Humpback Covered Bridge

Humpback Bridge, located in Alleghany County just outside Covington, is the oldest of five remaining covered bridges in Virginia. This structure, built in 1857, was saved by preservationists in 1954; it ceased to be used for traffic in 1929 when the state built a bypass. The bridge is about a 60 minute drive away from us.

 

This plaque tells the story. I notice the dates on the plaque and those at the VDOT website I used to learn more about the bridge do not match up exactly. At any rate, Humpback Bridge is a Virginia and National Historic Landmark. No one disputes the historic nature of the structure!

It's a beautiful piece of functional art. It sits in a park with picnic area. 

 
This amazing monument to our history affirms for me how much our ancestors cared about quality and aesthetic beauty.

This is an old gear from the paper mill in Covington. It is used to form an "O" in the word "LOVE," which you can see in the first picture and in the picture below. The L and E are also from materials with historic meaning to the local community, and the three makes up the "V." 

 

The bridge is raised in the middle, which is why it is called a Humpback bridge. It crosses over Dunlap Creek, which feeds into the Jackson River which then meets up with the James near Iron Gate.

 
I confess to feeling a sense of history (and perhaps romance) when I walked toward the opening.

 
Said feeling was quickly eradicated at the site of graffiti. Apparently everyone who visits (except us) feels compelled to write their name on the inside of the bridge.

 
People put their names and a date in most instances. It was an odd experience to see this - it took away the romance of the structure, but added an intriguing aspect of humanity to it. In researching the history for this blog post, I could find no references to the graffiti, though.

 
These are the inner trusses of the covered roof. I understand the roof was repaired just this summer (2013).

 
This is the flooring. You can see how it slopes.

 
I studied some of the graffiti looking for the oldest dates. Below is one of the older ones.

However, I also found one that dated 1954, though it was very faint and didn't show up well for a picture. So the tradition of writing on the walls of this structure has been going on for a very long time.

To reach Humpback Bridge from Botetourt, head north on US 220, get on I-64 West, go to exit 10, and it's about 1/2 mile on Rt. 60. Very easy to reach and it would be a nice day trip if you took a picnic lunch.

We went in the middle of November, and it was a little cold for picnicking. I want to return to take photos of this bridge again in the spring; I imagine it is quite lovely there at that time of year.

To Find Inner Peace

From Sunday Stealing, who stole it from Suck it, Nerds!  

1. What would you totally eat right now?

A. Chocolate fudge.

2. Do you always wear a certain piece of jewelry?

A. Yes. I wear my anniversary band.  

3. What kind of jeans do you like?

A. The kind that fit.  

4. What's something on your want list?

A. There isn't much I want. I wouldn't mind having a tablet or a Kindle (I have a Nook.). At some point I am going to replace my car but I am in no hurry.

5. Is animal print tacky?

A. Yes.

6. Give me a good quote that you like.
  
A.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.                 -- Robert Frost

7. Do you bite your nails?

A. Yes. I have for as long as I have been growing nails, I suppose.
  
8. What kind of smells do you like?

A. The scent of chocolate chip cookies baking reminds me of love.  

9. Do you wear perfume or cologne?

A. No. I am sensitive to fragrances of all kinds. I am not sensitive to the smell of baking cookies, thank goodness.  

10. What do you think is overrated?

A.  Smartphones. 

11. Next movie you want to see?

A. The Hobbit Part II  

12. Would you change your eye color if you could?

A. No.
  
13. And what are your goals for the remainder of this year?

A. To stick with my diet and not gain any weight over the holidays, to continue taking my medication and doing physical therapy for my various health concerns, and to find inner peace. 

14. When is the last time you were at the hospital?

A. Oh dear. This has been my year for hospitals. The very last time was October 31, when I had some testing. But that was like the 4th visit.
  
15. Who introduced you to your current significant other? If you’re single, who introduced you to your last ex?

A. I am not sure who exactly introduced us, but some mutual friends conspired to have us meet one another at the high school football game. We all gathered as a group at the end zone (which you can no longer do) and one by one the group fell away, leaving my future husband and I standing there alone wondering where everyone went.

