Jim's Visit #3: Touring Annapolis, Maryland!

Jim with Max, Dolly, Tyler and Franklin

This is the third and last blog about our friend Jim's brief visit in August. In this blog you'll see some of the places we showed him on our walk around historic Annapolis, the capital city of Maryland.

Our kids loved Jim - (who is both a dog and a cat person), so they enjoyed hanging out with him!

ABOUT ANNAPOLIS - Annapolis is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, 25 miles (40 km) south of Baltimore and about 30 miles (50 km) east of Washington, DC. 

Jim enjoying the docks

 

DID YOU KNOW? - The city served as the seat of the Continental Congress in 1783–84 and was the site of the 1786 Annapolis Convention (which called for the Constitutional Convention held the following year) and the Annapolis Peace Conference, held in 2007. Annapolis is also the home of the United States Naval Academy and the original campus of St. John's College.

Historic Shiplap House

 THE SHIPLAP HOUSE- .

 The house is named for the random-width flush siding/wooden boards (called shiplap) on the rear facade and the north-east ell. The building now serves as the administrative offices of Historic Annapolis." There is a small formal garden to the right of the house and a small parking area to the left side. The house itself is painted a barn red color and the widths of the boards used in its siding is amazingly wide. Definitely made from very old, mature trees from the area in the early 1700s.

 

Historic House with a ghost out front

We enjoyed the docks

 

Jim's Visit #2: Touring Ellicott City, Maryland!

Rob and Jim outside the first B&O Railroad passenger station

This is part two of our friend Jim's visit. This time we took him to Ellicott City, Maryland!  Here we'll just highlight the famous B&O Museum and an historic cabin. If you visit, be sure to take the ghost tour, too!

WHAT IS ELLICOTT CITY? -  Founded in 1772, the town features the B. & O. Railroad Museum's branch at the Ellicott City Station, built in 1830, and the first terminus of the initial line then constructed, and a downtown historic district in the pictureseque stream valley of the upper Western Branch of the Patapsco River, which is a very popular destination among antiques shoppers, and historical tourists with restaurants, eclectic boutique shops, coffee shops, a tea room and many historic sites.

Historic buildings along Main Street

 THE B&O RAILROAD STATION - This was a station that acted as a headquarters for Union Soldiers trying to maintain control of Baltimore from the Confederacy. It's now a museum located at 2711 Maryland Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043. 

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum: Ellicott City Station is the oldest surviving railroad station in America, and was the original terminus of the first 13 miles of commercial railroad in the country. The site features the Main Depot building, constructed in 1830-31; the freight house, designed by E. Francis Baldwin and built in 1885; a replica of the first

Jim at the Cabin

horse-drawn passenger rail car, the Pioneer; and a 1927 "I-5" Caboose. Housed in the freight house is a 40-foot HO-gauge model train layout showing the original thirteen miles of commercial rail track stretching from Baltimore to Ellicott Mills. The operating layout features an introductory video and light show. Living historians tell the story of the development of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the nation's first common carrier railroad, and its impact on Ellicott City between 1827 and 1868.

THE  
THOMAS ISAAC LOG CABIN - This cabin sits at the top of the hill (on Main Street) on one end of the city. The other end of the city is a confluence of two rivers. Named after one of its 19th century owners, this rustic structure was built circa 1780 by an early settler of Ellicott's Mills. The cabin was reconstructed on the present site in the late 20th Century. Here, visitors can learn about the settlement and development of the region from authentically costumed historians and artisans. The cabin is located at the intersection of Main St. and Ellicott Mills Dr. in Historic Ellicott City.

NEXT: JIM'S VISIT TO ANNAPOLIS

Jim's Visit #1: Touring Baltimore!

L to R: Rob, Jim, Jeff, Tom (in back)

In August our friend Jim visited us from Massachusetts. He stayed with us for a long weekend and we toured him around in Baltimore, Ellicott City, and Annapolis. In this blog you'll see some of the things we did in Baltimore that you may want to visit. It's always great to see an old friend, and even more fun when one stays with us over a long weekend. 

For our trip to Baltimore, our friend Jeff joined us for the fun. 

