The Next Chapter: Back Again

Haven't been here in over a year. We're getting ready to take an epic road trip to Tucson for Christmas, so I thought I'd better fire up the blog so I can send posts of our trip.

Since I was here last, Willem and I got married. We have had a glorious 2013! We celebrated several first anniversaries: July 21, when we said our vows and committed ourselves to each other; October 28, when Willem completed his move to Pulaski; and December 12, when we made our marriage legal at the Christiansburg Courthouse on 12/12/12 at 12:12.

In addition to anniversaries it has been a year of “R’s”: Reunions, Renovations, Revitalization, Rhythm, and the Rest. “Reunions” is for the great trips we took as well as the visits we had at the Frog. In May we took our maiden voyage to Tucson to visit the Capps, who moved there last December. We spent a wonderful week with them, learning all about their new life (which they are enjoying) and catching up on Nicholas and Isabella hugs.

Emma, Steve, and Olivia came to visit us at the Frog in July, hoping to explore the beautiful Blue Ridge. Although a solid week of rain kept them mostly housebound, it also gave us time for some great game fun with “Sorry” and “Pictionary”.

Tara, Andy, and Teri had better luck when they came for Labor Day. The weather was beautiful and Tara and Chan took a long bike ride with a friend on the New River Trail. He still talks about her 7-ft. long legs.

October took us to San Antonio, TX for the wedding of Chan’s dear friend and college roommate. It was a quick trip, but wonderful to see everyone again.

A week later we were off again – this time on a road trip to Madison, WI, where we visited Willem’s 3 daughters and their families; and to Minneapolis, MN. to visit Bill & Lee Strang before they left for their winter digs in Tucson. We also had quick visits with Chan’s friends, Mary Easter and Jean Ann Durades; and Willem’s friend and former neighbor, LaCretia Bell.

Three days after our return from the road trip, we attended the annual auction fund raiser of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Blacksburg. This year the theme was high school prom, so we got to dress up. We really got into it, since we so seldom have a chance to wear our formal duds.

Closer to home, right before Thanksgiving we took a van tour of the New River Trail – the 57-mile state park trail that runs right behind our house. Chan had walked and biked several sections of the trail, but neither of us had experienced the whole distance. This tour, with our own private guide and naturalist, was special and we learned a lot about the history of the area. Learned some other things, too – like how to make squirrel gravy! This connection started when Willem emailed the park to clarify ownership of some fallen trees near the trail. As a result of that we were invited to join in a planning/marketing session for trail usage, and then to take the trail tour.

Since the children are all so far away, we decided to take a short trip down to Charleston for Thanksgiving. Mild weather, great seafood, charming city=lovely change of pace.

Renovation is for all the work that we did on the house. It’s never-ending, but this year Willem re-did the shower in the downstairs bath. The original design was unique, but impractical – and not water-proof! So Willem installed a proper shower surround and we added a few other cosmetic touches to increase overall functionality and appearance. Then, a leak in the sunroom led to a complete replacement of the roof and ceiling of that addition to the house. Unexpected, but an excellent improvement.

Revitalization is about landscaping work, another never-ending “R”. The grounds are beautifully planted, but quite a job to maintain. We hired landscapers to do a thorough weeding, bed-outlining, and mulching in the spring. Then we spent the summer keeping the ponds clean - which is why Willem is wearing waders in the second photo below - and trying to keep the weeds from growing back. The guys returned this fall to cut everything back and re-mulch the beds. The plan is that with each succeeding season there will be less to do and it will be easier to maintain in the interim. That’s the plan!

Rhythm means the mighty Blues, which we have discovered are alive and well in this area. With our eyes always out for blues concerts or venues, we went to a couple of good blues festivals in the mountains.

Then we discovered a fantastic harmonica player and guitarist in a small town nearby. In talking about this, we learned that Chan’s yoga teacher is also a blues aficionado and budding “harp” player. He told us about a weekly blues “jam” in Christiansburg. And now he has started a monthly blues jam in Draper – 4 miles away. Good stuff. Top-notch musicians, and they are all local! Willem is going to be the winter MC. He - and he's going to have a great time with it and I'm sure the audience will love him.

All the Rest is everything we do in between as staff to our cats, Vanya and Vasya, and to make Pulaski home.

In addition to Draper, we now have another favorite place nearby for great ambience, with a good dinner and roaring fire to boot. It's also a micro-brewery, so lots to love.