The Best of Times
Y’all, this was the best three days Mr. FixIt and I have spent together in a while. The last year was pretty rough. We didn’t really have time, nor the inclination, to go off and do something just for the two of us.
The campground wasn’t busy. The weather was perfect. The crystal blue skies made the changing of the leave just pop! You know the scene…sweaters, the whiff of campfire smoke, the sounds and sights of native birds. The only thing we didn’t do was fish and we didn’t even miss it.
We were sitting around our little fire ring on Wednesday afternoon and noticed the little fiberglass camper parked across from us. It suddenly dawned on me who this was!
Sandy and Todd! We first met them a few years ago at the same campground and have seen them there a few times since. They’re a little older than us but we have so much in common. She and I both worked in medicine and the guys were both mechanical engineers. She’s into birdwatching and I’m into pollinator gardening.
I don’t know if you remember several years ago when we first met them. In our conversation, it came around to what brought us here. I told her I had lost a husband in Colorado, bought a camper, and traveled around the country by myself for the better part of four years. She asked where in Colorado and I said Glenwood Springs. Sandy got a surprised look on her face.
“I met you there! We were staying in the Best Western and we talked to you at the front desk! You were on your way to WV!”
OMGosh! Of course I remembered them. Sometime later, Sandy sent me a picture of Big TOW-Wanda in the hotel parking lot and asked if that was my camper. Indeed, it was!
Small world!
As we visited, they told us they rode on the Valley Gem that day. This time I lit up and said our granddaughter had worked on that boat for a couple of years. She smiled and said, “He told us about her. She learned to do everything on the boat and he was hoping to train her to be a riverboat captain!”
Yep, that’s her. She has young kids though and she needed to be around. Riverboat captains are away a lot.
Small world, indeed!
Sandy and Todd live in a tourist town in southeast West Virginia. I asked her if she knew a nurse I knew in Colorado who was from the same town they live in. Well, of course she knew her, and her parents.
Ok, so…it’s a REALLY small world!
They left before we got up yesterday. She left me the bouquet of flowers she had at their campsite. What sweet people!
Picture 1: A gorgeous Monarch showing off her colors against a magnificent autumn sky.
Picture 2: Saddleback or Pheasant back fungus.
Picture 3: The mighty Ohio River in the autumn.
Picture 4: The same view at dawn. (My friend Sandy took this. I didn’t even know it looks so pretty this early in the day! 😉)
Picture 5: A huge multi trunked elm tree in the campground. (A tornado passed through there last month and the trees looked pretty rough.)
Picture 6: Me and Sandy. She rides her bike all around the campground every day.
Picture 7: “Gracie” at Leith Run Recreation Area.
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
#campinglife #fall #camping #FallCamping #leithruncampground
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Looky-Looin’
Came to town to check out an antique store. I snapped a few pics.
The street with the train track going town the middle is a working freight train! The pumpkins, etc. are at a produce stand.
Heading home tomorrow!
Till then, dear ones…
Ginny #fallvibes🍁 #falldecor #pumpkins #gourds #stmaryswv
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No Cell Service! Yippee!!!
Love this river!
Ginny
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The Right Place
We didn’t gather for knitting yesterday so I headed to town for a few last minute items for the camping trip. I’ve been enjoying these cool evenings snuggled under the electric blanket, listening to the owls. Then, lo and behold, the electric blanket on my bed died sometime during the night. It’s getting down into the 40’s now. We cannot have this! Last time I bought the cheapest blanket I could find. It was three years ago, but I’ll bet I didn’t use it fifty times total. So, I went up a couple of steps in quality and it’s much better.
As I was driving in town, I had the wipers on to clear the dew from the windshield. The leaves were gently falling in a shower of red, yellow, and gold. A little leaf caught my eye and, as fate would have it, planted itself in my windshield wiper.
There it stayed, that errant little leaf…stuck someplace it didn’t belong. It reminded me of the times in my life when I’ve found myself stuck in a place I didn’t belong. How many times have I wished I knew then what I know now? Youth is wasted on the young, I’m tellin’ ya.
Right now there are a lot of us that may feel like we’re stuck where we don’t belong, but I’m reminded that there’s nothing here that is permanent. It never has been. It never will be. No house or car or politician will ever be permanent. Letting go of the idea that you’re in control heals many ills.
On the other hand…
God is permanent.
He will never change and He will never forsake us. So, the point is…if you find yourself in an intolerable position, make like a leaf in the fall. You’re feet aren’t nailed to the ground. Even if the change is minor. Just remember to hold hands with Jesus and He’ll show you the way.
Just as I had that epiphany, the little leaf broke away from my windshield wipers and swirled out of sight. As I said, I’ve been in places in my life where, for one reason or another, left me stuck. But, once I let go of the illusion of being in control of any of this earthly chaos, my whole world opened up to endless possibilities. And…just when I wasn’t looking, in walked Mr. FixIt!
