Color on Parade

3 on Thursday

The 3 on Thursday meme:


1. What is your favorite TV show?

A. I don't have a favorite anymore. Big Bang Theory is probably the closest I have to a favorite, but to me a favorite TV show is one I absolutely can't wait to watch, with wonderful story lines and characters, and few fit that description these days. I am watching Game of Thrones but it is a bit gory for my taste sometimes, so while I don't miss it I wouldn't call it a favorite.

2. Do you like the beach or the pool?

A. Neither. I am not much into public water displays. When I was younger, I enjoyed the beach, and my parents had a backyard built-in pool when I was a teenager. But I am older now.

3. Are you a morning or night time shower person?

A. Actually, both. I take a good shower in the morning but do a quick rinse in the evening. I have terrible allergies and asthma and have discovered that rinsing away the pollen every day before bedtime is a good way to stay in better health.

Thursday Thirteen

First Lines . . . Do you know them? Answers at the bottom.

1. Got a call from an old friend, we used to be really close. Said he couldn't go on the American Way.

2. When I was young, I never needed anyone. Makin' love was just for fun. Those days are gone.

3. It's another tequila sunrise, starin' slowly 'cross the sky. Said goodbye.

4. Starry starry night. Paint your palette blue and gray. Look out on a summers day with eyes that know the darkness in my soul.

5. If I could save time in a bottle the first thing that I'd like to do is to save every day 'til eternity passes away just to spend them with you.

6. How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man?

7. When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand, and nothing, whoa nothing is going right.

8. Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side?

9. There'll be no strings to bind your hands, not if my love won't bind your heart.

10. I am just a poor boy though my story's seldom told. I have squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles such are promises.

11. If I leave here tomorrow would you still remember me? For I must be traveling on now 'cause there's too many places I've got to see.

12. When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

13. Lost and all alone. I always thought that I could make it on my own. But since you left I hardly make it through the day.


Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 346th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

Answers:

1. My Life, Billy Joel
2. All By Myself, Eric Carmen
3. Tequila Sunrise, The Eagles
4. Vincent, Don McClean
5. Time in a Bottle, Jim Croce
6. Blowin' in the Wind, Bob Dylan (Peter Paul & Mary)
7. You've got a friend, Carole King
8. The Rainbow Connection, Paul Williams (& Kermit)
9. Angel of the Morning, by Chip Taylor (Juice Newton)
10. The Boxer, Paul Simon
11. Free Bird, Ron Van Zandt (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
12. Let It Be, The Beatles
13. Lost Without Your Love, David Gates (Bread)

Memorial Day Fireworks

The Fincastle Baptist Church on Sunday set off a grand fireworks display for Memorial Day. The night was clear. I used my Nikon Coolpix P500 and a tripod to take these photos. I took about 150 pictures and I have to say these are some of the clearest and nicest shots of fireworks I have ever taken. I was very pleased when I downloaded them and saw how crisp and clear they looked.

First Cutting 2014

While other folks are grilling hot dogs and swimming in the local pool, around here, this weekend is usually haying time.

Memorial Day 2014

Memorial Day is when we honor those who died in battle. It has in some cases turned into a day celebrating all who have served and/or are still serving in the Armed Forces. Since 911, some services include emergency services workers because so many firefighters died trying to save those in the New York towers.

The day has its origins in the Civil War, with the first official Decoration Day, as the day used to be called, occurring on May 30, 1968. On that day, the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers were covered with flowers at Arlington National Cemetery.

However, many southern states had already begun honoring their war dead prior before then, and a number of towns and cities lay claim to being the first to do so. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, NY, as the official birthplace of the holiday, citing an ongoing celebration that began in 1866.

Most northern states recognized the day after the 1868 declaration, but the southern states did not do so until after World War I, when the holiday changed from honoring those who fought in the Civil War to honoring all Americans who died while serving their country.

The day did not become an officially recognized federal holiday until 1971. You can read about this history at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
To my knowledge, I have no immediate family members who died in service, though a number have served. My grandfather fought in World War II and my father served in Korea, as did his two brothers. I have two other uncles who have been life-long military. I have thanked many a soldier for his or her service, and I have secretly paid for ice cream for one or two on occasion.

