SWVA and the Blue Ridge Mountains

In honor of my favorite college team, the Virginia Tech Hokies, I'm going to be blogging in maroon this evening.  I'm sitting on the back porch of my mother's house enjoying the nice cool breeze, the sound of illegal fireworks being set off, and the rancid smell of OFF! because my mom's backyard is a breeding ground for mosquitos even though there isn't standing water in sight.  I guess it's all the flowers and bushes she has around.


I'm not going to lie - I miss Virginia badly.  I remember talking to a counselor at Lee University after my father died and talking about being from Virginia.  He made the comment that Virginians were different - not sure what he meant by that, but he made it sound like we were quirky.  It's funny because I always thought it was the weird people in Tennessee *grin*.  If I'm not mistaken, he used the term "blue blood" and I guess it makes sense.  Virginia has a rich history and culture in everything about it - architecture, genealogy, music, storytelling - there aren't many Virginians who can't trace their heritage back to when our families first came to the states.  I miss the Blue Ridge Mountains and the New River and the lakes.


But God currently has me in Athens, TN.  I know some wonderful people there and I'm thankful for those people - especially love my students :).  I just wish I could be closer to home and my family, I guess.  I get homesick every time I come home.  The thought of my Mother's mortality is always in the back of my mind as well.  And the fear of what happens when she IS gone.  I'd like to believe that Jesus will be back before then - but there is no guarantee.


I've been thinking about starting a blog or a Facebook group dedicated to some of the recipes and old ways found in the Appalachians and Blue Ridge Mountains.  The homemade laundry detergent recipe mom gave me this weekend was the catalyst for the idea.  Kind of like the foxfire books, but it would be copyright infringement if I even used the name in there.  The only thing that has really stopped me from doing it is not having a cool or catchy name.  I dunno...not sure I need another group or blog to run *grin*.


Well, I suppose I should get back inside at some point.  I'm just enjoying the night air and the solitude so much.  I have deep roots tied to this area, and I miss everything about it.  I don't know if God will ever bring us back here, but I hope my place in heaven looks like this...and the beach :).