Rock Settee

Morning snack time came just as the girls and I were headed for the river. So we found some goldfish crackers in the cupboard (I was watching the girls while Anna Maria and Steven worked Saturday) and headed out. When we got to this one lane, river crossing (the concrete piece along the left edge), Eliza shouted, "Let's eat these on the rock couch! See it, Gramma Nete! Isn't it a perfect couch!?!" And yes it was, and it was also a perfect place for snack -- let God take care of the crumbs and mess instead of me.

Inukshuks On the Shenandoah

When in Newfoundland, Magdalena and Eliza learned about Inukshuks (a term they both use, although the pronunciation is closer when Eliza says it). People in Newfoundland make a rock sculpture (I gathered that they do this most often along river banks). It's a sign that they have been in a place, so that the next person coming along can enjoy the art. Maggie and I made the one above which Eliza said looked "a bit more like a wall, but that's okay, Grammie." Maggie's contribution was the leaves woven among the rocks.
Eliza's masterpiece is in keeping with the traditional Inukshuk.

Trees

While Magdalena was quite happy with a tree limb with which to play ON the ground, Eliza Grace prefers to be IN the tree limbs -- upside down, climbing, reaching for a swing....

Front Porch & Lawn

Anna Maria and Steven's front lawn and porch...partially rotted tree stumps made into planters, lots of luscious plants scattered in a wildly chaotic, natural and beautiful manner. They have a few acres, part of which is wooded and left natural.
The front half of their house was a log cabin back in the 1800s that has been added on to over the years. It still has the old latches, instead of knobs; doors made of three wooden boards with another set of three in a z-shape holding the three together instead of solid; wide pine board floors; and exposed beams in the ceilings. We slept just beneath the tree of which you can only see a couple upper branches -- near enough that I could haul the granddaughters inside if it got cold but far enough out that we could hear the night sounds. Their homeplace is a stark contrast to the asphalt world in which I live.

Rite of Summer Passage

After sleeping out with the girls' in their front lawn last Friday night, I upturned the tent and spread out sleeping bags and pads to thoroughly dry and freshen them for winter storage. We stayed warm, but weather reports predicted temps near freezing overnight in the high places.

Granddaughter's Haven -- an Update

I sold my car and then needed a place for all the camping equipment previously stored inside. The only logical place was the bookshelves along the wall perpendicular to my closet. But, alas, that's Maggie's and Eliza's special place. So I didn't want to mess with that too much and have them no longer feel at home when visiting. After some contemplation on the problem, I bought some additional shelving, which I then covered with curtains made from a painter's drop cloth. And the shutter that had been used as one of the former shelves of the previous and smaller book shelf fits quite nicely on the radiator, which will make that a much more comfortable seat for Maggie, who loves to sit there and look out the window. The little girls' sketch pads, drawing pens and pencils, will go in the crates next to the radiator -- still easily accessible to them and still within easy reach. And don't tell them this little secret -- another thing stashed behind those curtains is their Christmas presents, gifts from me, and Auntie Ana and Uncle Chad.

"One Hill of a Run"

That's what the founders of the inaugural GMAC Staunton 10-miler have named the October 27 course. The race is a benefit for the Boys and Girls Club.

I actually ran the thing today and "challenging," the term used on the web site, is an accurate term (no photos though. sorry). The steep hills through miles two through seven (approximately) are bad enough, but the course meanders through 39 streets (some for only a block or two), so there are also 39 turns. I missed one, and went the wrong way three times, adding another extremely steep and long hill.

I thought I'd create a pace chart and tape or rubber band half to each arm, but my arms weren't long enough for the list of streets if the print was to remain large enough to read. So I tried to hold the list as loosely as possible in my fist; I wanted to maintain the ability to stay "loose" and relaxed so I could swing my arms as I ought. It worked okay...I am hoping that, on race, day the course will be marked so I won't need the entire list of streets.

Nonetheless in spite of those obstacles, I completed the entire course. And I did it in about 2:13 (2 hours and 13 minutes), or at a 13:20 mile pace. That's a far cry from my 12 minute mile goal, but I STILL think I'll reach that goal, having run 8.8 last week at 10:58 pace. Just going the right direction will knock a few minutes off the time for two reasons: once I realized I was going the wrong way, I had to stop and turn around. So not only did I run father than necessary, the turning around messed up my running pace.

And much of the run is along some pretty streets. One section passes a woods. Another crosses a creek. And then the houses here are so unique; none look like their neighbors, so the route is interesting.

I am pretty excited about today's success. Though I made several mistakes, I stayed the course. Though I was tired when I started, having run hard over the last week, I finished. To finish the race well though, I'll need the mental focus to beat the hills, maintain running form and keep my breathing rate steady.