I am, however, deeply opposed to war. I have no problem remembering those who have fought and died for this country, and if people chose to go into the military that is their prerogative. I respect them for that choice, just as I hope they respect me for my stance that opposes their dying. I would rather have them alive, and if that makes me naïve, then I am naïve.

Killing and fighting solves nothing. We are all one, a part of this planet, and brothers and sisters of the world. We should not be destroying one another over land, oil, or other spoils. Bloodshed demeans all of us.

What would happen, I have often wondered, if those who fight simply . . . stopped. It can happen. In 1914, at Christmas, soldiers stopped fighting. They climbed from their trenches and enemies greeted one another with "Merry Christmas." They exchanged gifts of whatever they had on hand. They sang carols and played soccer. This is a true story and a perfect example of what could be, if we only had the will to make it so.

May all those who died fighting for their causes rest in peace. May the rest of us work toward a better world, so that no one else must die for those causes or any other. That is my hope for today, and for all of the tomorrows to come.

Death Be Not Proud
By John Donne

DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee  
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,  
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,  
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.  
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,  
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,  
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.  
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,  
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,  
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;  
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,  
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

Sacrilege, I Know

From Sunday Stealing

Random XV

1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet?

A. I have no idea. Maybe 20 years old. I don't think I have any from back when I married, but there could be a pair in there, which would be 30 years ago.

2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety?

A. I don't buy Girl Scout cookies. I am sorry to say, I don't like them. Sacrilege, I know.

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance?

A. Not a clue. I have always wanted to learn to dance but I never have.

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager?

A. Pretty much. I had my moments. Don't we all?

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see?

A. Since I don't even know what movies were nominated for an Oscar, I will have to go with . . . none, unless The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug won something. Did it?

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself?

A. How about we go with neither? I've had so much blood work done in the last year that I leak.

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?

A. I have always liked Sunday afternoons. Nobody is really expecting anything out of you, and it's free time.

8. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received??

A. That I am a good writer.

9. Do hospitals make you queasy?

A. Yes, and so do elevators.

10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card?

A. None of them. I already have too much junk as it is. Although I would not object to books or techno gadgets.

11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items?

A. It depends on the brand name and the product. Laundry soap, yes, because only certain brands keep me from breaking out. Green beans, no.

12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels?

A. I think they are equally difficult, if they are difficult at all. They shouldn't be difficult.

13. What’s one thing you’re deeply proud of — but would never put on your résumé?

A. That I made a good choice when I married my husband.

14. What’s the most out-of-character choice you’ve ever made?

A. I bought a dress. I hate dresses.

15. What’s your personal anthem or theme song?

A. Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.

A Cherry On Top

The Star Spangled Banner

Saturday 9


1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? (We are grateful and want to hear about it.)

A. I am not a veteran. My grandfather served in World War II, and my father served in Korea, however. My father's two brothers also served in the Armed Forces, as did at least two of my mother's brothers that I am aware of. 

2) Memorial Day also kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? 

A. Watermelon. What's a picnic without watermelon? I feel so sorry for kids today. They have no idea what it is like to spit seeds at one another, thanks to seedless melons.

3) Let's celebrate the Memorial Day holiday with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor?

A. Hot fudge sundae. I'm not sure that's a flavor but that is what I would like to have. With whipped cream and a cherry on top. I would pay for it with a massive stomach ache but it sounds so good I might have to risk it one day.

4) 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 rode a bike?

 

A. I have an exercise bike that I just used. Does that count? If not, then I last rode a bike around 1993.

5) Or went hiking? 

A. Last spring I went hiking. Due to a current illness, my hiking days have been severely limited. Well, they weren't that great to begin with, but now they are definitely in the "severely limited" category.

6) Or rode a horse?

A. I would have been about eight when I last rode a pony. I fell off, had the breath knocked out of me, and I bruised my ribs. Even though my father tossed me right back on that animal's back, after that I refused to have anything to do with riding.

