Hello August
Well, here we are—August already! How did that happen? Summer seems to have hit the fast-forward button, and somehow we packed a whole lot into just one week. Yes indeed! Sweet Man and I were busy, adventurous people.
Lakeshore Railway Museum
When out for a drive one day, we came upon a hidden spot in Northeast, Pennsylvania—the Lakeshore Railway Museum. Neither of us had been there before, because we didn’t know it existed. It was a fun surprise. If you enjoy trains or a little slice of history, it’s worth a stop. There were lots of old, well-traveled trains parked for good. Some were in fair shape, and others not so much. But lots of history packed into this little area.
Road Trip to the Flight 93 Memorial
A few days later, we took a road trip to the 9/11 Flight 93 National Memorial, near Shanksville, Pa. We had never been there, and I’m so glad we went. It was emotional, moving, and beautifully done. Standing there, it’s impossible not to reflect on the incredible courage of those passengers and what they dealt with on that sunny September day. If you remember, this was the fourth plane hijacked and was on its way to Washington, D.C. The passengers overtook the hijackers and knew they were going to crash it before it went to Washington, D.C.
“A Common Field One Day. A Field of Honor Forever.”
The museum and memorial are beautifully done and deeply moving. We left with an appreciation for the passengers who found extraordinary courage on that September morning. There were three recordings of phone calls, all from women passengers who called their families. They knew something was terribly wrong. They knew most likely they would never make it home. Yet in those final moments, they spoke with such courage and calm. Some places simply stay with you long after you leave. This place has for us.
Bedford, Pennsylvania
We also made our way to Bedford to meet one of sweet man’s former work colleagues and his wife for lunch. We had a lovely lunch at Jeane Bonnet Tavern. If you are in the area we highly recommend this place for dining. The food was excellent.
Bedford is one of those cute towns filled with history from the late 1700’s. There were Historical Markers around every corner.
It reminded me of New England. We wandered through adorable boutiques and antique shops, and of course, we found a few treasures that simply had to come home with us. We also stepped into a building that houses The Peppercorn Market. It’s the oldest building in Bedford County. It was once used as an Armory in the French and Indian War. There is a space that you can see down into the basement area which was once a tunnel that went to Fort Bedford in 1778.
“We do not take a trip; a trip takes us.” — John Steinbeck
Spearmint
Back at the lake, reality called…and it sounded a lot like spearmint.
Whoever told me mint likes to spread wasn’t kidding. It had completely taken over one of our shade gardens, and after what felt like a wrestling match or tug of war, I hauled out several giant garbage bags full of it. The shade garden looks much happier now, although I suspect the mint is already plotting its comeback. I will stay on top of it next spring! I also need to get a handle on the green and white Snow on the Mountain or Bishop’s Weed in this shade garden.
Roasted Beets
Sweet Man came home with fresh picked Beets from the local Farm Stand. For the first time, I roasted the fresh beets. Where have these been all my life? They were absolutely delicious, and I’m already looking forward to making them again. I usually cook them on the stove, but roasting them, I thought, enhanced their flavor and their pack filled nutrients stayed inside the beets.
Another Rainbow This Week
One evening while making dinner, I happened to glance out the kitchen window just in time to catch a beautiful rainbow stretching across the sky. It was one of those little moments!
Salad Plate Hibiscus
Speaking of colorful things, our Salad Plate hibiscus has started blooming, and it is putting on quite the show. Every blossom is the size of a salad plate.
The Boyz!
And to top it all off, I got to let a friend’s dogs out one afternoon. If you’re wondering whether there are adorable dog pictures coming…well…you know me better than that.
Reflections
So yes…I’d say August is off to a pretty great start. A little history, a little gardening, good food, treasured friends, beautiful surprises, and a few wagging tails thrown in for good measure.
This week as I head into next week I find myself thinking about how precious an ordinary day really is. We make plans, run errands, work in our gardens, meet friends for lunch, and assume tomorrow will arrive just like today. Those brave passengers remind us not to take any of it for granted.
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to visit us today. We appreciate you and wish you a wonderful week ahead.
