I'm not sure what a happy bison looks like, but these didn't look very happy to me. They are very large animals and apparently they are shedding (molting?) right now.
Friday, June 01, 2018
Buffalo
A big farm over in Paint Bank, VA raises buffalo, or American bison, as they are supposed to be called. We saw them when we drove by Sunday.
I'm not sure what a happy bison looks like, but these didn't look very happy to me. They are very large animals and apparently they are shedding (molting?) right now.
I'm not sure what a happy bison looks like, but these didn't look very happy to me. They are very large animals and apparently they are shedding (molting?) right now.
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Thursday Thirteen
1. I received my copy of Artemis, a local artistic journal, in the mail yesterday.
2. One of the poems is by our very own Colleen, who writes over at Looseleaf Notes.
3. I recognized many other names in the issue. Many of them I know and not just from Facebook.
4. Submitting a poem for this edition had been on my to-do list, but then I caught the flu or something in January and was so sick I forgot about it.
5. I haven't submitted poetry to anything in a long time, but I have had poetry published.
6. Short stories also are writing I have submitted and had accepted, or won a prize for, but I haven't submitted any of those in a while either.
7. Time to get back to it, don't you think?
8. I throw away a lot of lettuce (which has absolutely nothing to do with writing). From what people tell me, I am not the only one.
9. Lettuce is necessary for a good salad, but the romaine lettuce became a source of e-coli and so I stopped buying it.
10. I used to grow my own leaf lettuce in the garden, but this year our garden consists of two pots with tomato plants in them.
11. Nothing about this is making any sense, but that's because I'm writing something in a hurry and my brains aren't focused on this work but are instead leaping ahead to an appointment I need to go to and some shopping I need to do.
12. My husband's birthday is Saturday but we have said we aren't exchanging presents because we recently purchased a new TV.
13. I ought to at least buy him a card.
______________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 554th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
2. One of the poems is by our very own Colleen, who writes over at Looseleaf Notes.
3. I recognized many other names in the issue. Many of them I know and not just from Facebook.
4. Submitting a poem for this edition had been on my to-do list, but then I caught the flu or something in January and was so sick I forgot about it.
5. I haven't submitted poetry to anything in a long time, but I have had poetry published.
6. Short stories also are writing I have submitted and had accepted, or won a prize for, but I haven't submitted any of those in a while either.
7. Time to get back to it, don't you think?
8. I throw away a lot of lettuce (which has absolutely nothing to do with writing). From what people tell me, I am not the only one.
9. Lettuce is necessary for a good salad, but the romaine lettuce became a source of e-coli and so I stopped buying it.
10. I used to grow my own leaf lettuce in the garden, but this year our garden consists of two pots with tomato plants in them.
11. Nothing about this is making any sense, but that's because I'm writing something in a hurry and my brains aren't focused on this work but are instead leaping ahead to an appointment I need to go to and some shopping I need to do.
12. My husband's birthday is Saturday but we have said we aren't exchanging presents because we recently purchased a new TV.
13. I ought to at least buy him a card.
______________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 554th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Mountain Laurel
A Sunday drive showed us that not everything has drowned from the recent 8-10 inches of rain. The mountains on top near the West Virginia line still had mountain laurel offering up a white (and occasional pink) decoration amidst the prevailing greenery.
Mountain laurel is a native North American plant. It's a broadleaf evergreen shrub in the heather family. The mountains are full of them but you only seem them in late May and early June, when the flowers burst out to decorate the mountainsides.
Unfortunately I was not able to photograph any pink laurel. We saw a little of it but by the time I opened my mouth to say, "stop the car," we'd already whizzed past it.
Photos taken with Nikon Coolpix P500.
These pictures were taken on Potts Mountain in Craig County, Va.
Mountain laurel is a native North American plant. It's a broadleaf evergreen shrub in the heather family. The mountains are full of them but you only seem them in late May and early June, when the flowers burst out to decorate the mountainsides.
Unfortunately I was not able to photograph any pink laurel. We saw a little of it but by the time I opened my mouth to say, "stop the car," we'd already whizzed past it.
 |
| This is my favorite, when you can see the mountain laurel as far back as you can look. |
Photos taken with Nikon Coolpix P500.
These pictures were taken on Potts Mountain in Craig County, Va.
Monday, May 28, 2018
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Sunday Stealing
Sunday Stealing
1 - Do you ever wish you were someone else?
A. Not really. Sometimes I wish I had been born a man, because men have it SO much better. Maybe in the next life.
2 - How old are you?
A. Old enough to know better but still young enough to make mistakes.
3 - Age you get mistaken for:
A. A little younger than I am.
4 - Your zodiac/horoscope and if you think it fits your personality:
A. I'm Gemini, and yes it fits.
5 - What did you do on your last birthday?
