Eleven Foot RV

Hog Jowls Black Eyed Peas Collards and Other Good Things

2012-01-03T19:46:00.000-08:00

Well, the new Years Day Feast is behind us and we are left with all those extra pounds we seem to find during the holidays.

According to tradition in the South there are certain foods which are to be eaten on the first day of the year. There's hog jowls, black eyed peas, cornbread, collard greens, cabbage and all the fixin's to go along with them. It is always a feast!!

Now for you northerners who think bacon was raised in a meat case and comes in a twelve ounce package let me explain about hog jowls. They're kinda like bacon except better - they look like bacon, taste like bacon and smell like bacon except they are not bacon. They're "hog cheeks". No, not the part where the ham comes from - they come from the face of the hog. They are sometimes used to season beans and peas. Sometimes they are sliced and fried like bacon. They can be tough so they need to be cooked a little longer than bacon.

The reason we eat hog jowls, blackeyed peas and collards is because our ancestors have eaten them since the Civil War. Tradition states that during the Civil War when the Northerners were looting and plundering southern farms the only thing they didn't take was the hog jowls and the cow peas. Northerners considered these animal fodder and left them alone. That was all there was to eat and they were lucky they had that. So today we eat them for luck just like our ancestors did. Collards and cabbage are green and signify money or cash.
So if you are in the South on New Years Day and get a hankerin' for some good food just drop in and we will see get some luck and money or at least a belly full.

That's it fer today!

4th Monday Writer's Group

2012-01-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

Well, one of the goals I have set for myself this year is to be a writer and get something published -- anything!!

Tomorrow is my Writers Group Meeting and it is my turn to be critiqued. I don't like being in the "hot seat". I hope they will be kind.

Here is one of the stories i submitted - you see what you think....I will take all comments - good or bad -

Twice Around The Kettle - Once Across The Middle

When I was growing up the beginning of fall meant apple butter making time. We had a big copper kettle that was used for making the apple butter. A few days before the actual making began we would begin gathering apples. We had lots of apple trees but the one that made the best butter was one we called the Pound Apple Tree. It was a huge tree and always produced these huge apples. Many of them were at least a pound or so thus the name. That old tree still stands today and stil produces apples. I snapped these photos this fall some fifty years later.

It was our chore to go to gather the apples on the ground every day but when we were ready to start the butter we would take the ladder and shake the tree picking up all the apples that fell to the ground. We would have six or seven bushels of apples and then it was time to start peeling and coring. We would sit in the shade of the porch and peel and cut apples. We saved the peelings to make apple jelly and the core was thrown away. We would have a big washtub full of fruit ready for making the next day. We would then set up the kettle .

We used a metal stand with three legs to support the kettle and keep it about a foot from the fire. We had an apple butter stick that was used to stir the apples. The stick or stirrer as it was called was about 4 inches across and about as deep as the kettle. The bottom was rounded to fit the contour of the kettle so you could keep the sides from burning. It had a handle about 6 feet or so that kept you away from the fire.

The actual process took all day usually about eight hours or so. Early in the morning we would fill the copper kettle with apples cover it with water and build a fire underneath. It was important to

begin the stirring process as soon as the fire was built. It was tough stirring to begin with but it was necessary to keep the apples from sticking. Once the kettle warmed and the apples began cooking it got easier. Everyone took their turn at stirring. It was kind of a neighborhood event. The neighbors would stop by to visit and they took their turn too. It is hard to pass a boiling kettle of apple butter without taking your turn.

After the apples have turned to sauce we added apples and water until all the cut apples were gone. At this point it is necessary to keep the fire steady and the stirrer continuously moving to prevent scorching. When all the apples are cooked into a fine sauce it is time to add the sugar. After the sugar has been added the last step was to add about a cup of cinnamon and a cup of sugar and some

whole cloves.

Continue to cook for awhile and then it is time to begin the tasting process. You want the taste to be a little sweeter than normal because after it cools it mellows out a little and is not quite so sweet. Keep on stirrin' and keep on tastin'. When it has turned a deep reddish brown and isn't watery anymore it is done. It was then ladled into clean jars and sealed left to cool overnight before it's final step to the cellar.

While the apple butter process was going on outside, inside the apple peelings were simmering on the wood stove. When all the juice was cooked out of the apples they were then squeezed through a white cloth and sugar was added to make the jelly.

Our kitchen table always held a jar of apple butter or jelly sometimes both. There is nothing better than eatin' a hot biscuit slathered with butter and apple

butter. It made all the hard work worthwhile.

My other goal this year is to write every day-----how am I doing so far.

That's it for today.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

Wishing all my friends and family a healthy happy and prosperous New Year

Old Cemeteries

2011-12-27T16:06:00.000-08:00

Well, I seem to have a fascination for odd things, among them is a fascination for old cemeteries. I love walking through old cemeteries and searching for pieces to my big genealogy puzzle. Recently I traipsed through one of the oldest cemeteries in Mountain City. While I did not find anything that fit into my "genealogy puzzle" I did find a few interesting things.

This marker did not note the date of birth or death and I have no idea who W.E.M. Roberts is. I searched for the census records but there was no mention of him. I did find the history of the 2nd W VA Calvary very interesting.

The 2nd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The 2nd West Virginia Cavalry was organized at Parkersburg in western Virginia between September and November 1861. The regiment was composed almost entirely of volunteers from Ohio, with 9 companies organized from the counties of Lawrence, Meigs, Jackson, Vinton, Washington and Morgan. The regiment participated in the Grand Review of the Armies and was mustered out on June 30, 1865. Out of this unit, came 3 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Private Joseph Kimball, of Company B, received his Medal of Honor for "capturing the flag of the 6th North Carolina Infantry" on 6 April 1865. Private Bernard Shields, of Company E, who "captured the flag of the Washington Artillery" on 8 April 1865 at Appomattox, VA. Major William Kimball whose "distinguised services in raid, where with 20 men, he charged and captured the enemy's camp, 500 strong, without the loss of man or gun" at Sinking Creek, Va on 26 November 1862. The 2nd West Virginia Cavalry suffered 4 officers and 77 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded in battle and 115 enlisted men dead from disease for a total of 196 fatalities.

Another grave marker I found very interesting was one of Matthias M. and his wife Mary Fyffe.
Matthais Miller Wagner (aka M.M. and Tice): b. February 15, 1801, in Roan Creek Valley, Johnson CO,TN, d. June 13, 1887, in Mountain City, TN, m. March 9, 1830, in Athens, McMinn CO, TN. 13. Mary Salina Fyffe: b. February 16, 1808, in Yadkin River Valley, Wilkes, CO, NC, d. November 17, 1889, in Mountain City, TN.

Mr. Wagner was a charter member ofThe First Baptist Church of Mountain City. It is the oldest congregation in Johnson County, Tennessee. The church was founded on April 20, 1794, at the foot of Rainbow Mountain, the left fork of Roan Creek, as the Roan Creek Church of Christwas housed in a log building. The mother congregation was the Three Forks Baptist Church, Watauga County, North Carolina.

The Church, which served as headquarters for the Confederate Army during the Civil War and on two different occasions for school purposes, has a history older than the county in which it is located.

Before the Civil War members of the Roan Creek Church moved to Taylorsville (now known as Mountain City) and built the present Baptist Church, calling it at the time Taylorsville Baptist Church. When Taylorsville became Mountain City the name of the church was changed too.

Mathias M. Wagner donated a site for the Church and also contributed to the building. On May 25, 1858 a committee comprised of David Kitzmiller, Phillip M. Kiser, and Isaac R. Wagner contracted Bartlett Wood for brick and bricklaying, and with Isaac McQueen for lumber and carpentry work. The building cost $1,240.
The Civil War brought hard times to members of the church and they were unable to finish paying for the building. On October 5, 1861 a committee comprised of John Blankenbecker, R Moore, and Moore Robinson gave the deed of trust to Bartlett Wood and Isaac McQueen to secure the balance due them for labor and material used in building the church.
An old deed shows that payments were made to McQueen as follows: A horse valued $125 and another valued at $115, paid by Mathias M.Wagner; $15 paid by David Kitzmiller and $10 paid by Abraham Johnson. The deed also showed that McQueen himself donated $10 to the debt.

A little over a year later - November 13, 1862, the church was sold a public auction to the highest bidder for the sum of $550.

The purchaser was Mathias M. Wagner. In 1885 Wagner and his wife deeded the church back to its trustees with provision "that if the said property shall cease to be used by the said church (for a reasonable time) as a place of worship, that said property shall revert to said M. M. Wagner and his heirs, free from incumbrance and this conveyance shall be null and void."

The church is still located on the same site and is a familiar landmark that marks the downtown business section of Mountain City.

While doing research on Mathias M. Wagner I found an old photo of his house.

This is a picture of Matthias Miller Wagner. It was taken in Baltimore probably between 1820 and 1840

Genealogy is a very fun and interesting hobby and I love doing the research especially when I find a challenge. My challenge now is to find more information on Mr. Wagner and to find birth and death dates on W.E.M. Roberts.

That's it for today!

Christmas Past

2011-12-25T19:39:00.000-08:00

Well, you hear all about Christmas being too commercialized today, the stores start putting out Christmas items in mid October. We hear projected sales of Christmas items in the millions of dollars, phrases like "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday", "Free Shipping" and 50% off sales lure last minute shoppers to many stores. Kids ask for, get and expect lots of toys and clothes.

Back when I was growing up our Christmases were a lot simpler. There was no internet and shopping was kept to a minimum. In the fall we would get the National Bellas Hess Christmas catalog and we would go through and pick all the things we would like for Santa to bring, very seldom did he oblige us though. It wasn't that we were bad, there was not enough money to buy us all a lot of presents. That didn't stop us from having a great Christmas though.

In the weeks from Thanksgiving to Christmas we would always have play practice at church for the Christmas Play. I don't remember the names of any of them but there would always be angels and shepherds and baby Jesus. The ladies of the church would sew costumes from whatever material they had. They fashioned angel wings from wire and net and halos from tinsel. Shepherds always got to wear someone's old bathrobe and carry a big stick. Mary was always wearing a blue dress with a white scarf on her head. The baby Jesus was a doll laying on a bed of straw in a basket. The birth of Jesus story was always recited by the children prior to the play. We would practice and practice on our verse until we had it down pat.

On Saturday before the play the adults would gather to fill treat bags for the whole church. There was always an orange or two, an apple, a couple sticks of candy, some years there might even be a banana. On Sunday night the church would be filled with people to see the Christmas play, recieve the treat sacks and pass out gifts under the tree. We always got a small gift. My earliest memory is of recieving a big package containing a doll. I remember it had a pink dress and was almost as tall as I was.

At home there was very few decorations or preparations made for Christmas until the Saturday before Christmas. We would always go traipsing thru the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree. It wouldn't be a very big tree because it sat on the table in front of the window. Sometimes we would find a cedar but most often it would be a pine. We would bring it home and stick it in an old can filled with rocks to make it stand up. If we couldn't make it stand up straight sometimes we would take an old board and nail it to the bottom and then take a string and tie it to the window.

We had one string of eight christmas lights and a box that held about a dozen christmas ornaments. we would make paper chains from construction paper we had used for projects at school. If we didn't have construction paper we would sometimes cut up a few pieces of paper we had used to do our school lessons on and then color those red and green and make chains and snowflakes. We would go out and gather holly berries and string them on a thread. If we had some popcorn we would use it and make a popcorn rope to put on the tree. After that came the tinsel. Someone gave us a box of tinsel one year aand we saved it from year to year. I liked to put it on one strand at a time but after awhile it got to be more work than fun. The star was cut out of the outside of the corn flakes box and covered with tin foil. It was the last thing to go on the tree. We thought we had the most beautiful tree with those eight little lights shining through all that tinsel.

On Christmas eve my uncle and aunt would come. He would always be dressed like Santa Claus and leave us all a gift around the tree. One year my cousin got a blue truck. We just about wore that old truck out playing with it. The living room floor sloped from one end to the other and we would sit on that truck and ride it across the floor. One year we got a viewmaster with some
reels. Another year we got a used sled. It may have been used but to us kids it was just as good as a new one.

My grandfather never had much money but one year he had a little extra and he gave all of his grandchildren a dime apiece. It may not have been much monetarily but it was a great gift from the heart.

In the kitchen my grandmother would be cooking up all kinds of good things to eat like molasses stack cakes, butterscotch pies, and big sugar cookies. On Christmas day we would all gather to have a big family dinner. It was a feast to be sure.

With all these memories of Christmas Past I have to agree Christmas is just too commercialized.

The Cow Didn't Jump Over the Moon

2011-12-04T03:50:00.000-08:00

Well, in keeping with my promise to the Writer's Group it was time to start my ten pages to be critiqued. I hope they won't be too rough on me. Maybe you won't either. I welcome your comments--good or bad---I'll take them all.

"Old Jerz"

My first experience with cows must have been when I was about four or five. We had a jersey cow which we appropriately called "Old Jerz". My grandmother did all the milking. My first job went we went to milk was holding the cow's tail to keep her tail from hitting my grandmother in the head.

One day we bought a box of oatmeal which had a little dipper in it. Actually it was a 2 cup measuring cup with a handle, but that became my milk bucket. I wanted to learn to milk so my grandfather made me a little stool and gave me that dipper. My grandmother sat on her stool on one side of the cow and I sat on the other side of the cow on my stool.

She taught me how to milk, I would milk my dipper full and pour it into her bucket. I could quit when I had milked two dippers full. For a four or five year old thats quite a long time to sit still. You had to sit still because if you moved around or pulled too hard the cow would kick and you certainly didn't want to end up with her foot in your milk bucket.

My grandmother had a stroke in December of 1955, milking was never the same after that.

Since we had no refrigerator our milk, butter and dairy products was kept in the springhouse. The springhouse was a small building which stood over a small branch from a spring. It had a wooden trough in it that the water ran through.

Once the milking was done we would take the buckets of warm milk to the house and strain them through a white flour sack similar to cheesecloth. We would then pour the milk into gallon jarsand store them in the trough in the springhouse. The water kept the milk good and cold.

