Going to the Cecil County Fair

I've been easily distracted of late with life, but fun is a-coming.  It's the last weekend for the fair.  All of it sounds like fun- hog racing contest, frisbee chasing dogs, music, rodeo contests, etc.  Can't wait! 

Crabcakes Rule!

I've had crab so many ways here in Maryland that I can't believe no one has yet come up with a dessert featuring it as an ingredient.

So I bought some local backfin crabmeat yesterday at the local Mars market.  Then I purchased an Old Bay seasoning packet for crabcakes.  The recipe was pretty darn simple- 1 lb. crab (yes, I examined it for cartilage first), 1/2 cu. mayo, and that was it.  I divded it into 6 patties and broiled 5 min. on each side.  Delish!  They did fall apart, but I'm told that is a good thing.

Maybe next time I'll try another recipe.  Any suggestions?

Helton vs. Washington Redoux?

Word I am hearing is that their likely will be an appeal and/or other residency complaints filed against former St. Sen. Art Helton (see previous postings) by candidate Rovall Washington (et al?).  These candidates have more charges & counter charges against each other than there are crabs in the Chesapeake.

Does character matter?  Yeah, I think that it does although defining it is much like definiting pornography- "I know it when I see it."

Health concerns and questions should be asked of the former Senator.  In Dec. he pulled out of this race for health concerns and in his recent court appearance was in a wheelchair, supposedly suffering from an infection.

On another note (or maybe the same?), someone who testified against Helton suffered recent, expensive, malicious property damage.  Coincidence?  Hey, u tell me.

Here is the Aegis' take on the hearing.  It seems that "intention" rules here in Harford County.  And then there is always the interesting chatter on http://www.daggerpress.org/

What does all this translate to?  Money rules (Helton can afford a lawyer & Washington can't), while the Republican Party is cheering in the background.  You play political hardball here in Maryland.

Candidate Helton Lives in Joppatowne!

Rovall Washington lost his challenge to Helton’s residency. Washington believes that was because neighbors who could testify from their personal observations that Helton does not live in the Ravenswood court house declined to come to court. There was some testimony regarding his past problems with his actual residency in Aberdeen with the Board of Elections threw out a few years ago.  Washington was not represented by an attorney while Helton (former State Senator) was.  Republicans were all over the courtroom audience. Candidate Helton was there sitting in a wheelchair.

Remember, these two are battling it out in a Democratic Primary for State Senate, a position Nancy Jacobs (R) now holds and would like to continue holding.

Washington's levelling of charges & not having a highly skilled lawyer handling this challenge was a real mistake.  If you can't get people up there to testify (and they couldn't), you ain't got jake, Jack.  Sorry, it makes both sides look rather foolish.  On the Helton's side it raises suspicions on where he really does live (or is it just an election residency & playing the system).  This was only Act I in what promises to be a very interesting and bloody Primary battle.

And then there's the actual election against a very tough 3x winner.  This was a sad day for Republicans & a heckuva lotta fun for Republicans who now can sit out the Primary season and just watch the bloodletting.  When the actual election rolls around, much of the hard work will have already been done- by their opponents against themselves!  Don't that beat all.  That's politics.

More on the interesting race and others later.  Here's the Sun's version.

Former St. Sen. Helton in Court today

Fromer St. Sen. Art Helton will be in Harford County Courthouse today in a criminal hearing regarding his residency in this district as candidate for the State Senate.  Testimony is on the agenda.  I will have more later as it develops.  See previous posting regarding this problem.
Ah, I did say that this candidate and his contender for the Democratic Primary here in Sept. both looked VERY interesting, didn't I?  Let the bloodletting begin!

Gone Sailing!

*UDATE*  Thanks for all the comments in various places.  The intensive instructions was gueling & the written test daunting, but I survived and had fun!
Physical therapy for the pain in the neck, finally.  But completing the steps to it with extensive testing was difficult.  Oh, well.  Visiting relatives for a few days.
Enjoy your weekends!  Comments are always welcome & encouraged!

Gone sailing for a few days and doing physical therapy on my aching neck.

Thanks for all the birthday greetings!

Happy Birthday

to me!

Still here!  Older, wiser, and not as good-looking!  What can I say- I've LIVED! 

