Remembering the Dead

Last week, we were in Blacksburg and we stopped by Virginia Tech. I had never been on campus even though it is only a little over an hour away. We did not have time for a full tour but I wanted to see the April 16, 2007 Memorial.

On that day, 32 Hokies died at the hands of a mass murderer, who then took his own life. Twenty-seven were students; five were instructors. Seventeen other people were physically wounded. Countless others were mentally harmed.

Following the massacre, students placed 32 Hokie Stones on the Drillfield at the campus. (Hokie Stones are the gray colored stones from which most of the university buildings are constructed.) Later the university dedicated 32 engraved Hokie Stones to honor the memory of those lost in this horrible tragedy. Each stone weighs 300 lbs. A single stone in the center of the memorial honors all the fallen and injured victims.

An overview of the memorial.

 

Each stone has a name engraved upon it.

 

Of all the things I saw during our visit, this sight broke my heart. As we were paying our respects, this gentleman came by. He touched particular stones as he moved around the semi-circle. As he passed us, he murmured, "Those are the ones I knew," and he continued his way around, touching various stones. Tears welled in my eyes as I watched him. I wonder how often this man, whom I suspect is an instructor at the university, performs this sacred ritual.

 


A closer look. I tried to make sure I captured all the stones.

 

The memorial is a somber reflection despite the activity going on around it.

 

A nice touch.

 


On April 16, 2007, we all were Virginia Tech.

Sunday Stealing: 25

From Sunday Stealing

25 Fun Meme


1. If you were trapped in a room with the person who asked this for 24 hours, what would you do? The answer cannot be romantic or sexual.

A. Play cards. If there were no cards, then I would pull out the notebook I always carry with me and make a deck. We'd also talk and get to know one another. If they had a cell phone and ignored me, I eventually would throw it against the wall (after we called for help). They are the bane of our existence.

2. If you could learn any language instantly, what would it be?

A. Latin. Most of the romance languages have their roots there, so once that one has been mastered the rest come easier.

3. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A. The Lord of the Rings.

4. Favorite song lyric?

A. "I'm leavin' on a jet plane, I don't know when I'll be back again. Oh babe, I hate to go."

5. Favorite album?

A. Melissa Etheridge's Yes I Am.

6. Which time of day would you say is best for you work-wise?

A. Dr. Pepper time. (10, 2 and 4, for the youngsters)

7. Favorite city that you’ve visited?

A. Paris, France

8. Favorite city that you haven’t visited?

A. How would I know if I haven't visited it? Oh well. London, England.

9. If you could donate $10,000 to charity, what charity would you pick?

A. Some kind of anti-gun violence group, I am not sure what is out there at the moment.

10. What is one book you wish you could get all your friends to read?

A. The Lord of the Rings.

11. What is one movie you wish you could get all your friends to watch?

A. The Lord of the Rings (all three of them)

12. What do you think people assume about you from first glance?

A. That I am fat and lazy. That is what I think they assume, but while yes, I'm overweight, it's not who I am.

13. If you could play any musical instrument, what would it be?

A. I play many instruments, but would like to play them all better.

14. What is your favorite item of clothing?

A. I have an old blue sweater-type thing that is so ratty it needs to go in the trash, but I keep wearing it. It is threadbare and no longer stops the chill, but it still finds it way onto my body almost every day.

15. Who was your first follower on your blog? Do they still follow you?

A. I have no idea who my first follower was. But I have friends who have followed it from the time I let them know it existed. I appreciate each and every reader, even if I have no idea who he or she may be.

16. If you could create one thing, what would it be?

A. A time machine.

17. Favorite superhero?

A. The Black Widow in the Marvel Universe, circa 1975 or so, followed closely by Batgirl.

18. If you were to write an autobiography, what would you title it?

A. Doing Her Best

19. If you were to have a band, what would you call it?

A. I actually played in a band in the late 1970s and into the early 1980s. Its name was Almost Famous, and we were there long before there was a movie version of it.

20. What is your favorite card/board game?

A. Life.

21. What was the first IM service you used? Who was the first person you talked to on it?

A. AOL was my first service, and I have been on AOL since 1993, so I have no idea who the first person was.

22. If you could give a friendly hug to any one person, who would it be? Cannot be your romantic/sexual partner if you have one.

A. My friend B., who is having a really rough year.

23. Have you ever won any sort of contests? What kind?

A. I've won writing contests.

24. Who was the last person you hugged? Cannot be your romantic/sexual partner if you have one.

A. My physical therapist.

25. If you could be skilled in any one activity, what would it be? Cannot be romantic or sexual.

A. I would love to be able to draw.

Saturday 9: It Don't Come Easy

Saturday 9: It Don't Come Easy (1971)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This was Ringo's first big hit as a solo artist. Who is your favorite member of his old, very famous group, The Beatles?

