I have been looking forward to this October for a long time — over a year — in anticipation of our trip to Egypt.  It will be the farthest and most exotic place Charlie and I will ever have visited.

Here’s what I’m going to try to accomplish this month.

1.  Travel to Egypt.
   

   Our first stop will be the Giza plain to see the pyramids.

2. Watch a movie.
3. Read a book:  The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters
   

   Historic mystery set in Egypt.

4. List items for sale on FB Marketplace.
5.  Concert — Celebrations with the Columbia Orchestra.
   

   Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov will be one of the selections. (Painting by Sophie Anderson)

   Their maestro of many years has retired so we’ll be auditioning different conductors throughout the season.

6. Clean out and clear off my dressing table.
   

   Surely this could be neater and more efficient.

7. Repack my fish collection. 
8. Work on the frame collection.
   

   I have a couple of framing projects I hope I can accomplish without purchasing any supplies.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: EXECUTE .
10.  Write a goal list for November, 2023.

September was always is a busy month.  I worked on travel details of imminent trips and those farther out both in distance and time.

The sad news of the month is that my espresso machine has stopped working.

I pushed the power button one morning at about 5 a.m. before work and it didn’t make the happy noise of the pump turning on.  I had just purchased 2 pounds of my favorite coffee.  I know, first world problem.

In the interim until I decide exactly what to do I’m making Turkish coffee.

In addition to the numbered list below I:

• met up with my alumni club to watch some football games.  We are Penn State. 
• purchased annual travel insurance which covers all the trips we have planned.
• took a class about Identifying Wild Edibles.  I’m already eating most of the topics covered.
• was part of a worship service organized by my Disciple 3 class.
  

  My turn at the lectern.

• arranged our return flight from Nashville for next spring.
• had dinner with a group of friends at a local restaurant.
• attended a concert by the US Army Brass Quintet.  In my experience all members of US service bands are highly talented performers.
  

  US Army Brass Quintet — B5

• visited the dermatologist.  Another necessary chore checked off the list.
• received the newest COVID vaccine in advance of our trip to Egypt.

Here’s the numbered list and how I fared (or failed).

1.  Celebrate our ivory wedding anniversary.  We spent the day together along with our dog Dash exploring Monocacy National Battlefield near Frederick, Maryland. Charlie made crab cakes for our picnic lunch.  My favorite.
   

   Apple will mark an AirTag with up to a 4 figure monogram.

   I gave Charlie an AirTag to keep track of his checked suitcase when we travel.  I got myself one, too.  (It’s ivory colored.)

2.  See a movie. I watched 5000 Blankets at home and was really touched by the true and uplifting story.  Another film from the local library was The Five People You Meet in Heaven starring Jon Voigt.  I really liked it; gave me something to think about here on earth.  Then at the theatre I saw My Big Fat Greek Wedding which took place in Greece where we’ll be traveling in 2024 and A Haunting in Venice where we went in 2019.
   

   Love Venice.

   I didn’t see the first 2 “Greek Wedding” movies but this one seemed to have a lot of potential that never panned out. The Agatha Christie was just so-so but the shots of vintage Venice enchanting.

3.  Read a book.  In preparation for our upcoming trip I read another Elizabeth Peters mystery, Night Train to Memphis, that takes place in Egypt.
   

   We have reservations on M/S Le Fayan which have been confirmed.

   Vicky Bliss, the main character, spends an exciting few days on a Nile cruise which we also have planned.  Hoping our excursion is not quite as harrowing as hers.

4. Clear up the upstairs hall.
   

   Before

   I don’t exactly know how this hallway continues to be the dumping place for all sorts of boxes and clutter but I, once again, have cleared it out.

   

   After

   I moved things out little by little and even that technique was exhausting.

5.  Confirm Egypt travel details.  I sent a lot of emails confirming each and every preplanned excursion, accommodation, flight, and event.
   

   Hoping to take a sail on the Nile in a felucca sometime while we’re in Egypt.

   Trusting everything will just fall into place with a few unknowns for added adventure.

6.  Paint — finish details in Treetops Room.  Of all the items I am most happy to check this endless project off the list.  It took months and months.
   

