Escape from Boredom

King Sleep Number with Queen Headboard

I'm not sure that I have really escaped from boredom, but my recent days at least have had some substance to them.  After my last post, my new Sleep Number bed arrived.  I know that Sleep Number is supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, but I don't like everything about it.  First of all, it is a split king, which is synoymous with two twins beds placed side by side.  There is a space between the two (Jim calls it a cleft) which makes it hard to snuggle.  I think I have seen soemthing that can be placed in this cleft, but then, if one of us wants to raise the bed one his/her side what happens?  Secondly, the guys who put the thing together for us didn't align the mattresses correctly and one of them sticks out farther on one end while the other mattresss sticks out farther on the other.  This thing is attached to so many hoses and cords that we can't get them straight.  And, the use of a bedskirt to hid all that stuff is impossible, owning to the fact that the hoses that inflate the mattresses stick up through the bottom of the foundation and the two shan't be separated.  One must have a real bed or purchase a silhouette from the Sleep Number store...nothing in which is cheap...to avoid the IC London dance.  Thirdly, you can't just set your sleep number and forget it.  To avoid an indentation in your mattress, you must set the number at 100 for a time, reduce it to 50 for a time, and then return to your preferred number.  This must be done weekly.  But it doesn't really work. I still have a "hole".  The good news is that it won't get any worse.  But having said all that, the sleep is great!  The mattresses don't transfer motion, so I don't wake up every time Jim turns over and I awake rested instead of feeling like I have been wrestling alligators all night.  I opted to keep it (we had 30 days to decide) even with it's imperfections.  We are going to get a real bed whenever we have time to go looking for one.  In the meantime, Jim decided to put the old queen headboard behind the bed.  I have been married to him for 44 years and I did not know that when he turns over in bed, he grabs the headboard (I did wonder for many years why there were so many fingerprints on it).  Without the headboard, he put his hands on the wall and he was afraid he'd have to paint it!  So, it looks kind of funny, but that will be short lived.

Katie

Reni

Jonathan and Patti

Adam with Avery and Gracie

Any proud grandmother will share the latest pics of her grandchildren with you.  I am totally amazed how beautiful my grandchildren are.  I am sure that they are the most beautiful in the world, so don't argue with me.  I had a short visit to Charlotte and saw Jon's family, and Adam sent some pics  of his girls just before they went to the father/daughter dance.


My mother (age 89) has come to stay with us for a short time while my siblings and I make some decisions about her care going forward.  She fell a couple of weeks ago and, while she did not do lasting or critical damage to herself, she was pretty beat up.  She didn't call anybody and it was about 12 hours later when my brother found out about it.  We have known for some time that this day was coming, but it is difficult for everyone, nonetheless.  Mom is very pleasant and easy, but I'm still tired!  I am glad, however, that I am in a position to take care of her at this time of her life.  She told me today after she had taken a little nap in the chair that she had been dreaming.  I asked her what she had dreamed about and she said, "Sewing Villager dresses."  For those of you not in my generation, Villager was a brand name and was the brand that all girls had to have.  They had a wide variety of dresses and skirts and sweaters, etc. for the young lady, but they were somewhat expensive.  As I grew up in a lower middle class family, there wasn't a lot of money to go around when it came to clothing four children.  So, Mama went to a clothing store, looked at the shirt waist dresses, came home and, being the consummate seamstress,  designed a pattern for us, and made us a number of "Villager" dresses.  If you didn't look at the tag, you'd not know the difference.  Mama sewed for many years and made all of our prom dresses and wedding gowns as well as our everyday clothes.  After we were all grown, she learned how to make porcelin dolls and then sewed their outfits too.  She has not sewn in many years now as her hands shake and the tediousness of sewing took its toll on her nerves.  I still remember her taking us to the remnant store to pick out material for something she was going to make.  I did learn to sew, but never reached the state of expertise that she did.  My youngest sister, Mary, also sews and she's pretty good, too.  I think sewing is a lost art these days.  Every now and then I think I'll set up the machine that I still have and do something with it, but somehow or another, I never get there.

