Coast Guard Buoy Tender in Crisfield

"The U.S. Coast Guard is a shining example of how well a Federal agency can perform with its flexibility, speed, and expertise. ~ Russ Carnahan

This may not be an exciting photo to you non-boaters, but around these parts boaters depend on buoys, so though not an exciting photo, is in an important photo for those who live on the bay. Thanks to the men and women in blue who keep us in the right channels. Nothing worse than ending up aground, especially when you are on holiday.

Buoy tender, out of Sector Hampton Roads or Norfolk, docked at the Crisfield Coast Guard station.

Crisfield Crabs!

“As I have practiced it, photography produces pleasure by simplicity. I see something special and show it to the camera. A picture is produced. The moment is held until someone sees it. Then it is theirs.” ~ Sam Abell

I hope you enjoy this "crustacean" moment. I capture the crabs with my camera so you will be enticed to come to Crisfield and enjoy the real thing caught by the best watermen on the Eastern Shore.

Fresh crabs.

They are beauts!

Do we have crabs, or what?

No, we don't fight 'em. We race 'em and we eat 'em. I love this shirt, though. You can pick one up at the Blue Crab Crustacean Station.

Plowing Time

“Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field.” ~ Dwight David Eisenhower 

We really appreciate the farmers of Somerset County. 

Boats and bikes

“Look, I'm not an intellectual - I just take pictures.” ~ Helmut Newton

Crisfield is a wonderful place for photographers. A great shot around every corner.

Crisfield American Legion fish fry - Part 2 - Oysters!

 "There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

As promised, here is part 2 of the Crisfield American Legion's fish fry. Sometimes fun things need a little more space.  Yes, there were plenty of oysters - fried, raw, and roasted. The Rockfish was great, too.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the event. Part of the proceeds went to our downtown beautification program.

So many things to do in Crisfield...What did you miss this weekend? Part 1 of the American Legion fish fry

 “One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.” ~ Dale Carnegie

Crisfield is just over the horizon. Won't you come and enjoy our rose garden? We know how to live in Crisfield!

 Did you miss the American Legion all-you-can-eat fish fry? This week, I will be putting up a calendar for my regular visitors so you want have to beat yourself up over all the fun times you missed. You can also visit the Crisfield Events link located on the side bar at any time to get up to the minute reports - in case I am out boating, fishing or crabbing, enjoying the beach,  biking,  walking, or riding with my husband on his Harley. There's so much to do in the summer months, I may forget I have a computer. Not really, but it's tempting.


I am short on time, so enjoy part 1 of the American Legion fish fry.

 The American Legion boys really know how to cook.

And cut up...

The ladies ain't so bad at cooking either. You missed a lot of wonderful soups and chowders.

And Eastern Shore stuffed ham.

Did I mention oysters?

Freshly shucked raw oysters?

Oh, and roasted oysters - Crisfield style.

Yum!

Even the kiddos had a great time. 

 Part 2 on Tuesday. You just can't get enough of this stuff.

Sunday Drive

"Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas." ~  Henry Ford 

Where would we be without Henry Ford?

Ah, the good days.

Filtered photo

 “Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.” ~ Herbert Hoover


Lazy day at the Crisfield Elks Lodge...

Great little fishing pier they have there.

A dog's life...

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring–it was peace.” ~ Milan Kundera


 Dogs sure have a good life in Crisfield. The people don't have it so bad, either.

The easy life...

“They talk of the dignity of work. The dignity is in leisure.” ~ Herman Melville 

I photographed this leisurely bunch of people at the Crisfield dock.

Biking the dog

"I love it when people first see me and my camera, and and without knowing who I am or what I am doing - smile. Those kind of people really make my day."

Somerset County Animal Shelter Bake Sale for Kitten Fund - and Adoption

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms."  ~ George Eliot


I was shooting an assignment today at the Somerset County Animal Pound and these ladies pulled out the below banner. Being an animal lover, and being owned by 5 cats, I had to give them a plug. 

So head on over to the Pocomoke Farm and Lawn Center between 9-12 on Saturday, April 24, and adopt a dog or cat. Even if you don't have room for another pet, you can contribute to the kitten fund by buying some fresh baked goodies at low, low prices. Smith Island cake is only $1.50 a slice. Cup cakes are 2 for $1.00, and cookies, brownies, and Rice Crispy treats are only $1.00.

 From left, Cindy Pruitt and Michele Warner. They will be providing some of the goodies.

 I want to add that I have done a lot of volunteer work for large humane shelters over the years, and I have seen some bad county pounds. This one is excellent, and the workers really care about the animals. Pruitt and Warner take half of the animals home. I know. I did, too.


So get out and support our pound. They have dogs and several darling kittens who need a good home. And there is one Calico cat that I almost brought home.  She is being spayed tomorrow and will be waiting for you. And remember, the Calico cat is the official Maryland State cat. 

 She'll be waiting for you.

"There's no need for a piece of sculpture in a home that has a cat." ~ Wesley Bates

Wisteria in Crisfield

“In Los Angeles, by the time you're 35, you're older than most of the buildings.” ~ Delia Ephron

Well, not around here. We've plenty of old buildings, both large and small. I am not sure what this little building used to be - perhaps a store or a barber shop? I have always admired it, especially in the spring when the Wisteria is in bloom.

I just love those little white curtains hanging in the windows.

Monday morning

"The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom." ~  James Allen

A little tranquility to help make your Monday more enjoyable and productive.

“Sometimes it pays to stay in bed on Monday, rather than spending the rest of the week debugging Monday's code.”  ~ Dr. Dan Salomon


Or you could just come to Crisfield and never go home.

Tiki Bar is now open

Tiki bar in Crisfield closed 2012

 I could remove this post, but in the newspaper business what you print can't be changed, so in keeping with my profession, I will do an update: Olde Crisfield Crab and Steak House and tiki bar is now closed, with no plans to re-open, as of March 2012.

 I'm a Man You Don't Meet Everyday by The Pogues

Me name is Jock Stewart I'm a canny young man,
And a rambling young fellow I have been,
So be easy and free when your drinking with me,
I'm a man you don't meet every day.

                                           
I have acres of land, I have men at command,
I have always a shilling to spare,
So be easy and free when your drinking with me,
I'm a man you don't meet every day.

OK, so this is an Irish song. I heard it years ago on PBS and have always loved it. Crisfield is a long way from Ireland but drinking with friends is always the same - easy and free.

If you want the full song, just Google.

Get out your Hawaiian shirts and shorts and head on over to the Old Crisfield Crab and Steak House tiki bar. Opening day for the tiki bar was April 17.

These lovely ladies are ready to serve you.

If you love rock fish, mark your calendar for April 24. All proceeds from the event go to the Crisfield American Legion and the floral beautification of downtown Crisfield.

Remember, I am retiring from the newspaper at the end of May, so I will be bringing you all the Crisfield happenings and cool news on a regular basis, including restaurant reviews. Whoo hoo!