Better To Be Pleasantly Surprised

Saturday 9: Back to Black

1) Black is this week's signature color because Friday, November 29, was "Black Friday," when retailers cut their prices and consumers flock to the stores. Did you score any "Black Friday" bargains?

A. Ha. I didn't even leave my house to get the mail. You wouldn't catch me in those mobs of people for any reason. There is nothing I need or want that badly.

2) Legend has it that Black Friday began as a neighborhood phenomenon among storeowners in Philadelphia back in the early 1960s. What else comes to mind when you think of Philly?

A. Cream cheese and the Liberty Bell.

3) Feasting and football are also popular Thanksgiving weekend pastimes. Do your Thursday-Sunday plans include pigging out or watching a game?

A. We pigged out on Thursday for the traditional Thanksgiving feast at my mother-in-law's house. No football games, but my husband has been hunting. Does that count?

4) At Thanksgiving dinners, Crazy Sam's homemade gravy is always a hit. (Probably because she's so generous with the cognac, which gives the gravy a nutty taste.) Do you have a signature dish?

A. I am known far and wide for my fudge.

5) Among the biggest the Black Friday advertisers are Target, Kohl's, Macy's and Best Buy. If you could have a $100 gift card to any one of those stores, which would you choose?

 

A. I'd rather have cash, but if it must be a gift card, then make it Barnes & Noble, which isn't listed. If I have to pick from your list, then Best Buy.  

6) You're in a public restroom that offers both paper towels and a hot air hand dryer. Which one do you choose?

A. I use the hot air hand dryer and then pull a towel to use to open the door with.

7) While Back to Black is the best-selling Amy Winehouse CD, her first was called Frank, named for her hero, Frank Sinatra. Tell us about someone you inspires you.

A. My husband inspires me because he never gives up. He moves along and accomplishes more in a single day than many in a week. On the celebrity front, both Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow inspire me because they made careers out of what they love and bravely fought cancer.  Anyone who has made a career out of their passion and their love is an inspiration for me.

8) Do you consider yourself a pessimist or an optimist?

A. A pessimist. Better to be pleasantly surprised than constantly let down.

9) Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone (a verbal conversation -- not an exchange of texts)?

 

A. My husband. We don't do texts. If what you have to say matters, you should be able to open your mouth and say it.

 

Thanksgiving Thirteen

I am thankful for:

1. My husband. He's my hero and a fine man.

My most excellent spouse.

 

2. My family of origin.

 

My niece a few years ago.

3. My friends. I love all of my friends, old and new, and hold them dear.

 

My oldest pal, who would kill me if
she saw this photo up here.

4. Time. I am grateful that I have lived for a half-century.

5. Flowers. Where would the world be without nature's brilliant beauty?

6. Today's feast! (Not really).

These birds roam free on the farm. We don't shoot
turkeys around here.

7. My mentors. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to go to Hollins and met some wonderful and supportive folks.

One of my creative writing professors (left)
and yours truly.

8. The wildlife around my home. I am blessed to live in a place where I don't even have to get up from my seat to see cool things.

 

9. My home. I may not have the biggest house on the block, but it is full of love.

 

My house.

10. My husband's family. I've been a part of their lives for 30 years now.

My two handsome nephews.

11. Great art. I think we are all enhanced by the things we create as human beings.

 

Local artwork.

12. Brilliant skies.

A rainbow kisses the earth.

13. Good books and writing. I can't imagine a world without words.

A local author's book.

And I am thankful for you, dear reader. Thank you for visiting my blog, reading my thoughts, and looking at my photos. I hope it gives you some small joy.

 

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 321st time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

 

Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center

Last week we went to the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center in Clifton Forge.

It showcases a number of local artists, including some from Fincastle. I recognized Ed Bordett's work right away. All of the items were for sale and if you're interested in supporting local artists of all kinds, including jewelry makers, pottery makers, woodworkers, and painters, then this is a good place to go for one-stop shopping.

 

My husband in front of some of the many paintings that were available. 

Some of the pottery and artwork available for sale.

This was a great mix of items and reasonably priced. The facility is open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., according to the website.