Mama Watching UNC Basketball

Adam came for a short visit yesterday while he was in North Carolina doing some contract work for his old company.  It was good to see him.  I meant to get a pic of him and mother, but I forgot until after he left this morning.  Oh well.  Next time.  He did say that Shanna has told him that he has 18 months to move her and the girls back to NC.  I LOVE IT!!!  I doubt if she will come back without him, though, if he doesn't make the deadline! :):)

Those of you who grew up in Greensboro will remember the Boar and Castle, the ONLY place to be seen.  They had great food (served by waiters at the curb) and a great sauce.  I found some at Harris Teeter some years ago, but the last time I looked it wasn't there.  I wonder if they no longer make it?  Anyway, I found this bottle while unpacking some boxes from my move (3 years ago).  Thought you might take a trip down memory lane!

Boar and Castle Sauce

I leave you with a picture that I took at dusk one night.  The full moon had already risen and the colors in the sky were beautiful.  Of course, it is a Porch Portrait!

Love to all!

December Odds and Ends

Winter Glaze

It's winter in the mountains.  The first two winters I lived here, we had non-stop snow.  If you were reading my blog then you might remember how pitiful I was when I got snowed in every other week!  Last winter was very mild, and this one is shaping up to be pretty benign.  Nevertheless, we have had a little snow and some ice.  The picture above was taken after we had freezing rain and snow.  It was very pretty, sparklingly translucent with the sun shining through.  Unfortunately, my photography doesn't capture its essence.  Enjoy, anyway.

When I last posted, I had returned from a Texas visit, celebrated Thanksgiving, and decorated my house for Christmas.  I do have a few updates for you:  Shanna's chicken eventually disappeared without a trace.  She got so tired of experiencing their little deaths that she put the whole outfit up for sale (Shanna calls it "rehoming")... chickens, hen house, feeders and waterers, and I guess the fencing, too.  The last I heard there have been no takers.  Not that I blame anybody.  Chickens are SO nasty!  However, if you are in the market...I can probably get you a deal!

I finally got a tree topper.  A new Michael's opened in Waynesville and I found a nice nativity star there.  I never got it on the tree, though.  I actually had to depend on Jim to do that, but in his most Grinch-like manner, he just "didn't have time."  I finally gave up as I have discovered in the last 44 years that if I don't capture him and get him to do everything all at once, it isn't going to get done!  Next year...

I have a friend who called me on Christmas morning.  At least, my iPhone said she did.  It was pretty early, a little out of character fro her, but I just figured that she had a busy day and needed to get an early start.  Anyway, I texted her back to say I was sorryI missed her call.  Several hours later she returned the text (must have been investigating) saying that she thought it must have been one of her dogs who called me as her phone had been laying on the floor.  This is a first...I've  never been butt-dialed by a dog before!

I don't think there is a future on the silver screen for me and Jim working as co-stars.  In an effort to show my family how technologically savy I have become, I had the bright idea of videoing a little spot with my iPhone and messaging it (see, I really have the vocab down pat) to our loved ones. So I enlisted the assistance of a friend and Jim and I stood in front of our festively decorated fireplace and Chris held the phone while we spoke Christmas greetings together.  Well, I don't want to say that we were inept, but it took us about seven tries before we got one that was decent.  And all we were saying was "Merry Christmas".  Luckily we didn't have to speak the Gettysburg address or recite the Declaration of Independence.  We were out of sync, we laughed while trying to speak our message, Chris chopped off part of our rather short speech, and we were being attentive to other things in the room.  We finally got one, though.  I had visions of doing the same thing for New Year's but sending it to more people.  That vision died aborning.  It was just too much trouble.  So, sorry you didn't get the message, but

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We decided to go to Asheville (the closest real town in this part of the world) sometime right after Christmas to see a movie.  Now, mind you, there were many good ones to choose from ("Skyfall", "The Hobbit", and some others).  Instead, we chose "Lincoln".  Fooled by the critical acclaims, we sat through 2 1/2 hours of absolute boredom.  I understand that the movie is based on Doris Kearns Godwin's book, but I've read that book and the movie bears a resemblance to it only by virtue of the fact that she discusses the passage of the 13th amendment within its pages.  Daniel Day Lewis did a fine job as Lincoln, Sally Field was very good in the role of the Hellcat, and Tommy Lee Jones is a favorite of mine; but the lack of passion (other than was noted in some of the abbreviated speeches given by members of the House) was astounding.  There was little action, and no real plot.  None of the characters was really developed, and some license was taken with historical fact.  If you haven't seen it, you might consider not.

