Oops A Daisy

 Song - Slip Slidin’ Away by Paul Simon

Day 19 - May 18

In the morning we drove to the beautiful Glasgow Cathedral which we had visited in 2017. After numerous tries at a variety of parking lots in the area that would only accept many pounds of change for each hour (no credit cards) we decided to park in the nearby hospital parking garage which turned out to be free!  

While the cathedral is a bit of amazing architecture and beauty, we were really looking forward to visiting the lower church but it was closed.  Most churches are built upon another church or place of worship that had been destroyed for some reason but Glasgow Cathedral still has its lower church. The present day Cathedral was dedicated in 1197. 

1. Oops - Lower church sealed off

Papa chair, Mama chair, Brothers chair and baby’s chair

My Grandad John was born & lived just a few blocks from the Cathedral in a  Tenement building on Rotton Row which is now part of the Strathclyde University.

Rotten Row on the corner of Weaver Street in the 1950-60’s before they were torn down. My Grandad lived next to the pub. 

The same corner today

And while looking for a parking spot earlier we drove 2. Oops - by Henry Grieve’s, my 3rd great-grandfather’s address - 9 Shuttle Street.

We jumped onto a HoHo Bus (Hop on Hop off bus) that takes you around Glasgow for 90 minutes. 

3. Oops! Unfortunately the upper level was full and we had to sit downstairs and we forgot to pick up our headphones to listen to the city tour until 15 minutes into our drive.

I so wanted to see some of the famous Glasgow murals but 4. Oops! - the bus didn’t do a shout out to many of them and I was on the wrong side of the bus for any photos. 

After a warm 90 minute bus ride we got off back at the Cathedral and walked to the hospital to find our car. We then drove about 20 minutes north to Sighthill Cemetery where my 3rd Great-grandparents are buried. 

But as we drove higher and higher up to the top of the cemetery we realized that someone or something didn’t want us to explore any further.  (Cue creepy music here)

On several roads there were headstone pieces in the center of the road where even Mr. B couldn’t budge them and o. Others there were tree branches that we couldn’t drive over.  So someone or something didn’t want us to continue our journey. 

5. Oops! -we spent hours there and could not find the family head stone even though I had a photo of it! Mr. B was such a trooper driving up and down many rows looking with me. 

We returned to our hotel to have a cocktail out on the back patio in the sunshine and then we had a great dinner in the bar. 

After more than 3 weeks, I had a cheeseburger and it was delicious,

“Well Lassie that’s the First event of the Scottish Highland Games“ 

- Jim says to Jeanette after loading our heavy luggage into our car

Flowers For Mother’s Day

 SONG - Mother & Child Reunion by Paul Simon

We are traveling through the Midland’s today on our way from the Cotswolds to Over Peover (between Liverpool and Manchester). Just so you can get an idea of where the “Midlands” are located - it’s kind of in the middle of England and above is our driving map for the day. Our first stop was David Austin’s Roses in Albrighton.

We were about 2 weeks too early to catch the first and biggest flush of roses blooming but I was so happy to be here with enough roses blooming to make my heart content.

Everyone was having fun on Mother’s Day!

This beautiful boy called out to us just as we were leaving the garden and I had to go back to take a few photos!

As I wasn’t able to be with my children or grandsons today, it gave me great pleasure to enjoy this beautiful flower garden.  I have been a fan of David Austin roses for over 20 years and have a sizable number of them growing in my garden at home! We had a quick nibble of cake & scones in their tea room and then we were off to our second stop - The Iron Bridge. 

And that’s me on the bridge just right of center

The Iron Bridge is the world’s first iron bridge which was completed in 1779 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.  You can read more about it here….

THE IRON BRIDGE

Now on to our abode for the evening - The Dog in Over Peover (yes that is the towns name and it is pronounced “Peever”) which I found online after trying to break up our long drive from the Cotswolds to the Lake District.  It was only a few miles off of the M6 which was whisking us North.  We pulled into their parking lot and noticed lots of people dining & drinking outside wearing shorts & sundresses. We got out of our car and Mr. B said he felt a drop of rain.  Within 2 seconds there was a downpour with everyone running giggling & screaming, running for cover.  Mr. B grabbed an umbrella and I jumped back into the car!