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I enjoyed following along your PA adventures. The RR museum sounds neat. Ok, I didn’t realize there was a memorial for the plane that crashed in PA in 2011. But I’m glad there is a memorial. The passengers were heroic and accepted their fate with incredible courage. I’ll bet it was a moving, memorable experience to witness the artifacts and symbols to mark that day. The town you visited is darling! Love the history of it and its beauty. Mint in the garden sounds like something else!! You kinda have to admire a plant that won’t leave well enough alone and wants to keep spreading… and then you have to pull some of the plants up so they don’t take over :). Enjoyed all your pictures and commentary as usual :).
Hello Maria. I was just over at your blog and caught up with you which is always so fun.
I left the Memorial with a few tears. It was very well done.
Thank you always for stopping over. I sure do appreciate you. Happy Tuesday!
The 9/11 monument and center is truly special, and thank you sincerely for sharing the visit. Somber, yes, but let us never forget.
I did have to smile at the spearmint and Bishop’s Weed. A friend gave me the Bishop’s Weed and warned me, but who knew how it could move around. Although I really do like it and think of her when I see it, I do pull some out each year so it doesn’t overtake everything.
Hope August continues to be a good one for you at the lake.
Thank you Judy. Yes, We Will Never Forget.
And thank you also for feeling my distress over my overtaking foliage! Gardening has definitely become my workout! Who needs a gym? Lol!
Happy August!
You’ve had some fantastic road trips. I’ve never seen photos of the 93 memorial, so thanks for showing those. It looks profoundly moving. I’d love the rail museum and Bedford looks so charming, I’m not sure I would want to leave! I have a mint plant that’s going in a dedicated space where if it spreads, no harm, no foul. Have to get that planted! At home I put it in a big pot and hopefully it keeps itself in there! Happy week!
I was told to keep the spearmint in a container. But did I listen?? No.
Thanks for all the love! Happy August dear friend!
Thank you Nancy…a very moving post…will never forget…
Enjoyed your happy colorful photos too. Those beets look delicious! I would like to eat more beets, how did you prepare them? Yours look especially yummy.
Hi Sue. I drizzled the quartered fresh beets in olive oil and seasoned with salt. I placed them on a sheet pan. The oven was at 400° and I had them roast for 30 minutes. Then after 30 minutes I covered the beets with aluminum foil and turned the oven down to 350° for another 30 minutes.
Then I took them out to cool a bit. Soooo good!!
Good Luck!
Oh Nancy…thank you for sharing the 9-11 Memorial, though I am typing this with tears flowing down my face…as it brought back the memories of that fateful day and what Flight 93 did for our country. I worked for Boeing at that time and remember the day so well as I was ‘supporting’ American Airlines and as you know there were two AA (Flight 11 and Flight 77) and two United (Flight 93 and Flight 175) and all were Boeing airplanes (Two 767’s and Two 757’s). All passengers on all the planes were so brave but the courage of those on Flight 93 will never be forgotten. What a beautiful Memorial in “A Common Field One Day. A Field of Honor Forever.” The statement of a beautiful normal day with a blue sky was exactly what we were saying in the beginning as our office tried to find some explanation on what was happening with the AA airplanes. Thank you again for your special photos.
And I love the animals and yes I saw the sunlight heart almost instantly. Adorable! The trains were memorable as the historic George Washington ‘hang out’ while at Espy House. The Captain and I are currently watching a series on our first President.
Oh, yes the mint….been there done that too. Why do we think we can contain it when we first plant it? LOL. I do grow it…but in a contained herb garden box.
Blessings my friend. 🥰
I thought for sure I could contain that Spearmint!!
It literally grew overnight!!
And. The Memorial was so emotional. And how hard it was for you to be working for the company of the hijacked planes. A day we will never forget.
Sending hugs to you.
What a fun post! As I was reading your photo of the historical marker, I chuckled to myself because I’ve had the reference to the Whiskey Rebellion come up at least three times in the last couple of weeks (via a book, a video and now your post). Isn’t it funny how random things pop up in chunks like that?
That’s too funny!! Hope it’s all in good jest.
Happy August!
You give me new ideas for a road trip!
Yay!!