A. I went to lunch with friends.
6 - What is one thing you would like to accomplish before your next birthday?
A. My next birthday is only two weeks away, so . . . not much.
7 - What is your hair color?
A. Brown with soft white coloring as I age.
8 - Have you ever dyed your hair?
A. I put highlights in it when I was younger, but I've never dyed it another color.
9 - What is your eye color?
A. My eyes are like cracked ice and they change color with the weather and my mood. Most people call that "hazel."
10 - If you could change your eye color, would you?
A. No.
11 - Do you wear contacts/glasses?
A. I wear glasses.
12 - Your opinion about your body and how comfortable you are with it:
A. I weigh too much and it would be nice if that were gone, and some parts of it are missing and I wish I had those back.
13 - Have you ever considered plastic surgery? What would you alter about your body?
A. I have never considered plastic surgery. I would like to lose weight, but not via any method but dieting and exercise.
14 - Do you have any tattoos?
A. No.
15 - Do you have any piercings?
A. My ears are pierced.
16 - Left or right handed?
A. Right handed.
17 - Do you drink?
A. No.
18 - Do you smoke?
A. No.
19 - Do you have any pets?
A. I have a herd of cows.
20 - Do you have any “rules” about food?
A. I have allergies to food, which aren't necessarily rules but necessities for maintaining my airways.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
1 - Do you ever wish you were someone else?
A. Not really. Sometimes I wish I had been born a man, because men have it SO much better. Maybe in the next life.
2 - How old are you?
A. Old enough to know better but still young enough to make mistakes.
3 - Age you get mistaken for:
A. A little younger than I am.
4 - Your zodiac/horoscope and if you think it fits your personality:
A. I'm Gemini, and yes it fits.
5 - What did you do on your last birthday?
A. I went to lunch with friends.
6 - What is one thing you would like to accomplish before your next birthday?
A. My next birthday is only two weeks away, so . . . not much.
7 - What is your hair color?
A. Brown with soft white coloring as I age.
8 - Have you ever dyed your hair?
A. I put highlights in it when I was younger, but I've never dyed it another color.
9 - What is your eye color?
A. My eyes are like cracked ice and they change color with the weather and my mood. Most people call that "hazel."
10 - If you could change your eye color, would you?
A. No.
11 - Do you wear contacts/glasses?
A. I wear glasses.
12 - Your opinion about your body and how comfortable you are with it:
A. I weigh too much and it would be nice if that were gone, and some parts of it are missing and I wish I had those back.
13 - Have you ever considered plastic surgery? What would you alter about your body?
A. I have never considered plastic surgery. I would like to lose weight, but not via any method but dieting and exercise.
14 - Do you have any tattoos?
A. No.
15 - Do you have any piercings?
A. My ears are pierced.
16 - Left or right handed?
A. Right handed.
17 - Do you drink?
A. No.
18 - Do you smoke?
A. No.
19 - Do you have any pets?
A. I have a herd of cows.
20 - Do you have any “rules” about food?
A. I have allergies to food, which aren't necessarily rules but necessities for maintaining my airways.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Saturday 9: GI Blues
Saturday 9: G.I. Blues (1960)
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.
1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? (We are grateful and want to hear about it.)
A. My father, grandfather, and multiple uncles served in the military. My grandfather fought in WWII, my father and his brothers were in Korea (though I think after the war was over, not sure), and some of my other uncles served after Vietnam.
2) In this song, Elvis sings about marching, and complains that the Army doesn't give Purple Hearts for fallen arches. Do you have any aches or pains to report this morning?
A. Apparently they give presidencies to people with fallen arches. Sorry, that was just too easy. As for me, I am my usual ol' self.
3) This song is from the 1960 film of the same name. In the movie, Elvis is in The 32nd Armor Regiment of the United States Army. That's the same regiment he served with in real life. He had the 32nd written into the script as a shout-out to the soldiers he came to know, but realized he'd likely never see again. Is there an old friend you're missing this weekend?
A. No.
4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?
A. Hot dogs and watermelon.
5) Let's celebrate the Memorial Day holiday with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor? Cone or cup?
A. Can I have frozen yogurt instead, please?
6) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you applied mosquito repellent?
A. Last summer.
7) Or swam?
A. A long, long time.
8) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?
A. The air conditioner is on.
9) Random question: How do you define success?
A. Success is whatever makes YOU happy, content, and calm.
_____________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.
1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? (We are grateful and want to hear about it.)
A. My father, grandfather, and multiple uncles served in the military. My grandfather fought in WWII, my father and his brothers were in Korea (though I think after the war was over, not sure), and some of my other uncles served after Vietnam.