I have a recipe for you bakers & doughnut-lovers.  No, it's not a doughnut but a muffin.  Not fried.  Yum!  Easy to make.  My friend says it's the nutmeg that does the trick.  Every New Englander LOVES doughnuts. Heck, there's a D.D. on every corner.  Why?  Beats me.  It's been like this since I was a kid.  When they finally opened a doughnut store near us in Balto. Co. (name?) many years ago, we were frequent visitors.  Heavenly and with a zillion choices.  No need to wait for the Cape & summer vacation.  No, this recipe is not the Dunkin Donuts' dunker, but damn close! 

Coffee??? Like, what's the point without a doughnut.  Plain works for me.  But my secret choice (rarely made) is jelly.  Once, when my family was away, I had a contest with myself.  Bought a dozen and was able to consume---8.  Doubt if I could still do the same- LOL!  Ahh, calories then were meaningless.  Now--- why go to all the trouble of eating that jelly doughnut?  I may as well just slap that sucker on my hips!

My favorite doughnut memory is buying them still warm from the Sandwich, Mass. (Cape Cod) bakery.  Happy times many years ago with many family and friends around.

So enjoy and feel free to share any birthday/doughnut stories!

State Senate- District 34- Who lives Where?

**UPDATED**

Ah, politics.  Interesting, lively- love, romance, mystery- all the things needed for a damn good story.  And in this election year, the Democrats are already shaping up for a rather lively primary against the popular 3x elected Senator- Republican Nancy Jacobs.

Remember, I'm still "lost" here- newly arrived from R.I. after being "lost" there for quite awhile.  But I do know something about politics- witness 3 tries myself- two for state senate.

Primaries are usually not considered to be good things.  One would assume after a primary that the party would then unite behind the winner and all bad feeling would be gone with the wine.  Yeah, right.  And you believe in  the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny, right?

What it does usually is produce bad blood all around (esp. with those of us who have to listen/read this stuff).  A political group split by dissension usually does not happily reunite and stride on to victory.  What often emerges is a party in shreds, lots of bad feeling, with no ability to reunite in defeating the common foe.  In fact, an obsteperous primary, and this one already has all the markings of one, while quite entertaining to watch, is not something that any candidate should look forward to (despite the rhetoric).  Ahhh, but the Republican opponent must be licking her chops, just waiting for the bloodletting (one the Democratic side) to begin.  And it has.

Democratic candidate Rovall Washington accuses the other candidate, Art Helton, of voter fraud- namely not actually residing in is district.  Pretty serious charges, right?  Especially since election rules here require you to reside in your district for 6 mos. before an election (and there will be a Sept. Primary).  This district covers souther Harford County (not Belair) and western Cecil Co. (where I reside in lovely Perryville).  The major towns are: Joppa, Edgewood, Aberdeen, Riverside, Havre De Grace, Pt Deposit, Perryville & Abingdon.

ABC News runs the bones of the story (along with some misspellings); although if you don't mind reading another somewhat slanted Democratic view, the http://www.daggerpress.com/2010/06/08/as-primary-nears-state-senate-candidate-washington-challenges-heltons-joppa-residency/  offers a more lively version (and lots of comments- check them out but always be skeptical of unsigned comments without documentation).

Candidate Helton evidently has switched residences many times depending on which election district candidacy appeals to him.  Nice to have $, isn't it?  Elections are not run cheaply (and I oughtta know).  Mr. Helton was in the Havre de Grace Fourth of July parade.  Oddly enough, he chose not to be in the candidate section which perhaps explains why there was not one clearly visible election sign on his float (I spotted a hidden one).  He instead seemed to be in the "regular" section of the parade as a businessman, although the whole float and purpose and sponsor seemed somewhat nebulous.  His name was definitely present on the float, though.

Former Aberdeen delegate and Democratic Central Committee member (and fellow Washington college graduate), Barbara Osborn Kreamer, filed a complaint with the Board of Elections regarding his actual in 2007.  Aberdeen native Kreamer realized that his "home address" was actually a business location.  The Harford Board of Elections then forced him to change his residence to his actual home in Darlington.  His wife, Ann, who has been a candidate (Harford Co. Exec.), has done the same.  Kreamer then was punished by the Central Committee and kicked out of office (oh, u bad girl, Barbara).

Oddly enough, Helton who was "in" the race earlier, dropped out in Sept. 09 for health reasons.  Guess he's feeling better.  Helton heled get Aberdeen Mayor Mike Bennett elected in 08 and was in charge of his "transition" team, as was wife Ann.

