A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to be called into “Nanny” duty by our son and daughter-in-law who were facing incredible schedules without their usual help available. So, they flew me out to Maryland to fill the gap. I am very happy they did.
I arrived on Sunday to a delicious dinner – Italian sausage and kale soup with a tasty salad. The girls and I set the table. Those place mats were a gift from one of their other “favorite” nannies. I’m assuming I too am in the “favorite” category.
It was early to bed, the next day being a school day and Nanny Nana having to learn the ropes and the routes to Addy’s school and Betty’s pre-school. The weather was perfect and the walks beautiful, looking at houses and yards and enjoying their “walkable” neighborhood.
I love painted bricks and saw so many houses along the way that had them. 
The trees were just turning and the weather, was perfect
DJ took a day off and, while Addy was at school on a day when Betty didn’t have school, we took a drive over to St. Michaels, the “town that fooled the British” , According to Wikipedia: Battle of St. Michaels. The Battle of St. Michaels was a battle during the War of 1812. Similar to the Battle of Craney Island a month earlier, American militia units were able to repulse a British landing attempt in the Chesapeake Bay. There is so much of our history in that area, We had lunch at a restaurant on the bay, walked around a bit, and stopped in a few shops. I was looking for a St. Michaels pottery mug to go with the St. Marys PA mug that John received from one of his school visits. Unfortunately, since the tourist season was past, the inventory was pretty picked over, and the mug was not to be found.
Nana and Betty in front of a 1767, yes 1767! house in St. Michaels 
DJ and Betty on our outing in St. Michaels
We had a few challenges. DJ’s car was in the garage getting checked, and the dishwasher went on the fritz, both on the same day, so besides walking Addy to school with Betty in the stroller, and then dropping Betty off, I had to walk home with an empty stroller, take all the dishes out of the dishwasher, wash them, and put them away, then walk back to Betty’s school (minus the empty stroller). We took a leisurely walk home so I wouldn’t tire her out, stopped at a pet store in a strip mall along the way, and went to a nice little consignment shop with a kids’ play area, one that carried only women’s and children’s clothing in addition to furniture and home decor items. I found a cute little jean jacket for Betty who loves to wear dresses. She can dress just like her mommy. And another plus, I logged in more than 13,000 steps.
DJ got home, pulled out the dishwasher, checked underneath, found the problem, and proceeded to fix it, then he and Dawn picked up the car deemed drivable for our little school trips, which was good, because it was raining off and on, and the walk would not have been very pleasant.
We had a beautiful dinner at the Yacht Club in Annapolis, made possible only because Addy had taken sailing lessons during the summer, and hence she was a junior member. Thank you, Addy! We took an after-dark tour of the city with its historical buildings and beautiful window displays – always a treat for this urban-loving traveler.
Goodbyes are always difficult but made somewhat easier knowing that in just a few short weeks we’d get to see each other again for Thanksgiving. I am most grateful.
