Martha's Vineyard

Mrs. Bennett

Farmers Market

Martha's Vineyard...Adam couldn't have said it better, "If God lives at Lake Burton, he vacations in Martha's Vineyard". I can't express the beauty of the island nor how much fun I had meeting Dave's Mom and Dad as well as his long time friends. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett's hospitality and generosity were endless. By far, two of the lovliest people I've had the opportunity to meet and I was so very sad that we had to leave after having just met them. (They were so wonderful we plan on going back, maybe they'll rethink thier generosity next time). As for Dave's friends, I have laughed that hard thanks to Dave and Adam recently, but they were an absolute riot to hang out with on the beach, play whiffle ball and drink beers...

Flying a kite over the ocean is very different than flying a kite next to the Potomac (even on a non-stinky river day). The wind caught the kite and you could manuver it this way and that, with just your eyes to the sky and the sound of the ocean rolling in and out along beach. The flapping of the kite as it spirals downward and abruptly upward. Skipping forward as the breeze lifts it higher ever so gently giving you the feeling that your organs and breathe might just roll as gently out of your body skyward and free...

The newfound feeling of weightlessness and freedom on the water (much like that on fresh powder with a board stapped to the soles of your feet) will not go away. I didn't think it possible to have that kind of experience on the ocean. Jenny taught me how to boogie board and as I paddled out into the sea the salt stinging my eyes and the taste was foreign to me in the water, as I had always been a mountain lake girl. Many times over Jenny would let me know when to start paddling toward shore in hopes I would catch a wave. Sometimes I'd get on it for a moment, but until I rode it all the way to the beach I had never understood what all the hype was about. Yeah, I always said I wanted to surf, but I didn't know why. I can't get the feeling out of my head. Your proprioceptors have no idea where you are in space as the force of the wave takes you in and you ride the tide into the sand. Such a free and empowering experience, something I will never forget, and something I will strive continuously to relive. Thank you Jenny & Tater...

Alli, you make an amazing frittata! I won't forget that either.

Farmer's Market...just beautiful, take a look for yourself.

Martha's Vineyard has also been the inspiration as to how I want to live the next chapter of my life. Living sustainably. Learning the do's and do not's (yes, I said do not's). Thank you Anna Edey for your inspiration and Adam Johnson for having such an open mind and encouraging me on the path with your support and your beliefs.

Vacation on Lake Burton Georgia

View from the Screen Porch

Listening to music written to suite the mood of leisure living in a charming cabin on a beautiful lake in the early morning (the mood is even more lightened when we hear a tune from last year's Chris Isaak Christmas CD as we sing along and laugh about Christmas in July). Savoring steel cut oatmeal with fresh peaches and cream (or 2% milk purchased that morning after a short boat ride to the "the Anchorage" boat store at the end of the lake). Sitting with Adam (whose hair is still standing on end after the screaming boat ride to the end of the lake, maybe that's why it seemed so short), Sadie and Willow on the screen porch taking in the view. Enjoying the fog rolling across the peak of Charlie Mountain as the American flag flutters laxidazically in the breeze. The waves cause the dock to see saw back and forth as they lap against the rock wall where the back yard ends. The contrast of the blue sky and green trees shading the yard reflects off the glass tabletop of the old metal framed table of vines and rusted roses where we sit. The Galaxy floor fan hums along and eases the panting of a warm Alaskan Malamute snoozing on the slate rock floor. All life on the porch is carefree and serene. THIS is vacation.

Did the wind comb your hair?

Oh so sweet Saturday...

Sleeping until 0800, taking the dogs to the creek to play (although this morning was a little more eventful than usual. Willow was limping on her back hind leg the entire way, Sadie lost her floating kong in the current and it hurled itself under a rock where it is probably still being whirled about, and Sadie took it upon herself to go for a little trot about on the bike trail by herself). But, the weather was beautiful and that certainly doesn't fall in any sort of category for having a bad day.

Adam and I then went for a short ride through Rock Creek Park to get to our friend Adam's house. His Mum is in town from Australia and they invited us over for brunch. (I was supposed to have earned it by going on an 8-mile trail run with Adam Fletcha' (as we call him) Sadist Dave, JT, and Dennis. But I didn't go on the run, just to breakfast (I was also supposed to pay $19.95 for this scrumptious meal because I didn't run, but didn't have to do that either). Anyway, cream cheese smothered bagels with smoked salmon, poached eggs and hollandaise over asparagus, Italian brewed espresso...and best of all, a wonderfully inspiring group of people to share a Saturday breakfast with...(I stole that last sentence from Adam's blog)... I couldn't agree more.

I just finished walking the dogs around the block and found a blue jay feather...

Greatest Compliment

Meredith Bragg (musician)

As I left from working in the professional clinic at Potomac Massage Training Institute on Wednesday I felt I had received the greatest compliment of my massage career. Don't get me wrong, there have been many heartfelt and enthusiastic "thank you's" and "that was fabulous" that I appreciate very much, but this was different. A young man about 22 came in to receive his second professional massage. His hair was the mussed unkempt Beatles style and an almost 5 o'clock shadow graced his baby face. When I first introduced myself, he seemed a bit shy but had a firm handshake and an energy that came forth through his bright eyes. At first glance he reminded me of the many talented people we hung out with on Sunday night during Meredith's CD release party at the Black Cat. That thought aside, I finished the massage and left the room. Before he left, he came back in the office. As I walked him out and asked him how he felt, he replied, "Natalie, that was great, now I can go home and make some music".

Independence Day 2005

Happy Fourth of July and thank you to all the Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and women, First and Second Mates and all others I don't know what to call you by for protecting this great nation! As I think of the long days I spend at my job in the Army and realize I've got nothin' on those men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I get to come home every night to my silly boyfriend and two furry loveable dogs. So, when I get frustracted and start to gripe about my job, please folks, just remind me I'm not in the sandbox and I'm probably just sweatin' the small stuff...