I know I have mentioned our wasp issues. I think that this would be an interesting solution. I know my mother ate grasshoppers in Oaxaca and I am a known lover of escargot. But I don't think a wasp cookie would be the best thing to snack on.

M & I had a relaxing weekend in Roanoke. It wasn't full of excitement, but we had a great hike at the Cascade Falls. It was a long uphill walk, but not too rigorous and the scenery was gorgeous. People were actually swimming in the icy water and having snacks on the rocks and even though the falls got progressively crowded as the day went on, the trail was blissfully empty. We made many dog friends and even a parrot made an appearance. The hike itself is near Blacksburg VA and that's where we had a late lunch in the cute little downtown area. We had lunch at a place called Backstreets (no relation to you know what). I thought I ordered a small order of Greek spaghetti but I got a small Greek salad. I think there was a look on the servers face that said "She looks like she needs a salad" and that's what I got. M thinks that there was no such conspiracy.

The downtown area of Roanoke is lovely and cute and still has a lot of potential. We caught memories of Montevideo in the old market building that now houses a food court. I recalled Sydney's market as we wandered past vendors selling interesting jewlery, handmade soaps and exotic squash. There were several cute stores, including a printmaking shop filled with original prints and sassy stationary. There was a really great clothing shop that only had things in size small. Not even a large in sight. I was disheartened because as an employed girl I have money to spend. It was clothes I would love to wear because the clothes had interesting colors and were fashionable without being boring. Stylish I might venture. I took a business card, but only begrudgingly.

It was warm on Saturday so instead of climbing to Mill Mountain Park we drove to the top to take a look at the lovely Mill Mountain Star. The views of downtown were a bit hazy but it offered a great view and we wandered around the top of the mountain for awhile. In the evening we drove up the Blue Ridge Parkway and were almost attacked by a vulture that swooped at our rental car. We also saw some sort of groundhog/prairedog/mystery animal and several deer feeding by the side of the road.

I've finally started reading The Book Thief. I know this is going to end badly...