Reawakening

I'd like to say thank you to all of you who left words of encouragement and blessings in comments and messages. I continue to read your words frequently and they are humbling, inspiring, and so full of warmth and kindness, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My absence was spiritually emptying, though necessary for growth. I never realized how much of my practice actually involved the creation and sanctification of products for others though I suppose it should have been obvious. I occasionally struggle with the obvious. When the constant spiritual work stopped I had to take pause at the near silence that followed. To go from near daily work to no work was odd. My craft had shaped my path and I felt a little stumbly without it, like walking with only one shoe. During this time I felt as though my spirits sanctioned a hibernation, gave their blessing to cocoon myself up and dig really deep to reshape myself into a healthier creature. I took full advantage.

I think a lot of practitioners who aren't sellers and workers by trade go through dormant periods, most often between festivals and sabbats, though maybe not for so long. I believe it's allowed me to really take stock and realize the immense value my practice holds for me.

But I've felt the knocking again, a tapping indicating they'd like me to come out now. So I've reemerged, dripping in whatever spiritual placenta I fed on in my dormancy, ready to dust off the working altar and get to crafting. It's felt so good to reconnect again and the shop will be open by August 1st. Please pardon my dust as I make changes here, and for those interested I usually post daily bits and photos on my Facebook and Tumblr.

The Mountains

So my annual mountain trip has come and gone. I yearn for those cresting blue giants again. Such beauty only two hours away. I keep begging my husband to move there, I'd never tire of that view. The Earth, Sea, and Sky older than time and bestowing their breathtaking grandness upon my eyes each and every day.

This year's trip was different, marked by the addition of my little boy in all his perfectness. He adores being outside, the movement of trees and all the sounds of nature. He hates to be sticky though and I completely agree. Most of our trip was plagued with warm rainfall and muggy grey skies. The sun came out only when we were leaving and I was able to take these great photos.

One of the most enjoyable moments for me was the long walk I took with my husband and boy. The cabin we stay at is on the river in the town of Elkton, VA. It's such a small little blip on the map, mostly local business, residences, and many many farms. We walked from our cabin by the river up to the main road, passing lots of farms and plenty of things for me to forage and collect. It rained most of our trip, my husband and boy staying dry under the safety of a large golf umbrella, myself dripping and damp from standing in the rain with my Audubon wildflower identification guide.

I managed to find Chicory and Datura, another poison for Hekate. There was a Mullein but there was only one and I didn't want to take all it was so I left it.

Here are the giant Datura plants within the rusty fencing of a field of beans, they were as tall as I. As always, proper petitions and offerings were left to the spirit of the plant. The thorn apples taken from these were the size of walnuts! I plan on offering a limited amount to my customers since this another one of those "hard to come by unless you grow or wild harvest this yourself" plants but in a very limited quantity.

The Domesticated Witch, or how to not scare off your husband's work friends

Recently our little lives here have made many changes. My husband was transferred to a store which is a mile from our home and we had a baby. He rides his motorcycle every day to and from work and we spend nearly zero money on gas and it's great. He's been at this new store since May and has made friend with lots of people and they've been inviting us to all kinds of parties and things. The best part? They've all got kids, something we really lack in our social circle.

I think it's important to hang out with other couples with kids, it makes you feel a little more normal. I'm not saying having single friends isn't important, because it is. It's just your single friends don't want to hear about all the stuff your kid does because there's a big chance they don't find it nearly as interesting or amazing as you do. At least people with kids get it and it gives them a chance to talk about their kids, which I've found is something that people with kids like to do. Everywhere you go it's "Oh lemme show you pictures of my kids!" Random people at the pediatrician's office say "Oh your son is soooo cute wanna see pictures of my granddaughter?" I was wandering in the hospital with my son and my mom (she's a nurse, I was visiting her at work) and I saw my OB GYN in the hallway who delivered my son and even she was like "OMG your son is so precious I remember him when he was purple and covered in cheese and had just fell out of you and here's 200 pictures of my kids on my iPhone the grow like weeds time flies enjoy it yadda yadda."

All this being said, now that we're hanging out with these new people they will inevitably ask what I do. Well I'm a stay at home mom and artist. Oh, what do I make? Well I'm writing a children's book and I'm a professional witch.... hey, where are you going?

