back on earth

Douglas is home after a long period away from home "Thank God". His project in NC was very successful and stunning. A multi-plex movie theater and bar-food area with mixed media and event space turned great. The opening was wonderful with people from the past and present in Asheville who have supported Madaras Design and Douglas. It was heart warming. The client and his crew flew in from all over and were wonderful. Heritage construction did an amazing job as usual. Our friends Casey and Mary (Heritage) are the best people and talented beyond the normal GC company. Their personal touch goes a long way. Their guest house and hospitality was outstanding. We love being with them. Our friend Constance as always provided us and especially Douglas with so much support and home cooking. She rocks as usual sweet C. I miss our friends for sure !!! Our Asheville crew is incredibly talented and dedicated and still are working on finishing the project which will have a long finish. Mucho Gracias !!! There are still two more theaters within the grand multiplex which need renovating. So we shall see. Hats off to everyone !! The architects from Texas equally amazing !! and client Bill and his wife Susan gracious and devoted to this vision of a multi use theater/preforming arts center and in providing an artistic space for film and other performance while utilizing local talent. I applaud their vision. Check out "Magnolia Films". All you art film junkies know the name. This is who created the vision and made it happen. If you live in Asheville support Carolina Theaters on Hendersonville Rd. South Hwy 25. It is worth the visit as an art space and as an entertainment space. Plus local brews and wine. Artists are welcomed to present their work for future shows in the mezzanine. Contact me for info. Also have your events and film club meetings there. Beer and wine with Ashveille Pizza and local breweries!!! More to come for sure. I can direct you of you wish.

I am so happy with our garden and flower beds. The rain and colder temps have stumped some plants but others are thriving. We have been fed well, especially by French radishes: mmmm. The lake is up by a foot from last year and it is quite perfect !! We spent the past week between the lake and home. Doug's finally feeling rested after 19 hour work days 7 days a week. He is not used to doing that labor intensive work for such long hours away from home so he is happy to be in his space and resting while working on many future projects and finishing the current one. I also have a "Honey Do" list out of control. He will be on the road for a while but I will attempt to join him when possible in between surgeries and taking care of the home from afar. It is a lot, and I love it, but I would love it more if he could be home full time, which we are currently trying to establish.

Next Monday and Tuesday mornings we are going to our neighbors farm to let out all their animals(chickens, turkeys and goats) for their day in their outdoor spaces. We just let them out and feed-water and get a feel for what it is like to raise animals. They have a much larger property devoted to farming than we would. They have the best eggs I have ever had and we are trading for eggs-"gold"!!! So that will be fun. Sunday Dadio is coming over for father's day dinner with Mary. Eggplant Parmesan was his request as I make it baked with no cheese(vegan). It is good !!! Plus a nice mixed veggie-green salad from the garden and fresh baked bread. I may even do some grilled veggies???? or appeteezers.

We may also attempt to visit my Popa Gross who today turned 93? What a strong Prussian. He is amazing. He was so close to death the last year and now he is having a re-awakening. Still bed bound but he is eating a little and the home nurse-pt team is taking good care of he and my grandma. They just have to be home bound and it demands a lot of energy. My aunt lives with them and handles the errands etc. I hope we can visit but they may be too pooped. Douglas' father passed away in the late 80's. He was a fun and gregarious man whom our mom loved very much. The whole family misses Bob at this time. "Here's to you Popa Bob!"

So I just wanted to give an update. August 9th is our annual Butterfly walk in Woodhaven close to the airport. I hope you can join us or donate for the cure for lupus. It is a wonderful program and we are doing great things at UM for lupus patients in the present and paving a brighter future for those to come. We are survivors of the highest order !!!! http://www.lupusadvocacy.org/ and http://www.amsetrlupus.org/. Bring lots of friends it is a great day and you get a pancake breakfast.

Lots of love
Angela