Forever Stamps, A Good Investment   Now is the time to purchase Forever Stamps!  The cost of first class postage will increase by 3 cents on January 26, 2014, to 49 cents.  The Forever Stamps that you purchase now may be one of your best investments of the year. “Beginning Jan. 26 it will cost three pennies more to mail letters to any location in the United States. However, customers can continue to mail letters at today’s prices by purchasing their Forever stamps before Jan. 26. Forever stamps are always good for mailing a 1-ounce letter anytime in the future regardless of price changes. “That’s why Forever stamps were created, to help consumers ease the transition during price changes,” said David City Postmaster Sherri Helman. Highlights of the new single-piece First-Class Mail prici... 01/16/2014

Interested in buying a home in today’s market? Wondering what the housing market predictions are for 2014? Ready to buy a home but not sure where to begin? To Learn Everything you need to know to Purchase a Home in Today's Market, Please join us for:   “Get the Facts Home Buyer Seminar”February 12th, 2014 at 6:30pm WHEN & WHERE?Wednesday, February 12th, 2014 • 6:30pm - 8:15pmVillage Settlements, Inc.177 Kentlands Blvd., 2nd Floor • Gaithersburg, MD 20878 PLEASE CALL, 240-731-5970 OR CLICK TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!   What you will learn...• Learn the Facts about Local Housing Market Trends.• What are the Predictions for the Housing Market in 2014.• What is the State of the Distressed Property Market; Foreclosures and Short Sales.• How much cash do you need for a deposit and how much are clos... 01/15/2014

Brookside Gardens Conservatory Spring Display   Brookside Gardens, in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, is one of our favorite local travel destinations.  The Brookside Gardens Conservatory Spring Display opens this weekend and you will want to plan your visit. Pick a nice day and allow time for a walk through the gardens. If you are planning your spring garden, you may also wish to attend the Annual Seed Exchange at Brookside Gardens on Saturday, January 25, 2014. Conservatory Spring Display Saturday, January 18-Sunday, April 13, 2014 10:00am–5:00pm daily; FREE; Brookside Gardens Conservatory 7th Annual Seed Exchange Sponsored by Washington Gardener Magazine Saturday, January 25, 2014 Details: 301-588-6894   Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, MD 20902  General Informa... 01/15/2014

Thinking of flowers on a rainy day in Maryland   We’ve had a rainy day in Maryland.  The positive thought is that it is not snowing.  I’ve edited some flowers photographs to post in some Facebook groups. It is interesting to receive immediate responses from around the world. This photograph was taken at the Chrysanthemum Show at Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland. Enjoy the week with your camera in hand. You will want to capture the special moments to share in your blogs.   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1885 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 01/14/2014

Book Recommendation:  Hazardous Duty by W.E.B. Griffin   I just finished reading Hazardous Duty (2013) by W.E.B Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV. This novel is part of their Presidential Novel series. The authors say that this novel was written “as sort of a M*A*S*H Goes to the White house and Langley.” I suggest that you read the Afterword before reading the novel.  Enjoy this book and you will want to read others by these authors. One of my personal goals is to read at least one novel each week for personal enjoyment.  Include reading in your 2014 goals.      Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1886 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 01/14/2014

Had a hard day?  A flower for you!   We’ve enjoyed a beautiful day in Maryland but I had two medical appointments that were informative but not my favorite activities. Dolores had lunch with a special friend but they were not happy with the dishes they selected. The highlight of the day was that a national magazine purchased one of my photographs for publication. The fees for photographs are not too exciting so photography will remain a hobby. We’ll have a very nice dinner at home and will plan a better tomorrow. This photograph is from the Chrysanthemum Show at Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland. Have an outstanding week. Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the special moments you will want to share.   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1893 Photograph by Roy... 01/13/2014

Most expensive homes sold during 2013 in the DC area   When families are relocated to the Metro Area of Washington, DC, one of the common comments is that the home prices are higher than they expected.  Many seek suburban locations for more affordable housing selections. This week, The Washington Post published an article on the most expensive homes that were sold in the area during 2013. The highest price in the District was $8.6 million, the highest price in northern Virginia was $12 million and the highest price in Maryland $5.9 million. These prices are a bit above the price ranges for most of us but it is fun to see the pictures. Most expensive homes sold in the Washington D.C. region in 2013 – The Washington Post   What was the highest home price in your community during 2013?    ... 01/13/2014

