Friday and Saturday

After a roller coaster week of emotions we were awakened by the doctor who did my "welcome to medicare physical" with good news; all of my blood results and tests were good, now he didn't say great but good. Maybe I shouldn't try to read into his remarks but we were tickled that he personally gave me the results. Anyhow we decided to stay awake as we were getting ready to head out to Northern Virgina to meet up with family for the next 4 to 5 days in an around the town of Woodstock. We packed meatloaf sandwiches for a picnic on the way up along with some partial bags of chips(we were going to fatten up) and some pickles.

We left our place around 10 AM and the setting was just beautiful with a heavy dew, temps in the high 60's and a cool gentle breeze as we parted. We made a trash stop then gassed up before getting on I-77 then to I-81. Now Nancy doesn't like I-81 because of all the truckers but maybe Friday was a truckers holiday. We stopped in Ironto(what a name) at a rest stop for some walking then a picnic. It was absolutely beautiful with very comfortable temps. We decided to take Route 11 once we got close to Woodstock so we exited the big highway just north of Harrisonburg and what a delightful drive. We saw some fantastic farms, old log homes and lots of folks bringing out their "junk" for others to determine if it was trash or treasure with roadside open air sales. I learned once we got to Mike and Dee's this week-end is designated as "42 miles of garage sales". The Civil War markers were every where and we wanted to take lots lots pics and read about the "Valley at War" on our way home next Tuesday; but that will have to happen at a later date.

We reached Dee's place around 4 o'clock and spoke with Paw Paw and he seems to be getting stronger each day except for a few minor problems. We had a super supper of pulled pork barbecue, Cole slaw and sliced 'maters. It was during the after super ritual of taking Bonnie Lou(their Jack Russell terrier) for a walk in the hood that we received a moment changing phone call. Daughter Amy and husband Tyler decided(thankfully) to check on our place in Florida and as soon as they opened the front door the musty smell of mildew struck them head-on. Well soon they found where the roof had been leaking, the dry walk was spongy, the crown molding was falling from the wall and a large stained spot where water had lain was evident to the carpet. Wow what a mood changer so of course I went into the "what if mode" which I managed to run through my mind all night long. The musty smell and the possibility of an electrical mishap bothered me all night long which rendered me "sleepless in Woodstock, Va".

Well here we are back at the cabin on Saturday evening after leaving Woodstock at 9 AM. We have been packing and making the cabin ready just in case we don't get back here for a couple months. Worse case scenario is that we come back to winterize the cabin the last of October for a couple weeks and the best solution is I find a roofer right a way who will give me good advice and direction as I try to make our Florida home snug and dry.

Well our mountain mom(Helen) came by and we lamented together as well as loaded her up with flower pots and plants that will surely die if we leave them without some TLC, we were sure saddened to say good-bye for now but look forward to a speedy reunion with her before winter, at the least.

Well we will pull out of here early on Sunday morning as I anticipate no sleep tonight once again. If we failed to call you about our change of plans which are many(as we are such social whirlwinds) forgive me. We are lamenting(another word for crying our eyes out) about leaving this beautiful county and these magnificent folks.LATER