2014 Ride for the Feast

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Ride For The Feast is an annual 2 Day, 140 mile bicycle ride from Ocean City to Baltimore, Maryland. "The purpose of the Ride is to raise money for Moveable Feast, a longstanding Baltimore nonprofit organization that provides lifesaving, nutritious foods for low-income Marylanders living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening conditions at no cost."

If you are interested in purchasing any of the images, proceeds will be donated to Moveable Feast. You can purchase the images through my Smugmug account: http://lidaverner.smugmug.com/Events/2014-Ride-for-the-Feast/

26th Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup

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Today was the 26th Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup. I have participated for a number of years but this time both of my nephews joined me. We are trying to instill not only the drive and importance of volunteering in the boys, but also a love for the environment.

We decided to concentrate on the wooded park in front of my house. The boys did great and a lot of trash was picked up. Adam even found a booster seat after moving VERY LARGE fallen tree limb in order to get it.

Welcome to the Rainbow Bridge - Sept 11

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WELCOME AT RAINBOW BRIDGE 

by Alexander Theodore, Bouvier, Fourth Year Resident

 

On the morning of September 11, 2001, there was an unprecedented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly. And, they were.

An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really have no loved one for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. No one on earth loved or protected them. What about the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones who were abused. Who are they to wait for?

We don't talk about that much up here. We share our loved ones as they arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you are the most special pup in the Heavens.

Last Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment.. An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment would be.

They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, over 4,000 loving people had left Earth long before they were ready. All the pups, as all pups do, felt the humans' pain deep in their own hearts. 

Without hearing more, there was a clamoring among them - "May I have one to comfort?" "I'll take two, I have a big heart." "I have been saving kisses forever."

One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, "Are there any children coming? I would be very comforting for a child 'cause I'm soft and squishy and I always wanted to be hugged." A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to meet the Firemen and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home. Little dogs volunteered to do what they do best, cuddle and kiss.

Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped forward and said, "I will love any human who needs love."

Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share - each tail wagging an American Flag.

MAWMR - Mid-Atlantic Women's Motorcycle Rally

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For the female bikers out there who have nothing to do next weekend ... <G> .... come join the fun at MAWMR — the Mid-Atlantic Women's Motorcycle Rally in Gettysburg. Last year we raised $24,000 for breast cancer .... http://www.mawmr.org/

This is a (long) slideshow of some of the shenanigans that went on last year ...

2012 MAWMR - 20th Anniversary from Lida Verner on Vimeo.

The Mid-Atlantic Women's Motorcycle Rally is the premiere women’s motorcycling event in the Mid-Atlantic. Held every June, it brings together women motorcyclists and enthusiasts for a three day rally full of friendship, games, educational seminars, rides, contests, and fundraising to support women with the challenges of cancer. The weekend culminates in the Parade of Chrome through the streets of Gettysburg and a banquet to honor women and pledge our fundraising support to those that have been touched by cancer.

Forward On Climate Change

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I took Káva down to the Forward On Climate Change rally. Why they couldn't have scheduled it for say March or April is beyond me. DC is beautiful in the spring and would just serve to remind everyone what a precious resource we are destroying.

In any case, we drove down to the Washington Monument and found a wonderful handicap parking space right next to it. The rally was taking place on the other side of the monument so the placement was perfect. When we arrived, people of all sorts were beginning to stream in all bundled up and carrying signs There were young, old, kids, teenagers, dogs, and about every race you could imagine.

Unfortunately, I was distracted by a sign as I was parking my Prius and hit a curb (did I mention I had brand new tires?) and popped the right front tire. Great. I left Káva in the car, moved all the .... stuff from the back of my car, and pulled out the donut and jack. I then spent the next 10 minutes trying to get my fingers to work properly because it was so cold outside that they went on strike. A couple of very nice young men and girls stopped by and asked if they could help me. I gratefully accepted their help as I wasn't getting anywhere fast. I especially appreciated it when the young woman with them started jumping up and down on the crowbar trying to loosen the lug nuts. There was no way that I was going to attempt that particular maneuver. They changed the tire and proceeded on to the rally. I secretly very happy that I was driving a Prius rather than an SUV especially down to that particular rally.

I released Káva from the confines of the car (where she had been going nuts as she wanted to help) and we walked over to the rally which was rapidly filling up with people. Káva thought that this was heaven itself. So many people to lick and greet and so many dogs to play with!!! Apparently between 40,000 - 50,000 people showed up. There was just about every political belief there as well .... from Anarchists, to Socialists, to Republicans, to Democrats, to Green Partiers. Speeches and music were plentiful.