Friday 9302011 wv
The things a girl has to do to go pee. Put on my galoshes, grab an umbrella and slosh out to the bathhouse. It's been raining for hours and it's cold, well relatively, low 50's I'd say maybe lower. Need to get a thermometer. We've turned on the car and read the outside temp for perspective a few times.
Dan and Tom are up on the ridge at Dan Brindo's, or northern Dan as we say. It's the final Drink and Plink party. Well, Dan's got a wide porch and a nice warm house to recover in. I suspect there's a bit of moonshine and some other drinkin to go with it, part of the party. Our sweet boy with a trumpet pic leaves this world tonight. Sayonara with a smile I say.
Good thing we burned the bonfire last night. It was just Dan and Tom and I but seemed the right time. Have to go by the weather when you're living mostly outdoors. It was a beautiful fire. And all the brush from the trimmed autumn olives went up with a rosy flame high into the sky. We sat out staring at the fire and up at the stars. I love it. Both of us smelled like wood smoke in the bed. Suppose you'd get tired of that after a while, but not yet.
Had some patches of sun as this cold front blew in and Suki got her ride home bath. Weather changed quickly and I felt sorry for leaving her on the porch so cold when we went into Elizabeth. She and I are in the front room all warm and cozy now. I watched the new version of True Grit, pretty good. I do like a happier ending though, but I guess it's more artistic when it's truer to life. I'll have to go back and see the original sometime.
We leave in two days. All this rain and cold, guess it's time. I never got to half what I had in mind though. Writing songs, practicing some piano. I did put some time in on the harp though. That and did a stack of NY Times Crossword Puzzles.Read some good books too, Machine Dreams Jayne Anne Phillips, Drown- Junot Diaz. Listened to The Lock Artist and The Help too, both really good. Why I find the puzzles so relaxing I don't know, I've never finished one, though I 've come close a few times. I have the answers to some – maybe I'll learn something.
Fortunately I love what I do in Key West. I'm sure once I get over the shock of my busy schedule that I'll be glad to be there. I do have some really great jobs, I'm a very lucky girl . I always miss being outside though. Maybe I can figure out how to outwit those backyard mosquitos and spend more time. Could be I'll figure that into the renovation of the front room. Maybe a screened porch off that room? Well, can't come true if you don't dream it. Look at what happened here.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Sept 26 2011
When the weather is cold is wet, this is when it really feels like camping. Sloshing to the bathhouse to pee, hunkering under an umbrella to wash the dishes. My friend Saffra was here for 4 days and upon returning to Philadelphia commented that what she missed was being outdoors all the time. True, our place is spacious and comfortable when we have the outside porch and walks as a part of it. Today, however, it's chill and wet and muddy. I did use the rubber boots Saffra left me to go to the bathhouse during the night. Kept my feet dry and warm, I admit I was very sleepily slipping into them and glad nothing else had decided to climb in as well!
Fortunately we also have the 2 rooms and a lovely heater in each. So here I sit, blogging away on the comfy couch with the heat on just enough and a few layers of clothing. This last week given to just trying to rest and relax and empty the freezer and pantry items I've accumulated . I've enjoyed having time to cook , and to have friends to dinner. Last night we were joined by Tom and Dan and Nancy from up on Fairview, our immediate family. I made meatloaf and had time to saute vegetables, make breadcrumbs. I have to plan an hour ahead to bake or roast here, as I need to ready the coals for the grill and then get the grill cleaned and set and of course let whatever cook. I used the coals lined up on either side method last night instead of in a circle. Keeps it a bit hotter if I can stack them up, but made the coals wider in the grill. The ends of the loaf a bit crisp, but I actually liked it so no harm.
Never chronicled about my day of the animal kingdom roadkill. I drove into Spencer one day a week past and I swear there was one of each animal around here that had been hit on the road. Even ones I don't normally see like bobcat and coyote along with the more familiar sights of deer, red fox, possum, raccoon and squirrel. I heard some grouse last week as well although never did see them.
Suki and I are enjoying the path to Honeysuckle Pond. It's become one of our daily treks. As a city dog, she still likes to get me to walk her. Of course, if she needs to, she still goes off on her own. It's either habit or she just likes the company or both. She won't go off with anyone else but Dan and I though. I suppose that's a good thing. Walking that path a few days ago Saffra and I came upon a black snake about 3 foot long. I wasn't sure what it was as it had a white belly and black top. The next day we found the skin, in it's entirety . It's so cool, tail and head and eye holes and all! I keep moving it around as the wind blows it away though and the tail has come off. It's new home is in the bathhouse. Maybe it will strike fear into the mouse population who like to sneak in to nest when we leave, though I doubt it. One thing about mice, they are bold and resourceful, even so small as they are. I have to keep all the garden vegetables in the pantry as they came one night and took one little bite out of every tomato. It reminded me of a box of chocolates someone was testing!
