February 2, 2009
Rappahannock Co., VA

Happy Groundhog Day from down in the holler! It’s been far too long since I’ve visited my favourite county in America and I’m soaking in the sweet glory. My happiness at being in Virginia is diminished only by the sad cause for my trip. I came down for the memorial service of friend, teacher and brilliant writer/actor Julie Portman who left us far too soon. Her service was held in the breathtaking Theatre House in Castelton, VA. It was magical, beautiful and packed to the rafters with over six hundred people who will be ever-changed by the gifts Julie gave them. She will never be forgotten and we will miss her so.

I heard that up in Ontario little groundhog Wiarton Willie saw his shadow and we are doomed for 6 more weeks of winter … It’s hard to imagine on this glorious sunny day and yesterday we celebrated the fine weather with what I’m calling the Best Picnic Ever. Late afternoon we all hopped into the back of Chris’ pick-up truck and drove up to the top of Red Oak Mountain. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life (perhaps it was the Champagne) and we were treated to the most magnificent sunset I’ve seen in ages. In many traditions Groundhog Day is actually a holiday. The Wiccans call it Imbolc and the Christians call it Candlemas, but either way it’s a celebration of the returning of the light. Whatever Willie says, I can feel the spring coming. A frozen river darkness is melting deep inside of me and I simply cannot wait for the flood. x

The Best Picnic Ever … more Virginia photos