The summer of 2023!

Authors note- I have not blogged much of late because this platform is mostly frustrating and NOT user friendly. So, there will be problems below...problems that cannot be fixed. My apologies!

 It has been a year of travel for us here at Foxcroft. And, I do love to travel, but I am homebody, so time at home is always treasured, made more so by being gone a lot this year! 

This morning, I thought I would have a bit of a look back at the summer that has now gone, the leaves on the oaks are rust red, and the trunks of trees visible in Salem Woods. But it seems each day, month and year goes so quickly, and I wonder "What have I even done!?" 

I enjoy listening to the podcast "Wiser Than Me" with Julia Louis-Dreyfus while cleaning stalls, or gardening, or mowing on the tractor, and I keep thinking about something that Jane Fonda talked about in her interview about "third acts" and taking stock of what has been. She was talking about the first 30 years and second 30 years as the first two acts, looking at them to decide what you want that third act to look like- should one be fortunate enough to live to 90.  I am not 60 yet, so not quite ready to study my first two "acts", but I thought maybe taking stock of the summer would be at least practice! Plus, might make me feel a little less like it sped by in a blur. 

The gardens are really starting to look established and lovely. May is a showstopper! 

May is also my Daddy's birthday! 82 this year! We had an abundance of family here to help celebrate- and even found time for an afternoon jaunt to the best cidery around, Castle Hill. 

Daisy and I got to play in the sandbox, making her First Level Dressage debut. 

June was all about Ireland.

On the cliffs of Dun Aengus, Inishmore.

Climbing over Conor's Pass from our first days in Galway to our next ones in Dingle.
Nearby where I shot this photo on the pass, we found Pedlar's Lake,
a peaceful, glacial mountain lake and the most spectacular views! 

On the Dingle peninsula, we stayed in Ballyferriter with these guys. Cows on the beach. 

Our travels in Dingle were amazing, and we enjoyed early morning alone at the Gallarus Oratory, a 1300 year old church. 






The seaside is still so unspoilt, like it was hundreds of years ago, instead of the megamansions and condo complexes of US waterfront. 
 
After our time in Dingle, we headed back east to Dublin, for Huz to participate in the IVRA/ EVDI veterinary radiology meetings. Whilst he is attending lectures and representing for the ACVR( American College of Veterinary Radiology) , I get to play. 



I spent a wonderful rainy day climbing around Sugarloaf Mountain atop Piper- a distinguished and very tall old guy from Brennanstown Riding Centre. 

Explored Glendalough and Russborough House with Huz on a tour with the vet meeting participants.

Spent a glorious day in the gardens of Powerscourt Estate, wandering and painting. I made friends with Rosemary, the gardener of the Walled Garden Herbaceous Border, who enjoyed my painting. The social media crew at the Estate posted it on their pages and by the time I got back from Ireland, I had a job!

My dear friend DeeDee S. is a filmmaker, and she was trying to find an illustrator for a short film she was making. She had a lightbulb moment when she saw the art from Powerscourt, and working on a super short deadline, I hit the ground running- or the table illustrating- on my return from Ireland. 
The film is called Away for Awhile, it is about returning the art and artifacts DeeDee's ancestor acquired as a school mistress in the Indian Boarding School System to the indigenous tribes where they originated.  



The film debuts this month on November 17th at the Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival. I painted yards and yards of art on paper for the film, that was then filmed in a "crankie box."

Besides a job, the other thing I acquired the first week of July was Stella Luna! 


Luna joins Daisy and Baily at Foxcroft Farm, she is a delight! 




On July 6 I turned 55! We celebrated over a long weekend, with Middlest arriving for a surprise visit, and Bill and Amber joining us from Ohio for the festivities. 

Birthday dinner # 3 was at nearby Keswick Hall's Marigold Restaurant, where we ran into this OSU icon!
 



And the blessing of being on the way from here to there is visits!
 College friends Reen and Sheebs stopped in at Foxcroft. 







Ahhhh, July. 


In the heat of it we found ourselves in the cool of the NC mountains at the unequaled beauty of Lake Santeetlah for Huz' family reunion. Mostly organized by Eldest, it was a truly special week. 
We celebrated Opa's 89th birthday, and Nana and Opa's 62nd Anniversary! 




There was water sport. For me, mostly floating- is that sport? 




And adventure for the brave! 





The houses and lake abounded with three generations!


A joyful morning near Lake Santeetlah flower picking with college pal Kelly M.K. who introduced me to this stunning patch of the globe.

D'ya recall when I said "there will be problems"? Well, "Exhibit A"- Reen and Sheebs did not come twice and pose in the Foxcroft pool, but the photo has reappeared in the blog, and will not un-appear. So, here ya go. 



We kicked off August by celebrating the massive achievement of Eldest earning her PhD from The Ohio State University! She is now Dr. Eldest, BS, MS, PhD in Human Development and Family Science, Statistical Analysis. 
We are so proud of this beautiful SMARTIE! 




As Eldest graduated on Huz's birthday, we fêted both with cake and a party! 



This Gorgeous multi-tiered OSU themed confection was crafted by dear friend, Ashton S.! The cute little bundt birthday cake was by Nothing Bundt Cakes. 





Back from Ohio, we were home long enough to repack our bags and jet out to Portland Oregon where Huz was doing some Resident Training for his company. Once again ( seeing a theme here?) while he works, I get to play! So, met dear friend, Christine F. for wine tasting in the Willamette Valley. 




Hopped in the car and drove up the Columbia River Valley. 




Went waterfall "hopping" along the gorge.





And spent time with some of Huz' wonderful radiology residents of yore. 

 
Back in Virginia we were blessed with another visit! Vet school friends, Pat and Ali's son, Collin was in town doing some surgical training at UVA. It was so great to spend some time with him, get to know the next gen! 



And September began with another fine celebration of these two lovebirds. 



60 years of marriage for my Mom and Dad! 





I got started on demolition for the next big Foxcroft Farm renovation project. So, this is a teaser. There will be a lot of Before and Afters to share as I complete rooms.
 


Meanwhile, it's gonna be a messy winter at FCF. 

And, just after Labor Day,  I closed out the summer with a little dash off to the Eastern Shore of Maryland with bestie Marie, to see her dear friend Perry at his beautiful home on the water. Perry is in his 90's and is a very cool dude. 



"Exhibit B". Yet another photo that popped up and won't unpop. 


That's the highlight reel,  summer of 2023. 
I guess it is a reminder of a lovely few months?
Perhaps a reason to take a nap.
Sounds wise. But, there are walls to come down.