2) In this song, Elvis sings about marching, and complains that the Army doesn't give Purple Hearts for fallen arches. Do you have any aches or pains to report this morning?
A. Apparently they give presidencies to people with fallen arches. Sorry, that was just too easy. As for me, I am my usual ol' self.
3) This song is from the 1960 film of the same name. In the movie, Elvis is in The 32nd Armor Regiment of the United States Army. That's the same regiment he served with in real life. He had the 32nd written into the script as a shout-out to the soldiers he came to know, but realized he'd likely never see again. Is there an old friend you're missing this weekend?
A. No.
4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?
A. Hot dogs and watermelon.
5) Let's celebrate the Memorial Day holiday with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor? Cone or cup?
A. Can I have frozen yogurt instead, please?
6) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you applied mosquito repellent?
A. Last summer.
7) Or swam?
A. A long, long time.
8) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?
A. The air conditioner is on.
9) Random question: How do you define success?
A. Success is whatever makes YOU happy, content, and calm.
_____________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Thursday Thirteen
Here are 13 local historical facts about my locality. They tell about the early days, back when we were actually the wild, wild west.
______________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 553rd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
 |
| This is up near Buchanan near the Rockbridge County line. |
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| How the county was created. |
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| An early Indian story, also up near Buchanan. |
 |
| A marker commemorating one of the many lost iron furnaces that used to dot the county. |
 |
| Recognizing the courthouse fire in 1970 and its importance in historical preservation. |
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| A college in Daleville. Surviving buildings are now apartments. |
 |
| The county seat and how it was founded. |
 |
| A fort constructed during the French and Indian War, "to protect Virginia's frontier." |
 |
| A notation about William Preston, whose property is now an industrial complex. |
 |
| Also near Buchanan, this ferry crossing was important to the county's growth as folks moved here. |
 |
| A route that closely follows what is now U.S. 11, the Old Carolina Road was used by thousands to venture west and south as more territory opened up (stolen from the Native Americans). |
 |
| One of our older tracts and notable because William Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame, married a girl who grew up there, among other things. |
 |
| The founding of the local Baptist association at Zion Hill, an area north of Fincastle. |
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 553rd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Just a Little Rain
Over the last six days, we've had dramatic rain falls. As of yesterday at lunch time, we'd had more than six inches of rain.
Then it rained about 1/4 inch around lunchtime.
And then it rained 1-3/4 inches after supper.
There was flooding all over the place. We watched the water run off the hills. We knew we would find a mess in the driveway but it was a bit worse than we'd anticipated.
Photos taken with my iPhone SE.
Then it rained about 1/4 inch around lunchtime.
And then it rained 1-3/4 inches after supper.
There was flooding all over the place. We watched the water run off the hills. We knew we would find a mess in the driveway but it was a bit worse than we'd anticipated.
 |
| Gravel in the yard. |
 |
| A ditch couldn't carry the water and so more gravel went into the yard. |
 |
| This ditch did have concrete and river rock in it to try to keep the water moving and in its place. It didn't work. |
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| This is a large overflow. |
 |
| More gravel in the yard. |
 |
| This is the overflow. You can see the many layers of gravel, pug, and crush-and-run we've put down over the years. I think this time it eroded all the way back to the foundation of the driveway. That mud in the middle there? That would be the water mark where the drain couldn't take the rain and it poured over the driveway. |
 |
| A lot of gravel is in the neighbor's pasture. |
 |
| This is the lower side of the driveway near the road. That ditch cut-away isn't supposed to be there. |
 |
| I'm pretty sure some of those larger rocks were buried further up. |
 |
| I think the rain tried to take out the mailbox. |
 |
| What a mess. |
 |
| Yep, definitely tried to take the mailbox. |
Spirit Guide Deer
Can you find "the majestic horned deer" in this photo? I've been seeing it for several months. It's not a real deer, it's a bunch of branches that are shaped like one. The image is slowly going away as vines and other greenery take over, but I have enjoyed looking for my spirit deer during these crazy spring days.
 |
| The "deer" is located in the cedar tree just right of center. Can you see it? |
Monday, May 21, 2018
The Forlorn Tom
We've had a single male turkey hanging around the house for days now. We saw other turkeys doing their mating dance a month ago, several toms together chasing after hens. I thought they were finished with their spring mating.
However, this poor guy seems to be out of rhythm. He stands in the front yard and struts his stuff, and then lets out a wild gobble that makes me jump if I am not aware he's so close to the window.
This morning he was out back again, gobbling away. A hen across the hill answered him once, then dismissed him.
Apparently he doesn't measure up, but he seems a handsome bird to me.