Sweet Chet

Our little Chester had a "birthday" a few days ago.  He came to us on a frigidly cold night with a heavy sleet falling, very thin and obviously hungry.  We had just begun the rennovation of our house.  The decks were down, we couldn't get under the house, and there was no place to get him out of the weather except inside.  So, inside he came.  We fed him catfood, gave him water, and he immediately went to sleep on the rug in front of the door.  He did not move all night.  We live on top of a mountain.  There are two ways to get here...up a mile-long driveway or up a very steep hill.  Somehow or another this poor dog managed.  He was on his last leg, and I do not doubt that chances were slim that he would survive the night.  The next morning we were, understandably, cautious with a strange dog in the house.  We shouldn't have worried...this dog was, and remains, a cupcake.  We put him out, though (the day had dawned bright, clear, and very cold) with the idea that he might go home (collarless though he was).  He didn't.  Apparently, he had been house hunting, and he hunted this one down.  We noticed he had a limp and we looked to see if he had a hurt leg.  What we found was that he had broken his left rear leg, and his "owners" had not seen fit to have it set, so it had healed crookedly, making that leg shorter than the others.  Hence, the name "Chester".   If you're old enough you will recognize the name of Matt Dillon's sidekick in "Gunsmoke".  He stayed, following me around like I was his mother, but avoiding Jim.  We figure that he had been mistreated by a man, and perhaps it had been a man that put him out. He is a hound mix and was probably bred for hunting.  Of course, a crippled dog is not a good hunter, so that explained his homelessness.   He  cowered and slinked away when we were picking up sticks, hid from loud noises, and preferred me to Jim.  When it came time to go back to Charlotte, Chester went with us, and became part of the traveling road show as we came back and forth.  He has been with us for 9 years.  We think he is about 10 or a little older.  We asked the vet in Charlotte what we could do for his leg.  She said we could amputate it.  We declined.  When he was young he could run about 25 miles an hour even with that bum leg.  He's considerably slower now (like his owners).  He and Jim are attached at the hip, and he is no longer afraid of anything except bears and thunder.  He is the world's best dog (no arguing) and has enriched us beyond imagining.

I've updated my book list.  I have, however, read this book that I shall not name because it is, quite possibly, the worst book I have ever read.  It billed itself as a woman's novel.  What it really was was a romance a la Danielle Steele.  Romance is a genre that I never read because the books are so tacky, and I don't want you to think that I am tacky too!  Nevertheless, it became apparent early on that this was a "romance" with a capital R.  So what did I do?  Did I recognize its sordidness and decide not to waste my time with this tripe?  No.  What I did was read every word of this thing, immersing myself in the silliness of the female protagonist.  Lord!  Go figure.  No argument that it was a waste of time.  I just can't figure out why I kept on reading.

I took down all my Christmas decorations yesterday.  It took me 3 or 4 days to put them up, but I went on a mission yesterday to get them packed away.  It took 8 hours and when I was finished I was stiff and sore, and thought that if I had to go up the steps one more time, I might just not make it!  Am I too old for this?  Possibly.  But I do love it when the house is all dressed up in festive garb, so I guess I'll keep it up as long as the Grinch will help me a little bit.

My new Sleep Number bed comes on Saturday!  The bedding came today (specially made for a split king bed). It was wildly expensive.  Luckily, I got it for 50% off.  That made me feel better as I am inherently cheap  and spending lots of money makes me feel decadent, an affectation that makes me uncomfortable.  Still, I'm looking forward to sleeping.  I'll put a picture in my next blog.

Hope all is well with all of you.  If you are still working and had to suffer reentry after the holidays, I'm sorry!  If you're retired, rejoice in the fact that you can actually rest up after the holidays!

Love to all!  

I'll end with another Porch Portrait, one of my million sunrises.  Jim took this picture yesterday, I think.  These are some of the most vibrant colors I have ever seen.

Mountain Sunrise

Stew, Texas, and Thanksgiving

Beautiful Stew

In early November, my sister and her husband joined us in what has become a fall tradition to make Brunswick Stew.  Together we made 40 quarts of the beautiful stuff.  Judy froze hers.  I canned mine.  Aren't they pretty?  I think the dog enjoyed it too!