The cream came to the top usually two to three inches thick. It was skimmed off to be used for making butter and put it into another jar so that we could make buttermilk. Most times we would churn once a week. So it took quite a bit of cream to make butter. We would pour the cream into a churn. and sit and churn and churn. Finally you would see bits of butter appear. These were all skimmed off and put into a bowl rinsed and salted and then put in a wooden butter press. Usually made about 3 to 4 pounds of butter and then you would also have buttermilk. There is nothing better than a good cold glass of buttermilk.

Sometimes if we had extra milk my grandmother would let it set out and clabber and make cottage cheese out of it. Cottage cheese was a great treat and nothing like you get in those little cartons at the grocery today.

That;s it for today.

Good News -- Bad News

2011-12-03T07:16:00.000-08:00

Well, the good news is Don is doing better. He is still in ICU because he needs a heart monitor. Thanks to everyone for good well wishes and prayers.

The bad news is it looks like we will not be going to Alabama or Florida this year. Don's daughter has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease for which there is no cure. Her condition continues to deteriorate and it is not likely we will be able to make the trip.

I will share a few of my previous Alabama photos -- that will put a smile on my face!!

That's it for today.

More News

2011-12-02T03:44:00.000-08:00

Well, after last months episode I thought we were through with doctors and hospitals but that is not the case---Don was admitted again last night--so my blogging is on hold for right now until I get back to my computer -- please keep him in your thoughts and prayers
That;s it for today

Good Intentions!

2011-11-29T05:57:00.000-08:00

Well, a month or two ago when I last posted I had "good intentions" of doing more blogging, however, the best intentions of mice and men---well in this case --me-- finds the time has gone and there are no posts. I have found the thoughts are in my head but they just don't jump on the paper the way I want them to or sometimes the way I think they should.

So my "good intentions" are to post more often and try to keep every one up to date on what I have been doing.

Vacation this year was planned around the "Camp With Lisa II" gathering at Carthage TN.

It was a beautiful Monday for a drive of 300 miles. From Tennessee into Virginia and onto the freeway Knoxville was looming ahead and a stop at Camping World. I was anticipating an hour or two to look around, however, that was not the case....it was a quick in and out ...don't look, don't touch.....daylights a burnin' kind of stop.

and it was on to Cordell Hull Lake near Carthage TN.

We arrived to a great group of friends and Mac's "Wonderful, Out of This World, Lip Smackin', Sauce on Your Fingers, Three Napkin BBQ Ribs. My mouth is still drooling for just one more bite of Kathy's great salad.

Tuesday was a great day with blue skies and sunny temps. A walk about the lake proved to be just as beautiful as it was last year.

A little shopping at the local Walmart, dinner and settling back with a couple of movies-----

AND THEN IT HAPPENED

It started with a little indigestion, which got consistently worse, a rapidly increasing heartbeat and increase in blood pressure. After taking a couple blood pressure pills with no relief it was determined that 911 should be called. The paramedics were soon on their way and we were very quickly escorted to the hospital. I did take a minute to let Mack and Lynette know where we were going and they being the great friends that they are beat ME to the hospital.

Driving that big truck in a strange city with no clue as to where I was going (I lost the ambulance) was an experience I don't want to repeat. I ended up on a back street somewhere in the middle of Podunky Carthage but I eventually got my bearings, found the local Walmart, got directions and drove straight to the hospital. By the time I got there Don was admitted to the hospital with a heart attack and eventually was transferred to St Thomas Heart Institute in Nashville for surgery.

That ride was another "do not repeat" experience - 97 to 100 miles an hour in the front seat of an ambulance watching crazy drivers do strange things like cut in front of an ambulance when they hear lights and sirens. It gives one a whole new perspective and a silent vow to quickly pull to the side of the road and stop at the first sound of an emergency vehicle.

If you are going to have a heart attack and need surgery this is one of the best. St Thomas has recieved many accolades and honors. This information was taken from their website.

Saint Thomas Heart provides complete cardiac services, from the treatment of chest pain, to minimally invasive surgical procedures that provide quicker recoveries and fewer complications. With over 60 cardiac specialists, 25 regional sites and Tennessee's largest network of accredited Chest Pain Centers, Saint Thomas Heart offers greater access and the experience that comes with seeing more heart patients than anyone in Tennessee.

Saint Thomas Hospital has been ranked as high performing in five specialties, including cardiology and heart surgery, gastroenterology, geriatrics, orthopedics and pulmonology, and No. 2 in the Nashville metro area in U.S. News Media & World Report’s 2011-12 Best Hospitals list.

Cardiologists at Saint Thomas Hospital are the first in Tennessee to offer the Arctic Front® Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter system, the first and only cryoballoon in the United States indicated to treat drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), a serious heart rhythm disorder that affects millions of Americans.

We were treated very well but were greatly relieved when it was time to go home to the campground. Our friends Mac and Lynette were waiting outside the front door to chauffer us back to the campground. I do have to say we didn't travel as fast going back as we did getting there.

.....And another thing I have to say you can't have any better friends that Mac and Lynnette. They were there the minute we got to the hospital (well, before me) and they stayed with me until we were sure Don was going to be admitted making sure I didnt need anything. The next day together with Kathy and Chuck they came to visit bringing things they thought I would need and even loaned us two cell phone chargers to charge our cell phones while they shared one between the two of them. Many thanks to Chuck for seeing the truck got home safely and to him and Mac for stowing the awning and outside belongings so they didn't end up in the middle of the lake somewhere. When it was time to go home they were right there offering assistance.

RV'ers are some of the nicest people in the world and Mac and Lynnette are certainly two of the most wonderful RVing friends anyone could have. Many thanks to both of them and also to all our friends and families for all the phone calls, facebook messages, cards, visits, thoughts and prayers offered on Don's behalf.

Now that we were safely back at the campground it was rest and recuperation for a few days and time to be on our way home. That's it for today -- Until next time.

It's That Time Again

2011-11-28T10:49:00.000-08:00

Well, It's that time again - a while since my last post and my Writer's Group is meeting and here I sit with nothing to show I have been doing any writing... and here's the conversation

Jenny, what have you written since we saw you last?

Well, I say "Would you believe the dog ate my homework?"

We are not buying that!, they reply.

But, I was on vacation and Don had a heart attack and we spent five days at St Thomas Heart Institute in Nashville while he had two stents in his heart.

We are very happy he is doing much better but ...........what happened to the other 25 days in October.

Hey, give me a break I am still trying to remember part two of "What I Did Last Summer"

Okay, We will give you a break but for next month we will need 10 pages of new material, no excuses and because of the Christmas Holiday we won't meet until the second of January. Will that give you enough time?

Yes, yes, and yes, I promise to have something written by then....I have this little idea rattling my little pea brain

Now if I can just enlist the help of all my blogging friends to help to keep me on track until next year.

That's it for today

SCREAM!!!

2011-09-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I am working on Part 2 of Time Flies ---but before I get on with that -- In order to get back into the every day blog writing and keep up with my writers group here's a little in between.

As I mentioned before our writer's group is just starting and it looks like fun. It will certainly help me to keep motivated to write...at our meeting a few days ago the moderator gave us one word and we had ten minutes to come up with a story....well my little pea brain wasn't working so well and when I got the word SCREAM I sat there dumbfounded for several minutes thinking of what I was going to write. I knew the others were writing feverishly but since I am not good at making stuff up just off the top of my head I had to come up with something and then this story my mother used to tell about my dad popped into my head.

It was in the fall after the corn had beeen cut and shocked and sat drying for awhile it was time to be shucked. Shucking meant taking the corn from the stalk and peeling back the husk using a corn shucker. Sometimes the neighbors would all get together for a day of "cornshuckin" which always was a good get together. Ladies would serve lunch and the first boy to find a red ear of corn got to kiss the prettiest girl. There was usually a "jug" hid around somewhere too.

One cool crisp night when the moon was full my dad and his brother took their lanterns and a jug of whiskey and went out to the corn patch to shuck for awhile. They were shucking and talking and drinking for quite awhile. My mother, curious as to what they were up to went out to see what was going on.

My uncle saw my mother sneaking up on them and said to my dad; "Roy, I heard this place is haunted, aren't you afraid since you moved out here". "No", says my dad. "You don't believe in boogers and haints?" my uncle asked. "Nah", says my dad, "I ain't never seen nothing I was scared of". My uncle egged him on by asking, "Well, what would you do if you saw something you couldn't explain?"

About that time my mother laid her hand on my dad's shoulder. My dad let out a SCREAM that could have been heard in the next holler."What the hell's going on here?", threw his cornshucker to parts unknown, jumped straight over the fodder shock, running for the back door of the house just as fast as his legs would carry him while my uncle and mother were doubled over laughing at him. That ended the cornshucking that night.

The next day my mother had to help finish shucking the corn and look for my dad's cornshucker. They found it the next spring when they were getting ready to plant corn again.

and that was my story using the word SCREAM!

That's it for today.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

2011-09-28T02:03:00.000-07:00

Well, after a brief hiatus from blogging (I wouldn't call eight months exactly brief) it was time to take pen in hand and try to recreate all the things that have happened since I left..........

To begin, I will say it was my writers group that has spurred my creative juices to get flowing again. They are certainly a bunch of talented writers so I figured if I wanted to keep up I better get busy.

So now we will rewind clear back to Alabama in January where I stopped blogging and I will attempt to get you caught up with all that has gone on.

Once we had been to the beach

and seen all the sights in Alabama

It was time to make our way home -- She thought she had Texas in her expectations but it was not to be. Maybe, next year, he says. So we arrived home to ----

snow - a - fallin'

and he immediately said "I wish I had followed your advice and gone to Texas!

..........and she replied, "You do have a hammer, don't you?"

Seven layers of old wallpaper removed , a few nails and some paint and that job was finished - Another plan came to mind -

A Mystery Trip

-- and we found ourselves on a yacht in the middle of North Carolina cruising up and down Lake Norman for lunch.

He: Where would you like to go next?
She: Well, I have always wanted to see the Amish Country

And Away We Go!

But first we must have a little chocolate

and a look around at the local Walmart

The Amish greeted us with full clotheslines

and the biggest buffet I have ever seen (sorry no food photo)

A quick stop at Gettysburg

and we were moving this bus on down the road

He: Now where else can we go for a little fun?
She: I am so happy you asked, there just happens to be an

RV Dreams Rally in Gatlinburg

And you'll meet the nicest people there!

He didn't have hair this long when he lived at home

The Cutest Couple

Peace!

Dancing the night away

Are we having fun yet??

Stay tuned for Part Two of Having Too Much Fun!

That's it for today!

Great Sunday

2011-01-17T06:32:00.000-08:00

Well, it was a laid back Sunday around here. We were up early and off to church. Heard another great message from God's word. After church it was off to Walmart for a few provisions. Back home for a nap and then off to the International Dinner at the Clubhouse...now that was a great meal. Some of the ladies in the park had volunteered to cook their favorite international dish, there was just about everything you could think of. For a three dollar donation you could taste anything you wanted. Proceeds from the dinner went to Escapees CARE and over $350.00 was raised. It was a good time. We were entertained by "The Chenilles", another group of ladies who love to entertain....that also was great... I don't have any photos but I "borrowed" a couple --thanks TG

After dinner we went back to evening church service, came home and called it a night.

It seems that a lot of people around here have had bouts with colds that won't go away. Here's a few old fashioned tips on how to cure the common cold.

Sometimes you manage to catch a nasty common cold. You know the kind. Your head feels as big as a foot ball, you have sniffles and sneezes, chills and sweats, a sore throat, and an annoying cough. You feel achy all over and you think you would be better off dead.
My grandmother was a midwife and believed in a lot of herbs and medicines and had a cure for everything - even the common cold. She used Mullein tea for bronchitis, a mustard plaster for congestion, or a clove or two of garlic crushed and stirred into some warm milk. Now that may not cure your cold but it will sure scare the heck out of one.
To cure the sore throat you had to gargle with salt water and she always told me "drink a little bit, it'll help". A tall glass of liniment was always in order too. That'll stop your cough. We had this couple who used to come around about once a month selling Raleigh products . There was always a bottle of this liniment in the cupboard. Any time you got sick you were made to drink this vile tasting stuff. There was two kinds of liniment "the drinking kind" and "the rubbing kind" which was used for aches and pains. It must have worked because it is still on the market today.
Camphorated salve was another cure, my grandmother would grease my chest, the bottoms of my feet, dress me in my flannel nightgown and into bed underneath the big featherbed I would go. I dont know if it was the salve, the flannel or the heat but it always cured me.
An asafaetida bag was sometimes tied around your neck to get rid of your cold....I don't know how it worked to get rid of your cold but I know you couldn't give your cold to anyone else...it stunk so bad no one would even come close to you!!

Since Chicken Soup is the best known remedy for a cold so I thought I would share my recipe with you.

3 cups chopped cooked chicken(I use boneless skinless chicken breast)
About 3 quarts chicken stock (or chicken broth)
Salt and pepper to taste
chopped celery ( about a cup and half)
Chopped carrots (about a cup and half)
one onion chopped
clove garlic crushed

Saute the onion, garlic, celery, carrots and onion in a large pan with a little bit of oil until the vgetables are limp. Add Chicken stock, chicken, salt and pepper and noodles. Simmer 30 to 45 minutes.

Here's a little bit of humor for you.

A man went to see his doctor because he was suffering from a miserable cold. His doctor prescribed some pills, but they didn't help.
On his next visit the doctor gave him a shot, but that didn't do any good.
On his third visit the doctor told the man to go home and take a hot bath. As soon as he was finished bathing he was to throw open all the windows and stands in the draft.
"But doc," protested the patient, "if I do that, I'll get pneumonia."
"I know," said his physician. "I can cure pneumonia."

And in the words of my father, "That's it for today!"

Hunkered Down and Reminiscing

2011-01-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

Well, if you haven't noticed I am a few days behind in my posting....so today is being declared as "catch up" day. The weather has been unseasonably cold since Sunday and seems to be getting worse as the days go by. The good thing is that it will warm up someday -- hopefully by the weekend. I will give you a synopsis of the last few days.

Tuesday - a short journey to Wal Mart to buy Don a jigsaw puzzle otherwise we sat by the fire

Wednesday - Didn't venture out in the cold -- Don worked his jigsaw puzzle -- Jenny surfed the net looking for a warmer place to be---we did, however, go to Bible Study on Wednesday night. We couldn't get home quick enough---it was down in the low 20's Brrrrr!!!

