Willo-the-wisp

The Witching Season

2010-10-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

I'm ready for autumn to be here, as well as Halloween!

Empress Josephine

2010-03-29T17:16:00.001-07:00

Did you know that Empress Josephine of France was
an avid horticulturist and had a rose named after her?

Marie Antoinette

2010-03-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

In my love of gardens that is growing, I am drawn to films and to women that also share this love...this beauty of the ephemeral and natural. Sometimes it comes in surprising places...

Spring cometh...

2010-03-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

As Spring creeps to life this year, I have many new plans for my land. I just watched the Secret Garden, and I'm inspired to create a place to qualify for kinship of any in Mistlethwaite Manor or Avonlea. I've taken "before" pictures, so I'll post again as things come to life. I worked in the chill of winter and was glad when I was able to transplant roses and willows. Today I planted forsythia, rhododendron, phlox, ivy, and raspberries... There's been burning and clearing and pruning that is satisfying to the soul.

The upper end of the pond - rhododendron went here. This area is to be white and green. Ferns will follow soon, and perhaps some water lilies...

The lane...the hoodoos have been created. Ferns here...ivy and bulbs.

Sunflowers, perhaps? Hollyhocks?

I can't believe I haven't posted the Cove. Perhaps it will warrant a post to itself. It is all a hibernating mess right now, but there will be glory to come...

The smoke followed me
And shone in slanted rays;
The ash fell all around me
Like a snowy springtime day;
I'll wait for petal blossoms
To fall around me still,
And I'll let the yellow sunshine
Make me wholly healed.

Quilt Project

2009-06-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

Honoring my grandmother's handiwork:

Sometimes

2009-04-11T18:37:00.001-07:00

You just don't know what great things you'll find in your own hometown.

War and Peace

2009-04-03T09:56:00.001-07:00

I just finished watching "War and Peace." I very much

enjoyed it overall. The march of the French army

across Russia in defeat was singularly effective.

I enjoyed seeing Henry Fonda in a different role,

too. Overall, not what I expected, but very much

worth the viewing. Very lush in many aspects.

Shakespeare - with a twist!

2009-03-28T17:59:00.001-07:00

How happy is this??

Off!

2009-03-06T16:49:00.000-08:00

We're off to Rome! I ask for prayers for safe travels from all my dear ones here.

Lots of pictures to share on return - I'm sure!

Remembering too...

2009-02-25T18:26:00.000-08:00

A tiny friend who went on today...I'll miss you little guy.

February 25th

2009-02-25T18:17:00.000-08:00

Remembering "the quiet one" on his birthday...when really he was the one who gave them their sound.

Detail

2009-02-24T04:20:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a project at Cumberland Gap this week. It's a project to get all their archival material in order. I love these trips. I've been to Cumberland Island National Seashore, Moores Creek National Battlefield (and wonderful Wilmington, NC in the process), and now here. It is this time, with this group of people, that makes going back to my "real" job more bearable.

In preparation...

2009-02-22T16:22:00.001-08:00

In getting ready for our upcoming trip to Rome, what more appropriate thing could we do to prepare than watch...

These superb actors seemed to enjoy each other and making this film so much. It comes through on the screen. I recommend it to everyone!

Spanish Dancer

2009-02-20T17:35:00.000-08:00

As a wooden match held in the hand, white,

on all its sides shoots flickering tongues

before it flashes into flame—: within the inner

circle of onlookers, hurried, hot, bright,

her dance in rounds begins to flicker and spread.

And suddenly, everything is completely fire.

One glance and she ignites her hair,

turning all at once with daring art

her entire dress into a passion of flame,

from which, like startled snakes,

the naked arms awake and reach out, clapping.

And then: as if the fire were growing scarce,

she takes it together and throws it off,

masterfully, with proud, imperious gestures,

and watches: it lies there raging on the ground,

still flaring up, refusing to give in—.

Till triumphantly, self-assured and with a sweet

welcoming smile, she raises her face,

then stamps it out with small, powerful feet.

