Sunday Stealing: The Procrastination Tool Questions
1. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
A. Shakers. It is a local chain.
2. What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it?
A. Chocolate.
3. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
A. Tonsils, teeth, ovaries, uterus, gallbladder, blood.
4. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
A. Probably the laundry. I am not supposed to lift heavy objects because of a problem with my back and a hernia in my front.
5. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
A. I don't remember.
6. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
A. Yes, I think so. Then I would have a party before I go, and sort of walk off into the mist, never to be seen again.
7. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
A. I have always liked the name Susan, but I think I'll keep what I have.
8. What’s your goal for the year?
A. Continued health improvement and to lose the weight I gained since Christmas.
9. Last person you hugged?
A. My nephew. It would have been my husband but my nephew just dropped by.
10. First place you went this morning?
A. The bathroom. Isn't that usually the first place most people go?
11. Do you always answer your phone?
A. No. If I don't recognize the number, I don't answer it.
12. It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
A. Somebody with bad news, except they'd have to call me because I don't text (still).
13. If you could change your eye color what would it be?
A. Blue.
14. What’s on your wish list for your birthday?
A. My birthday is two weeks away, give or take a few days. My only desire is to see the new Wonder Woman movie.
15. Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
A. It depends on the discussion. Politically and economically I am nervous. Personally I yam what I yam.
16. Do you have any saved texts?
A. I have lots of saved emails.
17. Ever been in a car wreck?
A. Yes, several times.
18. Do you have an accent?
A. I am from the south. What do y'all think?
19. What was the last song to make you cry?
A. Vincent (Starry Starry Night). It always makes me cry.
20. What did you do last night?
A. Slept.
21. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
A. Yes.
22. Current hate right now?
A. I don't hate. It's a useless emotion.
23. Met someone who changed your life?
A. Yes, my husband.
24. How did you bring in the New Year?
A. I went to bed and woke up the next day.
25. What song represents you?
A. Unwritten, by Natasha Bedingfield
__________
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.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Saturday 9: Stars and Stripes
Saturday 9: Stars and Stripes Forever by The Muppets
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
Memorial Day is the federal holiday designated to honor American service people who died in battle. Though our song choice is humorous, we honor their sacrifice in our hearts.
1) Memorial Day was introduced after the Civil War. War memorials, as well as the graves of veterans, are to be decorated with flags and flowers on this day to show our appreciation. Is there a war memorial in your neighborhood?
A. We have an obelisk monument at the county courthouse. It was dedicated October 27, 1904 and put up by the Botetourt Monument Association.
The monument is unusual in that on one side it says this:
“To the women of Botetourt in remembrance of their constant encouragement, steadfast devotion, tender in ministrations and unfailing providence and care, during the war and in the dark reconstruction years.” Most of these Civil War memorials do not honor the women, from what I understand.
The other side lists “the deeds and services of the twelve volunteer companies … that went to the war from Botetourt County.” It is “in memory of our brave and loyal officers and enlisted men who were killed in battle and who died from wounds and disease, during the war, and of our faithful comrades who have died since the war.”
Since I live here and have ancestors who died in the War Between the States, and this is not a statue of a Confederate leader, I don't have a problem with it. It is a memorial for the dead. I realize others may differ in opinion, and perhaps rightly so. I do have a problem with the Confederate flags that people sometimes put out by it, but not with the memorial itself.
2) Andrew Johnson, our 17th President, was in office the first time Memorial Day (then called Decoration Day) was celebrated. Have you ever met one of our 45 Presidents?
A. The closest I came was playing the Star Spangled Banner for Jimmy Carter. Here's a picture:
The girl in the yellow circle is me. Yes, I look bored.
On the other hand, thanks to my newspaper reporting, I am only two degrees away from the president (or she who should have been president). I reported on Tim Kaine's run for governor and after he won I worked with him or his staff on various stories when he came to the area. Kaine was Mrs. Clinton's choice for vice president and he is a Virginia Senator, so obviously he knows President Obama and President Trump (and former Secretary of State Clinton). Whether or not Senator Kaine would remember me is suspect, because it has been a while since I wrote articles about him, but even so, the connection is there. The same goes for Virginia Senator Mark Warner, also a former state governor. There are other government officials, too, that I have met and that puts me only a single person away from the highest office in the land. I also have a friend who has met President Bill Clinton.
