A Quick Trip to the Beach

Friday, I returned from a quick trip to the beach with my friend, Molly. She recommended a trip to relax before my surgery and I concurred. She made arrangements for a cute Airbnb at Folly Beach in South Carolina.

Both our husbands encouraged us to try to stay an extra night which we happily pursued. We could not extend our stay in the initial Airbnb but we did find another close by we could move in to so we were set!

The four hour drive went by quickly as we spent most of the time chatting and looking forward to our getaway. Both of us are facing some medical and pain challenges, so we hoped the trip would be cathartic for both of us.

We made plans to pick up fresh fish for at least one meal. We picked up a small filet and stopped by the grocery store for some potatoes and asparagus. It made a delicious meal!

We knew going in there would be at least one full day of rain, but we were not deterred. Molly brought a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle to help pass the time. She chose a puzzle that well suited our beach destination.

We talked, cooked, walked along the beach and just relaxed until we had to move to the new location. Over the few days we were there, the skies cleared and we enjoyed a little sunshine, a walk on the pier, and a drive around the island.

Our last full day at the beach we ventured out and had lunch on the pier. It was a nice view, and the food was typical for pier food — nothing to write home about, but nice just the same. We intended to do some dream property shopping, but my knee was not cooperating so we made our way back to the Airbnb.

We checked with Siri to find out what time the sun would set. We headed toward the beach about 6:15 so we could enjoy the sunset. The position of the sun caused the view to be partially blocked, but it was worth the walk down to the beach to see it. We met a very friendly golden retriever puppy named Bubba who was happy for the attention we gave him.

Our second Airbnb was okay, but not nearly as nice or as nicely furnished as the first. It did have a great kitchen, but we decided it was better suited for the spring break crowd than two ‘mature’ women on a beach getaway. We found a little Mexican restaurant and we picked up a few street tacos to take back for dinner. After eating and watching a little television, we decided it was time to turn in planning to take our time the following morning before we headed home.

Friday morning found both of us waking in pain and not at all well rested, so we simply set about packing up and heading back toward the mountains. Our drive back wasn’t bad but neither of us were comfortable. We tried to listen to a few podcasts on the drive, but the road noise made that a little difficult. It was definitely time to get home.

Overall the trip was great. Our last day was not as great as the first two, but we were both glad we made the trip. It was the break we both needed. Now it is time to focus on both of us getting better so we can plan our next trip pain free.

The Daffodils Brought Me Back

When I looked back to see how long it had been since I wrote a blog, I was shocked to find my last entry was October of 2023. Four months have flown by.

I cannot say exactly why I quit writing, but I can tell you my heart and my mind have been pulled in a million different directions. I had three family members in the hospital with very serious situations and of course my own health issues to consider. Add to that the friends I have also going through their own medical and personal issues, blogging just became too much.

Last weekend I was driving and noticed all the daffodils were in bloom. I immediately thought of Mary Smith. She loved the spring, the daffodils and the baby lambs.

I plan to start blogging more frequently but not nearly everyday. I finally have my knee replacement surgery scheduled for early April so there is much to accomplish in the intervening time.

I have not read many blogs these last months so I have little idea what is going on in each of your lives. I would love to hear if you care to leave a comment. I promise to respond.

Like Mary, I love the spring. It is filled with promise and hope. A few azaleas are blooming, along with the camelias. If I use the binoculars I can see buds on the dogwood trees. The redbuds won’t be far behind.

I do hope you are all well and prospering in beautiful ways.

Finding Peace in Times of Turmoil – Tranquil Thursday #18

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“Let us all choose to become citizens of humanity rather than citizens of hate; perhaps collectively we can achieve the salvation of the human race from its own evil….”
― Husam Wafaei

I have not written hear about the devastation in the Middle East. I am reading, attempting to learn more about the history, to try to understand something, anything…

War is so futile and the hate we use to justify the horrors we inflict on our enemies rips my heart into shreds.

It isn’t just war and genocide in the Middle East. It is widespread hate across the globe. In this country alone, our refusal to address the gun violence alone is telling. Hate crimes are on the increase. Genocide is ongoing in countries throughout the world. The war in Ukraine continues. It is all neverending it seems.

We have lived through dark times before, I know, but it does not make it any less frightening or horrific. 9/11 was a wake up call for this country, but we have again settled into a false sense of security I fear.

My husband and I are watching “World on Fire” on PBS. It is about WWII. What strength it must have taken to be part of the resistance and risk your life and the lives of your family every day. But then, to do nothing was a risk in and of itself.

So my questions today:

1) How do you find peace in this chaotic world?

2) How do you perceive your obligation to the pursuit of peace in today’s world – or do you see it as an obligation?

Girls’ Trip!

A month or so ago, my friend Molly and I decided to take a mini road trip. I asked her if she wanted to see where I grew up and even take in a play while we were there. With a resounding yes, we picked two days and started planning our trip.

I currently live about a three hour drive from the Valley, but we planned to just go wherever the spirit moved us along the way. The only thing we really planned was where we would have dinner and what play we wanted to see.

