Monday, October 21, 2013

Weekend on the Western Shore

I’m glad I started back to work because I am so busy that it keeps my mind off of my life right now. Everywhere I look, I see my husband. Today coming up the driveway from work, I thought I saw him standing there on the lawn waiting for me, George at his side. I had to look twice and saw that it was actually our son. But I promise you that it’s true when I say that I’m doing ok. My sisters check in on me all the time and my good friend, Karen, called me Sunday morning while I was on my way home from the Western Shore of Maryland where I’d gone to visit a friend that I had met online.

She was checking in to make sure I was still alive and hadn’t been killed by axe murderers. She actually said this.

I have ‘known’ Kat at Low Tide High Style for several years and we hoped to meet some day since we live in the same state and all. But she’s a 3-hour drive away and for so long it was so hard to get away. So we finally decided to meet halfway, in Annapolis, for lunch before I started back to work. But it rained on the chosen date and the weather was so lousy that we bagged that idea. We had planned to enjoy a nice autumnal stroll after lunch. And then she suggested that I come and stay at her place overnight.

And I thought, “Yes. I think I could do that.”

 

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It was like meeting an old friend, one that I’d talked to over the years through e-mail and IM. Kat is a photo-journalist and she and her husband, along with two well-behaved border collies, live in a lovely home on the water.

Although I took my camera, I barely took it out. I get like that sometimes and also didn’t want to overstep my bounds by photographing their property which I thought might be weird. Especially when she does such a nice job of it herself.

 

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We did a number of things in her beautiful part of the state. She took me to a local Amish farm where I bought some pumpkins and took these photos with my camera phone.

 

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For some reason, I think this one almost looks like a watercolor or something. Not that it’s all that and a bag of chips. I just like it.

 

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While we were out and about on Saturday, we ran into her son and his girlfriend, shown above. She was holding the most adorable little kitten that she found at the farm. It was purring and I believe she wanted to take it home.

But she had to just be content holding it for awhile.

 

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Kat had her home completely decorated for the season. If you visit her blog, you can see some of it. I ended up only taking a photo of the delicious apple spice cake that we had for dessert. It was gluten free and I really thought I would have to pretend that it was tasty just to be polite. So imagine my surprise when I bit into a slice of it and found that it was ding dang diddly delicious. (And I got a slice to take home as well).

 

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On Sunday morning before brunch, I sat down at the end their dock with my long lens, hoping for some eagles to come along. One or two flew by and one perched for a bit, but I was too far away to get a decent shot.

 

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The only shot I managed to get of any wildlife is this. It looks to be some type of thrush, but the tail seems too long for a wood thrush. This is where I miss my husband because he used to know the birds really well and there was a time when he could tell me exactly what this was.

All in all, it was a lovely weekend and I do hope they’ll have me back. The two border collies, Misty and Quinn, were just a joy and they made me miss George all the more. I had left him home with my son because I just didn’t know how they would all get along. What a nice family though! I met Kat’s husband, and their two adult children who live in the area. It’s great meeting people in real life that you’ve known for so long on the pages of each other’s blogs, especially when they are as gracious in real life as they appear on the blog they write.

Hope you all have a good week and thanks so much for coming by today.

123 Signature[5]

UPDATE: The bird is a brown thrasher, cousin to the mockingbird. Thank you, Donna.

41 comments:

Mary Lou said...

Sounds like a wonderful time!! I'm so glad you had an outing. I love the Amish picture. You could put that on canvas,
Bless you, Kate

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

What a nice weekend for all of you. Yes, you can get away! And you should, and you shall. I always turn to bird identification online and it's amazing how many I can actually find.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so glad you did this for yourself. It sounds like you had an amazing time...I'm sure your husband would be very happy for you, doing something special for yourself and having fun.
I get that way sometimes with my camera also...I think I want to document everything I see but then I decide I'd rather keep it to myself.
Still sending hugs for whenever you need one. xo

Donna said...

Brown thrasher, a mockingbird cousin. So much fun to watch them dance in the leaves looking for bugs.

