Being There

Judy. Remember that Peter Sellers movie, Being There, about Chauncey the Gardener, which was filmed at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville? While we decided not to revisit the Biltmore House while here, we did plan to enjoy “being here” in Asheville.

One of the reasons we picked this city for a visit was its proximity, not only to Atlanta, but also to some dear friends. And it’s a good thing! Seems like we were always running, and so glad we were nearby to do so.

We have two long-time friends within a three-hour drive who have been quite ill, so visiting them is a high priority. I have a close cousin, Sue, who lives in Charlotte, and who had some serious surgery last winter. I’ve been trying to get to see her for months, and we finally drove over to spend the night with her. Sue kindly passed on

Sue and her quilt

several family heirlooms, including a magnificent quilt she embroidered for her mother over fifty years ago.  

About a week after we arrived, we got a text from our son Stefan. Remember that new baby we dashed home to see? He caught a cold, which turned into a viral respiratory infection, and spent a few days in intensive care. Off we dashed again, to care for Oliver, Stefan and Sarah’s 2½-year-old, while they stayed with Baby Callum. I have to hand it to Scottish Rite, Children’s Health Care of Atlanta. They did a super job both with the baby

So many tubes!

and his parents. We loved spending so much time with Oliver, and, while I watched him on Sunday, Ted was able to go to our home church, St. Matthew’s, for the fortieth anniversary celebration. That afternoon Sarah, Stefan, and Callum came home, and we returned to Asheville on Monday.   

The photo Oliver will hate us for

While in Atlanta, I auditioned for a small, independent film, and was cast, so we drove back to Atlanta for the day’s shoot in our third week in Asheville.

We had no idea how much time we’d spend away from our little “Treehouse” Airbnb in the Montford Park section of Asheville. Lynn and Steve, the hosts, were always welcoming when we returned, and it was great to settle into our little house again each time.  

The "Treehouse"

Tennant Loop Hike

Migrating Monarchs

Thanks, Hannah!

Despite our travels, we still managed to go to the Y for yoga and workouts; visit the Arboretum to see the Monarch tag and release; take several hikes (and experience the Monarch butterfly migration); have dinner with Hannah, our friend from Oaxaca days (and receive some of the bounty from the garden she’s caring for); tour the Brian Boggs Chair Workshop led by my Facebook friend, LA; take in the Greek Festival just down the street; enjoy the meditative Celtic Eucharist at Trinity Episcopal Church; and just enjoy “being there” in the beautiful city of Asheville.

OPA!! Greek Dancers

In yoga and in theatre, we talk a lot about living in the moment. If ever I’ve experienced that, it has been this month, as we are “being there” in the various places we’ve dashed to from this Treehouse. It’s a gift.