Thursday was the same---An inside day -

Friday came and a little road trip - nothing spectacular but it got us out of the house. We were invited over to Pa and Ms Judy's for dessert and coffee and to meet The Guiler's, Randy and Terry. What a great evening....and how good it was to meet another couple of good friends. A wonderful dessert and coffee served by Pa and Ms Judy combined with lots of stories and loads of laughter----and no I am not repeating any conversations for fear of incrimination.

Pa and Ms Judy are planning to venture through Mountain City in the early spring. I certainly hope they don't find any signs such as this.

When we left Tennessee the weather prediction was for more snow and it seems we left just in time. In the last week the area has recieved anywhere from eight inch to two feet of snow with drifts as high as four or five feet. From all accounts we left just in time to bring the colder weather with us.

All this snow and cold brought back many memories of growing up in Johnson County and the hardships we had to endure in the winter months. We had quite the discussion of life style then compared to now. Shady Valley lies about 10 miles west of Doe Valley where I grew up.
Elevation of Doe Valley around 3515 feet and Shady Valley as you cross the mountain 3632 feet.

When we were growing up we had no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. On cold days there were always the animals to be fed and watered, cows to be milked, and coal and wood to be gathered for heat. Since the days were a lot shorter chores were started earlier in the evening in order to be done by dark. In the evenings we would gather around the old Buckeye stove to keep warm. If we put too much wood or coal in it the stovepipe would turn red and you closed the damper to shut the draft. Schoolwork was done by kerosene lamp. Sometimes as a treat we would pop corn on the heating stove and have grape koolaid and popcorn.

Since we had no central heating system our bedrooms were ice cold so about an hour or so before bedtime we would gather up an old flat iron or two and set it on the top of the stove to get hot. Once the iron was hot and it was bedtime we would don our flannel nightgowns, wrap the iron in a towel and put it at the bottom of the bed to keep our feet warm. If the towel happened to slip off the iron and you got your foot too close you could end up with a burned foot. Didn't take you long to get your foot away from it.

Because we didn't have but three beds and six kids most times we would sleep three in a bed. The body heat kept you warm as did the five or six quilts you had piled on top of you. By the time you got down under all those covers and got "your" spot warm you coudn't move so the bed was warm until you stepped out onto the ice cold floor.

If it was snowing and the wind was blowing the snow would sometimes seep in around the single pane windows leaving a dusting on the windowsill and the bedcovers. The windows would always have a layer of ice on the inside from condensation.

Morning would always find us waking to the smell of bacon or ham frying, eggs, fresh biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, and a warm fire. After a hearty breakfast we were ready to go take care of the animals, do our chores and get ready for school. We didn't have any snow days or any way of knowing whether there would be school or not. If the bus came you went to school. If it didn't you stayed home.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in Mountain City was on December 30, 1917 when the temperature dropped to -32 below zero. I remember in 1962 there was about four foot of snow with drifts so high there was no mail delivery service for a week or so.

It was fun reminiscing and comparing temperatures in today's time to those of yesteryear and we are looking forward to warming up here real soon.

From The Plantation -- That it for today.

No note from Don - he is busy with his puzzle.

Funday Monday At The Beach

2011-01-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

Well, after a lazy Sunday we were up bright and early and ready for a trip to Gulf Shores with "Pa" and Ms Judy to attend the monthly Gulf Posse (Escapees Chapter 26) meeting and luncheon at the Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores.

(click on any photo for a larger view)

After a short business session we feasted on a great lunch of fried flounder, crab cakes, shrimp scampi, cole slaw, hush puppies and fries. Oh, I forgot about the fried oysters---Don actually wanted to order fried oysters with two sides of fried oysters and fried oysters for dessert but we convinced him there was more fish in the ocean than oysters and he should try something different. Food here is really great!!!!!

After lunch we headed for the beach. Unfortunately the north wind was blowing hard and the waves were crashing so we didn't spend much time on the beach, nevertheless, it was very pretty and we had a great time.

Driving around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach we discovered not only were the houses built on stilts but the businesses, hotels and condominiums as well.
The sand dunes were lovely---it amazes me that such tall grass grows with all that sand blowing around.
Did I mention I like the sand dunes?
and palm trees?

These "gulls" had just flown in and were waiting for lunch. Too late "gulls" Don ate up all the oysters.

Heavy equipment sifting sand by the seashore looking for tarballs.

Wherever we are ---We take the Star

Even in cloudy, overcast, cold and windy conditions a good time is always had at the beach.

One of the places we passed was a restaurant called Lulu's owned by Lucy, the sister of Jimmy Buffet---it sits right next to the intercostal waterway and looked like an interesting place. We will put that on our "bucket list" of places to visit.

All too soon our "Free Guided Tour" was over and we were back at "The Plantation" ready to hunker down for the colder weather that is to come in the next couple days. Thanks Darrell and Judy for another day of fun!!!

From the Plantation --"That's it for today!"

Note from Don: Thanks for a wonderful tour D & J. You certainly have a knack for finding great restaurants. I can safely say I am eating my way through Alabama.

Just Lazin' Around

2011-01-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

Well, today was just a lazy kind of day after our funfilled day yesterday. Breakfast and then off to church. We have found a great Church of Christ here in Summerdale. The people are very friendly and it is evident that it is a working congregation who seek to practice the principles of the Bible without any man made doctrine.

In the afternoon we did venture out to the flea market close by where Don found what he described as "the buy of a lifetime" -- an iron skillet.

Evening found us again at church for another wonderful church service then it was home and "jammie time". The weather is expected to be below freezing for the next couple nights and after that there should be some sunshine.

From the Plantation -- That's it for today.

No note from Don -- he's busy trying out his new skillet.

"Squired Around"

2011-01-12T06:44:00.001-08:00

Well, after one more trip to Walmart, a scrumptious dinner at Big Daddy's (flounder, shrimp, oysters and all the crab claws I could hold) we settled in with anticipation of a great road trip on Saturday.

"Pa" (Darrell) and Judy had offered to take us to show us some sights since they are the "old timers" around here. A little after tennish they picked us up and we were off to the big town of Foley Alabama. On the way they pointed out spots of interest like the post office, library, grocery, oh and WALMART!! They didn't want Don to be wandering out in the country again. Oh, I must have forgotten to mention that--well I will let him tell you about it.

Entering the town of Foley we arrived at the Alabama Model Railroad Museum. It seems that an elderly gentleman had began the model railroad and donated it to the city. In giving it to the City, he asked that the exhibit be available for children and that there be no entrance fee. The Caboose Club of Foley set it up in the old L & N Railroad Depot. The exhibit is 24' X 60' and has a quarter mile of track. It has 3 operating double track routes and 12 different railroads represented. It is set in the 1950's era, when the rail lines were in the transition of being run by steam to running on diesel fuel.

Some of the displays were an old town carnival, with a moving ferris wheel and a circus. There was a drive in theatre which continually showed a movie, a fire station with fire trucks that went racing to a fire, a fast food drive in where a 1957 chevy came driving up, the car hop came out and took the order, went back inside and brought out the food. "A hamburger, french fries and a milkshake, that will be a dollar and fifteen cents sir". You don't get that kind of service anymore.

"Pa" says they are continually adding new displays and he always sees something he didn't see before. He pointed out the airplane flying overhead and even knew the kind....me I just knew it was a yellow one! There were so many displays it was hard to see them all, there was a still up in the hills, some hoboes complete with a campfire camping next to the river, there was a lake with boats and people fishing and even a couple guys repainting the bridge. I could have stayed there a half day just looking and watching the trains go by. It was evident that a lot of work has gone into this free museum. If you are ever in the area you might want to put this on your list of "places to go".

After the museum, we were a little thirsty so off to Staceys Drugstore we went. From the minute you step in the door it takes you back in time. The old jukebox playing the tunes of the fifties, ten cents a play or three for a quarter-- to the old time coke box, not to mention the soda "jerks" and limited lunch menu--it reminded me of the old Courtesy Drug back home. It even had a scale where you could get your weight and fortune for a penny. Now I haven't done that in a long time. Don and I had an excellent milkshake while Pa and Ms Judy had a sundae...while there we met another couple of brand new RVers and were able to tell them about Escapees and Rainbow Plantation.

The street corners and sidewalks are planted with beautiful flowers

I loved this big pink fuzzy flower

Back in the truck we went on a little tour of Baldwin County by heading south from Foley, west to Bon Secor, and North to Magnolia Springs. On our way we stopped by Point Clear at Punta Clara Kitchens. Now this was the place to be! A family owned business for three generations We ate our way through chocolate covered pecans, pralines, cheese straws of different sorts, jams and jellies, and even just plain pecans. Another place you won't want to miss. I was so busy eating and looking I forgot to take a photobut here are photos of the area.

From Point Clear we made our way to Fairhope where we strolled out onto the community pier. Judy and I walked clear to the end of the pier while Don and "Pa" opted to stop and watch a fisherman using a net to catch fish. I would classify this as "no bait fishing" since he just threw the net over the side of the pier, pulled it up and caught whatever was in it---I was glad it wasn't a whale or an alligator of some kind. He was catching what he said was mullet...sometimes six or seven at a time. In no time flat he had a five gallon bucket full which he planned to smoke....Pa wondered how you smoke a fish...I don't know about Alabama but I can tell you they smoke whitefish in Montana and Blueback in Idaho.

Looking across the bay at Mobile Alabama

Casting out the net
Catching fish
Into the bucket

After all this excitement it was time to head for the "Plantation" and our respective homes. Thank you "Pa" and Ms Judy for a funfilled day and for squiring us around.....it is wonderful to see some of the area and great to be able to spend some time with good friends like you.

From "The Plantation" that's it for today.

Note from Don:
My wife mentioned my wandering out and about in the country but she failed to mention that it was my "GPS Jenny" which caused me to take a wrong turn that did not lead me where I wanted to go or needed to be. That darn GPS has a nose that can seek out any Walmart and after getting her bearings and following Darrell's well written instrutions we were home shortly. We had a wonderful day today being escorted around with no chance of being lost. Thanks Darrell and Judy for a excellent day.

.......And Away We Go!

2011-01-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

Well, when we left you last we were just pulling out of the driveway on our way down the road. The 5'ver was packed to the max (so says Don) while I was making a list of everything I forgot (including my money).

The 27 mile ride to the freeway took us through the state of Virginia and once on the interstate we re-entered the state of Tennessee

He was driving so fast my photo was blurred (that's my story and i am sticking to it)

Breezing down the freeway at a fast clip everything was fine until we entered the Knoxville area right at 5 PM rush hour traffic. Don was a little "white knuckled" as traffic was bumper to bumper and semi after semi passed us in the fast lane. At one point I counted 12 of them in a row. Lucky for him he took his half right out of the middle and we made it through okay. Once through he had a chance to breathe again and the conversation went something like this:

He: If you had been ready to go when I wanted to leave ..............
She: You made it through okay didn't you? So what, if a couple of semis and a few cars are going faster than you

He: You weren't driving and please don't route me through any more big towns.....you did remember to bring my heart medicine didn't you?
She: Well, no you didn't give me time to pack it.

and with that we continued on down the road toward Chattanooga. Once in Chattanooga we had intended to stop and spend the night at Camping World and do some shopping. However, Camping World in Chattanooga does not allow overnight parking in their big EMPTY parking lot but they will allow you to camp in their RV park (of sorts) for $28 a night. Sorry, Camping World we will take our business elsewhere. So off across the freeway we go until we find a

They graciously allowed us to spend the night and after a little dinner and buying a couple trinkets - we called it a night.

Up early and away we go down the big highway headed for Calera Alabama

but first we need to go through Birmingham-----and yes, you guessed it----if there is a rush hour in the evening there is also a rush hour in the morning----and we made that one too---hit it just right!!!! After a little more conversation and a we arrive at

We had heard they provide free overnight parking for RVer's traveling through and they just happened to have an RV or two to look at plus we needed to run by Walmart for some more groceries. In short order, we had a spot, was set up and ready to enjoy the day with nowhere to "rush" too. The staff at Suncoast were very nice and went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. If you're traveling thru and loooking for an overnight spot this would be the place!! Of course if you want to buy an RV they can sell you one too. We haven't made a deal (as yet) but we are looking.

So, we left Suncoast RV with happy thoughts and great expectations of arriving at "The Plantation" to spend some time with our good friends Darrell and Judy. They had invited us for a traditional travel day dinner and we were certainly looking forward to it.

Everything seems a little greener in Alabama as opposed to snow white Mountain City

Palm trees awaited us as we got closer to The Plantation

and lots and lots of pecan trees

Palm trees waiting to be planted

We arrived at "The Plantation" where we were greeted ever so warmly by an office full of Escapees. After a brief visit with Darrell and Judy we continued to set up our RV while we awaited dinnertime.

At the appointed time we made our way to D&J's and were treated to a lovely dinner, lively conversation, coffee and dessert and a visit with the katts. Of course, we never saw Katie, but Alex did make an appearance and even let me pet him for a minute. (It's okay Fillmore - you're still my favorite standard poodle)

After we had talked non-stop for a few hours and my throat was getting sore we said our "see ya's" with Pa's handwritten directions to ---yep - you guessed it -- Wal Mart -- there's just a couple more things on my list. We made our way home for our first night at "The Plantation".

From the Plantation - that's it for today!

Note from Don: This is a great place and the people are so friendly....we may make plans to spend a lot more time here - it would be a good place to escape the ice and snow of the frozen north.

Road trip -- Let's Go!!

2011-01-05T05:10:00.000-08:00

Well, about the time the first snowflake fell last fall we decided if we had more than three snowflakes at the same time it would be time to head south for the warmer climes. After all the snow and cold during the months of November and December that time has finally come....time to pack up the 5'ver and head for the open road. Here's the way that conversation went:

He: Are you ready to go?
She: I just have a few more things to pack.

He: Are you ready yet?
She: Just give me a little more time

He: How much longer, dear?
She: I will be ready soon, I still need to go to the grocery, do a load of wash, feed the dogs, and take down the Christmas tree

He: How about if I go to the grocery for you?
She: Okay, here is the list, make sure you get everything on it.