Fells Point with pubs and shops

BALTIMORE LONG WALK- We decided to park in the Federal Hill neighborhood on the western part of the Inner Harbor and walk through the Inner Harbor all the way to Fells Point (It's a 6 mile round trip). 

FELLS POINT NEIGHBORHOOD (Baltimore)-  Named for the Englishmen who founded a ship-building company here in 1726 that would go on to produce the famous "Baltimore Schooners", Fell's Point is a spirited waterfront community in perpetual celebration of Baltimore's British nautical roots.There's also a great haunted walking tour!

Buildings in Fells Point

A Fells Point Bar

  Explore the 18th- and 19th-century homes and storefronts – most were once one of the "three B's": boarding houses, brothels and bars. 

- See more at: http://baltimore.org/neighborhoods-maps-transportation/fells-point#sthash.ccXFxYcG.dpuf

Named for the Englishmen who founded a ship-building company here in 1726 that would go on to produce the famous "Baltimore Schooners", Fell's Point is a spirited waterfront community in perpetual celebration of Baltimore's British nautical roots.
The neighborhood's visage has remained largely unchanged since its founding and attracts many visitors. Explore the 18th- and 19th-century homes and storefronts – most were once one of the "three B's": boarding houses, brothels and bars. Chesapeake Bay cuisine is at its best here too, whether you crave oysters on the half shell at a local pub, or fresh seafood at an upscale restaurant.
- See more at: http://baltimore.org/neighborhoods-maps-transportation/fells-point#sthash.ccXFxYcG.dpuf

Named for the Englishmen who founded a ship-building company here in 1726 that would go on to produce the famous "Baltimore Schooners", Fell's Point is a spirited waterfront community in perpetual celebration of Baltimore's British nautical roots.
The neighborhood's visage has remained largely unchanged since its founding and attracts many visitors. Explore the 18th- and 19th-century homes and storefronts – most were once one of the "three B's": boarding houses, brothels and bars. Chesapeake Bay cuisine is at its best here too, whether you crave oysters on the half shell at a local pub, or fresh seafood at an upscale restaurant.
- See more at: http://baltimore.org/neighborhoods-maps-transportation/fells-point#sthash.ccXFxYcG.dpuf

Named for the Englishmen who founded a ship-building company here in 1726 that would go on to produce the famous "Baltimore Schooners", Fell's Point is a spirited waterfront community in perpetual celebration of Baltimore's British nautical roots.
The neighborhood's visage has remained largely unchanged since its founding and attracts many visitors. Explore the 18th- and 19th-century homes and storefronts – most were once one of the "three B's": boarding houses, brothels and bars. Chesapeake Bay cuisine is at its best here too, whether you crave oysters on the half shell at a local pub, or fresh seafood at an upscale restaurant.
- See more at: http://baltimore.org/neighborhoods-maps-transportation/fells-point#sthash.ccXFxYcG.dpuf

Koopers Tavern in Fells Point

LITTLE ITALY - No visit to Baltimore is complete without walking through the 12 or so blocks that make up Little Italy. The smell of the food from the restaurants is worth it alone. THE BEST DESSERT - Of course we had to go to Vaccaros Italian Bakery Cafe for dessert. People even go there to have dessert for lunch! 

Italian Festival in Little Italy

     Aside from the food, Little Italy has events, bocce ball and open-air cinema during July and August where people set up folding chairs on one block and watch Italian themed movies on a giant screen (on the side of a building). Other tourist attractions in Little Italy to explore are the Star Spangled Banner Flag House, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, and the Baltimore Civil War Museum at President Street Station.

Find Places Discover What To Do Find Experiences

- See more at: http://baltimore.org/neighborhoods-maps-transportation/little-italy#sthash.V9bz3nPD.dpuf

Aside from the food, Little Italy offers events, bocce ball and open-air cinema during July and August. Other tourist attractions in Little Italy to explore are the Star Spangled Banner Flag House, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, and the Baltimore Civil War Museum at President Street Station.