We head back on Monday and I am trying to live each moment and enjoy it. I'll stop and now and go back to my favourite morning activity, sipping coffee on the porch and catching up on the Sunday Times crossword puzzles.
When the weather is cold is wet, this is when it really feels like camping. Sloshing to the bathhouse to pee, hunkering under an umbrella to wash the dishes. My friend Saffra was here for 4 days and upon returning to Philadelphia commented that what she missed was being outdoors all the time. True, our place is spacious and comfortable when we have the outside porch and walks as a part of it. Today, however, it's chill and wet and muddy. I did use the rubber boots Saffra left me to go to the bathhouse during the night. Kept my feet dry and warm, I admit I was very sleepily slipping into them and glad nothing else had decided to climb in as well!
Fortunately we also have the 2 rooms and a lovely heater in each. So here I sit, blogging away on the comfy couch with the heat on just enough and a few layers of clothing. This last week given to just trying to rest and relax and empty the freezer and pantry items I've accumulated . I've enjoyed having time to cook , and to have friends to dinner. Last night we were joined by Tom and Dan and Nancy from up on Fairview, our immediate family. I made meatloaf and had time to saute vegetables, make breadcrumbs. I have to plan an hour ahead to bake or roast here, as I need to ready the coals for the grill and then get the grill cleaned and set and of course let whatever cook. I used the coals lined up on either side method last night instead of in a circle. Keeps it a bit hotter if I can stack them up, but made the coals wider in the grill. The ends of the loaf a bit crisp, but I actually liked it so no harm.
Never chronicled about my day of the animal kingdom roadkill. I drove into Spencer one day a week past and I swear there was one of each animal around here that had been hit on the road. Even ones I don't normally see like bobcat and coyote along with the more familiar sights of deer, red fox, possum, raccoon and squirrel. I heard some grouse last week as well although never did see them.
Suki and I are enjoying the path to Honeysuckle Pond. It's become one of our daily treks. As a city dog, she still likes to get me to walk her. Of course, if she needs to, she still goes off on her own. It's either habit or she just likes the company or both. She won't go off with anyone else but Dan and I though. I suppose that's a good thing. Walking that path a few days ago Saffra and I came upon a black snake about 3 foot long. I wasn't sure what it was as it had a white belly and black top. The next day we found the skin, in it's entirety . It's so cool, tail and head and eye holes and all! I keep moving it around as the wind blows it away though and the tail has come off. It's new home is in the bathhouse. Maybe it will strike fear into the mouse population who like to sneak in to nest when we leave, though I doubt it. One thing about mice, they are bold and resourceful, even so small as they are. I have to keep all the garden vegetables in the pantry as they came one night and took one little bite out of every tomato. It reminded me of a box of chocolates someone was testing!
We head back on Monday and I am trying to live each moment and enjoy it. I'll stop and now and go back to my favourite morning activity, sipping coffee on the porch and catching up on the Sunday Times crossword puzzles.
Friday, October 7, 2011
WV Sunday afternoon 942011
A slight breeze is stirring and the air is coming in a bit cooler.It's been high 90's and brutal. Glad we have fans here. Sitting in the rocker that came from Dan's mom's house at the end of the porch overlooking the ridge, my favourite spot. Just finished reading my friend Bud Navarro's new play “So The Boys Can Cry”. It's about the first responders set in a neighborhood bar near The World Trade Center the day of 9/11/2001 and the eve before. The play is good, really good. The subject stuns me to silence. The words of what people saw as they ran in to help when the towers collapsed. The image of shoes everywhere in one character's dialogue stays with me. I remember my sister telling me that her friend's boyfriend worked downtown and saw arms and legs flying. That image has never left me.
The frustration and anger, the difficulty of forgiveness of moving on. Stunned by the enormity.
Struck by the irony of life. Quietly here in the middle of the West Virginia hills, amid the sounds of crickets and birds, I stand in my kitchen mixing Tabouleh salad for tonight's dinner. I've Greek olives and hummus with vegetables to serve with some grilled chicken I made the day before. We are all mixed together just like the food.
The saloon where Bud's play is set reminds me of several saloons in NYC that I have been to with Bud! The dark funky bar downtown with the great jukebox and cheap drinks. The yuppier bar on the upper West Side where Bud received his mail and his drycleaning.
I was going to fly to NYC to use a free US Air ticket I have. But I'm not so anxious to travel right now. I need the time to rest and practice and a book of songs I've started is tugging at me. We go next week to visit Dan's mom and also meet up with Dan's brother and his wife. I'm hoping to stop in Morgantown on the way back to visit my new friend Cynthia. She and I met in Barcelona at the Festival of Song masterclass.
