They number 14

There is a flock of 14 rather large turkeys that are cruising our yard. They were here last Sunday as well as today. If Sevren were here I am relatively sure we would get to enjoy a smoked wild turkey for dinner. (Maybe in two years from about now...)

Last night we went to Wintergreen to a celebration birthday dinner for Des. Alan, Sarah, Laura, Becca and Ben were in attendance as well. Needless to say the meal was exquisite and the wine flowed freely. It was really good to see everyone and to get caught up on the lives of Becca and Ben. I am having difficulty realizing that Becca is 25 and that Ben is already in his 3rd year at UVA. Virginia is a senior this year. Where did the time go?

The leaves have mostly fallen from the trees into our yard and the rush is on to remove them quickly. Somehow they always get ahead of our efforts and find their way into the house, my car...they are everywhere. Firewood season has begun and will continue for quite some time. If it weren't for the rain today...I would be out in the woods somewhere with Dave doing a bit of firewood gathering.

Last weekend was the Charlottesville Orchid Society plant show and sale. Dave brought home a really lovely specimen that reminds me of the one I got in Blacksburg. It has rhisomes that sit on the surface of the soil. There were some very beautiful plants there and some that I would have loved to have in my home that were not for sale. They were the ones with ribbons that said 1st and 2nd place...oh well. It made me think that I need to repot all of my house plants...

I got to talk with Sevren last weekend as he was in Mkushi for Zambian Independence Day...partying hardy with other volunteers. He is doing well and I am glad he sleeps with a hatchet next to his bed. He has killed 3 snakes now in his hut...a deadly poisoonous black mamba and 2 constrictors. He has 2 new updates on his blog for anyone who would be interested. Anyway it was nice to talk with him and hear his voice.