As part of their decision, the Board stated that Helton would not be allowed to change his residency again without overwhelming proof of such.  "Since 2002, the board found, Helton had changed his registration five times among four addresses in Aberdeen, Havre de Grace and Darlington." (source)  But since Helton owns a number of properties, this evidently hasn't held him back one iota.  At least yet.  We'll see what happens.  Does Helton actually live in Joppa?  Edgwood, Darlington, Aberdeen,  Harvre de Grace?  Heck, and I think that I'm "lost."  Not to mention confused.  There's more but I weary for now.

But let's not stop with Art Helton.  What about Rovell Washington?  Helton says that he owns no home in the district (who cares) but recently lost a home that was foreclosed on elsewhere (not a good thing).  Then there are personal allegations against both candidates.

All of which make current Sen. Nancy Jacobs look damn good.  I'm exhausted just writing about the two current Dem. candidates and their lively backgrounds.  Whew!  Stay tuned for more- mystery, romance, sex, lies, more yak, yak, yak.  Policies will just get buried in our "gotta know" times.  Does all this stuff matter?  Yeah, it does.  It speaks to character.

"Heat Wave"

108 degrees is what my thermometer said.  And no real break in site.  High humidity, lousy air quality and, too damn hot!

The dog days of summer have cedrtainly brought forth this heat wave.  Thunderstorms are coming this weekend, but expect little in the way of heat release until Sunday when lower temps & humidity are predicted.

Hopefully, the power grid will hold.  Keep that a.c. going, but try and cut-down on other uses till after dark: run those dishwashers, driers, and clothes' washers after dark.

I slather myself with sun screen, try and stay inside, and wear a big straw hat when I reluctantly go out.  Even my cat eschews the outside deck until later in the day.

And drink.  Fluids, that is.  Lots of ice and water or juice.  What do you do to stay cool?

Memories of the Fourth

The Harve de Grace carnival was much larger than I was expecting (sorry, Newport, R.I.).  It was huge with a large and well-behaved crowd. No, I passed on the rides (neck woes), but had a funnel cake and purchased a bubble gun (see pic). Yeah, yeah, yeah,  I said that I was going to give it later in the month to my grand-neice (and I may), but this thing is so darn much fun!!!  It lights up, buzzes, and blows tons of bubbles.  What's not to like?  Sure, it was $8, but worth every penny.  Today I need more batteries & bubble stuff.  C'mon, life it short- have fun!

It was long, fun, and warm in Havre de Grace for the parade. Definitely the "in" place to be. I was impressed that not only were many of the current office-holders were in it (now all running), but candidates also. Heck, in Middletown where I lived (next to Newport; part of Newport Co., but most things there are town-centered, not county), I couldn't get into public places like the library, senior center, etc., as a candidate. No, the deck was definitely not stacked against political challenegers. Public discourse and candidate participation is just plain healthy and ultimately good for all of "we, the people." Unless, of course, as a friend says, you end up voting the wrong way! LOL!!!

It's shaping up to be a very interesting political season everywhere this Nov. I'm a political junkie, so more on Md. politics later. I'm still working out the lay of the land, not to mention where the heck I am.

BTW, where were all the bathrooms for the parade and "we, the people"?  Sure couldn't go into the local hospital to use theirs.  Thanks so much.  Too few and far between!!!!  With all the seniors (a-hem) and children present, they were MUCH-NEEDED!  Keeping yourself well-hydrated means- well, bathrooms needed!  HELLO, out there, party organizers.

There was no problem parking (small vehicle) and plenty of room for everyone.  The shady side with all the trees was much-appreciated.  Yup, I made a parade donation and was happy to be able to do so.

Loved the fireworks!!  From my high deck on the Susquehanna, I saw at least 8 displays.  Don't know who they all were (Cark Ripken Stadium?,  local Veterans?), but THANKS!  (BTW, Go, Ironbirds!  Go Newport Gulls!  Go Boston Red Sox!)

Fourth of July- Sacred?

My former homestate of R.I. hosts the oldest (1785) Fourth of July parade in the U.S. in Bristol.  Ah, pretty, picturesque, old-time New Englandy Bristol.  Tiny little waterfront city with basically one narrow main street full of small local shops, old captains' homes/estates, and gingerbready houses.  Pretty as all get-out.  Alas, Bristol lost its importance centuries ago.  Much of the Rhode Island seatrade involved slaves, sugar, rum.  You know, the old "triangular trade" route.

I attended once after first relocating there years ago.  It was easy getting there, not so easy leaving.  L-O-N-G.  The night before they do a fund-raising concert with their big-name groups.  There are fireworks and a hose contest with all the fire departments in the area participating.  It's world class, so check it out!  If you actually miss it, it's on their statewide cable and "live" that day on the local t.v. stations- I kid you not!  Hey, like I keep telling people, it's a small state.

