Last week a friend of mine called and asked me to meet him for coffee, so yesterday I met him at the coffee shop (not a Starbucks)  and after an exchange of hugs, he was nice enough to update me on my astrological chart.  Additionally, he did my astrocartography, which gives you info on where  you should live, what’s a good spot for you.  New  York City was dead on for me, and I’m not surprised.  He felt living in NYC would be a bit much on a day to day basis, but mentioned it as a creative spot for me.  Other places were Chicago and Brazil.  Again, not surprising.  Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Texas were all negatives. 

We also discussed meditation and yoga, and how I agree that both are something I need in my life.  I enjoy my solitude and do very well spending time with myself.  I’ve never been one of those people who needs companionship at all times, and quiet solitude happens to be one of my best friends.  He also told me to start journaling my dreams the moment I wake up, and even mentioned that my dreams have become more frequent, more intense in the past few weeks, which they have.  Nothing scary, but just very intense visions. 

It was interesting when he asked what’s going on communication wise and asked if I’d been feeling especially quiet lately.  As a matter of fact, I have.  I have pretty much quit giving my opinion to people about things I feel they are doing wrong in their lives.  I have adopted live and let live attitude, which is quite different from the norm.   He also intimated that I would bring those to sides together in the months ahead, and sees me using it as a way to help others.  We talked about going back to school, or finding some sort of spirtual (not religious) way to use and develop my psychic skills.  Apparently I am suppressing a lot of my psychic ability.  I know this, but sometimes knowing too much makes me a little apprehensive and truth be told, slightly scared.

I love spending time with this friend because we talk about things that I don’t really discuss with anyone else.  He’s someone I open up to, without eye rolls or lack of interest.  I’m glad I accepted this coffee date. 

On to other things, I went and saw my daughter’s new place.  It is soooo cute.  A little California modern, 1960s house with tons of charm and updates.  It’s going to be one hell of a fun house to visit this summer.  They have a great fire pit and bar in the backyard.  A Florida room that’s going to be the footsball room and really cool modern updates and colors.  I hope it makes her happy.

My son keeps inviting us to Richmond and asking what day we’re coming so we can plan to visit the museums in the area.  I really want to go soon, so I need to plan that and stick with the date.  He and his girlfriend, Ashley, will also be celebrating the grandpuppy’s first birthday, and Ethan and I need to think of a cool gift for the little piglet. 

Ethan went on a field trip to a farm today to learn about planting and they got to plant some vegetable seeds and also learned about growing cotton.  Adam has been on a lucky streak and won $200 in a race pool last week; hopefully that luck will continue.  Perhaps we should plan a little gambling excursion to Atlantic City or at least to Dover Downs to play some slots.

Life is pretty good.  As always, it’s the normal day to day things that make me happiest.

The photo above was taken by one of my favorite flickr contacts, Anthony Prater. I particularly love his photos because he does a lot of historical and architectural photography of the Hampton Roads area. Check out his flickr account…you’ll be impressed with his work and will also learn a little about the history of the Hampton Roads area.

I always thought I knew just about everything there was to know about this area, and I am still amazed that I never knew of the Emancipation Oak.

A little Wiki info on the tree:

Emancipation Oak is a historic tree located on the campus of Hampton University in what is now the City of Hampton, Virginia. (Elizabeth City County and the Town of Phoebus voted to consolidate with the City of Hampton in 1952). The large sprawling oak is 98 feet (30 m) in diameter, with branches which extend upward as well as laterally, as if offering refuge. It is designated one of the 10 Great Trees of the World by the National Geographic Society and is part of the National Historic Landmark district of Hampton University. The tree is a Live Oak (Quercus virgiana).