Find Places Discover What To Do Find Experiences

- See more at: http://baltimore.org/neighborhoods-maps-transportation/little-italy#sthash.V9bz3nPD.dpuf

Tom and Jim

Rob and Jeff

 

Baltimore's Inner Harbor 

NEXT: ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND

A Fun Lunch with Hil

Some of life's simple pleasures include lunch with a good friend. Recently we visited our friend Hil and went to lunch. We took him to Potbelly's sandwich shop, and we tried the pulled pork sandwich, which was good, but a bit peppery -so make sure you have a good sized drink. :) 

VIdeo: TRAILER: improved 'Jurassic World' with wiener dogs.

Somebody improved 'Jurassic World' by replacing all the dinosaurs with wiener dogs! Of course, being dog parents of TWO Dachshunds, Tyler and Franklin (and Dolly the Weimaraner who THINKS she's a Dachshund) and foster parents to Max, a long-haired Dachshund, we loved this "Movie Trailer."


ABOUT THIS:  Did you guys see that movie Jurassic World? Probably not. I mean, who wants to watch a film about a bunch of ugly, gross, enormous reptiles who go berserk and kill every person they come in contact with? Nobody, that's who! I haven't checked the box office numbers, but I'm fairly certain that this is going to be remembered as a major bomb!
Luckily, somebody took the time to fix the movie in the only way that makes any sense: by replacing all of the dinosaurs with tiny, adorable dachshunds. Such an improvement! It's nice to see that somebody in Hollywood knows what they're doing.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB-fSxDI0LU
  

Lots of Paranomal Classes (with me) at the Belmont Manor (Elkridge, Maryland) Edit | Preview | Delete

If you or anyone you know is interested in the Paranormal- the historic Belmont Manor is offering a number of courses in the Paranormal in conjunction with the  Inspired Ghost Tracking group (professional paranormal investigators). Rob Gutro, a medium in the group will be giving some of the talks. There is a registration because space is limited, and the proceeds go to support the historic manor. 

WHERE: the Belmont Manor & Historic Park, 6555 Belmont Woods Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075.

CONTACT: at Belmont Manor: Cathy Allen at callen@howardcountymd.gov or Mary Ellen Baker, General Manager, at mebaker@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-4632.

CLASS SCHEDULE: 

Sept. 22, Tues. 7-8:30pm "Introduction to Paranormal Investigations" class    This 90 minute class is offered to the public (registration required) hosted by Inspired Ghost Tracking. 

 Oct. 13, Tues. 7-8:30pm "Ghosts and a Double Murder Investigation" class . This 90 minute class is offered to the public (registration required) hosted by Inspired Ghost Tracking. 

Oct. 30, Tues. 7-10pm *Public Ghost Investigations"  These investigations are offered to the public (registration required) hosted by Inspired Ghost Tracking.

Nov. 15, Sunday - "Meet and Greet Several Paranormal Authors. Rob Gutro will join other paranormal authors such as Randy Keller, Cat Gasch, Mike Ricksecker, Jonathan Williams and Russ Noratel with their books. Information: inspiredghst@aol.com or http://www.howardcountymd.gov/belmont.htm 

2016 EVENTS

Jan. 26, Tues. 7-8:30pm "Introduction to Ghost Investigation" class. This 90 minute class is offered to the public (registration required) hosted by Inspired Ghost Tracking. 

Feb. 9, Tues. 7-8:30pm "Signs from Departed Loved Ones" talk by Rob Gutro. This 90 minute class is offered to the public (registration required) hosted by Inspired Ghost Tracking. 

March 9, Tues. 7-8:30pm "Pets and the Afterlife" talk by Rob Gutro. This 90 minute class is offered to the public (registration r

Startling! Uganda Started Killing Gay People Because of 3 Christian Pastors

I read TIME magazine and in the August 17, 2015 issue I learned the history of why Uganda kills gay people for simply being born gay. It's because three Christian U.S. Pastors went there to incite violence against gay people and helped generate a law to murder gay people. 
The pastors are Scott LIvely, Don Schmierer and Caleb Lee Brundidge.


