You can go home again...a return to my alma mater

I live in Florida, but Virginia has always been my heart home. I was born into a military family. Born in New Jersey, I have lived around the world and when fate brought me to Virginia....I declared it home.  

So where to begin? When a longtime friend and college floor mate suggested we gather our old friends and return to our alma mater for Spring Weekend...we thought that was a fabulous idea. This past weekend I flew into Richmond, Virginia to begin this trip down memory lane to Longwood College (now University) in Farmville, Virginia.

To begin this trip, you must understand one of the key relationships that made this trip all worthwhile and that is my sister by choice and college roommate, Temple. I met Temple, a sassy blonde with spikey hair in 1985 in Wheeler. She lived across the hall from me my freshman year and that is how we met. Wheeler was the only all female dormitory at Longwood. Someday, I will dedicate a blog just to that experience, but some things just need to stay in the appropriately named "Virgin Vault."  (And Mikey, if you are reading this....you complete us).

The town has grown. A small town city that has roots in the Civil War has had a facelift. There are a few of the old buildings peppered in between new buildings and restaurants. We looked for signs of familiarity. Late night snack attacks of potato wedges from ParBills...yet it was no where to be found. Gone, like so many of our favorite hang outs.

 

 

What was apparent were signs of spring throughout the town. Dogwoods in full bloom. Nothing says Virginia like the dogwood (the state tree and flower for those that don't know). Cascades of trees...pink, white, purple lined the streets of the old homes of Farmville.

 

The campus, full of traditions, looks like a familiar friend who grew up while we weren't looking. We walked around remembering and reminiscing about how we met, the friends we made, and all the trouble we caused (in good fun of course). Funny how the subject of courses we took didn't come up....hmmmm. We walked the mall and remembered our dining hall days and making snow angels in the history making snow storm. The pizza parties, late night cram sessions, our visits to the all boys college (Hampton Sydney), and my days as an Alpha Gamma Delta. So many memories.

Wheeler Residence Hall

We met up with friends that afternoon. We laughed so hard all day. I realized just how ridiculous we were, but what made me laugh harder was the things my brain selectively forgot. The stories were a mosaic. Woven together, the story of our rites of passage began to emerge from the foggy mists of my memory.

I had a few realizations this past weekend. Time, space and place may change but the connections of friendship remain. Life happened when we weren't looking but the memories of our youth have bonded us. What has made my relationship with my college roommates so special is that we became family through the years. College brought us together, but we grew up and we moved on. We have lived, loved and laughed our way through the joys and the heartaches of life. They are my Golden Girls. Going back in time for a few days and reliving the nostalgia of my past made me more grateful for their part in my life.

Temple & Vicky -  Established 1985
 

So yes. You can go home again.

Finding Inspiration....in the most insteresting places

So when I started the endeavor of an online photography class, I kept thinking to myself...when and where would I find the time. I have learned that I have no time. As busy as my life is, this has been something that I really wanted to commit to. I wasn't sure what to expect at first, so I began with a little trepidation. The first online lesson was short, but what was great was the homework. I was to shoot "through something" and I began to look at everything as answer to my homework. At the time I was in Dallas spending the weekend with Mr. Goodin while he was in flight training. I went downstairs to the lobby for coffee and discovered the interior lobby was a perfect setting. I grabbed my camera and began my own photo shoot in the lobby.

I loved this shot. If you look carefully in the background you will see another candleholder behind it, "through" a cut out wall.  Clever positioning and I was able to eliminate all the lobby "noise" in this photo. The best part was all the people who stopped to see what I was doing.

The next shot I took was during an outing for Easter lunch before my flight home. Mr. Goodin and I took a drive into downtown Dallas. We found a little lunch spot with some Dallas hipsters enjoying mimosas and burgers on a street patio. As we were walking to the table, we entered into a courtyard. If I didn't know better, I would have thought we were in New Orleans. I didn't know that my camera card was almost full...miraculously, I was able to get a few "through" shots of some flowers in the wrought iron.


I was starting to get the hang of this assignment. My final shot was back home in Florida. A few days later, I happened to be at the Ft. Lauderdale Country Club for an event. As I was loading my car, I happened to see this lovely fountain in the front of the valet stand. With golf carts whizzing around me, I start taking pictures. Again, multiple shots of the lamps, the fountain and the plants. The shot that captured "through something" was the beautiful lamp hanging from the structure.

My real dilemma came when I couldn't decide what to post as my only picture. The course only lets you post one picture. I turned to my Facebook friends to help me. Overwhelming response came in and it was the flowers that won. Hands down.

Homework lesson #2 was much simpler. It was all about the best angle. Take 20 pictures of anything and pick the best photo. This was easy. My sleeping cat. He didn't move a muscle. Oddly, this is a strange occurrence. This photo captures his every detail. As sweet as he looks sleeping....he is not this way in real life. Little terror.

Vinnie

 Last but not least....Lesson #3 in the series...which is where I will end for the night was all about lighting. The homework, take a picture with back lighting. Not as easy as it seems, especially because it rained all week. Determined to wait it out, I was able to take in interesting shot of our mango tree as the sun was setting. It's always fun to see the mangos in bloom. I was able to catch the light behind the leaves, the branches and the spider web in such a way that every detail is caught. I love this shot.

