As it has been a couple of months since I posted here I figured it was about time I shared the latest news about our move here to my home state of Virginia. Linda and I arrived to find our apartment not quite ready for prime time but that was quickly remedied. Also within our first week here our vehicle was sideswiped in the parking lot by an adjacent hotel guest who fortunately left a note with his contacts that expedited the resolution process. Suffice to say it has been an eventful couple months for us here.
With living in Maine for the last six years or so we had forgotten all the issues associated with moving between states and Virginia has got to be one of the most regulated states in the nation, as we were quickly reminded during our marathon afternoon spent at the Department of Motor Vehicles. However, we were rewarded with specialty plates featuring our last name on the organ donor plate that Virginia offers for a mere ten extra bucks.
Even though I am originally from this general vicinity I had not spent much time in Lexington proper other than treating my mother to a carriage ride through town many moons ago. And one of my favorite things about living here is strolling the downtown streets from our loft on Main Street over to the pastoral campus of Washington & Lee University, which dates to 1749 and is the ninth oldest college in America.
To excerpt an article from USA Today, “If you close your eyes and conjure up the ideal campus—red brick buildings with rows of white columns, a placid commons beneath the arching branches of ivy-covered trees, a small town of 19th century storefronts—you’ve got Washington & Lee” [and by extension, Lexington]. Our home is on the courthouse square and so we are blessed to be within walking distance of several bookstores and cafes, not to mention the ice cream parlor, public library, and post office, among other amenities.
As even non-Virginians probably are aware, the state’s slogan is “Virginia Is For Lovers” and for our part we are enjoying anew the gracious hospitality and southern cuisine of my homeland. We moved home the first of May and it was always my favorite month living here as the entire Shenandoah Valley springs to life with the scents of magnolia blossoms and jasmine vines. I shall take leave of you for now but stay tuned for updates and in the meantime Live Simply!