I sang two Spanish songs acapella for Bud's play. Interesting getting back into my soprano voice and the Spanish words. I sang Lloraba La Niña by Granados and Respóndemos by Rodrigo. Two pieces I began work on in Spain. Nothing is coincidence as Bud asks if I can send him an mp3 of some ¨flamenco vocals¨. I explain that I don´t remotely sing the flamenco wail, but find songs with a Sephardic, southern Spanish style to send him.
Music becomes a part of the daily life here. Dan has been writing some spooky music that sounds like the wind singing through my harp . I practice just about daily. Last night we jammed with Lisa ( Buck and Diane's daugher in law ) who is a fiddle player. She is studying at ETSU for a degree in bluegrass. Anita Morrell was so proud when she told us that was being offered! Lisa and Morgan and their two children live in Johnson City, Tenn right down the road from Bristol! We had fun last night. Playing old time bluegrass and some of my Celtic and Spanish songs. Dan played guitar and I played harp and our painter friend George played bass. It was a blast, sitting on the back porch of their farm as the stars came out. We ride out over Davison ridge to get there. Dan and I have walked over before, 7 miles along the ridge ( and a 2 mile huff to the ridge road that we haven't walked yet – but Diane has. ) Memorable gathering of friends, food and music.
And sometimes life is grand.
A slight breeze is stirring and the air is coming in a bit cooler.It's been high 90's and brutal. Glad we have fans here. Sitting in the rocker that came from Dan's mom's house at the end of the porch overlooking the ridge, my favourite spot. Just finished reading my friend Bud Navarro's new play “So The Boys Can Cry”. It's about the first responders set in a neighborhood bar near The World Trade Center the day of 9/11/2001 and the eve before. The play is good, really good. The subject stuns me to silence. The words of what people saw as they ran in to help when the towers collapsed. The image of shoes everywhere in one character's dialogue stays with me. I remember my sister telling me that her friend's boyfriend worked downtown and saw arms and legs flying. That image has never left me.
The frustration and anger, the difficulty of forgiveness of moving on. Stunned by the enormity.
Struck by the irony of life. Quietly here in the middle of the West Virginia hills, amid the sounds of crickets and birds, I stand in my kitchen mixing Tabouleh salad for tonight's dinner. I've Greek olives and hummus with vegetables to serve with some grilled chicken I made the day before. We are all mixed together just like the food.
The saloon where Bud's play is set reminds me of several saloons in NYC that I have been to with Bud! The dark funky bar downtown with the great jukebox and cheap drinks. The yuppier bar on the upper West Side where Bud received his mail and his drycleaning.
I was going to fly to NYC to use a free US Air ticket I have. But I'm not so anxious to travel right now. I need the time to rest and practice and a book of songs I've started is tugging at me. We go next week to visit Dan's mom and also meet up with Dan's brother and his wife. I'm hoping to stop in Morgantown on the way back to visit my new friend Cynthia. She and I met in Barcelona at the Festival of Song masterclass.
I sang two Spanish songs acapella for Bud's play. Interesting getting back into my soprano voice and the Spanish words. I sang Lloraba La Niña by Granados and Respóndemos by Rodrigo. Two pieces I began work on in Spain. Nothing is coincidence as Bud asks if I can send him an mp3 of some ¨flamenco vocals¨. I explain that I don´t remotely sing the flamenco wail, but find songs with a Sephardic, southern Spanish style to send him.
Music becomes a part of the daily life here. Dan has been writing some spooky music that sounds like the wind singing through my harp . I practice just about daily. Last night we jammed with Lisa ( Buck and Diane's daugher in law ) who is a fiddle player. She is studying at ETSU for a degree in bluegrass. Anita Morrell was so proud when she told us that was being offered! Lisa and Morgan and their two children live in Johnson City, Tenn right down the road from Bristol! We had fun last night. Playing old time bluegrass and some of my Celtic and Spanish songs. Dan played guitar and I played harp and our painter friend George played bass. It was a blast, sitting on the back porch of their farm as the stars came out. We ride out over Davison ridge to get there. Dan and I have walked over before, 7 miles along the ridge ( and a 2 mile huff to the ridge road that we haven't walked yet – but Diane has. ) Memorable gathering of friends, food and music.
And sometimes life is grand.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Wv 8242011
Can't sleep. But every time I get up to use the bathhouse and I see those stars I don't mind being awake. The milky way, and every constellation I've ever known, clear and beautiful. Shifting around in the sky as I get up every few hours. Takes my breath away
I've a lovely new table for prepping, cooking that Dan created today. It's huge and finally tall enough. I've used a folding plastic table for years now. That and a small camping stove . Now we'll have a gas top with room for 2 pots at once! And also counter space that I don't need to bend over to use. He's topped this with his signature red oak and the first layer of spar varnish went on this evening. Neo rustic, the Dan Simpson signature style once again. Grateful for his skill and for him, even with all our arguing. Tonight we laughed and laughed and it felt like old times. I think of what Emily said, time together, so right.