Rivers began flowing across the parking lot and I’m in flip flops.  As soon as it slowed down, we decided to make a run for it.  It’s times like this that I wish I had packed lighter, much lighter - well this and stairs!

We had a cozy room upstairs with a lovely meadow view and a proper Sunday roast for dinner.  We were happy campers.

Wait until you see where we head tomorrow!

“The stinking hedgerows are blooming dear” 

- Jeanette to Jim who detests driving in hedgerows 

Happy Mother's Day!

Song - Mother and Child Reunion by Paul Simon

Above is a photo of my mother Betty Jane Malacarne at about 4 years of age.  

And she is still going strong at 91 !

I love you mom....thank you for setting such a loving

example of how a life is to be lived.

To all of you mother's, grandmother's & great-grandmother's out there

Wishing you a relaxing day to celebrate you!

I hope you can spend time with your family whether it's in person, via phone call 

or FaceTime or just going through some family photos.

You are indeed a blessing!

"God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers"
 - Jewish proverb

Dazzling Tahoe Nights

Song - Graceland & You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon

Mr. B and I returned from Britain 10 days ago to California and a major heatwave!  It has been in the 90's & 100's since we have been home.  This is normal weather for late summer but not in June!

On Saturday we headed up to Lake Tahoe....

Sunset on Saturday night was amazing.  That's Mt. Tallac in the background with the cross of snow.

 We had dinner across the street from this beach on the lake at 8:45pm so we got to enjoy a yummy Mediterranean meal and watch a glorious sunset from Jimmy's patio. 

 There was live music nearby at Basecamp

But the true reason we were in Tahoe was that three of my cousins 

had invited us to a concert on Sunday night.

It was a perfect evening and we could walk there from our hotel.

Yes....it was the legendary Paul Simon and once again that man can sing & play.  

And he has an amazing back up band.

And as I was cheering him on, he looked me straight in the eyes because
I think he remembered our magical night together.  (Click HERE for details!)

Two and a half hours of music under the stars - singing, dancing & whistling!

Monday we spent the day relaxing on Baldwin Beach at the base of Mt. Tallac

 enjoying how much water is in the lake this year!!!  

There is so much water still coming off of the snow pack that there will not be much beach in the next few months.  Even the swamp near the beach was full and I haven't seen that since my boys were young and would catch frogs and snakes there.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying the mountain air and crisp water!

"Still crazy after all these years." - Paul Simon

Queen of Hearts

Song - Mother and Child Reunion by Paul Simon

Mother's Day
 

 

Some photo's of mom's and their daughters.....from our family.

Mamma Mia.....
it's both a love story and a struggle for independence kinda relationship.

Above is a photo of my grandmother and my mom on her wedding day.

(I need to say that Grandma never dressed like this....she was always in an apron & cooking!)

I often wonder if there were ever  struggles in their relationship?

Grandma Sophie had four beautiful daughters.
And all the sisters were great friends.

My mom's mom - Grandma Sophie and her mom - Grandma Mary.

I was very fortunate to be able to spend time with both my Grandmother 

and Great Grandmother on my mom's side of the family.

Grandma Mary and my mom in Los Angeles c1980

Grandma Mary lived until she was 98 years old!

Need I say.....she was a pistol!

 My mom and her mother-in-law.....Grandma Violet.

(That's Duchess in between them at the beach in Santa Cruz)

 My daughter-in-law, Ashley and myself last year at her wedding shower.

Mom and myself at my wedding to Mr. B.

 Grandma Mary and me in Los Angeles.  She called me "Jeanettie"

Mom and I at the Giant's World Series game in 2010.

Very special time.

Love you mom and all the love your bring to our family!


 "God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers"
 - Jewish proverb