   The Treetops room is ready for guests.

   Only by listing it among my big 10 in a month could I force myself to focus and finish.

7.  Take a day trip.  On our anniversary we drove to Monocacy National Battlefield about 40 minutes from the house.
   

   Dashie and I at Best Farm, Monocacy National Battlefield.

   This time we took Dashie along with us.  He’s been working toward going on a road trip all summer with his “come command” training, weekly socializing at Starbucks, and generally being our favorite pooch.

   

   Dash earned a Bark Ranker Badge.

   After touring the battlefield Dash was rewarded by being accepted as a “Bark Ranger,” badge and all.

8.  Host a morning coffee party.  We ate cheese blintzes and cawfee tawked.
   

   Cheese blintzes and berries.

   So fun to have a few friends over with no agenda.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word:  FAITHFULNESS.
10.  Write a goal list for October, 2023.

Jo

After removing all clutter from the room, including anything hanging on the wall, we started to refresh the Treetops bedroom.

The whole room is lighter and fresher with the new wall color Spinach White. You’ll notice when scrolling through the photos that the color tone changes depending on time of day and weather.

With the entire room painted (except for the trim) I moved the Zoom chair from my bedroom to the vacant corner in this room for a little reading/computer nook.

Charlie secured the landline phone wire by tucking it between the baseboard and the shoe molding.

One piece goes through the wall to the master bedroom and and another goes through a different wall to the Diva Room (which is both office and guest room).

I gave myself a week’s month’s rest before painting the baseboard with Clark and Kensington’s White Mosaic in semi-gloss finish. (It’s the trim color used in the entire house.)

I painted the closet door semi-gloss Mosaic White and the entrance door gray (as it was to begin with).  I painted the trim on both doors at the same time.

The next job was painting the window trim and shutters.  This is my most hated job. There are 3 windows in this room each overlooking a different aspect which is why I call this the “Treetops” room.  However, it is the one paint project that makes everything pop because the dingy muttons and mullions are difficult to keep clean with just wiping clean.  Now they are newly painted.

We washed the windows — Charlie outside and me inside.

And the furniture is back in place.

Every project takes longer than expected.

• Assessing the Treetops Room
• Progress on the Treetops Room

Jo

Although the title is  “Blintzes and Berries” this is not a recipe post.  Instead it’s just another thinly veiled reason to get together with friends.

I have loved cheese blintzes for a long time.  I always order them at the Parkway Deli in Silver Spring, Maryland.  I used to get them at Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown but alas they’re no longer on the menu.

I have found a pretty good version of cheese blintzes in the frozen food department of Trader Joe’s.  While not pre-cooked they are fast and delicious. I eat  them almost weekly.

Since I have not had a morning get-together for a couple of months I decided to gather some friends for cheese blintzes served with berries, applesauce, apricot jam, skyr (Icelandic yogurt in lieu of sour cream), and honey.  Toasted apple cake and figs rounded

In terms of party fare, blintzes are great because they don’t need to be piping hot to be enjoyed.   Naturally coffee and tea will be provided.

The color scheme and décor for this event is governed by some pillow covers I made last year: blue, pink and white.

I’m planning to use my favorite “good” dishes and silverware and some new additions I just purchased on Facebook Marketplace.

I emailed a short invitation to a dozen friends hoping some would be game:

Won’t we have fun!

Jo

The upstairs hall is once again filled with boxes and sundries.

I’m not exactly sure how it happens — over and over and over again.

One of my tasks in September is to empty the hallway.

I went through every item in every box.

I repacked and labeled the valuable items and sent them to the attic.

Everything else, albeit not that much, is gone — given or trashed.

Woo hoo!!!

Jo

Less than 2 months from now Charlie and I will be heading to Egypt.  I made reservations so long ago that I thought I should confirm our flights, hotels, cruise, tours, etc.

To that end I have been working hard making a schedule, arranging travel, securing accommodations, and scheduling guides and drivers.  I looked at my plans day by day and contacted each entity — whether a company or individual person — in the order of the plan.

Day 1 

We will fly from Baltimore to London on British Air where we will arrive early the next morning. — I have confirmed the details of our booking and will need to “check-in” 24 hours before departure.  We each have a one free bag which we can check through to Cairo (I hope).