I'm really ambivalent about telling people I'm a witch. Usually it goes two way; one, they are turned off and don't ask anything else and that's fine as long as they don't start treating me like a leper. I've gotten used to that, it comes with the territory, it doesn't bother me anymore. Two, they ask if I can make someone fall in love with them. Like that's all I do is match two unwilling partners in eternal bondage with glitter and bad perfume (I don't do that btw. Doing spell work for others just isn't my thing. I just make the tools with the intent, I leave you to light the candles.) When I was a bartender all the little hostess girls found out I was a witch and they clamored at the bar begging me to make this boy or that boy fall in love with them. You seem so fake when you tell them no, like the witch thing is just a front. But honestly, this professional witch gig tends to make you wise to things and it's just better that way, the way of no glitter and no bad perfume. Or they get grossed out when you tell them that they've got to collect toe or fingernails and the glamor fades and they soon forget about it. I go back to being just weird and I have my solace again.

I do other stuff ya know, and this is the part where I begin to tell them all about what I do and how I do it. I don't bother educating those who don't seem interested because no matter how I talk about it they don't seem to care anyway so I do my best to educate those who seem open. You can't teach the unwilling, trust me I've tried. I try not to get into *deep* detail because I usually lose them when I start going on about how the rabbits help me read cards and sometimes I am the fox mother and sometimes I make things for a Hellenic psychopomp goddess because I like giving her gifts. I just tell them about the domestic folk magic stuff, like how I clean and protect my house and the food I make is filled with good magic. They usually like that part, the domestic witchcraft part, and it doesn't always end awkwardly when I show them a business card.

So to tell, or not tell? I'm not in the "broom closet" by any means. Everyone I call friend or family knows I'm a witch and if they don't approve then they keep it to themselves and I'm just fine with that. But now it's not just my husband and I to think about, it's my son too. Like wtf would the PTA think about me actually celebrating Halloween because it's a holiday and a sabbat instead of my kid not dressing up for school and just taking my kid to church at 3pm to get some candy. AND WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO HALLOWEEN, GUYS? Like all of a sudden the world got too scary for our kids so they go "trick-o-treating" at church or during daylight where they're given toothbrushes and raisins because at night is when the apples with razor blades and pedophiles come out? Ugh. Gimme a damn break.

I'll continue to chronicle this for those interested and I hope I won't have to go all Bengal tiger on anyone's ass for judging my baby. Ultimately I have to hope that the people I tell will continue to treat us the same, or as my husband and I agree, they aren't worth knowing anyway.

Returning!

It's taken longer than expected but I think I'm finally ready to come back. It's been a rough three months since the birth of my son, as any new parent can tell you, but he is amazing. I've scaled back my craft considerably, as there hasn't been much time left, and kept it simple such as walks with my boy and little bits of making here and there. A little candle lighting, a few offerings of flowers, but nothing big. This has been such a grand adjustment for our wee family so we are taking it slow. Now that I've got more time, I've got my fingers in lots of little projects.

I'd like to note that my path is further evolving, becoming simpler and more focused. Becoming a mother has made me take inventory on my life and remove the extra needless bits to make room for the most important things. I've come to realize that my path is truly folk magic with a side of deity/animal worship and animism. Lately I've had the urge to tear down and resurrect new altars and form stronger bonds with the entities I work beside.

Important things that have been brewing was my first wholesale order given to a local shop, The Greenman Grove, here in downtown Fredericksburg VA. It's run by a lovely woman named Heather so please stop by and see her!

The shop will reopen August 6th with a few new products. I can also accept Credit cards through the shop now (as of August 15)! Keep a lookout!

As always, subscribe to my Facebook page for updates and coupons! In honor of my return you can use the coupon code "August2012" for 15% off!

Again on changes

As the frost melts on this Imbolc (even though there was no frost since it's been in the high 50's and 60's in Virginia which I'm really really into) it gives me time to pause and reflect. This year has really marked a bevy of changes for me. I reopened my shop after being gone for a while and I lost my job while 5 months pregnant. I drew a very ominous tarot spread at the New Year which spelled disaster and it has certainly come true in many many aspects. At least I saw it coming? So I've been hunkered down in my hut crafting prosperity charms and rubbing oil all over my money like a mad woman and so far the Gods have thrown a few bones my way.

Shop updates? More products. I know I said I'd start straying from the herbal products but I just can't bring myself to do it; I love the ritual of it just too much. I love your custom orders too. I feel spiritually renewed lately. Maybe it's the nice weather? Either way I want it to continue.