A. Paul McCartney. I actually preferred his second reincarnation as Paul McCartney and the Wings.
 
2) In this song, Ringo sings that you have to pay your dues. Do you belong to any organizations that require you to pay dues?

A. I belong to a couple of historic organizations that want yearly dues.

3) He also sings, "you don't have to shout." When did you last raise your voice?

A. Whenever I last yelled at my husband, but I am not sure what recent day that was. Poor fellow, he's the only person I yell at. I did threaten to yell at an ailing friend if she dared to mow her yard, but did not have to because I found someone to do it for her.

4) Ringo has two piercings on each ear and one tattoo on each arm. Do you have more piercings or body art?

A. I just have scars. Oh, wait, I have a hole in each ear for an earring. I guess that's a body piercing. Seems so normal I forgot about it.

5) Ringo gave his first wife, Maureen, a one-of-a-kind birthday gift. Frank Sinatra made a recording of "The Lady Is a Tramp" personalized to her. Tell us about one of your most memorable birthday celebrations.

A. That would be my 50th birthday party, a surprise event my husband pulled off at the local pizza place two years ago. He invited everyone in my cell phone.

6) Ringo appeared as Mr. Conductor on Thomas the Tank Engine. He recorded the narration for the entire first season in just a week. Tell us what you did last week.

A. I took my vehicle to have it serviced and visited the April 16, 2007 shooting memorial at Virginia Tech.
 
7) Ringo also did the narration for Ladybird children's books. Do you like audiobooks?

A. I love audiobooks! I have one in the car all the time. I am currently listening to a Sue Grafton mystery.

8) As a boy in Liverpool, Ringo loved watching American westerns. His passion for the genre is reflected in the outfit he's wearing on the sleeve for "It Don't Come Easy." Do you like cowboy movies/shows?

A. I like some of the older TV shows like Bonanza and The Big Valley.

9) You know what else don't come easy? Nine questions every week. Crazy Sam has heard it all: this meme asks too many movie questions, too many questions about sports, too many questions that sound familiar ...  OK, now it's your turn. Help a tired meme mistress out. Contribute a random question that is not about movies or sports (pro or collegiate) and has never been asked before on this meme. Sam will compile these for an all-random Saturday 9 in November. That way she'll get a much-appreciated week off. Thanks for your help!

 

A. Random question: What does your big toe look like?

 

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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.

The Phoenix Bridge

The Phoenix Bridge is a historic structure located near Eagle Rock in Botetourt. It is a one-lane bridge with a wooden roadway that crosses Craig Creek on Rt. 685. It is still in use today.

Autumn is not coming to SW VA this year.

Built in 1887, the structure was one of the first steel bridges in this end of Virginia. It was built by The Phoenix Bridge Company of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; hence it's name.

The National Register of Historic Places listed it in 1975 as a place of interest. Click here for a Library of Congress link.

Looking north.

Around 1840, builders and engineers began using iron instead of timber for bridges; two iron bridges were built across the Erie Canal in New York about that time.

After the Civil War there was a boom in bridge-building, and The Phoenix Bridge Company formed to take care of the need.

I don't know if this is a Phoenix post, but I love the picture.

The Phoenix Company's distinctive product was the Phoenix post, a compression member composed of four flanged segments riveted together, which is used in this bridge.

We don't usually travel this road (locally known as Ball Park Road), but last weekend we headed to Eagle Rock to see if the Autumn colors were any better further north of us. Alas, as you can see, I was unable to take spectacular bridge photos with a lovely, colorful background.

I did, though, capture a nice blue sky.

The last time I wrote about this bridge was in 2009.

Thursday Thirteen

From 2014. So far it looks nothing
like this.

1. The colors - where are the colors? So far the beauty of Autumn has been muted in my area. What's the foliage been like where you are?

2. Windows 10 has been the bane of my existence since I installed it. What were you thinking, Microsoft? You hoodooed and voodooed my contact with the world.

3. Earlier this week, my office clocks (yes, I have several in here) began to die off, and for a few days I had no idea what time it was. Thankfully, my husband helped me change out the batteries (they are hanging high or over top of things and I couldn't reach them) and now I know the correct time. I wear a watch, so you'd think this wouldn't have been so disturbing. You're supposed to stop a clock when people die, did you know that? Otherwise their spirit can't move on.

