Author Archives: John M

The Young Victoria Collection – Best in Category for 2023

Posted on January 17, 2024 by John M

The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) recently announced its 2023 NGC Registry Award Winners and for the fourth year in a row, “The Young Victoria Collection” was awarded Best in its Category.  The collection previously won the Best in Category award … Continue reading →

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Looking back on 2023

Posted on January 2, 2024 by John M

During 2023 our hiking group went on 92 hikes for a total of just over 400 miles, averaging about 4.4 miles per hike. The distance per hike was similar to last year’s, but the reduced number of hikes inevitably lowered … Continue reading →

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Crying Out

Posted on January 28, 2023 by John M

A hawk crying to its mate along the Potomac River near River Farm, Virginia.

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Living History Events during 2022

Posted on January 9, 2023 by John M

Last year was the 160th Anniversary of the American Civil War battles that took place during 1862, so our hiking group visited several Civil War battlefield sites, some of which had “Living History” events, featuring costumed reenactors. You don’t get … Continue reading →

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Looking back on 2022

Posted on December 31, 2022 by John M

During 2022 our hiking group continued to burn up the trails! We went on 108 hikes for a total of around 500 miles; averaging about 4.6 miles per hike. That’s not much different overall from last year, but this year … Continue reading →

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Abigail

Posted on December 19, 2022 by John M

In October this year Abigail passed away, at 16 years. She came to me with her brother Quincy in 2006, a rambunctious pair of playful kitties who brightened my life. Abigail was supposedly the shy one, even though she sometimes … Continue reading →

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NGC Has Dropped Its Sweetheart Deal With ANA

Posted on December 8, 2022 by John M

Back in 2017 the fee for an NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) Associate membership was $39 per year. At that time an ANA (American Numismatic Association) membership ($28) included a free NGC Associate membership, so it made sense to join ANA … Continue reading →

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Bluebirds

Posted on June 9, 2022 by John M

A young bluebird at our bird feeder billing with its parent and getting a bite to eat.

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The Young Victoria Collection – Best in Category for 2021

Posted on January 17, 2022 by John M

The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) recently announced its 2021 NGC Registry Award Winners and, once again, “The Young Victoria Collection” was awarded Best in its Category.  The collection previously won the Best in Category award in 2012, 2016, 2017, 2019, … Continue reading →

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Looking back on 2021

Posted on January 5, 2022 by John M

Seems like 2021 was a pretty good year for hiking, if our hiking group is any indication. During 2021 we went on 102 hikes for a total of 500.5 miles; averaging 4.9 miles per hike. That’s the most mileage we’ve … Continue reading →

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