Susquehanna Sojourn

September 9, 2013 Cheryl Kirk Noll

For over ten years now, I've been getting together annually with three friends from my college days at Lebanon Valley in Annville, PA. This year we stayed at a cottage in an old Evangelical United Brethern summer church camp near the Susquehanna River. The EUB merged with the Methodist Church in 1968, and the camp is now privately owned. Two of our group had dads who were ministers, and they stayed there as kids.

The first leg of the trip was four hours to Lake Hopatcong, the largest lake in New Jersey, where my friend reigns as Queen of the Castle, overlooking her realm.

We met our friends at the cottage, where it was quiet and peaceful (except for us. I'm afraid a few of us are raucous laughers, and we were all having a good time!)

We took a trip to an overlook to see where the East and West branches of the Susquehanna converge. You can tell the East branch by it's muddy color!

Kim, Bert and Lyd in front of the cottage.

Bert, Kim, Lyd and me, with the Susquehanna

You can see where the east and west branches merge by the color change.

A Visit with Mom

August 17, 2013 Cheryl Kirk Noll

It's a long drive to visit my mom, but I make sure to do it at least a few times every year. It's wonderful to stay at her farm, sit on the porch swing, and just hang out!

We had an extra treat this year. A lifelong friend flew up from Florida for her 40th high school reunion and stayed with Mom, too. My son and husband came along, and we got to see my niece perform with a cast of talented school children in Newark United Methodist's church camp "Music Factory." We also enjoyed a great chicken dinner at my brother's Meeting House.

It was a visit I'll remember fondly.

Judy Heck Lowry and my mom

Geese

An alpaca from "Alpaca Fields." Love the way he eats!

My brother and his wife. Could these tomatoes look any fresher?

It was a treat to gather with most of my family, as well as our family friend, Judy

My mom's favorite tenant, who calls her "Early." It's a mutual love affair with these two!

July in Rhode Island, 2013

July 27, 2013 Cheryl Kirk Noll

It's been strange weather this summer. Hot, hot, hot for weeks, then cool and rainy. Still, it's been lots of fun with teaching a summer class at RISD, working on a book dummy, doing a job for Cobblestone Magazine, and enjoying lots of social events.

A pool party at my friend Linda's with our writer's group was great. The highlight for me was picking sweet blueberries from her extensive garden with these enthusiastic folks.

I also enjoyed a trip to Pawtuxet Village with my hubby on a spectacular summer day. Pawtuxet is best known for it's early revolutionary fervor, when two boatloads of men captured the crew and burned the Gaspee in 1772, a ship sent by King George III to enforce British trade laws.

I love the water views, with marinas and New England houses, and you can find fantastic scenes like this all along Rhode Island's coasts. Of course we stopped for ice cream at Dear Hearts Ice Cream Parlor, and gave thanks that no revolutions were brewing in Rhode Island that day.

Looking east from the bridge in Pawtuxet Village.

Looking west from the same bridge... what a difference!

Another fine day trip took us to Portsmouth, Tiverton and Little Compton. We took a spin around the coves in northeast Portsmouth, Island Park, Long Neck, Old Orchard and Blue Bill, and past the remnants of the long-gone Stone Bridge. We crossed the new bridge (the one that is causing controversy because of tolls). The views along Route 77 south are spectacular, and the drives along back roads in Little Compton were bucolic, in the full flush of summer.

A view of Gould Island from Park Ave. in Portsmouth.

We also enjoyed a trip to Bristol, one of our favorite stops in Rhode Island. I was fascinated by the precariousness of this waterside foundation.

This week was inspiring, as I met with artist friends and soaked in the talent of the folks around me. Not only did I meet with my artist's group, Freelance Artist's Network at a member's lovely home in Falmouth, but I also attended a tea party with artist friends in Medway. I saw oil paintings, jewelry, illustrations, licensing art, acrylic abstract paintings, pastel and ink sketches, greeting cards, and so much more. I always come away from these meetings re-invigorated. (I was also able to get valuable feedback on the book dummy I've been working on.)

Freelance Artist's Network (thanks for the photo, Judy)

Dale, me, Kay Life, Ruth F., Ruth L. and Judy (our fine hostess)

And one more trip to Bristol for dinner with my brother and sister-in-law on a perfect summer evening. Dinner by the water, and a stroll along the waterfront walkway and park looking across Bristol Harbor to Poppasquash Point.

And last (for July), but not least... the sunset at Oakland Beach while we enjoyed Iggy's clam cakes and chowder!

