Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Tuesday

Well it was another perfect day weather wise; however its stating to really get dry again with the ground cracking in several areas in the yard. The high today stayed in the middle 70's with a gentle breeze all day long. After our quiet time this morning and a lite breakfast of fruit we got ready to go to Galax, Va. We headed out of here around 9 AM.

Our first stop was a the barber shop next to the old stone church on the truck route heading into Galax. The lady barber has been cutting both men and women's hair for 13 years and she did a fab job on both Nancy and myself. She charges 5 dollars a head for each of us. That was a saving's of 20 bucks on our combined cost we pay in Sparta. Yeow!! that was nice and she was quick as well. We were there a total of 30 minutes, of course luckily we were first. There were 3 others waiting when we left the shop.

Next we headed to the bank to pick up some checks we had ordered a couple weeks ago then we stopped for gas for the truck and lawn mower. The price of gas has steadily climbed from 2.18 to 2.49 since May 24. We then headed for Lowe's to pick up some construction fence. It's a 4 feet by 100 foot roll which we cut or split in half length wise so we could make the porches and deck safe for the grand daughters. The spacing between the picket's on the railings are probably 8 inches wide which could allow one of the girls to slip between and fall anywhere between 6-15 feet to the ground. We tied this fence to the inside picket's so now the girls are safe from falling through. After leaving Lowe's we headed to Wal-Mart for prescriptions for Nancy(we found the cost of 1 medicine was 1/3 what we had been paying anywhere else), toys for the girls, groceries and I had to order 4 new tires for the truck as these tires are the orginial with almost 32 K. Not bad for over 3 years use. Well we decided to skip Subway and eat left over lunch meat at home, so we headed home. Nancy suddenly remembered she forgot Italian bread for the spaghetti dinner tomorrow night so we stopped at Horton's market just as you leave Galax. They had chix breast's on sale, ground chuck and of course the bread we needed along with 1/2 runner beans and buckwheat pancake mix. Finally we leave town and I had to make one more stop for propane gas for the grill.

We got back to the cabin a little after 1 PM and ate lunch then began to tackle the installation of construction fence. That took us a couple three hours with both of us working as a team, of course each of us had our own ideas to fastening the fence to the picket's. We settled on taking an old telephone cable and splitting it and using the tiny wires wrapping the fence to the pickets. That made for a neat clean finish while assuring the little girls won't fall through the openings.

It was nearly 4:30 when we finished and about time to start dinner. We had some frozen beef patties in gravy and Nancy made rice and canned spinach which is a favorite of both, even though everything was out of a box or can it was very tasty. Tomorrow we go back to home cooked cuisine as Amy, Tyler and Ava will be here until next Monday. Well tomorrow is mowing and edging day. That should leave me the next 5 days to enjoy the family, especially Ava Mae. Well will sign off and if I'm a little lax in writing you will know why; I will posted lots of pictures later. LATER

Monday, June 29, 2009

Monday

Well the day started with temp's in the 50's, bright sunshine an a slight breeze. Just a picture perfect day with birds singing and dew dripping from the roof. The flowers overnight were just bursting open especially the Shasta daisy's and cone flowers. After our quiet times we had a lite breakfast of banana, peaches and cantaloupe.

I hand watered the veggie and flower gardens for about an hour, we could use a good shower as everything is starting to dry out. After watering I took off to visit Joe as we shared some goodies, thanks Joe the onions were very sweet. I sure hope that Terro ant killer works for you as it sure did for us, so far. I stopped off at Helen's to pick up my straw hat I left there a couple days ago. Helen was on her Kobota tractor/mower just a mowing away. She is such a worker.

After my visits Nancy and I took a nice long hike to the top and it was just a beautiful day to be hiking. Low or no humidity with a slight breeze and temp's in the 70's. We got back at lunch time so we finished off the left over salad. After lunch I did a few garden chores, cleaned out from under the back porch and fitted a handle to a small sledge hammer I broke on Friday. By now its 4:30 and time to stop and get ready for supper. Nancy was busy folding the 3 loads of laundry she had hanging on the line. Just a great day to have clothes on the line drying.

We finished off the left overs; fried trout from Saturday for me and pork loin from Friday for Nancy. We also cleaned up the rice, carrots and cole slaw. Wow it was nearly as good as the nights we fixed it. After dinner I washed the dishes and then headed out to water the back yard in the wooded area. I set the sprinkler and we took off on the golf cart. We visited with Russ and Linda who are building a cabin down the hill from us and then we took off for the top of the mountain. The clean crisp air made for great visibility. Pilot Mountain was very visible as well as down down Winston-Salem.

I burned the trash and continued watering until 9:30 as it was still not totally dark at that time. Nancy had retired to the couch and HGTV. Well less than 48 hours and the Ross Family will be here for a few days. We are getting excited to see them as its been over a month. LATER

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Friday, Saturday and Sunday Morning
























































Well as you can tell by the lack of a blog for a couple days we had a visit from baby sister Dee and her 2 daughters, Halley and Kelly. Friday morning started out the usual with our quiet time and a lite breakfast. Nancy did a couple loads of laundry and I pulled a few weeds and hoed the garden. Wow to we need a little of that 3 inches of rain we got at one time about 10 days ago. I replanted my 1/2 runner beans for the fourth time, yuck!! It will be months before we get to eat any home grown beans, oh well. After our morning hike we headed off to town to run some errands and get some last minute groceries for our company.
Our guests arrived around 5 PM and Nancy had a made a delicious pork roast with new potato's, 1/2 runner green beans and a fresh salad. Yumm!! After dinner we walked around checking out all the flower garden and watching Bonnie(dog) run around. I started a campfire and the girls all had smores. We then played a new game call Imagineiff, and once again the girls won, of course they had the edge at 4 to 1. We finally got to bed after midnight.
The next morning we slept in until 7 AM and after our quiet times Nancy made a super breakfast of buckwheat pancakes with a 'nana in the batter, fried eggs and smoked turkey bacon along with cantaloupe, kiwi and orange juice. After breakfast I took Halley Jo on the golf cart for a ride to the top of the mountain. It's been 5 years since she has been here so there were lots of changes for her. She will be leaving for San Antonio, Texas for officer school in a couple weeks and then will head to Hawaii in September for her first duty assignment as an Army nurse. Sister Kelley is following in her footsteps and is pursuing the same career as an Army nurse. We are so proud of both these girls who are also both Christ Follower's. Halley had to leave at lunch so we managed to get in a short game of domino's before she left.

