Davis

On Saturday, Fuzzy and I drove out to Davis (and it's sister "city," Thomas) to visit a friend's new restaurant. We had such a great time! We explored Blackwater Falls, ducking under the "Closed for the Year" barrier blocking the stairs down to the falls themselves. The falls throw a fine mist all around, and the sun catching the droplets was truly amazing.

After our little hike, it was on to Davis. I love this area of the state so much. The mountains are steeper and closer than in our area, and the towns have the windswept aspect of beach villages. On the main street of Davis is Hellbender Burritos, Fuzzy's friend Rob's new venture. And by all accounts, from the food to the atmosphere, it is a huge success! Anyone near Davis, check it out! I heartily recommend the Shovelhead (a burrito stuffed with bbq pork or seitan, spicy coleslaw, cheese, and rice). Congrats to Rob! It's so inspiring to see someone following their dream and making it work. He and his wife are working 13-hour days, but the care they've put into their restaurant really shows. Yay for independent businesses and supporting local economies!

Flood Day!

I went in to work at 10 this morning, swerving around the spots where Scott's Run had crept into the road and slowly wading through the many areas of standing water. When I finally got to the school, I was told that they were sending the kids home due to the fast-rising creek next door. What can I say except for AWESOME. Two snow days last week and a flood day this week. Of course, I don't get paid for those days, but I'm at peace with that.

So I spent the rest of the day cutting up old pants for a Gee's-Bend-style quilt, making origami boxes out of children's book illustrations, and folding laundry. I do love the home life.

The Day That Wasn't

So I realized upon waking this morning that perhaps liquor is not the best way to celebrate a birthday. That's one of the dangers of living in a town where everybody knows everybody: everybody wants to buy you a drink on your birthday. And no one likes being told no.

It occurred to me as someone placed a glass (not a shot, but a fucking water glass) of Grey Goose in my hand that perhaps it was time to stop. But alas, the dye was cast. And not even some preventative Taco Bell on the way home could stop the hangover train barreling my way.

I spent a good deal of time today lying in bed and the rest of my time declaring my arrival at death's door. Fuzzy was less than amused. But I'm feeling better now. I decorated the tree and there's some split pea soup on the stove for tomorrow's dinner, so perhaps I won't die. I think 25 is going to be a good year.

Twenty Five

Ok, I've recovered from the WVU v. Pitt game. Moving on. . .

Today I turned twenty five. Or as my lovely husband likes to put it, "a quarter of a century." Thanks, sweetheart. Fuzzy woke me up with a half dozen fragrant, custard-filled doughnuts and a kiss. We then trekked out to PineTop through several inches of melting snirt (snow + dirt = snirt). After choosing a likely specimen, Fuzzy cut down a small pine to serve as X-mas tree in the coal camp house.

Afterwards, we visited a friend/neighbor down the hill from PineTop. While we stood yakking in the driveway, we heard a strange, high honking, oddly familiar to me. Not Cananda Goose honking. Not Snow Geese. Swans. A flock of about forty swans flew low across the ridges, blending with the leaden sky and icy hills. Growing up in coastal North Carolina, we would often see swans during the winter, stopping to rest on the Currituck Sound. I have no idea what these guys were doing here in West Virginia, but they were so lovely, and I felt so lucky to see them on my birthday.

Tonight we're headed out to a friend's CD release party. So any Mo'towners should come see Clint tonight at Pleasant Street!

Fuuuuhhhhhck

Yeah. That WVU v. Pitt game?

Don't wanna talk about it.