Massanutten II

Me at the pool, the putting lesson with the pro (Sam) and all of us at putt putt!

Summer Massanutten '08

 Our view, a deer eating our bread, and a basket class with Sam, Emily, Kelly (Em's friend) and a performer, Scott Jones

"Edgar Allen Poe"

Caricatures and King's Dominion

These were drawn in May of kids....wanted to share the finished products now (almost forgot)!

Finished caricatures

Rivahfest 2008

http://www.rivahfest.com/

This year wasn't like last year when I had a privileged parking space and a tour guide ...this year was a  long, hot bus ride from off site parking and not seeing anyone I knew...unfortunately I became overheated because I was not hydrated enough when I started out and it only got worse...almost passed out from the intense heat and humidity. That is weird because, as a former Floridian, I am used to heat and humidity. I think I wore clothing that was too hot (navy blue, red) and didn't hydrate myself enough before I started the bus ride and the walking. I didn't wear a hat, either.

Even the kids were whiny and they started bickering, which caused me to quickly make a decision to leave. Listening to my body, I knew I had to cool down ASAP and got paper towels, drinking water in quantity, and get in some air conditioning so I would not faint. I did that, got a ride back to my car and filled up my gas tank for my trip to the beach. I skipped a stop for Emily to shop at her favorite store because I needed to get to the beach before dark.

I really loved meeting the vendors, but I was dripping sweat from my face into my eyes and I failed to find the will to stay and take the time to buy...I so wanted to buy from one vendor, a true artist whose creations were incredible. She was talented and friendly and when I started out I intended on returning to buy something from her. I never made it back. I will find out who she is and seek her out.

I am now in Virginia Beach and trying to kick back and get some rest. It has been a trying end of the school year and I need some recovery time, some peace and some joy.

Last night I cooked for my friends here, Charles and Jo (mother and son). I made my spaghetti sauce and we had a great dinner with Texas garlic toast, salad and spaghetti. It had been cooking all day but Sam managed to spill some just before we got there. It was not really  good for a car with tan leather seats! We served Louisiana Crunch cake for dessert!

Tonight I am cooking Saucy chicken for Frances...she was here for a short short time yesterday and took some spaghetti sauce with her!

Hope everyone's summer is going well.

Sometimes it takes something extraordinary to remind you of what is most important...

On June 12th in the late evening I was in Sam's Club in Southpark Mall buying a cake for a baby shower for two of the teachers at my school who are both having baby girls this summer. We were to have a quick shower midday as we were packing to leave on the last day of school (sans kids) the next day. As I hurried through this "chore," I heard the shrieks of a child and witnessed a tired, angry mom who had the little girl slung to one side on her hip, hurrying through the store. The child was hysterical, the mother anxious to get out of there as fast as possible. The screams disappeared down an aisle and subsided but became loud once again as she reappeared with dad this time. He had her on his side but staring at her as if he was looking at a monster. He then clutched her to his chest but she was still screaming as if he was murdering her.

I approached him and asked if I could hold her. Now, as you all know I look the part of a school "marm" with long hair and a rather round body, but a kindly face and surprisingly he said yes. I gently took the child from him and held her next to me across my chest, putting her little head on my left shoulder. Instantly my anxiety about her and her terror disappeared as she clutched me as if I were her "new best friend."

I intinctively knew exactly what to do, and I held her tightly and rubbed her back, cooing into her ear that everything was all right and she could just relax....murmuring softly, I spoke to her and instantly her rigid little body let go. I rocked back and forth in place and closed my eyes...her dad was going, "I don't believe this!" [she was calming and falling asleep] and his brother and a friend were shaking their heads. Neither the child nor I cared that this was "odd" because in that moment she was my reason for being and I was hers.

After a bit, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. I allowed her father to have her back, but she fussed and clung to me until I held onto her arm and kissed her forehead about six times while she rested it on his shoulder. Frankly I wanted to take her home! What makes this more remarkable is that my own younger children witnessed the whole thing. Incidently, these folks were not only perfect strangers but they were African-American and I am Caucasian with a wee bit of Native American. This mattered not in this mystical exchange of souls for a few moments of bliss.

I must also admit that I was "urged" to do this by a power greater than myself. When this Higher Power (many call God or Jesus)  speaks to me, with or without words, I heed the call. As I floated out of the store with my cake, and Emily and Sam trailing behind me, a gentleman came up to me and told me that he saw what happened and that I was a mighty wonderful person and that he was "impressed."

What a day brightener! Wow. Just wow. Even now as I recall it, I am richer for it and still moved to tears.