Labor Day
Last September, we spent Labor Day lazing on the beach in Southport, NC. This year, we spent the weekend relaxing with my family (Mom and Chicken Man Dad) in Virginia. Their house is amazing — with old bones and creaky floors and roosters crowing and guineas calling. My dad and I have different opinions on what it is they’re saying. He thinks it’s “Buckwheat! Buckwheat!” but I’m pretty sure they’re calling out “Come back! Come back!”
We read a lot and ate a lot and slept a lot and laughed a lot – it was really a perfect visit. Sunday, we drove to a place called Hillsville to visit the World’s Largest Flea Market. The streets were lined with funnel cakes and meats on sticks. You could hear salespeople calling out about Magical Pain Relief Tonics and cowboy boots and umbrellas (prices rose after the skies opened up later in the afternoon). Our only purchase of the day was a tiny vintage cameo stick pin, a gift from Josh to me.
Lover’s Leap
On the way back, we stopped by Lover’s Leap, home to a beautiful mountain view and a tragic love story.
Legend has it that the son of a settler saw the twinkle in the eyes of the Chief’s daughter, Morning Flower, and was immediately love-struck. The couple began to meet secretly and their love continued to grow. The young man and Indian maiden were threatened and shunned. With the beautiful rock and wildflowers as their backdrop, they jumped into the wild blue yonder ensuring they would be together forever.
The weekend felt a lot like a “reboot” button. Resting and getting ready for the coming fall, when I’ll turn the page on another year and face the world as a 27-year-old. I love September, and I have a feeling I’m really going to love THIS September.
