Sonnystone Acres

this is a test to see if i can post pictures all by myself. it’s also the first picture i’ve posted that was taken with my new camera. whaddayathink? 

while i have never had an encounter with the gray lady at willard library, i can testify that the building has got lots of “presence”.  the stairs creak as you walk upstairs and woodwork is remarkable.  the shelves and tables throughout are antique and there is a meeting room upstairs that has an old fireplace and is also filled with antiques.  they just refinished some of the marble floors on the main floor, making sure to restore them perfectly.  it is also very up-to-date with lots of computers.  it has always been my favorite library and as a teenager i was regularly dumped there on sunday afternoons by my sister while she went out “cruising for jocks” at frisches big boy.

i was 8 or 9 years old when i was introduced to willard’s childrens room in the basement.  while today’s new libraries are open and expansive, this old-fashioned room is cozy with a low ceiling and bright stained-glass windows, crammed with books and small tables.  they had the whole cherry ames series there (unheard of in the public library), as well as all the other series books such as nancy drew, bobbsey twins, l. frank baum, etc.   i went down and checked it out the other day and it still makes me want to curl up and read.  i can hardly wait to take emma there. 

by the way, i did join the summer reading program so i could win some money, but as a result i’ve been reading up a storm.  i’ve finally gotten around to reading pride and prejudice (very good); janet evonavich’s stephanie plum series opener (not so good); resumed some kay scarpetta–i had left off about 5 years ago with blow fly (it’s the one where benton returns)(so-so).  i’m currently reading the second mrs. darcy, a sort-of follow-up to pride and prejudice.  just started it, will let you know.   

for father’s day casey received a new camera from his loving, adoring, and thoughtful children.  he has been so-oo wanting a new one.  it really is cool and i’d love to show you how much better quality pictures it takes, but i cannot upload pictures….maybe somebody could email me her password so i can get into dreamhost…..

actually, that somebody stays pretty busy these days…i don’t get to talk to her very often or for very long, so i’m especially looking forward to a visit, mano y mano…or womano y womano. 

sister and i did the garden walk and have agreed that sonnystone gardens need to be on the next one (in 2 years).  that’s a lot of work, but i think we can do it.  

it’s midnight madness at willard library, which is hosted by the genealogical society, all this week.  i’ve been down to a class on courthouse research and one on archival scrapbooking, but changed my plan for today to play at a funeral.   i always cry at funerals, but i always cry at weddings, baptisms….i guess i cry anytime the music is good.  even when it’s me making the music. 

husband is obsessed with an eagle scout project to be done this weekend at church.  i’ll be helping by staying out of it and keeping my mouth shut, followed by admiring the finished work. 

next week is the freedom festival and we’ll be down on the riverfront sweating and burning.  i have a new pink bag-chair that i’m looking forward to trying out.  maybe i’ll be able to post pictures by then…

i’m going to forego the travelogue until i can post pictures. 

casey’s off all week and we’re continuing to relax, taking some well-earned time to sit back and smell the roses—literally.  we’ve made 2 trips to rural king (not just for the popcorn):  50% off of all plants!!  i bought and planted some 50cent basil and eggplant, $1 petunias.  best yet, we got 3 seedless concord grapevines and 1 raspberry bush.  i have always dreamed of making sonnystone into a vineyard and now we’re well on our way at 1/2 price. 

another rural king buy is an inflatable bouncey thing that looks like a castle, complete with 24 balls and 2 swords (inflatable).  emma’s going to love it, as will my little neikirk, rugani, and wiist buddies.  we’ve scoped out a branch for a swing.  we’re deciding where the water park should be.  it’s really turning into camp granma around here–thanks to granpa, the activity director. 

the wc handy blues festival is this week and sister and i will be heading over to henderson for lunch tomorrow to listen to the stylings of becky freels and doc stocker, as is our tradition.  

the mg garden walk is this week-end and i’ll be going to several gardens on saturday with sis, then hosting at one on sunday.  the garden i’ll be hosting is so cool…i hope i can show you pictures by then. 

looks like moon&bee will be here in july.  let’s all get together as much as we can…. 

after spending weeks researching the blue ridge parkway, after driving the entire 470 miles in my mind, i began to dread 10plus hours of driving around mountains stopping at yet another scenic overlook (of beautiful rolling farmland).  not only that, but i had so over-thought the whole trip that i was angsting greatly over the cost of gas for a trip that was centered around driving.  then the weather forecast took at turn for the worse and i could just imagine myself sitting in the truck during a rainstorm, asking myself how the hell i ended up there. 

so we abruptly changed directions.  we’re packed up and ready to leave for eminence, mo where the peaceful jack’s fork river beckons us to tube its winding path.  we’ve been to the area before and have reserved a shady site on the bank of the river,  steps from the beach and bathroom.  i’ll be reporting back either monday or tuesday.  peace, love, and rocknroll. 

tomorrow vbs begins and i am guardedly optimistic regarding its success.  i have been given music time for both upper and lower age group kids and i’m working with my gifted and talented duo, so i got all i asked for.  the theme is Quest for Truth–indiana jonesish.   i like the new music and we’ll be adding the “this little light” stuff for the preschoolers. 

we are deepy into the planning of our Vacation Trip.  we’re taking off sunday, 6/10, and i have haunted all the sites on the internet about the blue ridge parkway as well as  checked out every pertinent book from the library.  i took my 15% off coupon over to barnes&noble to buy an atlas, but they did not have the portable, spiral bound, randmcnally one i want.  i ended up buying a travel writing compilation and have a plan:  i’m going to “journal” my journey, emulating the finest travel-writing i’ve read, then publish it after my return as a series.  by publish i mean post it here, of course.  i bet you can hardly wait. 

anyway, i also have to visit the garden i’ll be hostessing for the garden walk this week.  sister and i may get over to albion for a belated cemetary visit.  and there’s always more trip planning i can do.