebrated my birthday this past week...an entire week of celebrations. It began with a dinner at Grandstaff & Stein in Richmond to celebrate my husband's birthday and mine, followed by being a mystery reader in grandson 3's preschool class, a birthday dinner at my son's house, and visiting two alpaca farms and a dinosaur park. Our family celebrated grandson 2's 6th birthday Saturday at Munden Park in Virginia Beach, and I closed the fun-filled celebration week aboard a pirate ship, the Lost Pearl! WOW!!! No wonder I am exhausted. </div>
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The grandkids had fun, and I had fun. We learned a lot and created fun memories; that's what counts.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-90275220806522827022019-05-14T04:44:00.000-07:002019-09-15T12:25:06.572-07:00Fishing with PaPawBoth of my grandfathers liked to fish. Granddaddy, my father's dad, owned a commercial fishing boat. Groups of people, mostly men, would charter the boat for a day's fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. When all were aboard, Granddaddy would navigate to his favorite fishing holes. I loved to hear him and my father talk about the fish the men caught...and, of course, the ones that got away.<br />
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My father always wanted a son to take fishing. Instead, he took his two daughters. He bought us fishing rods and reels and off we went. There were two small problems. The first problem was he expected us to put the worms on the hooks ourselves. My sister was fine with it; I wasn't about to touch those slimy things. The second problem was I suffer from motion sickness. </div>
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I remember being on the boat and feeling quite ill. Dad told me to go below and rest. BAD IDEA!!! I became violently ill. The fish must have been biting well that day, because I don't remember granddaddy immediately heading the boat to the marina. My recollection is we stayed out until the fishing was over. Needless to say, my fishing days were over!</div>
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The younger Carolyn loved to fish. I use that term lightly, because no fish were involved. I grew up in the country on a farm with ponds, creeks and swimming holes all around. I have vivid memories of one particular creek bed with a rocky bottom and ankle COLD deep water. I had a metal pail and a fishing pole---a tree branch outfitted with string, a hook PaPaw fashioned from wire, and a worm he speared onto the wire. Although it was a hot summer day, the shade from the trees made the temperature bearable. </div>
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PaPaw leaned against a tree on the bank as I traipsed toward the frigid water. He was so patient with me. Never once did he rush me, tell me to hurry up, or get up to signal it was time to leave. He was content to watch me for as long as I wanted to fish. He lasted longer than I did.</div>
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The minnows were not interested in the bait. They liked playing tag with the hundreds of other minnows swimming in the creek. They darted right past my fishing gear and never once stopped to nibble. I guess by the time my feet were numb from the icy water, I grew tired of fishing. My solution was to scoop up as many minnows as possible into my pail and call it a day. </div>
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I would sit beside PaPaw, count my catch, and release the minnows back into the creek. Only then was it time to go home. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-36348064991490260252019-05-13T19:36:00.002-07:002019-05-13T19:44:52.044-07:00My logo...I LOVE it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LEDoHy3SXE4/XNooKi_LsQI/AAAAAAAAASM/uLX6aNUb5vsgF8EC_HHOCgLlBifY0F-twCLcBGAs/s1600/MaMaBerry_Final_color%255B1694%255D.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LEDoHy3SXE4/XNooKi_LsQI/AAAAAAAAASM/uLX6aNUb5vsgF8EC_HHOCgLlBifY0F-twCLcBGAs/s320/MaMaBerry_Final_color%255B1694%255D.tif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you like it?</div>
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I am thrilled with it! Mack Johnson with Johnson Creative in Norfolk is the creative genius behind this logo.</div>
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He also designed a simple black and white design I can carve in wood and use on t-shirts and other merchandise. I love it, too!</div>
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I was giddy the day the logos arrived in my inbox; I was dancing around and had tears in my eyes. I was so overwhelmed with Mack's creativity. I have wanted a logo for a long time. Thank you, Mack!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-74330200350282207382018-12-03T21:27:00.000-08:002019-05-13T19:47:12.681-07:00Santa Express<div>
I read an article today about the value of <a href="https://us.wakeupyourmind.net/life/why-parents-should-spend-less-money-on-toys-and-take-more-family-vacations/?fbclid=IwAR3AokzsSTc-QEDNyxQ3xD74zpvZ_qpSr4sJ_2PkduTCpWyGtkRDu7r3hn8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">family vacations</a>. The author quotes British psychologist Oliver James as saying, "... family holidays are valued by children, both in the moment and for long afterwards in their memory...." The author also quotes Dr. Margot Sunderland as saying family vacations "advance brain development in children and help them build concentration skills." James goes on to say when comparing the benefits of family trips to the expense and often short-lived pleasure most toys provide (think children who like to play with the boxes the toys come in), family vacations are a no-brainer. </div>
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I am a believer. </div>
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I took my children on mini vacations frequently. While James says fun family vacations are more valuable than educational vacations, I am a history buff. I wanted my children to experience first-hand the places they would study in history class. The trips made history come alive for them. My daughter enrolled in a Virginia history class when she attended Florida State University. Her professor encouraged her to share personal accounts of the places she had visited. My daughter felt good about helping her classmates learn Virginia history from a primary source as opposed from a textbook. Win-win!</div>
