Sir Topas the Curate

"...Go into yourself and test the deeps in which your life takes rise; at its source you will find the answer to the question whether you must create.  Accept it, just as it sounds, without inquiring into it.  Perhaps it will turn out that you are called to be an artist.  Then take that destiny upon yourself and bear it, its burden and its greatness, without ever asking what recompense might come from outside.  For the creator must be a world for himself and find everything in himself and in Nature to whom he has attached himself."

-Rilke

"We'll always have Wytheville."

"Adversity introduces a man to himself"

-author unknown

"It was an interesting weekend in southwestern Va, to say the least...

Katie and I traveled to an annual event entitled "Trail Days" in Damascus, Va.  Her friend Sarah, also known as Harvest on the AT, was showcasing her latest exhibition entitled "Footpath."  What was to be a weekend of woodland exploration and camping turned into a test of patience and perspective.  For brevity's sake, suffice to say that after 2.5 hours of searching for a new car battery, which we found in Bristol, Tn, we experienced total failure the next day on I-81N.  3 car jumps, 1 new battery, and most likely a new alternator (tomorrow), Katie and I now find ourselves in the little town of Wytheville, Va.  For all of the setbacks and headaches we have had the past two days, in a weird way I think the two of us have turned what some might call "a nightmare situation" into a fun adventure.  No fights and instead a lot of laughs and smiles.  I love this girl.  :)    "

-Sweet T

Getting Better at Life

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

-Einstein