Mother's Day Weekend

Day 134 - 78° - Sunny, Hot - Spring Meadows Park - Mother’s Day

Day 133 - 75° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

Day 132 - 68° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

A few days ago I wrote about laughter and how good it is for the body, mind and spirit. 

This weekend, our guests at the Red Cardinal B&B were from Virginia.  Angela and Gerry were in town to visit family.  Angela had one of those contagious laughs that permeated everywhere.  She got up in the morning, coffee in hand, and while walking out to see the chickens, I could hear her talking with Billy and laughing.  While I was preparing breakfast, she was engaged in conversation in the dining room, and something would make her laugh. It wasn’t a silly laugh, but that heartfelt laugh that I love to hear.  

Her whole countenance radiated joy because of her smile and her laughter.  She set the tone for the rest of the day. 

It was a joy-filled Mother’s Day.  My mom was here, and per her request, we had a cookout with Jimmy Buffet playing in the background.  Our friends, Keith, Lisa and Patrick were able to join us for the afternoon.  The conversation was lively, the home cooked food was excellent, the sun was shining, and the temperature was near 80°.   And I got my jogging in as well!

It was a perfect weekend at the Red Cardinal B&B.  We enjoy having guests and sharing our home with family and friends.

So if you are in Carlisle for a visit or an event, make plans to stay at the Red Cardinal B&B.  We can help start you off in a good mood.

Mother's Day Preview

Day 131 - 58° - Partly Cloudy, WINDY - Spring Meadows Park

Day 130 - 68° - Cloudy, Rain - Spring Meadows Park

Day 129 - 66° - Cloudy - Spring Meadows Park

Day 128 - 56° - Cloudy - Spring Meadows Park

My Mother is here for Mother’s Day and we have already begun the trip around Carlisle to celebrate.  We started out in downtown Carlisle.  We stopped at the Bosler Library to get the latest books on tape.  Afterwards, we drove over to the new bakery that opened on Hanover Street. 

The Carlisle Bakery is located on Hanover Street near the intersection of Pomfret Street.  We selected a few tasty looking cinnamon buns and cherry/cheese bow ties.

We wanted to stop at the Farmer’s Market on the Square, which just opened for the season, but we were too early.  The hours were from 3-7 pm.   The Market will be open every Wednesday through December 19th, so we will visit the market at another time.

Instead, we stopped  at the newly opened Spring Garden Greenhouse for some annuals before heading home.

Today we made a trip to Aschcombe’s for the tomato, eggplant and pepper plants.  In this area of the country, this is the time to begin planting assuming the last frost has occurred  Tomorrow we will be heading over to the Garden Gate Farm Stand.  This is the newly opened stand on Trindle Road that is operated by our neighbors. 

There are so many wonderful nurseries and garden centers in the area, so if you are visiting your Mother, you will have not trouble finding a beautiful hanging basket.

My mother likes to be on the go, so I am sure we will shop at Kohl’s (after all we have a 30% coupon) or the Village Artisans Gallery for a Mother’s Day gift.  If the weather is sunny, we might ride out to Meadowbrooke Gourds or the new winery in Duncannon.

There are a lot of events happening around the Valley this weekend, so we are looking forward to getting out and about.

We will be having guests for the weekend at the Red Cardinal B&B, so we decided to eat out on Friday night at Fiddler’s at Mayapple.   

Many of the local restaurants are offering Mother's Day specials, but we have decided to have a cookout and enjoy the warm weather that is being forecasted.

If you are in the area for Mother’s Day and need a place to stay while visiting, give us a call at the Red Cardinal B&B - 717-245-0823.  We will be happy to accommodate you. 

We can help plan a day out with your mom.  Happy Mother's Day.

LAUGHTER

Day 127 - 58° - Cloudy, Cool - Rehoboth, DE

Day 126 - 58° - Cloudy, Cold - Rehoboth, DE

Day 125 -  72° - Sunny - Spring Meadow Park

When is the last time you had a good laugh?  I mean the kind of laugh that you are bent over, tears are running down your face and you are out of breath?  You are laughing so hard and then laugh harder when you realize that what is making you laugh is ridiculous.   

It is wonderful when we can enjoy this kind of laughter with friends.  It makes everyone feel part of something special.  It is great, because even after the funny moment passes, a smile emerges when the incident is recalled.  

Laughter is a gift.  It is something intangible that lifts our spirits, makes us feel good, takes our mind off of pressing issues, and relieves stress. 

Some of the people whom I think have the gift to make people laugh, (including me) are Ellen Degeneres, Joyce Meyers, my pastor, Alan Robinson and my husband, Billy.  