Rilke

"How else is life made real, but by story and song and fiery dance?"

Ahab's Wife

Margaret Fuller

2009-02-14T05:31:00.000-08:00

I've just discovered Margaret Fuller. What a life! From her conversations for women to her travels out West and abroad, she is truly an inspiration. At one time she was known as the most well-read person in New England, male or female. Her contemporaries included Emerson, Thoreau, and the Alcotts. Amazingly, however, this is the only daguerreotype known of her...

Interestingly enough, she was sent on assignment overseas. She sailed to Liverpool. She also met Italian revolutionaries in her travels as she interviewed famous authors, and she moved in with one of the exiles in Italy - they even had a child. All three were drowned 50 feet from shore when their return ship to America hit a sandbar. None other than Thoreau came to the beach to try to find her.

Major works: Woman in the Nineteenth Century, Summer on the Lakes, and Papers on Literature and Arts

To learn more of her see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Fuller

For the dark winter months...

2009-02-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for Chris Stevens, even in imagination. The world needs more like him. I'm glad this show embraced my life when it did ~ and that it still does.

February 12, 2009

2009-02-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

Happy 200th Birthday to

President Abraham Lincoln!

1939

2009-02-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

Yes, M., this one was the first classic I saw on t.v., and the second classic I ever read in my teens. (Jane Eyre was the first). I don't think I slept for weeks after seeing this one. Interestingly enough, I wish this had been another movie that Olivier and Leigh had done together, but notice the year. She was busy with Gone With the Wind...

2009-01-25T18:55:00.001-08:00

In this season of long, cold evenings, there is nothing like revisiting an old favorite classic. The Bronte~Austen cycle continues.

Wintertime readings...

2009-01-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

I love having time in winter to settle in with books. Here are a couple I've enjoyed over the cold evenings...

Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund is a lyrical book. I had seen it for years, and finally bought it this winter.

"I have ever feared the weathervane in me. Sometimes I point toward Independence, isolation. Sometimes I rotate - my back to Independence - and I need and want my friends, my family, with a force like a gale. I have in me a spinnaker sail that finds the breeze and leads all my sails in that direction. I do not count myself fickle, for I have much loyalty in me, but I am changeable."

There is also A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway. It was revealing to read something autobiographical from "Papa." It brought to life the people and the times of Paris in the 1920s.

"I've seen you, beauty, and you belong to me now, whoever you are waiting for and if I never see you again, I thought. You belong to me and all Paris belongs to me and I belong to this notebook and this pencil...wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast."

MORE SNOW!! And sledding in three stages...

2009-01-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

Always music...

2008-12-27T17:16:00.000-08:00

I love having a house that is so often filled with music.

December hike

2008-12-27T15:28:00.001-08:00

Just a few days past Christmas, one of my friends called to go for a hike. My niece had a friend up as well, so we cooked breakfast at the mountain cabin before starting out. We walked past the ruins of the old commissary of the Peavine RR where glass that was melted 100 years ago is still on the ground.

There is also the remains of the settlers' old walkway to the spring.

Then we reached the falls. They were majestic with water! We had to wade through the creeks to cross them, but the weather was mild enough to do so. See our wet jeans?

We befriended another family's bulldog on the hike, and it posed charmingly for photos.

Sara's friend brought his banjo and carried it through the woods like the pied piper. It was a charming and blue-grassy sound coming through the woods.

Come see...

2008-12-14T09:58:00.000-08:00

I have created a new blog about my travels...

Remembering...

2008-12-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

John Lennon
October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980

Fun day in Asheville

2008-12-04T19:04:00.000-08:00

This past week, we went to Asheville with two sets of friends and family. It was a cold, wintry, wonderful day of exploration at the Mast General Store, lunch at the Bistro, shopping at Ten Thousand Villages, and finding delectable desserts at the Chocolate Fetish...mmmm.

Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-27T18:09:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful my internet is back up!! That is a flippant but sincere top of the list. It has been a sweet day. I'm thankful for my precious parents, my loving family, a visit from Brad and Sara, that Ellie the dog is home at last, and for our new puppy Piper...