On an up personal note I've been healthy through my pregnancy and I've had much more time to work on the shop and personal projects. I've only got about 2 months left and I'm so excited. I can't wait to raise my nature loving wild boy and show him the wonder that is this stunning world we have. Will I raise him to understand and follow Animism like me? Yes. Will I hold him to it when he's older? Not necessarily. I want him to have choices and while my heart will tug a little if he doesn't want to pull tarot with me I'll feel good knowing that he will be brought up with an open mind and open heart.

I've also forced myself to devote more time to writing my children's book and you can see the progress over at Salt Moths. Instead of illustrating the book I'm building all the set pieces and characters in miniature and photographing them. While my story is not overtly witchy they are about animals and the things they do. The main story involves rabbits and salt and the moon. Go look.

I'm excited to see what all these changes bring. What changes have you made this year?

Ch-ch-ch-ch changes.

To say that I've gone through some changes in the last 6 months is a slight understatement. I'm pregnant and will be bringing a little witch into this world in May and Joey and I are over the moon about this. This change has not yet allowed me to return to my previous shop duties but will eventually. I have been steadily working on my book/miniature/doll projects which can be viewed at Salt Moths for those interested. Currently the shop is open with limited stock but I have many ideas to fill it with.

For those of you who've sent little messages of love I have read them all. Thank you for your kindness.

In reflection on the the goals attained this year I did create more and attend and vend at the festivals I wanted to. My path is still evolving and I better understand it now more than ever. I hope this new year, other than bringing change, will also continue to bring some wonderful personal growth.

Many blessings to all of you.

Snow in spring.

It snowed this morning. There are blooms and blossoms and pollen and snowflakes. The Old Woman has one last laugh.

I've been going through some really uninteresting and unspiritual real life job changes so things have been quiet. I went from a flexible schedule to a fixed one and have had to spiritually change some things. Before I worked a job that allowed me to freely speak about who I am and what I do and it was the first job I was able to do that. It was liberating but alienating but I had time for crafting. Now I feel as though I've taken a step backwards in my progress by changing my job to one where I feel as though to expose myself might leave my employment in jeopardy. So I will stay quiet for now.

I've also been having trouble composing words and sentences and my spelling has worsened. My productivity has slowed. It will pick back up as I'm gearing up for the festival.

The winner of my little contest, which I am sorely late in posting, is Unknown Binaries! Please email me at anathemum(at)gmail.com to collect your prize. A big thanks to those that participated, I loved reading all your words.

Ink and Paper

The Hare Notebook

I often worry that being witches of a digital age has stifled our written word within ourselves.

For myself I can't really get behind the idea of a typed grimoire that's bound in a plastic binder. Plastic is unreceptive. It makes something that should be so personal so very sterile and clinical. It's not as though writing it by hand within a nicer book is harder, it's perhaps more intensive but this implies that the shortcut is the way to go and my mindset couldn't be farther from the truth. For those who find the binder and typed method suitable I encourage you to try a bound book and written words. The claim is that "if I want to change something it's easy to and I don't have to start a whole new book." Part of our learning as witches involves changes that we should embrace, not hide as though they're shameful. Even the most elite of witches started somewhere small and meager.

I'm a purist when it comes to things like this. Perhaps it's the artist in me. I want to use ink and pen and paper within a bound medium. I want to mix my blood with the ink. Or spit. Or whatever. I want my hand to ache after I've transcribed an incantation. I want that ink to accidentally or otherwise be smudged. I want to feel my words as they appear on the page. To add color with paint and mud and blood. This is why I've created all these inks and little notebooks for you witches. To encourage the recording of our paths in a traditional and tactile manner. I personally use one of my little notebooks for recording my results of tarot sessions.

To help encourage all my witches to put down the keyboard and pick up the pen I've got a little giveaway. I want to see pictures of your grimoires, those of you who are willing to show it. A link to a flickr post or photo host will do. Doesn't necessarily have to be of the whole thing, maybe your favorite page. Got a sketch of a deity? Beautiful, let's see it. Don't have a camera? Post the favorite piece of text from your grimoire instead. Please give credit if the posted text or photo is not your own.


The winner will receive this block printed lined notebook. A Piccadilly by brand, measuring 3½ x 5½ in, 100 lined acid free pages with a stitched binding. A silver cardboard notebook printed with my Sticks and Skulls print in high quality black ink. Fits perfectly within a tarot pouch or pocket and is perfect for all sorts of scribbles and sigils.