3) According to the AAA, 36 million Americans will hit the road this weekend and drive more than 50 miles. Will you be traveling far from home this weekend?
A. No. I won't be traveling anywhere at all, unless it is to the grocery store.
4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?
A. It used to be hot dogs, but I have grown old and have ulcers and hot dogs no longer agree with me. Can I just say potato chips and let it go at that?
5) Have you packed away your winter clothes? Or is the weather still so changeable that you still may need something warm?
A. I never pack away my clothes. We have a very large walk-in closet and things just get moved from front to back. Plus I tend to wear the same thing year round, adding layers of sweaters when it grows cold. You can do that when you stay home and don't go out much.
6) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?
A. The air conditioner (heat pump) is on at the moment. I feel a little draft. It is the first time it has been on all week, I think, as we have been inundated with rain and below normal temperatures.
7) This week, we are featuring the Muppets. Jim Henson made the first Muppet out of an old coat, and he used ping pong balls for the eyes. Do you have a talent for do-it-yourself/arts and crafts projects?
A. No. I am trying, though.
8) Random question: Think of the last thing you bought. Did you get a good deal?
A. I purchased four t-shirts and a pair of slacks for $33 at JCP on Thursday. I didn't think that was too bad.
9) Crazy Sam needs your help: What song or a performer would you like to see featured in a Saturday 9 this summer? You'll begin seeing your suggestions as Saturday 9 themes in mid-June. Thanks!
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
Memorial Day is the federal holiday designated to honor American service people who died in battle. Though our song choice is humorous, we honor their sacrifice in our hearts.
1) Memorial Day was introduced after the Civil War. War memorials, as well as the graves of veterans, are to be decorated with flags and flowers on this day to show our appreciation. Is there a war memorial in your neighborhood?
 |
| Botetourt's War Monument |
The monument is unusual in that on one side it says this:
“To the women of Botetourt in remembrance of their constant encouragement, steadfast devotion, tender in ministrations and unfailing providence and care, during the war and in the dark reconstruction years.” Most of these Civil War memorials do not honor the women, from what I understand.
The other side lists “the deeds and services of the twelve volunteer companies … that went to the war from Botetourt County.” It is “in memory of our brave and loyal officers and enlisted men who were killed in battle and who died from wounds and disease, during the war, and of our faithful comrades who have died since the war.”
Since I live here and have ancestors who died in the War Between the States, and this is not a statue of a Confederate leader, I don't have a problem with it. It is a memorial for the dead. I realize others may differ in opinion, and perhaps rightly so. I do have a problem with the Confederate flags that people sometimes put out by it, but not with the memorial itself.
2) Andrew Johnson, our 17th President, was in office the first time Memorial Day (then called Decoration Day) was celebrated. Have you ever met one of our 45 Presidents?
A. The closest I came was playing the Star Spangled Banner for Jimmy Carter. Here's a picture:
The girl in the yellow circle is me. Yes, I look bored.
On the other hand, thanks to my newspaper reporting, I am only two degrees away from the president (or she who should have been president). I reported on Tim Kaine's run for governor and after he won I worked with him or his staff on various stories when he came to the area. Kaine was Mrs. Clinton's choice for vice president and he is a Virginia Senator, so obviously he knows President Obama and President Trump (and former Secretary of State Clinton). Whether or not Senator Kaine would remember me is suspect, because it has been a while since I wrote articles about him, but even so, the connection is there. The same goes for Virginia Senator Mark Warner, also a former state governor. There are other government officials, too, that I have met and that puts me only a single person away from the highest office in the land. I also have a friend who has met President Bill Clinton.
3) According to the AAA, 36 million Americans will hit the road this weekend and drive more than 50 miles. Will you be traveling far from home this weekend?
A. No. I won't be traveling anywhere at all, unless it is to the grocery store.
4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?