Christianity has been hijacked by extremists like these "pastors" who believe in murdering people because they're gay. It has been hijacked by people like the KY clerk and Josh Duggar  who believe in their twisted minds that they can be morally, physically and sexually corrupt and they are "godly." 
Christians should be furious that christianity is solely responsible for the recent Ugandan law to kill gay people- all brought on by these three "men of god."

The article in TIME said that before these three christians came to Uganda to whip up the hatred against gay people, the country quietly accepted gays and lesbians. Now, they're all foaming at the mouth to murder them. WHY? Because of 3 Christian "Pastors."  Are you angry yet?



Here's the story about one of these bastards facing trial now in the U.S. for what he has done to the Ugandan people:

   http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/12/16/scott_lively_alien_tort_statute_means_lgbt_ugandans_can_sue_him_in_america.html
     Anti-gay pastor Scott Lively will stand trial in federal court for crimes against humanity. He has tried for months to have the case dismissed on First Amendment grounds, but the 1^st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston has denied his last petition for dismissal. He’s going to court.

    Lively, who lives in Springfield, Massachusetts, is a 57-year-old author, attorney, pastor, and anti-gay activist. (He would call himself a “pro-family” activist.) In 1992, he helped pass America’s first anti-gay legislation, a short-lived ordinance banning any support of homosexuality in Springfield, Oregon. He then co-wrote The Pink Swastika, a book that posits homosexuals “as the true inventors of Nazism.” In 1997, he founded Abiding Truth Ministries, apparently “the first Christian organization devoted exclusively to opposing homosexuality.” For more than 20 years, he has been fighting what he perceives to be a gay agenda trying to destroy society.

   He has successfully influenced anti-gay policies in other countries, most notably in Uganda from whence the current lawsuit originates. (Lively’s role in stoking homophobic hatred in Africa is captured in the documentary God Loves Uganda.)

With the help of the Center for Constitutional Rights, Lively is being sued by Ugandan human rights organization Sexual Minorities Uganda for violating international law by intentionally contributing to the persecution of Ugandan homosexuals and seeking to deprive LGBT members of the Ugandan population of their basic human rights.

SO HE WENT TO UGANDA: Lively preached that homosexuals were coming into Uganda to recruit Ugandan children and that homosexuals would rip apart the very fabric of Ugandan society—the family—if they weren’t stopped. He used the United States as an example of what could happen.

SO UGANDA DRAFTED A "KILL THE GAYS" BILL -  One Ugandan legislator said afterward, confirming the impact of Lively’s visit, “We must exterminate homosexuals before they exterminate society.” Adapting Lively’s rhetoric, Ugandan parliamentarians immediately drafted the infamous Anti-Homosexuality Act—also known as the “Kill the Gays” bill because it included the death penalty for repeated “offenses” of homosexuality.

ONE OUTCOME- MURDER OF A UGANDAN GAY RIGHTS FIGURE - In January 2011, David Kato, considered the father of the Ugandan gay rights movement (he co-founded Sexual Minorities Uganda), was murdered in his home after winning a seminal right-to-privacy case for the LGBT community.

He's now on trial in the U.S. and  being charged as an abettor himself: for promoting the hatred and persecution of a minority.  THE LATEST FROM THE COURT:

April 9, 2015 - Sexual Minorities Uganda files motion asking court to subpoena Martin Ssempa

STATUS UPDATES: https://ccrjustice.org/home/what-we-do/our-cases/sexual-minorities-uganda-v-scott-lively 

Still Learning: After 10 Years! - Tom's Award! -Mozart's Concerto in A Major.

Tom and I have been together for 10 years this coming December (married 6) and we still learn things about each other.  I've known since day one together that Tom played piano since he was young, and has played at weddings and other events. But I didn't know he won an award!
    So, how come we're still learning about things from each other's past? Well, we met in our early 40s, so there were a lot of years to catch up on. Anyway, recently we were enjoying a typical Sunday morning breakfast on the sun porch at home with the dogs at our feet, reading the paper and listening to classical music. That's when Tom told me that he won a contest playing piano on "Mozart's Concerto in A Major. " - Of course, I didn't know what that was, but it was playing on pandora radio.  
    BTW- It's a 6 Minute piece, so if you want to listen (below), now you know! 
VIDEO/AUDIO: https://youtu.be/mf711o8jAQA 

Dog Teethbrushing Time -Why It's Important

L to R: Max, Dolly, Franklin, Tyler

Every day I (Rob) brush our dogs' teeth. When you think about not brushing your own teeth, it's pretty nasty. 

