Tuesday January 20 2015

A Spirited Bedroom at the Markham House (January 20 2015)[i]

Waking up at 11:19 a.m.


Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.


Running a couple miles at The Escape.


Assessing the water damage at the storage unit.


Grilled PB&J. Cacao Almond Meal Cookies. Baked Potato Chips. Oolong Tea.

Watching The Judge (2014).


Teaching lessons at Music Makers.


Cara Cara Orange.


Meanwhile, Ana makes a to-go dinner dish. I scoop her up from the house and we go to Portsmouth to visit with my great-uncle Kenny. My mom's already been over here all day spending as much time as she can with him. Sharing Ana's incredible Black Bean, Quinoa, Kale Bake. Taking the time to look through a couple photo albums – showing Ana the old family photos. I escort her around the house to explore the creaky halls and drafty bedrooms of the old Markham house. In one of the rooms we discover a small perfume bottle that appears permanently attached to the dresser. No matter how hard you try it doesn't budge. It's assumed to belong to my mom's grandmother. It's also assumed that maybe her grandmother's spirit doesn't want it removed – she's not ready to let that go. There are cassette tapes and 8-tracks scattered about in cabinets and bookshelves, some with recordings of the Markham band and others with religious recordings from the likes of Oral Roberts and spiritualist Rev. Jordan. Ana immediately recognizes the heaviness in these rooms, the energies, and the memories and life that used to reside here.  


Ana and Dotty at the Markham House (January 20 2015)

Mom and Uncle Kenny (Circa 1970's)

My Mom Was Wednesday Addams

Hanger Rack at the Markham House (January 20 2015)

Markham Family Crest (January 20 2015)

Cassette Tape Cabinet at the Markham House (January 20 2015)

The Healing Hands at the Markham House (January 20 2015)

Live For Today at the Markham House (January 20 2015)

Exploring the Halls of the Markham House (January 20 2015)

The Unremovable Perfume Bottle at the Markham House (January 20 2015)

Dotty the Six-Toed Cat (January 20 2015)


After all that, we sit down with Kenny and sing a bunch of songs. I lead us on guitar – Ana and I singing our usual covers – mom singing too and even Kenny chimes in with a bass voice. It's a fun time. I know Kenny appreciates all of this. It's great being here with my mom cause she's my only link to Kenny and to that generation before her.








On the drive back to Virginia Beach Ana reads aloud things from an 80's health food book we found and a aura psychology folder.


Settling in at home. Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

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