Take care of you :)

Cloudia said...

Most enjoyable post; and doubly sweet hearing how you're doing, K

Yes, we do see them. . . . Today is my Dad's birthday.


ALOHA from Honolulu, Dear Friend
Comfort Spiral
=^..^= <3

Blondie's Journal said...

Hi Kate. I go a long way back with Kat and I read her recent post about your visit, so I thought I would stop by. Your pictures are as beautiful as Kat's! It's nice that you have that love of photography in common. She lives in such a beautiful place and I'd love to sit at the end of that dock for a couple of hours as well!

Well, I'm off to read a bit more of your blog. Thanks for a wonderful post!

XO,
Jane

Connie in Hartwood said...

I was thrilled when Kat told me that you were coming to visit! It sounds like you had a wonderful time.

Sheila said...

Sounds like a wonderful weekend. Take care.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

It's so ding dang diddly delicious that you were able to get away and enjoy yourself. Wonderful.

Sabrina Steyling said...

Gorgeous photos! Heavenly indeed. Glad you're doing okay, and how awesome that you met up with Kat. Good for you! I love meeting my online buddies in person, not that I get to do so often; I've only had the opportunity twice so far.

Sending love and hugs to you and George! :)

JaneK said...

It DOES look like a watercolor. And I think it is all that and 2 bag of chips :)
I am glad you are doing ok but I am glad you miss your husband. Is that weird to say? It's probably not the best way to say it, but I just think it would be sad to NOT miss someone whom you spent so much of your life with.
glad you had a good weekend... how fun to meet a good friend for the first time :)

Ellen said...

I'm so happy to hear that you are doing well. You weekend away seemed to be good for a healing heart.

Be well my friend. Going to Nashville in a few weeks and I'll get to visit Miss LaLa while I'm there.

Caroline said...

So happy to hear how good things are going! That kitty is precious...I would have taken it home for sure. So nice that you got to connect with another blogger! That makes me smile! Have a great week!

mudmaven said...

Such lovely memories! I also am a frequent visitor to Kat's blog and so very much enjoyed her post about her prep for your visit and your post about your feelings about said visit. Just wonderful to be able to live vicariously like this!!!! I'm glad you had a good outing and hope you have many more in the future. I can't imagine what you are going through but so admire the grace and dignity to bring to the doing. ~chris

Em Parkinson said...

Sounds like you had a lovely day. Friends like that are why blogging can be such a joy, particularly when you're having a challenging time. I love the water colour-ish one too - beautiful.

BB said...

Perfect. No, really. How lovely for you - some time out with friends. I hope one day, dear Kate, that you will venture further to meet your online friends and share their hospitality. You know what I mean.
;-)
BB

Nellie said...

What a lovely visit! Yes, I do enjoy Kat's blog as well. It is good to hear that you are successfully navigating this new road you are traveling. I continue to have you in my thoughts. Hugs, Nellie

Snap said...

Kate, how lovely! sounds like you had a wonderful time. Good for you!

Daryl said...

so glad you had a good time ... xo

Daryl said...

forgot to ask, is Karen picking up Rich's habits??? ;)

Lili said...

Wonderful!! It was so much fun to read this. Love the Amish photo and those pumpkins!! xo

The JR said...

lol...that's what my sister was saying about my hubby when I first met him. I told her if he was going to whack me he would have done it and buried my body on his place, not mine.

Love all the photos!

Anonymous said...

Oh my... I thought Kat had quit blogging so I stopped visiting her.... must do it again! Glad to hear you got away and especially this time of the year when our East Coast is so gorgeous... Fun!

Kerri Farley said...

I'm so glad you had a nice time!
Beautiful pics!

Linda said...

Oh the 'axe murderers' comment, LOL! I've met several of my blog friends IRL and none of them have turned out to be axe murderers, can you believe it!? LOL! My family thinks I'm nuts :)
Glad you got to meet a new/old friend. Looks like a lovely weekend. And the Amish photo DOES look like a watercolor. I like it very much.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Beautiful photos looks like a lovely place to heal

Donna S. said...