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT:  Well, bacteria builds up in their mouths, too, as does tartar and plaque. And how you would you like having to go to a hospital to get put under once in a while to get your teeth scraped? Not a good feeling. So, why make them go through it? 
   So, I brush their teeth daily - and each of them have their own toothbrush. 

BEST TOOTHPASTE FOR DOGS ? I also found that Arm and Hammer dog toothpaste seems to be the most effective. 
   
OUR KIDS' REACTIONS: 
   Dolly (the Weimaraner) is extremely patient and lets me get all of her teeth, including the back molars. 

Toothbrushes: Dolly, Franklin, Tyler and Max's

   Tyler (black and tan Dachshund) is also extremely patient and lets me brush all his teeth. In fact, he thinks the toothpaste is a treat so he welcomes it!
   Franklin, our elder (11 yr old, red) Dachshund hates it. He fights me, pulls away, even snarls when I try to brush his teeth, and his teeth are the worst. 
   Max, our foster dog (11 yrs old, black/tan long-haired) welcomes his teeth brushing. 

BEST DENTAL TREATS - We have found that the Dingo Dental treats are the best for their teeth, too. 
Since Dolly was a puppy, I've been giving them to her. She's had one dental cleaning in 10 years (because I wasn't brushing her teeth early on) and her teeth look good. Arm and Hammer also makes a dental foam that will work on plaque and improve breath. 

So, take care of your dog's teeth as you take care of your own!

Ireland Trip #72: FINAL BLOG: PantiBar, Stinky Air, Superhero Pilot

This is it! The last blog of our 9 day Ireland trip and it only took 73 blogs to share it with you. In this blog you'll hear about PantiBar, Stinky air and a super-pilot.

PANTIBAR- Pantibar is a gay bar owned by Ireland's famous drag queen "Panti Bliss" that we got to meet. It's billed as a "Fun joint that bills itself as a homo activity centre with entertainment every night of the week." and it's located at 7 1, 8 Capel St, Dublin 1, Ireland. We decided that on our last night we'd go sit there with a drink after dinner - a good way to end the trip, since that was the first place we visited when we arrived.
  
STINKY AIR AND TOM'S QUOTE OF THE WEEK - Just after boarding the Boston to Baltimore flight, someone farted!!  It was really nasty, too. So, I (Rob) took out scented hand cleaner that I brought with me and told Tom to smell that instead. He agreed and said  "Well, at least it doesn't smell like someone's ass!"

Brandon Routh: Atom (L), Superman (R)

SUPERHERO PILOT - Our flight on Aer Lingus was wonderful, especially since we upgraded to business class. We will always do that. Between the extra room, snacks, drinks, blanket and attention it was awesome. What really made it great was when the pilot came on the intercom and said that his name is Brandon Routh.  It just happens to be the same name as the actor that played Superman in Superman Returns and plays the Atom in the Arrow TV Show on the CW network. Nothing like flying home with a superhero!

We hope you enjoyed reading our adventures in Ireland, and now maybe have been inspired to visit yourself. Thanks for reading!  Rob and Tom 

Ireland Trip Blog #71: Dublin's Haunted "Mansion House"

In Blog #71 of our Ireland trip, we take you to one more location in Dublin before heading home. We ventured over to  Dublin's Haunted "Mansion House."

Mansion House

WHAT IS MANSION HOUSE? - The Mansion House was built in 1710 by the merchant and property developer Joshua Dawson, after whom Dawson Street is named. Dublin Corporation purchased the house in 1715 for assignment as the official residence of the Lord Mayor. Since 1715, this building used to be the residence of Dublin's "Lord Mayors." It is now a conference center and the home to the "Fire" Restaurant. It's located at Dawson St, Dublin 2, Ireland. The Mansion House's most famous features include the "Round Room", where the First Dáil assembled on 21 January 1919 to proclaim the Irish Declaration of Independence.