4. If I dressed up for Halloween, which I don't, I think this year I would go as Supergirl. Well, in my instance it would be a waddling Super Woman, but at any rate, I am looking forward to this new show. I hope it lives up to its hype.

5. Does anyone know anything about MSM?

6. On the old Andy Griffith show, the Darling family, folks from up in the hills, would use old home remedies for illnesses and pains. Sometimes I think I need to put a chestnut in my pocket and do the incantation for a sore foot.

7. Our fields are full of wild sage, and I have thought about drying it and bundling it to use for cleansing. Burning sage has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for clearing away bad vibes and personal healing.

8. I'm not sure what I am writing about today, but there must be a connection going on my brain somewhere. Sometimes my thoughts are like ghosts and goblins; they haunt me and scare me. Other times they're little fairies and just-awakened princesses.

9. I've mentioned before that the deer is my totem. I have totems running all over the front yard these days. Every doe has twins this year.

10. Today is TINKER DAY at my alma mater, Hollins University (a single-sex education facility, women only in undergraduate classes). This is an annual tradition. On some secret day in October, the president of the college cancels classes. The young women climb to the top of Tinker Mountain, where they enjoy fried chicken and Tinker Cake. They put on skits, dress up in crazy outfits, and generally have a great time. Here's a video of Hollins Tinker Day 2011. Go Green and Gold! (We've also never lost a football game since the college was founded in 1842. Of course, we don't have a football team, either.)

11. If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning. No I wouldn't. I would go back to bed. Besides, I have a hammer, unless my husband's run off with that one, too. He's bad about taking my tools. Do you have your own personal tool kit? Every woman should have one, and not one of those silly cheap pink sets, either. Real tools for real work. Because, you know, we're women.

12. My friends are the family I have chosen for myself. Thank goodness there are folks out there who "get me" even when I am not getting myself. Thank you, dear readers and fellow bloggers, for being my cousins.

13. Do you hear what I hear? That sound of seasons changing? The wind is whispering in a new voice, one that brings with it the cold. Winter is coming. And you know nothing, Jon Snow.


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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 417th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

Outside Photos - Near Eagle Rock

Train track near Eagle Rock

Craig Creek off Ball Park Road

Craig Creek

Books: Salvage the Bones

Salvage the Bones
by Jesmyn Ward
Copyright 2010?
288 Pages


This winner of the 2011 National Book Award deserved the accolades it received when it came out. This book was a read for my book club, and it is one of the better books I've read this year.

This is the tale of a poor family struggling to survive in the ten days prior to Hurricane Katrina, which created havoc and devastation in southeast Louisiana in 2005. We see the story unfold through the eyes of Esch, the nickname for a 14-year old black teenager who struggles to understand her three brothers and drunken father. They live on an inherited plot of ground, apparently on their father's disability check. Their mother died giving birth to the last son.

The story is heartbreaking in its humanity, and eye-opening in that it exposes the depths of poverty and how people struggle to survive in an America that offers them few options and no way to climb out of the Pit in which they find themselves. Living in Appalachia, I know families like this - the ones who sell tomatoes for a pittance to pay for extras, those who struggle daily to keep the roof from literally falling in on their heads. I've written about them as a news reporter and tried to make those of us who have more understand how fortunate we are.

Ward did an excellent job in writing this book, creating an inner atmosphere for Esch by using her school reading of mythology as a background for her life, along with the symbolism of a pit bull dog named China that her brother Skeeter was using as a fighting dog. The story opens with China giving birth, a fitting symbol for many things, including the little fetus growing inside the young teenager. The reader knows what's coming - the hurricane and its terrible winds and floods - and the reading speeds along as we try to determine who in the family will survive the calamity about to befall them.

The book makes one question how people survive at all - and how do people who already have next to nothing recover when the little they have is taken from them? This question is answered in a very direct way at the end, but that answer is not spelled out.

So I shall spell it out for you: when all is lost, we help one another.

This is a quick read - maybe four-five hours. Pick it up and wash it down. You won't be sorry.

Sunday Stealing: Swiped

From Sunday Stealing

Swiped Meme

1. Did someone die in that last movie you watched?

A. No. Well, not yet. I'm watching The Hobbit trilogy and I'm only on the second movie.


You can't tell me those aren't lovely colors outside
my window

2. Are the trees pretty colors outside for you now?

A. Yes.

3. Have you ever made a bad first impression on someone else's parents?

A. Probably.

4. When's the last time you recorded something on TV?

A. Around 2001.

5. What is a career you wanted to have when you were younger, and still kind of want to have now?

A. Archeologist.

My sunflower this summer. Yes, I grew it myself.