One hour later:
He: Where would you like this truckload of groceries?
She: In the 5'ver, of course

He: Where do you plan to put all this food? Why do we need six cans of beans, three dozen doughnuts and who's gonna eat a twelve pound turkey?
She: Well, I didn't want you to go hungry and there may not be any grocery stores nearby

He: How soon will you be ready to go?
She: Oh just give me a few more minutes

He: (a little impatient) Aren't you ready yet?
She: Just hold your horses - another minute or two

He: I am starting the truck
She: Okay, one more minute, don't rush me

Half hour later

He: The truck has been running , it is all warmed up and if you're not ready in five minutes I am leaving without you
She: Okay! Okay! (knowing he won't leave the cook at home)

Five minutes later as the truck begins to slowly move out of the driveway she comes running out of the house carrying two sacks, a box, and dragging the vacuum cleaner.

She: Wait for me!! Wait for me!! --- I still need another minute!!

That's it for today.

It's About Time!

2010-12-15T13:00:00.000-08:00

Well, before you say it just let me say it "It's About Time" that I posted a new blog. These days time has a way of getting away from you and it sure flies when you're having fun.

It seems only yesterday that I wrote--that was waaaaay back in August. Now September has come and gone and also October. We have celebrated Halloween, Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is fast approaching.

You ask me what we have been doing?? We have been having lots of fun. Here's some snippets of what has been going on.

We spent our honeymoon in a new neighborhood - Goshen Indiana - with lots and lots of friends and a few relatives. 794 RVs and 2000 Rvers. The "shivaree" to the Amish Country was the greatest - Thanks to all of you. We'll see you in Gillette!!

We watched the kudzu grow! That stuff will cover your entire car in three days.

Had a great visit with the Wishnies and Boo Boo. We enjoyed a family Breakfast at Hardee's (where else) a great way for Jo and Fred to meet my entire family!

Walked the Appalachian Trail Hampton TN to Damascus VA with Jo and Fred - well we did slack a little.

We all enjoyed Backbone Rock

A couple of friends talking over their lawnmowers

I learned to make straight lines with my lawnmower -even in the barnyard

We enjoyed a visit from my sister

And a 1965 class reunion - NO I didn't graduate in 1965!!!!

Watched the Longhorns have a losing season

but was especially proud to see a "Future Longhorn" Carter you've stolen my heart!!

Chased an old car up the Shady Mountain - never did catch up to it!!
Spent time with family

visited some cemeteries

Stacked some wood

Enjoyed the view from my favorite mountain
got up close and personal with an old fence post

and shared a wonderful view on the Gorge

Went shopping -- it's Retail Therapy!!

Voted for and elected my favorite politician Scotty Campbell to the Republican House of Representatives --Way to go Scotty!! Now about all these taxes.......

And if this wasn't busy enough we even found the time to go to Carthage TN to spend some time with some of our favorite friends---I will save that for another blog here real soon until then you will find us "making the most of the rest of our life".

That's it for today!

Fogs in August

2010-08-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

Well, we are three days into August and there has been fog every morning. Now some of you might think that a bit strange to be counting the fogs in August but according to the old timers the number of fogs in August predict the number of snows during the coming winter.

I remember when I was growing up it was one of the things my Dad set great store in. He had his "special jar". Usually it was a Nescafe coffee jar and beside it he had a handful of dry beans. Every time there was a fog he would put a bean in the jar. At the end of August he would put the lid on it until the first big snow. Every time it snowed he would remove a bean from the jar. At the end of winter when there were no more beans in the jar he would declare winter officially over. It was amazing to see how right he was. More often than not he was "right on". This year I have my jar and my beans and we will see if I am "right on". I will keep you posted.

Today's photo is one of a herd of cows I have been watching all summer. The owner keeps moving them from pasture to pasture and I keep trying to get them all to stand still for a group photo. (For a larger photo double click on photo).

That's it for today.

Things I Did This Summer

2010-08-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a wonderful summer so far---most days I am on my lawn mower trying to keep up with weeds which seem to grow despite the dry hot humid weather of the south. After a thunderstorm or two the grass begins to green up again and I am right back where I started - mowing grass.

In my spare time I have been out and about taking a few photos how I am spending my summer.

Watching the deer grazing in a hay field.

Waiting for ripe tomatoes

I never tire of seeing this hill every day

A "fiddle concert" on the porch

Brown trout - just the right size for smoking

1960 classmates - 50 Year Reunion

Canning Half Runners

Watching the "9 O'clock Bloomers every night

How can they tell time??

Eating fresh vegetables right from the garden

Joshing with the local politicians

More deer grrazing

watching the flowers bloom

and that's how I am spending my summer. That's it for today.

Company's Here!

2010-07-22T03:54:00.000-07:00

Well, Darrell says, "It was way back in the year of Ought Six" and Jenny says, "It was umpteen million years ago" when we first met.

Actually, it was more than three years ago when we both stumbled into the RV Dreams Chatroom and made our acquaintance--virtually that is. The fact is we had never laid eyes on each other until today and what a wonderful meeting it was.

When we found out Darrell and Judy were making a special trip to our neck of the woods just to meet us I was so excited. I have to admit Don was a little skeptical at first, "You mean you have talked to them for over three years and you've never met them? "Yes", I said, "that's true but I do know them. I can tell you the names of their kids, where they live, when the latest grandchild was born and I can also tell you about the Katts, Alex and Katie, and where they have been and where they are going. Heck, I can even tell you how Darrell even got his given name of PA". PA says it is his given name because Jenny J "gived" it to him.

After emails and facebook messages we set the date and Ms Judy offered to cook dinner. We arrived at Lakeview RV Park in Bluff City, TN, their home for three days and it was like old home week greeting friends you hadn't seen in awhile.

After visiting for awhile and "catching up" on all the news, PA and Ms Judy prepared a wonderful dinner followed by a scrumptious chocolate pie and coffee. I was "full as a tick".

More conversation ensued, RVer's we had met, places we had been, and even talk about another "get together" -- maybe next time in our hometown of Mountain City. Too soon it was time to leave and so we said our "see ya's" till next time we meet face to face.

Until then, there's is always the chatroom, emails and facebook -- With good friends like Darrell and Judy you always want to stay in contact.

That's it for today.

Note From Don: First impressions are usually lasting ones. If all RV'ers are as nice and friendly as Darrell and Judy I look forward to joining the RV community and meeting a lot of new friends. --DM

On The Road Again

2010-07-13T04:58:00.000-07:00

Well, it is way past time for a new blog so I thought i would take you on a trip------

It was last year when my sisters, my brother and I had a great idea -- The last time we were all together for any length of time was too many years ago so what would it be like if we all went to visit our sister who lives in Vermont. After planning and adjusting our schedules and readjusting our schedules we were just like Willie Nelson's song On The Road Again. The only thing we had to leave behind was our brother who was unable to get away. Join us as we travel to East Haven, Vermont.

Leaving Mountain City In The Broad Daylight

Traveling through rolling hills of Virginia

we used our handy GPS whom we affectionately call "Rover"

along with our trusty map

and printed directions from the internet

we traveled through Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

As we traveled through the night and into the morning some of us even had "cat naps"

before we reached New York and a beautiful sunrise and then a huge fog bank which was like driving through "pea soup".

In Lake George we stopped at a restaurant which advertised a "bountiful breakfast buffet". That, in itself should have given us a clue --- but we were starving and thought any kind of food would be appetizing. Let's just say we won't be stopping there on the return trip home. I did try to call Jesse and Ginger but was unable to connect with them.

After miles and miles of New York and New York and New York we finally caught a glimpse of New Hampshire and then on into Vermont.

As we traveled from White River Junction into Vermont we stopped for a stretch at an ice cream stand where some of us admired these pretty berries
while others had a "two scoop" ice cream cone
or a milkshake
In Vermont we passed pretty churches
Oops same church

beautiful old houses

pretty green mountains

rocks

and beautiful scenery

until we reached our destination of East Haven, Vermont. For the next few days we look forward to lots of visiting, eating and sightseeing. We have a very loving family and we all are very blessed.

Stay tuned to this blog -- I am on the lookout for a moose--as soon as I find one you'll be the first to know!

That's it for today!

Hiking The AT (Appalachian Trail)

2010-06-27T05:16:00.001-07:00

Well, it has been on my "bucket list" ever since I saw the movie "Bucket List" to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail. Today was the day to cross that one off.

A very blurry pic of me but it proves I was there.

When you are hiking the trail you're supposed to wear hiking boots. Ballet slippers are not the best footwear....especially if you are scared of snakes.

You will see some very tall trees
and some that reach clear to the sky
Rhododendron in bloom

You can even use slippery rocks to cross creeks

and gaze at the beautiful bushes

You may see trees broken by windstorms

and even a sign or two

OOps -- same sign

then there are nice wide straight paths

Always on the lookout for a snake --- it's just a root

Then there are rocks
and ferns in trees

and wooden stairs
and a creek
Rock walls
and fishing holes
Scary bridges to cross

Small paces to walk -- Do snakes really hide in rocks?

Steps that go up
and up and up
Oh NO!!!! It's a SIX FOOT SNAKE!!!!!!!!!!

(well maybe its just a centipede)

Steps that go down down down

Footlogs to cross

and more footlogs to cross

And yet another

and miles and miles to go before I reach Mount Katahdin

Thanks for taking a trip with me on the Appalachian Trail.

That's it for today.

Just A Question???????

2010-06-10T03:57:00.000-07:00

Why is it ?

That when Black Cows eat

Green Grass on a Green Hill

They Give

White Milk and make

Yellow Butter!!!!!!!!

That's it for today.

Bonnie--An Amazing Lady

2010-05-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

Bonnie Swift was an AMAZING lady.

She was born on November 17, 1918, the youngest child of Ham and Alice Arnold Swift. She had four older brothers, Wiley, John, Stacy and Rod and an older sister Ola. When Bonnie was about 18 months old both she and her brother Rod contracted scarlet fever. Rod was terribly ill with the fever but it didn't seem to bother Bonnie except it left her with no speech or hearing.

Despite her disability, Bonnie lived a pretty normal life. When it was time for her to go to school she went everyday alongside her sister and her niece Laura. She learned to read, write, spell and count. She also taught herself to sign. Sometimes she would have special signs for different things or people but she always made you understand just what it was she was talking about.

Along with her mother she kept house, helping with cooking, canning, washing and ironing. She taught herself to crochet, knit, sew and quilt. She helped her father in the fields with the crops, hoeing corn, tobacco, and other outside chores. She loved to pick blackberries and make apple butter. When her mother passed away in 1956 she took over the running of the house and even taught herself to do the milking.

When her father died in 1964 she was able to buy a small two bedroom house just a few yards from where she was born. Up until about 6 or 7 years ago she still had an outhouse but was finally able to add a modern bathroom and do some remodeling to the house. Her house was surrounded by beautiful flowers. She loved flowers and definitely had the green thumb when it came to plants.

She loved to travel. Her first trip of any distance was to Indiana to visit relatives. She was so excited she talked about it to anyone who would listen. She and her older sister made a trip west by Greyhound bus. Her sister thought she would test her to see if she was paying attention to her surroundings. When she started to get on the wrong bus, Bonnie grabbed her by the arm and told her in no uncertain terms it was the wrong bus. Her trips to the beach with her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the highlights of her summers.

She loved company and like her mother she always made you feel welcome. . On one occasion a girl who had left right out of high school to be a missionary in Cuba stopped by to see Bonnie. Bonnie had not seen her in over 50 years but knew exactly who she was and then produced a missionary card she had kept all those years with the ladies picture on it.

If you visited her she was quick to show you the latest photos of her great grandchildren. She loved watching TV especially westerns. She could relate the entire show to you.

Due to her medical condition she had nurses who checked in on her periodically. She could tell you exactly when they were to arrive and what they did. She retrained them so they could assess her condition correctly. A while ago a visiting nurse thought she should go to the hospital. Bonnie informed her the answer was no. The nurse then took it upon herself to call family members to discuss the situation and convince them of her opinion. The bottom line was Bonnie had made her own decisions for the past 90 years and she had the final say so and the answer stood.

Bonnie's love for her family was always foremost in her life whether it be sewing Peanut a shirt made from a chop sack or selling butter and eggs to buy Margie an Easter dress. She always provided for her family and made sure they were well taken care of. She loved her grandchildren and her great grandchildren were a great joy to her.

She was a woman of character, she treated others with respect and she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, love and laughter.

She was an AMAZING lady.

Toad - One Of A Kind

2010-05-09T05:54:00.000-07:00

A repeat of my memories of my Mother from earlier blogs. I wish for all Mother's a Happy Mother's Day.

Well, Today is Mother’s Day and a time for wishing all Mothers everywhere a Happy Mother’s Day and a day in which I reflect on my own mother and what an impact she had in my life.

My mother, Vida Lola Swift was born to David Elec Hamilton Swift and Laura Alice Arnold Swift on October 9, 1910 and passed away on Septemberr 2, 1992. She had four brothers Wiley, John, Stacy and Rod and only one sister Bonnie

She lived through World War 1 (1914-1918) and through the Great Depression (1930-1939). I am sure that these historical events had a profound influence on my mother’s life.

She was a hard worker and loved working outside in the fields. She could hoe a row of corn or hoist a bale of hay as well as any man. On the other hand she was a great cook, famous for her chicken and dumplings as well as a good seamstressShe met my dad through her younger brother Rod. They both worked on the Watauga Dam together with the Civilian Conservation Corps. They were married on January 14, 1943. My dad was stationed overseas in World War 2 until the war ended. He was discharged in December 1945 and I was born in September 1946. That makes me an “original baby boomer“.

She was very proud of all her children. She was always totally devoted to all seven of us. My older brother Doran, myself, Ann, the twins Mae and Faye, my younger brother John and my baby sister June. She never played favorites and if one of us got something we all got the same thing. Maybe she couldn’t afford it at the same time but she made sure we were never overlooked.

She shared the same philosophy with her sons-in-law and her daughter-in-law. At Christmas if one got socks -- they all got socks. One year she bought them each leather belts with their names hand tooled on them. She loved them all equally as well as her children.

She was a great role model. She loved to stay busy and she certainly had to with seven little mouths to feed . Many times along with my dad she would work outside in the fields all day for two or three dollars, come home, prepare supper and do the household chores before sitting down and either mending or working on a sewing project until bedtime. In the summer it was not unusual to find her preparing or canning food late at night. She taught us good work ethics and to stick to a job until it was finished.

