Flowers in Maryland

Dogwood tree in Greg and Debbi's yard

Lilacs in Aunt Glady's backyard

Admiral Selfridge Farmhouse

On October 1, 1920 in Wheaton, Maryland my dad was born in a farmhouse on the Admiral Selfridge Farm. Here is what the farmhouse looks like today.

November No More

After tonight, November 2008 will be no more. The days do seem to whiz by. The past 5 days have been filled with family business and pleasure, and although I'm enjoying my visit to Maryland, I'll be happy to get back to writing full time on the Vineyard. I return on Wednesday.

The pain in my left heel continues to be bad. I don't know if it's a bone spur or something muscular. I went to an acupuncturist yesterday and they recommended a reflexology foot massage before I try any acupuncture. This is the first reflexology procedure I've ever had. It starts off wonderfully with an herbal foot bath in warm water. Unfortunately, the pleasure part ends there. The reflexologist seemed to really know what she was doing, but she dug so hard into all parts of my foot and toes that it was hard to keep from just taking my foot away from her altogether. She looked so peaceful, though, as she ground a smooth piece of wood into my arches and other podiatral areas that I hated to disappoint her. She went easy on my left heel, but once or twice she hit a bad spot and I practically came out of the chair. Tomorrow, I go to the podiatrist for an x-ray to see if they can give me a diagnosis.

Getting Ready for the Move

I'm leaving my apartment on the Upper West Side of NYC in 4 days. Happily, this is temporary and by choice. My first stop on this year's journey will be my family in Rockville, MD, where I'll spend 2 weeks with the my newly discovered family. I didn't know my father's family until he moved in with his sister, my Aunt Gladys, almost 2 years ago. He passed away in her home last September 24th, a house that he and his brother built for their sister in the 1950's, and steps away from their childhood home. I can't wait to record the re-telling of some of our family's favorite stories about Dad and the other Hogan family members.

But, I'm getting ahead of myself. For now, this is the tornado of what was my apartment as I prepare to head off to Maryland for 2 weeks, then to Martha's Vineyard for 8 months:

http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/vacation-rentals/Vineyard-Haven-Massachusetts-vacation-rental-cottage-proID-1990.html

and finally to Colchester, VT for 2 months:

http://www.vermontproperty.com/detail/Vermont/lake-champlain-rentals/630/