Science! Psuedo-science! Nature! Art! Nonsense!
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.
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.
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
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!
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!
April 10, 2019
farm, flowers, hiking, photography, river bluebells, nature, photography, river, shenadoah river, shenandoah, Spring Leave a comment
The bluebells are peaking in mid-April this year (a bit early), so we are outta here, headed to Norway for more winter. Because we, um, actually we think we’re nuts.
Here are some pictures from the daily walk.
Willie likes Spring
Bluebells by the river (this is our home loop)
The dogs have lost the trail!
The greening of the Blue Ridge has begun
This field smells like honey
Pollen leg is a thing
Footbridge on Wheat Spring Branch
July 16, 2018
cute, humor, river, who knows canoe, crash, deal, discerning, environment, flood, funny, humor, sale, shenandoah river, sold Leave a comment
Prospective Buyers approach the Home..
Discerning Client…discerns.
Wait! Wait! I need to see it, I saw it online FIRST!
Dissed by the discerner…
But, yes! The non-discerning client doesn’t give a hoot about tires and stuff.
Sold!
July 15, 2018
cute, humor, river, who knows camper, crash, entertainment, flood damage, for sale, humor, model, shenandoah river, video Leave a comment
Looking for a river property? Offering a sweet little abode IN the Shenandoah River! Airy and convenient, amaze your friends as they wade into the dining room for a fresh-caught fish dinner! Info: 86-FLOAT
You, too could look this good.
A High Impact Home!
See How Airy?!
July 15, 2018
party, river eagle, eagle eats, eagles, fish, heron, shenandoah, shenandoah river Leave a comment
Amy approaches the eagle who just caught a fish, then landed to eat it
Getting closer
Watching lunch
Lunchtime for eagle
Closeup
Gack!
The peoples are so far away
Surveillance
Spot the baby
Adolescent pretty close to home
Home
LANDSHARK
heron
heron in flight
Shenandoah (with floaters)
other way
the peeps
Last eagle
July 9, 2018
nature, river eagles, econoline, econoline 360, kayak, nature, river, river float, shenandoah, shenandoah river, tc boyle, video 1 Comment
Back in May we paid a visit to the eagles lining the Shenandoah just north of our house. They’ve all grown up and are now flying around. On our latest trip down the river (it flows north, so just how to put that is kinda tricky), we saw 7 eagles. A few of them were captured on film.
The day itself was majestic and crystal clear.
The Shenandoah River
All of the eagles’ nests we know how to find along the route (three) were empty this trip, but there were lots of eagles flying around up and down the river.
spot the eagle
the view
spot the eagle
Oh and we ran across an Econoline 360 too. No doubt left by the big 2018 flood. This is perfect for our friend TC Boyle.
Econoline in the river
Amy paddled over to check it out
But really, the eagles.
turns out there were two in this tree
fly away
