Carter's Mountain

We have exited peach season and are well into apple. I went apple picking at this enchanted spot yesterday. Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Macintosh, Red Delicious...

a crazy weed amongst the fruit

Later I went running and was caught in a downpour. Rain lifts the spirits! Before, I had been feeling tired and lethargic but as I ran and the drops began to hit my head and nose, the world turned a fairer shade. It's been raining a lot here lately.

So much is happening each day and I am learning so much that I could blog an epic but I seem to only have time on the weekends. So much is going to stay hidden in the cavernous recesses of my memory, only to be dusted off when I am eighty and senile.

Mountain Retreat and other adventure stories

So, the Fellows Program '08 began with two days of orientation. We met the other twelve human beings with whom we would be sharing this nine month experience. Yep, a bit awkward at first. The first afternoon we went watersking and tubing. There's no better way to get to know someone than when you're in your bathing suit looking your best! Well, that's what I always, at least. Fun was had by all on "The Lake."

Phase 2 of the Haz...er...Orientation: After another long day of orienting, we were the guests of honor at a commencement banquet and then off to a cabin in the mountains. The cabin was a rennovated nineteenth century log cabin, très quaint.

I inaugurated our time by quickly spotting a small pile of mouse dung in the corner of my room, one of the two girls chambers. Wait, why is that dung red and black striped? In the poor lighting, I squinted into the shadowy corner with a growing suspicion and then confirmation.

"Ummmm, there's a snake in here!"

Calm, poise...AHHHHH. No, really, all the females (who knew about it) behaved rationally. Daniel kindly chucked the little feisty viper outside and then proceeded to sleep on the porch near where he had thrown the snake. He hadn't thought that through.

Jennifer and Melissa

rosy morning sky

Next day: Rock Climbing. One Word: Awesome.
Imagine, turning the side of a cliff and stopping in the middle of the turn to gape at the vast scape of mountains, trees, and sky and to contemplate resting between a mountain.

Tripp (a former fellow) and Lautzy (Daniel)

Jenny and Jennifer

(Aside: I am trying to write this while about to watch the first presidential debates. Eek!)

On the following day, we went whitewater rafting on the Upper Gulley. The last rapid was actually a waterfall and our leader, the Commander, had us all get down into the bottom of the boat. Brilliant.

Bonded. We are supposedly now bonded. Partially. Yes, I'd say that's true but I still feel unknown. It is exasperating, lonely, frustrating, to be unknown. But time will cure this as experience has taught me.

Shalom.

Moving on UP

I'm back from my sabbatical. I greet you from the happy land of Jefferson, Poe, and Pocahontas -- fair Virginia!

First impressions: Not many because I have been SO crazy busy. But one of them is most certainly a commentary on the terrain.

Ahem.

Commentary: The roads go both vertically and horizontally here. Imagine. My poor vehicle is getting worn out on the rolling roads and I am still learning the technique of breaking and accelerating. Basically, I never seem to be going a steady speed. How do you use cruise control in this volatile atmosphere? You don't. I set it for 40mph and the next thing you know I am going 52mph down a hill and then 33mph up one. I am going to get a ticket, I know it.

2008-2009 Fellows (not a bad looking bunch, haha):

(lft to rt: Ross, Jason, Daniel; Wilson, Austin, Matt, Ashley, Jennifer;
Laura, Brittany, Jenny, Hayley, and Melissa) -- you can't get more
1980s Anglo-Saxon than those names : P

For those who don't know, I am in Charlottesville, VA doing a fellowship program through Trinity Presbyterian Church. This involves a lot of different componants which I will try to cover in up-coming blogs. So stay tuned. This is just a holler that I am alive and will be blogging again.

Oh, and...fyi, I am going to make my blog private. Just e-mail me if you want to be added to the list. I don't care if you are a friend, acquaintance, friend of a friend, aquaintance of a friend of a friend, whatever. I just don't like ANYONE being able to read this especially now that I am employed at an official place, etc...SO. Peace.