Glad you had an enjoyable weekend!! You have quite an adjustment to go through.

Kay said...

How nice to meet up finally. Many years ago, my penpal in Mass. came down to Virginia by train since I was there in Virginia staying with my niece on a nice visit. Same as with your sister's, I guess her husband was afraid for her life, never having met me. we had written for several years. I am maybe too trustworthy but maybe we should have also been afraid of her. Ha. Ha. Ha. NO WAY !! We had a lovely time, went to Mount Vernon for a nice lunch and walked around the grounds of course. So I know what it is like to go meet "a stranger"........Kay in Oregon

beth said...

i'm so happy you got to visit a blogging friend....so happy!

and KATE....OMG....that photo with the amish man....OH LORD....it's AMAZING !!!

big loving hugs !!!

beth said...

i'm so happy you got to visit a blogging friend....so happy!

and KATE....OMG....that photo with the amish man....OH LORD....it's AMAZING !!!

big loving hugs !!!

Bluebird49 said...

I've been reading Kat's blog for awhile, and she takes wonderful pictures, as you do! They have a wonderful place to live, it seems. I'm so glad you went.

After my daughter passed away 15 years ago, and I heard someone say "Mama" when I went out into stores, I could swear it was her voice calling me. I would look and look, convinced she was there, but to no avail. I thought I was going crazy (and maybe I did for awhile...or maybe forever, really!) I think we wish for more, and then reality hits us right in the face, but at least we have beautiful memories. Bless you, Kate!

it's me said...

Love the Amish man photo!

Pumpkins--- I'm always taking photos of them --magic to me.

Brown thrasher usually sings in doubles. Likes to skulk in the brush and brambles --good to manage a picture.

So brave of you to venture out and meet a blogger.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

What a great weekend! Lovely shots as always, and Kat has been a blogger I've admired and occasionally chatted with for years - so glad you two were able to connect.

Jeanne Walker said...

I am so glad that you had such a nice visit with Kat! It's just what the 'doctor' ordered. You are so blessed to live in such a scenic area...Amish farms, pumpkins, eagles! I want to live up there! The photo of the Amish farmer is awesome and would look perfect on canvas! I would imagine it's bittersweet to see and remember Andrew is so many things and situations. Hugs and prayers!

Hedy King said...

Looks as if you had a lovely weekend, Kate. Good for you! I'm attempting a weekend in Chicago with some teacher friends in December, dreading and anticipating fun in the same moment. You know? Closing Steve's garden this week, bittersweet, wondering if I will have another one next year or not. Fully expecting him to walk out of the shed and laugh at my awkward attempt to mow down corn stalks. I miss him more when I'm doing "his" chores.
And yes, you are the Kate in my post, I still can't seem to correct that response thingy! Thanks for sharing. Hedy

GailO said...

Anytime you want to visit RI you are welcome!

I am uncomfortable taking pictures at other people's houses too. Those you did take are beautiful! It was nice to visit Kat's gorgeous blog ...how have I missed that one over the years?

Reena said...

So happy to hear life is moving forward ... and that you are well my friend. I have a feeling you are going to have many adventures as the coming years unfold! Excited for you!

Unknown said...

I am so glad that you had the chance to travel a bit.....it always calms my mind when I have had too much!.....smiles!

Privet and Holly said...

Hi Kate,

I'm a good friend of
Kat's and wanted to pop
over to say hello and that
I'm very glad the two of
you were able to spend
some lovely time together.

I lost my best friend to
breast cancer last month,
and though it isn't the same
as the tremendous loss that
you've experienced, I can
certainly relate to that old
roller coaster of grief.....

Continue to focus on what
is good and right and sweet
in this world, like great friends!

Hugs from Minnesota,
xo Suzanne

Kelly || Old Blue Silo said...

May have to snag onto that apple spice cake recipe! I have to eat gluten free. Surprisingly, some things are absolutely delicious!

Love the picture that you think looks like a water color.... I think you should do something with it. It would make a beautiful canvas.

Andi said...

So glad you are doing *ok* <3