Chester Licks the Pot

Gracen and A

I went to Texas to visit Adam and his family for 8 days.  JR came down on Thursday and we both came home on Saturday.  It was so much fun being with this sweet little family, and I enjoyed the time I got to spend with the girls, Gracen and Avery.  I got to spend a whole day with them while they were out of school and their Mom had to work.  I got to see their school and was able to meet there teachers, both of whom seemed very nice.  I'll have to tell a funny story about the day I first went to Avery's classroom.  There was another little girl coming in about the same time.  I smiled at her and she asked, "Are you the grandmother?"  I answered, "Yes, how did you know?  Is it my white hair?"  She looked at me and without batting an eye, replied, "Well, yes, but you look kind of old and you're a little fat."  I laughed out loud...out of the mouths of babes, for sure!  I assuaged my hurt feelings by visiting a "boutique" Goodwill store right after I left the school.  Never heard of a "boutique" Goodwill store?  Me either.  Can't say it had much in it, but I did buy a plate for $8 (which nearly poked Jim to death as he carried it through two airports in his carry-on).

Chicken Resort #2

Adam and Shanna have chickens.  While I was there, one of them got an eye injury.  In her weakened condition, the other chickens picked on her, pecking at her and weakening her further.  The eye got infected and we were all on a death watch.  But, she didn't die.  Shanna finally decided to make heroic efforts at saving her and the last I heard, she was still alive.  Her eye was draining badly and she didn't smell too good.  We thought a predator might get her, but instead an owl got another chicken.  Chickens are such nasty creatures with little to recommend them except eggs.  I briefly entertained the idea of having some, but after a trip to Texas and to my sister's chicken yard, I decided they would do better with somebody else!  Chicken poop all over the place just doesn't do it for me.  I did learn that there is such a thing as a chicken resort!  I posted sometime this summer about one I had found in Georgia, complete with little umbrellas.  Adam and Shanna have a big umbrella in their chicken resort!

Patti, Katelyn, Jonathan, Jim, Lynn, Jon, Lauren

PapaJim's Birthday Cake

We went to Charlotte for Thanksgiving with Jon and Patti and Patti's family.  Since we moved to the mountains it is hard for people to get up here.  It's a long way, so a trip can't be for just a few hours.  So, in the way that most traditions change, we head to Charlotte with a car load of food and join a whole big Irish-Catholic family at Thanksgiving.  Patti's family is wonderful and we always have a good time.  This year was no exception.  The dads started a fire in a little fire pit that Tom and Gina have, so the kids roasted marshmellows, and generally scared all the mothers while waving sticks that were on fire around.  It was also Jim's birthday Thanksgiving day, so Jon got an ice cream cake and we celebrated his 66 years!
My, how time flies!  Wonder how my husband got so old?

Kids and Fire 

I am working on having Thanksgiving at my house next year.  I have figured out how to sleep 15 of the 17 people.  (Luckily I have a rather large house.)  Gina and Tom have said they will stay in a hotel.  Gina says it's because she snores so loud, but I'll bet it's because there will be 9 children here!  Hope that plan works.  The mountains offer a whole new set of activities that aren't available in Charlotte.  Should be fun!

I got all my decorating done for Christmas.  I have 5 trees up, along with the usual other decorations.  The whole time I had to fight Scrooge (as I call JR during the holidays) since he resists helping me put anything up.  I always start with the things I can do by myself, but there comes a time when I have to have his help.  He always fusses, but always does it, and I think he always likes the finished product.  I guess we'll age out of this at some point, but the festive look always makes me smile.   I enjoy the season...even with Scrooge!  I won't bore you with all my trees, but here is a picture of the big one that is in the great room.  I'm such a pitiful photographer, plus I have been unable to find a suitable tree topper for my tree.  I have thought about it for 3 years, but everytime I go somewhere where I could possibly find one, I forget.  What's that?  YOU never forget?

Merry Christmas!!!  Love to all!!!

