Pennsylvania hillsides and more

I've been enjoying the most luxurious days here in the Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland countrysides. My friends with whom I am currently staying are situated on a hillside overlooking another hillside speckled with cows and horses, a view of more rolling hills and the western horizon. Yesterdays threatening storm afforded an incredible burst of orange when the sun was setting behind, a lovely breeze and lightening! I have spent my days sitting by the river, driving through the covered bridges in this green and blooming countryside, sitting by another river, on the bench swing, in the grass under the tree, in the churchyard, in the park...reading, contemplating, refreshing, breathing, writing, watching. I mean, luxury of all luxuries for this wandering mind, soul and body.

I'm still somewhat sick, but thankfully I haven't been lacking in energy since early last week. I've considered the possibility of it being more serious than your average cold/flu...but I think my body just hasn't been given the chance to really fight it off once and for all.

And although not quite as lovely, but certainly still 'my cup of tea', I will be enjoying the next 24 hours roadtripping to Kansas City with a short respite at my cousin's place overnight.

My time in D.C. was spent with family and also my good friend Aaron. I arrived into downtown D.C. Friday afternoon after a long bus ride listening to the overly chatty ladies from Long Island in the seats in front of me... you know what I mean!? It was funny...mostly. That evening I went with my Aunt (a dietician) and my cousin (a nurse) at a dinner/talk given by a doctor from Ethiopia about a clinic in his home country built to care for women afflicted by fistulas. It was very informative and a treat to spend the evening with these family members who share similar interests as me in their work. :)(from left to right: cousin Kathryn, aunt Kay, uncle Ed, Aaron, cousin Margaret, aunt Sue, uncle Richard)

Saturday we enjoyed a lazy morning eating bagels. My other aunt and uncle came from out of town to join us for the day. We packed some snacks, cut some azalias from the yard and headed out for a visit to Arlington National Cemetery where my father is buried. I very much needed that time to be there, especially with family who remembers and loves my dad with similar grief and delight. I wish I could carry this gravesite, that afternoon, in my pocket.