A. It used to be hot dogs, but I have grown old and have ulcers and hot dogs no longer agree with me. Can I just say potato chips and let it go at that?
5) Have you packed away your winter clothes? Or is the weather still so changeable that you still may need something warm?
A. I never pack away my clothes. We have a very large walk-in closet and things just get moved from front to back. Plus I tend to wear the same thing year round, adding layers of sweaters when it grows cold. You can do that when you stay home and don't go out much.
6) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?
A. The air conditioner (heat pump) is on at the moment. I feel a little draft. It is the first time it has been on all week, I think, as we have been inundated with rain and below normal temperatures.
7) This week, we are featuring the Muppets. Jim Henson made the first Muppet out of an old coat, and he used ping pong balls for the eyes. Do you have a talent for do-it-yourself/arts and crafts projects?
A. No. I am trying, though.
8) Random question: Think of the last thing you bought. Did you get a good deal?
A. I purchased four t-shirts and a pair of slacks for $33 at JCP on Thursday. I didn't think that was too bad.
9) Crazy Sam needs your help: What song or a performer would you like to see featured in a Saturday 9 this summer? You'll begin seeing your suggestions as Saturday 9 themes in mid-June. Thanks!
I searched the Saturday 9 blog and nothing came up for Fleetwood Mac or Stevie Nicks. So I shall suggest something by them. Perhaps Landslide, Rhiannon, Leather and Lace, or some other song by either that Crazy Sam prefers. Those three are my favorites, but they have lots to chose from.
_____________
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.
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.
Friday, May 26, 2017
The Salem Museum
I took a little tour of the Salem Museum last weekend while I was attending the Read Local event. The museum is attractive, with exhibits set up with enough space so that you can actually see them.
There are many items on the walls, some of which I could not see because of the Read Local event, but nevertheless I enjoyed my visit.
Here are few items of note:
The Salem Museum also has an entire room set aside for Lakeside Amusement Park. I shall save that for another post.
There are many items on the walls, some of which I could not see because of the Read Local event, but nevertheless I enjoyed my visit.
Here are few items of note:
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| Intriguing artwork. |
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| I think this was from a collection donated by a local family. I didn't take notes about any of this. |
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| Interesting jewelry. |
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| Old spinning wheel. |
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| A large dollhouse built by a Salem man. I was quite intrigued with the detail as I have always been a fan of miniature items. |
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| An antique wheelchair. |
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| Andrew Lewis. He was a Revolutionary War hero who settled in the Salem area in the mid-1700s. Salem has at least one school named after him. He is buried in Salem. |
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| An 1821 map of Botetourt County, which interested me for numerous reasons. At that time Salem was part of Botetourt County (I think). |
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| An overview of the many photos and displays where one might spend a great deal of time. |
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| I wanted to take the Valley Dale pigs home with me. I remember watching the commercials when I was growing up. Plus, my grandmother and my great-aunt both worked there when they were young. |
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| This room was roped off; it appeared to be full of antiques. |
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| More of the roped-off room. |
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| This silver tea set was in the window of the roped-off room. I thought it beautiful. |
The Salem Museum also has an entire room set aside for Lakeside Amusement Park. I shall save that for another post.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Thursday Thirteen
Virginia Facts and Trivia
1. Virginia was named for England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I. Jamestown, located on the coast, was the first English settlement in the U.S. (1607 - 1699) and the community was the first capital of Virginia. The Virginia Company of England established the colony in hopes of cashing in on the silk trade. When that failed, tobacco became the main export. Jamestown was essentially abandoned when the state capital moved to Williamsburg and today the colony exists only as an agricultural site.
2. Soybeans have replaced tobacco as the state's major cash crop. Other agricultural crops include corn, wheat, cotton, and tomatoes. The first peanuts were grown in Virginia.
3. Virginia was the 10th state of the admitted to the union (June 25, 1788) and is one of the original 13 colonies.
4. Eight United States Presidents were born in Virginia: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
5. Six Presidents' wives were born in Virginia: Martha Washington, Martha Jefferson, Rachel Jackson, Letitia Tyler, Ellen Arthur, and Edith Wilson.