Wheatland Road

Wheatland Road in Botetourt County is a road that cuts over from Springwood Road to US 11. The turnoff is a few miles outside of Fincastle. It offers a beautiful drive with scenic vistas.

This is one of the most picturesque homes on the route. At one time I think there were plans to turn this into a bed and breakfast but I am not sure that ever happened. I do not know the history of this property; I wish I did. It is a beautiful home, with lots of interesting gingerbread trim.

Even though I took these photos through the car windows, you can see how lovely the views are.

There are mountains and scenic views all along this road.

Isn't this great? The fence, mountains, and rolling hills all combine to create a beautiful pastoral setting.

I travel this road when I go to Buchanan and the views are always breathtaking.

This road has been around a very long time. Wheatland Lutheran Church is one of the older congregations, established in 1864. You can see a picture of the church at this link. My guess is the road originally was a stage coach route between Buchanan and Fincastle.

Thoughts on Symbolism in Writing

This evening I ran across an interesting discussion on symbolism in fiction. You can read it here.

My mind immediately returned to my senior year of high school when I was taking what was then called "advanced placement" English. By taking that course, I also received freshman college credits; at the time it was one of only two courses available at Lord Botetourt in which one could partake of such dual enrollment.

My high school teacher at that time was Connie Shotts, who, I think, must have had her Ph.D. because she insisted on being called Dr. Shotts. I suspect there was an English professor trapped in a high school there.

At any rate, I loved my Senior AP English class and I loved Dr. Shotts, though she was not a warm and fuzzy teacher, as I recall. The class was small, maybe 15 students, and I did well in there; I won the Senior English Award, anyway. That's another story.

The article I read this evening about novel symbolism and whether or not authors intend such things is what brought all of this to my memory, because this was a subject of intense disagreement between Dr. Shotts and I. She was sure she was right about symbolism in literature, and she was adamant that writers knew what every word meant, that every placement was intentional, with nothing left to imagination or subconscious placement. Since I wanted to be a writer, and had written things that I had turned in and had them marked with notations like "wonderful symbolism" when I had never meant any such thing, I knew better.

The power of the creative mind might work out the symbols but I did not believe then, and don't believe now, that every single word or symbol in a piece of work was consciously placed there by a majority of authors. I am sure there are some who are meticulous enough to create works where they have made sure their evil characters have yellow eyes and the good ones have blue, but I also know there is no way that anyone can fathom what a reader will find in a piece of work.

I can't count the number of times I've written articles and had them reported back to me, often with incorrect facts or fallacies, because people didn't realize I wrote the story. Readers read wrong sometimes. They skim, they don't pay attention, they read with a slant that no author can predict. Sometime I am amazed at what people take away from something I wrote. Sometimes it is completely the opposite of what I wrote. I will go back and look and see that I wrote what I meant, but that was not how it was read.

Writing and being creative are wonderful, personal things. As communication methods, they are sometimes the only link we have to the past and present, and to those future souls who want to know who we were during this time in history. Making art in whatever shape and form is transcendent and spectacular. Of course the artist doesn't know what each spirit will see in every single piece, and a writer has no idea how every eye will interpret specific words and phrases. We all bring bits of ourselves and our own histories to the art and the writing that we seek out and review. Nothing is static; it all flows freely, a wave of thoughts crossing those unseen boundaries of time and space.

Cold Weather's A Comin'

I am so not ready for cold temperatures, ice, and snow! But that looks like what the east coast is going to get this holiday week.

Our forecast for tomorrow as of this moment is for a "wintry mix" Tuesday, turning to heavy rain. Some forecast models are calling for snow, though, and I saw one prediction for up to a foot of snow in the high southern Appalachian mountains. Yikes!

I had heard we might have a rough winter. Will those predictions come true?

Chocolate, Chocolate, and Chocolate

From Sunday Stealing


1. What do you have for breakfast on Thanksgiving?

A. Probably an egg or oatmeal, which is what I generally have for breakfast.

2. Do you go to a Thanksgiving parade or watch one on TV?

A. I usually have the Macy's parade on while I am cooking.

3. Do you serve appetizers, lunch, or snacks during the day?

A. No. Our traditional Thanksgiving is not at my house; I just cook things and take them to my in-laws. 

4. What are the traditional favorites?

A. Turkey, ham, broccoli casserole, coconut pie, cranberry sauce. 

5. What new recipes will you try this year?

A. Probably none.

6. What part of the meal do you never compromise?

A. The turkey. 

Last year's turkey.