6. What are your views on sunflowers?

A. Um. They're flowers, they're cheery, and they're yellow. Sometimes they are tall, sometimes they are short. What a weird question.

7. What is your favorite incense or candle scent?

A. I can't stand scents of any kind. If your house smells like a Yankee Candle, I am afraid I won't be visiting.

8. Caramel apples or candy apples?

A. Neither one.

9.  Have you ever walked into a wall?

A. I go through walls.

10. Would you ever or do you make your dog wear a bandana?

A. No. I make mine wear glasses and a blue shirt. (Just kidding, love.)

11. Do you find dandelions when they're gone all white pretty?

A. Grammar people. Grammar. Or maybe it's just English we're missing here. Dandelions turn white and fluffy when they go to seed. They are pretty.

12. Who makes you laugh?

A. Monty Python. Jeff Dunham.

13. The scariest moment of your life?

A. That moment when the anesthesiologist places the mask over your face and you don't know if you will open your eyes again.

14. What’s the coolest thing you’ve bought lately?

A. Ice?

15. What’s the worst you’ve had to do because of losing a bet?

A. I've never lost a bet.

__________

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 9: Beyond the Sea

Saturday 9: Beyond the Sea (1959)

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

1) This song mentions golden sands. When do you think you'll next visit the beach?

A. It will be at least a year, maybe two. Maybe never. We've started vacationing elsewhere as we've aged.

2) Shortly after "Beyond the Sea" hit the charts, Bobby Darin  met and married movie sweetheart Sandra Dee. Her squeaky-clean image is spoofed in the song, "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee," from Grease. Can you name another song from Grease?

A. Hopelessly Devoted to You. And now that song is stuck in my head.

3) Years earlier, Bobby had an ill-fated romance with singer Connie Francis. According to Ms. Francis, Darin wanted to marry her, but her father forbade it. Have you ever had a relationship that your parents disapproved of?

A. I suspect I was the relationship that other parents disapproved of, actually. At least as far as some of my friends were concerned.

4) Bobby was a Renaissance man: Grammy-winning singer, Oscar-nominated actor, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and an excellent chess player. Are you good at chess?

A. I haven't played chess in a very long time, so I don't know.

5) A car buff, he drove a 1960 custom car that was so unique and spectacular it's now in a Detroit museum. The bright red paint was mixed with ground diamonds to ensure that it sparkled in the sun. Each of the four bucket seats had its own ac/heat control and radio speaker. The steering wheel was slightly squared for easier handling. What features would your dream car have?

A. I don't have a dream car. My Camry, however, could use a little more storage space up front and all of that Blue Tooth crap and things that hook into your cell phone could vanish and I'd never miss it.

6) Beyond the Sea is also the name of the 2004 screen biography in which Kevin Spacey played Bobby Darin. Who would you choose to play you in the story of your life?

A. Kathy Bates for now, Drew Barrymore when I was in my 30s. Maise Williams as a teenager.

7) When he was just 8 years old, Bobby Darin was stricken with rheumatic fever, and the disease left him with a dangerously weakened heart. Did you spend much time in the hospital when you were a kid?

A. I had a mole on my chest surgically removed when I was 5 years old. At that time they used ether to put you under. The scar the surgery left is huge - when I was in middle school I used to tell my teachers I'd had heart surgery to get out of gym class when I didn't feel well. If they didn't believe me, I'd just pull up my shirt and show them this big scar. Terrible, wasn't I?

8) In 1959, when "Beyond the Sea" was popular, Alaska became our 49th state. What comes to mind when you think of Alaska?

A. Bears.

9) In 1959, Conair introduced the first hair dryer developed for home use. Is there a hair dryer in your bathroom right now?

A. Of course.

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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 Thirteen

Roles I have played -

1. Daughter (isn't daughter or son the first role anyone plays?)

2. Wife (what being married is all about)

Me & hubby in old age

3. Sister (means I have a sibling)

4. Friend (hopefully a good one; I try hard, anyway)

5. File clerk (first job - well, I left out babysitting)

6. Receptionist (second job)

7. Legal Secretary (third job)

8. Newspaper reporter (fourth job)

9. Freelance writer (life-long dream and longest-held job)

10. Retail clerk (short interim job helping out a friend)



When I rocked and rolled.

11. Guitar player in a band (high school)

12. Adjunct college teacher (a few years ago)

13. Farm helper (pretty much all my life; my father farmed, my husband farms. It never ends.)


And these are not even all of the roles I might take on as my own. College student, community service worker, volunteer, etc. After 50 years, it can be a long list.