She wanted us to all have a good education and she made sure we were up and out the door for school each day. I remember her checking our necks , making sure we brushed our hair and that our clothes were clean and pressed. She made sure that we never went without anything we needed for school and that we were in church every Sunday, participated in all church activities and that our morals were never compromised.

She taught us to respect our elders, to love one another and to take care of each other. She taught us forgiveness even to the point of taking all of her grown kids to visit an elderly relative whom we had a grudge with. She explained to all of us , “we wouldn’t be able to get into heaven by holding grudges and we needed to forgive and let go of the past” --and at our mothers request we all made our peace--it was quite an experience.

Although our family has drifted apart, and we are each caught up in our own little world, we all need to remember the lessons our mother taught when we were growing up .

We need to take care of each other, to watch out for each other, to be independent and strong, generous, self sacrificing , always forgiving no matter how many times we get it wrong, love for all, especially those worse off than ourselves and to offer up our prayers for everyone else rather than for our own needs. Our mother is the one, who taught us to live, love, and laugh, have morals, to know right from wrong, and that we are accountable for our own actions. We should all make time for each other. Sometimes a phone call, a note or a kind word is all that is needed.

My grandchildren gave me a very special card which reads,

You're a Blessing

When special people
Touch our lives
Then suddenly we see
How beautiful and wonderful
Our world can really be.
They bless us
With their love and joy
Through everything they give--
When special people touch our lives
They teach us how to live.

Mothers in my life that have touched me would be first and foremost, my own mother, Ola Holloway, as well as Irene Johnson, Bonnie Swift, Bette Snyder, Sissie Stout, Sue Roberts, Thelma Wylie, Emogene Swift, Dodie McNeel, Alice Swift, Mary Henson Swift, Neita Jamison, Jean Humphrey and my sister, June Thomas. These are but a few mothers that have taught me how to live.

Well, it has been determined I should write a postscript to my Mother’s Day Tribute to my Mother. I heard from quite a few family members (and some I expected to hear from but didn’t) about memories of Mother.

One said, “You didn’t tell about her working in tobacco”. Another said, I didn’t mention the grandchildren. Someone thought I didn’t talk about how hard she worked.

My memories of my mother could fill a whole book, maybe two -- even a whole library but if I wrote all of those stories most of you would be really bored and never finish it.
So to keep harmony in the family here is a postscript and more insight about my mother.

Like I said in my earlier blog my mother was a very hard worker and could hold her own against any man working in the field. She loved working in the tobacco from the time the tobacco bed was burnt and sowed in February or March until the time the tobacco was sold at market in November or December. She knew how to plant it, hoe it, dust it for cutworms, top it, sucker it, and cut it. She could stick it and spear it faster than my dad. She even had her own spear. It was hard work and getting gummy and dirty never bothered her. She didn’t mind riding the trailer to pack it in the barn and when it came to grading and tying it off she was very particular about her grades and how to pack it into the baskets. She wanted it look nice as to get the best price at the market.

When my oldest niece was born she was so proud to be a grandmother. When she was old enough to talk my mother did not want to be called Granny and she told Pam to “just call her Toad”. That had been her own nickname when she was small. Of course us kids tried to rile my mother by teaching Pam to call her Granny Toad. We, of course got a “talking to “ and it was explained to us in no uncertain terms she wanted to be called Toad.

As she had other grandchildren, the name stuck and all the grandkids called her Toad. She loved everyone of her grandchildren and never showed any favoritism. There was Pam, Dockie, Vikki, Tawnee, Debbie, Jason, Lisa, Don, Little Roy, Doug, Jenny and Brad. She loved for them to come visit and was always happy to see them. She was so proud of all of them.

Again, she was so proud of her sons in laws and daughter in law. I think they were all proud of her and would do anything for her. Her son in law, Dick, always teased her about cooking squirrel and gravy for him. So one day she thought she would fix him. Somewhere she got hold of a couple of squirrels some one had killed and she put them on to cook.

When supper time came and everyone was sitting at the table she placed this bowl of meat and gravy in front of him. She passed him a biscuit and says “OK, Dick there is your squirrel and gravy”. Poor man, he had a stunned look on his face staring at those little drumsticks swimming around in all that gravy. Knowing there was nothing he could do but eat it, he began to ladle gravy onto his biscuit. “Here, have a little meat with your gravy”, she says and proceeded to place a drumstick on top. Now he was really in a pickle, he had to eat it. He did make it through supper but from that day on he never asked her to cook him anything special again.

Another of the things that made her a great mother was that she never interferred in our married lives, she never took sides, she never gave advice unless you asked for it. She never gossiped. If anyone needed help she was always there. She was very quiet and easy going.

As she grew older she was commonly referred to as Toad among her family and friends - it was a name she loved to be called. When she passed away, the minister that officiated at her funeral spoke these words, “When I met her and referred to her as Mrs. Holloway - she explained to me that her name was Toad . With no offense to anyone and no disrespect to the family in my sermon today I will refer to her as Ms. Toad".

One family member said she was “One Of A Kind” and I have to agree. I am often reminded of this saying:

“In all the world there is no other who can take the place of my dear Mother"

A mother's love will never be lost as long as they are remembered. Memories live on in our hearts and minds forever.

The Weather and Stuff

2010-05-04T07:39:00.000-07:00

Well, there has been a lot of weather in the news the past few days. East Tennesee here only recieved about a half inch of rain . Nashville recieved some twenty inches of rain

The Cumberland River has flooded parts of Nashville including Opryland Hotel and the new Opry House. Entire neighborhoods were flooded and at least 18 people lost their lives across the State of Tennessee. Everything is a mess. Opryland Hotel has been closed indefinitely.

Governor Bredesen has declared 52 of Tennessee's 95 counties a disaster area. The Red Cross and National Guard have been called in to help. Prayers go out to those who lost loved ones and to all the Nashville flood victims as well as those across our state.

I was talking to some of the old timers about the weather and other things. They love to tell stories and they all seemed to have different ways of predicting the weather.

One of them told me you know it is going to rain if you see a ring around the moon and if there are no stars in it rain will fall by morning.

Another told me if the trees turn up their leaves so you see the underside of them it will rain.

Another told me a story about the sherriff who had heard there would be a guy coming thru the county with a load of moonshine. He sat and waited for the man to pass and then he stopped him. The sherriff says to the man "I hear you're carrying a load of moonshine". The man says, "Well, now I might be" and stuck a loaded 44 out the window of the car. He says to the sherriff, " I have a Mother in heaven, a Daddy in hell and a sister over in Wilkesboro, North Carolina and I aim to see one of them before nightfall". At that point, the sherriff says, "You're free to go, drive careful", and walks back to his patrol car.

Jack, another oldtimer, always has "fish stories" to tell. He says the three things you have to watch out for when you're walleye fishing is a steep creek bank, a rock and a tree or you might end up with no fish and five days in the hospital. Now, that'll set you back a bit. Glad to see you are on the mend, Jack!

On another note, the rain has made things really green up around here. Gardens are beginning to spring up and the grass is growing fast. I can hardly wait for the cucumbers and tomatoes to be ready to pick. Nothing like growing your own vegetables.

If the signs are right maybe today is the day to plant zuchinni or maybe to sit in the lounge chair with a good book and watch the grass grow. Now there's an idea..........

That's it for today.

Springtime in Tennessee

2010-05-02T13:12:00.000-07:00

WELL, It's a great spring here in Tennessee and I have photos to prove it. For larger photos - just click on them and enjoy the show!!

How would you like to swing on this grapevine?

A pretty little church

An Old Barn

I love old barns

Ducks ready for a swim

Just how warm is that water?

I think we will sit right here

Let the geese go first

One foot at a time

Sunshine brings out the Spring flowers

Dogwood on the lake

Beautiful Redbud trees on a a country road

Just one more barn

The best part of spring is having someone to share it with.

And in the words of my father "That's it for Today".

Rules for Becoming a Tennesseean

2010-04-30T06:56:00.000-07:00

Well, there are a lot of Northerners moving south. Making East Tennessee your home state is fine but you gotta know the rules.

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Turn your cap right, your head isn't crooked.

3. Let's get this straight; it's called a 'dirt road.' I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4. They are cattle. They're live steaks. That's why they smell funny to you. But they smell like money to us. Get over it.

5.. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $150,000 cornpickers and hay balers that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

6. So every person in Eastern Tennessee waves. It's called being friendly.Try to understand the concept.

7. If that cell phone rings while an 8-point buck and 3 does are coming in,we WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

8. Yeah, we eat taters & gravy, beans & cornbread. You really want sushi & caviar? It's available, at the corner bait shop.

9. The 'Opener' refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

10... We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless ofage.

11. No, there's no 'vegetarian special' on the menu. Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.

12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats,vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.Oh, yeah....We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat...IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!!

13. You bring 'coke' into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice.

14. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair..

15. College and High School Football is as important here as the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

16. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards- - it spooks the fish.

17. Colleges? We have them all over. We have State Universities , Community Colleges, and Vo-techs. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come for the holidays.

18. We have a whole ton of folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. So don't mess with us. If you do, you will get whipped by the best.

19. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap ain'tmusic, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers. Refer back to #1.

20. 4 inches isn't a blizzard - it's a flurry. Drive like you got some sense in it, and DON'T take all our bread, milk, and bleach from the grocery stores. This ain't Alaska , worst case you may have to live a whole day without croissants. The pickups with snow blades will have you out the next day.

That's it For Today.

Which Winter?

2010-04-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

Well, in the springtime here in the northeastern corner of Tennessee we see a lot of different changes in the weather. Somedays it is warm and the ground begins to thaw, then it might be so hot you think summer is upon us. The next few days we might get a cold snap with rain, snow, sleet and lots of wind. The oldtimers predicted the changing of spring by the blooming trees and the different types of winters as they called them.

After the January thaw and the groundhog has seen his shadow the ground begins to thaw a little the winters begin.

Beginning with the first few warm days as the ground begin to thaw the serviceberry (Sarvisberry) trees would be the first to bloom. This would be called Sarvis Winter and to the old timers, meant the return of the circuit riding preacher. After the long long winter the ground would be thawed enough to have funerals and bury the dead. The snow white blooms of the serviceberry trees would be used to honor the dead at the "church sarvices" Thus the name Sarvis Winter.

If there was a cold snap when the Locust trees were in bloom it would be called Locust Winter. It usually isn't very long or cold.
For example it could be snowing in the morning and record breaking temperatures by afternoon.

The next tree to bloom was the redbud. If the weather turns cold while the redbuds are in bloom it is called Redbud Winter.
Only the hardiest crops would be planted before this cold spell.

Dogwood Winter comes after a few days of warm weather and brings several days of cold, weather and the possibility of a killing frost. Planting the tender crops should wait until after the Dogwood has bloomed. Oldtimers sometimes used the blooming of the Dogwood as a sign to plant their corn.

Blackberry Winter is probably the most widely know of the winters. The oldtimers knew that the blackberry canes needed a cold snap to set the buds, so the cold snap during the blackberry blooming was called Blackberry Winter. Blackberry Winter is normally not as harsh as some of the other winters. The soil is warmer and drier now so tender crops could be planted without much danger of being frostbitten.

Linsey-Woolsey Britches Winter is the winter only the oldtimers heard about. That was back in the day when they wore homespun clothing and it was when you could shed your "long johns" for cooler, lighter clothing.

Whiporwill Winter is the last little cold snap we get after the Whipporwill has migrated north from Mexico. Its that last surge of arctic air. It's not as cold and doesn't last long or do much as much damage as some of the other winters.

After a long hard winter and spring with all the cold snaps summer can't be that far away---or can it?

Perks of Old Age

2010-04-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

Well, someone reminided me I am not getting older just better. I thought I would share a few perks of old age with you.

Perks of Old Age

1. Kidnappers are not very interested
in you.

2. In a hostage situation you are
likely to be released first.

3. No one expects you to run into a
burning building.

4. People call at 9 PM and ask, “Did I
wake you?”

5. People no longer view you as a
hypochondriac.

6. There is nothing left to learn the
hard way....

7. Things you buy now won’t wear out.

8. You can eat supper at 4 P.M.

9. Your eyes won’t get much worse.

10. You enjoy hearing about other
people’s operations.

That's it for today!!

Plantin' By The Signs

2010-04-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

Well, spring is here and it is garden making time. The old timers swear by planting by the signs. It was the same way when I was growing up. Probably the two most important books in our house were the Old Farmer's Almanac and the Roaman's Calendar. The calendar has an explanation of the zodiac signs, weather chart and almanac calendar.

There seemed to be a particular way to plant crops and the garden. For instance, we planted the "root crops" such as potatoes, onions, beets, radishes and turnips in the dark of the moon. The dark of the moon means the moon is waning or between the full moon and the new moon when the nights are darker.

We planted corn, tomatoes, peas and beans in the light of the moon. The light of the moon refers to the waxing or the days between the new and the full moon.

We always planted our lettuce at the same time we sowed the tobacco bed, usually around the middle of February or Valentine's Day. May 1st is the date for planting cucumbers. We always had the prettiest and best turnips when they were planted on the 25th of July. My Dad always planted potatoes on Good Friday and we always had lots of potatoes. If you plant them in the new of the moon you have nice big pretty vines but few potatoes.

One old timer says when the leaves on the oak trees are as big as a squirrel's ear it is time to plant corn - never before. Another old timer says you can't plant corn until after the dogwood blooms. If you plant corn on the new of the moon it will grow really tall but if there was a good windstorm it would blows it right over and it doesn't make good corn.

We always depended on the signs for harvesting the crops too. If you don't want your potatoes to spoil you dig them in the third or fourth quarter. If you dig them in the first quarter and happen to bruise or cut them they will rot everytime. Apples are the same way - pick them on the waning of the moon.

Ramon's Calendar contains information about the signs, the moon, the weather and the zodiac. It will also give you information such as how many bushels of ear corn are in your corn crib. Now I bet you really wanted to know that - didn't you?

If you want information about the best funeral home in town that is there for you too!
That's it for today.

New Computer

2010-04-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I have a new computer to replace my stolen one---Expect more blogs in the near future--and TONS of photos!!!
That's it for today!!!