A Great Weekend; and Sandy Fall-Out

Whitewater Falls

Jim and LT

What a great weekend!  Our good friend, LT, came for a visit a couple weekends ago.  Not only is he a great friend, but he is also great company!  Even though he is "of a certain age" (unlike the rest of us), he is ebullient, energetic, and full of humor!  We haven't seen him in awhile, so this was a treat!  While he was here we decided to go to Whitewater Falls, which he had never seen.  If you are unfamiliar with Whitewater Falls, it is one of the most dramatic waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Escarpment.  The escarpment is a craggy, rain-drenched land that marks the fast-falling southern edge of the Applachian Mountain Range.  This fast-falling edge sets the stage for the many creeks and streams that are part of the ecosphere of this region to collect into large torrents of water that then cascade over the wilderness bluffs to the Piedmont below.  It is not unusual to find falls in out-of-the-way places, but the most dramatic are tourist attractions.  Such is Whitewater.  Now there is a paved parking lot, and an asphalt path that takes one to the observation area of the falls.  You can also descend 151 steps to a lower observation area, but you do have to walk back up!  You cannot get to the bottom of the falls, though you can take a rather primitive trail to the Horsepasture River below.  When we were in college up here, the path to observe the falls was a somewhat rigorous trek through the woods.  Separate foot trails would take you to a place to observe the pure majesty of the plunge of water or to the top of the falls where the glory of the Horsepasture was on full display.  After LT took the steps he caught up with Jim and me as we navigated what is left of the old path.  We couldn't get to the old observation area, nor could we get to the top of the falls without taking what we deemed to be unacceptable risk, so we wound up above the falls on the Horsepasture...a thrilling sight as the rushing water made its inexorable way to the cliff that was just around the bend.  While there, we did notice a young man and his dog sunning themselves across the river.  We still don't know how they got over there, but apparently they got wet...notice the young fellow in his tighty whities!  It was a wonderful outing, and I keep wondering why we don't do more of it.

Horsepasture River Above Whitewater Falls

Sunning in the Tighty Whities 

The fall has been very pretty this year, not quite as vibrant as usual, but still nothing to sneeze at.  The beauty of this place never ceases to bring joy to my heart.  Many people could not live in a remote area such as this, but we count ourselves among the blessed every day to be two of those who can.

Fall Colors

And last, but not least, we have had our first snowfall of the season.  We were on the fringes of the effects of Hurricane Sandy.  Unlike those in the northeast, our involvement was mild, with only some high winds and some snow and cold.  I estimate that we got about an inch of snow.  My hope is that the early season snow does not portend a harsh winter.  Still, it was pretty while it was falling, and there is always a certain peacefulness that a snowfall brings.

First Snowfall

Happy Halloween!  Love to all!

Free Stuff and Visitors

You would think that after being alive after 66 years, and not being completely stupid, I would have a little thoughtful intelligence about inviting unwanted spam into my inbox.  But no...I just couldn't leave well enough alone!  My sweet daughter-in-law, Shanna, posted a link on Facebook inviting "only her friends" to register for a $500 Costco gift card.  What could go wrong?  Well, let me count the ways.  After navigating a plethora of screens (during which I never did get to the screen enabling me to register for the card), I gave up in frustration.  I should have realized then that this was nothing more than a marketing ploy, but apparently my unrealized greed overshadowed my good sense.  Today alone, I have (it is 10:00 a.m.) received 500 marketing e-mails.  Interesting, though.  I can train to become a paralegal or a nurse; charter a jet plane or take a cruise; buy a hybrid car (that was on a jobs site); or publish a book.  I have also received multiple e-mails for the same service or product.  Luckily, most of these have shown up in my spam folder, but I have painstakingly gone through each and unsubscribed. I could be at this for the rest of the day.  Take my word for it, DON'T try to get a $500 Costco gift card!  It will cost more than $500 in wasted time!

It has been a busy summer with friends and family.  The mountains are such a wonderful place to vacation and entertain and this summer has been no different.  Between now and the last posting, my sister has come, along with my friend Wilma and her sister, Linda.  Also, we had the Big Chill, and my cousin, Anne (whom I have not seen in many years), came with her daughter Tracy.  I always love these visits and I think of them often when the long winter days weigh heavy.