Day 2:  

   We have a 9 hour layover at Heathrow Airport.

I have decided to hang around the airport area (instead of making an excursion to London) which means we’ll head over to Tea 5 Café in the Sofitel Hotel attached to Terminal 5 of the airport for a meal at sometime during our tenure. (We do NOT need a visa.)

If everything goes as planned we arrive in Cairo just after midnight which actually puts us into Day 3.  We have a laundry list to complete when we get there: fill out a travel card, get a visa on arrival, get an Egyptian sim card, go through immigration, go through customs.  I have arranged with our hotel to send a car to pick us up in the wee hours of the morning which I have confirmed.

Day 3:   (Day 1 in Cairo)

Our accommodations for our first stop in Cairo are near the Giza Plateau.  We are staying at the Guardian Guest House  which I arranged through booking.com but confirmed directly with the host by email.

The hotel booking comes with breakfast served from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. after which we will be picked up by our tour guide and driver for a day of sightseeing in Cairo — Egyptian Museum, Coptic Cairo, and the Citadel.

I have asked to see the Narmer Palette which is vitally important to our understanding of ancient cultures and therefore truly unique and utterly irreplaceable. This will be a 6-7 hour tour — Charlie and I will surely be exhausted by the end of Day 3 — with a tour guide and driver. I have confirmed that payment to guide and driver will be made in US dollars;  entries to sites and food by credit card; tips and purchases in Egyptian pounds.

We’ll have a bite to eat then go up to the roof terrace to watch the sunset over the pyramids.  Sira or Nino Sandwich shop seem like reasonable options for food.

Day 4:  (Day 2 Cairo)

 After breakfast our guide (and driver) is picking us up for the half-day tour of the Giza pyramids, the Sphynx, and a camel ride.

We have a lunch reservation at Khufu’s on the Giza plateau which I have confirmed by email. Charlie and I plan to lunch alone then walk (about a mile) downhill to the hotel.

Day 5:  (Day 3 Cairo) (Day 1 Aswan)

We’ll be checking out of the Guest House very early in the morning (3:30 a.m.) to catch a plane at Cairo airport to Aswan.  I will arrange for a driver to the airport after we get to Egypt:  we’ll use either the service from our lodgings, our tour driver, or an Uber (if I’m feeling really adventurous). We’re supposed to arrive at Aswan by 7:40 where we will meet a driver to take us on the 3-4 hour ride to Abu Simbel. After touring the temples we will be driven back to Aswan. I have confirmed that the trip will be paid for in US dollars.  We need to confirm again 48 hours before arrival.

I’m hoping to squeeze in High Tea on the Terrace of the Old Cataract in the late afternoon.

We have reservations at the Philae Hotel on the corniche where we’ll spend one night which I have confirmed by email.   

Day 6 (Day 1 Nile Cruise)

Breakfast is included in our rate so we’ll have breakfast then head to our Nile cruise.

I have confirmed with our cruise contact that we will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to Le Fayan , a Nile cruise boat, where we’ll spend the next 4 days.  I’ve also been told that our tours would be in English with a guide and one other couple.

 Day 7 (Day 2 Nile Cruise)

We’ll still be on our 3-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor.

The evening’s theme will be an “Egyptian Night” costume party for which I have 2 caftans from my own wardrobe selected. Don’t know what we’ll cook up for Charlie.

Day 8 (Day 3 Nile Cruise)

 Continue on the cruise to Luxor.

Day 9 (Day 4 Nile Cruise) (Day 1 Luxor)

After breakfast we’ll disembark in Luxor but still be touring with the guide from the boat.

We’ll be transferred directly to our Nile view room at the Sonesta St. George Hotel  on the corniche where we will spend the night. Reservations have been confirmed by email.  We might have breakfast next door at the Steinberger if it’s not included in our room rate.

Day 10  (Day 2 Luxor)  (Fly back to Cairo)

We will have time to tour around Luxor on our own before we check out of the hotel and catch a ride to Luxor airport to fly back to Cairo on our 7:40 p.m. flight. I should be fairly knowledgeable about finding a ride by this time in the trip.  I know the hotel can always accommodate that request if necessary.