We also decided we would both look for ‘something’ to make a commemorative piece of jewelry. Molly, as long time readers know, is a skilled metalsmith and my mentor as well as my friend.

The first stop along the route was in Erwin, Tennessee. I always remembered Erwin, TN as the home of the Blue Ridge pottery patterns my grandmother owned. They are beautiful, with bright colored flower patterns painted with under glazes.

Sadly, Erwin is best known for the hanging of a circus elephant named Mary who had killed a young inexperienced man hired to be her keeper. The accounts are very sensationalized. I found old newspaper articles about the hanging, but they are not terribly accurate and so hard to read for those who love animals so I am not including them here.

Erwin was a VERY sleepy town so we continued on to Jonesborough, TN, the oldest town in the state of TN. It is also well known for being the home of the International Storytelling Center. The Appalachians have a rich history threaded into the stories handed down through the ages. I found a small chipped plate of Blue Ridge pottery which I hope to incorporate into jewelry. Molly found some fossils here that she also plans to work into a piece of jewelry. Stay Tuned!

From Jonesborough, we headed to Abingdon, Va where we would stay for the night. We had dinner reservations at Rain, a recommended local restaurant. After a delicious dinner, we parked and walked through the Martha Washington Inn and Spa. From Wikipedia:

The Martha Washington Inn is a historic hotel located in Abingdon, Virginia. Originally built in 1832 by General Francis Preston, hero of the War of 1812, for his family of nine children, over the course of the last 174 years, the building has served as an upscale women’s college, a Civil War hospital and barracks, and as a residence for visiting actors of the Barter Theatre. In addition to hotel services, the inn now offers spa treatments. Many people say the house might be haunted by ghosts from the area.

We eventually made our way to the world famous Barter Theater where we had tickets to see “Clue”.

“If you like us, talk about us. And if you don’t, just keep your mouth shut.” Robert Porterfield

The Barter Theater was formed by Robert Porterfield in 1933. It was during the Depression and people could not afford tickets to see plays or go to the theater and as a result, actors could not find work. Across the region small farmers were stuck with crops they could not sell. Porterfield came up with the idea of bartering food in exchange for admission. As a result, the Barter Theater was born.

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The play was so good. We both laughed along with the crowd for 90 minutes. The players were excellent and the costumes and props were excellent. I was really curious how they would handle all the scene changes but they did not disappoint!

The following day we roamed around Abingdon and walked a short distance on the Creeper Trail – a 35 mile trail that runs from Abingdon, Va to White Top, Va near the North Carolina line. The trail runs along the old original rail right-of-way. Rail service ceased in the late 1970’s and the tracks were removed. (This region was a favorite of photographer O. Winston Link if you are familiar with his locomotive photographs.)

From Abingdon, we went through Damascus, the small town where I attended elementary school. We also went to Backbone Rock, known as the world’s shortest tunnel. The rock was blasted in the early 1900’s to allow the extension of the rail lines from Damascus Va, to Shady Valley, TN (home of many of my ancestors). We also visited the Creeper Trail Head as Molly’s husband had recently completed a bike ride of the trail.

From there we finally made the drive to the Valley. It is still hard to believe this little community exists beyond the narrow road that winds through the trees. We took a short drive through the Valley where Molly finally got to see where I grew up. She saw the house I was raised in and the community center which was once a one-room school where my mother taught. We wandered on to the creek bank and picked up a few small pebbles that may also end up in a piece of jewelry.

After this, we were both tired and knew it was time to make the three hour trek home. We traveled well together and I hope we will make another trip in the near future.

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Monday Missive Oct 9, 2023

Shoutout to Colonoscopy Prep Day!

That was fake. I am not happy about this so color me CRANKY. I am drinking unsweetened tea with no cream instead of my morning coffee. All liquid diet today so I will be whining all day!

Pleasant thought, pleasant thoughts……

You know what I miss? Chinquapins. Small shrubs that produce small nuts similar to a chestnut. We used to eat them all the time. Have you ever had a chinquapin?

Speaking of nuts. Did you know the American Chestnut trees that once grew in abundance were killed off by the chestnut blight introduced into the U.S. By the import of Japanese chestnut trees? The roots of those trees still live, but every time they develop shoots, the blight still attacks and kills the tree. The blight has also affected the chinquapin, but not as dramatically.

Why must we use invasive plants? All one has to do in drive through the south to see how kudzu has ravished our countryside. That stuff can take down buildings if left alone. Our country promoted its use during the dust bowl era and as a way to reduce erosion in the south.

Back to my kid-dom ( yes, I just made that up). I loved mimosa trees and honeysuckle, both can be invasive species. Just like wisteria. And here, the dreaded Bradford Pear has spread everywhere. Invasive plants can be beautiful to look at but can also be such a threat to our native plants.

Wait, those didn’t end up being very pleasant thoughts! See, I’m cranky.

I am now considering lime jello for breakfast. Yummy. 🤢 sound good? I am willing to share!