What a wonderful time spent viewing the memorial and towns along the way, Nancy! Love all the florals on the streets and wow, that is a lot of spearmint! Our August started with wildfires and it is depressing and life changing for so many folks we know. Enjoy your time with friends and family, my friend!
Praying for you and your neighbors that you all are not part of those fires!!
🙏🙏🙏🙏
We are close but all good for now, Nancy. More winds expected this weekend. We’re actually getting some things ready to go just in case.
I am praying for you!!🙏
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for sharing. My friend Jenny visited the 9/11 site last year. I was moved by her post and again by yours. You shared more photos than she did. Thank you for sharing… may we never forget.
Snow on the Mountain … I have it too. Oh goodness me, who talked me into that plant.
Ha Ha!
Happy August!!
Oh Carla, it is so good to hear from you. The Flight 93 Memorial was well done and so moving.
Snow on the Mountain is so pretty but I have some work to do with it. Hope you don’t have that much to deal with.
Happy August!
Thank you for taking me along on your wonderful adventures. The town of Bedford looked so charming, and the 9/11 memorial must’ve been so heart moving to say the least. I’ve heard about how spearmint can overtake a garden bed! I forgot to mention that we both enjoyed some history of trains. Enjoy your week with your sweet man !
P. S. Those beets look fabulous. I’ve never roasted them, but I’d like to now. xo
Thank you Kitty for your sweet comments.
Try roasting beets… they are so good!
Happy August!
Testing…
Hi,
Bishop’s weed (not to be confused with Queen Anne’s lace) is VERY hard to get rid of, it spreads by rhizomes, and can only be fully eradicated by Roundup poison killer. Ask me how I know! By the way I am also in Pennsylvania.
Yikes!
I like some of it in the garden. So I pull it out often and leave some. It is an ever-ending battle. Thank you for your wonderful gardening advice my new Pennsylvania friend.
Happy Gardening and Happy August.
Nancy, I am sorry I am late. Our internet was off about the time I was going to read your post. It came back on, but then I had a friend come by for a visit. So I am finally back today.
You packed a lot into a week. The train museum looks like a fun place to visit. What started out I am sure as an ordinary day for the passengers on Flight 93 ended in courage and heroism. I will never forget that day and as Alan Jackson so beautifully wrote “when the world stopped turning!”
I found out the hard way, never put any mint in the ground. Ours stays in pots. I also many years ago discovered that Bishop’s Weed will take over. Some lessons are learned the hard way in our gardens, and I am still learning.
Thanks for your wonderful images and thoughtful commentary, my friend!
A wise woman by the name of Pam once said to me… “Nancy we have lives outside of Blogging.” 😘😊
Thank you for stopping by today and remembering that frightful day and the Heros in September of 2001. Alan Jackson said it very well.
As for the mint… it’s gone for now. And Bishop’s weed is getting taken care of today.
Oh the fun of gardening!
Happy August to you dear one!🤗
I did say that 🤣 🥰
✨🤗🥰😘✨
Nancy, your recent trips are the kinds we love! The Flight 93 Memorial, I can only imagine. I know that plane circled around WV before its ultimate crash. I was in a meeting at that hour, and remember watching the computer while trying to stay focused. I also want to comment on the Bedford PA Washington headquarters. We have been watching biographies on Netflix this summer, and just finished the Washington 3 part series. They have that headquarters highlighted in one of the episodes! These documentaries originally aired on the HIstory channel, and they’re very well done. We’ve watched 4 different presidents so far.
That spearmint sounds like you’ll be pulling it for at least a couple more years. Catmint was like that when we moved into this property. I love the salad plate hibiscus! They make such a commanding statement of “hey, look at me!” I have one also
Thanks for taking us along for the rides of your day trips!
We were so glad you came along with us. Great roadtrip!
Thank you for telling me about the President series on Netflix. That is something we will enjoy.
I have had you tucked into my prayers at night. Hope you are feeling better.
Happy August dear friend!
Isn’t it fun to step back in time and discover vintage tracks, and historic small towns? Thank for taking me to the Flight 93 Memorial – peace and memory in the green fields.
Thank you Mary.
Happy August!