We will check into The President Hotel Zamalek in downtown Cairo.  I did not include breakfast in this reservation so we can visit local cafes.

Day 11  (Day 4 Cairo)

My plan is to take a guided day tour to Alexandria which I have not yet arranged. I’ll play it by ear depending on how much energy we have remaining at the end of the trip.

 Day 12  (Day 5 Cairo)

This is our last day in Cairo.

We could visit a museum  but we definitely want to wander around the captivating Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, which is said to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East.

We’ll move to Le Meridien Cairo Airport for our last night in Egypt.  Of course we’ll need another transfer which might be Uber. The hotel has a walking bridge to the airport terminals which will help us catch our very early flight the next day back home.  Confirmed by email.

Day 13 

 Depart Cairo 6:50 am

Arrive BWI  18:40 (6:40 pm)

Additionally I have made hard copies and digital copies on our phones of all documents — passports, credit and debit cards, drivers’ licenses, etc.  I also have a 41-page manifesto with not only our plans, but also suggestions and recommendations of alternative hotels, guides, and drivers — just in case. I’m not so naïve to think that everything is now perfectly set but in as far as I have control we’re ready.

Jo

Last September (2022) Charlie and I visited Hawaii and Maui — this year they have much to rebuild after the devastating fires of last month. Our prayers and support are for the people of the islands.

Here’s what I’m going to try to accomplish this month.

1.  Celebrate our ivory wedding anniversary. Hope to just do something fun together including our Dashie.
   

   Dash just likes hanging out with us.

2. See a movie or two — A Haunting in Venice or My Big Fat Greek Wedding  
   

   Loved our trip to Venice in 2019

3.  Read a book —  Night Train to Memphis — Egypt not Tennessee
   

   Memphis is south of Giza on the Nile.

4. Clear up the upstairs hall. It’s a mess again.
5.  Confirm Egypt travel details.
   

   We depart for Cairo next month.

6.  Paint — find or finish a project.
7.  Take a day trip — Nothing planned, yet.  Maybe a Civil War Battlefield.
8.  Have a morning coffee party.
   

   A Friday morning coffee party is my new go-to for gathering friends.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word:  FAITHFULNESS.
10.  Write a goal list for October, 2023.

Jo

We survived “dog month”.  Good ole Dash worked hard at learning to “come” on command.  He’s more likely to comply if I use a high-pitched tone.  Dash and I have had a fun time solidifying the “come” command.

In addition to the numbered list below:

• I hung some art in the back bedroom on the newly painted walls.
  

  Hung 3 Cabbies (above) by yours truly, a watercolor from Vieques, and a mirror for straightening one’s tie.

• I made plane reservations for our Spring, 2024, trip to the Midwest.  Have tickets to Saint Louis but have to wait until the middle of September to buy return tickets.  Grrrr.
• Sug took my car to get the spark plug cap replaced.
  

  Betty is 8 years old in 2023.

  Then I took said car for free oil change at my local Nissan dealer.  (Not sure why I said “my” dealer, I was never there before and I bought my car used someplace else.)

• I went to a friend’s Pie Social where chicken pot pie, strawberry pie and Boston cream pie were served. We truly had a social time.  Charlie helped the host’s brother clear up the dishes.  Nice.
  

  The dessert pies were strawberry and Boston cream.

• Charlie and I experienced Christ Church’s 156th Jousting Tournament and Bazaar.
  

  The jouster has speared the ring.

I completed my numbered list like this:

1.  Have a party celebrating the Dog Days of Summer.  We had such a good time eating and chatting that I forgot to bring out the dog quiz to break the ice.
   

   Our dog days party was friendly and relaxed.

2. Movie —  Early in the month I watched at home The Three Faces of Eve, a 1957 movie for which Joann Woodward received an Academy Award.  In the theatre I watched Liam Neeson in Retribution.  Tonight I’m going to the local library to see Banshees of Inisherin.
3.  Book —  I read The Scarpetta Factor in a couple of weeks even though it was almost 500 pages.  Cornwell’s books are always interesting and I was already familiar with the characters since I’ve read quite a few volumes in the Scarpetta series.
4.  List 5 items for sale on FB Marketplace. Very early in the month I listed the following items for very cheap prices:
   

   SOLD!  Child’s record player from the 1980s.

   child’s record player, cassette/radio player,

   

   Alas, Diana is gone.

