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Published on Leave a comment on R.I.P Maggie
About 10 years ago, Brenda adopted 2 kittens. About a month ago, Maggie (black & white tuxedo cat) was diagnosed with lympoma. She went downhill fairly quickly, & today she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
 
Maggie adored Brenda and could usually be found sitting next to her on the back of the couch. Maggie was very loving to those of us in the immediate family, but less so to others. Perhaps her skittishness had something to do with the infamous Christmas Day stuck-in-a-tree incident. https://sussmans.com/wp/2017/cats-assholes-part-1745092/ But here's to hoping that today she's running around doing cat things with her cat predecessors Smokey, Pepper, Sheba, Tiger, & Cleo.

Maggie being saved on Christmas Day:

[December 25, 2017] So, it's Christmas Day, and Maggie, one of our new cats, decided to climb about 50 feet up a neighbor's hickory tree.  Then, of course, she can't get down.  The temperature was supposed to drop to the  low 20s tonight, so we can't just leave her up there, or so I'm told.  We called Adam from Out on a Limb Tree Service and he came out on Christmas Day, climbed the tree and grabbed the cat. It's a Christmas miracle!  Thanks Adam!  Here's video Amanda made of Maggie being saved. 

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Published on 2 Comments on Amanda Made a Patio!
Amanda finally finished with her patio.
TA-DA!

So, Amanda’s been busy. She dug up a nasty back corner of the backyard and created this beautiful, cozy patio area, complete with fire pit! She did it entirely herself with no help from me (as is my way). I’m very impressed! Click the first picture, then run through them

Published on Leave a comment on James River H.S. Regatta 5/10/2025

It was a beautiful day yesterday when I went to Fountainhead Regional Park on the Occoquan River to see grandson Nick's crew team compete in the Virginia State Rowing Championships. I've never seen a regatta before, and watching these beautiful boats shoot down the river is both idyllic, and exciting at the same time. The James River (High School) Rapids were in two races. In the morning's event, they came in second place which earned them an afternoon race. In both races, the team would be a bit behind and then a hundred yards or so before the finish line, they would pull the oars even harder and shoot past the nearest boat foot by foot until they were ahead. It was very exciting. I was exhausted just watching them! Click the first picture to enlarge, then run though them.

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Published on 4 Comments on D.C. Cherry Blossoms 2024

The cherry blossoms were early this year, but Brenda, Erin, Gabe, Julian, Liv, Indy, and I managed to see them just in time, along with about 10,000 of our closest friends. It was a beautiful sunny day, and a reminder of how beautiful this area can be in the Spring. Brenda and I were so glad that the PA Sussmans were able to come down for a visit!

Click on the 1st pic below then the right side of the pic to run through them

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Published on Leave a comment on Goodbye Arty

Amanda's beautiful German Shepard dog Artemis, crossed the rainbow bridge early Monday morning.

It's said that no one will love you as much as your dog, and that was certainly true for Arty - her whole life revolved around her love for Amanda.

Arty loved walking through the woods, chasing deer in the backyard, and of course eating treats and the cats' food. Delicious!

You will be missed Arty!

Click the first pic below to run all the pics.

Published on Leave a comment on Lily’s Dance Recital

Six year old granddaughter Lily performed onstage in a dance recital yesterday 5/21/22. So Brenda and I had to go down to bear witness, natch'. Extra seating had to be brought in as the auditorium was packed! Lily was in two dance numbers and she did a great job - no stage fright at all, despite the huge crowd of spectators! We were sitting near the back, so these pictures were take from fairly far away. Consequently, they're not as sharp as I would like. Later that day, Nick was scheduled for a soccer game but sadly, the game was cancelled due to too may players unable to attend. So instead, we had lunch at Capital City Ale House, and then went downtown to the River Rock Festival on the James River. There were many free events, including free Kayaking, so Dane and Lily jumped in a kayak and paddled up and down the river. I had no idea what a great city Richmond was until Brian & Susan moved there a few year ago. Click on the first picture below to run through all the dance recital pics and enjoy the cuteness.

Published on Leave a comment on A Walk in the Woods With Grandkids

Five of our 8 grandkids, Dane, Nick, Julian, Olivia, and Lily, are spending a few days with Brenda and me.  Today Liv and Lily made a cool fort on the deck.  Then Nick, Julian and I pumped up the tires on a few bikes and went on a bike ride through the woods.  On the way back, we ran into Brenda, Dane, Olivia, and Lily who were walking along the path.  So we all stopped along the creek and walked over log bridges and hopped over the rocks.  On the way home, we stopped at a playground.  Everyone had a great time.  Then, after grilled hot dogs, broccoli, and homemade mac & cheese, we played a few games of pool, taught Nick how to play Euchre, and now it's wind-down time.   Finally.  Grandkids are the best, aren't they!

Published on Leave a comment on Soccer in Richmond
Nick moving the ball

We went to Richmond Saturday to see Brian, Susan, Dane, Nick, Lily, and Luna.  It was a beautiful day, sunny and about 65-70 degrees.  Nick had an afternoon soccer game, and it turns out Nick and his team are teriffic!  They shutout the opposition 5-0!  After that we went into Richmond and had a late lunch/early dinner at  Legend's Brewpub.  Oktoberfest beer and jambalaya - Yum! Here a few pics, and a video of Lily.  All in all, it was a perfect day!  Click on the first thumbnail below to run through them all.

 

Published on Leave a comment on A Walk in the Woods
Stream in Rutherford Park. 1/6 second. I'm not steady enough for that slow a speed, so too blurry.

I see I haven't updated this thing since Christmas. I'm the worst. Sorry.

Sitting around the house in quarantine all day gets boring pretty quick. So, I grabbed my old Panasonic Lumix camera (thanks, Brenda!), and went for a walk along the stream behind our house. Nothing much to see, but it was a beautiful day, so I took a few pics. Also took a few pics of the flowers around the house before they all fall off. Love spring in Virginia. To see the pics, mouse over the first pic and when the cursor turns into a finger click on it, then click on the right arrow to go through them.

Published on Leave a comment on Grandkids Christmas Visit

Dane, Nick, & Lilly came to visit and celebrate Christmas with us on Monday the 23rd. Then on the 26th, Julian and Olivia arrived. Today, everyone but Olivia walked over to Little Run School. Olivia was in need of little "alone time," so she stayed home with Bee. At the school, they all played a little soccer & played on the playground equipment. It's been a glorious Christmas, and it will be sad see them all leave tomorrow!

Click on the first picture below, then click on the right side to run through all the pics. Enjoy!

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