2729 Plantation Rd, NE
It’s September 16th and we’ve been home almost a month. We’ve actually done quite a bit; I just haven’t taken many photos or taken time to write. Randal and I each have new glasses (new sun glasses for me too), cleaned teeth, a temporary crown for me (I’ll get the permanent one when we return from “up north.”) I’ve learned more exercises from Elmarie, the physical therapist I’ve seen for my back and leg issues, the same issues that sent me to have acupuncture in Malaysia and Ayervedic massage in India only now it’s to learn preventive measures. Randal has spent most of his time supervising and occasionally actually doing work renovating one of his industrial buildings for the tenant. My chores are the same ones I have on the boat; provide the meals, do the laundry, buy us some new clothes, and nag Randal to walk with me. I have no washing machine here so sometimes we take the laundry to my sister’s house when we go for dinner. Other times I take it to the laundromat just down the street. People who use this laundromat are always quite nice and helpful to each other about the machines and such. I went Labor Day and the place was packed so everyone was quick to get stuff from dryers so the next person could use it. Two days ago I went in the morning and the place was practically empty. I had two loads of wash so that was good. I had my book, water and snack so I was all set. At one point I was the only one there which was a bit creepy though all the walls are windows and there’s a branch library across the street. Then a couple from Montana visiting her husband’s sick uncle who lived in Roanoke came in. They had lots of laundry and chose four of the huge washing machines. It took her, her husband, and me to figure out how to make the machines work. While she was loading her clothes, two men came in each carrying a huge basket of laundry. The Montana lady walked past where I was sitting waiting for my wash to finish, to look for someone who worked at the laundromat just as her husband solved the “not working machine” problem. Shortly after that one of the men noticed two folded $10 bills on the floor and handed them to me. I said they weren’t mine and took them to the Montana lady since she had walked that way but she said they weren’t her’s. So then I took them to the other man and asked if they were his. They actually had to be since he was the only one left and I knew they hadn’t been there when I first arrived. He looked at the folded bills and smiled sheepishly and said yes. $20 is a lot of money for anyone these days when it takes $50 to fill the car with gas. I think it’s a great story and I think typical of “here.”
Now some photos from around Roanoke…
The Roanoke Valley is developing lots of lovely greenways.
Roanoke River Greenway…Wasena Park
We’d planned to walk from Wasena Park downtown, but stopped in Crystal Springs instead to have our much deserved lunch. Randal had a Caesar salad and I had a Quesadilla, typical American lunch fare. Then we walked if off on the way back to the car.
For my friend Sarah’s birthday we went to the Arboretum at Virginia Western Community College to “paint!”
It was a beautiful day and we had lots of fun, but we’re both better librarians than artists!
Sarah and her help dog Drake. Drake didn’t want to paint, but he did have a craving for the water we were using to clean our brushes. He wisely made no comments about our artwork.
There are Master Gardeners who volunteer to develop and maintain the grounds and here are some at work. A news crew from WDBJ7, the local CBS affiliate was there to do a news story. Thankfully they didn’t care to see our works in progress. Sarah and I had fun, Drake not so much….It was great practice though we have no great works of art to show for our hour painting.
A favorite place to eat; Second Helpings is run by the Rescue Mission and proceeds help the needy. The food is really good and plentiful and very reasonably priced. They also run a used clothes/items shop and a gallery selling the works of local artisans and artists.
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It’s being great spending time with family and friends. And I love having libraries again!!!!!!!!! I did buy a Kindle but haven’t used it yet because there are so many books in the libraries that I want to read. The Kindle is for when I have no library. This afternoon I’m going off for a tour of our soon to be opened new Roanoke County South County Library. I’ll post some photos in the next few days.
As for my Red Sox…in Turkey I woke to find they had lost and here I go to bed knowing they lost…..hopefully things will improve; I still have faith. And speaking of faith, I’m half way through Mitch Albom’s (Tuesdays with Morrie) book, have a little faith. It’s quite good.
Next week Randal and I will head off on our trip up north so I will be taking lots of photos to share
Ru