First Day of My Trip - Flight and Deer

I left Suffolk on July 31st, headed for the airport in Norfolk. I hadn't flown since 2014 and had gotten a tad (well, more than a tad) of apprehension about going anywhere on a plane. Every time you turn on the news there one more plane involved in something undesirable, hours delays, unruly passengers, one passenger nearly sucked out of a window, crashes, bird hits.. it just goes on and on. No, I did not want to fly.

But, I got on that plane, one of those smaller ones that seats about 35-40 people. Had just one seat down the right side, two on the left side. So, I get into my one seat. Of course, I had a window view. That was good (I think). Brought my kindle to read, just in case I didn't want to see where I was!! 

As the plane revved up the engines and started to climb off the runway, I reached in my bag and brought out a small rock that I had painted... Closed my fingers around it and prayed. 

We reached cruising altitude... I began to relax, even put my rock away. Rather than reading I began to watch out the window at the clouds below us. Hey, this is pretty cool. I did not read one word on that just over an hour flight to JFK in New York. 

Susan had arranged for me to be met at the plane with a wheelchair.. And, there the guy was, a sign BARTON held high above his head. That was me! So, I get situated into the chair and then he says "scoot up, I got to put your luggage back here". He had an accent! I think that is what he said. So, I scoot up, he loads my bag and away we go. 

He must have said 'excuse me' a kazillion times as we made our way through the crowded terminal. But, finally he pushes me out the door and there is Susan, waiting by the curb. I did it!! I flew. It's not as if this was the first time. I've been flying since I was 18 years old but it seems that the older I get the more concerned I get. I think it's the news on tv. They will scare the beejeebees out of you! I need to stop watching that stuff. 

So, we get to Susan's. It isn't long until my welcoming committee arrives.....
A family of deer in her back yard...

My camera is never far from me...

They aren't afraid at all. Even play hide and seek with Ranger, the family dog.

That was the first day of my trip to Susan's ..... More to come tomorrow, be sure you check back in then to see what all we get into to...

linking today with abc wednesday

Painted Rock Craze

I am always slow catching on to the newest fad but I think I do pretty well, at my age, when I do catch on. I am usually willing to give it a try.

It all started when my son found that painted rock when he was swinging me in that big ole swing at Joe Wheeler State Park in Alabama. There the thing lay waiting to be found! 

So, it came back home with me to Virginia. Then I found another one at Chic-fil-a, just lying there on the window sill waiting for me to pick it up.

So, I hid them. And, I was thinking that maybe I might paint some of my own to hide.

When Lowe's sponsored a rock painting class last Saturday I was there with bells on. We had a blast! There were painters of all ages, a DJ playing rock music, the Chic-fil-a cow prancing around, firemen looking handsome on the sidelines. It was so fun.

I came home with seven rocks that I had painted and they let us take some that weren't painted so we could do them at home. 

This morning I took them out on the balcony and sprayed them with a fixative and then I will hide them. 

It seems that the rock painting craze has taken over the country. I love it. We are actually doing kind deeds for others, instead of bashing each other. 

Have you ever found a painted rock?

Have you ever painted one? 

It's fun

You ought to try it. 

On Wednesday I will connect to My Town Shootout.