6. Seven Presidents are buried in Virginia: Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Tyler, Taft and Kennedy.
7. The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, founded in 1693, is the second oldest educational facility in the United States.
8. The state nickname is the "Old Dominion." The state tree is the dogwood, and its blossom is the state flower. The state motto is "Sic Semper Tyrannis"(thus always to tyrants).
9. On March 9, 1862 at Hampton Roads, Virginia, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimac) met in one of the most famous naval engagements in US history. Their battle, the first of its kind between metal armored vessels, changed for all time the nature of naval warfare. Over one-half of the 4,000 battles fought in the civil war (1861-1866) were fought in Virginia. The last major battle, fought in 1865 between General Jubal Early and Philip Sheridan, took place in Waynesboro, VA.
10. Virginia is home to the largest office building in the world, the Pentagon, located in Arlington, VA. It has nearly 68,000 miles of internal telephone lines.
11. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is the world's largest bridge-tunnel complex.
12. Bristol, a city in far Southwest Virginia and in Tennessee, is legally two cities. The city is divided down main street, and each side has its own government and city services.
13. Wild ponies have roamed freely on Assateague Island for centuries. Two herds of wild horses make their home there, separated by a fence at the Maryland-Virginia line. These small but sturdy, shaggy horses have adapted to their environment over the years by eating dune and marsh grasses and drinking fresh water from ponds. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company owns and manages the Virginia herd, which is allowed to graze on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, through a special use permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The permit restricts the size of the herd to approximately 150 adult animals in order to protect the other natural resources of the wildlife refuge. It is the Virginia herd which is often referred to as the "Chincoteague" ponies. The animals were made famous by Marguerite Henry's children's book, Misty of Chincoteague.
__________
1. Virginia was named for England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I. Jamestown, located on the coast, was the first English settlement in the U.S. (1607 - 1699) and the community was the first capital of Virginia. The Virginia Company of England established the colony in hopes of cashing in on the silk trade. When that failed, tobacco became the main export. Jamestown was essentially abandoned when the state capital moved to Williamsburg and today the colony exists only as an agricultural site.
2. Soybeans have replaced tobacco as the state's major cash crop. Other agricultural crops include corn, wheat, cotton, and tomatoes. The first peanuts were grown in Virginia.
3. Virginia was the 10th state of the admitted to the union (June 25, 1788) and is one of the original 13 colonies.
4. Eight United States Presidents were born in Virginia: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
5. Six Presidents' wives were born in Virginia: Martha Washington, Martha Jefferson, Rachel Jackson, Letitia Tyler, Ellen Arthur, and Edith Wilson.
6. Seven Presidents are buried in Virginia: Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Tyler, Taft and Kennedy.
7. The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, founded in 1693, is the second oldest educational facility in the United States.
8. The state nickname is the "Old Dominion." The state tree is the dogwood, and its blossom is the state flower. The state motto is "Sic Semper Tyrannis"(thus always to tyrants).
9. On March 9, 1862 at Hampton Roads, Virginia, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimac) met in one of the most famous naval engagements in US history. Their battle, the first of its kind between metal armored vessels, changed for all time the nature of naval warfare. Over one-half of the 4,000 battles fought in the civil war (1861-1866) were fought in Virginia. The last major battle, fought in 1865 between General Jubal Early and Philip Sheridan, took place in Waynesboro, VA.
10. Virginia is home to the largest office building in the world, the Pentagon, located in Arlington, VA. It has nearly 68,000 miles of internal telephone lines.
11. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is the world's largest bridge-tunnel complex.
12. Bristol, a city in far Southwest Virginia and in Tennessee, is legally two cities. The city is divided down main street, and each side has its own government and city services.
13. Wild ponies have roamed freely on Assateague Island for centuries. Two herds of wild horses make their home there, separated by a fence at the Maryland-Virginia line. These small but sturdy, shaggy horses have adapted to their environment over the years by eating dune and marsh grasses and drinking fresh water from ponds. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company owns and manages the Virginia herd, which is allowed to graze on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, through a special use permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The permit restricts the size of the herd to approximately 150 adult animals in order to protect the other natural resources of the wildlife refuge. It is the Virginia herd which is often referred to as the "Chincoteague" ponies. The animals were made famous by Marguerite Henry's children's book, Misty of Chincoteague.