2:45 AM the moon is rising. The small tip of the crescent peering over the ridge. The rest of the valley is so dark, and full of the sounds of the summer night- cicadas, katydids.
It's cool maybe in the 60's but still gentle. Time to snuggle back into the covers.
Can't sleep. But every time I get up to use the bathhouse and I see those stars I don't mind being awake. The milky way, and every constellation I've ever known, clear and beautiful. Shifting around in the sky as I get up every few hours. Takes my breath away
I've a lovely new table for prepping, cooking that Dan created today. It's huge and finally tall enough. I've used a folding plastic table for years now. That and a small camping stove . Now we'll have a gas top with room for 2 pots at once! And also counter space that I don't need to bend over to use. He's topped this with his signature red oak and the first layer of spar varnish went on this evening. Neo rustic, the Dan Simpson signature style once again. Grateful for his skill and for him, even with all our arguing. Tonight we laughed and laughed and it felt like old times. I think of what Emily said, time together, so right.
2:45 AM the moon is rising. The small tip of the crescent peering over the ridge. The rest of the valley is so dark, and full of the sounds of the summer night- cicadas, katydids.
It's cool maybe in the 60's but still gentle. Time to snuggle back into the covers.
WV sat 8 20 2011
My friend Mimi told me she was so exhausted when she got to her West Virginia home that all she did was sit and stare at the trees. And I understand. I completely understand. I've spent a lot of time since we arrived Monday evening sitting on the porch staring at trees. Watching the little movements , catching sight of the red cardinal in the pine. Yesterday he was in the autumn olive bushes down the hill, they are everywhere now, flitting in the bush over a small flock of wild turkeys foraging around for the berries. I guess that's why the autumn olives are taking over. The animals love them though. Dusk the other night two little fawns came up the hill and were hanging out at the same place. Just where I tried to plant a hydrangea ( use some more potting soil in this West Virginia clay next time, I was told ). Tom said two fawns had been living under our house. I never saw the doe so they might be on their own. One of them is very brave , looked me straight in the eye and started coming over to the house, then changed his mind. He went to gather the other fawn who seemed a bit nervous and led her down into the valley. I was a bit afraid of deer ticks under the house, that's where the pup Suki likes to sleep in the day. But it was good to see the deer who sheltered here this past winter. Like we share the house somehow.
We're so in the woods it's cool and very damp here most times. Except mid afternoon when it seems to be blaring hot up the entire east and midwest this summer. A few summer past as well, climate extremes being the new “norm” I read today .
Brought some New Yorkers magazines I hadn't time to read and really enjoying them. The pleasure of reading good writing. I had a stack, wished I brought a few more.
I must have really packed in a hurry, because I forgot more than my usual one big thing. Second year I forgot the folding bookshelf. I've got a stack of music on top of the marimba. Six weeks seem like such a little time. It's just beginning though and I remind myself today to be in this moment and enjoy it.
My friend Mimi told me she was so exhausted when she got to her West Virginia home that all she did was sit and stare at the trees. And I understand. I completely understand. I've spent a lot of time since we arrived Monday evening sitting on the porch staring at trees. Watching the little movements , catching sight of the red cardinal in the pine. Yesterday he was in the autumn olive bushes down the hill, they are everywhere now, flitting in the bush over a small flock of wild turkeys foraging around for the berries. I guess that's why the autumn olives are taking over. The animals love them though. Dusk the other night two little fawns came up the hill and were hanging out at the same place. Just where I tried to plant a hydrangea ( use some more potting soil in this West Virginia clay next time, I was told ). Tom said two fawns had been living under our house. I never saw the doe so they might be on their own. One of them is very brave , looked me straight in the eye and started coming over to the house, then changed his mind. He went to gather the other fawn who seemed a bit nervous and led her down into the valley. I was a bit afraid of deer ticks under the house, that's where the pup Suki likes to sleep in the day. But it was good to see the deer who sheltered here this past winter. Like we share the house somehow.
We're so in the woods it's cool and very damp here most times. Except mid afternoon when it seems to be blaring hot up the entire east and midwest this summer. A few summer past as well, climate extremes being the new “norm” I read today .
Brought some New Yorkers magazines I hadn't time to read and really enjoying them. The pleasure of reading good writing. I had a stack, wished I brought a few more.
I must have really packed in a hurry, because I forgot more than my usual one big thing. Second year I forgot the folding bookshelf. I've got a stack of music on top of the marimba. Six weeks seem like such a little time. It's just beginning though and I remind myself today to be in this moment and enjoy it.
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