I will accept entries through the Vernal Equinox, March 20th. Thanks and happy commenting!

Alllmost spring

While things may have been a little quiet in my internet world, I've been a busy bumbling bee around my little thicket. I've been cold stratifying and starting seeds for the witch's garden this year (soooo many plants!!!!), working on dolls and furnishings (as seen at the Spirit House, go look!) and enjoying the first few warm days we've had in Virginia since last fall.

It seems as though every witch I know has fallen ill these past few weeks, myself included. Bouts of coughing and feverish night and dreams have sequestered me to the least labor intensive of my crafts. It has also given me ample time to reflect on past and future projects. Things have slowed in the shop a little since I'm taking some time to work on some personal projects of mine that until now were on a very far back burner. It feels so good to every day be able to do what I love. Don't worry, I have many beautiful things planned for the shop these next few months.

Last March I was putting coolant into my car in the parking lot of my man's job (a disadvantage of driving a 15 year old car). Stuck underneath my tire was a piece of paper and as I bent down to pick it up I discovered it was a tarot card. The Justice card. A return to balance. Adjustment. I quit smoking that month and haven't had a cigarette since.

I've made it a ritual now to pull a spread at the yawnings of spring, preferably the first New Moon. My spread this year was ehhhhh but at least I have a heads up. I've always thought of spring to be the beginning of my year. You know, start the seeds, watch them grow, harvest, death. It seems more reasonable to me.

Journey Charm

A Gypsy ready for travel...

I hardly ever use prewritten incantations found in books, I prefer to write my own, sometimes just shooting from the hip in situations, or use ancient ones such as the Orphic Hymns. However I wanted to share one I found within a chapter from Trance-Portation: Learning to Navigate the Inner World. What I really love about this book is it a book for all faiths, it doesn't cater to one specific Trance bound spirituality, it caters to all. The beginning of the exercise speaks of preparation for travel and creating personal warding, something I can't advocate enough. Without warding it's as though you left the front door open to your house while you go grocery shopping. In addition to verbal incantations you can wear jewelry, masks, or ritual garb to give added protection.

Among other useful exercises, this incantation known as the "Sith Galdor", as quoted from Anglo Saxon Magic by Godfrid Storms, is taken from an eleventh-century manuscript and used to protect travelers at the beginning of a journey, astral or physical. Sig, the old English word for Victory, is associated with the word Sigil. You can also substitute the word "Gods" for a deity of choice, Hermes is a good one as is Hekate. May you use it for your own journeys, within covens or solitary.

With this sphere I gird me round (turn clockwise tracing circle around self with finger, wand, etc)
By the Gods grace grace may I be bound,
Against sore stitch, against sore bite,
Against all horrors that haunt the night;
'Gainst dread that folk fear everywhere,
And loathly things that here would fare,
Sig-galdor I chant, a sig-rod is my stay,
Word-sig and work-sig ward today.
No nightmare do my spirit harm,
No foe oppress, no fear alarm.
Nor wight nor weather threaten me,
From danger defended I will be.
I bid the good Gods victory give,
Guarded so, safe shall I live.

Quiet Notes

Fresh Yew, the Mountain Dream Tarot, frogs, bees, bird bones, coyote skull, and many other things

Today I'm rolling smudge sticks for the shop, listing a few new items, and enjoying the quiet around here. The days are getting longer and I've been thinking lately more about my own personal trance work and otherworld travel.

I was given Trance-Portation: Learning to Navigate the Inner World for Christmas from my family. I've found it concise and extraordinarily helpful. I've always been a dream walker; I see things or travel to see other witches while attempting to sleep. I also rely more on the signs I see from day to day; creatures that cross my path, interesting articles that seem to coincide with other signs, black dogs, found objects, weather patterns, etc. But lately, in an effort to submerge myself deeper within my practice, I've wanted to see what I don't see in my normal waking consciousness, the juicy innards beneath the crumbly crust.

I will document as much as I'm able to here. In the end this mode of communication might not be for me. But we shall see.

Reflection

2010 was a year of growth for me, both personally and spiritually. While I'd been practicing for many years this was the year I took my path by the reigns and put the pedal to the metal. There has been more communication between me and the spirits around me, or perhaps I just learned to listen better. I no longer feel the need to shelter those around me from who I really am. I'm open and I've found more acceptance than I ever thought I would.

