A Collection of Days: Rosneath

June and July have proved to be an emotional roller coaster! I was in the hospital for a couple of days, discharged and hit the floor running to a family reunion in Georgia, drove home and started cleaning like a mad woman for the arrival of Allen's mom, sister and friend, Oz. We had some great nights cooking, chatting and laughing with them and when the week was over I waved goodbye and began packing for a trip to Charlottesville Va. After driving 14 hours I finally collapsed in an old Virginian house called Rosneath. Nowhere could I have found a more quiet and relaxing place. Walking in this door was a welcomed sight along with having most of the family there with me. The house was big enough to hold all of us and spacious enough for a person to be alone if they wanted. Sometimes we gathered as a group on one of the three porches sipping drinks and talking. I bought some mead (ancient drink) at a local winery! Sometimes each of us would wander off alone and go for a stroll through the amazingly beautiful surrounding land. There was even a graveyard a stones throw from the house (I love old cemeteries). At around six o'clock though we would begin to draw closer to the kitchen because of the delicious smells of food being prepared by whoever had been assigned to cook that night. I loved how just before sunset we gathered around the wide mahogany table for dinner. On one of those nights after eating we went outside at dusk and caught lightening bugs in a jar- something I haven't done since I was a young girl. We thought Naomi would be thrilled but actually Joseph and Alex had the most fun at this childhood sport! During our stay some people hiked incredible heights and trails while others went into town and did a little shopping and antique store grazing. I dove into a fabulous used bookstore one afternoon. A highlight day together was when all of us went blackberry picking and for two nights straight made some amazing cobbler (thanks Anna). And of course on another day we piled in the car and drove to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. They call him T.J. around Charlottesville. Love that! I have read two biographies about Thomas so to say the least it was an exciting day for me. Even Rosneath has some connection to him.

I fell in love with Virgina- the house, the land. Rosneath has a history that dates back to the 1700's. I could only imagine the lives lived in that old house over the years, the conversations in the big ol' dining room. I walked around and tried to take photos that captured the tranquility I felt just looking through the window panes of Rosneath or shots of family members unaware that I was taking their picture. We have enough "good" photographers in the family to get the great people shots. I was taking some to remember the beauty and peace I felt at this Virginian home.
The week was a respite for me, a gathering together of myself. Almost every night after everyone was in bed I went outside and stared up at a night sky jam packed with stars. Only in the country can the heavens put on that kind of show for you. I would sit and be real still as I listened to the night sounds-sounds of country, sounds I don't hear much anymore. All this was breath taking for me-revival.
Our last night at Rosneath everyone gathered together in the south parlor-that's what we called it for fun. Celeste sang a beautiful song for us while she played her guitar. She has the most beautiful voice-soothing like the place we were staying. We hooked up computers to the television and viewed the photos everyone had taken during the week. Between Elli and Celeste there are some great ones. Rachel took video that she will put together as a family vacation film. I can't wait! Allen has some great photos of all the hiking excursions.
When our car pulled away from Rosneath I knew I would come back one day. It's a promise I have made to myself. I also knew life at my house in Florida would be different. The Burtons-Alex, Rachel and Naomi- left for Indiana on the same day we headed back home. But during one of those walks up to the barn with Naomi on our last day I kind of made my peace with the fact that at my age it's normal for the people I love to come and go. I'm just grateful when they come no matter how long they stay. I know it sounds odd but the quiet I felt at Rosneath, the thoughts and prayers I had while I was there, gave me these feelings of acceptance. The roller coaster stopped. I'm telling you- it's a beautiful place.