A Blessing Way for Lauren Jean

 Mom sent me off with Gus and Geraldine for the day and headed into the woods with her women folk. 12 of them and countless numbers of dogs went along for the hike too. The VIP of the day, was my moms friend Lauren Jean Agrella-Sevilla. She has a baby in her belly, due out mid-December. Ms. Lauren lives in Vermont now with her hubby Matty but came back to her hometown Brevard to be surrounded by love, support and celebration of the new life growing inside her. Apparently she ate one of those very special "seeds" ( that's what I think).  Pictured above: Annabelle, Marty, Kathy, Lindsay, Anna, Lauren, Cath, Bernie, mom, Teresa and Aunt Chanley.

 On the most perfect autumn day on the tippy-top of Pilot Rock, Laurens friends enveloped her with love through the Native American tradition of a "blessing way." It was soooooo special, mom said.

Miss Anna is having a baby in January, number two for her. We love it when smart, loving, nurturing people pro-create for all the right reasons! Good luck to both of these wonderful women and their men folk.

Three Cheers for the Dynamos

The Dynamos Continue

I have now played four official games of soccer. This day we were blue. I really enjoy my team!

A Sunday Paddle on the French Broad River

 Daddy didn't exactly pick the best put in spot for our paddle on the river. We had to brave the brambles to get onto the water. But we made it and it was worth it. It was a gorgeous day and the water was high after big rains earlier in the week.

 I enjoy putting my hand in the water as mum and dad paddle. It was so warm outside and the water was cool and refreshing. Of course I didn't want to go for a swim or anything. The hand in the water was plenty.

Fly Fishing 101

 After my soccer game last Saturday, mom and I headed into Pisgah Forest for Hunting and Fishing Day at the Hatchery. They had lots of fun activities and information booths. Mr. Linda showed me some fly-fishing skills and helped me practice before letting me loose on my own.

Aim high!

I really wanted to do "real fishing" but I wasn't allowed to take the pole down to the river. I did take my newly created "fly" and took it to the river to give to the real fisherman.

Goat Herder

Hanging Out with Goats

I must look like a good kiwi bloke in these photos, especially if the goats were sheep, right? Get this, we met a family from New Zealand right there in the field of goats. Mom picked-up their accents right away and fortunately she was wearing a Kiwi Gelato t-shirt. When she turned to greet them the father was super suprised to see a kiwi bird on an American's t-shirt in the middle of a goat field in little old Flat Rock, North Carolina USA. Sometimes the world is so small!

They are from Taurnaga, visiting family (unfortunately for his wifes father's funeral).  Those kiwi's sure get around! I wish some of our kiwi friends would turn-up around these parts, preferably in our home, not in the goat field, but we'd take them any way we can get 'em!