Asheville, NC, 2008

After sufficiently stuffing myself with Indian and Mexican food and a week of goodbye drinking engagements, I escaped dear San Francisco on the last sunny day before weeks of rain. Since then, I’ve been staying with my mom and my dog in Asheville for a month, and I've managed to tone down my go-go-go personality to the point where it turns out that having no job and no rent actually suits me just fine (for a month at least). I thought I’d already be in Johannesburg by now, but the slow process of getting everything sorted has been a tremendously pleasant, and rare, opportunity to spend time with my family and relax.

Before the end of last year, I finally went modern and got a digital camera. I must admit it's very fun and full of instant gratification, and I've been snapping away during my weeks at home. So, before I take off for 5 months in South Africa (in 2 days!), here are some of my favorite images from a divine sojourn at home. Surely more will follow once I get settled in Jo'burg.

Sunset from our deck is stunning: The weeks have gone by quickly and I've filled my time with paperwork of all sorts. But it's been easy to find time for relaxing pursuits, like cooking up giant lasagnes:One Saturday, Mom and I took a little road trip down the backroads, headin' South, and ended up in the small town in Georgia where my family lived for a few years. While revisiting our old haunts, we stopped at Talulah Gorge and Falls, and drank apple cider like we did many years ago. Here's Mom by the falls:
My brother and his girlfriend joined us for a hike the next weekend out at lovely Warren Wilson. I am such a softie for a vast grassy field, even in the brown wash of winter:Isis completely enjoyed that day, and despite the blustery temps, she unabashedly indulged in her favorite activity:And here's one more cute photo for the road...bath time!