Today is Picture Day
May 17th, 2007 at 8:24 am by Dee O'Neil Andrews
Okay - here's the moment you've all been waiting for. Some photos from my trip to Winchester, Virginia last week. Of course, two of them are of my son David and the two boys, Tiarnan, 4 1/2, and Brendan, 2 1/2, which could have been shot anywhere, but hey . . . give me a break. Do you realize that I had not seen David in a year and a half and had not seen the boys in two years?!?
Good grief, they live too far away. And then there were circumstances of life that intervened - like the worst hurricane in the history of this country - Katrina. Stuff like that.
Tom and I have tried to go up there the past two falls to visit, but due to elements beyond our control, couldn't. Luckily for me I raised a son who has (it has now been shown to me) been a good father and capably raised two fine little boys to the ages of 4 and 2.
In fact, Brendan, the 2 1/2 year old, is very much like both David and Mark, my two boys, as they were growing up. Amiable and lovable. When I first got to the airport and saw them all last week, Brendan came running up to me and gave me a big hug, and I was a total stranger to him for all practical purposes.
He can speak very clearly and is very articulate. More so than even David is at his mature age. (Sorry David.) Which is not saying a lot because David was always the strong, silent type. But when he speaks, he speaks with authority and really knows his stuff, being the U. S. Naval Academy graduate, ex-Marine Corps officer and all.
So here are four pictures with captions beneath each one, okay? I really hope you enjoy them and don't get bored. I'm very proud of all three of my children and their accomplishments and families. Makes me glad I had them young as I did and have lived to bear the fruit of my years of labor as their mother and to get to know their kids.
This is up on Skyline Drive in the Blue Ridge mountains looking down toward the valley to the northwest. The north end of the Appalachian mountains are off in the distance in the back, over in West Virginia.
David (seriously) is sort of prematurely gray and literally has much more gray hair (and a lot less of it, too) than I do. My hair is still dark (with just a bit of help, I have to admit, and do), but his has gone gray.
Brendan, as usual, is grinning so big (and saying cheese, because he loves to have his picture taken) that his eyes are nearly closed. Tiarnan (on the left) has brown hair and eyes and darker skin, like his mom. He's more quiet than bubbly Brendan, but is learning to read Dr. Suess's "Hop on Pop." David is teaching him. Brendan's favorite book is "Go, Dog, Go," as it was David's as a little boy Brendan's age, and he (Brendan) nearly has it memorized.
This is the view from the subdivision road coming across in front of the house on the approach to it. The northernmost ridge of the Appalachians is directly behind David's property. The house faces east, so this view is to the west.
With the sun behind the house and the picture this small, it is a little difficult to make out any details, but you can see the setting, which is beautiful. It is very striking to me to visit Virginia and see the vast difference in architecture. All homes, practically, are two story with steep stairs and screened in porches are very rarely seen, unlike around here, where they are a must.
David's house is typical of the architecture of the area with a stone front on his house with siding. He just has a single garage and no back deck or porch yet, so doesn't really do any grilling outside, which is another must around here! We grill out all the time. Most of the time about once a week or so on weekends. Grill or smoke. Or eat catfish and seafood.
The last morning I was there, this past Monday, David was feeling much better from his kidney stone and had the time to relax a bit with the boys that morning in their room together. They each have a little bed that is just their size. David is making Brendan a little tool box out of hard rubber "puzzle" pieces that fit togethe to create things. I was glad I was there last week and that David had the chance to rest, relax and play with the boys.
That's it. I won't bore you with any more today . . .. Maybe later! (Nah - just kidding.)
Y'all have a great day today, everyone. Cheers & Blessings to you all today! Me - I'm off to yet another doctor after lunch. The nephrologist today - kidney specialist, since I have some diminished kidney function. Dee
Nice place and looks like a great family. Hope the Doctor’s visit goes well.
David looks a little too much like Randy Wray … or vice versa.
Ditto to Cecil … that all goes well with doctor.
Praying for your appt. today. Hope you’re feeling all right. I had kidney stones when I was in college. When two of them came out, I was astonished at how small they were — “THAT is what caused me all that pain???”
Until it was pointed out to me that compared to the size tube they were trying to pass through, they’re really rather large. Ouch!! I can sympathize with David.
thanks for sharing the pictures!
and I hope your dr visit goes well!
I love looking at pictures. Your grandsons are adorable and the scenery, including your son’s house, is gorgeous.
Beautiful grandchildren and beautiful scenery.
Praying for you at the MD
Peace
Neva
It looks like a beautiful part of the country, and the grandkids are cute, too. Actually, West Texas is even pretty right now–the fields between Albany and Abilene are carpeted with yellow wildflowers. One old timer told me that this is as pretty as I’ll ever see it around here!