7. Who gets to carve the turkey?

A. Generally I cut it up and put it into a container to take to the in-laws. It is hard to haul around a big ol' cooked bird.

8. Family style around the table or buffet style and everyone sits wherever there’s room?

A. Around the table.

9. How many will be at your table this year?

A. Seven.

10. Once you're at the table, do you say grace or a toast or does everyone go around and say what they're thankful for?

A. Sometimes there is grace, but most of the time everyone just digs in.

Last year's Thanksgiving meal.

11. Cranberry sauce… yay or nay?

A. It's okay. My husband really likes it.

12. What time do you eat Thanksgiving Dinner?

A. Around 6 p.m.

13. Three best pies for Thanksgiving dessert?

A. Chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate.  

14. Do you have dessert right after the main meal or later on?

A. Generally it is offered right after the main meal, but I usually decline it. 

15. Favorite leftover?

A. Turkey. I make turkey salad out of it; it's pretty good.

Not Something I Dream About

Saturday 9: Sugar Shack

This song was popular 50 years ago today. Hear it here.

1) In this song, our hero orders espresso. What's your standard coffee order?

A. I don't drink coffee. I think I've had maybe five cups of coffee in my entire life. One of the first cups of coffee I remember drinking was purchased for me by a hobo I was interviewing for the newspaper, who would not talk to me unless I sat down with him over coffee. The last cup I drank, also while performing an interview for the newspaper, sent me to the hospital and I had my gallbladder removed. Really.

2) Originally the phrase "sugar shack" meant a small cabin where sap from maple trees was boiled into syrup. So for breakfast today, would you rather pour syrup on pancakes, french toast or waffles?

A. Pancakes. I am not a fan of French toast. Waffles are okay.

3) The name of the group that recorded this song is The Fireballs. "Fireballs" is also the brand name of a red hot jawbreaker. Do you like cinnamon?

A. Yes, sometimes. It's supposed to be good for your blood sugar, you know.

4) In 1963, when this song was a hit, newscaster Walter Cronkite was one of the most trusted and influential men in the country. Do you have a favorite TV newsperson?

A.  I have always liked Dan Rather and Diane Sawyer. I thought CBS treated Dan Rather very shabbily when they let him go. Diane Sawyer has always been a good reporter, diligent with the facts and unbiased in her questioning. Ann Compton must also rank up there as a favorite, because she graduated from my alma mater and went on to be a White House correspondent.

5) The Rambler was named 1963 Car of the Year by Motor Trend, and their most popular model was a 9-passenger station wagon. What's the car of your dreams?

A. A car is not something I dream about. But I would like to have a new Toyota Camry when the time comes. My husband, on the other hand, does dream about such things and I think he would like a red Ferrari.

6) The Zip Code was first introduced in 1963. How many different Zip Codes have you had throughout your life? 

A. Three.

7) What was the first thing you thought about when you woke up this morning?

A. I don't know. Probably something along the lines of "I need to pee" or "I need my pain medication."

8) Are you a good pool player?

A. I am not the best but I am not the worst, either.

9) Do you actually make a wish when you blow out your birthday candles?

A. No.

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life

The Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life Live Seminar
Living the Wisdom of the Tao
By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
Copyright 2007
6 Discs




I checked this out of the local library. It is not a book although Dr. Wayne Dyer, the author, has a book about the subject. Initially I thought this was the book and then realized it was him talking about the subject, which is his interpretation of the Tao Te Ching.

I found this to be an interesting discussion and it has piqued my interest in learning more about the Tao Te Ching and this way of looking at the universe. I hope to study it more in the very near future.

This is the first encounter I have had with Dr. Dyer, and I think I will check out some of his other works based on what I heard in this seminar.

Thursday Thirteen #320

1. If I had any advice to give about how to stay married for 30 years, it would be to hold hands. Touch is very important and our society does not do it enough.

