So hard to get everyone together anymore. Here is a subset of everyone. The float was relaxing and gorgeous. Only one canoe was tumped over.
On the River with the Progeny
August 27, 2023
river eli, float, river, river float, shenandoah, shenandoah river, the ulluh Leave a comment
It was a thoughtful and very peaceful float.
Dark and Stormy on the water.
River Run with Joan and John
August 27, 2023
nature, photography, river float, joan and john, river, romey, shenandoah, shenandoah river Leave a comment
Ah, the Shenandoah. Though the river is desperately low this summer, floating down it is relaxing and wonderful.
The JoanJohn monster glom.
The romey.
All together now.
And then we had cocktails and played a little music. Yes please!
Stairway to the Shenandoah
August 27, 2023
river shenadoah river, shenandoah, stairs Leave a comment
During the solstice party prep, I was surprised to find out that our trusty stairs had disintegrated all at once catastrophically.
New stairs solves the problem. Looks like this will last a decade.
What goes down.
Also leads back up.
The Shenandoah is drying out after a month of no rain. Climate change is going to really suck even on the east coast.
Spring Peak Three: Rocket Time
May 9, 2023
farm, flowers, hiking, photography, river dames rocket, dog, flower, golden retreiver, moonshine, rocket, shenandoah, shenandoah river, wildflower Leave a comment
What’s the difference between Dame’s Rocket and Prairie Phlox? Why the difference between four and five (and alternate toothed leaves). This is rocket on the trail by the river that we walk every day.
Moonshine
And some black locust to perfume the air.
Final Moonshine
First (and last?!) time on the river 2022
September 5, 2022
nature, river, who knows gem, kayak, nature, photography, river, romey, shenandoah, shenandoah river, skaggs, video Leave a comment
We are way too busy. During COVID the river was a key respite for us. Time to get back to our roots.
A run in September is just what the doctor ordered.
Honestly, they did answer…
Boyle’s boat looking grand.
A run of the class 0 rapids (with one hand).
Here’s to more Fall runs during 2022.
How many paradises are there, anyway? A visit to Terzo Paradiso in Biella, Italia
July 20, 2022
art, dance, film, photography, river, who knows april, April Claggett, art, art museum, art space, biella, gem, italy, rhine, river, sleestaks, sogol shirazi, terzo paradiso, travel, video Leave a comment
You might die, but if anything is noted as the cause of death, it will be loneliness.
There are no people doing art or even visiting Terzo Paradiso unless you count our unruly bunch. Here’s what we saw (and what we did).
First we explored random spaces.
And then we found some art to see (but only after getting lucky).
After a short nap in the hammocks near the circles, we found the projector and those glowy rocks from Land of the Lost.
There were no Sleestaks. So here are two for good measure. They covet the glowy rocks.
There was dirt.
There was also very silly science. But it was arty.
Not surprisingly, the room was better than the dirt.
Watch this video. Really.
Rhine took pics too. It was hard not to.
We got lucky and found another human who told us how to cross the highway, go down the stairs and find even more art. Or rather more art places with not much art. Something like that.
Rhine woke up from his long nap, dreaming of Sleestaks and late 1970s TV.
The space rang a long cool echo of lost civilizations and the empty planet to come.
So there was dance.
And reflection
We climbed back down to reality using a ladder that was too short to reach the sky.
And then we left.
Ganesh Chaturti on the Shenandoah
October 29, 2021
farm, nature, river Allen Kitselman, bald eagles, bindi, ceremony, cheeto, consecration, food, ganesh, Ganesh Chaturti, gem, hinduism, immersion, indian food, karthik, nature, river, river run, romey, shenandoah, shenandoah river, skaggs, the shrine Leave a comment
Sometime last summer (during the height of the pandemic), “the shrine” on my property was designed by Allen Kitselman and implemented by Claudio and his brother. On 9/12 it was properly initiated with a Ganesh Chaturi ceremony led by Karthik.
Here’s how that went down.
First, Karthik shared the significance of Ganesh Chaturti, read some ancient text, and made an offering.
