WLMS Graduation

My daughter just graduated from Wilde Lake Middle School, and the school had a "Farewell Ceremony" in the Atholton High School Auditorium on the evening of June 14^th. (Since Howard County public schools deem graduation to apply only to high school, this was not officially a graduation.) There were 200 "graduates", and they made it a loud, boisterous, happy affair. Most, especially the girls, dressed as if they were going to a prom. Outstanding performances were recognized including the ~8 students (all girls?) who made straight A's throughout middle school and a comparable number who had never missed a day of school. Each of the graduates walked across the stage and were handed their certificate. The students were instructed not to applaud, and they didn't. But they made every other kind of happy noise. It was really loud for the more popular students, but everyone got some noisy recognition.

After the ceremony about 8 of the students and their parents celebrated at the Rocky Run Tape & Grill in Columbia.

8th Annual Millet Seed Hill Wine Around

"Blended flavors" was the theme of the 2007 Wine Around. Almost the entire cul-de-sac participated with a special visit from two former residents. The evening began (left photo) with sparkling wine from Spain, stops at two other homes before finishing at our home. At each home four families presented a blended wine with a complimenting food choice. We served (right photo) a 2004 Primus blend of Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot from Veramonte, Chile, with beef stew following an Argentinean recipe.

An impromptu tequila tasting on a neighbor's deck brought the evening to a close. We searched for answers to several difficult questions. Is tequilla añejo really better than tequilla reposado? Is that a worm? Do you have any pants on? It was time to say good night.