Summer is coming

What I have learned in four short weeks is that my inspiration is everywhere. Everything in the right element is a object of interest. I have also learned to take several shots....one will be the right one. There are lessons in patience and waiting and understanding that this is an evolution. This class is teaching me to slow down and look around. Sometimes things are right in front of you and you just need to take the time to see things differently.  Now I am looking forward to creating my thematic project next! I will share with you that it involves Crayola Crayons. Until next time. 



For the Love of the Game....of Scrabble

It's hard to explain, but my love of Scrabble came early. In my life and family, Scrabble was a rite of passage. A game of skill and strategy taught to me by the original experts, my Nana and my great Aunt Edith. My first years at the game were as a mere spectator. I was invited to play when I was about 12 (I think?). There was no messing around, you either played a serious game or you didn't play. I learned the tricks of the board.


I learned to always play the triple, learn those weird Scrabble words that no one know the meaning of, and make as many words as possible in one turn. And one day it happened. I beat the masters of the game. I was a legitimate Scrabble player.

When I was single, I discovered an online version of the game. I could play Scrabble lovers world wide, anytime...day or night. Then I met Mr. Goodin. When we first met, Mr. Goodin quickly learned that Scrabble for me was not a recreational game, this was a serious game. However, he wanted to learn how to play it my way. We started off slowly. He was a quick study, I must say. When we were dating, my first gift from him was a Scrabble dictionary! I knew he was the one for me.


Scrabble has been a big part of our life for the last five years. It was even included in a song sung in our wedding ceremony. However, yesterday, as we sat in the backyard enjoying a beautiful afternoon, it dawned on me that the game is much more for us.

It sparks our competitive nature and it gives us quiet place to talk with no distractions. Scrabble with coffee & jazz on a Sunday morning, Scrabble at the pool, Scrabble on the beach, or in the backyard and yes, in the airport too....Scrabble brings us to a calm place in this busy chaotic world. It gives us a time out from all the things that we are each responsible for. It stops the roller coaster of life for just a little while. The joy of the game is the simplicity but it makes our lives less complex too. Yesterday, while waiting for my turn, I looked around to enjoy my surroundings. The signs of spring were everywhere. Buds on the mango tree, orchids in bloom, the neighbor dog, and coconuts in bloom. The "ah" moments in full play.

Mango buds...summer is coming

 

When I stop taking pictures, I realized I like watching him play. He is so intense and methodical (this is the engineer in him). He studies the board and wants to make sure every move counts. No matter how competitive our play, compliments are free flowing along with high fives and kisses for good plays. I never expected my life partner to embrace this game with such enthusiasm. I taught him every trick I know and I find it amusing that the tables of winning have turned. A worthy opponent in every sense of the word.

 

 Somewhere, my Nana and Aunt Edith are smiling.  

Key West by Day

So every once and a while, Mr. Goodin and I escape to the closest thing that feels like an island without leaving the USA.  Yes, a place we know and love well....Key West, FL. We spent our first "coupled" vacation here in 2010 and married here in the summer of 2012. It's a special place for us. We have mastered the art of relaxation once we are here. We bring everything we need in order for us to never leave our bed and breakfast once we land. This is a picture of our cottage door. I have a tradition of taking a picture of the room numbers of the places we stay in. Someday I will be old and my photos will be my only reminders....


Room 605 - Courtney's Place

A substitute resident kitten. I called her Anna

 

This time, however, I had a new agenda for us. Discover Key West by bicycle! A week before we left, Mr. Goodin and I went to Walmart to buy some bikes. I knew what I wanted, a cruiser. No speed. Brake by foot. Easy. Just like I had when I was a kid. Mr. Goodin went for a more complicated model. Cruising for me. Speed Racing for him. Either way, we were about to embark on a new adventure. See things that we had never seen. My camera was carefully placed in my basket and it was up for the challenge.

Day 1. We went for a nice trip around Old Town Key West. During the day, it's a delightful ride. We made our way through the Truman Annex. Greeted by an "irk a dirk" as I like to call them or a rooster, we stopped to take a few pictures. The town was full of visitors and cruise ships. Brief stops and thousands of people to dodge on my new pink and yellow cruiser. Logged about 5 miles and took a few photos along the way.

Day 2. After relaxing at the pool for a couple of hours, we decide to get a little more adventurous. I suggest a trip to the beach. It's only a mile away. I remember that there is a botanical garden near Higgs Beach. West Martello Tower. Originally it was an anti piracy bastion/outpost (says Mr. Goodin). Now, it is full of orchids, flowers and plants that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. We almost chose this as a wedding venue. Capturing the beauty of the flowers and the fountains was delightful. After our brief tour, we climbed back on the bikes. 9 miles later we were back at the bed and breakfast for a well earned trip to the pool. For any of you that are in need of spring, here it is.



Day 3. Last day. A little cloudy and limited time before check out. We pop back on the bikes. We are pros now. We have learned where the bike paths are and how to dodge the crazy drivers that weave around us. This time, I forget to bring the camera but I still had a great time whizzing by people sounding my bell....ok, so I don't have a bell, but I learned to make a great bell sound. It was better than yelling...duck!

The ever neglected Mile Marker 1.

So this is what two relaxed Goodin's look like by the end of the weekend. Until next time!



Mr. Goodin



I let Mr. Goodin play with the camera for a minute