Ready for the ceremony
Karthik leads the reading
Incense
Ganesh at the shrine (and everywhere else in the universe too)
In the verdant woods of Virginia
A gift for the mantle
Then it was off to the river for part two of the ceremony, a small prayer with an earthen Ganesha moorti which Jackie immersed in the Shenandoah river in a traditional way (plus kayaks).
We kayaked several miles together. Had lunch. Saw eagles. Reveled in nature. There was a cheeto sighting.
When we were getting ready to depart, the truck failed to start. But we persevered (with some help from Skaggs and a trusty hammer).
And then some fabulous food and conversation.
All in all, an excellent day. The shrine is consecrated and new friendships blossom.
Bindi people
Team Tartan Sails into the Sunset
October 1, 2021
river, sailing ann myers, blood cancer, captain chris, captain esther, eli, leukemia cup, mom, regatta, romey, sailing, team tartan 2 Comments
First things first. Thanks to our many many donors over the years, Team Tartan has raised $404,661.61 since 2012. We actually started sailing in 2009 on flying scots, but our major fundraising started only when we moved up to the big boats. We sail in honor of my mom and Ann Myers, both of who were blood cancer victims.
Here’s a breakdown of our fundraising through the years. We were the number one fundraiser in the DC Leukemia Cup every year we sailed (including this year). FWIW, the cup is yours again! For two years we were #2 in the entire country, and one year we were #3.
Special mention must be made of donor Phil Venables, who, though he did not participate in 2021, was our top fundraiser seven times running, donating a total of $247,000! Holy cow. Thanks Phil.
You can read about our various adventures on the water here:
Which brings us to 2021, our last year on the water. This year Team Tartan took the cup again, raising $38,600 (so far…feel free to donate here). We appreciate each and every one of the 110 donors who participated this year! Together we have made a real impact on blood cancer research.
Hiatus
We sailed Hiatus this year instead of Rebecca. And we were rusty. And perhaps out of practice. And Esther was on shore. But we did have the best snacks and the most chill crew! That’s it…snacks!
Oh yeah, and covid. We took quick covid tests before intersecting our pods on the boat. Cora is only three and not yet vaccinated. Are you? GET VACCINATED.
Eli (snack cup in hand)
Captain Chris
Romey
On the water (and very likely way behind). LOL.
Captain Esther stayed with Cora on land
The races went something like this. Last place and last place. It was a long day, but we had some fun.
Why are all those other boats in front of us?
SNACKS for the crew! Dark and Stormy.
Even Stretch gets snacks.
We did celebrate
Go team tartan!
And thank you again. Fair sails all!
Post Covid Summer Solstice 2021
July 2, 2021
cooking, dogs, fire, party, river 3 Comments
Well, some things happened. My life situation was utterly rebooted. There was a pandemic. Two solstice parties went by in miniature. There was no blogging. That kind of thing.
But we remember how to get back on the horse! Yes we do. So get up there and ride.
Solstice Fire Summer 2021
One of the secret traditions of the summer solstice has always been the Lisa Messerhead inspired salmon feast (implemented by Aubrey). Of course that happened.
The salmon spread
Yum
But that was soon a memory, and the party began into the green and cicadas.
Soon the tables were full of great food, the keg was tapped, people played in the Shenandoah, and the party found itself in full swing.
Just like old times. Except everyone in attendance was vaccinated against Covid-19. The few friends who were not vaccinated were not allowed to come (though we still love them). At this point in the global pandemic if you’re in the United States and you’re not vaccinated you are a pox on the public. Don’t be an asshole. We’ll hold off on the usual herd of kids until they are no longer vectors, etc.
Anyway, the food was super delicious. And there was lots of it.
Home made by Ale and Eli
People gonna eat up
The imposter dog!
Yes, we’re having fun
Just before the lighting, Jackie, Eli, and Ale read some poetry focused on black identity in honor of Juneteenth.
Jackie reads a poem or two
And then it was time! The bonfire was lit!
2021 Summer Solstice Fire
Mr prepared guy serves as a fire mirror
Romey attends her first actual size solstice
The people
Of course there was music. It went on all night and even when the rain started in slow around 11:30. But then a DELUGE.
The progeny carried one of the tents over the music pod as we shifted inside. The last embers of the party extinguished around 4:30.
Thanks to all who came.
Remember the before times, but carry on!
