On To Virginia For A Night

5:50

6:15

We are up early, 5:30, of course, as we are off for ten days with our family.  It rained some overnight, is a chilly 56º at the moment, but the weather looks to be clearing up here at the lake for the weekend. We are in no great hurry, would just like to get off by 8:00.

Yesterday began  with a good drenching of Woodlawn and did not stop until around 9:30.  After that, we did not get any rain until late last night, and it was overcast much of the day, with an occasional burst of sunlight.  We basically spent the day getting ready for our trip to Topsail on the 4th of July for a week, and preparing for the return of some of our grandchildren for a week or two after the beach.  So, it was sorting and packing, trying to think of everything we might need for a week at the beach, no boots, winter jackets, or fleece this time, just bathing suits, water shoes, shorts and tee shirts for me.  The house has most of everything we might need but only ONE TOWEL per person which is a joke, considering how much it cost for a week.  So, we are bringing lots of extra towels for the group, 14 of us.

While I vacuumed upstairs and downstairs, getting the bedrooms ready, Evie made chocolate chip cookies and when she finished, we realized they might last a half an hour once everyone arrived. Neither one of us was particularly stressed because we have been getting ready for a few days, at least thinking about it  and what we needed.  So, we relaxed and had lunch, toasted cheese and the last of Evie's vegetable soup and watched The Daily Show.

The rest of the afternoon went quickly, as Evie packed, as did I, and I read some, took a nap, cleared the dock, checked the boats and kayaks, making sure everything was steady for our ten day hiatus. Around 4:30, I drove over to my our neighbors' house, David and Pat Jones, and they saved the day by letting us borrow their luggage carrier which we affixed atop my  Honda Pilot, so that we would have enough room for both luggage and family.  Mid afternoon, Evie put together our dinner, some lemon chicken with what we had leftover in the refrigerator.

We were done with most everything by 6:00, so we went out and enjoyed a beverage on our dock, some sun, some clouds, depending on the moment.  We had lemon chicken, with rice, cheesy cauliflower and a salad and we both felt stuffed.  We watched a recommended movie called WILD TALES,  from Argentina.  It was up for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film.  It's really seven independent films, all connected in various ways, through the actions of the characters, usually their unrestrained anger, hatred, or revenge.  A black comedy in some ways, but also very dark.  We were mesmerized by each narrative, wondering how it would end.  It's worth renting on Netflix.