Legislative Update

On January 12, I wrote about a bill before the Virginia Legislature that would require physicians who recommended hysterectomies to refer their patients to a (partisan) website that is anti-hysterectomy prior to performing surgery.

I looked the issue up today and found that saner heads sort of prevailed. The bill was changed to read:

HOUSE BILL NO. 217

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Health and Human Services

on January 23, 2024)

(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Orrock)

A BILL to direct the Department of Health Professions to review and make recommendations regarding informed consent requirements for hysterectomies and oophorectomies.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Department of Health Professions shall, in consultation with the Board of Medicine, review the informed consent requirements surrounding a physician who recommends or performs a hysterectomy or an oophorectomy and determine if any regulations are needed regarding the educational information that is provided to a patient, as part of the informed consent process, in advance of undergoing such surgeries. The Department of Health Professions shall report its findings and recommendations to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by November 1, 2024.

So, this is a recommendation for review of what is going on, and not a directive. For the moment, anyway.

The motion to review this went before the Virginia House on January 30, and it passed 51-49. 

You know what surprises me? That something this inane goes before the legislature. Of course, physicians must abide by rules and regulations and every industry, even healthcare, needs oversight because people are, well, basically stupid and some are even evil, but honestly, did this have to go before the Virginia Legislature? And where's the similar vote to review what physicians tell men who want vasectomies or need to have their prostrate removed or whatever the case may be?

I guess reviewing it is alright, only I don't know who makes up the House and Senate Committees on Health and Human Services. I do know the guy who initially sponsored this legislation is on the HHS committee, so that's not good. If they are sane people (and the guy who filed this bill initially would not be counted among the sane), it shouldn't be a problem. But these days, we have so many inmates running the asylums, it is hard to tell who is going to determine what.

Tingler's Mill

Tingler's Mill is a restored grist mill located in Paint Bank, in Craig County, Virginia. The mill has been restored with a working wheel and sluice, but the interior is still in need of work. Renovations appear to be ongoing and have been for nearly two decades.

While this structure dates to 1873, a mill has been in this location since 1783. Colonel William Preston of Virginia, (well-known to most Botetourt Countians) established the grist mill for corn and wheat in Paint Bank. "The grist mill sits on Potts Creek, on property originally owned by Revolutionary War hero Colonel William Preston. Colonel Preston was given the land grants in 1780 for his service in the war," states information at the mill.

At that time, the mill was located in Botetourt County, Virginia. Then the land became part of Monroe County, Virginia, in 1851. Craig County was formed in 1863 when West Virginia became a state, and the property was in West Virginia for a time before being returned to Virginia. Because of these changes, Paint Bank and this mill have been in two different states and five different counties without ever having been moved.

Through the years since the American Revolution, ownership of the mill changed several times, and in the 1970s it became known as "Tingler's Mill".

It is open to the public for viewing.

The restored mill building.



A history of the mill.

A little carriage beside the mill.

The recreated sluice and water wheel.

A little known piece of information - back in the early 2000s, I was commissioned to research the history of this mill for the current owner. I have no proof of this, of course, as the person who hired me was an employee and I presume no longer there. I don't remember her name anyway. I do remember doing the work.

I just hope I had the facts right.

Fairy Stone State Park

While we were out driving around last week, we stopped in at Fairy Stone State Park. It is located in Patrick County, VA, not far from Stuart, VA.

I have always wanted a Fairy Stone. The little stones, which are cross-shaped, are also called staurolite.

Unfortunately, I took most of these photos out of the car window, so they aren't very good.

Park entrance

Gift shop.

Picnic and recreational area

Lovely little bridge

One of the newer cabins, I think.

They have a lot of cabins.

A nice creek.

Another cabin.

The best view of the big lake I could
get from the car.

One of the earliest cabins.

The Fairy Stones

The park was lovely. We drove through, though, and did not take advantage of anything but the gift shop, where I purchased a couple of little fairy stones.

This park is the largest of one of the six original state parks in Virginia. It opened in 1936. There is a lake with a beach, cabins, and opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping. The park has 4,868 acres of land.

The park official told us that the park, the lack and many of the cabins that are available for rent were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

More Woods Brothers Museum

Guitar signed by Ralph Stanly

Wife of Glenn Wood. I did not
get her name, I'm afraid.

Hubby looking at a Bill Elliott car.

Here is a good article about Wood Brothers Racing.

Woods Brothers Racing Museum

Yesterday, for my husband's birthday, we went to Stuart, VA. It's about a two-hour drive. We went to see the Woods Brothers Racing Museum.

It's a very nice museum with a lot of things to see. I will post more photos on Friday. They let me take all the photos I wanted.

We had a great time.

Link's Farm Covered Bridge

At the foot of the mountain upon which Mountain Lake Lodge rests, you can see this covered bridge. It located on VA Rt. 700, not far from the turn-off from US 460.

It sits on private property and we did not trespass. We stopped long enough for me to hop out of the car and take a quick shot.

Picturesque covered bridges capture the imagination and seem to call to something in my heart. Others must feel it too, since these little beauties are preserved. Virginia has a number of covered bridges and I would like to see them all.

This bridge crosses Sinking Creek and has been owned by the same family for about 100 years. It was in use from 1912 to 1949, when Rt. 700 was rerouted and turned into a better road. The bridge was repaired and rebuilt in 1995.

Mountain Lake

Looking back toward the main lodge from the parking lot. 

 

 

Looking out over cabins and outbuildings. 

 

 

A look back at the main lodge. 

 

 

 

Looking toward what should have been the lake. 

 

 

Volley ball nets.

 

 

 

Probably the most picturesque cabin visible. 

 

 

Better view of the main lodge. 

 

 

Gigantic chess set. 

 

 

What's left of the lake. The lake is 45' below normal due to some natural phenomena that makes the lake go dry on occasion. 

 

 

The main lodge again. It's quite large. 

 

 

A gazebo that I suspect at one time sat out over the lake. 

 

 

Another shot of the lake. It really isn't much bigger than our pond, now. 

 

 

Close up of the main lodge.

 

 

Welcome sign. 

 

 

Another cabin. 

 

 

Notice board at the gift shop. 

 

 

View from an overlook not far from the main facilities.

 

We did not go into the main lodge as I could not find a way in that did not involve stairs. One of the main things we discovered was that the place was not very handicapped accessible, at least, not if they didn't know you were coming. Due to whatever is wrong with me, I cannot climb stairs and there were stairs and inclines everywhere. So we did not get to see as much as we might have liked. Even so, we enjoyed the day trip.