Week 40

12 May

These beautiful yellow flowers on the SVU campus drew my attention because each petal has a fluted shape—maybe I can find out what they are. That was pretty quick—a google search for “yellow flowers with fluted petals” came up with the Jethro Tull flower (a cross of Early Sunrise and Zamfir, introduced in 2006), commonly known as tickweed or coreopsis.

13 May

Stephen and I availed ourselves of a free walking tour of Lexington, Virginia. Some famous individuals associated with Lexington are Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Cyrus McCormick. We were privileged to see a rehearsal of Virginia Military Institute (VMI) cadets for their annual New Market day ceremony.

The famous Lexington brick design in the sidewalks is echoed . . .

. . . in the town garbage towns.

14 May

The McLean home (now rebuilt) in Appomattox Court House, Virginia, was used for the surrender meeting between General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant on 9 April 1865.

15 May

We’re having fun getting to know other volunteer couples here at SVU: Allen and Jerri, Vivien and Clayne, and Bruce and Sharon (in front).

16 May

This remarkable statue of a knight on a horse in front of Main Hall at SVU is entitled “The Whole Armour of God.” The statue was a gift to the university from Glade Knight, chairman of the board of trustees.

17 May

Many days here in Buena Vista have brought rain with them. The rain is dripping down in front of our neighbors’ window and is splashing in the parking lot.

18 May

This cast bronze sculpture of the first vision by Kraig Varner (2001) shows the Father and the Son atop a great and soaring pillar as they appeared to the boy Joseph Smith.