Hog Killin' - Part 1

2010-02-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

Well, its been awhile since I told you a story about the "good ole days" so here is one you may like. To gather information I asked an "old feller" who has been killing hogs for more than sixty years to help remember details on the killing and processing of the meat.

In the early part of winter along about Thanksgiving it would be "Hog Killin' Time. Usually our hogs (we had two) were killed on Thanksgiving Day.

It was a two or three day process to get the hog killed, cut up and the meat processed. I remember my granddad saying we ate every part of the hog except the squeal and he was exactly right. No parts or at least not many of them were thrown away, even the hog bladder. You might ask what they did with it. It was washed out and a hollow reed stuck in it and it was blown up and tied off. It made the greatest balloon. We played a lot of volleyball with that balloon. It didn't burst like the store bought balloons. It was the only time we had a balloon to play with.

The night before we would carry water and fill the old wash boiler and the iron pot and all the dishpans so they would be ready to heat the next morning.

On hog killing day we would get up a little earlier than usual and it would be a long long time before bedtime. First, fires were built to heat the water for scalding the hog. After morning chores were done, the neighbors would start to gather to help. Hog killing was a neighborhood affair. That was back in the day when you knew all your neighbors and eeryone helped everone else.

After the hog had met his demise (usually by a bullet right between the eyes) he was lowered into a scalding vat or a barrel. If neither of those were available they would sometimes be laid on a wagon and covered with burlap sacks on which scalding water was poured. The hog would then be turned over and scalded on the other side.

The water for scalding had to be at the right temperature (usually around 155 degrees). If it is too hot the hair will set and you can't scrape it off. If it is too cold you can't get the hair off either. The old timers used a four finger method of checking the temperature of the water. One at a time you run one finger through the water, then the second finger, followed by the third finger. If you can't run the third finger through the water it is too hot. If you can run the fourth finger through it is too cold.

After the hog has been scalded on both sides the hair is scraped off. To scrape the hair off very sharp butcher knives or a homemade scraper (sometimes made from a hoe) was used. After the scraping he is hung up by his hind feet and the head is cut off and split into. Starting at the top of the hind legs the hog is split down the belly. I will spare you the gory details of cleaning and washing the inside.

The hog is then laid out on a table or a wagon and blocked out (quartered up). You end up with shoulder, middling meat, and hams. Each hog will have two shoulders for making into sausage, two middlings for bacon, two hams for curing, two tenderloins plus the head, liver, feet, tail, heart, brains, backbones and ribs.

While all this is happening the wives will get ready to start processing the meat. The fat is cut away and put into the washpot to be rendered into lard. There is a wide strip of fat at the bottom of the belly which also goes into the pot. To render the lard the fat is cut into small pieces and cooked slow over the fire. It is important that it be watched carefully and stirred with a long paddle to keep it from scorching. After the fat has been cooked down into lard it is poured into a tin can with a lid. Sometimes it was put into glass jars. This will be used in everyday cooking and baking. The renderings or pieces of cooked fat are called "cracklings" and are sometimes used in making cornbread.

The head is taken apart, the jowls will be salted down and sliced like bacon, the ears and snout wil be boiled and skinned, along with the other head parts will be used for making into souse meat (head cheese). The liver is sometimes fried with onions but is mostly used in making liver pudding (similar to liverwurst). The feet are cleaned and pickled. Some people cook the heart and eat it while others use it in the sausage. The brains are usually scrambled with eggs for supper or for breakfast the next morning. The backbones and ribs are canned. Except for the shoulders which are used for making sausage. The rest of the meat is salted down and cured to be eaten later.

Stay tuned for Part Two of this story (complete with photos) on the sausage making and curing of the meat.

That's it for today

Remembering Margaret

2010-01-24T11:17:00.000-08:00

In memory of my friend, Margaret
A very Special Lady
December 27,1942-January 24,2008

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (1934-1998)

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars...the house...the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile..
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Author Linda Ellis

Another day of Cold!

2010-01-11T04:57:00.000-08:00

Well, we have smashed records with cold temperatures - 12 days of below freezing and snow every day since the 18th of December. Now that's cold. I am going into hibernation - look for me in the spring. Here are a few photos.

Snow covered road on Spear Branch

The cows that eat this hay will never have a square meal!

Just a little work - I'll have a nice cabin!!

That's it for today!

Another Day below Freezing!

2010-01-10T04:51:00.000-08:00

Well, we have had another day where the high temperatures for the day are below freezing. That makes 11 this year and it is only the 11th of January. How long can it last?

That's it for today.

Still Cold!!!!

2010-01-09T04:39:00.000-08:00

Well, it is still cold. The high temperature today was in the 20's and low was around 12...doesn't warm up much during the day. The only warm place I can find is next to the stove. If you're looking for me that's where I will be until we get some warmer weather.

That's it for today.

Mush!!!

2010-01-08T02:54:00.000-08:00

Well, it is another cold, snowy day in extreme Northeast Tennessee. All this snow reminds me of winters past when life was a lot simpler.

One of my favorite memories was the first snowfall. Back in those days when we didn't have television or even a radio to broadcast the weather we depended on the signs. If it looked like snow - it was probably going to snow. Sometimes a lot and sometimes a little.

At the first sign of snow my grandmother would dig out a big ol' kettle and fill it full of water. When the water was heated to a rolling boil she would stir in some salt and cornmeal and let it cook. We would have the biggest pot of mush you had ever seen. We would ladle up a bowl full of that mush, add some butter, sometimes some milk and have the most delicious dinner. It was simple but good.

Another memory was buckwheat pancakes. We grew our own buckwheat and had it ground at the mill. On a cold snowy evening, she would take the griddles from the wall and we knew we were in for a treat...buckwheat pancakes and homemade syrup and butter.
Yum! My mouth waters just thinking about them.

On another note, I recieved a note from Clyde, one of my faithful readers. He commented on my Carter Issacs stories and the fact that he had played basketball with Carter in grade school...Funny you should mention that Clyde, because Carter and I were talking about the same thing that very morning. He told me what a good ball player you were. I think there is enough material there for another story.

Until then, That's it for today!!

7 of 31

2010-01-07T05:04:00.000-08:00

Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words - here's a few.

That's 10,000 words and that's it for today.

Cabin Fever

2010-01-06T05:13:00.000-08:00

Well, the thermometer on South Church Street read three degrees this morning. This snow, ice and cold can really get to you. You can get cabin fever in a hurry.

Cabin fever is what you get from spending too much time indoors. You get a feeling of being isolated and away from the world. In the winter when there are shorter days and not much sunlight and the temperatures are like they have been for the last few days it is the perfect ingredients for a case of chronic cabin fever. Lack of exercise also contriutes to the mix. It is just too cold to get outside much.

There are lots of things you can do to keep your mind occupied so you don't get cabin fever.
There's reading. When I was a kid I would curl up in an old overstuffed chair behind the "Old Buckeye' with my favorite book or the Sears catalog and read or look at the pictures.
Now I use the internet for a lot of my reading. Since most of my RV friends are in warm places this time of year I can travel right along with them through words and photos. Ellie and Jim are in sunny California, Ed and Marilyn are in South Texas along with Ginger and Jesse, Linda and Howard, and JoAnn and Doug are in "not so sunny" Florida. (It has been cold there). It helps to see the warmer places and know what they are doing --- until I step out the door.

You can also sleep a lot - bears hibernate - so why can't people.

You can take up a hobby - I thought about stamp collecting but it is pretty difficult to remove a stamp from an email which is how I get most of my mail.

You can also just go outside for a walk. Just the change of different scenery from four walls is good. In this kind of weather my walk is pretty short though. No three mile walks in the park until the temperature moderates a bit.

You can also keep in touch with your friends. Just pick up the phone and call them. They may be glad to hear from you. I will be waiting for my phone to ring!!!!!

Another way to get rid of cabin fever is to make a great big pot of Potato Soup!! A few potatoes, a little bacon, some onion, celery, a few carrots and some milk and you have the ingredients for one of winter's best comfort foods.

Ohhh! that sounds so good --- I am headin' for the kitchen right now.

That's it for today.

All about the Weather

2010-01-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

Well, the weather report is about the same freezing cold, snow and no respite in sight....We are all trying to stay in out of the cold and keep the stove warm. Everone seems to be talking about the weather and reminiscing about previous winters. The temperatures have been on the moderate side the past few years so this extremely cold weather is difficult to deal with.

I was talking to a friend of mine, Carter Isscas, and I asked him to tell me a few things about past years and how difficult it actually was. I love talking to him. He has lots of great stories and doesn't mind telling how it used to be in the "olden days" He's got more stories than Carter's got liver pills.

He is 79 years old and told me he has seen lots of big snows and three blizzards in his lifetime. The blizzard of 1936, it snowed so deep that his dad had to shovel a path to the woodshed in order to get wood for heat and to feed the dogs. He said the snow was up to his armpits and it was difficult to get through.

The Blizzard of 1977 also left a lot of snow and it was very cold. He said he had about 4 farms where he kept cattle and he had to go to all four places to feed and water the animals. He would have to break the ice on the pond in order to get water for the animals to drink. He said there were three or four horses and when he turned them out to get a little exercise they took off running and ran right across the pond.....didn't even break the ice.

The blizzard of 1993 happened when it snowed 4 consecutive days, March 13,14,15th and 16th. It snowed so much he couldn't get the barn doors open. He had to carry feed to the cattle. One of his neighbors asked him why he didn't use the tractor to haul the feed. He told him the tractor wouldn't go through snow when it was three or four foot deep.

He also remembered that in 1962 Mountain City TN was noted on all the National Weather Channels as being the coldest city in the USA with temperature at 25 below zero. At the same time Shady Valley was 32 below zero-- another friend said it was so cold when he went to milk the cow she had frost all over her body and instead of a bucket full of milk he only got about a pint.Normally she would give a whole bucket full.

I will be glad when it warms up a bit and I bet the animals will too!!!!

That's it for today.

Brrrr!!!!

2010-01-04T03:35:00.000-08:00

Well, the temperatures have not changed for the better -- We are still in the "Deep Freeze". The newspaper says we are to have high temperatures in the 20's and lows in the single digits for the remainder of the week. This seems to be the coldest winter this area has had for quite sometime.

When I was a kid I didn't really mind the cold and snow. There seemed to be lots of things to do. We looked forward to a "no school" day. There were outside chores to be done such as feeding chickens, hogs and milking the cow. The water would always freeze in the creek and we would have to break it to get drinking water for the animals. Since we had no running water in the house and the drinking water sat on the back porch we would bring it in at night to keep it from freezing.

Being outside was our idea of fun. We would bundle up in our coats, boggans, mittens, boots or galoshes and out we would go. We had some rabbit traps we would set to catch rabbits so with snow to our knees we would tromp to the places where we had set our traps. Sometimes we would have to clean off the snow from the top and around the door so the rabbits could get in.
We didn't realize with one or two feet of snow the rabbits wouldn't be going anywhere anyway.

Sometimes we would take the lid off the washing machine and use it for a sled. We didn't have a real sled - we had an old homemade one but it didn't work very well. On the washing machine lid we thought we were flying down the hill.

Another pasttime was playing checkers. We only had one or two toys to play with and no games. One day my grandpa made us a checker board. he took an old piece of cardboard and marked it off into squares and colored the squares with red and black crayons. Then he took some wooden spools and cut them apart and colored them red and black. Our checkers were different sizes but we didn't care - we learned to play checkers on that old piece of cardboard.
It was a real treat when Christmas came that year and underneath the tree was a checkerboard and real checkers. We were so proud.

I still like a good game of checkers. Peanut, are you up for a game. I bet I can still beat you!!!

That's it for today.

Deep Freeze

2010-01-03T08:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I feel like I am living in a deep freeze. The temperatures have plummented down to single digits and the wind chill is below zero. Someone at church today mentioned 13 below. Now that is cold. It looks as if this cold weather will last through the week.

It is so cold even the squirrels would rather eat birdseed than dig for buried nuts.

It is a good day for staying inside. Maybe I will break out that new book I got for Christmas if I can pry my frozen fingers away from this keyboard.

That's it for today.

2 of 31

2010-01-02T03:43:00.000-08:00

Well, while reading blogs of my friends today I found this quote. I liked it and though I would share it. Thanks Marcie!!

Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah got that right. We usually have pretty good ideas but often they simply don't turn out the way we thought they would. We need to learn how to redefine the things we do in order to have them live up to our expectations. We need to remember that God does answer prayers but we can't dictate His answers.

We can't go back and re live last year or the year before and try to get it right but what we can do is to live each day one by one, enjoy all it has to offer and
embrace the fact that the time we have on this Earth is limited and life is just too short to be making mistakes. Do what you love in life and be with the people you love.

That's it for today.

One of Thirty One

2010-01-01T04:04:00.000-08:00

Well, it was a great dinner, quality time with friends, a little snackin', some football (even though Tennessee lost), sparkling grape juice, and watching the ball drop in Times Square --A wonderful way to start A Brand New Year.

The feeding frenzy also continued into the New Year -- Hardee's for breakfast and the traditional New Years Family Dinner. Hog Jowls, black eyed peas, green peas, pea salad, did I mention peas? Then there was the cabbage, fried cabbage, boiled cabbage, cooked cabbage, cole slaw, and a traditional cabbage dish with a recipe Tuck brought back from the Phillippines.
There were also many side dishes too numerous to mention including my favorite green beans (Thanks Emogene). After all of that there was the dessert table, peach cobbler, chocolate cake, Red Velvet Cake (another E specialty), banana pudding, pie, and others which I did not partake of. I can tell you though I did have three desserts before my brain kicked in and decided all that dessert would surely go to my waist!!!

A great time was had by all. Thank you Faye and Harold for your hospitality.

According to tradition eating black eyed peas, cabbage and hog jowls are to bring money and luck. The peas are to bring money or prosperity because they swell when they are cooked. I prefer to eat green peas - at least they are the color of money...
The hog jowls, I am not so sure about - people say if you eat them they bring good luck but I am not so sure -- since it didn't bring much luck to the hog. The cabbage, I love so my opinion is I can skip the jowls and eat twice as much cabbage and that is exactly what I did.

After all that food and family time I was ready for a nap--my favorite blanket and pillow and I was down for the count.

A wonderful day and I look forward to 364 more of them this year.

That's it for today!!

