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?

Fossil Scallop Shells

These are a few of my favorite things.... Collected from the Lower Yorktown Formation in southeastern Virginia, I am always thrilled at being only the second human to touch these fossils which are about 4 million years old. Out of the sediment, these Chesapecten jeffersonius go from the collector's hands to mine....on occasion, straight to mine. We never alter or coat the fossils. They are carefully excavated and simply rinsed off in fresh water.
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Nansemond Indian Pow Wow

Every August for 16 years we have attended the Nansemond Indian Tribe Pow Wow in the Chuckatuck Village area of Suffolk. We look forward to it each year, and wouldn't think of missing it.

The Nansemond tribe, part of the mighty Powhatan Empire, were among the first indigenous tribes encountered by English colonizers from both the Roanoke colony at Virginia Beach and the Jamestown colony on the north side of the James River.

The Nansemond River runs off of the James southern banks. There were four tribal settlements along the river. An attack by a scouting party led by John Smith and his men began a relationship of warfare between the Anglos and the tribes of the Powhatan Empire.

Ironically, the survival of the seeds of our Nation depended on the knowledge and aid of the people of the Empire.

Today, many of Virginia's Native American tribes still battle for federal recognition by the United States government. This would give them the (very meager) benefits allowed to federally recognized tribes and their people (such as the Sioux, or the Cherokee).

The Nansemonds, in particular, have been petitioning the local government requesting the deed to their ancestral tribal lands at Lone Star Lakes. They would like to build a recreation of a tribal town documented by John Smith. Mattanock Town would serve the community need for understanding and preservation of the remnants of a once great society.

I go to support them every year, and I hope you will too. The date for this year is August 16-17. For more information visit the official site of the Nansemond Tribe.
Here are some photos from previous years.

Enjoy!

Jonesing for Busch Gardens

Going through some photos, I found some from Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. We usually have season passes, but we decided to take a break this year because we really don't want to take it for granted.

Looking at the pictures, I understand just how taking a break helps with 'keeping the spark' in my long relationship with Virginia's totally awesome theme park. I understand, because I really really, really want to go. I know it's only going to get worse when the Howl-O-Scream ads start streaming from the local television channels.

Everything from wildlife preservation to the wildest rides (Griffon, anyone?), wonderful food and world class landscaping, and friendly employees from all over the world.

Ahh, I can smell the waffle cones cooking now. Or the barbeque pit at the Trappers Village in New France (juicy grilled chicken while we watch the Griffon, anyone?). Ooo, or the brats and brews at Oktoberfest's Festhaus. Oh, and the stew at Groghan's in Ireland...now I HAVE to go so I can get pictures of all that. Where to go first?!

Until then, I hope some of these pictures help bring the place to life a bit.

I'll add more later. I will be spending the day with PurpleNonna tomorrow for our once a week meet and clean-a-house which has been going on for about 15 years.

PurpleNonna always has some roundabout wisdom, and a kookiness I just adore. We have been friends for 17 years, with some missing ones in between. I always look forward to Thursdays with PN.

See you tomorrow! I'm trying for a 365 day streak. Wish me luck.