Do I think of the myriad directions my life could have taken?
Less and less often as time goes by.
I’m standing right where I want to be…where I’m supposed to be. Till one day I move on to make my home with Jesus.
Mr. FixIt and I will be camping for the next three days and the cell service there is abysmal. So, if you don’t hear from me for awhile, don’t worry. I’ll be back!
Till then, dear ones…
Ginny
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
#epiphany #being #stuck #beingstuck #letting #go #lettinggo
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Mistakes Were Made
I had a lovely post writing for today. Then, the Sunday evening phone calls started coming in and I had to leave the page to answer. And when I got back to the post…it had disappeared into thin air. So, this morning, I’ll leave you with this close up of the dew on a fall chrysanthemum, decorated with a tiny moth wing.
See you tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
#flowers #fallseason #fallvibes
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The Last Good Tomato
When the fellow ran his truck into our yard a dug ruts in it, he promised he’d be back the next day. We’ve heard that a lot over the years as this property has seen its fair share of errant “drive ins.” I’m happy to report that “Bub” did return with some dirt and filled in the ruts. Mr. FixIt went out to thank him and came back in with fresh tomatoes! Now, y’all saw those huge yellow tomatoes my uncle gave us a couple of weeks ago? They were really good…but these? These were over the moon good. Hokey Smokes! They were a real treat this late in the season.
I did a little walkabout yesterday and found some jewel weed growing amongst the native asters in the ditch. There has always been a big patch along the back porch at the farm so I’m tickled to find them here.
If you’ve been reading my block for by length of time, you may remember me telling you about my friend’s son and girlfriend who were murdered in Tadzhikistan a few years ago as they biked through the countryside. They were targeted along with some Canadians. I can’t imagine anything close to what my friend Jea has gone through. There are no words to soothe that kind of grief but no one can understand anything bout grief until they’ve been faced with it. And all grief is different.
I’ve kept up with Jea over the years and check in periodically…especially around the angelversary of Austin and Lauren. I know how important that is to receive.
Jea is on her first big adventure since her so. Died…driving and camping all around the northeast. She has been in Maine recently and stumbled upon a luminaria lighting in memory of loved ones lost and those who grieve them. She asked if I would like for her to put a message on one for Mr. Virgo. So, somewhere in Maine a candle was lit for a kind man whose light will never dim in the hearts of those who love him.
It was a cool night here in the Appalachias last night. The owls were really active and I heard both a Barred Owl and an Eastern Screech Owl. I always see and hear a lot more wildlife when I’m remembering him. Mr. Virgo attracted wildlife like moths to a flame! It made me smile in remembrance of him.
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“You may eat any clean bird. But these you may not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, the black kite, any kind of falcon, any kind of raven, the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.”
Deuteronomy 14:11-18 NIV
#luminaria #memorial #autumn #jewelweed #Aster #barredowl #easternscreechowls #owls
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The Courting Candle
Remember the other day, we had lunch with Judy and Norm. Judy is my “convoluted cousin” twice removed. They’re finally retiring from the Victorian Mansion that has owned them for decades. They’ll be moving to Florida for good and our city will lose two of its greatest treasures. The Caswell-Smith House lives and breathes today through the hard work and incredible generosity of these lovely people I’m proud to call family.
When we parted ways after lunch a couple of weeks ago, I realized we didn’t get a picture. And in my family, that’s an egregious act! We were blessed with another visit in their beautiful home to take some pictures and tell some stories.
Judy, a retired teacher, showed us more things that we hadn’t seen. One of the best period pieces in the Caswell-House is the courting chair. When a young suitor came over to court a young lady of the house, the chaperone joined them in the parlor and the three of them sat in this unusual chair. Initial visits lasted just a few minutes. The chaperone sat facing the “courting candle.” The candlestick is adjustable. The shortest adjustment allowed the candle to burn for 10 minutes and when the candle burned down, the date was over and the young man was escorted from the home. As time went on, if the young man met the father’s approval, the candle was adjusted to twenty minutes, and eventually to thirty…all with the chaperone present.
The other lesson yesterday was the newel post. When a wealthy Victorian man built a home, the bottom of the grand staircase was a centerpiece that set the tone for the rest of the house. Victorians took great pride in elaborately carved fixtures on top of the newel post. It expressed the wealth and stature of the man of the house. When the gentleman of the house had worked and paid off the mortgage or construction costs, a “mortgage button” was added to show guests that this was a house bought and paid for…major accomplishment that held the owner in great regard by their visitors. If you zoom in, you can see how elaborate the newel post is in this mansion.
The last photo are the Cottrills… “Uncle” Ken and “Aunt” Lucy. They were my grandparents’ best friends, Hubby #1’s maternal Uncle and Aunt…and Judy’s parents. You can’t throw a stick around here without hitting someone you’re either related to or has been a friend of the family for generations!