__________
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 501st time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Read Local at the Salem Museum
Saturday the Salem Museum in Salem, VA hosted a "read local" event featuring multiple local authors. I ventured out to visit with some old friends and see what the writing community has been up to since my byline disappeared from the newspaper.
There were many other writers there, too. I thought it was a nice event and I hope the authors sold many books. It is great to support local folks, so check out some of these websites and give a local writer a hand.
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| This is my pal Peggy Shifflett. She writes Appalachian history books that detail her life in the hills near Harrisonburg. (I edited two of her books.) You can find her books on Amazon. |
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| Becky Musko is well known in the writing community. She had four of her books for sale. Her website is http://www.beckymushko.com/. We go back a long way. |
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| Liz Long was new to me, but she has authored several books set in the Roanoke area. Her website is http://heroesofarcania.com. |
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| Francis Curtis Barnhart, also new to me, offered readers a memoir called The Beauty of Impermanence. Her website is http://www.thebeautyofimpermanence.com/ |
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| Fred Eichelman offered up some sci-fi and memoir. He has a website at http://www.drfredeichelman.com/ |
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| Just an overview shot. The author was talking so I moved on. |
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| Betsy Ashton is my friend on Facebook, and now we have met in real life. |
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| These are Betsy's Mad Max books. She told me they were about a woman of a certain age (approximately mine) who solves mysteries. Her website is http://betsy-ashton.com/ |
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| Just a shot of some folks looking at the books. They had a good crowd. |
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| Diane Fanning writes true crime and mysteries. Her website is http://dianefanning.com/. I am not sure, but I think Ms.Fanning and I corresponded on AOL or a bulletin board about 25 years ago. I remember doing some messaging with a local true crime writer who wouldn't reveal her name at the time. Maybe she remembers? |
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| Michael Abraham has been widely acclaimed for his recent book, Chasing the Powhatan Arrow, which is about a train. He has several other books as well. His website is http://mabrahamauthor.com/ |
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| My old friend George Kegley was there to represent the Historical Society of Western Virginia. Mr. Kegley and I go way back as he was a source for many of my articles for the newspapers. He flattered, embarrassed, and humbled me by calling me the "scribe of Botetourt" when he saw me. You can visit http://roanokehistory.org/ for more information. |
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| Neil Sagebiel is the author of several books about legendary golf figures. His website is https://headlinesfromfloyd.com/ |
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| Peggy Wade is the author of In Full Armor, the Life of Clifford Frith, a biography about her father. I wrote an article on Mrs. Wade for the newspaper some years ago. Her book is available on Amazon. |
There were many other writers there, too. I thought it was a nice event and I hope the authors sold many books. It is great to support local folks, so check out some of these websites and give a local writer a hand.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
The Preston Medal
Last week I attended an event about Greenfield, a former plantation in my county that is now an industrial park.
The Botetourt Center at Greenfield is a 922 acre site the county purchased for $4.5 million in 1995. The land was divided into an industrial area, a parks and recreation area, and a school area. The county built Greenfield Elementary School and the Greenfield Education and Training Center in 2000. The county completed a couple of ball fields and built a $3 million sports complex at the Recreation Center at Greenfield. Two industries located in the industrial area; one left, that building has now become a brewery. There is also a "pad-ready" site that a business could build a structure upon. It was available for several years with no takers. Supposedly a company from Italy is going to build there, but the last time I was by there - about six weeks ago - no construction was underway.
In late 2015 there was a big brouhaha over the supervisors decision to move historic structures on the property to a place they deemed more appropriate for a historic/visitors center area. One of the arguments they used to justify moving these structures was traffic. People shouldn't be moving through an industrial park, they said. Interestingly, the new brewery, which purchased an empty building not long after the historic structures were moved, is going to have 300-seat restaurant. So I guess that having people driving in and out of an industrial park really wasn't the reason.