During the American Civil War (1861 to 1865), nearby Fort Monroe remained in Union hands, and became a place of refuge for escaped African American slaves seeking asylum. Prior to the Civil War, and following the slave rebellion led by Nat Turner in 1831, Virginia law had been changed to prohibit the education of slaves. Nevertheless, in 1861, Mrs. Mary Smith Peake (1823 to 1862) taught children of former slaves under the tree, which was 3 miles outside of the protective safety of Fort Monroe, and held night classes for adults. In 1863, the Virginia Peninsula’s black community gathered under this tree to hear the first Southern reading of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

After the conclusion of hostilities, also at this location, a school was founded in 1868 by General Samuel C. Armstrong as Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, a land grant school. From 1872 to 1875, one of its many students was the young son of a former slave by the name of Booker T. Washington, who became a famous educator and later founded Tuskegee Institute and dozens of schools for African-American children across the south.

Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute became Hampton Institute in 1930 and gained University status in 1984, becoming Hampton University. It is one of Virginia’s major institutions of higher education. There, in the 21st century, the venerable Emancipation Oak still stands to provide both shelter and inspiration to the school’s students and staff.

Pretty damn interesting, huh? Now I need to plan a little trip to see this tree, sit under its amazing branches and read.

I have no idea why we waited so long to try this place. The burgers and fries were soooooo good.

…and all I can think about is eating a few dozen of these delicious creatures this afternoon.

…and I just now realized I forgot to post anything today, you get to see a picture of Ethan’s second grade class. Can you believe it’s still March and they already got their yearbooks? We usually don’t get them until two weeks before the last day of school.

A lot of the kids in his class already have their top two permanent teeth, and it always amazes me how big those teeth can look on some 7 and 8 year olds.

I made the most delicious, melt in your mouth, chicken piccata for dinner tonight. And then Adam informed me that he doesn’t like capers!

My days have been running into each other.  It could be Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and truly, they are all the same.  I think it’s the weather that’s got me in this funk of nothingness.  That or I need to find a little house project to start working on.  I’m bored with the painting, and I’m starting to wonder if there’s a way I could start putting new tile in the shower without Adam realizing it.  I have the tile.  I have the grout.  I suppose my only obstacle would be that I’m clueless on where or how to begin.  I’ll ditch that idea.  That said, I do think I could put up a tiny glass tile backsplash in the kitchen, but again…would he notice?  Considering he knows what he’s doing, and it would be somewhat dramtic, I’m guessing that yes, he would.  And when he did, he would probably take me in to have my head examined.

On the other hand, warmer weather is sure to arrive soon and at that point, I won’t even want to be inside.

First off, I find that almost sinful.  Especially when you live on the Chesapeke Bay and Lynnhaven River, home to some of the best fresh seafood in the world for gosh sakes. But I’ve accepted that he has no taste (except in a wife), and am able to live without that daily dose of seafood that I would so love. I do order seafood whenever we go to someplace noted for fresh seafood, and will take whatever my brother catches and unloads into my welcoming hands.

You can imagine how happy I was when Adam arranged tickets for the following event, considering his complete disdain for seafood. (Although I am sure the prospect of an Open Bar helped in his decision making process.)

Khedive Shriner’s Annual Seafood Feast
Khedive Temple will be hosting a Seafood Feast at the Khedive Shrine Center. Entertainment will be “The Hot Cakes” Band, a well known show band in the Tidewater Area. Gates open at 1:00pm. The food will consist of all you can eat steamed shrimp, fried oysters, fish, clam strips, clam chowder, cole slaw, baked beans, home made hush puppies and your favorite beverage.

A few days ago we were expecting a cold, rainy Saturday, but the fates have decided to grace our Saturday with the prediction of a sunny, warm day. Perfect for eating seafood and enjoying a cocktail or two.

An old friend just called out of the blue, and asked if she could pick me up so we could go out and have a drink.  My gut tells me she is in desperate need of a shoulder.  Since I’m unsure how long we’ll be out, this will serve as today’s post.  Sometimes there are things that come ahead of blogging.

Ethan’s audition for Misty’s breakdancing crew.