Wilmington

I have a definitive kinship with Wilmington. It started during the training trip this time last year, and it has done nothing but grown this go-around. The work is satisfying, the company brilliant, the food insatiably satisfying...and the brooding river sets the scene for all. There are coffee shops and carriages, used book stores and Italian gourmet shops, art galleries and weekly wine tastings. I've never seen a place where you so easily become enmeshed in the scene.

This week has been so needed. My coworkers/friends and I have talked about books, movies, politics, current events, trivia, philosophy, travel, parks, archives...so stimulating and outside my usual scope. I must remember to be larger.

Ahhh...

Back in Wilmington, NC. One of my favorite places ever. What do you think of my room two streets up from the Cape Fear River?

Time traveling...

An acquaintance of dad's asked him to paint a picture of his house. It just so happens it is a fabulous old antebellum house that I have wanted to see for ages. We were able to go and visit and take photos. It was like going back in time.



The old slave quarter is still intact, and the fellow has restored it inside.





Outside he had 80 acres of golden tobacco and an old shed overgrown with ripening grapes.





There was even a wonderfully friendly dog named Speckles! It was a delightful afternoon.

Birds

There has been a plethora of bird life this weekend. I think they are feeling the change in the air, heading toward fall. A gaggle of geese flying overhead woke me on Saturday, then later I saw a dove sitting on the edge of the goat's water bin, having a drink. Toward dusk a whole group of turkeys were silhouetted against the distant hillside, and explosions of flying birds in the air look like fireworks with their aeronautical skills, plunging and diving and rising. I love to watch them all.

Buddies

This is an example of one of my afternoons...")

Reflections...

Today mom and Aunt Marie and I went to my Uncle's pond where he and dad were fishing. The water was a beautiful color, and there were many wonderful reflections.

A new place...

I have started another blog. This one is for my photography, primarily. Hope you will come and enjoy... Seeking Solace and Sublimity

Kenna

A long ride.

Sara isn't into looooooong road trips, and the trip from Barbate to Segovia was looooong. You know when the fingers start snapping that the infamous version of "Jingle Bells" isn't long in coming...

Mas photographias de Espana

We pushed the twin beds together in Emily's apartment and zonked out!



Sara won a photo contest with this picture of the three of us behind the Roman theatre columns.



This is of Sara and me looking at the Eiffel tower in Paris (of course). She had just taken my arm as we walked toward the overlook and said, "Is this real?"



Sara in front of the Royal Palace in Madrid.



This is an example of a restaurant in Spain. Notice there is no one in it and no food to be seen.



The Plaza Mayor in Madrid.



The wise men bring the Christmas gifts in Spain.



Rhonda in the Parque de Madrid.

Latest Unit Photo...

Visions of Spain

Cadiz, the oldest continually inhabited city in Western Europe, they say.



The towers of the Alcazar...Isabella's castle.



Segovia, the most beautiful city in the world!



Me at Los Retiros Parque in Madrid.

"Taste of Spain"

Another...

Overlapping the Spaniards a bit was my dear friend Alecia from the 7th grade! I've loved having "my twin" back with me for a couple of nights.

What a weekend!

Maki, Nacho, and Antonio arrived safely on Thursday night. They are Emily's friends from her time in Spain. On Friday the fun began - we tried to cram in as much Americana as we could - they toured the President's house, we had a bbq dinner on the wagon bed at the farm, we went to the fair, we had a big 'ol Southern breakfast, we hiked to the falls, then we had a cookout at the mt. cabin!! GREAT fun. Now we have a good reason to return to Spain.

International Travel

The Spaniards are to arrive today - but at the moment they are lost somewhere in Midway, TN. Brad, Emily, and Sara are here, anyway, as well as Gracie and Pumpkin, the cats. Ada is faring as well as can be expected with the whole routine. lol. My best friend from 7th grade is supposed to show up sometime this weekend as well. More updates on the scintillating adventure as it transpires.

August 6th

Good news all around today!
Dad's back up on the tractor!
Rhonda's house is being framed!
Butternut the bunny's leg is healing nicely!

These are all causes for rejoicing!



What else today? I've been scattered around the park taking photos for the National Park Conservation Association report - of which we scored higher than any other park!! I learned what Dallis grass is, and I'm in lively communication with a fellow in New York over a piece of John Lennon's artwork!

It's an exclamation day!!

Dane and Sir Farley

Dog days...

It's that time of year...the dog days of August. It is so hot everyone seems to be in a suspended state. There is only the thin strain of cricket song outside, and Miss Ada can hardly keep her eyes open. I'm "at the desk and giving tours" again today, and sure enough, we've got to cut that ribbon again. The error was the Sup't giving the wrong date, but such is life at work now. Rhonda comes home today, and I'm thrilled about that. Otherwise, it's the great quiet, and heat, and the white pallid haze of summer that gives it depth. I cannot wait for fall.

And the good news is....

The new exhibit ribbon cutting opening went well - and the shears cut the ribbon flawlessly! There were several former park employees there, and it was nice to see them. The one hitch - the newspaper said the ribbon cutting would be tomorrow, so we may have to do it again!!

Jamming...

Fun Times with the Unit!

Follow Up

I went back to the 509 this morning, and things were much better. I made waffles with oatmeal and pecans, and we topped them with peaches and blackberries. I love the bounty from this time of year. On our last hike, my sister and I picked MANY ripe blueberries along the trail to refresh ourselves.

Dad started a "biography" that I "demanded," as he wrote, back in the 1990's. He's been holding off letting me read it, but I likewise demanded yesterday, and I enjoyed it so much! It brings the Depression and WWII to life. I told him he needs to keep it up. I learned he used to love to climb into his dad's lap when he was little, and though "Pappaw" wasn't a hugger, he would cradle dad in his arm while he read the paper or something. This was so sweet, and it struck me as odd that the same man cradled both my father and myself in his lap. There is something awesome about that overlapping of generations.

Today I cut the ribbon for the opening of a new exhibit at work - the 100th year of the National Cemetery. I'm using a pair of Andrew Johnson's old tailor shears, and I just hope they work!!!

At "home"

I'm at the folks' house today. Back where I grew up. Dad's having a hard day, and I'm discouraged. I want to be here, though, for all I'm worth. For all that's left of what used to be.