When the supervisors' efforts to remove the historic structures became known, a group calling themselves the Friends of Greenfield/Preston Plantation sprang up. I was a part of that in a peripheral way. First I wrote letters to the editor of the local weekly to keep it in the public eye, and once people finally woke up and realized they needed to move, I set up a Facebook page and managed it for a short time. I also made monetary donations and took photos.
Greenfield was once owned by Colonel William Preston, a Botetourt County statesman and a Revolutionary War hero. The structures that the supervisors moved despite public opposition were pre-Civil War and included a slave dwelling and kitchen.
The farm was called Greenfield Plantation, named so in 1761. William Preston moved from Greenfield to Drapers Meadows in 1774. He represented Botetourt County in Virginia’s House of Burgess in the 1760s, before there was a United States. He was a pioneer and a soldier who defended the Virginia frontier during the Revolutionary War.
Preston's son, John, also a Revolutionary War soldier and a Botetourt County statesman, became owner of the Greenfield farm after William Preston and his wife died. The Preston family owned Greenfield through seven generations and sold the land in the late 20th century.
The Greenfield mansion burned in 1959, and it is thought that part of the original log structure existed until that time.
The Friends of Greenfield last week showed off some of the more than 13,000 artifacts that archeologists and volunteers dug up during a hurried three-week dig last year.
I'm not sure what these things are but the archeologists have been busy cataloging this stuff. The hope is that eventually there will be some kind of museum at Greenfield. I am not holding my breath.
After remarks and discussion, some of which included financial concerns as there are still bills to pay for the archeology study, the group handed out medals they had made to folks who had played at role in attempting to preserve Greenfield's history.
They very kindly gave me one.
The fate of the historic area at Greenfield lies in the hands of the Greenfield Commission appointed by the supervisors, and the supervisors, of course. I do not know if the community has the will to push to have this historic preservation area funded and placed. We have lots of folks who are always yelling about taxes and what they consider to be unimportant expenditures, so I guess it will depend upon who screams the loudest.
The Botetourt Center at Greenfield is a 922 acre site the county purchased for $4.5 million in 1995. The land was divided into an industrial area, a parks and recreation area, and a school area. The county built Greenfield Elementary School and the Greenfield Education and Training Center in 2000. The county completed a couple of ball fields and built a $3 million sports complex at the Recreation Center at Greenfield. Two industries located in the industrial area; one left, that building has now become a brewery. There is also a "pad-ready" site that a business could build a structure upon. It was available for several years with no takers. Supposedly a company from Italy is going to build there, but the last time I was by there - about six weeks ago - no construction was underway.
In late 2015 there was a big brouhaha over the supervisors decision to move historic structures on the property to a place they deemed more appropriate for a historic/visitors center area. One of the arguments they used to justify moving these structures was traffic. People shouldn't be moving through an industrial park, they said. Interestingly, the new brewery, which purchased an empty building not long after the historic structures were moved, is going to have 300-seat restaurant. So I guess that having people driving in and out of an industrial park really wasn't the reason.
When the supervisors' efforts to remove the historic structures became known, a group calling themselves the Friends of Greenfield/Preston Plantation sprang up. I was a part of that in a peripheral way. First I wrote letters to the editor of the local weekly to keep it in the public eye, and once people finally woke up and realized they needed to move, I set up a Facebook page and managed it for a short time. I also made monetary donations and took photos.
 |
| The slave quarters at Greenfield, being prepped for moving. Photo taken December 30, 2015. |
 |
| The slave quarters at Greenfield. Photo taken December 30, 2015. |
Greenfield was once owned by Colonel William Preston, a Botetourt County statesman and a Revolutionary War hero. The structures that the supervisors moved despite public opposition were pre-Civil War and included a slave dwelling and kitchen.
The farm was called Greenfield Plantation, named so in 1761. William Preston moved from Greenfield to Drapers Meadows in 1774. He represented Botetourt County in Virginia’s House of Burgess in the 1760s, before there was a United States. He was a pioneer and a soldier who defended the Virginia frontier during the Revolutionary War.
