4th of July, Small Town Virginia Style

Clifton Forge, small town, U.S.A.

Flags flying, patriotic outfits, and the underlying current of excitement that comes with national holidays filled downtown Clifton Forge.

We celebrated the 4th of July in style: a parade, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and the playing of the five military hymns!

It was enjoyable to see so many familiar faces, especially after the past six days with little no electricity for much of our area.

If we had only had a town plaza and everyone could have brought their picnics, it would have been like reading a Little House book.

In the evening there were activities for kids, food for sale, music playing, and finally...FIREWORKS!

While watching the fireworks, I could not help but smile!

It was a huge and beautiful display, lasting well over the anticipated (and dreaded for shortness) fifteen minutes.

Despite being a dual citizen, I enjoyed the day celebrating the United States of America and thinking back to what Francis Scott Key saw when he wrote the Star Spangled Banner.

Watching the parade outside the court house

The parade coming down Main St.

Patriotic Chihuahua

Playing the five military hymns

The reading of The Declaration of Independence

Patriotic attire

Raising of the flag by Veterans

Family enjoying the train!

Lasso Practice

Ice cream and Cotton Candy!

Kids riding the little train!

Festivities at the old depot!

A smile maker!!

Celebrating freedom!

Beautiful Fireworks!

The Finale!

Full Moon on the 4th

The Day the News Became Us

Have you heard the title "The Day the Roof Fell In"?

Well, my roof did not fall in, thankfully.  Although, some people's roofs did.

However, electricity is still off, temperatures are hot, trees are down, and elderly people are being moved out of their homes.

Most summers when heat waves go through places I am on the reading end.

This summer, it is in my town.  I spoke with a nurse yesterday who lost 2-3 of her patients to the heat.  I was stunned.

Yet, through the entire experience people have been bonding.  It is beautiful to see churches joining forces and working with town and county officials to help everyone with no air conditioning.

This is not a case of poor and rich, this is a case of people who have electricity and people who do not have electricity.

I do ask that you pray for the areas affected by the storm.  It is taking its toll on people and has no partiality.

People unloading Gatorade at the Life House

A Very Long day

A review of Saturday:

Last night a storm the size of West Virginia flattened trees and strewed leaves across yards.

The family was in the family room watching The Dukes of Hazard when suddenly, ziiip, the power went out as if a conductor had brought a concert to a halt.

I looked out the window and beheld winds that were so strong it was a surprise I had not heard them.

We hurried out to the porch to gather clothes that had been drying.  As I was coming inside I looked over to the neighbors just in time to see a a tree fall over onto a roof and sparks fly as a wire of some sort was hit.

Our next door neighbor had half a tree fall.  It fell the exact opposite direction from where the car was parked.

Today I took Nikki to Richmond to meet her mom.  We stopped in Waynesboro.  After passing two lights in confusion, I called 911 and reported a "concern" that the stoplights were not working.  I was informed the electricity was out.

I am now back home after...
-three failed breakfast stop attempts
-an early birthday lunch, courtesy of Nikki (at Chick Fil A!)
-getting my numbers transferred to a new phone
-Going to two Lowes (the first one was the wrong one) and getting a generator and 3 gas containers
-Stopping for gas in Waynesboro and waiting, waiting, waiting...
-getting trash bags to go under the gas containers...that were then holding gas
-And, attempting to get a slushie from Sheetz...they weren't working

I'm tired.  I need to have an attitude adjustment (although, it's doing better now).
Thankfully the church has power, which means AC and internet (I will be streaming Miss VA...unless I get bored)

Oh, did I mention we are having intense heat?  Yep.

And, I listened to NPR toward the end of my time coming home.  I need to watch All the President's Men again!

Well, before the night was over, I even had notes for a new article!  Hooray!

The tree that fell in our neighbor's yard!

Three Pictures

This week has been full of excitement! (and it is not over yet!)

Wimbledon 2012!

Tennis Lessons with Abi!

My First Newspaper Published Article!

Persistance on Grass Courts

Imagine this...

Two chairs with a small table between then.
A tea cup, a mug, and other items on the table.
Two girls sitting in the chairs.
They are facing the television...and have been for a while.

What, you might be asking, is so interesting?

Why, Wimbledon, of course!

We've had our Earl Grey and are currently opposing one another in who we are cheering for.
I'm for Baker and my dear cousin is for Roddick.

(Baker is, after all, better looking ; ) ) <---kidding...well, he is, but I just want him to beat Roddick!  Great Britain needs all the good players we can get!

These two weeks are my favourite weeks, athletically speaking, out of the entire year!

When they quit showing the match on ESPN, I had to resort to this!

England

I ache wanting to see England again.
Preferably in person.

As giant of a step moving to England/Europe is, if I am not there I know I will continue missing it.

It is part of my DNA.

In St. Briavels

Harrods

While I Make Pasta

I'm cooking in the kitchen.
While I wait for my pasta to come to the correct softness and try to not burn my sauce, I decided to share some thoughts.

I did pause long enough to stir my sauce.

I have been in NYC two and a half weeks.  These weeks have been incredible.  I've learned new things about myself. 

I wouldn't mind living in a city with no one I know...too much.  Making friends would be a must.

Living in the city is fun.  Having stores everywhere, across the street from me, etc. is wonderful (and costly).  Being near numerous museums, historical places, shows, and life is amazing.

Sometimes I have paused and realized, I am in New York City...near all this awesome stuff I have seen and heard of.

I can't wait to be in a big city.  Again.  To live.

One of the strangest things about being in the city is hearing thunder. 
There doesn't seem to be enough room for it.

Till the next time...