Montgomery County, MD Housing Report, December Summary   Today, there are 1,706 active listings of homes for sale in Montgomery County, Maryland. 114 (6.7%) of the available properties are lender owned foreclosures (REO).  181 (10.63%) of the active listings are short sale pre-foreclosures. Short sale transactions require the approval of the secured mortgage lender since the anticipated proceeds from a sale will not fully satisfy the outstanding mortgage obligations. During the month of December, 2013, the total sold dollar volume of residential properties in Montgomery County, MD was $418,404,055, up 14.51% from the same month in the previous year. There were 832 closed sales, up 10.49%, with a median sold price of$386,000, up 7.22%. The average sold price was $502,889, up 3.63%, with ... 01/13/2014

Chagall mosaic moved to the National Gallery of Art   If I mentioned that a 1971 mosaic was located in the private garden of a Georgetown home, you might not immediately think of Marc Chagall as the artist. And, if you tried to imagine the size of a mosaic in a home garden, you might night guess the size of this work that was given to the National Gallery of Art. Click on the link to read this article and to see photographs of this monumental work. Chagall mosaic moves from private garden to National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden – The Washington Post   “John Nef, an economic historian and art lover, had known Chagall before the Nefs married in 1964. When the artist first proposed a mosaic for their Georgetown garden, Evelyn “Evvie” Nef imagined a small plaque for the garden wall. T... 01/11/2014

Stolen Renoir to return to the Baltimore Museum of Art   A small Renoir painting that was stolen in Baltimore in 1951 will be returned to the Baltimore Museum of Art. The locally known “Renoir Girl” had claimed that she purchased the painting for $7 at a flea market. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema awarded the painting to the Baltimore Museum of Art and the museum plans to exhibit the painting in March. ‘Flea market’ Renoir ordered back to Baltimore Museum of Art by federal judge – The Washington Post This is an interesting story since the museum initially claimed that it had no record of the painting. A reporter for The Washington Post discovered the record of the theft in the museum’s own records.  Dolores and I always enjoy our visits to the Baltimore Museum of Art and will be ha... 01/11/2014

 Book Recommendation:  The Death Trade by Jack Higgins   We have freezing rain in Maryland this morning and it is a good time to do some reading. I just finished reading The Death Trade (2014) by Jack Higgins. This is volume number 20 of his very popular Sean Dillon Series. Jack Higgins is the principal pseudonym of UK novelist Harry Patterson. Patterson is the author of more than 60 novels.  I recommend this book and you should enjoy all of the 20 books in this series. One of my personal goals is to read a least one novel each week for personal pleasure.   Recent Blogs Book Recommendation:  The Death Trade by Jack Higgins Home buyers being photographed while viewing houses for sale 1/14 “Like” your own Facebook posts Roy Kelley in Russia Book Suggestion:  Islands of Silence by Martin B... 01/09/2014

“Like” your own Facebook posts   Vanity may not be the own reason to “like” your own Facebook posts. A Rick’s Daily Tips blog suggests that we should always “like” our own Facebook posts since that action will more likely make Facebook friends aware that you posted something. Why you should always ‘Like’ your own Facebook posts “So the next time you see one of your friends “Like” their own post, they probably aren’t giving themselves a pat on the back. Instead, they’re giving you an opportunity to check out a post that might never make it into your news feed. I recommend that you “Like” your own posts as well!” – Rick’s Daily Tips   Recent Blogs Book Recommendation:  The Death Trade by Jack Higgins Home buyers being photographed while viewing houses for sale 1/14 “Like” your own Faceboo... 01/08/2014

Roy Kelley in Russia   This is an old photograph that Dolores found in our files. The date was March, 1987.  The buildings in the background are the Zagorask Monastery and the Cathedral of the Assumption, founded in 1345. This Russian city is now called Sergiyev Posad.   This was a different era in Russia. I thought it would be fun to share this old picture.   Roy Kelley, Zagorask, Russia Photograph by Dolores Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs  01/08/2014