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 416th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

Chipmunk

Chipmunks are very hard to photograph. For one thing, they are hard to see, and for another, they are speedy little things. We've had one gathering nuts not far from the house for a while. I photographed it through the window.

 

Peek-A-Boo

Man at Work

Making a few little changes



The kind I only watch.



It is good to the Queen.

Sunday Stealing: Alphabet

From Sunday Stealing

That Alphabet Thing Meme

A: Accent -- Bless my heart and butter me a biscuit, my accent is Southern through and through.

B: Breakfast -- Scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, grits. (That's my favorite breakfast, not what I ate.)

C: Chore you hate -- Cleaning them ol' toilets, yah.

D: Dad's name -- Dad, duh.

E: Essential everyday item -- Eyeglasses.

F: Flavor ice cream -- Chocolate, but I don't eat ice cream.

G: Gold or silver -- Silver

H: Hometown -- Appalachian Virginia, which is not a real town but an approximate location.

I: Insomnia -- Frequently

J: Job title -- Queen of Laundry, Empress of Emptying the Dishwasher, Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, Writer of Words Stashed in Drawers, Player of Music That Makes Dogs Howl.

K: Kids -- Nope.

M: Mother's birthplace -- This is the kind of information that ID thieves love, and I don't give out that sort of thing.

N: Number of significant others -- Um. Monogamy is still the law of the land, yes?

O: Overnight hospital stays -- Far too many to count.

P: Phobia -- I don't like spiders and snakes, and that ain't what it takes to love me.

Q: Quick at -- Sarcasm.

R: Religious affiliation -- Unaffiliated.

S: Siblings -- One brother. When we were on the bus one time, we had a huge fight and he called me a "Playtex Deodorant Tampon" in front of everyone. I think I slugged him, but I can't remember for certain. Little brothers. Sigh.

T: Time you wake up -- Usually 6 a.m.

U: Unnatural hair colors -- None. The gray is all mine.

V: Vegetable you refuse to eat -- Can't really think of one.

W: Worst habit -- It's a tie between chewing my nails or self-loathing.

X: X-rays -- Too many to count. The last ones were of my spine, and before that my ankle, and before that my entire stomach region, not to mention dental X-rays.

Y: Yummy -- Yummy Yummy I've got love in my tummy.
 
Z: Zodiac sign -- Gemini. I am double trouble and everyone knows it. Do you believe that?

__________

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 9: Cheerleader

Saturday 9: Cheerleader (2014)

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

1) Homecoming and football make this an important time of year for cheerleaders. Were you a cheerleader, or did you date one?

 

That's me on the right with my flute and long hair.

 

A. No. I played in the high school band, and I was a nerd. 

2) Beyond cheerleaders and the big game, homecoming is a time for parades. Have you ever ridden on a float?

A. When I was in the high school band, we marched in parades. Does that count?

3) OMI sings that his girl is always there when he needs her. Who do you know you can always count on?

 

A. My husband, my brother, several of my friends. I consider myself fortunate in that.

4) This video features a sandy beach, a rocky shore and palm trees. What do you see outside your window right now?

A. Changing deciduous trees as Autumn begins to redress the colors of the farm.

5) In the lyrics we hear that his cheerleader girlfriend is "like a genie in a bottle." Who would rather hang around with? Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie or Samantha from Bewitched?

 

A. Samantha. She was smart and cool. And she had that nose twitching thing going for her. We would have been great friends.

6) OMI is from Jamaica. Have you ever visited that island country?

A. No.

 

7) Christopher Columbus landed in Jamaica in 1494. Columbus Day will soon be upon us (October 12). Is it a big deal in your community?

 

A. It's just a bank and government holiday.
 

8) Queen Elizabeth is Jamaica's head of state. Her Majesty is now 89 years old and a great grandmother. Who is the oldest person in your life?

 

A. My father's mother is 95 years old. Unfortunately, she lives in California and I haven't seen her since about 1987. We talked on the phone until she lost her hearing. Now I send her a card or a note sometimes, but I am not sure she gets them at the nursing home. On my mother's side, one of my great-great aunts died when she was 107. But probably the oldest person who is actually involved in my life is my mother-in-law, who is 82 (I think).

9) Her Majesty was named Elizabeth Alexandra Mary after three of her relatives, who also were queens. Were you named after anyone?

 

A. Not really. My paternal grandfather thought maybe my middle name, spelled differently, was a take on his name, but my mother always told me it wasn't. I like to think it was a happy accident.

 

_____________

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.