Preston's son, John, also a Revolutionary War soldier and a Botetourt County statesman, became owner of the Greenfield farm after William Preston and his wife died. The Preston family owned Greenfield through seven generations and sold the land in the late 20th century.
The Greenfield mansion burned in 1959, and it is thought that part of the original log structure existed until that time.
The Friends of Greenfield last week showed off some of the more than 13,000 artifacts that archeologists and volunteers dug up during a hurried three-week dig last year.
I'm not sure what these things are but the archeologists have been busy cataloging this stuff. The hope is that eventually there will be some kind of museum at Greenfield. I am not holding my breath.
 |
| Lisa Farmer was one of the group leaders. |
 |
| Danny Kyle, who I later found out is my cousin, was also one of the group leaders. |
 |
| Rupert Cutler, a well-known Roanoker, is working on the supervisor-appointed Greenfield Commission. |
After remarks and discussion, some of which included financial concerns as there are still bills to pay for the archeology study, the group handed out medals they had made to folks who had played at role in attempting to preserve Greenfield's history.
They very kindly gave me one.
The fate of the historic area at Greenfield lies in the hands of the Greenfield Commission appointed by the supervisors, and the supervisors, of course. I do not know if the community has the will to push to have this historic preservation area funded and placed. We have lots of folks who are always yelling about taxes and what they consider to be unimportant expenditures, so I guess it will depend upon who screams the loudest.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Sunday Stealing: Q&A
Sunday Stealing: The Q & A Questions
1. Where is your significant other? A. He is in the shower.
2. What is your favorite thing? A. Probably my technology toys, at this stage of my life, since you ask for a "thing." I like my computer and my Kindles (yes, I have three of them).
3. What was your dream last night? A. I dreamed of a haggard old woman who was changing people into werewolves and then killing them because she wanted their hides, and she was also poisoning people, and I was watching her do all of this and trying to get the officials involved but no one was listening to me. Then she started coming after me with an axe. (I tend to have night terrors.)
4. What is your goal? A. To get up each morning.
5. What is your hobby? A. I play computer games.
6. Where do you want to be in 6 years? A. Above ground.
7. Where were you last night? A. In bed.
8. What you're not? A. I am not sure what this question is asking, but I am not stupid, a narcissist, or rich in money (I'm rich in many other ways, though.).
9. What is one of your wish list items? A. I would like to publish a book.
10. Do you have a pet? What is it? A. I have a herd of cows, two bulls, multiple free-range deer, a bear that likes my trash can, many squirrels, and occasionally a skunk.
11. Are you missing someone? A. Not right now.
12. What kind of car do you drive? A. I have a white 2014 Toyota Camry.
13. Name something you are not wearing that you usually wear. A. I have on a Fitbit Flex 2. It is new to me so it is not something I am used to wearing. (I rewrote this question, as I did many of them, as I had no idea what it was actually saying.)
14. Do you love someone? A. Of course. I love many people, even people who might think otherwise. My heart overflows with love, even for people who read my blog whom I have never met.
15. When was the last time you laughed? A. Today.
16. When was the last time you cried? A. At my nephew's college graduation a few weeks ago.
17. What is your favorite past time? A. Reading.
18. Are you a hater or a lover? A. I'm a picker, I'm a grinner, I'm a lover, and I'm a sinner.
19. Do you have any vices? A. I eat too much chocolate and I bite my fingernails.
20. What is your favorite blog of memes, other than Sunday Stealing? A. I run the Thursday Thirteen meme, so I have to say that one, I suppose, but I really like Saturday 9. I love the music questions.
__________
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. Where is your significant other? A. He is in the shower.
2. What is your favorite thing? A. Probably my technology toys, at this stage of my life, since you ask for a "thing." I like my computer and my Kindles (yes, I have three of them).
3. What was your dream last night? A. I dreamed of a haggard old woman who was changing people into werewolves and then killing them because she wanted their hides, and she was also poisoning people, and I was watching her do all of this and trying to get the officials involved but no one was listening to me. Then she started coming after me with an axe. (I tend to have night terrors.)
