There's No Place Like Home

Dear what seems like long-lost friends,

We did, indeed, arrive in Jackson what seems like weeks ago--Thursday afternoon. Our car ride was uneventful and wonderful. We were graced by the presences of Odetta, Steve Goodman, Barack Obama, and Frank McCourt, among others. We stopped at such fine eating establishments as "Hillbilly Willy's B-B-Q" and a grocery store in Virginia that sold "sporks" but not forks or spoons.

When we pulled into 1715 Myrtle street, we were greeted with open arms by Mark and Lauren and Kilroy (...who doesn't really have arms...), and 1715 Myrtle immediately felt like home. Mark and Lauren helped us unload in record speed and mom and I went to the inn (the Fairview Inn--a refurbished mansion that is GORGEOUS) to eat and freshen up and then Mark and Lauren and I met up with Sara and some of the other Fellows and Fellow Friends and off we went to "Ladies Night" at a local establishment. 5 dollars and ladies drink free all night? Darling Sara Riker, I could not stop thinking of you. Why you specifically and not the rest of our friends? I'm not entirely sure, but I think it just makes sense.

The last two days have been a blur of unpacking and buying a dresser and visiting the office and smiling and eating and sleeping and more unpacking. Mom and Jess leave tomorrow, but we have had such a nice visit. Today Sara and Lauren and I accompanied mom and Jess to the Old Capitol building which was lovely (and the woman at the desk welcomed us over and over again to Jackson), and we went to "Brent's Soda Shop," an old soda counter that is simply wonderful. As Sara said, whoever said that there isn't anything in Jackson is sorely mistaken. Y'all will have to visit soon, please.

We watched "Up" last night (one of my favorites, as many of you know), and I went to sleep thinking about how, if we're lucky, we carry our homes with us. As you'll see in a minute from the pictures (not the most up-to-date--no graduation ones yet, but they will come!), I just spent a long time putting up pictures of places and people and realizing that wherever I am--near or far--you, collective, are here. Not necessarily simply because I can hear your voice over the phone or see your pretty faces on the walls or in a frame, but because parts of all of you are with me always. I am sure that in the next few weeks I will have a "I can't believe I am here and this is my home" moment(s), but I know that you will be here. And it will be fine.

Love always, and I'll call many of you tomorrow to assure you that I haven't acquired an accent and that I am still alive,
Claire

Some pictures for your viewing pleasure, though more are on the facebook:

Daniel eating water ice in the 610, not in the 601. But Daniel is important and so is water ice, so I figured this was an important picture to share.

Mom and Dad secure the bike rack which really did carry the bike all hte way to Jackson. I watched them put it on, obviously.

Dad says goodbye "Fire Island style."

Skidmore heads south.

Sunset somewhere in Tennessee.

A fine establishment in Virginia.

Chunky, Tennessee.

A bit out of order! Sara, Lauren, and Jess at the Soda Fountain.


Part of my room!
More room! (...and me.)

Our library!

Come to my Window, I'll be Home Soon

After a lovely surprise afternoon water ice visit from Daniel (who is an excellent towel picker-outer), an even more lovely visit from a surrogate Scharf-Kligerman (no offense, darling Daniel and I really miss you, Nic), and a farewell dinner with a few favorite cousins, I figured the visits were over and started to watch dad pack the car. Actually I hid upstairs, phenomenally anxious that nothing would fit. But it did, because dad is a genius packer.

Then I was almost ready for bed, just figuring out gmail while sitting on the floor of my room (I'm never sure why I do that--I have a desk with a chair not far away...), and I heard all of these voices coming from my window. "CLAIRE," the voices collectively shouted. I jumped up, for some reason assuming something was wrong, but clearly those voices belonged to Al and Emmie, friends extraordinaire. What a treat. They watched as I crammed things into other things and we stayed up much too late (...typical...) remembering and talking and laughing and obviously watching the youtube dance (if you haven't seen it, go to the Skidmore homepage and click on "99th Commencement" and scroll down). It was hard to say goodbye, but Emmie will only be 5 hours away in "Nashvegas," and Al reminded me that I wasn't being banished to Mississippi. She's right. Not only am I going excitedly and willingly, but I'll be back. Remember that, okay?

Anyway. In an hour we are off. We'll be driving throug the Blue Ridge Mountains and hopefully end up in Virginia or Tennessee tonight. We will take pictures and post them and we will spend our car ride with Barack Obama, Tracy Kidder, and Frank McCourt. Want to know why? We'll be listening to Dreams of my Father, a book that I forget, and Teacherman. So it's nice that those three men will follow us on our journey. Well it's actually kind of weird. But it will be nice I think.

Also I hope someone reads this sometime. It's sort of fun. It will be more fun when there are pictures and when we pull into 1715 Myrtle and Kilroy welcomes us (as do his human counterparts). I'm really, really excited.

Lots of love and don't forget to call and write and text and bbm and sent smoke signals,

Claire

Southern States of Mind

This is totally weird, I never thought I would have a blog.

But I figure there will be enough stories and pictures and "Southern States of Mind" in the next two years to justify the creation of this space, so here it is.

I was listening to "New York State of Mind" while driving Alice the car a few hours ago, and I remembered how much my friend Erin likes Billy Joel, and then I thought about Erin's thirst for adventure and the adventures, near and far, that we have had together. And then I thought about our other friends, and our other adventures...and that's really where this blog title came from. "States" is plural not only because it's true--I might be living in Jackson, but I'll be traveling everywhere and in between--but also because I'm sure my mind will figuritively be in different states. Right? Right. I think so.

So, Er, thank you. I owe you a blog title.

Okay. The end until my next adventure starts.

Love,
Claire