This was the year I opened my shop and the first year I would truly identify as a professional artist. I reached and exceeded every professional goal I set for myself and I have all of you to thank for it. My customers and the people I've found through my creations are some of the most amazing people I've ever met. You are all kind, forgiving, and exceptional. Never forget that!

In my personal life I've tested my working limits. I've taken on more than I thought I could handle and came out victorious. I shook off demons that have followed me for years and I feel so free now. I've spent more time with my family this year than I have in so long and it's amazing. I have the best family anyone could ask for. They are loving and supportive and hilarious and they make me feel good when I'm around them.

Today my plans are to clean my house from top to bottom and fumigate my entire space. We should all get rid of all the magical and physical crud that adorns our spaces and start fresh for the new year.

My goals for 2011? I'm ringing it in big. I will go back to school and work towards a degree in art with the eventual goal of becoming a teacher. I'm planning to attend a few festivals this year and be a more active part of my Pagan community. I want to explore my path in a deeper way and form more connections with my familiar spirits. I want to create more than I did last year; I want the energy to flow from me like water, like blood, like a life force, because it is. And I want to document it all better than I did this year.

So to you I say my friends, Happy New Year! Love, Alyssa.

Bumbles and Messages

I find that being overly in tune with nature you tend to pay attention to the little things. The way the leaves move, how a passing animal looks at you, weather patterns, planting, blooming, fruiting, harvesting, seeding. Without this consciousness we cannot call ourselves witches.

Many animals live around us in the Thicket. I've gained their favor by holding funerals for their fallen, but more importantly I feed them. I grow flowers for the insects, leave seeds for the birds, and offer fruits and veggies. And sometimes a little bit of our dinner for the bigger critters.

I nearly missed this bumblebee as I went out onto the balcony to replant the strawberries (I've been meaning to for weeks, just haven't gotten around to it) plus clean up and sweep the outside altar. He was sleepy so I moved him from the floor to the iron table outside where he sat, little purple wings glistening in the sun. We have a nest of bumblebees outside my altar room window and they see and hear many of my spells and rituals. I find them rooting around my plants and outside altar. They slam into the windows like little drunkards. And they come to me often. Sometimes as an omen, sometimes to say hello.

Most witches will say that animals come to them to die. For some this is true, even the smallest beast has put themselves in my path to ease them into the Otherworld. Remember the Mockingbird and Squirrel? Also, plenty of insects find their way into my little home. It's our reverence that draws us to them and them to us.

All this being said, do I consider all animals messengers? Yes and no. All animals have connections to the divine. Some do a better job of getting those messages through; birds, insects, rabbits, you know the types. Sometimes I find it easier to work with tactile animal spirit messengers. When I call upon spirits, I'm also calling on animals I've worked with or helped. Who are yours?

On Altars

Throughout our home we keep several altars, as every home should. Some are discrete, some are not. I normally keep five in our 1200 square foot apartment but for Samhain I add a sixth. Let's take a tour of a few of them.

First, the Ancestor Altar created on our less than used dining room table. It holds several ancestral items, the book, the owl, and the small German Skull, as well as keys and lanterns to open the door and find the way to this world to visit us. There's also some black, silver, and white Mardi Gras beads from New Orleans on the table, sort of a nod to the Ghede. When it gets closer to the thinning veil I'll add food and flowers to this space. The denim vest hung around the chair is also an ancestral item but it stays year round. The Virtual Boy in the other seat is, well, a Virtual Boy. Heh.

Next we have the House Altar, residing on the kitchen counter, which changes from holiday to holiday. It keeps our house spirit, the little Knight.

He is currently fighting a dragon with his unicorn steed at his side. Joey found him in his store one evening and took him home and since I added him to the House altar we've had no home trouble. Sometimes he fights other things but I think he likes slaying the dragon best.

The Working Altar in my Studio/Altar room. I use this altar for my work and it's where I make most of my products. The top has all sorts of trinkets; found feathers I've had since childhood, squirrel bones, graveyard dirt, candles, etc. The bottom is in homage to the Dark Gods arriving and the Light Gods leaving. The Earth is returning to dormancy. The glass stemware holds natural objects found in the Thicket or close by; Crepe Myrtle bark, Rowan Berries, Yarrow, and a seashell. Also found here is my cauldron, mortar and pestle, several rosaries and crosses (given to me by my amazing Mom. I keep them there because they are filled with her love and protection), and my lanterns. The brass boxes hold charcoal disks and matches.

