beck1897

An Abundance of Pears

The first year we owned Glen Burnie there were no pears, so imagine our surprise when the next summer hundreds of pears appeared on the innocent looking tree between the kitchen and the pool house. I have a history with pears. We had a pear tree when I was growing up and truthfully my entireContinue reading “An Abundance of Pears”

Ancestors

John McClellan (1751-1775) was one of the first commissioned officers in the Continental Army from Cumberland County Pennsylvania. John was the first lieutenant in Captain Hendricks company of riflemen. His younger brother Daniel was a private in this same company. John’s family had fled Scotland for the American colonies after the failed rebellion of 1715.Continue reading “Ancestors”

Collections

Why do I collect? For me the answer to that question is easy – I collect things I love and things that evoke memories or people that I cherish. Collecting is not random or impulsive. It is gathering physical pieces that represent people, places and times in my life that are meaningful. The process itselfContinue reading “Collections”

Home

Houses don’t all immediately become “home”. There is a period of introduction between the owners and a new house as the house shows you what it needs and you begin to figure out how to accommodate those needs and yours in a way that satisfies both parties. Glen Burnie was a needy house. Neglect orContinue reading “Home”

Living with Ghosts

When we bought Glen Burnie we knew very little about the history of the house. The day we moved in was the day that former residents began to educate us. As we began to unpack prior to the renovation/restoration we had a series of experiences which convinced us that we were not alone in theContinue reading “Living with Ghosts”

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good Glen Burnie is part of 16,000 acres of protected land in the Green Springs National Landmark Historic District. The property is stunning – pastoral views give way to vistas of the Southwest Mountains with magnificent sunsets. The pond is beautifully serene and we have some amazing trees, some of which are over 150Continue reading “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”

New Adventures

We are crazy – no other explanation or adjective comes close to encompassing the enormity of what we have done. As our friends have approached retirement, we have watched them sell their suburban houses in favor of a condo at the beach or on the ocean or the golf course. Some have opted for livingContinue reading “New Adventures”