Sorting Through Life's Trash

Since I last posted here in February 2010 a lot of life moments have come and gone. At the time of my last post I was leaving for Italy to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Rome, Italy with my husband. Little did I know that that visit with my Aunt would be the last time she would be in her "home" of 30+ years.

The following July she entered the hospital for an emergency surgical procedure and wound up staying in the hospital for a couple of months. She was then released in a non-ambulatory condition to an assisted living facility in the outskirts of Rome proper.

Today, she still resides in Villa Relais-Casa di Riposa that is located among the olive trees and fields some 20 miles from Rome center. She is ambulatory but, she is not able to live on her own.  And, she kind of refuses to talk...that is another story entirely. She turned 89 on May 6th.

I have been to visit her 4 times since February 2010, my last visit was this past February. And, in April/May of 2011 I closed her home out for good. I spent three long and emotional weeks in her condo/apartment she had lived in for 30 years sorting through her life's belongings  and stumbling upon bits and pieces of me as a child.

That brings me to today. My Uncle is currently working on moving her to the United States actually, to here, in my hometown in Virginia. While I don't know what this change will bring, it will be life altering for both her and myself. The positive thing, she is traveling light-the clothes on her back and what I had packed into bins from the closing of her condo in Rome.

As for everything else...I am doing well.

It's Not Paris....

I know, it's not Paris nor an African safari but...  I am going on an Italian adventure.

On my itinerary: Naples, Sorrento, Paestum, Amalfi, Positano, Ercolano, Capri, Viterbo, Siena, Cerveteri, Rome and whatever else strikes my fancy in the next few weeks.

I depart Monday.

Winter Water Scenes...

One kind word can warm three winter months-Japanese Proverb

Waning Hours of the Day at Eagle Rock, Virginia

Taken the weekend it was like 10 degrees out and the wind was a howling like mad. I felt my ears numb as well as my face and decided outdoor photography was not a good thing. Thought this a lovely shot of the stark tree limbs and branches against the sky.

Some thoughts to ponder:

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes - Charles R. Swindoll  (American Writer and Clergyman, b.1934)

Should I Stop or Should I Go -Weekend Reflections

If you get to know me, you will notice that I have this thing about looking up/down, left/right, in/out and all around when it comes to my photography. I spied this shot while walking across the parking lot to our "new" Kroger superstore on Route 460. Of course, before we did a little shopping we had a nibble at our favorite restaurant Cafe' Asia located in the same complex. This little restaurant has it all together and we are frequent visitors.

This is my third entry into WEEKEND  REFLECTIONS hosted by James at Newton Area Photo. Please join in this wonderful meme. James is currently basking in his home state of California. And, boy do I wish I were endulging in a visit there as well. Yes, I know, it's raining and storm after storm is hitting the area but, the FOOD...I so miss the FOOD!

The Front and Rear Views at Jefferson's Poplar Forest Retreat-Windows Views and Doors Too

Here are a few more photographs from Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest Retreat. The first is a front view of the octagonal structure, the second the rear or south portico and the third, one of the wing extensions that was under renovation when we visited but, is now complete. The wing extension provided storage, a kitchen, smokehouse and laundry. Enjoy.

I have an intense interest in Thomas Jefferson and add new reading material regularly to my personal library that includes a rather large section devoted solely to him. I am enamored by his gardens, his design aesthetic and his point of view. Over the course of the year, I hope to share with you many bits and pieces of his life that extended well beyond the confines of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

This is my fourth submission for Window Views and Doors Too . Please join in this fab meme hosted by the lovely Mary Tomaselli on Wednesday/Thursday.

Stewart's Draft, Virginia-My World Tuesday

We took a drive to Stewart's Draft last week to visit The Cheese Shop; about a hour and a few minutes drive from our home and off Interstate 81 heading north. Snow still on the ground and temps in the 30-40s. Beautiful drive. The Cheese Shop was a disappointment as was the food at their sister shop. We've found that anything that locals tend to talk-up is usually not up to our expectations. Needless to say, we won't be returning.

Do stop by and visit us at MY WORLD TUESDAY and see the best photographs from all over the world by some of the most wonderful photographers out there. The meme is hosted by Klaus and the meme world team including Sandy, The Fishing Guy, Wren, Sylvia and Louise.

Door View from Poplar Forest, Virginia

Thought I would post a photograph of the 'outhouse' at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. Quite a nice little building but,  a distance from the main house. Needless to say, bedpans were used in case of emergencies and inclimate weather conditions.

Poplar Forest is located east of the Roanoke Valley area in Forest, Virginia. It is one of two homes/retreats that Jefferson built during his lifetime. The other, Monticello, is located just outside Charlottesville proper. Do click through to visit both sites. Both web pages are excellent. I visit both Poplar Forest and Monticello at least once a year.

This is my third submission for Window Views and Doors Too . Please join in this fab meme hosted by the lovely Mary Tomaselli on Wednesday/Thursday.

Sky Reflection from Lexington, Virginia - Weekend Reflections

I took this shot a year ago when I headed up to Lexington, Virginia for the day. The weather was much like it is today...cold and a blistering wind that sends chills all the way to your bones. The best part of the day was the blue sky and assorted cloud formations.

Please join us at WEEKEND REFLECTIONS hosted by James, another Californian who gave up the good life when he moved East. This is my first entry.

Reflection - Skywatch Friday

Do stop by and visit all my friends at SKYWATCH FRIDAY and share in the new year's spirit. Skywatch Friday was created by Dot, and perfected by Tom and is now hosted by Klaus. Skywatch members are Wren, Sandy, Sylvia, Louise, Fishing Guy, and Klaus.

