Earlysville, Virginia

 
Downtown Earlysville, Virginia, on 5 July 2010

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During my last visit to Virginia, only two weeks ago - it was the 4th of July weekend and the little town of Earlysville (my Father's mailing address) was festive in that simple way that small towns know how to do so well - like this red, white, and blue ribbon draped across a front porch, a bow in the center. This town has it's own 4th of July parade too, and although we missed it - we drove through town about an hour before it was to start, and folks were already lining the street, sitting in lawn chairs on what was one of the nicest (and coolest) days of the summer.  The Episcopal Church that resides on the parade route had covered areas, under which there were tables filled with food.  It was quite festive.

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~Earlysville Union Church Historical Marker~

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Yes, I'm one of those that reads historical markers.  I confess.

One of the churches along the parade route - which is more of a town meeting place now, and has a once-a-week prayer service in the evening and is where the town easter egg hunt is held - is an early 19th century interdenominational meeting house on land deeded by John Early, the town's namesake, that was built in 1833.

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~Earlysville Union Church~

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The church is a much loved part of this little town - and seems to be providing a central 'meeting' place for many small town events.  What I saw for the first time this year was a wonderful 'Veggie Share' stand in the church yard - a place where folks could drop off excess zucchini squash (you know, those ones that could substitute for a wooden club) and tomatoes and okra and green beans, and perhaps find a few bell peppers or acorn squash.  Isn't that a great idea?

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~Earlysville Veggie Share~

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So this week, while I'm in Earlysville staying with my Father, I hope to drop off something to share.  Perhaps some green beans, or yellow squash.  Maybe a few jalapenos.

It's a wonderful little town.  It's only grocery recently closed - but there is a pizza place, a mechanic (someone who lived in our neighborhood when I was growing up), a law office, a dental office, a post office - a small two pump gas station.  And about 15-20 minutes drive is everything else, but thankfully no closer.

My stay with my Dad is going well.  He's calmer, more relaxed after the anxiety-producing events of the early summer.  I've been doing what I do when I'm here and I don't know what to do:  I've cooked.  Squash casserole, green beans with almonds, stewed chicken with anchos in whole wheat tortillas (with a dollop of unsweet whipped cream), blueberry-lemon squares, fruits salads, shrimp creole, roasted zucchini.  You get the idea.  While I was at the dentist with my Dad, in the waiting room, I read this hilarious piece by Joel Stein - what I found so funny was the part about the unemployed lawyer sister who made a spreadsheet to organize their activities for a spa vacation, and how he hoped the economy would recover so that she could find a job and wasn't available to drive them all crazy.  I couldn't help but think that was me, cooking my way through the day.  How many ways can one prepare yellow squash?  Well, I'm on track to find out. 

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 The Pointer Sisters, Handsome Stan, and the almost-all of a cat, Haiku, are here too.  The newly installed dog pen - since renamed the 'Earlysville Raceway' - is a story for another time (soon).  For now I'll just say they are doing well, and are enjoying their visit to Earlysville.  As for me - on Monday I had the first bit of good news that I've had in awhile:  a small grant to work on the Gulf Oil spill received funding, a one year project to be supported by NSF.  If you sit quietly for a minute, you might be able to hear my sigh of relief from wherever you are - perhaps even in Nebraska, Texas - or up there in Rhode Island or Nova Scotia - or maybe even in Macon, Georgia.  Research scientists hang on from grant-to-grant and times are tough, so I'm happy to have a bit of funding to hold on to...for now.

Comments

[Blackswampgirl Kim]

Great news, Pam! And if you ever want to post that chicken and ancho recipe, feel free--I'm not going to think you're like the lawyer's sister. I'll just be grateful. :)

[Ad Ingle]

Why did we have to read all the way to the bottom to get the REALLY good news? Congrats on the grant - and may it be the first of many.

[Les]

Great news! My neighbor is a botanist at ODU and she said that there will be lots of opportunities for the science community because of the spill, shameful that it took this disaster.

[Elephant's Eye]

Sigh of gratitude for your grant, echoing back, from Porterville in South Africa. Across the great pond.

[3D]

Ohhhhhh so that's what that sound was.. I wondered. (submitted TWO (2) proposals this week myself, to prospective clients. I'm praying)

[cindi]

The F word. Funding. Woo Hoo !

[cindi]

and thru the NSF sounds good too! I think you should bake another squash casserole to celebrate! *I actually had grilled squash last night with Italian dressing on it. Not too bad. Everyone just eats it fried down here.

[Christopher C NC]

Yippee!!

[Kate]

wow. your cooking sounds delicious! I love summer. somehow I missed that bit about the grant earlier...does that cover any of your lab, or you? I am not sure how that works, but am thrilled you have something!!!!!