Vacation

Queens Creek Sunrise

I am ecstatic and elated  to announce that this blog and its owner are officially on a much-anticipated and much-needed  vacation. 

Have a wonderful week.

I know I plan to.

Sailboat

The shot above, taken from Aarons Beach, includes a sailboat skimming the bay way off in the distance.

Below is a closer shot.

Below, when I try to get closer, it appears that the water and the boat are headed clear out of the left side of the picture.  That's because my camera's excellent zoom really requires a tripod, which I've never purchased.  (I never purchased those photography lessons either, even though it was declared a New Year's Resolution back in 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012.) And sometimes I'm so focused on keeping the camera steady enough to use the zoom that I forget to pay attention to the overall shot itself.

This exciting commentary is brought to you courtesy of three days left before vacation! and way too much to get done before we leave.

I hope your week is moving along as smoothly as this sailboat.  Only without the slant in that last shot.

Birds II

Here are more shots of birds congregating on the pilings just off Aarons Beach.

After a busy weekend that included a beachside seafood and music festival and way too much fun, I'm headed into one of the busiest weeks at work, a week that will culminate in next Saturday's much-anticipated departure for my summer vacation in Avon, NC.

I'd love it if this week would fly by and next week would move at a snail's pace, but unfortunately I don't control such things.

There are a million things to get done around the house as well, not easy to accomplish during the busiest week at work.

I just have to keep focused on the good part--departing on Saturday morning.

Bring it on.

Birds

These Aarons Beach birds were taking in the sights and just generally enjoying life last week when I took these pictures.

Much like these birds,  I'll be taking in the sights and enjoying some down time near the water this weekend. My friend Angie has invited me to a function involving music, food and frivolity along the York River at a benefit for the local fire department.

In other very exciting news, my beach vacation starts a week from Saturday.

Life is good.

Have a great weekend.

Son

We've just returned from spending two nights
in Charlottesville for Son's orientation to UVA. 

It won't be long before he leaves for college.  He's ready, for sure.  

In the meantime, he's working as a server at Merroir in Topping, where I took these pictures.

This is him in action.

We found out this week that 60 credits from the Governor's School classes he took at the community college the past three years will transfer.  He needs 120 (or thereabouts) credits to graduate.

In other words, he will enter college with half of his credits taken care of. 

(I screamed--loudly and joyfully--when he told me this. He originally wanted nothing to do with the Governor's School, and I sort of made him try it. He ended up liking it more than he thought, and now it's really paying off.)

Although the road has not always been smooth, this year in particular, for the most part it hasn't been terribly rough either.

I take nothing for granted and thank the Universe on a daily basis for my two children.

I've done about all I can to get him ready to launch into this new stage of life, and it's long past approaching time to let go.

(Easier said than done, but I'm working on it.)

I'm very, very proud of his accomplishments and look forward to what comes next.

The world is his oyster.

Birthday Party

Saturday I traveled to King and Queen County to visit a dear friend, this barn Angie. 

(And also this barn, which I adore.)

Angie threw a surprise birthday party for her boyfriend.

I made a new friend who loves getting her picture taken.  Her name is Taylor, and she's a sweetie pie.

Angie's boyfriend Dana is wonderful. One of the happiest people I've ever met.

The party was pirate-themed.  (That reminds me, I never did get my eye patch!)

There was plenty of food.

Angie received a surprise herself when her family brought out a cake for her as well. 

Her birthday was earlier in the week.

I love her whole family, and I also became BFFs with her boyfriend's family during a very spirited game of cornhole.  We're not going to talk about who won, it's a sore subject with me.  (I demand a rematch, by the way.)

Angie, her middle sister and her mother

Angie's baby sister and her cousin.

A grand time was had by all.

 

Thanks, Angie, for a wonderful evening!

 

Happy birthday to you and to Dana.

 

 



Regent

This charming structure sits high on a hill overlooking Locklies Creek off of Regent Road over in Topping.

It's near Regent Point Marina and my favorite restaurant (also my son's employer) Merroir.

Although I have boatloads of chores that I'm absolutely dreading this weekend--but must focus attention on lest we drown in laundry and dog hair--I hope to make time to do something enjoyable.  Maybe take some pictures or perhaps make a trip to Merroir.  Who knows.

I hope your weekend is a good one.

Sailboat

This Northern Neck sailboat was headed out the mouth of Carters Creek into the 

Rappahannock a week and a half ago.

The perfectly wonderful, humidity-free temperatures have finally been chased off by our normal July weather. As hot and humid as it is, I still much prefer this over the cold, dark days of winter.

We're easing into the summer routine around here.  Son works at Merroir over in Topping most days, and Daughter sleeps until 3:00 p.m. early afternoon.  She also exercises most days, running in anticipation of cross country practice that begins in a few weeks, or playing basketball on a weekly basis.

Next week we're off to Charlottesville for Son's orientation to UVA.

Other than that, there's not much to report.

And that's fine with me.

My mother has an update on the local wildlife on her blog--click here for that report.