We had a quick sandwich before heading out to the Blue Ridge Gallery and afterwards to Peaceful Valley trout farm. First we visited with Joe and Melia Edwards at the Gallery where we purchased some great coffee, hand creams and tasted some of their signature wines. We purchased a great white wine that when superbly with the 8 Rainbow Trout we later caught for dinner. Nancy dipped the trout in egg and corn flake crumbs and I pan fried them in Smart Balance Oil. My! oh! my! what great eating along with buttered carrots, white rice and cole slaw. After dinner Nancy took Dee and Kelly on a golf cart ride to the top of the mountain while I cleaned up. They came back and we just chilled the rest of the evening until it was time to shower and hit the sack.
This morning, Sunday the temp's were in the high 50's as we got ready to head to Cornerstone for worship. Dee and Halley had to head back to Radford, Va. after church, so we headed to Galax for lunch at Macadoo's. This evening after getting back from lunch we got in a quick hike to the top before heading out to the Crouse House for our first get together of our small group since being back. Clara and Clarence grilled some hamburgers(home grown beef) so we enjoyed cole slaw, fruit salad, chips, etc and just renewed old friendships. Many thanks to the Crouse's for their hospitality.Well the weekend went to fast. It was a great to see Dee and girls after nearly a year, sorry Uncle Mike(Dee's husband) was in ROTC training in Washington state missed the get together. We missed ya Mike!!
Well the weekend went to fast. We are now getting ready for daughter Amy, her husband Tyler and grand daughter Ava to arrive on Wednesday for about 5 days. It's been a year since they've been here as well. Well will close for now, LATER.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Thursday























Well the day progressed with great expectations as we had a great morning hike, garden work and got ready to head to Kermits Barber Shop around lunch time. Well half of Allegheny County was in the shop so I decided to wait for another day. Instead we headed to Subway for lunch, then the gas station for golf cart fuel and to fill the truck, then C.J. Hardware for lime and ant killer bait called Terro, dollar general for odds and ends and finally Lowe's grocery and lastly Hawks produce. Yikes !!! It was nearly 3 hours before we got home.
When we got home I headed down to help Gerald install the screens in his new windows. After a few try's we finally figured how to install them from the inside. It definitely is a 2 man job. We decided to do a fire and a wienie roast for dinner as we pulled our dogs together. Nancy made Cole slaw and chili and Jodi brought the best water melon I've eaten this year. The kids made smores for dessert along with the girls. Ray and his 2 grandson's; Carson and Carter along with Gerald, Jodi and Gabriel were there as well. Jodi, Gabriel, Nancy and I played a rip roaring game of domino's with Jodi winning tonight. Its not looking to good for the boys this year.

Well will close as we expect our first overnight visitors this summer tomorrow. That butterfly on my finger landed there this morning and I held it for 10 minutes before it flew of. Later

Wednesday and Thursday

Top of the day to all who read these ramblings. If you may have noticed there were no words from this blogger yesterday as the system was down last night. But all is well today. I feel like I've been; cheated, left out and whatever when I can't be in communication with this crazy Internet. I'm sure glad I don't have a cell phone or I would go nuts. Whats with us folks and being in touch at the flick of a switch to gobs of data, people and places. I remember a family member from my youth walking through the woods 5 miles away to use the phone(a party line as well) to call the sheriff when my aunt was attacked and severely beaten. Oh well such is life.

Well so much for yesteryear but I do like to reminisce about the old days and how life was much simpler then(I think). Wednesday was a just drop dead gorgeous day with temp's starting out in the 50's and finally getting to 82. There was bright sunshine and it was quite warm in the sun but once into the shade there was a nice breeze so you cooled down quickly. After our quiet times and left over buckwheat pancakes for breakfast(microwaved-now there is something unheard of when I was a kid but we couldn't do without it now) I did a check on the gardens and had to hand water the plants from my rain barrel. So what is a rain barrel well its a 55 gallon drum open on the end which water falls from the roof and fills the barrel for future use. I remember when the women use take this water specifically for washing their hair as rainwater is very soft, no conditioners needed. You have to keep a visual check on the water in the barrel because if not used; mosquitoes will lay their eggs in it after a couple weeks and you will get little wigglers and then big 'squiters. To remedy that problem is you water your garden by hand, dipping from the barrel. We haven't had any rain for a week and we good use a nice shower.

After the garden chores I painted the picnic table and benches I restored and repaired so we will have plenty of outside places to dine on. Nancy and I took our morning hike for about an hour and came back for a light lunch. I finished up the pasta dish with the shiitake mushrooms that were grown locally by a church member and Nancy had a frozen beef and bean burrito. Yumm great lunch. Our neighbors invited us down to their cabin which is a stone's throw away for taco salad for dinner and for domino's. We had brownies and ice cream for dessert. Nancy won in the end. This is a gals summer for winning.

After lunch on Wednesday I cranked up the riding mower and spent about 2 hours mowing all of the yards; front, back and in the woods grass. While I did that Nancy spread fertilizer and lime on the front and back yards. I must buy more lime today while we are in town for the grass in the woods. Afterwards I spent about another hour walking up and down the yards(hills) with the weed eater making everything look just beautiful. The smell of the fresh cut grass is just intoxicating. Nancy refers to this as fresh cut air.

Well we are making a list for town supplies as we are at least 1/2 hour or more away from the nearest grocery. It's quite different than hopping in your car and your in Publix in 3 minutes; about a mile away. Oh well I love the look of mountains, trees and tons of flowers on the way to Sparta as opposed to condo's, cars and concrete. Well I've rambled on long enough so will close for now. LATER

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Tuesday

Well it was another beautiful morning with temp's down into the 50's and bright blue skies.After our quiet times I did a check for deer damage and found none so I finished the last of the homemade cinnamon rolls before heading out. I picked up some roofing for M. Gray's shed from neighbor Gerald. He had (14) 12 foot long pieces of galvanized tin roof 26 inches wide under his red cabin that he had no use for so I took them to Ms. Gray's and stored them until Andy and I can replace her roof. Mean while I picked up some old picnic tables and benches from her shed and restored them after lunch.Tomorrow I will paint them green.

After getting back Nancy and I took our daily hike to the top of the mountain and came back to a lite lunch of salad. I did a little watering as many of the potted plants as well as some of the garden plants have started to dry out as we have had no rain now for nearly 5 days. I drug our the garden hose for Nancy to water her flower beds.

Nancy made a great pasta dish with fresh shiitake mushrooms, garlic and shredded chicken in a creamy white sauce and I grilled 2 fresh Zucchini squash with a little olive oil and Lowery Salt. Yumm is that ever good. After dinner I rode over to Ray's on the mower and mowed his yard. I got back around 7 PM and Jodi and Gerald decided we would get together for games. After my shower I got a call from Jodi that neighbor Gail Redman had fallen down her steep bank and broken her leg. So I headed over to assist until EMS arrived and carted her off to the hospital in Elkin.

