Images From Woodburn Hill Farm

 

 

 

Mary on Thanksgiving

On the menu:

• Delicata squash stuffed with sauteed peppers, onions, pine nuts, diced tomatoes, Himalayan salt and thyme
• Aduki beans with spinach and garlic
• Fresh Maryland crab cakes fried in olive oil
• Organic green salad
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Cabernet Sauvignon
  
• Pumpkin pie with ginger ice cream

Movin' On

Well, we did it. After a day of torpor, we managed to extricate ourselves from the metropolitan DC area where we were wallowing somewhat in despair following the loss of our dear friend.

Our wonderful hosts in Takoma Park (Paul Ruther, Laura Kriv and their lovely children Nesha and Lena) left for Chicago to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, and we spent one last day in Takoma Park resting our bones and allowing ourselves to grieve. Our trip to Massachusetts really took a lot out of us, and having an extra day to recover was essential.

We also managed to celebrate the 48th birthday of Mary's brother Jim, and enjoyed a small party with him and his wife Maggie, and our awesome niece and nephew, Raquel and Patrick Rives in Alexandria, Virginia. Jim received a special birthday present--a job offer right here in DC! Congratulations to him are in order!

Today, after a day of errands and driving from northern Maryland to southern Maryland, we managed to empty our tanks at a state park, fill up with diesel and propane, buy wine and beer, pick up fresh Maryland crab cakes, and stock up on other provisions from a local farmer's market for a Thanksgiving feast.

It is duly noted that people here in Maryland are extremely friendly, from the man who filled our propane tank to the women behind the counter at the fish market. Southern graciousness and friendliness is no myth, and it is already apparent that we certainly have moved south. 

Just before sundown, we arrived to Woodburn Hill Farm, the communal farm/intentional community where we lived and were married in 1989. We were heartily welcomed by an old farm friend, a beautiful sunset, and two bald eagles crossing our path as we walked to the hill where our wedding ceremony was performed twenty years ago.

We will spend several restful days here on the farm, have some minor repairs done on the rig, and continue our journey south some time this holiday weekend.

We wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving, and send our heartfelt gratitude and blessings to all.

---Keith and Mary

Maryland Again

Dear All,

We are now back in Maryland following our bittersweet return to Massachusetts following the death of our dear friend David Semon. It was an exhausting but worthwhile sojourn back to the home we only recently left, and we were able to say goodbye to David in the supportive company of David's family and childhood friends, and our wonderful community of friends in Western Massachusetts. We will be posting photographs from that experience soon, but for now wanted to let you all know that we are back in the DC area, gearing up for the continuation of our journey south.

Many blessings to all as you prepare for Thanksgiving. We are grateful for each and every one of you, and send you our best wishes and love from our hearts to yours. 

Checking in From Takoma Park, Maryland

We are now at the home of our very gracious friends in Takoma Park, MD, recovering from the tragic news of our friend's sudden death. Being here in Mary's hometown is comforting on many levels, and seeing friends and family certainly brings solace to our heavy hearts.

Today, the sun is shining, the weather is mild, and we're grateful to have so much kind and loving support from our far-flung friends connecting with us by phone, email and Facebook. As for our friends and family here in the DC area, their love and support is equally priceless.

We will post again with more news as our situation unfolds. Until then, please be in touch when you can and we thank everyone for their kind support and compassion at a challenging time in our lives. 

---Keith