Black History Museum

Well yesterday was a beautiful day, sunny and bright, cold but dry. We chose to go to the Lewis Museum of Black History. It was very poignant, moving and highlighted mans inhumanity to man. It also showed how peaceful non violent rebellion, resistance works. Martin Luther King modelled the Bus Boycott on Mahatma Ghandi's principles and again it worked. I found the museum very thought provoking and at points upsetting. I think I have to go again but with a note book in hand this time.
We lunched at an Italian Bistro, which was really good, and bought carry out for supper. In all a good day.

An American Thanksgiving

Well I have now experienced an American Thanksgiving, we were invited to friends of Daves, and it was a lovely time. David and Cleigh, live in Northern Virginia, quite close to DC, they have two delightful children, twins, Luke and Charlotte aged 6, super kids. They also have two beautiful rescue dogs, Daisy and Riley, both bearded collies and so full of character. There were 10 of us for dinner, and a great time had by all.
I was amazed at the traffic on the roads, we had a two hour drive down to them, and the routes were jam packed with people heading home for Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends, everything closes around 2pm, to allow for travelling. It really is a big deal here. Turkey dinner and amazing desserts.
Charlotte, loves stories so I was drawn upon to ad lib a couple from my head, low and behold a new character was born, Winklebury, a naked apart from his hat, teddy bear, how did he come about, well I was wearing my pewter teddybear earings, and it just sort of evolved, so now I am left with just one, the other given to Charlotte for her Mom to put on a chain so she can remember the story. So watch out for Winklebury, I feel a series of short tales coming on.
Today is Black Friday, tell you more tomorrow or may be later today.

Another day and no kick back

Today is still grey and wet, but I do not care, I went to Canton Library this morning and spoke with Marieellen regarding Mother Goose program they run for per walkers and walkers, and as from next Thursday I will be spending the morning observing the program and kids, seeing the interaction and hopefully learning what kids are wanting. I am very much looking forward to it.

There is also a playgroup in the Lutheran Church next to the Library, I will go and talk to them on Monday about observing to gain new material.

Tomorrow will be interesting Thanksgiving, my first one here in USA, we are going to friends of Dave's in Virginia, they have 6 year old twins, Charlotte and Luke, should be fun.

Grey, damp and wet!

What a difference from those long hot lazy summer days, Baltimore remains however enchanting, even covered in low cloud and that ultra fine drizzle that soaks right through you.
This morning I went to O'Donnell Square, so different from the height of summer, I think I was the only person walking, and enjoying it.
On the way back I stopped at Starbucks for a coffee, and watched a very sad sight, a man obviously with mental health issues, sitting on a table out side, drinking from a huge galllon container of water, and eating a box of doughnuts, but it was the way he was doing that, he took each one out, and took a bite out, then replaced it in the box, this went on for quite sometime, I had visions of Rupert, who I will share with you at some time, he was extrememly Autistic, and this guy this orning just reminded me of him. It was so sad to watch.
Thoughts are formulating thick and fast for Volume 2 of Postcards from Baltimore.So hang in there.

Back where I wanted to be

Hi all of you, flight was achieved still very coldy and congested, but I am here, what a change a season makes, from being bathed in golden sunlight in the summer, to the stark greyness of now, but I still love the place, started the first poem this morning whilst out for my walk, so now let the next few weeks be productive.

Struck down again!

What a time for it, a real bad reaction to Swine Flu vaccine has put me right out of things, am desperately dosing myself in order to feel better to fly on Saturday, at the moment the last thing I feel like doing. Hot, sweaty, coughing, tight chest and blocked nose with a head like cotton wool, still like most things it will pass, going back to sleep now.

How do I get it all done

Ever wondered how you are going to get everything done that is on your agenda, that is my problem right now. Being out of the country for Christmas has meant things I would not of thought of doing for a while need to be done right now. Presents to be left for family members, account sorted for standing orders to be covered, and of couse the dreaded sorting of clothes to pack so far I have changed my mind some three times, I remember there are shops there if I am desperate.
The one bag I have packed is my writing bag, so if I don't get much done before I go, I am ready for when I am there.
I have so many ideas floating around in my head, it is just a case of getting them formulated and start putting on paper.

Never again

Well if that was a preventative to Swine Flu I would hate to have the real thing hence having been out of the loop for a few days. Now to concentrate on not forgetting anything for trip to Baltimore, I fly next Saturday, I can't wait.
Expect a narrative of some kind on my take of Thanksgiving, not experienced before but I understand is taken very seriously out there.
Also the vast difference in climate from my stay in Summer, again I am staying on the boat, but also may just be getting some sailing in on a helping out some friends bringing new boat back from North Carolina, another new experience, bring it on, I can already feel the adrenalin pumping and the words formulating in my head.
This week postings may very well be erratic due to so much to do prior to leaving, bear with me, I promise to share trip with you in all it's details.

Fleur has been struck down by Flu!

Well, I seem to be on the road to recovery now, albeit today I had Swine Flu vaccine so hope for no reaction. Needless to say words have been very barren and sleep the order of the last few days. It is just eleven days now before I leave for Baltimore and so much to get done. I will try to post each day but please bear with me, I need uninterrupted space and quiet to adjust thoughts and write.

As today draws to a close

I finally get time to write a post, today has been manic, having to go to a Launderette as washing machine blew up! Never picks the right time, if ever there is one!
The rest of today I have spent in thoughtful contemplation of what I want to achieve whilst in Baltimore, and how of course to develop that into my writing. Supplies of pads and pens are ready to be packed as the countdown continues.

Something totally different - somewhat spiritual

Alone in the Woods

One day I was walking through an empty woods
Just after a spring rain
The raindrops hung from leaves
And beaded themselves onto spider webs
I was by myself in the forest
But I was not alone
The birds chirped
And the insects hummed
And for once
I almost felt alive
A black widow
Climbed on a nearby spider web
And careful not to disturb it
I watched it
As it caught a fly
The fly struggled
But to not avail
It was stuck at the mercy of the spider
Don’t you ever feel
Like your life is lost
And you are stuck at the mercy of the world?
Because you are
We all are
As the stunning realization hit me
I had a sudden unparalleled urge
To save the poor fly
As I wished for some higher power
To reach down and rescue me
As I reached for the web
Carefully, quietly
I saw the black widow
Sink its fangs into its prey
And I knew it was too late
Not just for the fly
But for me
And I threw my hands towards the sky
And screamed in utmost agony
For the lives of my fellow humans
And for myself
For the fly
And all flies that had ever been caught in that spider’s trap
I knew it was over
The black widow
Obviously annoyed by my noise
Not knowing she was the reason for the bellowing
Spun a thin string and lowered herself upon me
I felt her fangs sinking into her prey
And knew it was too late
I was by myself in the forest
But not alone

So excited

Forgive my lack of posting yesterday, but life has the unfortunate habit of sometimes going a different way to how one believes it will, however here I am back today.
Excited, why I hear you asking, well, I am returning to Baltimore later this month, flights booked, so I will experience an American Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year with my man, the first in 33 years, bliss.
The other really exciting thing is being there at a totally opposite season to my summer trip, so watch out for 'Postcards from Baltimore' 2 from a Winter perspective. Somehow, I can always write so productively there, and see things I would maybe not notice here.
My countdown to leaving has begun, now 19 days.