-
The National Gallery
Did I even mention the National Gallery of Art yesterday? I don’t think I did. Growing up, my parents never really talked about art. At least, not that I remember. I’ve come late to the Art Appreciation Game. But I married a good-looking artist and we’re raising a handful of creators so I am educating, learning and teaching. And I…
-
The Keigleys Go to Washington
Can I just type Washington, DC and let that suffice? Ya’ll. There is just way too much going on in that city. My sister-in-law said that when her sons were younger and she was homeschooling them that she had always wished she could live in DC for six months just to really get acquainted with the Capitol. It would take…
-
The Interview: Bergen Hawkeye
So. This interview. Let’s get started. Let’s talk about birds first. Do you still enjoy watching them? Yes! What sorts of birds have you observed lately? Woodpeckers. Robins. Some terns. A few hummingbirds. Terns are seabirds. What kind of bird have you never seen but would love to? Pileated woodpecker. Golden eagle. White seahwak. Peregrine falcon. Golden crested woodpecker. Green…
-
Yesterday. Today.
We drove to Washington, DC yesterday. I didn’t take any pictures. I mostly just sat in the front seat of the car – criss cross applesauce style – because all of the snacks were stored where my feet should have been. The drive was a jaunt through autumn’s glory. It was amazing. The colors were phenomenal, an extravagant, show-offy kind of…
-
Public Service Announcement or How Your Christmas Gift Shopping Can Benefit My Christmas Gift Shopping
I figured I might as well just call it what it is. Remember how at the beginning of this year this here little website received a visual upgrade? And at the time I mentioned an affiliate program that I participate in through Amazon? You know, the Amazon you already use to purchase clothes and games like I Spy and splurges…
-
The Interview: London Eli Scout
London – I used to do these interviews when you were tiny. They were hilarious. I still think you’re a pretty funny kid. Do you think you are funny? A little bit. What kinds of things make you laugh now? Friend jokes. Jokes that friends make – or our family. Just jokes. How do you like to spend your free…
-
Field Trip: WNC Nature Center
What a gem! Incredibly beautiful location outside of both Black Mountain and Asheville, North Carolina – you simply couldn’t drop this Nature Center into any prettier spot. Kevin had a meeting in Black Mountain last week and our local zoo membership offers reciprocal passes at the Nature Center. It was a Thursday and we already had a field trip planned…
-
Five Reasons I Just Don’t Really Care About Halloween
I grew up on a dairy farm in Snow Creek, Virginia. Snow Creek, guys. Our driveway was practically an entire mile long and it led to a one lane road that connected to another country back road before it ever found its way twenty minutes later to a small town. Halloween didn’t reach us out there. And we didn’t care.…
-
Choose Nothing
It’s 2 o’clock on a Saturday. The weather is precisely perfect. A brown dog lies next to my feet. I’m sitting on the porch. Our house is silently astir with quiet activity. Two big kids have succumbed to the call of the woods and I love that they are escaping together. I think they will emerge when they are hungry…
-
Bedtime Questions
The blanket was pulled up over both of our heads. My seven year old and I stared at one another in the nearly dark in the makeshift privacy of her battered hand-me-down quilt. “Does Satan make you do the bad things Mommy?” This child. Where does her miniature mind travel? “Does he make you bad?” Bedtime theology. The little questions…
-
Autumn From Wildwood’s Porch
The voices. Distant. Child-like. Orange and burnt-umber. The sun. Radiant. Gentle. A warming and a cleansing. Not a scorch, but an invitation. Summoning me to stay. Barely perciptible breeze. Enough to tease the curtains into dancing but not enough to alter a hair on my head. The air smells ready – anticipating camp fires and wood smoke and pumpkin pie.…
-
Interview: Otto Fox Wilder
Otto – do you want to do an interview? I like to go fishing. I like climbing. And. Um. I like playing. And I like – dadadadada – I like Cereal Sundaes and ice cream and chocolate chips and I like birds and I like animals. That’s all. Awesome. Son – I like you! hehehe What do you like about…
-
motherhood: impossible questions
Bedtime was half an hour ago. I’m standing in the kitchen surveying the day’s damage in stacked plates and dirty glasses. Popcorn kernels on the floor and shoes that should be in their proper homes. Little footsteps across the floor and a small hand on my arm. “Mommy, I’m just scared.” I squat down. Red cheeks. Wet tears. I hug…
