Blanket Battles

Now here's a pause in our comings and goings for a little commentary. Yes, we have been married for 39 years and there has been necessary adapting--even when sleeping. First was the CPAP machine. It was like sleeping with Darth Vader with the heavy breathing. I could get used to that, but the air breathing out into my face was not so pleasant. I learned to turn over when he was facing me or put a pillow between us. Eventually a new CPAP was not as loud. We adapted.

Now somehow my husband has amnesia and has forgotten how to turn over politely in bed without taking all the blankets and sheets with him. And who puts their leg on top of the blanket cementing it in place? Why take the blankets if you are not going to use them? I wake up and grumpily, grit my teeth and with all my might, reclaim my fair share. It does get exasperating to go to bed wishing to get a restful sleep and to find myself in a war. 

I will admit it is not like that every night, but when we went away recently, we stayed at a very nice motel with the same size bed as at home. I found it to be comfortable and could have had a nice night's sleep. The next morning I asked my husband, "How did you sleep?" It was a trap question.

He replied, "Horrible" to which I surprised him, "I know!" He flipped and flopped and tossed and turned. His arm flung on me a couple of times and when I swear I was hanging on to a quarter of the bed at one point, I woke him to get him on his half. The top blankets were on the floor at the foot of the bed.

Of course, when someone is sleepy it is hard to argue the middle of the bed boundaries or equality of blanket coverage. The evidence is in the dark and hard to prove. I had my "ah ha!" moment recently.

One of the nights away, we stayed in a room with two queen beds. I was happy to opt for separate beds. I slept well. When we woke up the next morning, he said, "Did you sleep there? How did you do that?" Here are how our two beds looked upon waking up.

Here is the evidence. I slept in the bed which looks hardly slept in. George slept in the other one--the sheets are going every which way and the blanket is a mess--that's with just one person! I now have proof of what I have to put up with!

Now I do have to say that I am not the perfect sleeping partner. It's been rumored that I may sometimes snore. Much like the half of the bed boundary line, it's hard to prove to the snorer.

I hope this wasn't TMI for some of you. I feel vindicated. Today is our 39th wedding anniversary. Through good times and bad times, in sickness and health and blanket battles, I guess we got this under control.

What have the Washingtons been up to?

We got away for a few days up to Vermont and Massachusetts. This painting was on the welcoming center in Bennington VT and all these colorful moose and cats were outside.

 

 
 
 
My first choice for lodgings, was a place with adorable individual cabins with all the modern conveniences. Who would have thought in the middle of the week and off season that they would have all been booked? A motorcycle group booked the whole place.

For plan B, I chose Manchester View Motel. It was perfect. A cute little room with an awesome view of the mountains and at a good price.

The next day we had a special tour planned. It was a private tour and I will not give the name of the program, because the people were very nice, but for us, the tour was disappointing. It didn't help that it rained.


Manchester Center is a neat little town with many shops and rotaries.

As part of our tour of Bennington, this old tavern was pointed out. I believe he said that five presidents had been there throughout the years. This building is on a street of nicely persevered historic buildings.
We were told that the woman who lives there is a descendent who has her mind made up that if she relents into letting the town paint it white, that it will be a trap. Instead she lets the poor building go. It is humongous! She lives there all alone.


Our tour included this old cemetery with neat many interesting gravestones.



 

 

This was a mass grave for those who died at the Battle of Bennington regardless of which side they fought on.

 

 

 

This cemetery is also the resting place of poet Robert Frost and his family.
 

 




We ended our tour with a drive up to the Bennington Monument







 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, there is more to tell but this blogger post is giving me grief. I may have to change from this program in the future. So, this is to be continued....

Day tripping close to home



I don't know how I happened across this place on the internet, but was amazed that there was such a neat gem only an hour from our house. Located in Stockbridge, MA, Naumkeag was the 44 room summer cottage of the Choate family. It was donated to the Trustees of Reservations in 1959 and is open to the public. One thing that makes it unique is that all the furniture are actual pieces that were in the home--not period pieces like in most museums or home tours.



We started with the inside guided tour. It is filled with unique furnishings and rooms with beautiful views and two turrets.

This was the gong that sounded the begin of our tour. Its loud gong could easily summon anyone from the surrounding gardens. 



These were the chaise lounges by the door we entered. The "Great Seat" facing to view the sun setting beyond Tom Ball Mountain.

First was the dining room. President McKinley was a guest here.



They loved books as much as we do.

 

I love the piano in the turret.

 

This is the view from the front hall.

 

I love this bench in the front hallway. It is opposite a beautiful fireplace.

 

One of the many bedrooms.
 

Another view of this same bedroom.



The other part of the bedroom above.


 



The reflection from the lamp shows in this picture but I wanted to post it because it is interesting. First the bedroom had many pictures. These pictures were actually hat boxes that the ladies liked so much that they had them put in picture frames. This one that caught my eye said Sandy Hook with a picture of a lighthouse.


 

 



This is my favorite bedroom. It is on the 2nd floor and the door opens to an enclosed porch overlooking a beautiful garden and a mountain view. There was a refreshing breeze drifting in the room. I could just imagine sitting on that porch with a hot beverage and reading or writing in the fresh air surrounded by such beauty.

 

This is a view of the garden from a different bedroom window.
 

Fireplace in a bedroom.
 



Another neat turret area.



 



This is from the third floor--servants' quarters.

Servants' quarters and where visiting children slept.


After the 45 minute tour of the house, we went outside on this perfect day to explore the many beautiful gardens.

 



 

Bronze statue: Young Faun with Heron 1887
 

My friend, Kathy, is right at home here!

 
 

 

Water Runnel 1938 Water collects in the middle and connects to the fountains in the Blue Steps.

 

 

This swamp white oak tree was the place the Choates picnicked and is said to have been influential in their decision to purchase the 49 acre estate.

 

Pagoda 1936

Chinese "philosopher stone" on marble base.
 

 

Long teak bench
 

Linden Walk
 

 

 

View from the top
 

 

There are fountain in this blue area.

 

 

The Blue Steps. 1938. This is said to be considered one of the most famous built landscapes in America.

 

Evergreen garden

Kathy and I. A road trip again after many, many years.
 

 

Rose garden



 

 

Mable Choate had a love of China, hence this Chinese-style temple.

 

Circular Moon Gate

 

 

 

Of special note, this is also quite close to the Norman Rockwell Museum and across the street, we did not have enough time, but there is the National Shrine of Devine Mercy. We rode through quickly. and will have to put this on a list to return.

 

I highly recommend a visit to Naumkeag. It is only open seasonally. I am often one to say, "Been there done that," but I would go see this again.