Sunday Brunch

We were lucky to have these visitors for a few hours last Sunday.

Isla has lots of interesting things to say, such as where the elephant lives (the zoo), yes, she'd like bacon with her pancakes, and she was happy to read one of my bird watching books to her father: "Birds," page turn, "birds," page turn, "birds," etc.

Moving day

We went to Harrisonburg to help Natalie and Kahlil unload their Uhaul in the dark of the night last Saturday. The next morning they treated us to breakfast at the Little Grill. 

Pancake, party of 4.

We waited for a table outside the tire shop next door. 

That velvet painting is weird! I like it.

These aren't in chronological order. Kahlil found a preying mantis the previous night. We stared at its alien face, and it boxed its preying mantis hands at us in protest.

I visited a cat and some dozing chickens while Scott and Kahlil moved heavy furniture into the barn. 

Mom and Dad visit

Mom and Dad came to visit last weekend. Dad finally got to see our new house. He made some impromptu home repairs on two faulty doors. Needless to say he can come back anytime! We went into DC for a very short visit Sunday morning, and happened to find a lucky parking spot near the Lincoln Memorial. Dad LOVES Abraham Lincoln! They share a birthday. And he's never been to the Lincoln Memorial, so it was a fine thing indeed. We passed by the Vietnam War Memorial too. So much memorializing.

Dad read the entire Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's second inaugural address. We waited for him to do so.

Perfect September day.

I just like trees.

Mom and Dad at the World War II Memorial.

Dad takes as many (if not more) pictures as I do.

See? Here we're taking pictures of each other taking pictures.

Our nation's capitol is a sight to behold.

One of the Declaration of Independence signature reproductions. And leaves. Yay, fall!

View from traffic jam.

We had a great time together - a beautiful weekend. Come back soon!

hooray for loo-ray

We met Natalie and Kahlil in Luray, VA Friday night and spent Saturday exploring. We had a whole list! The Shenandoah Valley is a beautiful land, and the people of Luray are friendly poets.

This is the view we woke up to.

The Mimslyn Inn, where we spent the night at a steep (and possibly made up) discount. A fine old hotel, with ample southern charm.

Took a leisurely bike tour of the Hawksbill Greenway. Natalie was determined to spot a mysterious bird she had seen the day before. 

That's not the mysterious bird. That's just a duck. 

Why thanks.

Murals galore in Luray.

The thrift store was on our list, and it did not disappoint. The cashier pushed hard for us to donate our bikes. "I could sell them in ten minutes! Support poor folks!" We didn't donate our bikes, but we did buy a couple books and t-shirts, to his great disappointment.

A lovely tucked away entrance. 

Scott's wearing both the shirts he bought at the thrift store. 

Scott loves a good tree swing, and we found one along the river.

Kahlil working on his back flip.

Natalie and I were really excited about the Luray Caverns Garden Maze. It was pretty incredible, but we are terrible at navigating a labyrinth, as it turns out. 

SUUPER loooong arms.

Used bookshop!

This is a stuffed armadillo from Ecuador, circa 1950, and it lives in a case in the used bookshop. Armadillos have hair in Ecuador. The shopkeeper took it out of the case so I could pet it, what an honor.

Contrary to the implication of this ghostly golden arch, we ate here for dinner and it was Mexican food. 

THE MYSTERIOUS BIRD! Natalie persisted and we finally caught sight of this one. I think it's a black-crowned night heron. What a beauty.

Bye good friends!

putzing around the house

Play set security guard. 

These crows are always scheming. 

Good light.

Tiny succulent.

Pine tree shadows.

I thought this rose bush died. Wrong.

Hello, slug on the patio door.