Dear Kristy,

How was the halibut? I have to say I was so jealous to hear what you were serving your company. I hope they appreciated it while us down here in the lower 48 eat our bacon wrapped chicken! Ha!

Company is coming our way too. My mom, my 9 year old twin nephews and 4 year old niece will fly in on Friday. Everyone is counting the days. We are excited. We have a fun-filled schedule planned. We will see if we can get it all accomplished. Let me give you a run down.

Saturday we will head south to the Virginia Museum of Natural History. It is Reptile Day that day and the twins LOVE reptiles. My sister is crazy for allowing this but in the twins’ room has a wall of aquariums full of reptiles-frog, lizards, fish, iguanas. They also have a parrot and chihuahua mind you. I said she was crazy didn’t I. She wins the Best Mom Award!! Not happening here. Hey! But maybe I will win the Best Aunt Award for taking them to Reptile Day! Ha!

On the way home from the museum we are going to stop in Floyd, Virginia. Everyone who visits has to experience the Country Store in downtown Virginia. Every weekend the streets of downtown Floyd are filled with down-home, blue grass musicians. In every nook and cranny are different groups of fiddle-playing, banjo-playing, spoon-playing person harmonizing together like they have been together for years. There are other instruments like bass, guitar, harmonica, etc. In the old time Country Store there is a stage in the back crowded with the blue grass band for the night. The store has an ice cream bar and soda fountain. But mostly it is filled with chairs for people to watch or rest as the dance floor is full of tap dancing/foot stomping. Many grey hairs are there with their tap shoes on and don’t even think of sitting in their chair that they claimed years ago. It is a sight to be seen, I tell you! When Grandma came for a visit I took her there. I could not get her to leave. It almost feels like you have walked back in time. Nostalgic, a sight I think everyone should experience.

On Sunday our little musician, Adelyn, is singing and playing her guitar at church. Her guitar teacher is playing the djembe drum and singing with her. She is so excited. We got her a cute dress and accessories for her debut. I am so glad Memaw and family will be there for it. I don’t think she is nervous at all.

After church, the girls are headed west to the Barter Theater to see a production of Annie. The Barter Theater is an old Virginia theater. So old that people use to ‘barter’ to see a performance, hence the name. The kids have already been with groups from school. I am anxious to get to go myself. The boys are staying here with Jeff. I am hoping he will take them to the drive-in theater around here. Rumor is this will be the last summer that it is open.

Monday we will go tube floating at the New River. But we are NOT camping. No more trains for me, remember?

Tuesday we are headed to Lynchburg. Liberty University has a new exhibit that you will laugh at. It is called Snow Flex. You have to look this up. Basically, it is a man made ski slope you can play on year round. I know, I know. Such a substitute for your neck of the woods. But we have to do what we can to have fun around here. But before we head to the ‘slope’ we will check out Lynchburg’s Childrens Museum.

Wednesday will we hang out around the house and pool to recuperate from all are blowing and going. We will all(except Jeff) pack up and head to Texas and NM for a week or two. I am sure we will find some fun adventures there as well. I hope we don’t kill each other after being together so long.  But you know how it is living so far from family, you have to squeeze it all in.

So you might not hear from me for a while, but that’s neither her nor there. It doesn’t mean you have to quit writing! I will write when I can.

Gearing up!,

Carolyn

Share