Moving time

Well ya'll, in the new of new seasons (one of these days I hope), new ideas, hopefully better photos and well... just the passage of time and a re-thinking of "ME," I've moved blogs. 

Join me over at Greene Wood where I'll continue the journey, complete with rambling posts and photos of my dog!

under a witching moon

After what felt like eons of rain, last night I stepped outside with Beulah to enjoy the air for a few minutes.  Just outside the back door we are surrounded by pine trees and it often feels like we are wrapped in a blanket of quiet.  However, just beyond the trees I happened to look up and see this:

Now that is a witching moon if I ever saw one!  I just stood and stared at it for a while.  What a beautiful sight!

raindrops keep falling

Here's a little taste of what this week has been like in these parts.

It's been all wet feet and grey skies, relentless rain and soggy ground.  I've had time to slow down after the past few weeks of excitement and travel.  Even Beulah seems tired and has been extra-cuddly, perhaps because she has no intention whatsoever of stepping foot out into the downpour unless absolutely necessary!  Fires may be raging in other parts of the country, but there is little chance of that here any time soon.  I feel a settling inside, an appreciation for everything that happened over the summer and an emerging readiness for autumn.  Unfortunately, I doubt we will get much fall weather for at least another month or so.  It's these transition periods that are so hard for me.  Apparently I'm really impatient with change; for me it's all or nothing right now.  Perhaps this is a lesson I'm supposed to learn ~ to be gracious about change and to let it happen in its own time.  I'm trying to remember that nothing happens overnight, but it's hard for me to accept that I cannot force change and that it's ok.  As September kicks off with a sense of remembrance and reflection over 9/11 and the holiday season fast approaches, I plan to take this month to recoup and redirect yet again.  Like the seasons, I feel it's necessary to stop at times and think about plans, dreams, aspirations and changes which need to be made.  As the rain falls outside my windows I contemplate life indoors and recharge for all the good awaiting me.

a few fabulous finds

A few little things noticed around Old Town Alexandria... Reminders of why I like that little pocket of the town.

Between mustaches as advertisement, the Bilbo Baggins Pub (oh yes, I will be going there) and the combination between fall decorations starting to emerge and the pineapple of hospitality I can't decide what I like best!

Anyone want to join me for a beer at the pub?

on the potomac

 

You know how sometimes you find yourself going along through life, executing your daily routine and dreaming of all the big plans you have for future happiness and enjoyment?  So often I am in that kind of rut and don't even realize it.  When it finally does come to my attention, I find the best cure is to take a different look at where I am.  Sometimes I just need reminding that life is happening right now and there is no time like the present to enjoy.  

So, I'm undertaking an informal project for this little blog.  I'm going to go out there and re-discover the place I'm so lucky to be living in.  The DC area has so much to offer and I want to make sure I get as much out of this experience as possible.  

My first day of photography was Friday, on some unexpected leisure time.  I dropped the pup off at her training in Old Town Alexandria and then walked the few blocks down towards the waterfront and happened upon "Founders Park."  Just a little patch of grass and trees on the banks of the Potomac. It was beautiful in the morning light and I appreciated the time I had to sit on a park bench and take it in.  I like that people treat the river kind of like you would the ocean... lots of boats and seafood and you get that kind of "salty" flavor to the areas of town on the river.  Perhaps my next "mini adventure" should be to find some fresh seafood already!

hurricane preparedness

After a beautiful and eventful week here in Virginia, it looks like we're battening down the hatches for whatever pieces of the hurricane may blow through.  The last time I worried about hurricane season was in Cuba and let me tell ya - they are way more blase about it there!  You'd think nobody in Virginia or the entire DC Metro area had ever experienced bad weather!  This place is so strange!

In preparation for what I expect to be, at the very most, a loss of power and being stuck indoors with a restless pup I am ensuring I have everything it takes to have a pleasant weekend watching the weather.  My list of necessities includes:

1. A flashlight, lantern and candles to read by.
2. Cans of beanie weenies and chips.  If needs be I'll light a fire in the fireplace and warm up my cans of goodness in there!
3. Plenty of yarn for a new project I've been eyeballing (or three).
4. Bones for the dog.  Lots of bones. 
5. A stack of books.
6. Charge the iPod and find those ever-evasive earphones... I know they are somewhere.

And that should do it!  No need to get all crazy! 

riding dirty

I personally know two crazy poodle ladies.  Each of them has three poodles (who all look very much like Beulah, only not as cute of course) and each of them treat their three poodles as if they were their children.  Heck, I guess they are their children.  It's cute, but in the back of my mind I find myself comparing myself to them and wondering if I've crossed that line yet.

The other day I had to answer that question with a resounding YES.

My poodle has a car seat.  Oh yeah she does.  It's comfier than the driver's seat by far.  And she has room to curl up and sleep in it.

After some confusion on her first day riding in it, Beulah seems to have embraced the idea at least.  I get jealous when I look over and see her lounging.

In my defense, it's safer and much more comfortable for me too.  Having her not all in my lap and secured to the seat belt in case of an accident is the responsible thing to do.

I still feel a little embarrassed about it.  Pretty sure I'm headed down the windy path of poodlemania.