Los Flemings

Uncle Jake makes an appearance with Aunt Barbara

story time with grandpa

Our hard working student took a moment this weekend to attend the annual meeting of the North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists (in Myrtle Beach, SC of all places?). She carpooled down with a couple of fellow students on Thursday and then shared a room with four of her classmates - they were up till 2 a.m. gosipping! Mame reports that it was a worthwhile trip. She enjoyed the sessions and a chance to meet some potential employers. She even indulged in a short dip in the hot tub before returning to her preparations for today's neuro test.

So without a student to watch over, Sam and I decided to head to the mountains to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Fleming and catch-up with Aunt Barbara who was visiting from California. We also got to visit with Henry relatives from Tennessee and there was even a brief appearance by Uncle Jake. We took in all our favorite Slick Rock activities - muffin baking, hot dog and marshmallow roasting, digging for earthworms and hiking in the mountains. During our Saturday hike in the Dupont State Forest Sam took charge as the leader (here he is pointing the way).

Saturday morning's excitement was the Museum of Science's annual BugFest a day of bug related activities that spills out of the museum on to the surrounding streets and the grounds of the old capitol. Sam raced in the Dung Beetle Crawl, made a bugfest button, watched beekeepers making bee-beards, cheered on Herbie the Love Roach in the Roachingham 500 and tried the food at the Cafe Insecta (more on that below). Here he's showing off one of his bug tatoos in front of the menu at cafe.

The afternoon excitement was Corey Vandiver's birthday party at Black Belt World (Corey is the son of one of Mame's high school buddies, Christine and her husband Scott). Sam got a basic lesson in Tae Kwon-Do from Master Jerry and even got to break a board with his foot. Of course, the birthday cake was a big hit too.

Sam prepares to sample some of the fare from the Cafe Insecta. We tried the buggy bean dip, ant-chilladas, quivering wax worm quiche, hushed grubbies, critter fritters, ants in amber (orange jello actually) and buggy bite cookies. We drew the line with crickets over rice stir-fry and 3 bug salad.

Pro bug-art at the festival. Sam and I spent some time making art of our own with the chalk that was out for the kids.

In a funny coincidence, late Sat. night we had a visit from a preying mantis to our kitchen window. I'd estimate he was a close to 6 inches long.

Our little helper created his own clothesline to help out dad in the backyard.

The other day Sam and I put-in our fall garden. We've got regular cabbage, red cabbage, collard greens, radishes, carrots, leeks and snow peas thanks to the helpful folks at Logans Trading Company. If everything produces that we'veplanted (which would come as a major surprise) we're going to have to open a vegetable stand on Park Street. Sam was a good helper - digging holes and spreading hay for mulch. With rain yesterday and today we seem to be off to a good start.

On the RSNA front - Mame called this afternoon to say that she was pleased with her grade from her test last Friday. She had one more today and now has a little break - until Monday! Tonight she'll be representing her class at a dinner meeting of the RSNA advisory board.

With the rainy weather I've been noodling around with my old web page from FSU - click here if you're really looking hard for a way to pass the time.

The week is off to a brutal start for Mame and her classmates with a test Monday, one today and a third on Thursday. But she's hanging in there and keeps reminding herself that they haven't asked her to leave yet. Sam has also gotten into the school routine this week and is enjoying being a part of the afternoon crowd.

Last night we injected a little levity with some hair styling in the tub.

Saturday we got in on the 'Pond Peak' at Crowder District Park. We got a little orientation from Ranger Jackie and then went down on the dock and scooped up dragon fly nymphs, damsel fly nymphs, water scorpions (not real scorpions - they just got that name), minnows and other interesting critters. While on the dock a water snake swam by along the edge of the pond.

Last Wednesday was free entrance to the Exploris museum. Sam enjoyed the exhibits inside but especially liked running through their 'stream'.

Cycling practice in Sylva on 9/2

Cycling practice in Sylva on 9/2

The birthday celebration spilled over into Labor Day weekend with a visit to Dandy and Granddaddy Frank in Sylva. Mame got good study time and Ben got paddling time on the Tuckaseegee and Nantahala Rivers. Our thanks to the grandparents for all of their hospitality (and spoiling of their grandchild).

Building birthday cupcakes with Dandy in Sylva.

Rolling out the dough for Sam's birthday pizza.

Gettin' down and dirty in Cary collecting mulch for the vegetable garden.

Roasting 'bug-mallows' in Brevard.