Sister Mary, the FireBug

Linda and Wilma

Tracy and Anne

The Big Chill, a gathering of our college friends, was small this year.  Kenny and Jane were unable to attend (this is the first one they have missed) because of some family plans; Keith and Carol (whom we invite every year, but who have not actually ever attended) are expecting their first grandbaby.  We forgave them this time.  But Marti and Dave were here, as well as Bob.  Claudia's mother was ill so she did not accompany him.  I suppose all those things are to be expected when we get older. Nevertheless, a good time was had by all and we look forward to this gathering every year.  Our friends, Chris and Curt also came as they do every year to help us celebrate long lasting friendships.

Marti and Bob

Jim, David, and Curt

Blogspot has a new format that is causing me serious consternation.  I would really like to add to my reading list, but I can't figure out how to do it.  Does anybody know?  Will add when I become somewhat competent at this new "improvement".  Oh, I figured it out!!! My reading list is now up to date!  Am available for tutoring.  :):)

The inexorable march of the seasons continues, and now it is fall.  The colors are not as vibrant this year as in years past, but the air is crisp and bracing, and the view across the mountains is still breathtaking.  I will leave you with a couple of "porch portraits".  Love to all.

Fall 2012

Sunrise

Visitors, Celebrations, Family, and Other Stuff

I've been out of touch for a long time, but it is summer in the mountains and things have a way of spinning out of control.  We have had some guests, have been involved in some community activities, and have otherwise gone about the usual tasks involved in living from day to day.  The summer is coming to an end quickly, though, and it won't be long until the long, slow, cold days of winter assail us.  I never mind those, at least I don't mind them now that I know what to expect.  You'll remember my first winter here...um, um, um.  Neal told me I sounded pretty pitiful in my blogs from that winter.  I didn't mean to, though.  Last winter was very kind, but I hope for a little more cold and snow this winter...especially since the mildness didn't kill all the bugs that invaded my garden this year!

My friends Wilma and Lisa came for a visit.  Wilma and I taught school together when we were young teachers in a small eastern NC school.  I met Lisa through her.We had a good time roaming the mountains, talking, and catching up.  Wilma and her sister are coming back in a couple of weeks for a short visit.  I always love seeing her, though our times together are few and far between.  I keep saying that I'm going east to see her sometime "this winter", but so far I haven't gotten there.  You know what they say about good intentions!  This picture is of the three of us with "my" mountains as a backdrop.  JR took it for us, but we had to have him take a large number of shots since we didn't want to get our stomachs in them!  Oh, the vanity of old ladies!

Lisa, Wilma and Lynn

My sister had a "Celebrate Everything" event at her house in late August.  This celebration is an on-going attempt to keep our families connected.  We have held it in various locations over the years.  This year, neither of my children were able to come, Mama didn't feel like making the brief trip, and my other siblings were also unable to make it.  Nevertheless, Judy's family was there, as well as one of my brother's sons along with his girlfriend and mother, and some good friends of Judy and John.  Here are some pics of my nephews and some others who are important to them.

Lee

David and Alix

Ceci, Curtis, and Kerry

Jim's niece Fran and her husband Neal came for several days.  They are always such easy guests, and always manage to help us get things done that we leave undone out of sloth!  This time we cleaned out a storage container that Jim has sold.  There were a number of heavy items in it and it was very excellent to have some young bodies to help with the lifting.  I confess to not lifting too much.  :):)  Following is a picture of Fran and Neal.  Fran is coming back with her mother soon.

Fran and Neal

While they were here we had a "blue moon".  They only occur about every 2/1/2 years and aren't really blue, but the name refers to the second full moon in a calendar month.  Pretty, wasn't it?

August's Blue Moon

We belong to a little community group whose mission is to provide college scholarships to students from this area.  Each year we have a bazaar.  Jim and I work very hard to help make it a success as do all our community members.  The interesting thing is that most of the members who work this bazaar are really elderly (Jim and I are the youngest in the group).  Below are a couple of people who are in the group.  Dottie puts it together every year.  Amazing!

Jule, President of the CDC

Dottie (facing), with Rose, choosing raffle winners

 I took myself to Charlotte for a couple of days to go to the dentist and to visit my grandchildren. (Their parents are chopped liver.)  They are so cute.  Jonathan was playing a baseball game, and the girls were hanging out at the field along with the rest of the family (grandparents, cousins, etc).  Katie is in 7th grade so she was busy with homework.  Reni entertained all the little kids, and JJ was the star of the game!  Aren't they cute?