2. Things on my desk: a contract, a coffee cup that says "You Rock" (it has tea in it), nasal spray, maps, a calendar, Elmer's glue, and a pedometer.

3. The mountains break the horizon as they roll toward the sky, and the sight of the Blue Ridge always brings squeezes my heart.

4. I read somewhere that to clean fruit you should soak it in a mix of vinegar and water. I couldn't recall if it was white or apple cider vinegar when I tried it this morning on some grapes, so I used white as that was what I had the most of. I couldn't tell any difference between that and rinsing things off like I always have in the past. But maybe the vinegar neutralizes a pesticide or something.

5. There is a meme going around Facebook where you tell people a certain number of things they probably didn't know about you. I have been careful not to like any of those so I didn't play the meme, but I do memes on my blog all the time. Weird.

6. I have recently developed an interest in the Tao Te Ching. I think it is something I will make a study of for a while.

Vultures

7. I just received an early morning phone call from a neighbor telling me vultures were chasing a newborn calf! There is little we can do about vultures; it is against the law to harm them. But they will kill a baby calf. (My husband has gone to take care of the little thing.)

8. Things to make besides money: friends, love, time, music, magic, and breakfast!

9. One of the good things I have found about e-readers is they don't get musty and smell. Since the smell of an old book can set off an asthma attack, this can be a good thing. I think the concept of e-readers is good, I just can't give up the tactile feel of a real book. Plus I never have to plug in a real book or worry about the battery going dead.

10. It is easier for me to give away fiction books than nonfiction. I don't know why.

11. I'm not sure I can come up with three more things to finish out this Thursday Thirteen! So here are some books on my shelf: Building Web Sites for Dummies, Blogging for Dummies, Office 2007 for Dummies, and Resumes for Dummies. I sense a theme there.

12. My paternal grandmother, who is 93 and lives in California, fell on Sunday and broke her hip. Doctors performed surgery and put in a 10" pin and said she had a few other breaks that would have to heal naturally. They did not expect her to live through the surgery but she is hanging on.

13. I really need to have a yard sale but (a) it's the wrong time of year and (b) I live so far off the road that no one will drive up here. How do you get rid of stuff? I really want to know.




Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 320th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

 

 

Resting

If I had not been watching when this small buck decided to take a rest, I would not have seen him later. He lay there for quite a long time, surveying the area.

By my husband's standards, this buck is not big enough to kill during deer season. Others, of course, may not feel that way. I will be glad when hunting season is over.

Books: State of Wonder

State of Wonder
by Ann Patchett
Copyright 2011
353 pages


My book club chose State of Wonder as its November book. I put it in the same category as our last choice, Flight Behavior, by Barbara Kingsolver, at least in its multiple messages.

In State of Wonder, Marina is a pharmacologist who is sent by her employer to the Amazon. The reasons for this are many: the company has another doctor there working on a fertility drug but the doctor won't send regular reports and updates, and Marina's coworker, Anders, who was sent to check on the drug's progress, reportedly died while he was there.

While the book is a character study of Marina, it is also full of environmental messages and warnings. What are we doing when we delve into things we might better leave alone? What eco systems are we destroying, what habitats and peoples are we negating in the search for the next, best cure or fix? Why can't we just leave well enough alone?

These are very good questions, and the book asks them but does not offer straightforward answers. There is an implication, though, that the meddling is not for the best and that humanity might be better served by preserving instead of destroying.

Health Update

I try not to write too much about what is going on with my health because I think most people find it boring or don't really care, but for those who have wondered:

I am still having pain that doctors think is from adhesions from my gallbladder surgery. This is a relatively rare complication but not unknown. However, the pain is fairly severe and chronic. Last week I started physical therapy to try to stretch things out in hopes of avoiding another surgery. Fingers crossed. If surgery is required, I will likely have to go out of the area to find a specialist who deals with adhesions.

I was also having trouble with fatigue and nausea, which I attributed to the pain. My family doctor sent me to a gastroenterologist to be sure, though. After some testing on October 31, I learned that I have many, many ulcers (more than 50!) in my stomach and small intestines, and erosion of my esophagus. I am taking medication for that and hopefully it will help with some of the multiple issues I have been dealing with.

