Renewal

I believe that coming to the mountains for these very few days have been better than any medicine that a doctor could have ordered. Ahhhhhhhhh.

Last night I went with Judy B. to Martha Ann Stallings' house to meet with my old book group, "Reading Between the Wines". It was so good to see all my old friends and to catch up with all the goings on. Barbara Erdyle was there as was Carol Kahler; both are school principals and good people. Rochelle was there, too. I can't put a last name for dear Rochelle as she does not have one. She went to court and had her name legally changed to Rochelle--no middle or last name--a la Cher or Madonna. I love these dear women. What a good time I had.

This morning I arose fairly early, got dressed and went out to attend to business. My first stop was ODB where I had a lovely cup of coffee and a cranberry muffin. As I sat sipping my coffee I perused a copy of today's Roanoke Times. I bought Brenda Wojo a loaf of Portuguese Sweet Bread and another of Lemon Poppyseed. When I still worked for MCPS, Brenda was our administrative assistant. At times I would bring her a loaf of bread and she always loved it--so much, in fact, that she'd immediately open the bread and treat herself to a slice. I also bought a jar of apple butter "handmade in a copper kettle in Troutville" for me and one for Terry and Stephen. After all, when my girls come to visit I have to make fried apple pies. Grocery store apple butter just doesn't do it. I also bought T & S a pound of Mountain Mud coffee, a dozen scones, and two loaves of bread, the same kind I bought for Brenda. When Terry and Stephen lived in Blacksburg, they loved ODB scones, so whenever I can I take them a dozen.

My next stop was the NBB where I had a bit of business to attend to. Then I traversed the "Michael Vick Highway" over to Christiansburg where I met with Sharon Zuckerwar (Sharon now has the position I had when I left MCPS) to discuss a project I am doing for Five Ponds Press. We had a good time talking about "old times" and chuckling about the Teaching American History grant that she submitted last evening. The TAA grant that I received is coming to an end and the group heading it up decided to go for another one. God bless Melissa Lisanti.

I arrived home and met Dottie for a trip to Roanoke. It was just like old times. Dottie drove into Roanoke via Rt. 11, her preferred route. First we went to Crystal Spring to Martinique where Dottie purchased a gift for her ailing brother-in-law. We then headed over to The Forum where we wandered around the shops. The snotty woman in E. I. Randall got on my last nerve and that is the last time I will go into that shop. Things change quickly in strip malls where there are local businesses. The gift shop was gone and a shoe store was in its place. Other shops had closed, too. Next we zipped downtown to The Market and walked around our old haunts. First, of course, we parked in our usual spot. Things were pretty much the same, but a new shoe store has sprung up next to La Di Dah. About 4:30 we wandered over to Frankie's where Dottie treated me to French martinis. Yum. At 5:00 we left Frankie's and went directly across the street to my favorite restaurant in the entire world. Alexander's, as always, was tres magnifique. We even got to sit in at our favorite table in the window. The food was divine as always. Oh, I do love to see my teeth prints in the Plugra butter on the dinner bread (made in the bakery on The Market) after I've taken my first bite. Dinner with Dottie at Alexander's made this entire trip worth every mile I drove to get here.

So, I have truly had A GRAND DAY OUT, just like Wallace & Gromit did ... no BETTER than their day out. After I catch up on email I will go to bed so that I can arise early, close up the house, and make my way back to the Green City. I am renewed in a way that is ultimately refreshing. Southwest Virginia is where I belong. Thank you, God, for this little slice of Heaven called Blacksburg. There is no place like it in the world.