Billy has a vivid imagination and can conjure up some very funny situations.  He has perfect timing when it comes to making a funny remark in a group situation. A comment from him immediately takes people off guard, encourages a spontaneous response, and in turn makes it easier for people to relax, open up and connect with one another.

Billy keeps the mood upbeat for our guests at the Red Cardinal B&B.  Once, when a guest asked him what were the “rules of the house”,  Billy replied, “There is only one rule while you are at the Red Cardinal B&B and that is RELAX!”.

While I cook and Billy serves bneakfast, he keeps the guests engaged, or should I say entertained. So much so, that by the time our guests leave, they feel as if they are departing as friends.

I believe in laughter.  I am delighted when are guests are having a good time.  So when you need a break from your day to day routine, and your spirits need to be lifted, why not start by making a reservation at the Red Cardinal B&B.  I am sure we can get you laughing!

A Different Walk

Day 124 - 76° - Sunny - Lerew Road

Day 123 - 58° - Cloudy - Spring Meadows Park

Today I spent time with a friend of mine who was recovering from foot surgery.  She has been in a cast for several weeks and has been getting around with a walker and a wheelchair.  Minka is a very busy and independent individual, but during this time she had to depend on people and limit many activities. It hasn't been easy, but she has a great support system with her family and friends.

I picked up Minka (wheelchair, walker and all ) for lunch and to see the progress on our kitchen.  Minka was the one who had recommended our contractor, so I wanted her to see the transformation.  She was delighted.  We ate in the sunny eating area, while looking out over the fields through the spacious bay window.

Afterwards, I took her in the wheelchair for a walk along Lerew Road.  It was a lovely walk and I found out that the road is flat, so it was an easy walk as well.

Coincidentally, my niece who has a master’s in Occupational Therapy posted an article on Facebook about “Wheelchair for a Day” campaign running throughout the month of May.  It challenges healthy individuals to spend a day in a wheelchair and learn to appreciate the day to day difficulties it presents.

When I spent the time with Minka, it gave me time to observe the challenges of a person in a wheelchair as well as the people who are the caretakers.  It changes the daily operations for everyone involved.  It takes patience because it takes extra time to do everything.  

Fortunately, Minka will be up and about in a few more weeks, but there are many individuals who will not.  Our friends, Lance and Doris, who I talk of often, have a son in a wheelchair. These individuals and families need our support and encouragement.  

Along the same lines, on May 10th  the “Warrior Ride” comes to Carlisle.  This program uses adaptive hand cycles, trikes, and bicycles to accommodate returning soldiers with various injuries and disabilities.  The public is invited to come out and show support for our military heroes who have made this sacrifice for us.  For more information check out: http://www.lovecarlisle.com/

As Minka pointed out, it is difficult for the person in the wheelchair to ask for help because he/she wants to feel independent and not be a burden.  So if they don’t ask, it doesn’t mean that they can't use some help.  It takes some time on our part to be observant and reach out without being asked.

I must say, there is always something that goes on at the Red Cardinal B&B to get me thinking. 

We have a lovely room on the first floor for guests who have difficulty with stairs. So if you are in the area, we would love to have you as our guests.

Jogging

Day 122 - Sunny - May 1^st - Spring Meadow park

Day 121 - 58° - Sunny - Last Day of April - Spring Meadow Park

Day 120 - 63° - Sunny - Spring Meadow Park

Day 119 - 57° - Cloudy - South Middleton Park

Yesterday I completed 4 months of walking.  Now as I begin my next 4 months, I am going to do some jogging, which is not my favorite exercise.  I could walk for hours, but add jogging and it seems to take the zip out the experience.  However, as I walk with Molly around the park, there are some very fit men and women who pass by with an easy gait.  So here it goes!!

The Red Cardinal B&B is in a perfect location for guests who like to run before breakfast. Lerew Road is a quiet back road with little traffic.  It is a scenic road and our guests enjoy the run.  If the guests run up the road and back, it is about 2 miles.  If the guests want to extend the run to another 4 or 5 miles, they can connect to the park loop at the end of Lerew.

I usually walk (now jog!) at the park because of Molly, my border collie and companion.  I can’t walk Molly along the road as she loves to herd things - cars, chickens, or people.  Whenever a car passes by, the first thing Molly does is assume the crouch position.  She does this with every car. 

Now when I take her to the park, she only does this when she spots another dog.  When she takes her crouch position, she is immovable.  It is a site to behold and very humorous.  However, it does interrupt my pace.  But since I am moving at a leisurely pace, I don’t mind.

Molly is a favorite at the park.  She is also a favorite with the guests at the Red Cardinal B&B.  We have had guests who mentioned that they specifically booked a room with us because of Molly.

So if you like to jog in the morning and you like dogs, then the Red Cardinal B&B would be a great place to stay while you are in the area.