Brown Motion

 Reynolds was and is a bastion in the business world today.  Eponymously named for its founder it is second largest cigarette company in America. Today it is owned by a British entity that in turn was founded by merging the American Tobacco Co (whose founder was another business giant in the south called Duke and Imperial Tobacco of UK). What all this means is that the town of Winston-Salem, NC for which cigarette brands were named became a massive economic engine all through the 20th century America. We re-visited this town with our kid, back from college to enjoy some local Chinese dumplings of all things housed in Reynolda village (named for the family compound of the founders). Red bean dumplings (sweet treat after some spicy noodle soup, all delicious) This time we toured their mansion which Katherine (wife of RJR) affectionately referred to as the bungalow (all 34,000 sft of it).  This extravaganza of a house shows you what money can buy in America or anywhere for t...

 This time late spring we decided to travel through some eastern states to take in some scenery, relearn some history and relax seaside. To that end our travel took us into Gettysburg PA.  Famous for Lincoln's address to America in the middle of the Civil War that won freedom for the union it was poignant to reflect on it in the middle of the cemetery where 3,500 soldiers died for protecting the government of the people. Some visuals from the cemetery below. Obelisk to honor a particular regiment stands against a setting sun spot close to where Lincoln might have stood to address his audience From here we headed further east and south passing through a town where they honor a saint called Lourdes. Then onto the SE shore of the state of Virginia to witness the amazing bridge tunnel complex connecting DelMarVa peninsula with Virginia shores. south end of the Chesapeake Bridge complex Boardwalk at Virginia Beach VA a rooftop bar After spending a night here we drove on to the barr...

 Social life for us has gotten new leaves.  Back in California the pace of life did not allow for much carefree interaction post work, household chores, kid's logistics of events and races and so on. The move east certainly slowed the pace down.  Add to that a community where new faces from different parts of the country and some legacy ones too have added to natural curiosity of getting to know each other.  This past weekend a dear friend who we acquainted recently and owns a property on a lakeshore invited some in the neighborhood to come and chill. Cinco de Mayo served as the inspiration but it was really a good old kick back, eat, drink and relax and chat type of evening. The weather cooperated tremendously given the vagaries of Carolina weather that can pop up in an instant storm at the onset of summer. Mexican inspired cuisine was laid out catered by a local chain and it did not disappoint. The host's iced margarita machine decided to stay frozen and repeated t...