Another site...

2008-10-27T10:06:00.001-07:00

I found a fun site - http://burntmarshmallows.ning.com/. It's all about camping - you can read and post blogs and share photos!

Challenges

2008-10-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

Life has been filled with some pretty challenging things lately. In the midst of it, I realized that it would be very easy for me to give up and to slip into middle aged complacency. That gave me a start, so I'm going to start to fiercely recognize some desires I still have. One entails a masters degree in museum studies. The other ~ my body. So, I have decided to start training for a journey through Wilderness Travels that goes to the base camp of Mt. Everest.

The wonder of it is, to train, I am doing a variety of things - I've pulled my ballet shoes back out; I'm starting a zumba class tomorrow, and best of all, I'm climbing mountains. This past weekend, my sister and I started out with nearby Viking Mountain. It was later in the day, so we hiked to the fire tower and then to the Blackstack Cliffs...not long trails, but the chill air was wonderful, and the brisk walk got our hearts pumping. The autumn scenery was fabulous.

Blackstack Cliffs
"I'm sittin' on top of the world."

One of the next trails to take...

Blue Springs Reenactment

2008-10-12T06:35:00.001-07:00

Out West

2008-09-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

One of mine and Emily's jaunts ~

Appalachia

2008-09-12T18:19:00.001-07:00

And then, here am I. Part of a vastly beautiful and slowly decaying world.

What shall we do next?

Wilmington

2008-08-28T17:30:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-08-24T16:17:00.001-07:00

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...

2008-08-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-16T19:51:00.000-07:00

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

Reflections...

2008-08-16T18:13:00.001-07:00

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...

2008-08-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-08-14T14:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-08-12T17:45:00.001-07:00

Visions of Spain

2008-08-12T17:17:00.000-07:00

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"

2008-08-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

Another...

2008-08-11T14:29:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-08-10T09:34:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-07T20:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-05T04:06:00.000-07:00

Dog days...

2008-08-04T09:37:00.001-07:00

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....

2008-08-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-08-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

Fun Times with the Unit!

2008-08-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

Follow Up

2008-08-03T05:20:00.000-07:00

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"

2008-08-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

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.

A Word on the Title...

2008-07-30T16:47:00.000-07:00

Will-o’-the-wisp

My life is now void of distractions
The will-o’-the-wisp journey is done.
I stake the claim to my blessings
And a new path is hereby begun.

I’ll feign not the old world unjustly.
I’ll trust not the new one undue,
But I’ll work with the gifts of my Savior
To uncover their mixture and hue.

Let us dip our hands in the current,
And be vessels for what may come through,
Let us suffer not fear in abandon,
Rather grant our return in its due.

VC/HS Day

2008-07-30T04:51:00.000-07:00

I guess part of my qualms about sameness and wanting to be different stem from my career in a historic house. I don't have to tend the desk or give tours much anymore, thank goodness, but my rare occasions of filling in - on top of my previous 12 years or so - gave me my fill. Every day it could have been the same person coming through the door, asking the same questions. Each spring each school group was exactly like the one the year before - no sense of personal space, wanting to be first, making the same distant noise coming down the street. My spirit quakes before sameness now.

Now, with illnesses in the family where so much is also repetition, I rejoice in travels and in learning new things. I want to venture farther and farther, to places that not everyone goes, to get out of the homogenization of America, to trust my instincts to what is alright, to immerse myself as much as possible. I find myself delighting when I'm able to think, and when a challenge gives me a new ability.

The one great thing about working at the VC/HS is the extra hour and a half I have in the morning before going in - ah, breakfast, scrapbooking, time with the critters, reading, memorizing, writing...the possibilities are beautiful.

Venturing...

2008-07-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

It's important to me to try new endeavors and experience new things. I think that is the basis for growth and development. I'm trying now to find my ultimate focus, that which I want most, and what I should work for unfailingly. ARE we unique? Or is that what we are striving to attain?