WV
A Season for Everything
One of my favorite things about living in West Virginia is the ability to experience all four seasons. When I was in seventh grade, my teacher read a short story to the class that was written by a former student of hers. The story had won our local Young Writers Contest a few years back. It was about one’s inability to be content. Each time a new season would come about, the person was longing for the next. The story obviously resonated with me, as it has been a long time since seventh grade. I do my best to fully appreciate each season. Each one is unique and perfect in its own way.
This winter has been a harsh one in West Virginia. Many school districts have missed over 20 days due to poor weather conditions. People now become angry at the mention of snow. I now have the unique privilege of being able to stay home on days when the weather is bad. I used to absolutely loathe snow. When I was younger, I had places to go and people to see, and snow kept me from those things. Now I am very content staying at home with my fur babies, warm blanket, good book, and a cup of coffee.
Spring is a welcome thought at the end of each winter, and especially this one. We have been teased with a few perfect West Virginia spring days already even though the first official day of spring isn’t until tomorrow. Everyone is ready to come out of hibernation. People are walking around my neighborhood. I hear birds chirping. Flowers have started blooming. Our favorite local ice cream place has opened its doors once again. Unfortunately, Spring seems to get shorter every year. Those mild days pass by quickly and the next thing you know, its summertime.
Summer is a wonderful thing. The days are longer, kids are out of school, pools are open, and it is hot. There is something so magical about summer when you’re a kid. It seems to last forever, and you want it to. Summer takes on a completely different personality when you are no longer of school age. I begin my summer job, which is a bit more relaxed than teaching. At our house, that means it’s time to start grilling. It’s time to start going to farmer’s markets. It’s a time for thunderstorms, and leaving windows open at night. Eventually the pools close, and summer gives way to fall.
Fall takes my breath away each year. If I could bottle and sell fall in West Virginia, I would make a fortune. By this time everyone is usually just as sick of the heat as they were snow a few months prior. They are ready for cooler temperatures. The doors on our local ice cream place close. Students return to school, and there is an excitement to be felt. The air is crisp, and its time to pack away the tank tops and hang up the scarves. The leaves turn to radiant reds, yellows, and oranges, and descend from the trees. Mother Nature begins preparing us for another winter.
The cycle goes on each year, and there is comfort in knowing the next season is just around the corner.
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Adventures in Being an Aunt and Uncle
Last weekend we had our nieces again. Their mom dropped them off at our house Friday night, and we got them all dressed up for a special event. Our favorite little cafe, Noteworthy Sweets, was hosting an event. Fairmont State University School of Fine Arts, Department of Music, presented a free concert entitled “A Noteworthy Performance”.
We were under the impression that music would be played, there would be an assortment of finger food, pastries, and coffee, and we could leisurely come and go as we please.
Wrong.
Their Facebook page stated that it started at 7:30.
Wrong.
Here is how it really went. We arrived at 7:36 to see people packed to the door. It was a recital. We were going to leave, but then everyone squished in to make room for us to fit in the door. We each picked up a girl and entered the cafe. The kind gentleman, who I know was only trying to be helpful, kept handing me programs and fliers. (Just a note to everyone else out there. Please don’t hand more things to a woman who is already holding a five year old and a bag full of things that a five and three year old may need, and can is already so closely packed in that she is uncomfortably touching four strangers on each side.)
Once the performer finished, a family left and gave us their table, which was incredibly sweet. The table sat two, so we each had a girl on our lap. Once we sat down, we both got a glimpse of the program. There were several performers left for the night. It was such an intimate event that we felt it would be rude to get up and leave. I was so proud of our girls. They actually seemed to enjoy the event. They loved listening to the singers and piano players. We lost them on the classical guitar.
When it was all said and done, we made it up to them by walking them to the dessert cabinet and all was made right again.
The next day, we woke up early, got baths, and went on our weekly date, Story-time at Barnes and Noble. They love hearing the story, but their favorite part is totally playing with the train set afterward.
After story time, we took them out for lunch. These girl love pizza. I mean they love pizza. With this in mind, we decided to take them to one of our favorite pizza places, Mountain State Brewing Company. It was a hit. Their kid’s pepperoni and cheese flatbread was the perfect amount for the two girls. Dusty and I got the Cuban with extra pork and barbecue cause. Be jealous.
We definitely needed some dessert, and the Cupcakerie was calling our names. They offer mini cupcakes, which are absolutely perfect for little ones.
We wrapped up our day by taking them to see The Lego Movie. They wanted to see it, but if I had it to do over again, I think we would have skipped it. Dusty and I liked it, but they were bored with the movie.
Mr. and Mrs. Merrill 