Summer passes quickly, and July is almost done. I'm glad I was able to enjoy friends and students and creative work and my beautiful surroundings during this fleeting time. I am blessed.

The view after enjoying clam chowder at Iggy's.

A Trip South

February 24, 2013 Cheryl Kirk Noll

Snow outside a Cracker Barrel in North Carolina.

Last week I logged in 3,072 miles on a one-week road trip. My husband drove every mile of it. We picked up my mom in PA, and hightailed it down to sunny Florida. On the way, we went through unusually cold southern weather, including SNOW in North Carolina.

We enjoyed a quick lunch outside of Jacksonville, Florida with my dad's cousin, Helen, and two of her sons, Bill and Tom. We also enjoyed the homemade cookies Tom baked and brought.

Dave and Cheryl, Shirley, Tom, Bill and Helen Poje

Then we hurried to see a sunset at Anna Maria I

sland, where my parents had wintered for fifteen years.

Ahhhhhhh. 6:24 sunset (before 5:30 at home), aqua water, 64 degrees.

We headed off for Rotten Ralph's, a funky joint on a marina with great clam chowder, where the beer if always free (tomorrow).

Alas, it was gone. Gonzo! : (

Dave and Mom in the glow of a sunset at Leffis Key.

The rest of the week included a sunset walk at Leffis Key, where fish were literally jumping out of the water...

... and a walk at Robinson's Preserve in Bradenton. (It was built in 2008, with bike and walking paths, a viewing tower, boardwalks through mangroves, kayak and canoe launches. It's a great addition to the area.

Mom enjoying the view from below.

Dave enjoyed a few rounds of golf, and Mom and I enjoyed a few rounds of shopping. We also went to Historic Spanish Point (more about that later). And, of course, another sunset at Anna Maria, followed by dinner at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, which, oddly enough, has 3 locations, none of them on Anna Maria. It has a bit of Rotten Ralph's vibe... paper towels on hangers for napkins, and a sign on the wall:

"No Mothers In Law.

No Trouble

Makers.

No Loose Women.

No Drunks."

Fortunately, then let my mother in, anyway!

A fun detail on the viewing tower.

Shirley, Dave, Cheryl, Jim and Jo Heck

After a delightful dinner at the Crab Shack with our friends, the Hecks, they whisked Mom away for another week in sunny Florida, and Dave drove a thousand miles while I finished Lauren Oliver's YA novel, "Before I Fall," which I loved. I also read (and recommend) Barbara O'Connor's young middle grade book, "The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester," and a YA called "Fly Girl" by Sherri L. Smith.

It was a great trip, AND I'm happy to home.

The Joys of Summer in RI

August 7, 2012 Cheryl Kirk Noll

An amusing tree, seen in the park near RISD

I've been absent from the internet for the much of the summer because I've been busy. I just finished teaching Children's Book Illustration for Summer Studies at RISD. What a great group of students! We spent 2 full days in class each week for 6 weeks developing the many skills needed to illustrate children's books.

I couldn't have asked for a better group... hard-working and talented. Here they are.

RISD Summer Studies Children's Book Illustration students

Students do a light study from a model.

We had child models, worked in multiple media, had Judith Moffatt as a guest lecturer, and more. We even had a video crew come interview us. If this Youtube video works, it's about the company that does the videos (Animal), and has a few seconds of clips from our class.

A fun and productive work day in the studio of artist and friend, Judith Moffatt

On the home front, I've been busy working on a picture book dummy, and getting lots of feedback from my writer's group , artist's group, friends and family before sending it off to my rep. She'll be shopping it in New York next week. (fingers crossed)

A fringe benefit of my writing group... blueberries picked fresh from Linda Crotta Brennan's garden.

Hubby and I have taken many late afternoon summer jaunts to various RI spots. What a great state little Rhody is. From woods and lakes, to rocky beaches, to wetland coves, there is endless beauty in this remarkable state.

down Hopkinton way

a cove south of Pawtuxet Village on a cloudy day... Queen Anne's lace (ammi majus) in it's glory

Point Judith lighthouse. Always a treat.

Oh... and we're getting our house painted. So, there's the summer (so far) wrap-up.

Garden Obsession

June 13, 2012 Cheryl Kirk Noll

I've had a garden in my postage stamp yard for years, but for some reason, it's gone wild this year. I can't say how much pleasure I've gotten from walking around the "back 40," deadheading and taking pix and smelling the flowers. Here are a few pix on this rainy Wednesday.