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Whether family vacations or everyday experiences, giving children the gift of your time is the common thread. With a few exceptions, I don't remember individual gifts I received from family members as a child. What I remember is how much I loved them and the memories we made together. </div>
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That's what I wanted for my children, and that's what I want for my grandchildren. </div>
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December 1, 2018, was a day for making memories; two of my grandchildren and I rode the Santa Express. We boarded at the Buckingham Branch Railroad in Dillwyn, VA, for a 45-minute excursion that included singing Christmas songs and an audience with Santa. Most importantly, we spent the afternoon with two of my cousins and their families. The day was magical!</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Many thanks to the </span><a href="http://www.odcnrhs.org/" rel="nofollow" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society</a><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">and its volunteers for helping to make our day so special.</span></div>
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Santa chats with two of my grandsons.</div>
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My cousin and my grandson share a special moment.</div>
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My cousin's daughter-in-law and four of my cousin's </div>
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five grandchildren are eager to meet Santa.</div>
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My cousin's fifth grandchild isn't too sure about meeting Santa!</div>
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Fifteen members of my family make memories on the Santa Express!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxXMlojP8-oZ5C3n7WtuaWFMfcSfZIzc3xIaWQzrhBQB_1NJH7r8dZDsShwuDjicqKr-7CMXzA9wAbpAM4nlA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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My cousin and I brought jingle bells -- </div>
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the perfect accompaniment when singing the song! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-52385814542963696832018-11-09T09:13:00.000-08:002019-05-24T22:23:19.140-07:00Welcome to Camp MaMa Berry!I discovered a new book, <i>With Love, Grandma XOXO, </i>and bought one for each set of grands.<br />
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The story features Grandma Hedgehog, who lives a distance from her little hedgehog. The distance doesn't prevent her from sharing her adventures with her grandson; she does it the old-fashioned way via letters. Each letter reminds him of how much she loves him and the fun they've shared when they have been together. Sometimes she includes little presents; one present is a package of wildflower seeds because she's writing the current letter from a field of wildflowers. The book concludes with the little hedgehog arriving at Camp Grandma.<br />
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The book resonates with me for several reasons:<br />
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1. I hosted my own Camp Grandma, actually, Camp MaMa Berry, for the boys a few months ago. I didn't invite the baby because I was a bit nervous about having all of them at one time and she was so young. She is almost two, so she is invited to experience the new adventures.<br />
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Oh, the adventures we enjoyed! We rode the Merry Point ferry, toured a fire station, fed chickens, and more. The boys had so much fun. I was exhausted at the end of the 5-day adventure, but I think I had more fun than the boys.<br />
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2. My children became so excited when they received mail as little ones. That memory has prompted me to start sending my little ones letters, beginning today. I cannot believe I haven't been doing this all along; and<br />
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3. I have been writing picture books for my grandchildren and giving the books to them for Christmas. The 2018 book is a compilation of more than 20 places I want us to visit within the next 10 years. I have visited some of the places, including the Enchanted Forest and the Hershey Chocolate Factor, and others I want to visit, including the Chincoteague Pony Swim and Diggerland USA.<br />
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The Christmas 2018 book, <i>Adventures with MaMa Berry</i>, is bigger than the others; I included extra pages for pictures and space for them to write their thoughts about each adventure. I tucked the 2017 book into special pillows I made for them. Each pillow had a pocket to hold the book. This year I will make a small trunk for each of them that will hold the book and the mementos they collect along the way. Time capsules of shared travel adventures! <span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I am a memory, I hope they will enjoy
reminiscing about our adventures as they rummage through those trunks. </span><br />
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I am excited about the upcoming adventures with the kiddos!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-21326961372342671012018-11-03T22:13:00.002-07:002019-05-24T22:26:48.887-07:00The Wonky Donkey<br />
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I always have been a voracious reader. I remember as a child my mother taking me to the library in Upper Marlboro, MD, several times a week. The library had
a strict, three-book checkout limit, and I would devour those three books within a
couple of days; off to the library we would go! I never remember my mother complaining
about having to drive me into town to exchange my treasures, but, eventually,
the librarian acquiesced. I remember the first time she told me I could check
out as many books as I wanted. I left the library that day with an ARMFUL of
books and a HUGE grin on my face. I am pretty sure my mother was as delighted
as I was. I wonder if my mother had a hand in that policy change, or if the
librarian took pity on my mother’s having to make so many trips.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of my fondest Christmas memories is receiving a fairly large, heavy box from my Aunt Betty. I probably was 7 or 8 years old. I offhandedly asked, “What’s in here…bricks?”