We got together after Gail was transported along with Ray and Audine to play sequence. The girls won again 3-2. Well its been a long day so I will hit the sack. LATER

Monday, June 22, 2009

Monday
















The air was so still this morning with sunlight peeping through the tree tops and just a light drip from the dew dripping from roof. The hummers were feeding as I did my quiet time with a hot cup of green tea. Nancy was finishing up her quiet time and getting ready to make buckwheat pancakes with turkey bacon and eggs. Wow what a breakfast and I needed it as we got ready to head over to Ms. Helen's to do a few odd jobs for her. First I painted the fascia board on her garage which has a steep hill so setting the ladder is a little tricky, Nancy held the ladder as I gave it two coats of paint, then I painted her chimney rocks with a silicon base sealer to prevent water leakage into her attic area. After that I sawed a couple boards for the base of her shed that was starting to show some dry rot then dug up a couple roses from her flower bed, fixed the chain in the commode and finally planted an oregano plant. We were finished and back home by noon. It was a fun time and she greatly appreciated the help. We had her over for dinner as well.

After lunch we took a good hike to the top where it was really hot. It seems about 10 degrees hotter up there than down off the moutain. Carson followed us most of the way on his dirt bike. After getting back he wanted a couple games of checkers so we played two then he was off riding again. I had to hand water some of my plants as they were beginning to wilt in the dry breezy conditions. Now we could use a little rain shower.

Nancy did fried chicken in the oven with oven 'taters rolled in rosemary and parsley, fresh corn cut off the cobb into a blender to make cream corn and a fresh garden salad. Mighty fine eatin'. After eating we took off on the golf cart to the top of the mountain and visited with Ann & Sandy Cline who knew one of Ms. Helen's long time friends from Winston. We then rode down the mountain and back around visiting several new homes and their owners. The nice breeze had dropped the temp's down to where Nancy thought she needed a jacket. We got back to the cabin around 8 PM and had some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Well we are going to plug the dvd player in and watch Valkrie, a movie Gerald left with us to return to Sparta later in the week. After setting up the dvd player it wouldn't take blue ray disc's(rental flicks) so we are watching Nights in Rodanthe. I read the book by Nickolas Sparks(chick flick) but since I figured out how to hook the player up might as well use it.LATER

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Sunday

The morning started out with lows in the 60's and quite breezy. The sun shine was there with high clouds so it never got ready that hot. After our quiet time and a lite breakfast we got ready for worship at Cornerstone. I battled a nest of ants that moved into the honey jar overnight. I supposed they moved in during all that rain we have been having. Anyhow after clearing out the cabinets in the kitchen I went to war and as of yet this evening they haven't returned or I killed them all, which I seriously doubt. There is an ant killer called Terro that is supposed to kill the queen once it has been carried back to the nest. Oh Well!!! After lunch Nancy and I got a hike to the top before we had to get ready to head out to Cornerstone to help with the set up for the evening concert.

Worship was all about our Top Gun Men's Ministry and their graduation after 9 months of study. Their testimonies were superb and heart warming. This evening we had a concert by the Birdsong Family. What a talented family who use their musical abilities to praise and glorify GOD. This family travels across the country giving concerts many of which are free. The youngest was 9 and the oldest was 23, great, great singers and musicians. Check them out at myspace.com/thebirdsongfamily. Cornerstone provided pizza, salad, drinks and desserts for all concert goers free as well as the concert itself. This family plays; praise & worship, gospel, blue grass and christian rock music.

Well it was nearly 9: 30 before we got home from Cornerstone after helping to clean up. My son, Bobby called to wish me a Happy Fathers Day and to tell me all about his worship service this morning at Element Church in Tampa, and about his upcoming trip to Coco Beach, Fl.where he will lead the teaching this week at a youth camp. He taking the whole family with him so he will have a change of scenery. Its time to hit the hay as its been a busy weekend with lots of game playing, dinners out and great worship. We are looking forward to baby sister Dee and her girls, Halley and Kelly for a visit next week end. LATER

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Saturday

Woke up to warm temp's in the low 70's with cloudy skies which eventually burned off and became breezy blue skies with a hot sun. After our quiet times and a lite breakfast Nancy and I headed over to Cornerstone to help with the Angel food distribution. The orders have taken a dramatic decline since the bad publicity but we still had over 50 orders and had a great time serving with those who helped out and with those who showed up to get their food. It's an awesome deal no matter what happened with upper management in the program. I think that is all settled now, hopefully.

We came on home and had a quick lunch then took off on our daily hike. When we got down to Roddy and Kathy's house I learned his riding mower broke down so we helped him load it on his trailer then we came home and I took my mower up on top of the mountain and finished mowing his yard. They seemed pleased and I think surprised that we would go out of our way to help.

We picked up Ms Gray at 4 PM and headed to Boggies in Galax for dinner. We had a rib eye, salmon and crab cakes. Every entree was very good and we certainly enjoyed our meal with great service. Thanks Ms. Gray for the father's day treat. We came back to her place for a dessert of sweet potato pie and cinnamon rolls. It was a great evening as we dined and enjoyed each others company and of course visiting afterwards on her front porch.

We got back to the cabin around 7:30 and then Jodie, Gabriel and Carrie(Gerald's oldest daughter) came up to play domino's. Jodie smoked us good, another gal victory although Gabriel was a close second and he won last night. So thanks to Gabriel(who is 10 yrs. old) for keeping the men in the contest. Well everyone just left at 11 PM so its time to hit the sack as we have a full day tomorrow.LATER

Friday, June 19, 2009

Friday

Hooray the sun is shining and the rain has gone away for 2 days as I write. After sleeping in until 7, Nancy and I did our quiet times; she with java, me with green tea. I then strained and transferred my must(fermented cherry juice) into a glass container to age. I then had a lite breakfast of cantaloupe and a banana and checked for deer damage. Finding none I got a load of work clothes in the wash and out on the line while Nancy got ready for our morning hike.

After our hike which was rather boring we decided to check out the new farmers market in the Roaring Gap community. This is its first year which carries only local produce, meats and bakery goods with a few crafts. We found some home made cinnamon rolls as the local produce isn't in yet. There was an assortment of cheese's made from both cow's and goats milk produced in Galax, Va. After leaving there we checked out Roaring Gap's store and found a fresh baked loaf of sourdough bread. So much for losing these "love handles" with all that bread. We came back home and made tomato, onion and mayo sandwiches for lunch on the fresh baked bread. We even broke into the cinnamon rolls and microwaved them and added fresh Amish butter on top. Yeow were they ever delicious.

After lunch I started working on the bare spots in the back yard with a hoe, lime, fertilizer and grass seed. Hopefully I can eventually get a good stand of grass. Its hard to believe just 3 years ago this area was wooded. I'm starting to get a little moss in the real shaded areas and the lack of lime and fertilizer I learned contribute to its growth as well as all this rain. What a job this is but I find the results thus far to be a good stand of grass peeping through the dirt. I need to spread a truck load of lime on the front as well as the back yards later this summer.

After a dinner of a hamburger steak on a bun with tater tots and a salad; we showered and headed next door to Jodi and Gerald's for some domino's. Gabriel, their son the youngest player whipped us all by a good margin. At least it was a male who won for a change. We learned a new wrinkle for the game which makes it go a little faster.

