March 2021

As the weather warmed up at the end of March we took a mini field trip to the canal walk in Downtown Frederick.

It was very beautiful.

There were flowers on most of the trees and we didn't have to wear coats.

Even the plants around the parking lots at work were blooming.

I found a pumptrack. A pumptrack is a bike or skateboard track that is designed so that you  can do the whole loop with out kicking or peddling. Its something I've seen online or in skateboarding magazines back in the day. It is a part of skateboard that reminds me the most of surfing. It is very smooth and graceful and I would love to learn how to do it. To that end I put scooters and boards in the back of my car.

I took the kids over and watched a bunch of people use it. Kiernan gave it a go. I decided to come back when there are many many fewer people. I want to learn and everyone has to start somewhere but I hate looking stupid in front of a crowd so once its lighter in the morning and warmer I am all set to go learn.

I got my first Covid vaccine (Pfizer) at NIH. I didn't have any side effects but my anxiety was kicking me all over the place.

Between going down to NIH for the first time in about 10 years and knowing that the security procedures had changed and my badge might not work and not knowing if I would have a reaction I was quite wound up. Then when I  got there I found a bunch of construction and detours.

It all worked out.

Mom found for us a great new flavor of chip.

I love these things!

The front garden started growing again.

The hosta started peaking up.

The daffodils starting blooming en mass.

I monitored the praying mantis case up front.

We had  delicious breakfast tacos.

I finished a cool book on fossils. If you get a chance you should read/listen to The Fossil Hunter  . It is very well written and easy to read.

Kiernan is getting tall and got his first post quarantine haircut.

Megan is even more lovely than before. She loves Roblox games and fashion and BlackPink and puppies. She would very much like us to buy her a black lab puppy.

I made a fantastic slow cooker Pho

I'm working on my splits. It needs a great deal more work.

We are getting things back into warm weather shape. Biking the C&O is on its way.

We have started running again.

I went on a Haven guided trip to a fossil beach.

Above might be vertebra and below is definitely a worm fossil.

I also got some cool looking shells and rocks.

The most impressive looking to my eyes are the impressions though.

Check these out.

 I want to take the kids here but it was very cold! So I am glad that I went on my own this time.

I had layers and hot tea and waterproof shoes and was still shivering after a few hours.

It was so beautiful though.

It had rained and it was early so many many shells and fossils were just sticking out of the sides of the cliffs.

It was nearly empty and the people who were there were nicely spread out.

Despite the cold it looked like spring and the beach and I loved it.

Here is a picture of one of David's guitars and my green ukulele. In-between them is my new and SCA inspired 8 string tenor Uku. I learned from an SCA class I took in Feb. about the Rajao (a small Portuguese guitar) that is the direct ancestor of the Hawaiian Ukulele. It turns out that the tenor uke is a nearly perfect match for it and a renaissances Spanish guitar in size and tuning and sometimes in string number.

Instead of buying an expensive historical recreation therefore I got an 8 string tenor. It sounds very full and is much less intimidating than a guitar.

The beets sprang to life before anyone else in the seed races.

On Saint Patrick's Day we had green bagels and wham.

We started our seeds. 

We are also going to do more container growing this year to take advantage of all the light we get on the deck. The yard is pretty shady but the deck is nearly full day sun.

So far we have peppers (hot) and beets and turnips, eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, skirrit, garlic, onions and tons of herbs.

I made a waffle eclair pie for pi day.

I'm working hard on my new BD-1 robot build. This one is going to take ages.

Its quite large and there are many parts.

All the parts move and must support weight and once i have the body together I want to try some wiring to make it light up and make noises. Cross your fingers!

I started the 2nd shoulder/chest panel for my cheap/fancy cloak.

I finished BD-1 feet.

Snow drops appeared.

Hip joints are now glued for BD-1.

We got staffs to learn new and impressive Kung Fu forms.

I finished the shoulder/chest panel.

Happy March