Friday he strutted in the rain. Three hens nearby simply ignored him while he did his best to gain their attention. He was at it for over an hour.
I shot these photos through a window with a screen on it, so they're not the best. Don't you think he's handsome?
Photos shot with a Nikon Coolpix B700.
However, this poor guy seems to be out of rhythm. He stands in the front yard and struts his stuff, and then lets out a wild gobble that makes me jump if I am not aware he's so close to the window.
This morning he was out back again, gobbling away. A hen across the hill answered him once, then dismissed him.
Apparently he doesn't measure up, but he seems a handsome bird to me.
Friday he strutted in the rain. Three hens nearby simply ignored him while he did his best to gain their attention. He was at it for over an hour.
I shot these photos through a window with a screen on it, so they're not the best. Don't you think he's handsome?
 |
| To show you how close he was to the house as I looked out the window. |
Photos shot with a Nikon Coolpix B700.
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Sunday Stealing
Sunday Stealing
1. What never fails to cheer you up?
A. Seeing a rainbow.
2. Which friend do you have the most in common with?
A. I have different things in common with different friends. I don't know that I have more in common with any one than the others (if we're leaving out husbands as friends in this question).
3. Name one thing that never fails to anger you.
A. School shootings.
4. What is your favorite way to spend a sunny day?
A. Taking a hike or working in my flower garden.
5. Create a fortune cookie note based on your week.
A. You will find new lines of communication after a massive failure.
6. What is your favorite way to exercise?
A. Walking.
7. What is your favorite thing about your best friend?
A. He is forgiving.
8. What kind of things do you like to create?
A. Stories, poems, music, colorful stuff sometimes.
9. What languages would you like to learn?
A. Spanish and French.
10. What is a topic you’re really knowledgeable about?
A. Writing.
11. When do you feel you look your best?
A. About 2 minutes after I have finished putting on my makeup. After that it is all downhill.
12. What types of music do you like to listen to?
A. I listen to adult top 40, 1970s and 1980s music, classical, New Age, and movie theme sound tracks.
13. What is something that leaves you completely in awe?
A. A spectacular sunset.
14. What is your most childish aspect?
A. I think I can read people's minds and know what they are thinking about me.
15. Name a time where you had to be really brave.
A. Every time I had surgery.
16. How do you like to keep warm?
A. With a blanket, a cup of hot chocolate, and a good book.
17. What brings out your soft side?
A. Babies of all kinds.
18. What is your favorite way to treat yourself?
A. I spend money on books.
19. What is something you’re proud of about yourself?
A. I'm an award-winning writer.
20. What is something you don’t care about?
A. The lives of people in the entertainment industry.
I missed last week because my modem actually went up in smoke on Saturday. I watched little tendrils of white smoke ooze from it before I realized I needed to unplug the thing and throw it outside.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
1. What never fails to cheer you up?
A. Seeing a rainbow.
2. Which friend do you have the most in common with?
A. I have different things in common with different friends. I don't know that I have more in common with any one than the others (if we're leaving out husbands as friends in this question).
3. Name one thing that never fails to anger you.
A. School shootings.
4. What is your favorite way to spend a sunny day?
A. Taking a hike or working in my flower garden.
5. Create a fortune cookie note based on your week.
A. You will find new lines of communication after a massive failure.
6. What is your favorite way to exercise?
A. Walking.
7. What is your favorite thing about your best friend?
A. He is forgiving.
8. What kind of things do you like to create?
A. Stories, poems, music, colorful stuff sometimes.
9. What languages would you like to learn?
A. Spanish and French.
10. What is a topic you’re really knowledgeable about?
A. Writing.
11. When do you feel you look your best?
A. About 2 minutes after I have finished putting on my makeup. After that it is all downhill.
12. What types of music do you like to listen to?
A. I listen to adult top 40, 1970s and 1980s music, classical, New Age, and movie theme sound tracks.
13. What is something that leaves you completely in awe?
A. A spectacular sunset.
14. What is your most childish aspect?
A. I think I can read people's minds and know what they are thinking about me.
15. Name a time where you had to be really brave.
A. Every time I had surgery.
16. How do you like to keep warm?
A. With a blanket, a cup of hot chocolate, and a good book.
17. What brings out your soft side?
A. Babies of all kinds.
18. What is your favorite way to treat yourself?
A. I spend money on books.
19. What is something you’re proud of about yourself?
A. I'm an award-winning writer.
20. What is something you don’t care about?
A. The lives of people in the entertainment industry.
I missed last week because my modem actually went up in smoke on Saturday. I watched little tendrils of white smoke ooze from it before I realized I needed to unplug the thing and throw it outside.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
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