Well will close for now as tomorrow is a big day; angel food in the morning and Boogie's for dinner with Ms. Helen later in the evening and possibly games later tomorrow night with neighbors next door. LATER

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Thursday

Yea, the sun shined most of the day until about 5 when it clouded over and a lite rain shower occurred. It wasn't much of a rain just enough to make you take cover. The morning was quite wet after the past 3-4 days of all most continuous rain. After our quiet time and a lite breakfast I headed outside to check on the gardens. The sun and a slight breeze quickly dried things out so by the afternoon the grass was dry enough to mow. I deferred mowing until Saturday but did do some weed eating after lunch.

I managed to hoe around all the plants to get a little air to the roots and to stake my sugar peas as they are climbers as well as my tomato plants. After doing that Nancy was ready for a hike. We took off and got a full hike in to the top and down the back road before heading back to the cabin after about an hour. The view on top was so nice with just a little haze down off the mountain. We walked up on a deer and Nancy had to pretend to chase it before it finally jumped off into the woods. It must have been the same deer I shot at 3 times before it finally took off.

After the hike and lunch I trimmed some lower branches from the trees in the back yard then started a brush pile later burning the limbs. That kept me busy right up to supper time. We finished the leftover veggie soup and corn bread, YUMMM!!! Nancy made a couple smores for dessert, I passed this time. It was certainly nice to be outside all day and my muscles feel it after using that pole saw while standing atop a ladder. The neck, shoulder and arm muscles are aching.

Well tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer than today. LATER

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Wednesday

Well the day started out with me waking up to the sound of rain falling on the tin roof. Normally this would be such a cozy snug sound that makes you want to roll over and go back to sleep. But we have been hearing that sound since Sunday night except for a few brief moments. Last year we were begging for rain but after the last 3 weeks we are starting to"quack up." Its raining as I write. Oh well, after my quiet time and a lite breakfast I finished a novel, watched t.v.nd spent some considerable time on Face book looking at a nephews 200 pics from the redwood forest in California. Wow I had forgotten how gigantic those trees were. I once took a trip over to the "Valley of the Giants" to see the oldest and largest redwoods in Calif. That area is beautiful as well as is the rugged coastline. A must if you ever get to California.

About 10:30 we noticed the rain had stopped and the fog began to roll in once again. Nancy and I thought this was as good as any chance we might have for a walk as we were unable to get one in yesterday. We made it nearly 3/4 ths of the way in our usual route when we could feel the fog gradually turning to a wet drizzle. We cut through Roddy's place and started back down the mountain only to get back in time before the down pour started again, Oh well it rained hard off and on all day and when it wasn't pouring rain the fog was so thick you couldn't see the back yard. The temperature was barely 60 degrees which made it seem colder yet. I talked Nancy into making a pot of vegetable beef soup with a pan of cornbread for dinner. That cornbread was good dripping in Amish butter and homemade jelly. Wow was that ever good and warmed you right up. After dinner and the dishes were washed the rain had stopped so I headed out for the mailbox walking. I was on my way back when I heard Nancy in the golf cart coming out to meet me as the rain started once again. She saved me from a soaking.

I almost forgot to mention when we went to Galax,Va. on Monday we decided to stop and see if our Florida friends, Ralph and Sarah Ann Payne had made it up for their reunion. We saw their car and stopped for a short visit with Sarah Ann. Ralph had gone back to bed as he was plumb tuckered out from such a busy weekend. His health is not the best and they missed coming up last year all together for the first time ever because of his health. It was good to sit and chat for awhile especially in their home town. We are hopeful we will get to see them again later this summer.

Well the Tampa Bay Ray's are on a winning streak and hopefully will be able to repeat like last year. We got a call from a church friend about a concert at Cornerstone Sunday night and that a dessert was needed so Nancy will make her famous chocolate chip cookies. Well we are hoping for at least no rain tomorrow or maybe just a shower as we need to dry out. My veggie garden has standing water, hopefully the plants won't rot. LATER

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Monday Evening and Tuesday
















Well I was awakened to a soft rain falling with pockets of fog. The temp's were down into the low 60's; but felt cooler because of all the precipitation. After my quiet time and oatmeal with honey, cinnamon and a banana I decided since I couldn't work outside I would go fishing.I headed over to Ms. Helen's pond about 9:30 and had 2 bass in the bucket within 15 minutes. I thought this will be a great day but all of a sudden they(bass) got lock jaw. It took me almost 3 hours to land another small bass before I gave up for the day as the rain began to fall once again. I headed for Ms. Grays cabin as she had somehow messed up her computer wiring when moving furniture around while re-staining the log walls in her computer room. By chance I re-plugged and rearranged her computer wiring and presto I hit the right combo so she was able to get back on line.

Well the rain was falling hard as I headed back to the cabin with water rushing down the road and there were warnings for flash flooding in Allegheny County. Well I spent the rest of the day inside the cabin as the fog and rain dominated any outside activities. I fried up the 3 bass for dinner and Nancy thought they were great eating. She fixed lima beans, yellow rice and a crisp salad to go along with the fried bass. YUMMM!!!

Well until we get a little reprieve from all this duck weather it looks as if it will be inside activites; sleeping in, reading and writing. LATER

Monday, June 15, 2009

Sunday and Monday Morning

It was late Sunday night before our guests left after a dinner of spaghetti, garlic bread, salad with homemade Greek dressing(the best) and chocolate cake with white icing. YUMM!! YUMMM!! By the way most of the herbs Nancy used in her sauce were right out of my garden; garlic, oregano and basil. After stuffing our selves we had to wait an hour or more to eat the cake in the mean time we taught them how to play Sequence. They caught on fast(how to table talk), especially the girls and won the first 2 games, so we switched games as their real love is chicken foot domino's. The gals did it again with a convincing win however Andy almost won as the lowest individual score, Kay won out in that department( but we aren't to sure of her ability to count the dots correctly due to "floaters"). We had a grand time and lots of laughs.

Sunday morning was quite subdued at Cornerstone as Pastor B was en route with 28 members to Miami, Fl for a mission trip to a local orphanage. The men's Top Gun ministry led worship in song and in word. We got back to the cabin around 12:30 and had a frozen pizza for lunch. Nancy put her sauce on to cook and I piddled around the yard, on the computer, read and watched a little sports. The Ray's swept the Nationals in a 3 game series..Go Rays. Carson came by on his motorcycle and won his first game of checkers off me, of course Nancy kept reminding me he is 10 years old. I caved!!!

Well we are fixin' to head out to Galax to do some shopping as its raining here. We are meeting Helen and Joe this evening for dessert to finish off the cake. LATER

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Saturday

Well the day started out with dew dripping from the roof, birds singing and Nancy feeling kinda tired and with little pep. We decided it would be best if we just hung close to home instead venturing out to Galax. Nancy is feeling the effects of menopause and she is like a yo-yo; one minute she feels great and the next she is ready for a nap. Oh well such is life when you get older and go through the change. Yikes!!!

