The first week (Tuesday-Monday) I was in the western part of Virginia (not to be mistaken with West Virginia, although I spent a day there too). I'd driven through Winchester several times on my way back and forth to Knoxville and had wanted to explore it so when I found a journal writing workshop being offered there I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to play tourist.
One day I went to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. In case you don't already know this about me - museums generally bore me silly. This one was really no different but I did enjoy seeing the gardens of the Glen Burnie house which is also part of the tour. The house was owned by a prominent family for several generations. The last member of the family to own it lived full-time in Manhattan and stayed at the Virginia property once in a while. It's hard for me to imagine leaving these scrumptous gardens to return to New York City, even as much as I love New York!
One day I went to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. In case you don't already know this about me - museums generally bore me silly. This one was really no different but I did enjoy seeing the gardens of the Glen Burnie house which is also part of the tour. The house was owned by a prominent family for several generations. The last member of the family to own it lived full-time in Manhattan and stayed at the Virginia property once in a while. It's hard for me to imagine leaving these scrumptous gardens to return to New York City, even as much as I love New York!
Another place that I loved was the Handley Regional Library in Winchester. I may be bored silly in a museum but give me a library to roam around in and I'm happy for hours. This is, without a doubt, the most gorgeous library I've ever seen. I was so tempted to apply for a job while there but unfortunately they only had part-time positions and I couldn't afford to live there on what I would have made. I'll keep my eyes open and maybe someday they will have something full-time.
The "lobby"- is in a rotunda. There are two sets of the curving staircase the lead up to the second floor (and maybe higher, I'm not sure because I got a bit dizzy just climbing the stairs.) There is a huge stained glass ceiling at the top of the rotunda. Really pretty!
A work room that is fabulous. I love all of the wood. These are just a few of the pictures. I have many more since I was snapping pictures all over the place in there :)
That week I also visited Harrisonburg and toured the Virginia Quilt Museum. Sadly no pictures were allowed but they had some lovely quilts. Almost makes me wish I quilted! Almost! Another day I walked a couple of labyrinths at an amazing place called The Land Celebration (Gore, Virginia). It was such a peaceful and inspiring place. The people were so warm, welcoming and compassionate. I had a lovely walk and talk with the founder and hope to visit there again someday.
One of the ladies from my hotel recommended visiting Harper's Ferry (West Virginia). The old town is in a National Park. It's really something to see. I'd like to go back there sometime.
Standing at this lookout point I could see whitewater rafters and people tubing along the river. But even more enjoyable was watching the hawk glide overhead. He seemed to be just riding the wind for the pleasure of doing so!
This footbridge crosses the river to Maryland. As I was coming back across the bridge there was a family walking along. The mother called to the little girl to let me pass. The little girl looked to be about 5 or 6 years old. I joked that she was walking so fast that I couldn't possibly pass her so she went into a speed-walk! The race was on! She won! What fun! I really miss working with kids ~ they are so enthusiastic about everything!
After climbing many steps I reached a breath-taking view and a beautiful old church. I also reached a decision that I simply MUST get in better shape. Sometimes I forget how much I enjoy hiking and being outdoors. This was a reminder that exercise will make those activities even more enjoyable. I've been to the gym four times in the week I've been back and have started going to water aerobics. A good start, yes?
On Monday (7/13) I drove to D.C. and visited my favorite memorial - the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. I love it because it has gorgeous landscaping, magnificent water features and spectacular sculptures. Eleanor Roosevelt is one of the women I most admire in the world.
I wasn't sure where I was headed next but ended up in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It seemed a good place to stay so that I could do day-trips to different places. Downtown Fredericksburg has an excellent vegetarian restaurant (Sammy T's), some to-die-for ice cream options, and a slew of fun shops. One of my favorites was the Cat's Closet - all cat merchandise :) Even the other stores seem to recognize the appeal of cats...this was a "window display" that seems to change with the cat's mood
As I stood there watching the cat she had to move the boxes over a bit to get comfortable. Sorry for the glare in the picture - the way the sun was shining that day there was no way to avoid the reflection unless I waited for the sun to shift. It seemed more likely the cat would move first!
I wasn't sure where I was headed next but ended up in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It seemed a good place to stay so that I could do day-trips to different places. Downtown Fredericksburg has an excellent vegetarian restaurant (Sammy T's), some to-die-for ice cream options, and a slew of fun shops. One of my favorites was the Cat's Closet - all cat merchandise :) Even the other stores seem to recognize the appeal of cats...this was a "window display" that seems to change with the cat's mood
As I stood there watching the cat she had to move the boxes over a bit to get comfortable. Sorry for the glare in the picture - the way the sun was shining that day there was no way to avoid the reflection unless I waited for the sun to shift. It seemed more likely the cat would move first!
The entire trip was spent doing whatever I felt like whenever I felt like it, which frequently included eating at Red Robin (love their Boca Bonzai burgers) and Glory Days (yummy chocolate lava cake). I had a lot of fun getting to know some people who were staying in the same hotel. Turns out one of the women lives right outside Philadelphia so we're making plans to get together soon.
Now I am home and trying to get back into something of a routine. I'm still looking for a job and am trying very hard to keep an open mind and an open heart no preconceived notions about where I will end up or what I will be doing!
It is nice to be home with my kitties. The indoor family was glad to see me. The outside gang didn't say much one way or the other about my return home. I have to believe they are glad to see me too but they are more stoic about their emotions. They aren't shy about their demands for food though!
A few weeks ago I discovered that Punkin has babies and they have become quite the little three-kitten show around our deck! Here are a few pictures I captured of them. It's challenging because if they see me at the door they take flight!
The litter of kittens that appeared last year was nicknamed "ABBA" because they were all such dancing queens, they would stand at the door and dance to get our attention so we would come feed them. This litter I've nicknamed the BeeGees because it appears the two blonds are twins and then there is a little gray one who is so cute! That's as close as I've come to naming this group (so far!).
Alice has a litter too but I've not been able to catch pictures of her family. This morning Randy rescued one of Alice's kittens who had gotten his little neck stuck in the soccor net in our neighbor's yard. Apparently when Randy went outside he heard the kitten crying and went to investigate. Alice's other babies were sitting around their sibling as he/she was trying to get free. Poor baby must have been terrified because it didn't even struggle when Randy was cutting the net to let it free!
Which brings me to one last request....if you buy sodas or water or anything else that has the plastic thing that holds the group of bottles together - PLEASE cut each piece of plastic before throwing it away. Entirely too often those products end up in a land-fill and it's a danger to birds and other creatures.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.
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