Then there is the very popular,albeit strange, celebration held every Fourth in the tiny town of Chepatchet- the "Ancients and Horribles" parade.  Ah, oh you crazy "swamp Yankees."

• The Ancient and Horribles Parade was founded in 1927 and named as a parody of the more somber Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, the oldest military organization in the United States. Calvin Coolidge, U.S. President when the parade was founded in 1927, was a member of the original Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. According to the 2008 chair of the parade, Connie Leathers, "...Rhode Islanders being Rhode Islanders made fun of them."The Parade features both traditional Fourth of July floats and marchers, such as veterans and fire trucks, as well as often irreverent, satirical displays commenting on political and cultural issues. (see previous citation)

Thanks to the Projo for the photo and even more info if you are so inclined.

Stiff-Necked on the Eastern Shore, but Well-Fed

Today I had two medical tests done: nerve conductivity & an electromyogram.  What fun.  One test involved sending mild electric charges all over both arms and the other involved sticking a small needle into my arm (electric) and having me- clench my fist, push, pull, etc.

Why, one may ask, am I having such inane tests done akin to being in the Tower during the reign of Henry VIII? Ahhh, good question.  This test was brought about by my having an MRI on my back/neck.  And this came about after complaining to my nurse-practitioner (love 'em) about pain which has not gone away since the beginning of March when I, uh, hmm, oh, walked into a glass door with my head slightly inclined while I was multi-tasking at high speed.  Big mistake.

After going to my chiropractor for awhile, I finally gave up and decided that I needed drugs, tests, and another apporach.  So testing, testing, testing.  In between I do a series of back/neck/shoulder exercises which always help for the day, but, darn! the pain always returns by the a.m.  I'm hoping that some physical therapy will be called for and do the trick, but ...  So go ahead and call me "stiff-necked."  It's true.  Sigh.

The good news is that I have health care.  The bad news is that it costs me big $ and that I'm still--- STIFF and sore.  But... I do have--- DRUGS!  Otherwise referred to as muscle relaxers.  My nurse-practitioner is in lovely Havre De Grace and the OPEN MRI is in nearby Principio Furnace. "Open"- that's the only way to go (and with a "happy pill") when you are claustrophobic.  No more panic attacks for me!

I have not yet had to use "Patient First" in nearby Aberdeen for 24 hr., 7 day/wk care, but a friend has & I do recommend it. I do NOT recommend the local hospital on a Fri. or Sat. night.  I went on a weekday morning & no problem, although I had trouble understanding the Dr.  Weekend evenings are full of police, drunks, car accidents, etc., and the regular group of ill people.  W---A---I---T. 

While in Aberdeen I went to the "Olive Tree" restaurant.  Good food, decent prices, fast service.  My expert friend on crab cakes assures me that theirs are quite good (needs more "Old Bay").  My pasta carbonarra (cheese sauce, bacon, & mushrooms) was yummy and enough for two.  A big salad bowl and plenty of soft breaksticks which also made their way home.  Excellent margueritas, too.

July Fourth in Havre de Grace

The city of Havre de Grace, MD hosts a parade, carnival, & fireworks every year.  I hear that it's quite a treat, but no first-hand experience.
Havre de Grace- interesting place.  Very pretty, on the water, a beautiful promenade, good restaurants; interesting, but small, shopping, and various activities.
It seems to be a joke among local residents in trying to get u to say the name of the city and then having a good laugh on you when they share the "correct" pronuncation of it; I learned how many years ago from a fellow student & now menswear designer, Daniel "Donald" Dolce, at Washinton College; a resident who was mildly unhappy with his hometown (to put it mildly).  Rhyme it with "have a disgrace" and you've got it right.
The truth is, those not from the city, but nearby, have many "correct" pronuncations for it.  So- have fun with it!!!  It drives the natives (and wannabes) cra-a-a-zy!  Proper names have no utilmately "correct" pronunciation, doncha know.
I'll be at all the above but likely will watch the fireworks quite comfortably (here's hoping) at Perry Point- just a hop, skip, and a jump from where I reside.  Just me, hundreds of others (likely), the geese (along with their poops), the deer, the vultures, the muskrats, the dropped-offed cats (thank you so much), etc., notwithstanding. 
You find your own good spot.  So what are you doing on the Fourth?  Please share!