After my quiet time I had a lite breakfast of cereal and a banana before heading out to do a garden check for deer damage. I found none so I moved on to my next project of taking off the blades on my riding mower and sharpening them. Afterwards I cranked up the weed eater and edge the whole property which took about an hour. While waiting for the dew to dry on the grass I transplanted some beets, lettuce and marigolds. Nancy decided she felt better so we took off for our daily hike to the top of the mountain. It was a great day for walking as the temps were still in the 70's with a slight breeze and bright sunshine.

After our hike we had a quick lunch of tuna fish salad and corn chips. By now the grass is dry enough to mow so I cranked up the riding machine and knocked this yard out in less than an hour. My does it make a difference riding up and down this yard instead of walking and pushing a mower. I almost forgot to mention last week when Nancy and I were picking cherry's from our neighbor Ray trees, I picked enough to make a gallon of cherry wine. I started it yesterday morning and checked on its progress today. Well its cooking(bubbling) in the fermenter. This will be a first for me. The wild blackberries initially looked great when we first got here with tons of bloom however I don't know if the heavy rain and hail knocked the blooms off or not;but I don't see as many. I hope to make a gallon of it as well along with some peach wine.

Well after a dinner of leftover grilled chicken on a salad we decided to take an extended golf cart ride. First we road out to the mailbox then down by the creek then up the mountain to the top. We could Winston-Salem from the top about 70 miles away and noticed what appeared to be rain in various areas down off the mountain so we felt we had best head back to the cabin. We did encounter a few sprinkles but nothing else so far.

Nancy did much better as the day progressed and is now having a hot cup of coffee while I'm having a cup of hot chamomile tea. Tomorrow is church day and tomorrow evening we are entertaining the Dalton Gang while celebrating Mechelle parents(Gerald and Kaye) 45 wedding anniversary with an old fashion Italian dinner. YUMM. LATER

Friday, June 12, 2009

Friday
















The morning started out as if it was going to rain with the temp in the low 60's. I rolled out about 6:30 and did my quiet time. I did a check for deer damage and everything looked good except for being waterlogged after last evenings downpour which had to have dropped at least 2 inches in an hour. Nancy had a doctor appointment at 10:30 to have her blood pressure checked with this new medication she is taking so there was no need to start any projects. Nancy fixed some instant grits along with a couple eggs and some toast for breakfast. That held me most of the day with only a few peanut butter crackers around 1 PM.

After the doctor visit we stopped at Lowe's grocery and picked up some items we were going to need for the weekend. We were planning on visiting Mal-mart next week but found out after getting back home there is a festival this weekend called Leaf and String in Galax, Va. The town will be shut down with live mountain music, crafts, fast foods, etc. Its a 3 day festival and we have made it the past 5 years so we will truck over there tomorrow after breakfast and try to be back home sometime in the early afternoon. We may have lunch at Macadoo's or Subway. I'm sure we will stop at Wal-Mart
WE got a nice hike in to the top of the mountain and saw some neighbors we hadn't seen since last October and we also learned several of our mountain top friends are having some health issues. We wish the best for John and Shirley, Tommi and Joe as they have some real health concerns. While visiting we took some photo's from the top of the surrounding mountains. The day turned out to be just gorgeous with a nice breeze. I think the high for the day was 78.
After our photo trip we came back and I spread some more grass seed working it into the bare spots in the back yard. The heavy down pour last night washed away most of the seed I spread with a spreader as it layed on top of the ground so I decided to work this seed into the ground with hoe. Well that was a job and my shoulders and arms feel it now.In between our hike and photo trip, Carson came by several time in the afternoon and evening to visit and to play checkers. He is getting better each time we play as I try to help him with his moves.I haven't let him win yet but he keeps hinting he would like to win
I cut up a chicken for dinner and grilled it while Nancy made fried spuds and onions and fresh broccoli along with a store bought garden salad.I have a difficult time growing lettuce here for some reason but I have some planted along with kale. Well I will get out of here as my body says it needs a hot relaxing shower.
The pictures; the hazy one is Mt. Pilot, its down near Mt. Airy(Mayberry), the other mountain is Bull Head its near Sparta and we pass it every time we go to town, the spider pic is of a huge recluse, the body is as big as 50 cent piece and was raised up with hundreds of little bitty spiders clinging to the body,needless to say we didn't realize that until I squished it with my shoe, the brook pic is taken as you come in our lane at a friends house, we go down and play in the cool water when its really hot out and of course the picture of Carson"Evil Knievel" is self explanatory. He rides the bike standing on the seat, without hands and jumps anything that will boost him airborne. Such a dare devil but he really knows how to handle the bike. LATER

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Thursday

Well the morning started out with temps in the low 60's and cloudy. We slept in until 7 and I believe if I rolled back over I could have slept longer. There is something about this mountain air, quietness and walking up and down these hills all day. After a hot cup of green tea and my quiet time I did a check for deer damage. I'm glad to report there wasn't any damage.

I headed out to collect some food for my earthworms in my compost pile. They truly love oak leaves and horse manure mixed together. I had collected some horse dropping a week ago so I needed the oak leaves, well the back woods are loaded with tons of leaves from last fall so I collected 2 large trash cans then mulched them up with the lawn mower; believe me for all you gardeners earthworm casings is the best organic fertilizer.

The forecast was for more rain so we decided to get our hike in earlier than usual. We did the usual route however we made it to the top without a stop. Wow, we were panting but both of us can feel the change of getting back into shape. The hike took us a different route on the way back. We kicked up 3 deer and saw where a new deer stand had been built since last year.

I fashioned a new handle for a broken hoe out of a pine bough as the shies opened up and chased us inside until it was time to head to Cornerstone to take orders for Angel food. We were there 3 hour and on the way back to the cabin once encountered a heavy thunderstorm. Luckily there was no hail in this one. There was some lightning and thunder and the water ran in torrents down the road. We got home and fixed a frozen pizza and a fresh salad for dinner. Carson came by after the storm looking for a game of checkers but the wind blew the rain up and under the front porch so all the furniture as well as the checker board was wet. We decided to play tomorrow instead.

Well not much else a happening, LATER

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Wednesday

It was a little cloudy this AM with temp's in the low 60's. The sun did appear from time to time during the day, but overall it turned out to be a great day for outside work. After sleeping in until 7:15 I did my quiet time and had a lite breakfast of cantaloupe and toast. Both needed to be used up so I'm the human garbage disposal. I can't stand to see food wasted or going stale. Growing up in the country we were people who did not waste as we grew, hunted or farmed raised most of our vegetables and meat.

I did a little garden work; checking for deer damage and found none. I then started cutting stakes for my tomato's, peas and beans from the back woods. Nancy and I walked about 10 Am and we only stopped one time going up the back trail. Wow what a difference from a week ago when we stopped 4 times going up that steep trail. After the hour hike I headed over to neighbor Ray's on the riding mower and mowed his grass. That took about an hour so afterwards Nancy made some tuna fish sandwiches on pita bread. After lunch I loaded up Nancy on the golf cart and we motored over to Ray's to pick cherries. He has 3 trees and they are loaded. We picked about a gallon and 1/2 of which we kept a gallon. That took about as long to pick them as it did to pit them. I want to make a little homemade wine as well as a cobbler when family comes from Florida. The cherries are on the small size and a bit tart.

