Spring has Sprung?

As March prepares to end, it takes with it the warm and spring-like weather that it introduced in the middle of the month and gives us a drop in temperature and snow showers....yes snow showers. Inclement winter weather seems to be trudging across the US, making its last hoorah and threatening our cherry blossom festival before saying a final farewell. Thank the stars above that I did NOT put away my sweaters for, according to the week ahead, I will definitely need them.

As I read the blogs of friends and family to the south, I am reminded once again of the depth of my love for the lowcountry of South Carolina, and my wish to return to its warm embrace. I miss the smell of the pluffmud, that salty sulfur odor of Beaufort that mixes with the seasons. Right now, as pollen is blanketing everything in a pale yellow hue and the flora has opened her rainbow of brilliance in the yards and gardens across the area, it combines with the smell of these plants and beckons to me to return. Alas, I have obligations here which I must meet as well as goals to accomplish before starting a new phase of my life....but I can dream and wish.

Happy Halloween

Just a Happy Halloween from your friends here in Northern Virginia. I'm the mad scientist, my daughter Sarah Bravard is the Bride of Frankenstein, Big Mike, her hubby, is the monster, my son Kyle is Wolfman and of course, Mikey, the grand, is little Dracula. Just click the Happy Halloween at the top of the page and Enjoy!

A Week of Paradise and a Week of Hell

My new adventure did not last long and I find myself back in the arms of my family. The first week was wonderful; a long lost friendship blossoming into something extraordinary. But sometimes perfection is not at all that it seems to be and little voices start to question the obvious, doubt is introduced and emotions run amok. So it seems to be the case with Georgia. But as my dear friend in Australia pointed out, "if it seems to be to good to be true, it usually is".

So now I begin classes yet again as well as search for a job. The classes are going better than the job searching but it has only been three days. There is a lot out there actually, but there are many people who are looking for work as well. I have not lost faith or hope and am sure I will find something soon. Otherwise I'm moving to Canada.

Time to go....

I went for a walk with Mikey this evening. I was wearing my short cotton muumuu with nothing underneath. The warm breeze pushed the material gently across my bare buttocks and thighs and the humid air caused sweat to build under my breasts before it rolled down across my stomach and hips. I watched as Mikey played with a stick on the sidewalk but my heart was calling me other places. The whispering in my soul was telling me that it is time to move on.....Mikey stood, took my finger in his little hand and smiled up at me, his face dirty with the juice of a green popcycle. A jet flew over head and he pointed, calling out excitedly "jet, jet, jet". My heart swelled with this image, later to be added to my scrapbook of mental memories, but still, it is time to go.....

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer

After today, the sound of children will fill the otherwise dull void of everyday sounds here in Chantilly. Michael Jr and I will make daily treks across the street to the pool where we will learn NOT to be afraid of the water even if the grandmother has to throw the child off the diving board and into the deep end. No, I guess I'll save that experience for his parents. It's also a time to pluck bits of arugula out of the garden and eat it whilst weeding and picking up the endless poop of which the dogs gift us on what feels like an hourly basis. I will have a much needed and very celebrated two weeks reprieve from my own academic endeavors and will spend the time doing as little as possible. I'm sure that plan will last all of five minutes for it is quite difficult not doing anything when there is a 16 month old running about getting into absolutely everything. But all in all, to include the recurring downpours that seem to plague us these days (though I shouldn't complain because it is much better than a drought), life is good, I feel blessed, and summertime is upon us.