I'm back home from my evening at the Movie Dark Night. I believe I left
off my travel log on the front lawn, in a big group hug @ Leslie's
house. I plopped myself down on the porch and knew it was a good place
to rest for awhile. I'd be well fed @ Papa Boudreaux's Cajun Cafe,
right next door, and there was a comfy guest bed, 8 cats & a dog to
keep me company, and of course Papa (aka CJ, aka Shifu) who will spin
many a tale if you're willing to listen. I did earn my keep while I was
in residence. CJ was hoping I would be rearranging his silverware
drawer & organizing his dishwasher for maximum loading...but
instead I got to painting & decorating the living room &
hallway with Leslie. We perused all the furniture shops we could find
in Franklin and came up with a big comfy red chair. The walls are now a
wonderful glowing shade of deep yellow (some might think more orange)
of Benjamin Moore, called August Morning.
As the light in the room changes through the day the wall color
transforms as well. Leslie, Ali & I painted from sunrise till the
end of the day and what a difference a little paint can make. Our next
trip was off to the tile store to pick out some marble or stone for the
fireplace.
Since I worked hard, I dined on large yummy portions of food next door
at the restaurant. Much of my time was just relaxing with a good book
and good chatting on the porch. We did some strolling around the local
towns of Columbia and Franklin...we went for a wonderful hike on a dirt
road (where Leslie rescued a turtle from potential squishing in the
middle of the road...and I played dog whisperer to make 2 dogs that
were going to eat us, stand down)...we went blueberry picking off on a
friends property, taking home 2 giant buckets of giant berries &
leaving 2 buckets as our contribution. The berries were literally
falling off into our hands because they were so ripe and ready for
picking. Ali & I went horseback riding on the Natchez Trace Trail
for a couple of hours while Leslie went off to work...and we spent part
of a day in Nashville while she was at school. One of the best things I
like about Facebook & Pictage is all the new photo friends I've
connected with around the country. I took the opportunity to meet up
with one while I was in Nashville. Whitney Orr - Carlson of Dove Wedding Photography
took time out of her day to have lunch with Ali & I. She and her
husband were prepping for a bridal show that evening, so i really thank
her and appreciate that she was willing to meet a sort of stranger to
chat about work and life. I hope they had a great show. I'm not much of
a country music fan and the day was very hot, so after meeting up with
Leslie and checking out a bit more of the shops in town, we heading
back to Santa Fe (home base for 8 days). I have to say that Tennessee
is truly one of the most beautiful places I've been. I love country
roads and they've got a lot of them. There's a ton of adorable houses,
sometimes next to some not so adorable ones...and plenty of old shacks
that it appears mother earth is reclaiming.
Towards the end of my week I did have a great night out enjoying music
with some of Leslie's friends. We went into Franklin, met up with her
girlfriend, Tyler Hayes
(who just happens to have written a hit country song... Bring it on
Home...that I'd never heard of, but hey I never said I liked
country)....we listened to Tayla Lynn & some of her friends put on a great show at Kimbro's Cafe .
Tayla happens to be Loretta Lynn's granddaughter, so she's got good
pedigree... And a lot of energy and spunk. I'm still not a convert to
country music but i did appreciate a good show and honestly enjoyed the
music.
The lat thing I want to say about visiting Santa Fe, TN...you have to
visit Papa Boudreax's Cafe. They have an incredicle following...people
come from hours away to wait sometime more than 2 hours to sit down.
The food is amazing and huge portions...theres usually great live
music, and the place radiates a vibrant energy that makes the wait
worth it. Bring your own wine or beer, hang out on a picnic table and
chat with who's ever in the parking lot waiting with you.... I love the
Gumbo & the Fish Ponchartrain...but make sure you leave room for
the fabulous desserts. The place deserves to be on Diner's, Drive-ins Dives...so i wrote in to the show to suggest they be featured.