After pitting the cherries I took off with the weed wacker to trim up Ray's yard and our driveway. I cleaned the ditches of leaves and debris. We stopped and visited with Ray before heading home for dinner.By now its after 5 PM, so Nancy fried up the last 2 egg plants we brought from our Florida garden(sure hope Laurie and Jim are picking the ones left on the plant), put a couple of sweet potato's in the micro wave and I fired up the grill for a couple of small sirloin steaks. Nancy also opened a can of collards,turnip greens and kale.

During dinner we had a soft rain shower that allowed me to wash the mud from the truck after last nights storm. The rain lasted about 30 minutes and cooled things down into the 60's which made for a great after dinner walk around the yards and garden. The new grass I sowed last week is showing some colors and the flowering plants are starting to head up with buds. It should be a beautiful scene in a couple of weeks if we continue with this rain. Also the new potato's I planted the end of May are coming through the ground as well as are the pole beans.

Well I've rambled on enough as you can tell my life here is so much more busy than the life I live in Florida. I finally feel as if I'm getting back into shape as the muscles have quit aching so much. Nancy and I really miss our family and especially Ava and Annsley; however Ava is coming up over the fourth of July and Annsley is coming the first week in August. LATER

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Tuesday

The morning started out with bright sunshine and blue skies with slight breeze. I rolled out about 7:30 after a great nights sleep. Wow, sleeping up here is no problem after walking up and down these hills and stairs, but once my head hits the pillow I'm gone until daybreak. What a difference from Florida where I wake up 2 to 3 times a night with sirens blaring, hot rod cars and motorcycles racing up and down the street at all hours of the night. Occasionally, I will hear a screech owl, a night bird or a coyote after dark.

Well I managed to finish painting 3 fire side benches, transplant 25 marigold seedlings I started in Florida and take an hour plus hike to the top of the mountain with Nancy after a great breakfast of buckwheat pancakes, smoked turkey bacon and 2 cackle berries(eggs). A chicken always cackles after laying her eggs, interesting isn't it!!

We got a call from a church friend who has a sick mother and needed someone to fill in for her at Cornerstone Church to take Angel food orders at 3 PM. Well Nancy and I filled in for the need and on the way did a bit of shopping in Sparta at Kerr Drugstore. We needed some new molded plastic chairs and the store had a senior day with 10% off on Tuesday's so we bought 2 Adirondack chairs and a little one for the grand girls when they visit later this summer. What was funny is we could barely get them in the truck's backseat, they wouldn't fit in the rear bed area. We priced the same chairs made of wood at a 100 bucks a pop; at least plastic won't rot and they are easily stored and maintained.

Angel food orders were slow since all the negative feedback about some family members in the organization's hiring policies. I understand those folks are no longer with the organization. Overall its a worthwhile program and we truly loved the idea of building relationships while serving folks with the reduced cost of food. We did about 200 bucks of orders. We will fill in for another member on Thursday; welcome back to Sparta. We feel needed and happy with the opportunity to serve and be of assistance where there is a need.

I must tell you on the way home from Sparta we encountered a first for both of us. Driving in a thunderstorm which produced nickel size hail. At first I thought we were going to lose the windshield; the hail was that thick and large. By the time I managed to find a pull off under a tree the ground was covered in white ice balls. The road was literally a layer of hail. The trees along the road were stripped of their leaves as the hail balls knocked them off. Wow what an experience. We made it home safely and was surprised to find little or no damage to the truck and to our plants in the gardens. The gardens in the area where we encountered the hail storm was about 5-6 miles from the cabin and I know those gardens suffered severe damage. The temperature has dropped about 25 degrees since the storm.

Well after a quick dinner of kielbasa, tater tots and salad we are settling in as there are thunder rumblings all around us. We may not be over with the storms, yet. LATER

Monday, June 8, 2009

Monday
















The morning nearly slipped us by as we slept in until nearly 8 AM, by then the sun was streaming through the trees. After a hot cup of green tea and a handful of vitamins and supplements I started my quiet time. Nancy headed outside to do her quiet time with a cup of hot coffee.I toasted a couple pieces of bread and ate a peach for breakfast.

I headed out to the yard and gardens to check for deer damage; seeing none I loaded up the bean sprayer with full strength bleach and proceeded to soak the shed with this solution. Wow does it eat away the mildew and makes the stain look fresh and new. Sure beats painting and its a lot cheaper; I finished the shed while Nancy was putting herself together(hair, makeup and a face on). We decided to get our hike in before it got to warm so we headed up the hill about 10:30. We were gone about an hour and half and got back just in time for lunch.Nancy made tomato sandwiches with salsa and chips on the side. It was great sitting out on the deck having our lunch.
After eating I drug out the fire circle benches and started to make repairs. One bench was so dry rotted it was time to dismantle and eventually I burned it this evening with the rest of the trash. I managed to salvage 3 others and repainted them for another summer. I used as much pressure treated lumber as possible in the repairs. They set out all summer in all the weather and I'm surprised they have lasted as long as they have. All of the seedlings I set out yesterday are doing great and the pole beans have added another leaf over night.
I grilled a couple marinated chicken breasts and along with them, Nancy fixed wild rice, spinach and a salad which made for an excellent dinner that we ate out on the deck. After eating we transplanted a dozen or so sunflowers and some lavender seedlings. We had our first Mr. Blackie(snake) sighting as he was underneath the deck, down by the basement. I shooed him on his way back down into the wine berry patch. Enclosed are some pics Nancy took of our flowers blooming, wild mountain laurel in bloom around the cabin and of the grounds.
Well its seems there is a thunderstorm on the way as we just had a loud thunder and the lights flickered. LATER

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Sunday







The day started out with blue skies, bright sunshine and temp's in the high 50's. After our quiet time and a lite breakfast we got ready for worship at Cornerstone. Just before leaving for church I over turned my wheel barrow of plant seedlings, so I knew when I got home I was going to have to set them out.

Worship was awesome with great music and teaching by Pastor B. We saw several folks we missed last week for the first time in 7 months. What a great group we have come know and love at Cornerstone. Afterwards we headed out to the grocery store, dollar general, Hawks for produce and and finally at the flats for tomato's. We got back to the cabin around 1 PM. Nancy made us a tomato, onion and mayo sandwich with a little salsa on the side. We had been invited by The Dalton's for a fish fry at their place and a domino night including Mechelle's parents, Gerald and Kaye. Dinner was very good with fresh lettuce out of the garden, canned green beans, squash casserole, fried catfish and crappy, yeast rolls peach cobbler and brownies. We also got see Kallie's sugar glider. It a small marsupial from Australia and has beautiful markings. I almost forgot to mention the gals beats the guys by 60 points; however one of the guys had the lowest score by a big bunch. I won't mention who THAT was.

