It’s Maryland Day – And being a longtime resident I’m going to celebrate. I was sick all weekend when events took place but hey, I’m feeling half human again and I don’t mind joining in late. I read the meaning of it and have put it at the bottom of this post.
But first I wanted to take a minute on what it’s meant to me.
I like the climate. I like the state flag. I like the mountains. I like the beaches and the Bay. I even like THE Bridge. I like the beautiful highways, on a warm summer night around 3-4am (the only time they aren’t jammed).
Photo by Mike Hartley
I like the states university. I’ve liked our Governors, both Republican and Democrat ones. I like the states importance on its natural resources. It’s education system, did okay with my generation and my children’s. And I’m hoping for my grandchildren.
I like the small towns where people look you in the eye and say something like “Good morning” or “beautiful day” or at least node in acknowledgement. I have met many many more good people than bad.
I like the trails in the parks and along the rivers.
Maryland Blue Crabs – I LOVE THE SEAFOOD. Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout that one so early. The proud home of The Naval Academy in Annapolis. Pass the Old Bay please.
Of course we like deserts – Smith Island Cake, Berger Cookies, Fishers Carmel Corn, Fountain Soda from Dumsers (cherry), and The Snowball stand a mile from my house.
I’ve watched large parts of the state become well integrated melting pots. While not perfect James Rouse did something special with Columbia.
A short drive to the Nation’s Capital. A short drive to Baltimore. A short drive to the mountains and a short drive to the shore. And oh yeah. Like the license plate on this car says – DOOKSUX – Translation Duke Sucks
Meaning of Maryland Day lifted from the site linked above
Maryland Day, March 25th, commemorates the formal founding of the colony of Maryland, when the newly-arrived colonists erected a cross on St. Clement’s Island, offered prayers (perhaps by saying Mass), and took “possession of this Countrey for our Saviour and for our soveraigne Lord the King of England.” According to one of the three versions of Father Andrew White’s account of the voyage of the Ark and the Dove, this event took place on 25 March 1633/34 at the colonists’ first landfall in Maryland. In the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, this day is the Feast of the Annunciation, or “our blessed Ladies day” as Father White termed it, referring to the Virgin Mary. After consulting with the “Emperor of the Piscataway” and the “King of Yaocomoco,” Leonard Calvert, governor of the colony, negotiated the purchase of land on a nearby tributary of the Potomac River. This became the site of St. Mary’s City, the colony’s first settlement. Marylanders began observing Maryland Day in 1903, when the State Board of Education designated it as a day to be devoted to the study of Maryland history. In 1916, the General Assembly authorized the celebration of Maryland Day as a legal state holiday.
Congrats Lady Terps
Not bad. The University of Maryland Women’s Basketball team won in 2 OT’s to also make the Sweet 16 this year along with the men’s team. Truth be told the Women’s program has had a lot more success over recent years than the men’s, but this year they both are riding high.
Random Thoughts of the Day
- Funny when you’re well, normal life seems so routine and boring at times. When you’re sick, normal life is this special place you yearn to return to with a passion.
- All our lives are more at risk now than just mere weeks ago.
- The cover comes off the car today.
- Sorry Canada, I didn’t vote for the idiot. Ditto to EU, and the rest of the world apart from China, Russia and North Korea.
