Kayaking the James River

We spent a beautiful fall day on the river Saturday. It alternated from flat water to some pretty good sized rapids. Our states were peaceful, exhilarated, peaceful, exhilarated. It was all big clouds and falling leaves.

Saturday in the Swamp

This is a Bald Cypress swamp whose tree limbs are draped in Spanish Moss, and whose knobby "knees" stick out of the water all around them. Those "knees" are actually a part of the Cypress' root system, not the remnants of dead trees. It was a beautiful forest with a fairy tale ambiance. After exploring this area, we went across the road and wound up on a long stretch of beach which overlooked where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic.

Nearing The End of Week 7

Time is passing by, and it's measured in chapters of The Outsiders, and stages in the essay writing process. It's measured in the times I erase the date each afternoon and scribble tomorrow's with a chalky screech. Things are going well, and teaching is like what I imagine hang gliding might be like: exciting, nerve racking, and even beautiful when you get the nerve to relax the muscles around your squeezed eyes and take a look at the breathtaking scenery. And that's about the same moment that you realize you're a vulnerable land-mammal plausibly about to fall furiously like an anvil. But somehow you don't, even though it might feel like you will, and your heart breaks a thousand times in a second because it's so overwhelmed with everything.
Pictures of Biggie Smalls and 2Pac are taped to my wall as onlookers and game pieces if needed. They are not only a testament to my students that I am indeed not only hip to their musical legends, but I am also a hell of a lot older than they think I am, because I could actually drive when those two were still alive. This is a good thing when they say "Ms. S., welcome to the ghetto," and I smile and say, "you should see India."
I have learned so much already.
Virginia is beautiful; fall is gentle here. We mourn the loss of all those centry-old trees in Buffalo. Tully was still out of power when we talked to him on Tuesday! We are always thinking of our loved ones and you give us strength and a deep sense of gratefulness. Mom came for a long weekend and it was so wonderful and so grounding....
We'd love to hear from you all so leave a comment or drop us an email! Love E & D