Is It Odd?

How is it that I don't believe in ghosts, yet I think my house is haunted?
How is it that I am doing things my way, yet I check if what I'm doing is okay with the inhabitants?
How is it that when I know I'm alone, I talk to the people in the house?

It's not Popeye... he's out here in the furnace house. This was where he spent most of his time... here and out on the farm, around the pond.

....Then there is the old "house in the yard" where long ago, enslaved people lived, loved and feared, and hoped, laughed and cried, worked and died. I often stand at the upstairs hall window at night and just listen... Imagine the little dark faces peering from their upstairs window at my house, and wonder what they thought.

 I love this place, I do. Over 200 years of sheltering life in this place in space.

It's not forever, of course, this I know. One day, probably sooner than later, Quarter Moon House will be gone. I don't know if mine will be the last tribe of humans to live here, but if I am...

I'm determined to absorb every bit of energy left here,

in the paint and dust and behind walls,

Recording my time as I add to it all, like a new spice in the stew.

If I'm not the last, of course I will leave it with more whispers and scents of my life.

How awesome is that?

Freedom of Speech

It's wonderful that it works both ways, isn't it?
I certainly think so.

Tracy Morgan - Uncle Jemima

Tracy Morgan is one funny man.

I was watching SNL best Commercial Parodies last night, and saw this spoof which I had never seen before. It is now my favorite:

Blackbeard Pirate Festival - Hampton VA - Day 2

By far, the Blackbeard Festival is our favorite of the annual fests around Hampton Roads. It is the only one that can get me out for at least 2 of the three days.

The scene is free, literally. No admission tickets needed, and plenty of free parking right smack dab in the middle of it all.

Loads of fest-y food and drink, and best of all, places to sit, eat, drink and be merry.

This is very attractive to my tribe. Who likes to stand and juggle a gyro and a beer? Not us.

Hampton Police force also does a fine job of being lenient, and inconspicuous. Translate that as being a very low-hassle event.

This year I went out adult-style on Friday, then took the younger of my boys on Saturday. 

The brat turned on his old mam and tried to capture her at the point of his blunderbuss... earning the ire of her dastardly dark side, conjured up and evident in her meanest pirate face.

"GGRrrrr YAR! I'll butter me homebaked bread with the marrow from yer bones, ye turncoat."

Teeth: Tools yer mama told you not to use and then uses herself to chew through the restraints, or tie on a motherly leather wristlet.

 Pirates take pictures, too.

Last year I took these shots of a van that I fell in love with, because I figured, 'that's dedication'.

Yes.. that is a ships wheel affixed to the steering wheel.

 This year I find out it belongs to The Brigands who had entertained us greatly last night, and again today (in a more intimate setting 'unplugged' style)

So... I bought a CD for a tenner from a beautiful lass, I believe was named Baby-Punch McGee which helped them gas up their brilliant land yacht to head off on more piratey adventures.

Meanwhile... at Pirate's Cove...

it was dinnertime...

The best was watching the kids swordfighting and then dancing in the round in front of the Bunch of Grapes Tavern at Pirates Cove.


Wild little heathens... it was great.

The dancing was the best, and I will tell you why...

The young lady is trying to get the kids to dance in a circle, but they won't get it together when the music starts.

It quickly progresses to a free-for-all of movement and screamy fun. I love looking at the different body gyrations they are so joyously going through.

Even the pirates had to get into it...

And yea, oh yea they lit up the bridge 'waterfall' of sparks

Yo Ho Ho.. Until next year mateys!

Blackbeard Pirate Festival 2010 - Hampton, VA I

Yarrrr!
Pirates have again taken over Hampton, Virginia... 'tis expected and well received by the natives (many of whom are pirates disguised as office personnel and laborers)

This year, they are here to celebrate the 400th birthday of the Citie of Hampton.

I went to celebrate busty wenches, grog, and sea shanties. And to buy a sweet leather wrist gauntlet complete with celtic knot... I intentionally didn't buy the second so I have to go back tonight to get it ;) my other wrist is quite jealous and will drive the car.

Besides I have a sneaky feeling (hope, is the word) they will light up the bridge tonight, as they didn't during last night's fireworks.  I see the black under the bridge... hmmm.

Some photos from last evening:

The Brigands from New York entertained heartily while I swilled Loose Cannon Hop3 IPA for a decent 4$ a cup, bought from some lovely and busty wenches at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern. Please tip your wenches. The captain-in-training here had just been trying to pick up rocks with a hook-hand. I missed the shot. "Yar, it's damned difficult to pick up rocks with yer hook."

A lovely tree to camp beneath.

Sirrah...Dinna eat the baby!!

Ahh. Now that's a good pirate. They're just sharing a drink.

I love being down by the waterfront, any day, any night.

"Hear the bells ring as the tide rigging sings

It's a son of a gun of a chorus"~J.Buffett

It's a Pirate's life for me.