I finally had to say goodbye to Santa Fe...and begin my trek northward
again. Richmond, VA was my next stop...only 10+ hours away...to visit
with my 2 friends, Lynnie & Barbara...and their 5 dogs. It was a
very long drive...but I made it just a a very large glowing full moon
was rising over the city. I was exhausted but wired and chatty, so
Lynnie and I stayed up yakking until 1 in the morning. The next day I
got a full introduction to Barb & Lynn's Skelpies and all the
tricks they can do. Barbara is involved in dog agility
competitions...and Lynn is involved in helping Barb. You can read more
about Barbara's work with her dogs on her blog...along
with her tales of living with Lung Cancer....and I do mean living. She
is a real inspiration for choosing to live each day with joy and
acceptance. My time with Barbara & Lynn consisted of catching up, a
little guided tour or the city, some yummy eats at the local diner,
some more yummy eats at a coffee shop and some yummy cooking by Lynnie,
the grill mistress. It was incredibly hot and humid, so we had to limit
our time outside. I did however take a portrait of these two great
friends and all their dogs balancing on an agility platform. I should
also add that one of the dog's is not a Skelpie...Rev (short for Revved
Up, I think)...is a little guy with a big personality. I don't remember
what kind of dog Rev is...so you'll have to inquire with Barbara. All 5
dogs are therapy dogs...they go visiting folks in need of love and
healing. They seemed to all take to me...and I to them... over the
course of 2 days.
Heading out of Richmond my plan was to reach Philadelphia to visit the
Philadelphia Art Museum and then to see my friend Mirabai. Museums
unfortunately close at 5 in Sundays, so I took a chance and called up
my childhood girlfriend, Dorie, who lives in Delaware...to see if she
was around and wanted to connect.It's been 3 or 4 years since I'd
spoken to her...probably the longest time we've ever been out of touch.
Lucky for me, Dorie answered her phone and with surprise in her voice,
said when can you be here. 2 hours later I was hanging poolside in
Hockessin, DE. Dorie & I had a lot of catching up to do...she
didn't know I was married, or separated for that matter. We filled
each other in on life, laughing at how much we have been through. Then
we had to have some diving and flips into her pool...and finally some
Ellio's Pizza, just like when we were kids. Dorie's grandfather built
the house well over a hundred years ago. She's been living there since
shortly after college and the place still feels the same as I always
remember. Dorie's sent me on my way with a copy of her book, Octavia & Her Purple Ink Cloud...which she wrote with his sister Donna. I am so glad to have reconnected with my dear friend.
So finally I arrived in Philadelphia, late in the evening this past
Sunday. Mirabai had to work on Monday morning....so I was on my own to
make my day whatever I wanted it to be. I had hoped to visit the art
museum...but alas, all the museums are closed on Mondays. Fortunately,
I my friend Amy had told me about the Morris Arboretum
which is part of UPenn. I headed out early cause it seemed likely to be
another hot humid day. I strolled around the 93 acres grounds for over
2 hours...talking to the geese and swan, smelling the roses and crepe
myrtle still in bloom...and loving every inch of the place. I had a
nice lunch, and read for a while as well...taking off in the early
afternoon to stroll around the town of Chestnut Hill. I finally headed
back to Mirabai's house for laze about on her couch reading my new
favorite book by David Sedaris, When You Are Engulfed in Flames.
Once Mirabai returned from work we headed out for some local Korean
food and to see Mama Mia. It was a short visit and in the morning after
a run and a quick portrait, I headed in the direction of NJ.
So...here I am...back in my house after clocking exactly 2,495 miles.
Not yet really back to working ...excited to be going to the Falcon
Ridge Folk Festival on Saturday morning with my local friend Genie. I
have 1 more week before Jack returns...and a few more friends I'm
hoping to visit with this summer. I am excited to see what the film I
shot looks like once it's processed...25 rolls so far. It's been a
blessing to have friends in far away places that welcome me with big
hugs. I wish they all lived nearby...however it does make for a great
road trip. Thank you all for loving and caring about me. I am rested
and filled with joy because you are part of my life.
And here are some more photos from my travels...from the point and shoot camera.
Leslie trying out the big comfy red chair...her expression does not
express the JOY we were feeling haivng selected this one to purchase.
Ali, Leslie &I had ice cream for dinner before we went to the movies to see Wall-E... and we had popcorn for dessert!
my horse named Honey was the sweetest nicest horse...boy did my butt hurt after our ride.
Leslie's got a thing for chickens...buck buck
portrait of a young girl named Ali
Whitney & I striking Ali's favorite pose
Papa on his wheels
outside of Charlottesville on my return ride towards Richmond.
Lynnie & Barb sharing the love at the diner
preparing to grill
I don't know what these flowers are but they sure are a great looking
there's a very magical miniature rail display at the arboretum...made entirely of twigs and other natural materials.
Mirabai & I just before heading off in the direction of Jersey.