I managed to set out my tomato's, peppers, kale, radishes, squash and cucumbers before we had to leave for the Dalton's. On the way home after dinner the moon was such a vivid orange in color and it seemed to be just hanging around at the top of the mountain. What a beautiful evening. The day was just a beautiful day with a dry cool breeze and temp's not over 75. LATER

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Saturday


The morning brought bright sunshine, blue skies and cool temp's. We slept in until just before 8 AM and the 53 degrees was a welcome change. The highs for the day stayed around 70. After my quiet time an a lite breakfast of left over buckwheat pancakes I headed out to weed eat the yard. It took me about 2 hours to do the yard and by the Nancy was ready for a hike.


We took a 1 1/2 hour hike stopping to visit with Roddy and Kathy on top of the mountain. It was nearly 1:30 before we got back and had a lite lunch of tomato, onion and lettuce sandwich. We knew we were eating an early dinner because Sequence players were coming at 6 PM. Nancy made a big bowl of salsa with chips, Kimberly made a layered taco dip with chips, Jodie brought artichoke & spinach dip with ships and Audine made a German chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream.Too much to munch on but very good. I passed on the cake and cream. Nancy heated up the left over beans, 'taters and cornbread for dinner.


Well I have to say the girls; Nancy, Kimberly, Jodi and Audine were playing the best they have ever played and did put a whupping on us guys; Me, Gerald, Eddie and Ray. They won by a score of 9 games to just one game for us. We aren't sure what happened but somehow they never shut up, especially Kimberly and that distraction lead to our demise. The summer is young. We played until nearly 10 PM.


Well I got much of the yard mowed after lunch and its so much easier with the riding mower. After mowing I once again spread about 20 lbs. of grass seed with another 50 lbs of fertilizer on the back yard. Well I can hardly keep my eyes open as its nearly 11 PM. LATER

Friday, June 5, 2009

Friday

The soft splatter of rain on the roof was an all night affair which finally stopped around 1 PM Friday afternoon. We did our usual routine in the morning and then Nancy made her specialty blueberry buckwheat pancakes, smoked turkey bacon and eggs. The yokes of these eggs are so orange they look fake. After breakfast I headed for the basement as a steady soft rain fell so I painted the top side of the picnic table and benches.

I did a little bill paying until we lost the Internet once again, finally after an hour the phone line as well as DSL came back up so I spent a few minutes on Face Book.Nancy decided to clean the house and wash the windows as we are expecting 4 other couples for snacks and the game, Sequence tomorrow night. The rain finally stopped so we decided to get a walk out to the mailbox which is about a mile each way. The walk was refreshing and once again we realized how out of shape we are as there are several hills we must climb.

We got back around 2 PM then decided to have a tomato, onion and mayo sandwich for lunch. After lunch we worked outside in both gardens and heard our neighbor, Gerald ride up on his motorcycle all the way from Raleigh. We invited him for dinner and Nancy made a great supper of fresh salad(homemade Greek dressing), 1/2 runner green beans cooked in a ham broth with fresh new potato's and a pan of cornbread. YUMM!!!

After dinner I transplanted some sugar peas that were growing out of their containers, then took the golf cart out to the mailbox to mail a letter. I came back and got a fire going in the fire pit to burn all the trash as well as some down limbs that were scattered around the yard.

Glad too hear that Bobby and family made it safely to Indiana for a family wedding this weekend and that G/G and Pap are at Amy's for dinner tonight for some great Kansas beef steaks. LATER

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Thursday

Top of the day to all. The morning was just a typical N.C. mountain morning with stillness, crisp fresh air and blue skies overhead. I did a quick check for deer in the yard and garden and finding none; I then proceeded with my usual routine of a cup of green tea, handful of supplements and vitamins and my morning quiet time with the CREATOR. Wow, Nancy and I have so much to be thankful for and that I feel like part of the day is missing without my special time of reflection.

We headed out to Galax, Va around 9:30 after a lite breakfast of oatmeal, banana and peach. We headed out to the farmers market and stocked up on Amish butter(2 lbs package) from Pennsylvania. This is the best tasting butter I have ever eaten. Next we picked up some fresh 1/2 runner beans, new potato's(we like to make a meal out of these cooked together), YUMMM. Next was fresh N.C. blueberries, peppers and apples. After the market we stopped at Yoder's Mennonite market on the way back into Galax and bought some fresh baked breads. The baking is done on the premises and the smell is sooo goood. Can't wait to eat a slice of the sour dough spread with Amish butter.

We next checked out Lowes for some more plants. Nancy wanted some geraniums and I needed a perennial climbing vine for the arbor. I found a purple Clematis. Hopefully the deer won't eat this one like they did with my orange azalea's, however I did put a chicken wire cage around this beauty just in case they are tempted.

Our next stop was Wal-Mart. Once again we stocked up, made pictures from the camera chip and bought a set of walkie talkies. Nancy thinks we need to keep in touch when we out of sight with each other. Our next stop was at Subway for lunch before heading out of town. Just outside of town is a small market(Horton's) with a fresh butcher shop. Their meat is always top rated and today whole pork tenderloins were on sale at $1.68 a pound. We sliced a couple chops off and I grilled them for supper along with peas, rice and a fresh salad. I had a couple slices of bread with that good Amish butter for dessert.

After getting back to the cabin around 1:30 I planted the vine and potted the geraniums. Nancy felt we should get our hike in as the clouds were building. We saw a couple on top we met last year but other than that it was just a refreshing yet tiring hike. The path that goes up from our back yard is nearly straight up and requires at this time in our visit at least 3 stops. Last year we could do it in one stop just before we left to go back to Florida. I really thought all those workouts on the pickle ball court would have left me in better shape. Actually I think the mountain is growing taller and steeper.After dinner I repainted the repaired picnic table.

Carson Todd came for one of his many visits and wanted to play checkers. He brought his homework with him as I mentioned the other day about how important it was for him to do good so he wouldn't have to repeat the 3rd grade. Well before we played checkers I checked his homework and found a couple math errors. We corrected them and I explained why the corrections were necessary.

Well the rain has started to fall once again at a nice soft pace on the tin roof; after going all day with out any measurable amount. Well, will go for now. It was good to see the Ray's are back on the winning track with 3 wins in a row.LATER

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Wednesday

Well top of the day to all. It was another super morning with the temp in the low 60's, a little warmer than usual but with lots of blue skies and bright sunshine. I rolled out a little after 6 AM and made my usual cup of HOT green tea, then did a quick visual check for deer in an around the yard and garden. Seeing none I did my quiet time and checked in on Face book. After checking Rays Weather.com and seeing that its supposed to be 80% rain tomorrow(Thursday), we decided to do Galax, Va and shop during the rain, instead of wasting a beautiful day for outside activities instead of shopping.