 

7) Or toasted a marshmallow? 

A. I haven't the faintest idea when I last did that. It is quite possible the last time was when my husband and I were dating, which would make it 30 years ago.

8) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or window fan on? 

 

A. Yes. I live in the south. We always have air conditioners or fans running. It is hot and humid down here.

 

9) Crazy Sam needs your help: What song or a performer would you like to see featured in a Saturday 9 this summer?

A. The Eagles. Bruce Springsteen. Fleetwood Mac. Bread. Linda Ronstadt. Lynard Skynard. Led Zepplin. The Rolling Stones. The Captain and Tennille. The Carpenters.  Abba. Aretha Franklin. Simon and Garfunkel. Bee Gees. Commodores. Bachman Turner Overdrive. Little River Band. Bob Segar. KC & the Sunshine Band. Jim Croce. Carole King (O please do Carole King! Pretty please with sugar and sunshine on top.). Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (O please do Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, pretty please with chocolate this time!).  The Archies! Elton John. Eric Clapton (I Shot the Sheriff!), Jefferson Airplane. Kansas (Dust in the Wind). The Almond Brothers Band. Olivia Newton John. The Monkees! Good grief, I could go on all day with this list.

Hope that helps!

Thank you, Sam, for doing the Saturday 9. I enjoy the meme very much. Mwah!

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.

Three on Thursday

Three on Thursday

1. What is your favorite summer time activity?

A. I like to garden. I have both a flower garden and a vegetable garden, so working in the soil is fun and productive.


2. What is your favorite "healthy" food to eat?

A. I am pretty sure potato chips don't count, right? How about something like strawberries? I love strawberries. And cucumber.


3. Do you ever think we will have a woman president? (If you would like to state who you think would be a good woman president, you may, just be respectful to others and it is their choice/opinion).

A. I would like to see a woman president, yes. The men have been messing things up long enough. I do not think the first female US president will be Hillary Clinton, however. I like Elizabeth Warren but I don't believe she has expressed a desire to run for the office. I think Oprah Winfrey would make a great goodwill ambassador, though perhaps not a president. I don't know what woman would make a great president, but I hope there is one out there.

Thursday Thirteen #345

By the numbers . . .

1. Three is not a lonely number.

2. Four comes after three, and it is snuggly in the middle of 345, so it is not lonely, either.

3. Five comes at the end of that sequence, so it's got gumption. It is facing down all of the other numbers that come after it, and that's an infinite amount. Talk about fortitude.

4. The number 73 is Sheldon's favorite number.

5. Pi is 3.14, but a piece of chocolate pie on a plate tastes a great deal better.

6. One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do. Two can be as bad as one, it's the loneliest number since the number one.

7. When I was 10 I thought 50 was old. Now that I'm 50, I don't think anything less than 100 is old.

8. I have TENS unit that is working to help control my pain. I can just sit around buzzing all day long. Or I could make music and buzz at the same time, I suppose.

9. I never watched Eight is Enough but I did watch 7th Heaven sometimes. There are also seven heavens in many religions, including Abrahamic traditions.

10. In 1984, the year 2014 seemed very far away. Now 1984 seems like yesterday and yet it is today all at the same time because we've actually turned our world into a semblance of that novel (1984 by George Orwell). Time is interesting, isn't it? It flies, it stops, it slows, it speeds like a rocket ship at lift off or it slows like molasses on a cold January day. Perspective is such a crazy thing.

11. I like to listen to the 60 ticks of my clocks as they go around and around, every second counting down to the minutes and then to the hours. Tick tick tick tick tick. I find it very comforting.

12. Ultra anything is supposed to save you product: use 2x less dishwashing soap, less 4x less toilet paper, 3x less washing machine soap. But I have never done the math and have noticed that most people just dump out however much think they need any don't measure anyway. Speaking of measuring, many mixed things now come with instructions that say "pour to the line in the bag" instead of using 1/2 cup or whatever. In the future, will no one know how to make a recipe?

13. This display of numbers indicates I have too much time on my hands (as well as the fact that I could probably win Free Cell in my sleep):

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 345th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

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.