Weekend: Sisters

We've been gone for the weekend and just got home a couple hours ago. I was presenting my workshop on ballads at the Virginia Storytelling Gathering, and Larry explored some Civil War sites in the Shenandoah Valley while I was busy. Did he take pictures of the battlefields? No, he left the camera for me. Did I take pictures of the Gathering? Um, no...I left the camera in my room! So the only pictures we have to share are the ones I took on the road.

And the photos of my sisters! Out of eight of us, five were able to meet in Harrisonburg, VA for lunch--and add in my Larry, Julie's Jackie and their son EJ and his fiancee Amber and you can imagine we made quite a good group in the restaurant. I was so happy my sisters took the time to meet--I know their lives are busy too, so it was a really special treat.

 Theresa, who brought me a potted pansy to brighten my room at the conference,

Judy, whose 22 horses at Hidden Trails stables at Lost River State Park have her wearing a t-shirt that says "I'm so busy I don't know whether I found a rope or lost a horse," and

Julie and hubby Jackie who celebrated their 20th anniversary by being with us, and

my beautiful sister Elizabeth who brought me some lovely gifts! I owe you, Liz--and I'm still researching a neat cast iron pot she brought me. Pics later this week, I hope--after I figure out what it is!

The conference was wonderful. I will write more about it later, and about our meandering trip home that took in a naval base, a metal sculpture garden, a trip back in time and a foraging expedition. For now, it's just good to be back by our own fire in our quiet home far back in the hills of our beloved West Virginia.