Two - Going for Three

2009-12-31T05:28:00.001-08:00

Well, it was two years ago I started this blog, I never dreamed I would have as many loyal readers who would stick with me through thick and thin and continue to read my posts every time I write. I would like to say Thank You to each and every one of you for putting up with my shenanigans. May each of you have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.

After 299 posts over the past two years this is my first photo and one of my favorites.

In turning over a new leaf this year I have joined the NaBloPoMo(National Blog Posting Month)and promised to blog every day. That means 31 blogs in 31 days for January. So hang onto your hats and we will see how far my pea brain will get me. If you like what you read please let me know -- and if you have a subject you think I should write about please let me know. I welcome all comments 'cause I love to get mail.

That's it for today!!

Where in the world is Jenny J???

2009-12-30T12:34:00.000-08:00

Well, according to the emails and comments I have recieved I have been listed among the missing. A faithful reader even checked in at the post office to find out where I was.
Here's the scoop--- I wasn't really missing - I knew where I was all the time...well, at least most of it anyway.
I have a thousand excuses for not posting but I will only use one of them - a streak of laziness. It is hard once you get out of the groove to get back in it. They say it takes 21 days to break a habit. Well, I just got out of the habit of sitting down and writing every day and I find it harder to get used to it again.
There has been lots of news since I last posted-
There was Thanksgiving -

My trip to Tennessee on December 9. Meeting friends in Nashville for dinner - thanks again Lisa!! And Sam!! and my new friend Martha!!
The snowstorm of 2009 that literally shut down all of Johnson County and surrounding area - there are still some people without power since before Christmas.
Christmas was a really busy time with four (count 'em) Christmas Dinners. After all that food I managed to maintain my weight loss. Thanks to Ellie and Dortha for the inspiration!! I did really good except for those little cherry chocolate candies I seem to be addicted to. Ya' can't eat just one!
Have been doing lots of walking at the park --1-3 miles a day. Gotta walk off those biscuits and gravy I eat every day at Hardee's.
Weather here is bitter cold one day and 50 plus degrees the next-- Darn weatherman just can't make up his mind.
Visiting with friends and family, meeting new friends, renewing old acquaintances and comfort food (soupbeans, cornbread, fried cabbage and potatoes, and half runners) are just a few more of the highlights of my visit.
Hog jowls and blackeyed peas are on the menu for New Years Day. It will be a great way to start the New Year. If they keep feeding me like this --I will just have to stay!!!
Here are a few of the many photos I have taken in the past few weeks. As always, in case you forgot -- to view photo in larger size just double click on it.

Snyder's Mill

Ralph Stout Park

I take a walk - Ducks go for a swim

Two of my favorite people Jean and her grandson Josh

Snowed In

Snow Storm

Barn

No more Barbecues til spring!

Edmond, Pam, Sydney and Samantha

My 91 year old Aunt Bonnie!!

My sisters and I with my Aunt Bonnie

The Feast

My Brothers in Law

That's it for today.

Too Early For Snow

2009-11-13T10:34:00.000-08:00

Well, the weatherman has predicted the first snowflakes of the season for Noon today. Snow is to start falling and not quit until we have about four inches. How they know that and can figure out to the minute and the inches is way beyond my comprehension. What I do know is --it is coming. Snoqualmie Pass has already been closed eastbound because of multiple collisions. Here's a photo of Snoqualmie Pass today.

And just to refresh your memory here is a few photos from the archives of all that snow we had last winter. I just don't know if I can handle it if it snows that much again.

Even the birds go south in the winter because they can't find their birdbath.
Piles of snow everywhere

Even on the tree branches

I would much prefer this kind of scenery.

That's it for today.

Thank You For The Service

2009-11-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

In Honor

Pvt Roy M. Holloway

U.S. Army

World War II

1941-1945

and all veterans who have served or serving

in our Armed Forces.

God Bless and keep you safe

and

God Bless the USA

Happy Birthday Girls!

2009-11-08T04:20:00.000-08:00

Lauralei and Kimberlei,

Thank you for all the memories in the past fourteen years. You both make me very happy and I am so very proud of both of you and your accomplishments. I love you both very much. Have a wonderful birthday!!!

That's it for today!

Sightings From A Tree Stand

2009-11-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been awhile since I posted -- I haven't really had anything to write about --kinda hard to write when all you write about is the weather-or so it seems.

I don't know what I do with my time but it seems to slip away from me...I have found Facebook and the games and it is very addicting. One of the great things about Facebook is being able to keep up with all your friends and at an instant's notice!! Facebook is faster than email!! Keeping in touch is fun.

Saturday was opening day of muzzleloader season in Johnson County. One of my friends was sitting in his tree stand and sent me photos from his phone on opening day. Called himself a "High Tech Redneck". Way to go Josh!!

Johnson County Sunrise from a Tree Stand

Dawning of a New Day

Beautiful
Just Beautiful
And the results !!

Isn't Technology Wonderful!!!!

That's it for today!

Steptoe WA

2009-11-01T19:23:00.000-08:00

Well, not much going on today so I thought I would share some photos I had of eastern Washington. Steptoe Washington is in the middle of the Palouse about 55 miles south of Spokane.

Steptoe Butte State Park is a 150-acre, 3,612-foot-tall natural monument. Thimble-shaped, the quartzite butte looms in bald grandeur over the prevailing flat lands. The park is famous for its stark, dramatic beauty and the panoramic view it provides of surrounding farmlands, the Blue Mountains, and other neighboring ranges and peaks. From the top of the butte, the eye can see 200 miles.

The butte is constructed of quartzite and looms over the surrounding terrain. Hawthorne brush abounds in the park, and was widely used by local Indians for the making of medicines, baskets and other essentials.

Native Americans called the butte "the power mountain." It was believed that a journey to the butte bestowed a gift of power from the mountain's guardian spirit.

The butte's present name honors Colonel Edward Steptoe, who gave years of service maintaining peace in the region. His men were killed in a conflict, which he tried to prevent, with Native Americans.

Enjoy the photos!

And that's it for today.

Head Cold

2009-10-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I have decided that all this hype on TV about colds and the flue has given me a nasty old head cold. You know the one your head feels like mush and your nose is stuffy and then its runny and the more medicine you take the worse you feel. Well that's what I have got. Now I just teed to get rid of it and fast!!

My grandmother believed in a lot of herbs and medicines and had a cure for everything - even the common cold. She used Mullein tea for bronchitis, a mustard plaster for congestion, or a clove or two of garlic crushed and stirred into some warm milk. Now that may not cure your cold but it will sure scare the heck out of one.

To cure the sore throat you had to gargle with salt water and she always told me "drink a little bit, it'll help". A tall glass of liniment was always in order too. That'll stop your cough. We had this couple who used to come around about once a month selling Raleigh products . There was always a bottle of this liniment in the cupboard. Any time you got sick you were made to drink this vile tasting stuff. It must have worked because it is still on the market today.

Camphorated salve was another cure, my grandmother would grease my chest, the bottoms of my feet, dress me in my flannel nightgown and into bed underneath the big featherbed I would go. I dont know if it was the salve, the flannel or the heat but it always cured me.

Since my grandmother isn't here to take care of me I will load up on on all these newfangled drugs and go back to bed and hope I feel better by morning.

A man went to see his doctor because he was suffering from a miserable cold. His doctor prescribed some pills, but they didn't help.On his next visit the doctor gave him a shot, but that didn't do any good.On his third visit the doctor told the man to go home and take a hot bath. As soon as he was finished bathing he was to throw open all the windows and stands in the draft."But doc," protested the patient, "if I do that, I'll get pneumonia.""I know," said his physician. "I can cure pneumonia."

That's it for today.

Halloween Memories

2009-10-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow is Halloween and time for the little trick or treaters to be out and about. It seems adults and kids both get in the act anymore. There are probably more adult Halloween parties than kid's. At the workplace, employees and bosses alike get in on the act. It wasn't that way when we were growing up.

When we were growing up we lived out in the country, there was no money for costumes. Heck, I don't even remember there being costumes. There may have been a few face masks but we never had any. However, we did have a lot of fun trick or treating.

We would find us some old "garb" to wear. We never had to buy anything - all our clothes were old. Maybe we would take a pair of my Dad's overalls and be a hillbilly (not that we weren't already) or tie a shirt around a stick or something and be a hobo. Sometimes we would find the biggest dress we could find (usually one of my aunt's hand me downs) and stuff it with pillows and be an old fat lady. We would unravel a couple piece of rope for hair..we never had wigs. A big fancy hat with flowers on it was a must with this outfit. We didn't have pumpkins or fancy sacks to carry our loot. We would take an old pillowcase and that was our trick or treat sack.

My favorite memory was the year all five of us decided to dress alike. We took some soot from the stovepipe on the kitchen stove and mixed it with some of my mother's cold cream. We then painted our faces and anything else that showed with the black "goop". My dad had several pair of old brown work gloves so we borrowed those. Dressed in our"garb" and our pillowcases for the loot we were off through the neighborhood.

There was this one neighbor lady who didn't have any kids but she made the most scrumptious popcorn balls. We always loved going there because she had lots of treats for us. We all go up to the door and knock on it. She opened it and then shut it real fast, then opened it again. She yelled to her husband, "OH!! Ben, you have to see this....Look at all the cute little "darkies". She made us come inside and parade around for him and then she gave us our treats.

We continued on our way and all the neighbors thought our costumes were great but they must have thought we were pretty poor because we ended up with more candy than usual.

By the time we got home our pillowcases were stuffed but we really had a chore ahead of us before bedtime. By this time the mixture of the soot and cold cream had hardened into a cement like finish and it had to be washed off before bedtime.

Washing it off with cold water didn't work. The more you washed the more it smeared. You would get one portion of your face clean and then wash another and it would smear the clean part. This really upset my mother. Now she had to build a fire in the cookstove and go to the creek in the dark to get water and and heat it and all five of us had to have a bath and our hair washed. What a chore!! It was midnight before we ever got to bed.

You can bet that the next Halloween we did not get to dress like that. The soot never came out of her towels and washcloths and my mother never let us forget it either.

And that, my friends, is my Halloween story for today. I have another but it will have to wait until the grandkids are a little older.

The Yard and Beyond

2009-10-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

Well, the weather has not been very cooperative lately. There has not been much chance for good photo opportunities, however, I thought if I were going to get some fall pics it had better be before the snow flies. Note: There will be no beautiful scenery pics as in my Tennessee Photos.

A splash of yellow also known as Grandma's favorite flower
"The Dandy Flower"

The last Rose of summer

Would you believe this pile of leaves

All came from this little tree

Green is always good and this is "Ever Green"

Who decides when holly chnges color?

Construction in the back yard

Just over the fence

When the snow flies you will never see this mess. Who will clean up next spring?

The city fathers or who ever is in charge has decided to build a new Rite Aid Drugstore just over the fence --you would think that the superintendent or "whomever" is in charge would clean as they go --in this case - evidently not. Construction is to be completed in January. The mess will frozen and covered by snow by then. Who will clean up the unsightly mess??

That's it for today!

More Scenery

2009-10-27T04:15:00.000-07:00

Well, the weather here has had its ups and downs. We haven't had anything but rain and cold for the last week or so and snow is predicted in the very near future. I don't think we have had this much rain in years. Other than the weather there isn't much to report

A friend of mine knew I was missing Tennessee so she snapped these photos for me...Thanks Weasel.

The trees in Virginia are almost as pretty is as Tennessee!!

Downtown Damascus Virginia

Now this is my idea of a banjo picker

The Virginia Creeper Trail

And the Gorgeous Gorge Between Mountain City and Trade Tennessee. If this is your mountain, thanks for sharing it with me.

That's it for today!!

A Wonderful Day

2009-10-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

Well, It was a typical fall day warm and sunny. The temperature was moderate. A drive through the mountains and the backroads of Johnson County seemed a terrific way to spend such a gorgeous fall day.

Click on any photo for larger size

The mountains were splendid. From the bright yellow leaves of the birch, yellow poplar and hickory to the mountain ash, sumac, oaks, and maples that vary in shades from orange to brilliant red to brown and even purple it was a rainbow of colors.

A variety of wildflowers, Black-eyed Susans, goldenrod and asters, small shrubs, bright trees and a few cows dotted the roadsides.

An old barn full of drying tobacco caught my eye
Around every corner the beauty and splendor of the day could hardly be matched.

Watauga Lake was breathtakingly beautiful.

The top of the mountain awaits.

From the top of the mountain the scenery seemed to go on forever. I felt like I was On Top Of The World.

Beautiful days like this are like the last bite of your favorite candy ---something to be savored.

That's it for today.

Chow Chow

2009-10-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine sent me this recipe for Chow chow and it reminded me of my Grandma's Chow Chow. This particular recipe was found in one of the cookbooks that were the property of Faye Street and her mother Uva Robinson. I found the recipe interesting since it was written on a notepad from K.D. Madron, the former sherriff of Johnson County.

In the late summer/early fall when the cabbage heads were at their peak they all needed to be harvested. Some were made in to sour kraut. We made chow chow out of some, some went in the cellar and some were saved for the "tater hole" and we would have cabbage in the spring.

Now there is a trick to making sour kraut --if you don't do it right it will either smell, get too sour, or not sour enough or it will turn dark and soft and not even be fit for the pigs to eat. My grandmother knew exactly when to make sour kraut. She went by the signs. The signs have to be in the head and neck and it can't be on the dark of the moon. I never knew her to make a bad jar of sour kraut. It was always as pretty and white and fresh as the day it went in the jar.

Often times she would grab a few heads of cabbage, some onions and a green pepper or two from the garden and an old metal dishpan, her kraut cutter and go out to the backyard on the wash bench and start chopping the cabbage to make chow chow. She would quarter the cabbage always saving the stalk. She would trim the stalk and give it to me. I loved eating the stalk of the cabbage and I still do to this day. She would end up with a dishpan or two of chopped cabbage. She would add salt and let it sit overnight. The next day she would add her other ingredients and put it in cans and into the cellar.

Chow chow is a southern type of relish. It is traditionally served with soupbeans and cornbread as well as a condiment for your hotdogs. It is normally a sweet kind of relish but I like to add a jalepeno or two with mine.

Here is the recipe I use for making chow chow.