GETTING A GHOST - As we approached the front left room of the mansion I developed a headache in the back left side of my head, where I usually get one when I'm in the presence of an earth-bound ghost or spirit that crossed over. I knew there was a ghost in the building, though and the headache increased as I walked toward the back of building.

SO, WHO HAUNTS THE MANSION HOUSE? - Well, again, since we couldn't get inside, it was hard to get a bead on who was walking around in there, but I later found some stories about encounters. In 2013, Naoise O Muiri, the Lord Mayor of Dublin at the time told the Irish Sun newspaper about a haunting. He said that in December, his two young daughters  Ailbhe and Briona ran into his bedroom at night. They claimed they saw a young girl with black curly hair sitting in front of the television at 3 a.m.

Ghost girl watching TV

ANOTHER DOGGONE ENCOUNTER - IN 2009, Eibhlin Byrne, a previous Lord Mayor reported that his dog behaved "unusually" in one part of the building and would not walk past a door in the upstairs hallway (That's because dogs can see and hear ghosts).

WHO IS THE GHOST GIRL? -  There are stories about "someone" dying in an upstairs room, but there is no other information. Perhaps it was the daughter of another Lord Mayor. Or it may have been the wife of a previous Lord Mayor who appears as a girl (because ghosts appear to others as when they were most comfortable with their appearance in life). Since we couldn't go inside, we'll just have to keep guessing.

NEXT: THE FINAL IRELAND BLOG: PantiBar, Stinky Air, and a Superhero Pilot

Ireland Trip Blog #70: Just Say "Yes" ... and it made History in Ireland!

Tom, Rob and Geoff

On our last day in Dublin, Ireland before we flew home to the U.S., we investigated Marsh's Library (yesterday's blog) and then went into a shopping mall where we came upon a shop called "Yes." That "YES" made history in Ireland days after we returned home.

WHAT WAS "YES" ABOUT ? - "YES" was the campaign to inspire Irish voters to amend their constitution and include marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. The vote was actually slated for May 22, 2015, just a couple of days after we returned home, and was on the Friday of that week.


THE OPPOSITION -   What was sad was that the Catholic Church took opposition to marriage equality, and had done some really nasty stuff to discourage people from voting for equality. Fortunately, the people of Ireland are so fed up with the church after rampant and numerous sex scandals and pedophilia in the church, and even a cover up in Galway (that we mentioned in a blog post many blogs ago of a church there that took in single mothers to work them ragged and buried their illegitimate children in a mass graveyard - google it if you don't believe it).

The "YES" booth in the Dublin Mall

  Regardless of the stupidity and hateful campaign of the church, the Irish people didn't listen to them. Many Irish people told us they would never again be governed by a religion or a church. They had enough of the corruption.

MEETING A "YES" SUPPORTER -  So, when we saw the  It was really encouraging to see so many people working in the booth, trying to educate people about the legal importance of marriage equality.
   We met a nice skinny, bearded, red-headed Irishman named Geoff there and told him how we were married in the U.S. in 2009. We all posed for a picture together.
   On May 22, we anxiously waited for the news from Ireland and the Irish people

PANTI BLISS- On Day #1 of our trip when we arrived in Dublin, we got to meet Rory McNeil, who is the drag personality known as "Panti Bliss." Panti became known as a strong proponent of Ireland Marriage Equality and was there when it became the law.

Panti Bliss aka Rory O’Neill

CAPTION FOR PHOTO (RIGHT):  Panti Bliss aka Rory O’Neill leads the celebrations. ‘I am drunk on yes … It’s not that Ireland has changed today, but that Ireland has confirmed the change that we already knew had happened.’ Photograph: Fran Veale/Rex Shutterstock



HERE'S A LINK TO THE STORY and A VIDEO FROM MAY 22 WHEN IRELAND MADE HISTORY:
Ireland becomes first country to legalise gay marriage by popular vote
(Source: U.K. Guardian) 

Referendum result gives yes vote 62% and no 38% as equality minister declares he is proud to be Irish


NEXT: DUBLIN'S HAUNTED MANSION HOUSE