Happy Birthday West Virginia!

Berkley Springs (11/5/2011)

Blackwater Falls (7/14/2012)

New River Gorge (10/13/2012)

New River Gorge – Bridge Day (10/20/2012)

Babcock State Park (10/20/2012)

Seneca Rocks (5/26/2013)

Coopers Rock (7/5/2010)

I just want to note that all of these places are free to visit.

Some pictures from some of our travels around the state.

Blennerhassett Island State Park (7/10/2010)

Dent’s Run Covered Bridge (9/11/2011)

Iron Bridge Over Cheat Lake (10/23/2011)

Prickett Fort Cemetery (10/30/2011)

Shepherdstown (4/6/2013)

Harpers Ferry (11/17/2012)

Morgantown was never proposed to be the state capital. It’s not one of the oldest areas of the state.

But it’s home, and I love it.

Central Elementary (1/29/2012)

Second Ward Annex (2/18/2012)

Main Campus (4/1/2012)

Stewart Hall (9/26/2010)

Stewart Hall (4/1/2012)

Sunnyside (3/23/2012)

Suncrest (12/15/2010)

Rail Trail (4/24/2009)

Suncrest

South Park (2/18/2012)

Arboretum (11/18/2012)

On Thursday, June 20th, West Virginia turns 150 years old.

As someone who grew up here, I tend to be (extremely) defensive about the state.

Here are some of the reasons why: these are things I regularly saw when growing up.

I know, you don’t get it. Let’s try a couple close-ups.

I grew up knowing that the people who made kids’ maps couldn’t be bothered to accurately represent my state.

“Panhandles? No one’ll notice if they’re missing! Just make it a weird shaped blob and stick it in there. It’s not like anyone’ll care!”

Why was this so maddening? Because we also grew up with this:

Go to about 9 minutes if you want to see what I’m talking about, though of course, the Pride of West Virginia is always worth watching.

And if you’re wondering why the stands are empty on the east side of the stadium, it’s because this was for the high school Band Spectacular, not a game.

And just for the hell of it, here’s a video of the band from 1978.

This week has been filled with anxiety.

Not anxiety over something interesting.

Not anxiety for something at work.

Just anxiety because my brain hates me.

Yesterday I spent the evening on curled up on the sofa with blankets over my head (but just my head, because it’s warm and humid here in Mo-town).

Today, I feel like crap.

My brain is in a fog and I’m filled with self-loathing, but I’m going to work, because staying home in bed feels like giving up, giving in.

So, this is really just a note to tell you all I’m here and alive and I’m taking it one day at a time.

Actually have pictures scanning a couple weeks here.

May 27th

Sunnyside

Looking South West

Looking West

May 30th

Sunnyside

Looking South

Looking North

June 8th

Sunnyside

Looking South West

Downtown

Willey Street & North High

I forgot to post these pictures of the AMAZING parking job we saw by the Farmers’ Market yesterday.

Poor parking meter.

Michael and I decided that moving along at the fast clip of a bike ride would be a much more pleasant way to get exercise today, than walking anywhere (It was 89 when we were coming home.)

We decided to ride the rail trail, riding from Star City, out to Marilla Park, then back to town and out to Greer Limestone, then back to town for lunch at Mountain State Brewing Company. Then, after we’d rehydrated and eaten more than we should, back to Star City.

Next ride, we’ll most likely ride past Greer, out to Hildebrand Lock & Dam. Maybe.

One of the first things I bought for my bike was a camera bag, because I like having my camera with me. (Duh.) We stopped a couple times so I could take pictures, but most of what we went past was familiar ground, areas we’ve walked multiple times. But that didn’t mean there weren’t interesting things to see.

This is by Seneca Center. I’ve photographed these windows before, and remain fascinated by them.

Poor, unloved, crane.

How did I not know there was a major construction project by Marilla Park?!

The entire section of road is blocked, which means you have to take the long way around to get to the DMV.

Today’s word is: rocks

Sunday we went up to Coopers Rock and hiked around. Nothing strenuous, just getting out of the house and moving.

This month, every book but one was a re-read. Most of them were part of Thieves’ World. If you click through, I have all the authors in each of the Thieves’ World anthologies listed in each review.

YA: Fantasy

Sabriel (1995) Garth Nix

Fantasy

Blood Trade (2013) Faith Hunter – this was the single new read, and it was a newly published book.
Thieves’ World:
Thieves’ World (1979) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey
Book 2: Tales From the Vulgar Unicorn (1980) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey
Book 3: Shadows Of Sanctuary (1981) Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey
Book 4: Storm Season (1982) Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey
Book 5: The Face of Chaos (1983) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn
Book 6: Wings of Omen (1984) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey
Book 7: The Dead of Winter (1985) Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey
Book 8: Soul of the City (1986) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey
Book 9: Blood Ties (1986) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey
Book 10: Aftermath (1987) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey
Book 11: Uneasy Alliances (1988) edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey

Romance

Cotillion (1953) Georgette Heyer
Lady of Quality (1972) Georgette Heyer

A birthday party for Jules turning 3 and Brian turning 38.

Guess who got all the attention?

If you’ve ever considered getting a waterproof camera, here are some possible reasons why you should do so.

I also recommend getting a float for your waterproof camera.

Oh, OK. Fine. Here’s a picture of the birthday boy as well:

Remember this from weeks ago?

And this?

Well, Jules’ birthday was Tuesday and Lily’s birthday is today, so now I can show you what it is!

Jules is exactly three feet tall!

If you’re interested in one, let me know. I still have a LOT of yellow paint left.

I’m saddened that no one commented upon a common item in the last two posts: Seneca Rock and Spruce Knob.

I’m obviously too subtle for my own good.