It was a thoughtful and very peaceful float.
Dark and Stormy on the water.
On the River with the Progeny
August 27, 2023
river eli, float, river, river float, shenandoah, shenandoah river, the ulluh Leave a comment
Iulie on the Farm
August 27, 2023
cute, dogs, farm bubbie, iulianna, iulie, moonshine, photography, romey, shenandoah, sycamore Leave a comment
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
Bluebells Peak April 2, 2023
April 2, 2023
hiking, nature, plants bluebell, bluebells, flower, photography, river, romey, shenadoah river, shenandoah, Spring, video 1 Comment
It’s early for the peak. But the peak it is along the banks of the Shenandoah.
Romey looks like a bluebell too.
Moonshine does not look like a bluebell. Nor does he smell like one.
There are also other flowers available.
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.
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
Today, the light
January 2, 2020
dogs, farm, hiking, mountain, photography blue ridge, dogs, gem, hiking, nature, photography, river, shenandoah, shenandoah river Leave a comment
Three views from the corner.
Trio one
Trio two
Trio three
The walk.
Mogli blends
Shenandoah
Light
Tree fire
Shenandoah Bluebells 2019
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