   Royal Wedding vinyl record from 1981, Atlanta Olympics souvenir program, never-used fax ink ribbon, and a Gorham crystal centerpiece bowl.  Also, I sold 3 pairs of children’s riding breeches and 2 hunt caps.  Hoping everything will be of interest to someone.

5.  Attend a concert.  The first performance was Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, a troupe of musicians and tap/clogging style dancers, a really lively and fun evening.
   

   The Dancers of Footworks — their feet were miked.

   Shades of Blue Orchestra which featured some of my favorite music (A Foggy Day) from the Great American Songbook. I also went to a couple more outdoor concerts:  Junkyard Saints and Technicolor Motor Home.  Love the music.

6.  Paint something.  I painted some of the baseboard in the back bedroom which was not very fulfilling.
   

   Before

   

   After

   I like a paint project that really makes a change — hence, this old lamp which used to light up the back bedroom but is now in the conservatory. Charlie liked the “before” better.

7.  Take a day trip — Early in the month we visited Hagley Museum.
   

   Hagley House at Eleutherian Mills.

   Then toward the end of the month another day trip took us to Read House and Gardens.

   

   Wallpaper in the dining room of Read House was hand-painted in the 20th century to depict a history of the house and the area.

   Even though more venues are available on the Brandywine Passport I think we’ve seen everything that would interest us, really me.  Charlie tags along to humor me.

8.  Whiten my teeth (#36 on my 101 in 1001 list).
   

   Once each day for 10 days. Whitened very well.

   This time I used the Crest 3D Whitestrips, 1 Hour Express, Teeth Whitening Strip Kit which I bought on sale at Amazon.  My favorite of all the kits I’ve tried.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: STEADFASTNESS.
10.  Write a goal list for September, 2023.

Jo

I live in Maryland in the US.  We have a designated state sport which most people probably think is lacrosse.

In fact the state sport of Maryland is jousting.  Tournaments, festivals, and clubs meet from March through October to celebrate.

One of the very oldest tourneys is held at Christ Church in Port Republic in southern Maryland, the  156^th Calvert County Jousting Tournament & Dinner.  Entry to watch the jousting is free but the traditional and optional Chesapeake Bay church supper costs $28  and includes deviled crab, chicken, or ham and all the fixings.

Charlie and I arrived at Christ Church, about 1.5 hours’ drive from our home, around half past noon.  The jousting had begun.

We took a seat among the crowd of spectators.  The announcer proclaimed each contestant, the jouster rode the course, the announcer declared the results, and we all applauded every ride.

The object is to “spear” – from horseback – 3 rings hung from 3 successive arches 30 yards apart. Including a 20-yard approach to the first arch, every rider (except in the novice class), must travel the course in 9 seconds or less. Each rider makes 3 charges, seeking a perfect score of 9 rings taken.

Rings vary in diameter from 1-3/4 inch to 1/4 inch, with successively smaller sizes used to settle ties.

As the jousting continued Charlie and I walked through the bazaar which was entertained by bluegrass music continuously played across the field.

Among the offerings were a large used book tent, a furniture shed, snow cones, flea market tables with precious items — everything selling for very inexpensive prices.

Children were also entertained with a special tent with face painting and games .  .  .

and an area of pony rides — free for the children’s pleasure.

The highlight of the day was the country supper served family-style on china plates in the air-conditioned social hall.  Meat selections were brought to the table by wait staff and everything else was served in large bowls on the table — all-you-can-eat.

No one left hungry — deviled crab, fried chicken or ham, potato salad, green beans, applesauce, sauerkraut salad, fresh tomatoes, and brownie sundaes.

On our way back to the car we stopped into the church to sample the ongoing concerts.

We felt very welcomed at this event.  Truly a wonderful summer day in lovely and laidback Calvert County.  We both highly recommend the experience.

Jo