Five Days

You say, "I'm headed into the wilderness, Mom?"

That you'll be tramping in nature's wild

the last few days of your New Zealand stint?

"Just in case you're wondering...

where your daughter is..."

Who are you?

What are you made of?

Just when I thought I had you pegged...

you, who I thought was my little city girl,

stepped away from all that was familiar...

only to discover that you too

love the wonder that only nature can offer.

You have found your way to the same holy place

your brother and I love.

Welcome, Sweetheart.

Five days and counting.

You will sweep through my heart

for two months and ...

off again you will go.

I'll stand in the road watching as you disappear again...

left to anticipate your next appearance.

I love you, Al, the absolute opposite of

the slightest of slight.

Mum

Spring Hopping... First Stop: Jefferson Pools

Teresa and I have decided we will check out every spring we can find... starting close to home and venturing beyond... Who knows, maybe we'll be in the Mediterranean before you know it.

We went hiking on our way to the Jefferson Pools... in Bath County... and found this unique rock that looks like a hand.

A little cold for a picnic at 3,000 feet up, but we did it.

Then off to the pools we went. 98 degrees sulfur water flowing unstoppably into this pool they built... rustic.

This is what you see when you look up... as you're floating in the pool.

We're thinking about a West Virginia trip in January. Wanna come, Al?

What Do You Think About That, Al?

Linda's Friend

Linda met this guy in Maine while hiking with friends. Out of the blue, he seemed to appear, with a keen interest in Linda. "Who are you?" he said. Then, for a week or so, he called, he e-mailed, he called more, e-mailed more. This led to a trip south... driving the 13 hours or so it takes to get to Crozet, Virginia, from Gloucestire (did I spell that right? who cares, really.), Maine.

He arrived on Thursday evening.

That's what's goin' on.

Love you, Al...... Mum

Blue Skies Callin' My Name... Nothin' But Blue Skies...

Actually I'm posting this picture so you can see how blue the blue sky is. Remarkable. The garlic is coming up. The garden is beautiful. Brandon's in his element.

We're eating a whole lot of sweet potatoes. Kale coming up in the greenhouse... and spinach. Not quite big enough to eat yet.

The temp's been quite comfy with the days holding in the 60s mainly. Today, though, it's dropped down to 45.

All is well. Had a dream about one of the pigs. Not feeling so good about what's coming. Told Brandon and now he says he's not feeling so great about it either. What a learning experience.

Started making kombucha yesterday. We'll see how it goes. Would like to master making nice and carbonated, not too sweet... perfect. Plan to make elderberry and muscadine flavors.

Sitting in Greenberry's typing this drinking Jasmine Green tea. Nice scene, actually.

Wow, you know Christmas is right around the corner? You'll be home. Yippee.

Love you, Al...... Mum

Hi There... from Alea and... is it Dutchess?

Let's Go Pigback Riding

Jamil's riding on Dutchess... or is it Wilber. Neither seem to mind. I still wonder how Brandon's going to pull this thing off... after all this time being with them and then... ugh.

I'll be somewhere else, that's for sure......

Smiles,

Mum

Chris and Sophia's Baby Boy

Don't you think he looks like Michael?
Little Lad... no name yet. :)

Sadie Says Hi.. as best she can... purrrrrrrrrrrrr

Do you think we could put her in the Guiness World Book of Records for loudest purr? Each morning, she calls to me to let her in. Sweet, light frost covers the plants outside. She wants attention. I open my bedroom's sliding glass door, pick up her the same ol' way by the neck like her mama would, and love on her. Her purr... well, you know. Then, a walk to the bathroom sink, lightly turn on the faucet... just a trickle, you know... and she drinks... and drinks... and drinks... and drinks. Okay, Sadie... I'm going to leave you in here for a while and I'll be back. I close the bathroom door behind me and she's on her own.

Then, later I come back in. She is content... sitting on the counter. Just waiting. Is she smiling? Probably.

More loving... and then back outside you go, girlie. I love you, Sadie.

Holding You Close

Brandon's Fancy Tub

Now all you have to do is imagine your naked brother smiling... resting his weary bones after a long day working, gardening, being... he's been happy lately. I think I just had to lock him out of the house so he could see and experience for himself his independence.

Yesterday he had to go to Five Guys... cajun fries and a bunless burger. This is your brother. Gotta love him.

Nevada Says Hi

This is behind Brandon's cabin.

Brandon and Nevada

Nevada and Brandon having a love fest before Brandon climbs into the hot tub he's created. It's cold out and the water is hot, hot... steaming hot.

He told me later it was amazing, his bath outside. The senses peaked by the hot and cold colliding around him.

We love you, Al

The Most Beautiful Place on Earth?

Brandon's babies...

And, then the most beautiful place on earth? Maybe there's more than one, huh Al?

It snowed last night. Melted by mid-day, however. Cold... brrr.

I love you, sweetie pie. Mum

At the Hermann's on Their Computer :)

Hi Al,

Delivered my weekly goodies to the Hermann's... so using their computer. Made delicious "lit'l bit a this, lit'l bit a that" goody balls and Teresa loves them so much she's going to hide them from Wolfgang. Says he would consume them in no time. Ha.

May snow tomorrow. Wow. I'm excited.

Pictures, pictures? Please, please?

Mama loves her Al............. Mum

Hi Al, Mornin' :)

Wednesday and it's going to get up to 72 degrees today. Weather continues to bliss me out. I'm at the Waynesboro public library... ain't bad. Easy to find a spot to be on-line.

Gosh, realizing I've not got much exciting news to share today. Considering I'm not in Middle Earth, I imagine any news from UpOver would "pale in comparison." Ordinary, however, is not so bad.

Love you,

Mom

Bloody Outstanding!

Okay... I had to google to find out if New Zealand won the rugby match. Thought you'd e-mail me or something! And, yes, they won... so now New Zealand is a great place to hang out for the next couple months. Close match, huh, with France? 8 to 7, I believe. How's that for an informed mama.

Sophia and Chris had a baby boy today! Everyone's healthy and happy. I think Chris is crying. :)

Sweet little Sadie... hard to not open the door and let her visit for a while. Gotta love this one. :) As she ages, she just gets more loving.

She says hello to Aunt Shay-Shay.

Babies, Babies, Everywhere!

October 21, 2011 Baby Lula.....

She's a beauty!

Charlottesville Airport ... My Al

October 10, 2011

Hi Al, So here you are before the great transformation that inevitably results from flying to the other side of the earth to a place so foreign to everything you've known so far in these 19 years so far on the planet. Time to expand your horizons, step to a place beyond comfort and experience more of everything.

Love you, Al... Mum