Group shot

Writing the past two weeks or so has become increasingly difficult.  For some reason, even though there are words and thoughts which I could form into a post, I am less and less inclined to make the effort. 

I think at least in part the reason for my inertia has to do with the outside work Tal and I have been doing.  In itself limbing the pine grove and clearing away underbrush is not more than I can do.  But that, combined with the house and meals and dealing with bills and incoming mail, does add up to a certain amount of physical weariness.  Plus, my practice had become to stay up late to write.  That could only go on for so long.

We've been away.  It was a special time I don't want to let slide past without note.  And, it was a time of wonderful focus beyond the normal everyday.  My mother celebrated a major birthday last week and the weekend saw a gathering of family at Pawleys Island all dedicated to honoring her.  My three siblings, three of our four spouses, Mom's brother and sister-in-law and Mom went meal-to-meal from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast.  Food is a basic way we humans express our love for each other isn't it?

This photograph was taken at Brookgreen Gardens at mid-day on Saturday
(a week ago tomorrow) --the ten of us at a bench placed in a lovely spot
overlooking the Dogwood Pond in memory of Dad.

I look at this photograph and see, in a manner of speaking, my whole life, people I know the best and have known the longest.  Relationship tried and true.  That short of anchor on a life make the ebbs and flows less troubling -- the writing to the not writing, even.  It'll all be OK.

Day off dreams

We all laughed.  It's Friday.  Both children were in school.  Since we were visiting, Lucia had taken the day off, her first in six months or so.  The weekend was to be child oriented, so Lucia thought it would be fun for the five of us to go somewhere for lunch, to enjoy quiet, adult conversation. 

Shortly after were were seated at the very attractive Grille Smith in the mall near Lucia and Andy's home, we noticed a child, a quiet child, seated with a group at a table near the windows.  We smiled -- gratefully.  As the dining room began to fill, however, a table just across the aisle from us became occupied by two women and a child who, let's say, made his presence known.  So much for that ... As I already said, we all laughed and had our adult conversation anyway, not to mention a delicious meal.

Lucia, Alex and Mom at Alex's school

A quiet lunch wasn't the only thing Lucia wanted out of her day off.  She wanted to make the half-mile-each-way walk to meet Alex as his school day ended, a walk that includes greeting friends and being obedient to a very clear crossing guard.  It's something Lucia's normal work day doesn't allow her to do.  That wish came true, which she shared with Mom, Tal and me.  The best part, though, and her real reward had to have been Alex's unguarded joy at spotting her in the crowd waiting outside the gate.

The day ended with at least one other notable event.  Lucia was starting supper when Alex wanted to play Wii bowling.  Guess who volunteered?  Our mother bowling in the living room with her grandson was a point of deep delight for me.  I suspect Lucia quietly gathered that sight into her memory, a treasure she can savor sweetly for a very long time.

Yes, the six-year-old "won,", but I think my mother was the real winner.
What a good sport!
And, how's this for an action shot -- with the bowler blured?

It has been a day I enjoyed.  I hope it was a good day off for Lucia.

A celebration of syrup

Autumn in rural South Carolina is more lovely with every passing day. The yellow-leaved hickory trees in the woods around the house seem to glow with a light all their own. Tal and I are surprised by the vast number of leaves floating down and covering our yard again. When we walk Whitby and Belle on the promenade every afternoon, we cannot help but notice how much more of the opposite side of the pond we are able to see from the back of the house.

The scene as the pressing of the cane was being finished up.  The syrup was being cooked under the shelter behind the press.

The syrup-master, Ralph,
his tie with coveralls,
a festival tradition

Today was the 8th Annual Soggy Bottom Syrup Festival, a 10AM to 9PM event put on by Tal's niece, Beth, and her husband, Ralph. They live north of Columbia on the Broad River, the "soggy bottom" being the flood plain along the river. Dozens of people gathered on that flat stretch of land, friends and family, young and old. Wonderful food was served, early through late, and the syrup as it cooked smelled so good.

It was a day of real joy, a festival in the best sense of the word.



Bubbling syrup in a Rourkes Ironworks vat



Jars ready to be filled

Time away

It has been a full week since my last post. Time away from writing and time away from home. While the days were full and for most part purposeful, I do wonder there the time goes ...

Even with a thousand miles in the car Sunday and Wednesday and a wonderful, visionary meeting at VTS on Tuesday, the week as I look back on it can be summed up with the word family. Spending Sunday night with the Paul Tarboxes in Mechanicsville and stopping back by on Wednesday for coffee with Paul gave the driving a highlight coming and going. And, on Thursday afternoon, my sister, Joyce, and her husband, Ernie, while on her spring break, stopped by for an overnight visit. Having them here was simply luscious.

One of the questions I like to ask people when I have the opportunity is "When did you first feel like a grownup?" The answers are oftentimes fun, sometimes sad, generally thoughtful, and range from specific to general. Some respondants have a clear answer; others admit that they haven't yet had that experience. And, I admit, I've answered that question in various ways myself.

But, this past week, visiting with two of my siblings and their spouses in their homes and in Tal's and mine, I was reminded of my own parents doing the same thing -- visiting their siblings. And, at the time, they were most certainly adults -- to me at least. I wonder if they felt like adults at the time -- sitting up late talking, lingering in conversation at the table after a meal -- the way I have just done here and in Mechanicsville.

Families. Sometimes it seems as though they won't let up grow up, remembering us at our worst! And, sometimes without trying at all they bring us to a new place and to a new view of life.