September 29, 2003

• Checking In
  
  Folks - I'm in Virginia. I've had almost a week of some of the most incredible experiences that I hardly know where to start. Some highlights - Ohio is MUCH bigger than it appears on the map. MUCH. And did you know that there is a strip of West Virginia that slides up BETWEEN Ohio and Pennsylvania? Because I have to say that this was NOT clear on the map I got from Yahoo. But I made it to where I was going and hey - I'm not bitter!
  
  Actually, my stop in West Virginia is one of the highlights of the trip so far. I pulled over in a small valley to check my directions (since I didn't realize i was going to even be IN that state) and just as i stepped out of my car a little country church across the way began to ring it's bells. I'm not going to be able to describe the moment when that rich music rang across that valley, except to say that I couldn't move. I had to stand and listen until the very last note died away. It was the kind of awe-inspiring moment when the light, the sound the smells, the colors, every sense of my being was delighted.
  
  I went on to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania where I met some wonderful people who were in a position to advise me on my writing and did so. I made some connections that may help me with my book. But I'll tell you something even more important, I made some connections with some just plain fabulous women. I discoverd that one of them lives about two hours from my home, and I'm hoping that I'll have a chance to see that connection grow.
  
  On Friday night I had dinner with a long-time xanga friend who is developing a new website that I'm extremely excited about. I can't wait for him to launch it so I can direct you all - especially my poet friends - to check it out. I promise that you will LOVE what you find there.
  
  I drove down to Virginia yesterday and today my friend Mary and I went into Washington DC and visited the Smithsonian - okay - we visited PART of the Smithsonian. I saw the Hope Diamond, which was a pretty rock (I didn't realize that it's blue). In addition to the Natural History Building we visited the Art and Industry Building. Tomorrow we are going to walk down the Mall and visit the memorials.
  
  Thank you for checking in on me while I'm out of town. I'm taking lots of photos, and when I get home, I'll be posting them for you. Don't exect me for a while though. My trip is scheduled to last though Oct. 8. I'll be storing up memories and ideas to share with you.
  

  • 9:57 pm
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