On the plus side I have stuck with Weight Watchers Online and I'm still losing weight, although rather slowly. I am not able to be very active because of the abdominal pain (which increases with movement) but hopefully the physical therapy will help.

I have felt less tired in the last week, so I am hoping that clearing up the ulcers will bring improvement.

Thank you if you've been thinking of me and wishing me well.

Thirty Years

Today is my 30th wedding anniversary. I posted many photos last week of our wedding, which you may see here at this link, if you like.

Our wedding day was cold, and there was a hint of snow in the air as the evening hour approached. The day was a Friday; we married at 7:30 p.m., mostly because the next day was the start of deer hunting season (yes, really). We didn't want to inconvenience the men in the family. And besides, who wants to ruin a whole Saturday on a wedding?

We only had a very short honeymoon - we went to a bed and breakfast in Bath County, where we stayed two nights. We were home by Sunday afternoon and ready to settle in as husband and wife.

While the nights away were terrific, the first night in our rented home was not. My husband developed an upset stomach, (not from my cooking, we had eaten out!) and we had no medicine in the house.

Thirty years ago there wasn't a CVS around the corner, and certainly no 24-hour Walmart. But there was a 24-hour convenience store, and I drove to Daleville and purchased Pepto Bismal, because being newly weds we didn't have that kind of thing in the house. It did not occur to me to call my in-laws, who were just a minute away, for some medication. I've always been a do-it-myself kind of girl.

But once we got over that little hump, we settled in, had our first Christmas, and kept moving forward.

We have had our share of problems - what couple doesn't? - but we've always managed to work through them. We have much affection and respect for one another, and I think those are important for marriage to be successful.

Even after 30 years, we still hold hands when we are together. We hold hands while we watch TV, while we're riding in the car, and while we're shopping. If I had to offer one piece of advice to anyone about marriage, that would be it.

Hold hands, and hold on.

A Southern USA Accent

From Sunday Stealing

The ASK Meme, part one


1. What’s your favorite candle scent?

A. Unscented. I suppose that isn't a scent, but I am sensitive to most smells, and scented candles cause asthma attacks.

2. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister?

A. Meryl Streep.

3. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother?

A. I have one brother, I don't need another one. But I would like to be friends with Tom Hanks.

4. How old do you think you’ll be when you get married?

A. I was 20, still a baby. If I only knew then what I know now!

5. Do you know a hoarder?

A. Probably, but I am not aware of it.

6. Can you do a split?

A. Sure, I can split. Watch me leave!

7. How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike?

A. I was five. Here's my first bike story: I received a beautiful blue girl's bike for Christmas the year I was five, complete with training wheels. Santa placed a Batgirl doll on the seat and she was driving! I was thrilled. And then a few days later my father took me outside and taught me to ride.

8. How many oceans have you swam in?

A. Just the Atlantic. Also Kelsy's Ocean (You will only get that if you watch the ol' black and white Andy Griffith shows).

9. How many countries have you been to?

A. Four. USA, England (in a plane stopover, but it still counts), Spain, and France.

10. Is anyone in your family in the military?

A. Not at the present. My father, grandfather, and several uncles served.

11. Have you named any of your body parts?

A. Eww. No.

12. If you had a child today, what would you name him/her?

A. If we had been successful in our efforts to have a child, I would have named a girl Susan and a boy James, after his dad.

13. What’s the worst grade you got on a test?

A. Like I remember that? I was, generally speaking, a straight-A student, with Bs in gym. As an undergrad in college my GPAs were above 3.5 and I finished my masters with a 3.96.  Take from that what you like.

14. What was your favorite TV show when you were a child?

A. Bewitched, the Brady Bunch, and Charlie's Angels. If only I could crinkle my nose and go Marsha, Marsha, Marsha while chasing after bad guys!

15. What did you dress up as on Halloween when you were eight?

A. I have absolutely no idea. What, are these questions for people who are 15? That was 42 years ago!

16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series?

A. I have read all of the Harry Potter books. I haven't read any of the others, although I do have the first Hunger Games book in my to-read pile.

17. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent?

A. I would rather have no accent. I have a southern USA accent, and would like to overcome it someday. I am not sure what an "American" accent sounds like.

