79 degrees at 7AM when I left my home in Carroll County this morning. It's been hot for the better part of two weeks here, even more so than usual. At least we are not alone, most of the US is suffering under this horrific weather. It's times like this that I realize I never could live anywhere but here--I can't imagine the idea of going through this without access to a body of water.
I realized I had not taken the time to properly introduce myself. My name is Rachel, and I am a life-long Maryland resident. I was raised in Montgomery County, in a very small town, then, after college in Kentucky (my other home), I moved to Southern Montgomery County, quite different from the country I grew up in. I moved to Carroll County in 2008 to live with my then-boyfriend, now-husband, who I refer to in the blogosphere as Left-brain, because he is very practical and thoughtful, and I'm an artsy, messy, free spirit of a girl. We don't always see eye to eye, but, as I explained to our pre-marital counselor, he's my lobster. We live with my step-dog, a pit bull named CaesarBeazer. I have two other dogs and three cats from my single girl days, but my little guy, Robbie, does not like male dogs, and, since his mouth writes checks his body can't cash, they live with my parents. It's not ideal, but it was a choice I made so that we wouldn't have any problems with two bickering male dogs. Left-brain is allergic to the cats, but at one point, we'd discussed having one of them. But they're so bonded together that, at 12 years old, it's too late to split them up, so they stay with my parents as well.
I love Maryland. I love being from here. I want to fully embrace my home state and learn more about her. I also want to share what it's like living in the shadow of the nation's capital, but trying to maintain an unhomogenized life. I'm always willing to take suggestions of places I should see, things I should do, food I should try, festivals I can not miss. So, if you have an idea, let me know!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Keeping the wild ponies . . . wild
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/at-assateague-struggles-to-keep-the-horses-wild/2011/07/07/gIQAuwgM4H_story.html
My second post and already controversy. Left-brain, my wonderful husband of 9 months, pointed this article out to me from the Washington Post.
Assateague Island is one of my favorite places on the planet. I loved it from a child, reading the Misty books, by Marguerite Henry. It's the place I think I truly fell in love with Left-brain and it is where we got engaged on the beach there in September 2009. We camp there at least once a year. It's a pleasant base camp from which to enjoy Ocean City; we get all the fun of the boardwalk and the Fisher's popcorn (and Salty Yarns, I love Salty Yarns), but there is something about Assateague that is dreamlike. We enjoy it; when I leave, I always thank the island for sharing its beauty with us, and I always cry, just a little.
There is a huge problem with people treating our wildlife (I say "our" for all the taxpayers of the state of Maryland) like housepets. For some stupid reason, we seem to have issues with feeding the ponies crap, then wonder why they tear up our campsites. We put our children on their backs to take a picture, never acknowledging these are WILD ANIMALS--I wouldn't ride a tame stallion without having some sort of device to control him, let alone a wild stallion. And we treat the area like a right, not the privilege it is; we speed through the campgrounds, endangering ponies and other wildlife. To tell you how quick an accident can happen, when we went in May, I saw the sign that said "Slow down," looked down to check the gauge, looked up and there was a band of ponies. Thank GOD I looked up, not to the right. It was dark, there aren't lights on the bridge, and I still get sick at the idea I could have hurt one of these creatures. I wouldn't have forgiven myself.
But that was an accident, I don't willfully speed or try to take away their essential wildness. We don't leave coolers out anymore--I saw a mare get our soda cooler open a few years ago while we were sitting there, enjoying their visit. We don't leave food out; food costs too much, and I've seen them trample a campsite to get to food. They're not afraid of us; how many other animals do you know that won't shy away from a fire?
So, as one who, like so many others, loves this island, loves what it engenders, I am asking everyone to take a bit of responsibility for stopping the problems. I'm not advocating to not visit the island. We're lucky to have this beautiful place to go. What I'm asking is to be mindful of our actions and how they resonate. Our approach is to treat them like we would treat a bear. They're beautiful, but would you pet a bear? Would you feed it out of your hand? Would you put your kid on a bear's back for a photo-op? Heck, would you even be in charging distance of a bear? Me, not so much, so why would I do it to a wild animal who is just as capable of ruining my vacation? Something to think about.
I promise to not be too preachy in my blog, but I can't keep quiet about this.
My second post and already controversy. Left-brain, my wonderful husband of 9 months, pointed this article out to me from the Washington Post.
Assateague Island is one of my favorite places on the planet. I loved it from a child, reading the Misty books, by Marguerite Henry. It's the place I think I truly fell in love with Left-brain and it is where we got engaged on the beach there in September 2009. We camp there at least once a year. It's a pleasant base camp from which to enjoy Ocean City; we get all the fun of the boardwalk and the Fisher's popcorn (and Salty Yarns, I love Salty Yarns), but there is something about Assateague that is dreamlike. We enjoy it; when I leave, I always thank the island for sharing its beauty with us, and I always cry, just a little.
There is a huge problem with people treating our wildlife (I say "our" for all the taxpayers of the state of Maryland) like housepets. For some stupid reason, we seem to have issues with feeding the ponies crap, then wonder why they tear up our campsites. We put our children on their backs to take a picture, never acknowledging these are WILD ANIMALS--I wouldn't ride a tame stallion without having some sort of device to control him, let alone a wild stallion. And we treat the area like a right, not the privilege it is; we speed through the campgrounds, endangering ponies and other wildlife. To tell you how quick an accident can happen, when we went in May, I saw the sign that said "Slow down," looked down to check the gauge, looked up and there was a band of ponies. Thank GOD I looked up, not to the right. It was dark, there aren't lights on the bridge, and I still get sick at the idea I could have hurt one of these creatures. I wouldn't have forgiven myself.
But that was an accident, I don't willfully speed or try to take away their essential wildness. We don't leave coolers out anymore--I saw a mare get our soda cooler open a few years ago while we were sitting there, enjoying their visit. We don't leave food out; food costs too much, and I've seen them trample a campsite to get to food. They're not afraid of us; how many other animals do you know that won't shy away from a fire?
So, as one who, like so many others, loves this island, loves what it engenders, I am asking everyone to take a bit of responsibility for stopping the problems. I'm not advocating to not visit the island. We're lucky to have this beautiful place to go. What I'm asking is to be mindful of our actions and how they resonate. Our approach is to treat them like we would treat a bear. They're beautiful, but would you pet a bear? Would you feed it out of your hand? Would you put your kid on a bear's back for a photo-op? Heck, would you even be in charging distance of a bear? Me, not so much, so why would I do it to a wild animal who is just as capable of ruining my vacation? Something to think about.
I promise to not be too preachy in my blog, but I can't keep quiet about this.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Welcome to the New blog
For a while I've been kicking around the idea of starting a blog to showcase my adventures in the great state of Maryland. I've lived here all my life, except for my college years, and over the years, have developed a great appreciation for all this state has to offer. It's the perfect state to be young, broke, and striving. I have yet to find a blog that really embraces our lifestyle.
I can't promise a post every day. I can promise that I'll try to keep the posts interesting, with a fair amount of reviews of things I think are worth sharing. Little gems that make those hours sitting in traffic on 270 worth it, because you can't find them anywhere else.
I hope you come along for the ride.
I can't promise a post every day. I can promise that I'll try to keep the posts interesting, with a fair amount of reviews of things I think are worth sharing. Little gems that make those hours sitting in traffic on 270 worth it, because you can't find them anywhere else.
I hope you come along for the ride.
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