My last week of vacation in New Hampshire August 12, 2008
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I’m back at my mom’s house in NOVA again. I’m detoxing and focusing. This blog has been suffering a bit, but now I’m ready to get back on track! I’ve got lots of pictures to show from my last week in NH, so ch-ch-check ‘em out!
Brenda chopping wood in her front yard while wearing flip flops.
Mike jumped in and was like, “okay, you’re done.”
We had a yard sale, and on the down times there was a lot of goofing off. Here’s Bren in a noodle battle with Mike’s brother, Buddy.
Trying to sell the exercise machine with his sexiness.
CODY!
I went to the Craftsman’s Fair with Mike’s cousins. It was at the Lake Sunapee Ski Resort. We took the ski lifts up the mountain to see some views. Here’s a foreboding rain cloud.
Beautiful or what?
Deer!
Feeding the kid 
Spur of the moment rain gear!
Cody post bath! Seriously, is there a cuter kid out there?
Goofing off, chilling out and appreciating what you’ve got. August 1, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Environment, Family, Lifestyle, Sociology, Travel.2 comments
When I started my travel journey this summer, I knew that at the end of it I would have to eventually find a place to land for awhile. For the most part, I was going to let it be revealed to me by paying attention to signs and symbols. You know, not trying to control it. In the back of my mind though, I secretly knew that I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I decided to just re-plot myself in a place where I’d lived before. While I’ve been spending time in New Hampshire, I’ve discovered a place like none other I’ve lived, or maybe have even visited.
Most notable about my time here is the sense of community and family I’ve felt a part of, especially in just a few short weeks. I hadn’t consciously realized it, but suddenly I was a aware that what I’ve really been searching for is a community to belong in. I get that here. And it’s in abundance.
So, I’m going to ride this wave for awhile and see what happens. Yay!
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Fun Friday night house party. Brenda was in rare form!
She is going off about something here. Apparently really funny.
Reunited with her son at the end of the night. “Wait kid, I need me some brownies”
I spent the next day out on this boat. This is the Blackwater River. So beautiful!
CAUTION: The following is a random selection of photos taken among the not so sober.
We take no responsibility for the way we look or behave
Kelsey and Tyler – a pair of really good people.
Oh, boys and their wrestling. Here is Mike with his brother Matt. At first it looked like Matt, the younger brother, was going to win it.
But then, Mike ended it all in one swoop. haha!
This was the billiard room I woke up in the next morning. This view is from the couch I slept on.
It really was a beautiful room.
A couple of nights later, I went on a 2.25 mile hike and ended up at the base of a water tower. I climbed the water tower, and got some of these views of the Concord area at sunset.
76 very steep and narrow steps up the water tower. But totally worth it
The natural New Hampshire! July 25, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Environment, Family, Health and Well-Being, Travel.3 comments
Finding a more natural (and healthier) routine July 23, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Environment, Health and Well-Being, Lifestyle, Theories and Thoughts.2 comments
(image courtesy of crytalinks.com)
Even if my stay in one place is no more than four or five days, I’m finding that I will develop a routine in some way. What I’ve enjoyed most about being on vacation is not having to get up at a certain time every day. I feel like I can take my time getting up. No one is expecting me to do anything. It feels great.
During this freedom with my time, I’ve discovered my own natural biorhythm. I feel like I’m listening better to what my body is saying to me. I wake up late and go to sleep late. It’s natural.
I’ve diagnosed my problem with mainstream working America and it’s that I don’t fit into its schedule.
I let my body sleep as long as it needs. I stretch and walk, and have been doing a little hiking up here in New Hampshire too. When I want to write something, I write it. I don’t try to compartmentalize the things I want to do into time slots. I just do things when I think about it.
I think it would be better for me, and for the people around me, if my time wasn’t controlled by someone else. Now, I just have to figure out how to do that successfully. Suggestions?
Northern VA and Ani DiFranco at the Wolf Trap! July 8, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Concerts & Events, Environment, Lifestyle, Music.2 comments
I made it to my mom’s house in Northern Virginia – she lives about 20 miles from Washington D.C. The energy here is very different from all of the places I’ve been so far this summer. First off, it’s more urban and that means lots of people, cars, and just overall madness. Everyone here is connected to the government in some way, and there is a refreshing racial diversity among the upper middle-class. Northern Virginia is the part of the Commonwealth that has made it a political swing state in national elections. As a political junkie, I feel so comfortable in this part of the country.
Last night, my mom and step-dad surprised me with tickets to see Ani DiFranco at Wolf Trap. I’d heard so much about this outdoor venue and was excited to finally go. It’s the only National Park dedicated to live performing arts. Park Rangers were among our ushers! A lady by the name of Catherine Shouse founded Wolf Trap through a donation of 100 acres of her Vienna, Virginia farmland to the U.S. Government. She also donated funds for construction of a 6,800-seat indoor/outdoor theater. The gift was accepted by an Act of Congress in 1966. (wolftrap.org)
Coupled with the amazing venue was the live performance of Ms. DiFranco. Needless to say, her blunt political lyrics were a perfect match for the location. I had never seen her live before, and was completely impressed. She didn’t stop for one minute of the 90 she was on stage. She had about four different guitars that she rotated depending on the song she was doing. One of her band members was even a xylophone player! The crowd was full of hippies, lesbians, and a was a general cross-section of people who probably didn’t fit in very well in high school. It was great.
There is something about seeing live music that makes me feel like I’ve just received an injection of an intense spirit. Since last night, I’ve felt creative, free and full of love for the world. I wish I could see live music every day of my life.
Ani DiFranco
Wolf Trap inside and then the view from the lawn seats.
Simply Millennial Poll: Salt Water or Fresh? December 11, 2007
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As we get deeper into my least favorite season-the cold darkness that is Winter-I find myself yearning for the days of Summer.
What’s your favorite way to spend a day in the sun? Is it at the beach hearing the sound of the ocean, smelling the fresh saltiness of the water, and getting pounded by waves? Or do you prefer hanging out at a quiet spot on the lake, shaded under a tree, or riding around in a boat?
Discuss.
Raping the planet-one real Xmas tree at a time… December 9, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Environment, Health and Well-Being, Lifestyle, Science and Technology.1 comment so far
Yesterday I arrived to the supermarket shopping center only to find that the bike racks were almost completely shrouded by piles of chopped down trees. Not only was I miffed because it seemed like a total disrespect to bicyclists, but it made me sad for the trees and our planet.
Let’s get one thing straight here – I’m not a crazy tree-hugging radical liberal. Even though I have moments of impulsive and emotional reactions, I consider myself to be a rational and logical thinker. Having said this, my opinions about the state of our environment are based solely on scientific facts. One fact is that the effects of the harmful Co2 gases we produce are endangering our o-zone. This “poison” can be offset by plant organisms that soak it all up for us., i.e. Douglas Firs and the like.
So, doesn’t it seem counterproductive (and a little ridiculous) to chop down millions of trees just for the sake of making our houses look pretty and smell nice for one month out of the year?Look, if you want to drive a car every day of your life, fine, but at least be a little more thoughtful about your environment and offset your carbon footprint in some way.
BUY ARTIFICIAL TREES!