Katie

Reni

Jonathan

I'm still trying to finish the fantasy, Song of Ice and Fire.  I'm into the fourth book (almost finished).  There is another one to go, but I may take a break and read something else.  It's good, though, and I can't wait for the next season of Game of Thrones!

Clearly, I have too much time on my hands.  This picture is in the vein of the chicken resort I posted earlier this summer.  When I was at Biltmore last time I bought a piece of yard art.  It happened to be a grasshopper which I deposited in a flower bed in front of my house.  In the meantime, some volunteer impatiens came up.  One of them flowered right in the "hands" of the grasshopper.  I decided that she looked like a bride with her bouquet.  Hence, the "grasshopper bride".  What do you think?  :):)

The Grasshopper Bride

Hope all is well with all of you.  I leave you with a "Porch Portrait"...a beautiful sunrise.  Enjoy!  Love to all.

Sunrise Across the Hills

Family Fun; Bears and Chickens; Tomatoes and Fog

The Boys and Their Families

Adam and Shanna and their girls came for their annual summer visit.  They were here for several weeks and stayed with us for much of the time.  Jon and Patti and their children came for a weekend and a wonderful time was had by all.  In addition to the usual family comraderie, the young people spent an afternoon hiking and visiting a biological center where Adam used to work, leaving MiMi and PapaJim to peace and quiet for a few hours!  While everyone was here we cooked, ate, sat around a fire and made s'mores and shot off benign fireworks.  I know that all of you know how special it is to have loved ones around, but words to describe it are hard to find.  The intensity of the feeling fills the heart to bursting, and words become tears of joy.

The Little Riggsbees, July 2012

MiMi and PapaJim with Gracen, Lauren, Katelyn, Jonathan, and Avery

 I've told you about the bear before.  Heretofore, we haven't seen him, but that changed last Sunday night.  He has been here numerous times in his quest for food, and one time he managed to tear up our rock wall looking for grubs.  Perhaps he found some and decided to come back.  Jim and I were sitting in the great room and, suddenly, there he was, turning up rocks looking for whatever is under rocks.  The dog was going crazy and Jim got his gun and shot over his head.  He took off like a shot.  We haven't seen him since, and I hope we don't.  We don't want to have to kill him.  After all, we moved into his territory.  He appears to be a young bear, perhaps he has just left his mother, and he sure is scruffy looking!  He is standing on a wall that is about 40 feet from our front porch.

 While Gracie and Avery were visiting their other grandmother in Asheville, I drove over and we took the girls to the Western North Carolina Nature Center.  It's a really neat place with lots of native animals.  They are in a natural habitat zoo, and most of them have been injured previously and are protected by the zoo.  We had such a good time.  I got a picture of the girls in the barnyard in a broken "chicken egg".  And Shanna took one of MiMi with them as we were leaving.  I love those girls!!!

Gracen and Avery

MiMi and G and A

My sisters, Mary and Judy

 While the young Riggsbees were in Chapel Hill, my sisters came to visit.  It has been a long time since we were together for any length of time, but we had a wonderful time!  It was rainy, cool, and dreary while they were here so we entertained ourselves by watching Game of Thrones.  None of us have been keeping up with the HBO series, but I got hooked on it and have succeeded in getting them hooked, too.  We can hardly wait for season three!




I like to go to this farmer's market in Dillard, GA.  For months I have been passing this field with a chicken house with three umbrellas in front of it.  I asked Jim if he thought that was a chicken resort.  He rolled his eyes at me.  What do you think?

Chicken Resort?

And then, I find out little things I never knew all the time.  This year I have grown cherry tomatoes for the first time ever.  I have two plants and I discovered that they grow their tomatoes differently.  One of them grows tomatoes in a cluster at the end of a stem and the other grows its tomatoes along a stem.  Amazing!

Tomatoes Growing in a Cluster

Tomatoes Growing Along a Stem

A finally (I'll bet you're glad), I leave you with a Porch Portrait.  This was made at dusk after an afternoon of thunderstorms.  Love to all!

Fog at Dusk