Cary's Visit

In the course of emails that went out detailing a high school reunion,
I learned that one of my fellow U-High Cub classmates had moved to Virginia
We corresponded a few times
about how we'd each wound up leaving the Baton Rouge area.

Cary and I were both "First through Twelfth Graders".
Meaning that we'd been at U-High aka LSU Laboratory School for all twelve of our school years.
There were about 25 of us (one classroom) during the elementary years
and then in Seventh grade our world was rocked with the addition of 30 new students.

When you know classmates that well;
endure the chaos of having your classes filmed,
break in eight new student teachers each semester,
acquire your first LSU ID card as a 6 year old
and attend school across the street from Fraternity Row,
you've got a weird sort of set of common life experiences.

So although we hadn't been in touch for almost 40 years,
it was great fun when Cary stopped by for a few hours on his way north one morning.

(No this isn't Joe but they look a bit like brothers!)

It was fun to reminisce,
but even more interesting to learn what he's been up to since graduation.

It boggles my mind to think of how lives intersect and connect.
From the days of stacking cardboard blocks
and working the abacus in Ms. Edwards first grade classroom,
we've each transitioned, detoured and changed in a myriad of ways.

Yet here we are a thousand miles from our childhood homes taking a photo together....
all grown up now (some might say we're old)!
With kids of our own, spouses that we love
and no worries about acne or getting dates to prom!
Every day is a little miracle isn't it?

Anybody else coming through?
I keep coffee on the counter and cold beer and tea in the fridge.
plus the guest room is always ready....
unless somebody else is already in it!

Sign? What Sign?

Anybody remember the old 5 Man Electrical Band song:

"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign

Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind

Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?"

I spied this nibbling sheep at White Oak Lavender Farm.

Apparently she doesn't want a warning sign on her pen! 

Hiking and Working!

Friday's Newcomers hike was a long drive away but short in length.  

We caravanned to Wintergreen Ski resort and hiked a rocky trail 

for a little over 3 miles to Shamokin Falls.

I was wearing new hiking boots so was grateful for the short hike
in case they fit poorly.

Hoorah! No blisters or rubs and they gripped terrifically on the rocks.  

The hike was followed by our second favorite activity.... eating.... 

at nearby Devil's Backbone Brewery/Restaurant in Nellysford.  

I took no "keeper" photos this week,
but here's one from an earlier hike in mid June 

where we went on a short section of the AT
starting at Long Mountain wayside. 

After the hike we set up a "Trail Magic" station at the wayside 

and had an array of homemade food, fresh fruit and vegetables,  

and ice chests of cold drinks (even beer) for thru-hikers.  

We were probably about a week too late to hit the peak of through hikers on their way up to Maine, 

but those who came by were grateful!

Photo by Deb Maurer

It's a cloudy and gray day out today with some rain forecast for the afternoon.  

I worked at the shop yesterday and am headed in again today.  

These are my first days to work this month; 

although I remembered how to operate the register, open and close etc, 

the muscle memory of my feet on the brick floor all day was a little lacking!

By the end of 9 hours, 

I was thankful to sit on the porch with a cocktail

while Joe won the Good Husband of the Year award 

by cooking local filets from Donalds on the grill 

with sides of local veggies from the Farmers Market trip earlier in the week.  

My biggest decision for today may be whether to go to the barn this afternoon 

or to attend the meditative Taize church service 

after closing the shop.  

Definitely a lazy morning but I'm now on my way out the door.... off to work!

Visits from Family are the Best!

We went for a 5 mile ride on the horses at the barn this morning.  

It was pretty eventful since we got caught in a torrential rainstorm.  

We made a mad dash across the fields to a run in shed in one of the empty pastures

 but too late as we were already soaked to the bone!

Earlier in the ride we were treated to a close up of a bald eagle as it took off

right above our heads and soared out over the lake!  

I'm still playing catch up and needing to post about Clark and Raeanna's visit last week.

Another advantage to the move to Virginia 

is that Clark is occasionally having friends getting married in town (his college town) 

So coming back for weddings becomes even more attractive 

when you've got a place to stay and family to visit!

Clark arrived first and my youngest was a sight for sore eyes

when we picked him up at the Charlottesville airport.   

Raeanna arrived several days later from New Orleans 

and I snapped this photo of them before they left to attend their friends wedding.

It had been 18 months since I saw this lovely young lady!  

I sure do love both of them!

Raeanna was only in town for the weekend.....

(one of these days Med School will be over!) 

But Clark was able to stay for a few more days.

When I found out about a new pick your own blueberry place, 

we were all game to go get a few pounds for the freezer. 

The last time I picked blueberries was with Paige in Ethel (LA)

It was hot, hot, hot!

This time there was a breeze and none of us even thought about breaking a sweat.

And the views.....  

We did an awful lot of tasting and eating 

while we picked 

as there were multiple varieties which tasted quite different.

All delicious!

  

It looks like Joe is trying to decide what flavor notes he's detecting.....

We may have set a record for fastest pickers at the place....

the owner hadn't seen anyone determined enough
to strap on their picking pail with a belt in order to use both hands!  

I had enough for several batches of blueberry-lime jam,

some blueberry-basil vinegar which is still steeping, 

two tarts and numerous bags of loose berries now frozen!