She chortled, “Yes.” Imagine my surprise when I opened the box to find three <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nancy Drew</i> mysteries and a set of bookends Aunt Betty had made from...BRICKS! She had covered them with fabric to look like little girls with long braids. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Best. Present. Ever!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Those events happened almost 60
years ago and I remember then vividly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nancy Drew mysteries were my favorite. I amassed quite the
collection. I also read the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hardy Boys</i>
and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bobbsey Twins</i>, but I WAS
Nancy Drew. After all, the author, Carolyne Keene, and I ALMOST shared a name. I
studied each clue as if my life depended upon solving the mystery, and I tried
my darndest to do so before Nancy did. Most often, I didn’t, but I did become
pretty savvy. To this day, mysteries, especially murder mysteries, remain my favorite genre. One day,
I plan to write one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I never am without a book. Long lines never bother me…I just
take out my book and read as I inch forward. Nowadays, I read digital books while waiting. Digital
books have their place (long lines), but nothing EVER will replace the pleasure
of holding a REAL book and playing with the pages as I read. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I passed along my love of reading to my three children. I read to them nightly and often during the day when they were little. Books
were (are) important in our house and were (are) stashed in every corner. I now am the proud grandmother of five precocious little ones, and I read to them as often as
I can. I buy books for them, and I write
books for them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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The most recent book I gave them is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wonky Donkey </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">by Craig Smith, a New Zealander</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It's </span>a cute little paperback
about a donkey who has unique characteristics and a few peculiarities. Smith’s
inspiration for the book was a song he had written in 2005 after hearing a joke
about a wonky donkey. The joke led to the song that led to the book a few years later. The song and the book were hits in Smith’s backyard, but they remained obscure elsewhere. That changed August 2018 when a Scottish Granny living in Australia became a hit
sensation.<br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
Fiona Clark happened upon a copy of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wonky Donkey</i> in a used book store and bought it for mere pennies. She then
caught on videotape her mother, Janice Clark, laughing uncontrollably as she
read the book to Fiona’s then 4-month-old son, Archer. The video went viral
and publishers on several continents went into high gear to meet the demand. I, along with 1 million others, bought the book. Actually, I bought four copies –
one copy for each of my children to read to my beloved grandchildren and one
copy for me to read to them at my house. Although none of us find the book as
hysterical as the Scottish Granny, we enjoy the rhymes and hearing the little
ones say, “Hee Haw!”</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have you read the <a href="https://bit.ly/2zoxP5D">story</a>?
Have you heard the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZkfnoPHLCY">song</a>?
Have you watched the <a href="https://bit.ly/2QgxrxR">Scottish Granny</a> read
to Archer? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Why not put a little hilarity under this year’s Christmas
tree? <o:p></o:p><br />
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I hope you and your little ones enjoy reading as much as we do!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280429750778983785.post-67905738705032746192018-11-01T10:14:00.000-07:002018-11-01T10:14:47.124-07:00I love adventuresI love being a mother. I love being a grandmother. I have three awesome adult children and five adorable grandchildren. I love to travel. I love adventures.<br />
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I have traveled with my family to the Bahamas, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, St. Thomas, and throughout the United States. We have visited the touristy sights and the neighborhood streets. We have tasted cuisines different from ours and observed cultures different from ours. We have learned people throughout the world often are different from us in how they talk, dress, worship, and live, but we also have learned most people are kind, hospitable, and are delightful to know. Our adventures are ongoing; we still have lots of learning and exploring to do!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0