18. Did your mother go to college?

A. She attended the local community college but did not finish.

19. Are your grandparents still married?

A. They were when they died, yes.

20. Have you ever taken karate lessons?

A. I went one time and decided I was too old and too fat for such a thing.

21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is?

A. Yes. He sang The Rainbow Connection. He's a muppet.

22. What was the first amusement park you’ve been to?

A. The first amusement park I went to, I presume, was Lakeside, a now defunct amusement park in Salem, VA that had a rollercoaster, a sky tram, and other rides. Lakeside closed in the late 1980s; it never recovered well from the infamous Flood of 1985, which about wiped most of my area from the map. Check out this link for photos of Lakeside, and this link for photos of the Flood of 1985.

23. What language, besides your native language, would you like to be fluent in?

A. Spanish and Latin. I took both in high school but use it or lose it: I lost it.

24. Do you spell the color as grey or gray?

A. I use both, actually. I try to be consistent about it within a single piece of writing, though.

25. Is your father bald?

My father. I guess he
is getting a little thin
on top.

A. No, but my husband is.

I cannot figure out percentages

Saturday 9: 1, 2, 3, 4

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) In this song, the singer tells his girl he appreciates how she makes him feel. Who is the most supportive person in your life?

A. My husband. He is, without a doubt, my number one fan.

2)  Our singer only has to count to 4, which is a cinch. Do you understand the more sophisticated math sciences, like geometry and algebra?

A. A long, long time, I can still remember how that music used to ... oh wait. Um. We're talking math here. Way back in high school (which was over 30 years ago), I took Algebra, Geometry, and Trig, and aced every class. Today I cannot figure out percentages to save my soul.

3) This video features a couple who shared their first kiss behind the high school. Tell us about your first kiss.

A. My first kiss with my husband, that being the only one I care to recall, is the one I will describe. We had just met that night at a football game, on a chilly October evening in 1982. Mutual friends introduced us. He asked me out after the game, and we went dancing. While we were dancing he leaned in and kissed me, long and slow . . . I wrapped my arms around him and we stayed like that, kissing while we slow-danced, for almost the entire song (or until his friends who were in the crowd started making noises). And that was when I knew I would marry him.

4) Filmed in Chicago, this video features the Art Institute of Chicago, home to works by Monet, Gauguin and Van Gogh. How do you express your creativity? (Draw, paint, write, sing or play music ... )

A. I am a professional writer and photographer. I also find joy in baking cookies and making fudge, which for some reason tickles those creative little funny bones. Additionally, I sing and play guitar. I used to do those professionally, too, but that was a very long time ago.

5) Chicago is home to two of the world's tallest buildings -- the Willis aka Sears Tower and The John Hancock Center (which appears briefly in this video). Both have observation decks that offer panoramic views of the city. Are you afraid of heights?

A. I am afraid of elevators. I am not afraid of heights, really, but without an elevator it makes getting to the top rather tricky.

6) The Plain White T's got their start in Lombard, a suburb of Chicago and home to Yorktown Center -- a huge, two story shopping mall. Do you enjoy going to the mall, or would you rather shop online, or in small, independent stores?

A. I like to shop in malls when I want to browse, in independent stores when I'm feeling like supporting my community, and an online when I can't find what I want anywhere else.


7) Naturally Yorktown Center has a food court. Would you prefer a pretzel from Auntie Anne's, a cinnamon roll from Cinnabon or a cookie from Mrs. Field's? 

A. A cookie, I guess, though I have never had a Mrs. Field's cookie. My husband would rather have the cinnamon roll from Cinnabon. He thinks those are da bomb.

8) While we're at the mall … Imagine you're at the customer service counter of a big department store. As you wait for help, you see an older lady pocket a Timex watch. Would you turn her in or look the other way?

A. Hmm. I think I would watch her and if she walked out of the store without paying then I would hope I would speak up, but technically until she leaves without paying, she hasn't done anything wrong.  I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt.

9) Which puzzle would you have more success with: crossword or sudoku?

A. Crossword. I have never done Sudoku. I'm not even sure what it is.

Autumn 2013