We ended yesterday’s visit sitting in the conservatory, admiring the glass bells and eggs, kaleidoscopes, bonsai, and the delicate tea set with the shadow of a geisha in the bottom of a paper thin porcelain teacups.
Every place you look there is delightful eye candy…from the glass-fronted, ceiling-high cabinets housing several sets of dishes for all occasions to the case on the hallway containing Mrs. Caswell’s treasured silver coffee server with their surname engraved that she received for winning a tennis tournament to the exquisite genuine Tiffany glass windows over the front door and along the grand staircase.
I will miss this lovely couple, but as Judy says, we treasure the memories of our family’s intertwined history that brought us together in the first place…and the times we have spent together. They will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ll be able to tour the home again as the new buyers will continue including the house on the Victorian Christmas and Summer Garden tours…hopefully as a Docent.
The weather has turned cool and drizzly again…good sleeping weather. Fall is definitely here.
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:19 NIV
#victorian #victorianhouse #victorianhome #victoriana #victorianarchitecture #caswellsmith #julianasquare #JULIANASQUARE #courtingchair #courtingcandle #courtingcandles #courtingcandleholder #courtingcandlestick
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SMH
I was reading early yesterday while I was still stretched out in the camper when I heard a truck. Backing up…pulling forward…spinning wheels. People often turn around in our driveway when they realize they’ve turned up the wrong road. But this was taking too long. I jumped up and looked out the window and there was a hefty pickup with a long utility trailer…trying to back that thing down our drive way.
Gasp! Our new truck!!!
I threw some clothes on and ran out there. I caught his attention before he got any closer to the truck, but…OMGosh! He tore the heck out of our yard!
I cannot tell you how many times this has happened over the years but this was at least the third or fourth time this year alone.
Sometimes they aren’t very nice about it. To them it’s just a field, but to us it’s our yard that I carefully mow to look nice.
The fellow was apologetic and kept telling me how sorry he was. I asked him to wait right there…and I called Mr. FixIt.
“Get out here…now!”
Ok, I was perturbed.
He came out and they inspected the damages and exchanged names. Wouldn’t you know it…they have the same last name. Then we had to go through the whole thing…comparing family trees, former work places, and how long they’ve lived in these parts.
🤦♀️
It’s always the same. That’s the joy…and curse…of living in these parts surrounding a small rural town. The man’s daughter and I exchanged pleasantries and tried to figure out who she was looking for in the first place.
We got his phone number and assurance that he would bring down some dirt and fill in the ruts. Hey, everyone knows everybody around here. I guess we just expanded our circle of acquaintances, huh?
Judge not lest we be judged.
Turn the other cheek.
Treat others as we would have others treat us.
Forgive those who have trespassed against us.
These things we do as Christ has done for us.
It’s another trip-to-town day! I’m so glad that’s slowing down a little. We’re actually getting a little time for us…I made reservations for next week at one of our favorite campgrounds. I can’t wait to sit in the rocking chairs and go fishing with my sweetie!
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
#damages #yard #repair #YardRepair #camping #fall #fallcampout
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Fog in the Holler
Hello, October!!! I’m loving these warm days and cool nights. I also love to sleep in the camper and listen to the last strains of night music that we’ll hear till spring.
I woke up yesterday to a foggy bottom. My iPhone corrected the exposure on its own so you cants see the same fog I saw. It always lays a damper over the meadow and the morning come on sleep cat paws.
Fog is nothing more than low hanging clouds…they both consist of micro droplets of water suspended in midair. That moisture collects on every tiny thread of a spider’s web and looks like fairy nests everywhere. These webs are created by a tiny spider of the Sheet Web variety. I’ve documented two architectural styles from the same species of spiders. The first is the “cup and doily.” You can definitely distinguish the two parts. It’s a clever mechanism for confusing and trapping prey. The little spider either hangs below or hides within the structure, just waiting to catch and preserve their meal for later.
The third photo is a different design. It’s is much more haphazard…looking all the world like a ball of fluff or cotton candy. The fog accentuates these and you can see how many more webs there are out there than you don’t normally see with the naked eye. I took the fourth photo of the hillside beyond the dirt road we live on. You can see numerous “cup and saucers” tucked into the foliage.
The last picture is a patch of wild asters and goldenrod…two symbiotic plants that bloom together in late summer through fall. They give bees and butterflies a huge burst of energy for either migrating or hibernating, depending on their nature.
As I sat curled up in the recliner in the camper at night, a barred owl serenaded me. I did catch a recording but she was far enough away that the katydids and crickets drowned her beautiful calls. Unfortunately, the neighbor’s dog started barking at some point and she flew on down the creek. We take these songs when we can get them and carry them with us into the depths of winter.
I received the oxygen packets I ordered so now I can finish packing up the beans and grains for longterm storage. I’ll get some pictures of my process to show you tomorrow.
Till then, dear ones…
Ginny
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 NIV
#foggymorning #foggy #HollerLife #barredowl #barredowls
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