Miscellany

   Oh, the things you have missed in the past two weeks!

1. The Pork, Peanut, and Pine Festival.
      Several weeks ago on my solo drive to Richmond, I encountered, in the middle of a Virginia peanut field, a sign advertising said festival, and I decided then and there that I would attend. On Saturday the day came, and I drove an hour into the wilderness of Surry in a thunderstorm because I said I would. By the time I arrived, it was raining so hard I couldn't see, but droves of hardy Virginians were still trucking on through the mud to Chippokes Plantation State Park, so I followed. I marveled that such a huge festival, complete with tractor pull, barbecue cookoff, bluegrass bands, baby piglets, tours of the plantation house, and booth after booth of folks selling everything from little pig earrings (I bought some) to peanut pie (yeah, bought some of that, too) could have sprung up in the middle of nowhere like that. Nobody really seemed to mind that the park looked like it was about to be washed into the James River, so I pretended that I didn't notice, either, and milled about for a couple of hours until the storm got so bad that some official-looking men started telling everyone to pack up and get out. I had given up on my sandals long before because I kept getting stuck in the mud, and then I got my truck stuck and this huge man had to help me push it out, and then I went the wrong way on a one-way exit street and was told to turn around. And then I drove home.

2. A borrowed canoe.
      Becca, one of the Dorschels' married daughters, has a canoe. She lives on a small lake in a neighborhood next to mine, and told me recently that I could borrow the canoe whenever I wanted to, so I have. That's the end of that story. But I have really enjoyed it, is the point. I have gone out several times hoping that a train would go over the bridge over the river just as I was paddling under, and on Sunday, IT HAPPENED. That's probably one of those things you're supposed to never do, in case the train careens off the bridge or throws rocks at you or something. But I just floated there grinning and admiring the graffiti.

3. A flock of admirers.
      Per usual. I have a love note I got with my receipt from a waiter at Applebee's (complete with name and number) and there is a trail of broken hearts at the Salvation Army, if you listen to the things the old men say there.

4. The last research week!
      That's right, folks. Except for tying up a few loose ends here and there, the only thing left on the table is to prepare for my presentation, which I will be giving on Saturday. The closer it gets, the less nervous I become. I'm just looking forward to finally being able to report on what I've been researching and be DONE! I've been studying Suffolk and disability for six months, and that's how long it's been since I've been home. It's time for a break!

      If you're praying for me, please pray for peace and calmness and that I would say something helpful at my presentation on Saturday morning. Pray that I would have the strength to finish well. Thank you!