The photograph was taken November 5, 2009 just outside Kilmarnok, Virginia across the road from the Chesapeake Trail area that was the subject of my last SKYWATCH entry. I so loved the lighting in the field and beyond and the reflection of the clouds in the water. It had a sort of ethereal quality to it. Enjoy

We are on winter weather advisory today...snow rolling in around noonish . Enough of this cold weather~ Be gone I say! Like that is going to make a difference...

Winter Scenes from My World

This is my contribution for MY WORLD-TUESDAY . Taken Saturday, January 2, 2010 in and around Craig's Creek in Botetourt County, Virginia. Temperature with wind chill factored in was 10 degrees. Needless to say, I did not tary too long outside. A wee bit too cold for me.

Do stop by the fab meme and check out the many contributors from all over the world. That's My World is hosted each week by Klaus and the My World team, Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise and Sylvia.

Baby...It's Cold Outside

Late Saturday afternoon I tempted fate and went out to capture some winter photographs. The temperature was about 27 and with the wind chill, it dipped down to 10 degrees. Headed toward Eagle Rock area.

The Phoenix Bridge was constructed in 1887. It is a single lane bridge spanning Craig's Creek in Botetourt County Virginia. It was built by the Phoenix Bridge Company and was one of the first steel bridges constructed in southwest Virginia.

To see more interesting history items in and around Botetourt County, Virginia please check out fellow local blogger Anita Firebaugh's Botetourt History Project.
Taken: January 2, 2010

Happy New Year Everyone...

Looking Upward Along the Chesapeake Trail-SKYWATCH FRIDAY

Only as high as I reach can I grow,

 only as far as I seek can I go,

 only as deep as I look can I see,

 only as much as I dream can I be.

Do stop by and visit all my friends at SKYWATCH FRIDAY and share in the holiday spirit. Skywatch Friday was created by Dot, and perfected by Tom and is now hosted by Klaus. Skywatch members are Wren, Sandy, Sylvia, Louise, Fishing Guy, and Klaus.

This shot was taken on the Chesapeake Trail just outside Kilmarnok, Virginia. I walked along the trail and enjoyed the solitude of being alone under the beautiful canopy of trees reaching high into the sky. Enjoy.

The Sea...

The Sea Hold

The sea is large.

The sea hold on a leg of land in the Chesapeake hugs an early sunset and a last morning star over the oyster beds and the late clam boats of lonely men.

Five white houses on a half-mile strip of land … five white dice rolled from a tube.

Not so long ago … the sea was large…

And to-day the sea has lost nothing … it keeps all.

I am a loon about the sea.

I make so many sea songs, I cry so many sea cries, I forget so many sea songs and sea cries.

I am a loon about the sea.

So are five men I had a fish fry with once in a tar-paper shack trembling in a sand storm.

The sea knows more about them than they know themselves.

They know only how the sea hugs and will not let go.

The sea is large.

The sea must know more than any of us.

Carl Sandburg

Celebrating ....

My husband and I were married 19 years ago on Christmas Eve. We had a small ceremony overlooking  Lake Tahoe at 4:00 p.m. on December 24, 1990. I carried a dozen long stem pink roses and wore a Givenchy cream colored suit.

This year we celebrated locally. Had a wonderful Asian dinner at Cafe' Asia. And, I received two dozen roses, a mix of pink and red that smelled heavenly.

Beautiful Skies Over Kilmarnok, Virginia-SKYWATCH Friday

The first weekend in November we attended the Urbanna, Virginia Oyster Festival. As there were no places to stay in Urbanna, I booked us into a hotel in Kilmarnok.

Kilmarnok is a short drive over Highway 3 from Urbanna. It is a pleasant little town and I enjoyed wandering about the town. The photograph above is taken at the wharf.  It appears that the town is expanding its capacity to moor boats as this area was not yet accessible by foot.

Do stop by and visit all my friends at SKYWATCH FRIDAY and share in the holiday spirit. Skywatch Friday was created by Dot, and perfected by Tom and is now hosted by Klaus. Skywatch members are Wren, Sandy, Sylvia, Louise, Fishing Guy, and Klaus. 

Happy Holidays One and All!

The Big Snow Storm of Saturday December 19, 2009

We had a little snow storm on Saturday. Actually, it was the largest snow storm we have encountered since moving here eight years ago the 23rd of December.


I tried to head out to work today but the road in our development was extremely icy. The car got stuck and we worked for over an hour to get it back in the driveway. Lucky for us we were successful as the giant trash truck came lumbering down the road minutes later.


Around 11a.m. a young fellow knocked on the door and asked if we'd like our driveway cleaned. Of course I was happy he was offering to assist. He had a large front loader with a scraper on the rear. Cleaned the 2 1/2 feet of snow away in no time. He's on Christmas break from Virginia Tech where he is studying horticulture. His family lives down the valley road a couple of miles.
 
So, for now, our driveway is void of the snow. Tomorrow morning I will attempt to head out again for work, hopeful of course, I succeed and am able to make it to the main road.

Urbanna Oyster Festival-Part 3

Longest lines were for the crab bisque at the Church

The local general store

Yummy briskets

Walking back from the wharf/dock

Lovely home along the way back from dock/wharf

Some more photographs from Urbanna Oyster Festival. Next series will be from Kilmarnok where we stayed.

Urbanna Oyster Festival-Part 2

Here are some more photographs of our trip to Urbanna, Virginia for the Urbanna Oyster Festival the weekend of November 5-7. As previously noted, the weather was perfect, though a little brisk early in the day. The food, absolutely delicious. Enjoy.