Book Suggestion:  Islands of Silence by Martin Booth   During our very cold days in Maryland, I have been reading more books than usual. Currently, I am reading Islands of Silence (2003) by Martin Booth. By the way, I found this like new book in a thrift shop on sale for a dollar. One of my personal goals is to read at least one novel each week and I usually exceed that minimum. What are you reading for pleasure?   Information on Martin Booth, deceased, and his books   Persian Ceiling, VMFA, Chihuly Exhibit IMG_7738 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 01/08/2014

Sadly, Chris Porreco has passed away. An untimely death.  Recent BlogsWe used Chris Porreco, PC TEKS, to upgrade our computers Montgomery County Offers Cold Weather InformationMontgomery County Bulletin: Cold Weather Animal Care Holiday Wreath, Colonial WilliamsburgNewly Expanded Gaithersburg Public Library is OpenBook Recommendation:  The Firm by John GrishamShould  Facebook photo albums be used to market homes for sale? Snowy Day Book: Wolf Pass by Steve ThayerBook Recommendation: King And Maxwell by David Baldacci  Don’t get BUS-ted in Montgomery County, Maryland!Did you miss the dollhouse blog?I need a catchy title for this blogWhat is required for a blog to receive lots of comments?  Colonial Williamsburg Dollhouse, Museum QualityVERMICELLI AL CAVIALE   (Vermicelli with Caviar) Rec... 01/07/2014

Montgomery County Bulletin: Cold Weather Animal Care   Residents of Montgomery County, Maryland have received warnings of severe cold weather for the next two days. It is time to pay special attention to animal care. If you have pets, please read this notice and take good care of your animals.   Animal Care: Montgomery County reminds residents that Executive Regulation 10-10AM, Anti-Cruelty Conditions for Dogs, states that “a person must not tether a dog under circumstances that endanger its health, safety, or well-being including: unattended tethering of the dog during a weather emergency.” This law was enacted by the Montgomery County Council on June 25, 2002. Dogs spending a period of time outdoors must have access to shelter to properly protect them from the elements. The penalty fo... 01/06/2014

Montgomery County Offers Cold Weather Information     Residents of Montgomery County, Maryland have received warning of severely cold weather tonight and on Tuesday. Many of the area residents have never before experienced the low temperatures that are in the current weather forecast. The following information was provided by Montgomery County this evening.   Due to the record cold weather expected in Montgomery County tonight and through Wednesday of this week, community members should be aware of the following important information. County Emergency Services: Anyone in Montgomery County who is in an emergency situation and needs assistance to stay warm, can call the County’s Crisis Center Hotline at 240-777-4000 or visit the center at 1301 Piccard Drive in Rockville. The hotline and C... 01/06/2014

Holiday Wreath, Colonial Williamsburg   Dolores and I spent the Thanksgiving holidays in Colonial Williamsburg. This is one of our favorite travel destinations and we try to visit the area several times each year. One of the benefits of visiting during the holidays is that the decorations are beautiful and fun to photograph. I just posted a Colonial Williamsburg album on Facebook and this is the cover photograph.     Holiday Wreath, Colonial Williamsburg IMG_2835  Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 01/06/2014

Newly Expanded Gaithersburg Public Library is Open   Three years of expansion and renovation construction has been completed and the new Gaithersburg Public Library opened this week. The opening marks the end of a $25.6 million major renovation project that expanded the 33,700-square-foot structure by adding 22,200 square feet on the main level along the front, back and sides and 7,900 square feet on a partial second floor. “The entire building is certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. Permeable pavement outside in the parking lot and a rooftop garden absorbs rainwater and reduces runoff.” Jenn Davis, The Gazette Gaithersburg Library  18330 Montgomery Village Avenue Gaithersburg, MD 20879 240-773-9490 Branch Manager: Kay ... 01/06/2014

Book Recommendation:  The Firm by John Grisham   When you have a favorite author, it is a good idea to check the book list to see what you may have missed in past years. I just finished reading The Firm (1991) by John Grisham. You will enjoy this old novel as much as you will enjoy his current novel, Sycamore Row (2013). Check the links for more information. One of my personal goals is to read a least one novel a week for personal pleasure. We’ve had a lot of snow and ice in Maryland and I have been able to read more than usual. Enjoy a good book this week! Books by John Grisham     Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_2607  Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 01/05/2014