The Shenandoah

We spent the weekend in a small cabin with our great friends on the banks of the Shenandoah River. The weather was stunning and the river was warm. We dragged an old green canoe out from under the deck and paddled up and down the river looking at old mountains and farmland, giant cattails and forests of seaweed that lapped at the bottom of the boat. I felt my gods there. I felt at peace. The normal buzzing and humming of spirits was silent because they were no longer trying to reach me. I was there with them.

During the day I gathered up fallen branches and logs around the property and as evening fell I cleaned out the fire pit and we built a nice fire that we cooked our dinner and eventually dessert on. Fire roasted hot dogs and smores, nothing could be better. We sat around the fire listening to the crickets well into the night while just existing and enjoying the silence away from our jobs and lives. It was incredibly relaxing.

I didn't find much in the way of herbs but I gathered acorns as there were plenty to be had.

One new thing and one old thing in the shop today but both happen to be pouches. The Tambourine Evil Eye Bag and Web of Wyrd Rune Pouch, both embroidered and simply beautiful and at reduced prices. With the Yule season fast approaching, the decorations are already being put up in stores, we should begin to think about what we'd like to give a special witch we know. Give something handmade and unique to support their craft. I take commissions if you can't find something that's juuust right for them.

Tambourine Evil Eye Tarot Bag

Web of Wyrd Rune Pouch

The Gods Speak

Mockingbird skull and limb bone, Squirrel Jaw and limb bones

How do your deities call to you? For me it's a gnawing I get on the fringes of my brain. A buzzing of my mind. A need to travel deep within nature. A sudden idea for a creation, I always will sketch the idea to return to it later. They come to me in dreams, subtly or strongly. I will be drawn to their aspects and satisfy them with an offering or a gift. It isn't always a deity that speaks. It can be local spirits of nature, the thunder, the rain. Sometimes I receive an influx of gifts, mostly in the form of animals that have passed on, sometimes in a local wild crafting find.

I live near the Rappahannock River in Virginia. I enjoy watching her ebbs and flows, droughts and floods, and every year she claims more lives. At least 5 people die every summer while swimming in her cool waters. As an animist I believe everything contains a soul; rivers, trees, mountains, even the tiniest of seeds and the strongest of storms. Why is my river angry? Or is she? I wish I knew.

This weekend I will be spending time in a cabin right on the Shenandoah River. Maybe I will paint, maybe I wont, I'll let the river dictate my activities. The relaxation will be welcome and I'll come back with stories and some wild harvested goodies.

Before I go, a couple of new specialty candles and prints arrived in the shop this week. I'd love to do another deity painting. Any suggestions?

Cernunnos Spell Candle

Graveyard Dirt Spell Candle

Rainbow Eye Print

Hecate Print

Hickory Dickory Dock and the Mushroom Chronicles

Today Joey and I took Gypsy to the Prince William Forest Park for a nice long walk. We are so lucky to live within 10 minutes of a glorious National park filled with many trails and wildlife and magic. It's beautiful and I've hiked through about it several times. When I was a child my parents took me to marvel at wonders built by man. I will take my children to marvel at wonders crafted by nature.

We haven't had much rain this summer and all the rivers and streams are low. But since the air has cooled off many mushrooms have burst forth from the ground. We spotted nearly 14 different varieties the one trail we followed. I am poor at best when it comes to mushroom identification, except for Morels, Stinkhorns, and a few Amanitas. All of the mushrooms we saw were lovely and I plan on harvesting those I can properly identify next time.













I gathered a few Hickory nuts, some acorns, and happened upon these Cicada wings just resting on a small table guarded by the most peculiar caterpillar. We also found two fauns resting among the trees and they begged us to follow. Gypsy's nose wiggled and ears spun. They stood waist high and still had their spots and let us get strangely close before bounding off into the trees. We followed for a while before becoming tangled in spiderwebs and decided to stick to the trail.

Luray

Last week Joey and I spent time in the mountains of Luray, Virginia. The mountain air is so sweet and fresh, I'd love to live out there. But our desperate need for internet and stuff to do outweighs our love for nature (so he says) so we will stay closer to the coast.





We took a tour of Luray Caverns which we both haven't been to in over 10 years. It was stunning and immense and would you believe people get hitched down there? They've got that stalagpipe organ and a ballroom. "Kids these are our wedding pictures, from the UNDERWORLD."




They also have a hedge maze which we conquered!