I'm Getting Restless

I actually delved into my "Bag O' Fun" today. It lasted long enough for me to pull out my watercolor paraphernalia, colored pencils, sketching pencil, sketchpad, and eraser. I even surfed the web to see if I could download some painting instructions while I was at it. I EVEN went so far as to utilize one of the techniques I saw illustrated for foolproof painting. The technique is something I will pursue when my brain can hold a thought for more than a minute. I started an orange with colored pencils and that lasted about 3 minutes. I am going to have to take lessons, I have decided. I am not a self-teacher/learner.

I also pulled out my ipod, minus the instructions, which I can't seem to locate. I did get it turned on, and flashed my finger across the finger-sensitive middle to change from Christmas with Amy Grant to quite a selection of artists. I did the swirl around to turn up Yanni, and then had a time trying to turn it off. I did remember, "Press and hold," but wasn't quite sure what I was to press and hold, so I just started at the top of the dial and pressed and held until it went off. I think I can remember how I got it on and off so that is progress.

I have also determined that I have crossed over the line with my discretionary reading. I really don't like romance novels, and I have laid aside the last Nickolas Sparks book so I could read Beverly Hamel's, Bethania: The Village by the Black Walnut Bottom. Beverly is a local writer who has recently published her book about the history of Bethania, a small town about 10 minutes from here, that I recently visited. Here's a little synopsis from the back of the book. "Founded in 1759, Bethania was the first planned Moravian settlement in North Carolina, situated favorably on the Great Wagon Road of the colonial era. Bethania's narrative weaves together 250 years of history and memory, with voices from the town's white and black heritage speaking through autobiographical accounts, diaries, letters, oral histories, photographs and archival research." It is amazing how the Moravian settlers documented so much of their life's beginnings here and how it has been preserved since 1759! I got to meet Beverly at her book signing about 3 weekends ago, and she is going to help me "find my voice," as she put it, as I undertake my own historical quest about the farm we live on.

I want to tell you more, but I am not ready, as I am still in the interviewing process and everything has been delayed due to my recuperation. BUT, I will share that I have met the most WONDERFUL, cooperative, open people I have ever met in my life. I do not know what makes me feel as though I am spiritually connected to this state and its people, other than my father, whom I never knew because my parents divorced when my sister Pam and I were babies; he lived in Asheville a good part of his life, along with my grandparents, aunts and uncles and their families. (Pause where I paused with the commas, and you'll get my drift.)

As soon as I get the go-ahead from the doctor this Friday, and a more foot-friendly contraption on my foot, I am going to venture back upstairs where "THE BOOK" is stored and start sharing some of my "Meditations from Brookberry Farm." In fact, that will be the title of this next series of blogs, unless something more monumental comes along. By the way...no pills last night or today! I didn't get to sleep until 1:30, but who cares! It's not like I had to get up at the crack of dawn.

Come and visit us and I will take you to Bethania and recount all the history I will have hopefully retained by the time you get here. Winston Salem is full of wonderful stories that portray its past and present. We can discover it together!