4. What is your goal? A. To get up each morning.
5. What is your hobby? A. I play computer games.
6. Where do you want to be in 6 years? A. Above ground.
7. Where were you last night? A. In bed.
8. What you're not? A. I am not sure what this question is asking, but I am not stupid, a narcissist, or rich in money (I'm rich in many other ways, though.).
9. What is one of your wish list items? A. I would like to publish a book.
10. Do you have a pet? What is it? A. I have a herd of cows, two bulls, multiple free-range deer, a bear that likes my trash can, many squirrels, and occasionally a skunk.
11. Are you missing someone? A. Not right now.
12. What kind of car do you drive? A. I have a white 2014 Toyota Camry.
13. Name something you are not wearing that you usually wear. A. I have on a Fitbit Flex 2. It is new to me so it is not something I am used to wearing. (I rewrote this question, as I did many of them, as I had no idea what it was actually saying.)
14. Do you love someone? A. Of course. I love many people, even people who might think otherwise. My heart overflows with love, even for people who read my blog whom I have never met.
15. When was the last time you laughed? A. Today.
16. When was the last time you cried? A. At my nephew's college graduation a few weeks ago.
17. What is your favorite past time? A. Reading.
18. Are you a hater or a lover? A. I'm a picker, I'm a grinner, I'm a lover, and I'm a sinner.
19. Do you have any vices? A. I eat too much chocolate and I bite my fingernails.
20. What is your favorite blog of memes, other than Sunday Stealing? A. I run the Thursday Thirteen meme, so I have to say that one, I suppose, but I really like Saturday 9. I love the music questions.
__________
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 20, 2017
Saturday 9: Him or Me
Saturday 9: Him or Me -- What's It Gonna Be? (1967)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) In this song, a man pleads with his girlfriend to make up her mind. Do you consider yourself decisive?
A. I don't know. Sometimes the answer is right there in front of you, but other times you really have to tickle the ol' brain cells to puzzle it out. I mean, there are answers and then there are answers, you know? (I think the direct answer to this question is no.)
Since this song is all about either/or, we're using that as our theme this Saturday . . .
2) Choose a condiment: Catsup or mustard? A. Ketchup (Heinz)
3) Choose a sci-fi series: Star Wars or Star Trek? A. I have to decide? I like them both.
4) Choose your spy: James Bond or Jason Bourne? A. Bond. James Bond.
5) Choose your winter sport: Football or hockey? A. Neither.
6) Choose your breakfast: Pancakes or waffles? A. Pancakes with blueberries.
7) Choose your side: French fries or potato chips? A. That's a tough one. Potato chips, maybe.
8) Choose your chore: Washing dishes or doing laundry? A. Laundry, definitely.
9) Choose your nextdoor neighbors: Munsters or Addams Family? A. Addams Family.
That wasn't so hard. I made a few decisions there. Does that mean I am decisive?
_____________
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 tune? Hear it here.
1) In this song, a man pleads with his girlfriend to make up her mind. Do you consider yourself decisive?
A. I don't know. Sometimes the answer is right there in front of you, but other times you really have to tickle the ol' brain cells to puzzle it out. I mean, there are answers and then there are answers, you know? (I think the direct answer to this question is no.)
Since this song is all about either/or, we're using that as our theme this Saturday . . .
2) Choose a condiment: Catsup or mustard? A. Ketchup (Heinz)
3) Choose a sci-fi series: Star Wars or Star Trek? A. I have to decide? I like them both.
4) Choose your spy: James Bond or Jason Bourne? A. Bond. James Bond.
5) Choose your winter sport: Football or hockey? A. Neither.
6) Choose your breakfast: Pancakes or waffles? A. Pancakes with blueberries.
7) Choose your side: French fries or potato chips? A. That's a tough one. Potato chips, maybe.
8) Choose your chore: Washing dishes or doing laundry? A. Laundry, definitely.
9) Choose your nextdoor neighbors: Munsters or Addams Family? A. Addams Family.
That wasn't so hard. I made a few decisions there. Does that mean I am decisive?
_____________
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.
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