After a lite breakfast of oatmeal, banana and peach I did a walk around the gardens and checked on all the new seedlings. I did a load of my work clothes and hung them out on the line. Nancy was up and doing her thing and talking with our friend and neighbor, Carol and informing me she wanted to take a long hike to the top of the mountain. I hadn't taken a hike as of yet which is hard to believe for me as I'm use to taking at least 2 and sometimes 3 a day. I've been walking up and down these stairs and hills so much my knees still ache and wasn't really excited about hiking to the top.

Nothing eventful happened on the hike, like seeing a bear or any wild life. The morning breeze made the walk on top pleasant with lots of birds singing and the smell of fresh cut grass a refreshing aroma. We hiked for over an hour and we were both hungry when we got home around 11:30. Nancy made some bean burritos with chili, chopped tomato's, onion, cheese, sour cream and of course I used a fresh jalapeno on mine with a little Taco Bell sauce all on a flour tortilla. YUMM!!!

After lunch I repaired the picnic table, put a new chain on my chainsaw, then sharpened it and then read for about an hour while we had a nice thunder storm. We had been contacted early in the morning about assisting with some janitorial chores at Cornerstone later this evening. So we had an early dinner of grilled salmon, garlic butter pasta and fresh yellow squash. We met with 4 other folks to clean the church at 6:45.

After the clean up which took about an hour of; vacuuming, mopping, dusting etc. we were out of there and back to the cabin before dark. LATER

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Tuesday






















Yeow, is this morning temp absolutely delicious. I was awake a little after 6, so I just laid there listening to the stillness of the moment. We sleep with a sheet, blanket and most nights with a quilt and all windows closed. It was in the high 50's this morning. After my quiet time I slipped out to check the gardens for deer damage and found none. Hopefully my rifle shots or my "appearance" frighten them away.

Nancy made some great buckwheat pancakes, eggs and smoked turkey bacon for breakfast. While she was preparing the eats I hauled the scaffolding around to the deck side of the cabin and set it up so after breakfast I could finish bleaching the peak and fascia boards. I managed to finish at noon then had Nancy help me break it down and haul it over to Ray's garage on the golf cart after lunch. I took a long handle shrub clipper with us so I could trim all the over hanging limbs in our lane and out to the hard road. We then road the golf cart up to the back road behind our property and back down to the cabin.

I then trimmed the 2 blue spruce trees we planted the first year we landscaped the yard about 14 years ago. Today was the first time I had ever shaped them. Carson Todd, Ray's 9 year old grandson came by on his small motorcycle for one of his many daily visits after school let out at 1 PM. He loves to play checkers,however that is the only time I ever see him being still. He leaves after about 20 minutes and rides to the top of the mountain only to return again and again through out the day. He loves to come by and eat with us as well. He is having to do 3rd grade summer school because of his math and reading. Hopefully he will pass on to the 4th grade as he is mechanically very intelligent and can operate any piece of heavy equipment such as backhoes, knuckle booms, skidders and bull dozers. He rides motorcycles and golf carts as if he is in NASCAR.
After a couple games of checkers(I don't let him win but he is getting better) we got a nice rain shower and Nancy started to fix dinner. We had some beets and new potato's I grew in Florida, left over collards and a small steak. After dinner I jumped in the golf cart and headed over to weed eat for Ray. The grass was nearly waist high so high the Stihl weed eater could not cut the tall grass, so I remembered an old mowing scythe that was my grandfather's or older. We used in on the farm when I was a kid but the old timers actually mowed their hay for the year with this before horse drawn mowers were invented. My uncle gave it to me for posterity. Well it worked great and I mowed a large section in no time at all. Ray and Nancy were impressed as I was. I use to watch my uncle use it so I had the working knowledge of how to hold and swing it properly while cutting large swaths of hay. (will try to get a pic of it)

I mowed until about 8 PM then headed home to transplant some veggie seedlings. We were about ready to call it a day as darkness was falling and a hot shower was calling. Check out the size of the spruce in the front yard in '06(1st picture) and the size it was today when I trimmed it.LATER

Monday, June 1, 2009

Saturday, Sunday and Monday





















Well as you have noticed I didn't write for a couple of days because I COULDN'T GET ON LINE. This stone age system or repairs is not worth the price I pay but that's all there is so I'm frustrated.






Enough venting for now. Saturday was absolutely gorgeous with cool morning temp's of 52 and bright warm sunshine afternoon near 75. Nancy and I stayed at home all day working. I finally got some garden planted as the soil is well drained. I planted 1/2 runner green beans, pole beans, beets, squash(zucchini & yellow), cukes, radishes and sun flowers. I already have green onions up as well as radishes. I repotted my tomato seedlings, peppers, kale and lettuce. I sat out about 25 marigold seedlings as well as Rosemary and Cilantro. Saturday Nancy fixed some collard greens (I brought from my Fl. garden), pork chop and baked sweet potato.






Sunday morning we awakened about 4 AM with a severe storm. Lightning and high winds accompanied a torrential downpour. The folks on top of the mountain lost power but all we lost was the Internet for 2 days. We worshipped at Cornerstone for the first time in nearly 7 months. Was it ever great to renew old friendships with lots of hugs and handshakes. After a super praise and worship service of nearly 2 hours we stopped off at the Dalton household to gander at their new mini-horse as well their other 11 horses. Andy and Caleb gave us 4 nice frozen trout which we ate tonight for dinner. Yeow that is great eating, Thanks guys.






I went over to our neighbor Ray who is having some tough health issues as well as a broken mower. I rode the rider over and took care of his yard in just over an hour. That put a smile on his face. Sunday evening for dinner Nancy fried up a couple white eggplant(I brought from my Fl. garden) and made a nice garden salad.






Monday morning found me slipping down to visit next door neighbor Gerald. The last 2 of the Red Hawk Riders (Gerald's relatives)were getting ready to head out for their homes. The weather on the Blue Ridge Parkway was a beautiful place to ride motors this weekend. I borrowed Gerald's scaffolding as I wanted to treat the mildew that had accumulated on all the outside walls and boards. I was 2 rounds up and standing on a 12 ft ladder as well. Wow did that scaffolding ever make it safer to be that high up spraying bleach on all the wood surfaces.






I got just about finished all except for moving the scaffolding to the side deck so I can do that peak.Wow let me assure you I feel much safer than on a 30 feet ladder. Thanks Gerald for the use of your equipment and how to set it up properly.






After dinner Nancy and I took a ride over to Kimberly and Eddie's to pick up some plants Kimberly was thinning out and of course I picked up 6 5 gallon buckets of horse manure for my compost pile The earthworms just love this diet and I get it fresh from the horses. No fillers as its all organic.






We got back just before dark and had enough time to set these 3- 5 gallon buckets of plants out before dark.What a day I have only sat down to eat lunch and drive over the Kimberly's after supper. My knees are so sore from all this walking up and down the hills, stairs and today ladder and scaffolding. No afternoon naps or book reading here. I'm just whupped as I can barely finish this piece. Later.