Southern Chow Chow

4 cups onions

2 cabbage

12 green peppers

6 red peppers

10 green tomatoes

4 hot peppers

6 cups sugar

1 tablespoon celery seed

2 tablespoons mustard seed

1 teaspoon turmeric

4 cups vinegar

2 cups water

Chop onions, cabbage, peppers and tomatoes and mix together. Add 1/2 cup salt over them and let set overnight. Rinse and drain. Mix water, vinegar, sugar and spices together and bring to a boil. Pour over other ingredients and boil 5 to 8 minutes. Put in jars and seal.

The good thing about chow chow is you can eat it right away but it tastes better on a cold snowy day when there has been a pot of beans simmering on the stove all day and the smell of cornbread is fresh from the oven.

That's it for today.

Welcome New Readers

2009-10-21T05:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I promised that I would post some more photos of my trip to Mountain City. I had such a great time and I took lots of photos. Some of my Canadian readers have trouble with the music on the web page and also when there are lot of photos posted. It does something to their bandwidth. I try not to use music (except on special occasions) or too many photos in order to make sure they can keep up with my blog.

Speaking of readers I found I have some new readers. That's great I love to hear from you!! A special "hello" to you and Welcome to Elevenfootrv. Since I have been writing for a couple years now the new readers may not know you can go back and read all the archives. Also if you like the photos and want to see them in a bigger dimension if you click on them the size will increase.

Also there are comments at the bottom where you can leave a comment...or read the ones that are there -- sometmes I get comments and sometimes I dont. You can always leave your comment under anonymous but if you think I should know who its from please leave your name.

Here's a few more pics from in and around Mountain City.

My brother Doran taking me for a tractor ride.

Jean Sue and I at Port Christopher's in Boone

A couple of my favorite ladies, Sydney and Samantha at the Quilt Show in Shady Valley
Smoke on the mountain and a beautiful church in Crandull TN

Beautiful fall trees in Crandull

Another Crandull scene

Backbone Rock in Johnson County. It's an awesome place.

That's it for today.

Another Story

2009-10-20T04:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I am still way behind in my postings but I got a request to post some of my stories again so here is a story for you today. Hope you enjoy it.

There is something about these drab gray overcast days that gets me to thinking about how it was to live when I was growing up. As I have said before we grew almost every thing we ate from the pork to vegetables, fruit, and even the grain for corn meal and sometimes flour.
In the spring, summer and fall we always had a variety of fresh vegetables but in the winter all our vegetables and fruit were either canned, smoked, pickled or dried. We always had plenty of food. We may have had to eat the same thing a few days in a row and we would get tired of it but we never went hungry.
In the kitchen we had a wood cookstove, my granddad was an early riser, he got up about 5 AM summer and winter, he would get a fire going in the "Old Buckeye" stove and then he would start a fire in the kitchen stove. My grandmother would get up and get breakfast started. First she would put on a big ol' pot of coffee. We always had some kind of pork for breakfast, sometimes it was bacon, sometimes sausage we had canned or it could be a nice big slice of ham. She made a big pan of biscuits from scratch every morning. At the end she always saved a little bit of dough to make me my own small biscuits.
She would make a big skillet of gravy with the drippings from the meat. If the meat happened to be the ham she would make red eye gravy. Red eye gravy is thinner than regular gravy and is made from the drippings to which black coffee is added. Then she would also fry up some eggs. Man, that was some good eatin'. We always had oatmeal and corn flakes and jam, jelly or apple butter.
The biscuits would be hot out of the oven and she would split my biscuit open and slather it with butter and close it so I would have a hot buttered biscuit. When it was cold she always sat my plate on the oven door so I would be warm as I ate my breakfast. If I ate at the table I stood between her and my grandfather to eat. I was allowed to have one saucer full of coffee. Sometimes I drank my sauce from her cup and sometimes from my Granddads. She drank hers with milk and he didn't. I guess that is where I learned to drink my coffee white.
As a special treat we would sometimes have pancakes, not regular pancakes but buckwheat pancakes from buckwheat we had grown. I don't remember much about the buckwheat. I just know we grew it and it was special and we kept it in the end of the meal box. Maybe my brother can refresh my memory.
She had some old cast iron griddles and she would mix up the pancakes and fry a whole stack of them. She would make her own syrup (no Mrs. Butterworth's for her). I still use the same recipe. two cups of sugar and one cup water, and a little maple flavoring, stir it until the sugar is dissolved and then a slow boil until it gets thick. Just thinking about those pancakes sets my mouth to waterin'.
Talking about all this food has made me hungry. I'm headin' for the kitchen.

That's it for today.

Winding Down

2009-10-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I have posted Tennessee 1 and 2 of my trip only 3 more to go. I have never had jet lag but I believe it has caught up with me. Either that or my head cold is trying to get the best of me.

Catching My Breath

2009-10-12T04:46:00.000-07:00

Well, Just trying to catch my breath and letting y'all know I am still here. It has been a busy week here in Mountain City. I am a few posts behind but I will catch up sooner or later so keep checking back -- I have a ton of stories and you will hear them all right here!! Multiple posts in progress!!

Tennessee #2

2009-10-09T04:43:00.000-07:00

Well, as I have said it was a busy time in Mountain City. I did get a chance to walk around town and I came up on this pretty little bench in front of the bank. It looked like a great place to "stop and sit a spell".

Ernest brought me some Paw Paws. To my recollection this is the first time I have ever seen a Paw Paw. Ernest told me they grow on a small to medium tree with drooping leaves. They bloom about April and the fruit is usually ready by September. The color is between a green and a yellow. The fruit has a different taste - I think I would prefer an apple or a pear. The seeds are shaped kinda like a lima bean.

I also got to spend some time with a couple of my best friends. All during High School Joy, Jean and I were best friends. We even went to college together then went our separate ways. This is the first time we have all been together in the same place for many years but it was great to see the two of them again. Joy stopped in Spokane to see me this summer but guess where I was --Mountain City, Tennessee!!!
I always try to spend some quality time with Jean's mother, Sue. Whenever I am at home Jean always stops what she is doing regardless of what it is and makes sure that I get to do some of the things I want and she takes time to share her mother with me. I feel very blessed to have her as my best friend. Since my mother is gone I have adopted Sue as my mother and anytime we have a chance to get together we have a Mother's Day Celebration. This time it was at Port Christopher's in Boone. Sue always has a story or two to tell me. She can tell me exactly word for word how she met her husband some 65 years ago. I have found you can never spend too much time with your friends and family. Other special friends are Duffy and his lovely wife Carnie. They own the Duffy's Country Store in Mountain City. They are truly wonderful people and always make time to visit with you even if it is only a few minutes. Here's Duffy on the Deacon's Bench!
I have other photos but I will use a separate post so that my Canadian friends don't have problems with their bandwidth.

That's it for today.

Tennessee #1

2009-10-08T05:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I am behind on a few posts. Sems like the hurrier I go the behinder I get. The last time I left you, I believe it was Jason's Birthday. He reported he had a wonderful birthday. I was so glad to see him !!

I believe I was also getting ready to leave to come to Tennessee----well I am here but my luggage is still not here. Boy do I have a beef with United Airlines. When you pay good money for a ticket and then they insist on checking your bag - AND it costs $20 right from the gitgo. They ought to be able to keep up with your baggage. What A rant I have!! and customer service is based out of "who knows where". In two days I have yet to find anyone who speaks english you can understand!! and they have NO CLUE where Mountain City Tennessee is. Of course they would probably tell me you can't get here from there!! and they have proved that by holding my bag hostage. At least I do have clean undies now but still no suitcase!!!

On another note, Coleman had a wonderful birthday last night and I have photos to post. We had birthday cake at Hardee's. About 20 people showed up for the festivities.

We also went uptown to welcome home the troops of the 776th Maintenance Company after they spent a year in Iraq. There was a real homecoming at the National Guard Armory. Flags and yellow ribbons lined Main Street in Mountain City as well as many people who all showed up for their support. Along Highway 67 as they passed through people were waving from their porches to show their support. It was a wonderful "Welcome Home" celebration. We owe these fine men and women a big Thank You for their dedication and service to our country.

I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

That's it for today.

Happy Birthday Jason!!

2009-10-04T05:53:00.000-07:00

Well, let's see -- Where was I? -- Now I remember --It was right before the sewing machine broke. It's heck when you get old you can't remember where you were five minutes ago but you can remember in great detail fifty years ago.

I can't remember exactly where I was thirty five years ago today but I can tell you where my sister was. She was in the hospital in Boone, North Carolina giving birth to my nephew Jason Bryan Guy. My memory is such that I don't remember any of the details and I don't have a photo of him on that day but I do have a photo of him taken recently. Here is a photo of Jason, his sister Debbie and my sister Ann.

Happy 35th birthday Jason. Have a great birthday. Just remember you're only a little older than your very young Auntie. She's only 24 and will remind you of it every chance she gets!!!

Summer has gone by and slipped right into fall and it's beginning to look like fall around here. There were reports of snow on the mountain passes a couple of days ago. There have been blustery winds and some rain. I heard this morning Interstate 90 was closed between Ritzville and Moses Lake... I guess winter will not be far behind.

Guess I will go dig out the rake and the snow shovel so I will be prepared for both raind and snow!!!

That's it for today.

Rodney Dewey

2009-09-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

Rodney B. (Zeke) Dewey, 58, of East Haven died suddenly September 28, 2009 in St. Johnsbury. He was born in Saranac Lake, NY on October 21, 1950, to Dorothy (Bush) Dewey and the late Robert Dewey. On December 16, 1995, he married Catherine Ann Guy who survives him. Mr. Dewey graduated from Benn High School, Bennington, VT and entered into the United States Air Force where he was a sergeant, paratrooper, and a member of the Combat Control Team during the Vietnam War. He was a lumber inspector for Mountain City Lumber Company in Mountain City, TN and Cersiumo Lumber in Brattleboro, VT. Among his hobbies, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, the outdoors, and working in the woods. He was an at-large member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Ann Guy of East Haven, his mother Dorothy Dewey of Bennington, his children: Robin Dewey of Las Vegas, NV; Bambi Baca of Las Vegas, NV, and Nadezda Dewey of Chugiak, AK; two grandchildren: Orion and Meia Baca, Las Vegas, NV; a step-son Jason Guy of Nashville, TN; a step-daughter Debbie Phipps and her husband Jimmy of Trade, TN; and many very special friends. He is survived by the following brothers and sisters: Ned Dewey and his wife, Colleen of Bennington; Bobby Dewey and his wife, Patty of Bennington; Sandra Sullivan and companion, Lee Zimmer of Rensselaer, NY; Brad Dewey and his wife, Cathy of Wesley Chapel, FL; Debbie Kiernan and her husband, Rick of Slate Hill, NY; and Julia Kraus and her husband, Andrew of Westfield, MA; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Robert B. Dewey. Military honors will be held at 12 Noon at his home 2040 VT Rt. 114 in East Haven on Saturday, October 3, 2009, followed by a celebration of his life at 2:00 P.M. at the Dewey’s Camp on Simpson Road in East Haven. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Association, c/o Winston Dowland, Whittier Road, Derby Line, VT 05830. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, locally family owned and operated.

News

2009-09-29T04:09:00.000-07:00

Due to the sudden unexpected death of my brother in law, Rodney Dewey, in East Haven Vermont I will not be posting to this blog for a few days. I am making plans to go east to Vermont and South to Tennessee. I will save my writings in Live Writer and post when I have the time. Thanks for your patience.

Blackberry Memories

2009-09-26T05:51:00.000-07:00

Well, this is my first post in LiveWriter - we will see how it goes --

It’s a little past blackberry picking time but I was thinking about how we used to go blackberry picking and how we would come home with buckets full of blackberries to be canned or made into jam or jelly. The canned blackberries would be used for making blackberry cobblers in the winter. There’s nothing better than a warm blackberry cobbler on a cold snowy day in the middle of January. It makes you remember the hard work that went into picking those berries but that cobbler tastes so good you can’t wait for berry picking time again.

Sometimes we would make jam or jelly from the blackberries. Here’s an old fashioned easy way to make blackberry jelly.

You wash your berries and put berries in a very large pot and just cover with cold water. Boil for approximately 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours. You should now have a wonderfully purple colored water. Strain berries through a seive or cheesecloth into a separate large pot. Discard strained berries.For every 6 cups of juice, add 6 cups of white sugar.(or if you get 12 cups juice, add 12 cups of water...keep ratio the same for the number of cups of juice you get.) Boil this mixture until you can no longer stir the foam down. Then boil for about 7 minutes longer. Test on a spoon for jell. It's ready when it adheres to the spoon. Pour hot jell into clean canning jars, wipe the rim with a damp cloth, seal with lid and turn upside down immediately on clean folded towels until cool. Turn upright. When you do this and touch the center of the lid, the center should depress and stay there. If it doesn't, better eat this jelly right away. Otherwise, take the jelly jars to the can house until you’re ready for that next jelly biscuit.

That's it for today!

A Poem

2009-09-25T11:15:00.001-07:00

Well, a while ago I wrote about clotheslines and I recieved this poem in an email. I have no idea who the author is or I would certainly give him or her credit. I liked it so much I am posting it for you!

A POEM

A clothesline was a news forecast

To neighbors passing by.

There were no secrets you could keep

When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link

For neighbors always knew

If company had stopped on by

To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"

And towels upon the line;

You'd see the "company table cloths"

With intricate designs.

The line announced a baby's birth

From folks who lived inside -

As brand new infant clothes were hung,

So carefully with pride!

The ages of the children could

So readily be known

By watching how the sizes changed,

You'd know how much they'd grown!

It also told when illness struck,

As extra sheets were hung;

Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,

Haphazardly were strung.

It also said, "Gone on vacation now"

When lines hung limp and bare.

It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged

With not an inch to spare!

New folks in town were scorned upon

If wash was dingy and gray,

As neighbors carefully raised their brows,

And looked the other way . . ...

But clotheslines now are of the past,

For dryers make work much less.

Now what goes on inside a home

Is anybody's guess!

I really miss that way of life.

It was a friendly sign

When neighbors knew each other best

By what hung on the line!

On another note my face is totally red!! When I spoke of Sweet P's Quilting and Creations yesterday I totally overlooked giving the link to her blog. So here it is http://sweetp-paulette.blogspot.com/. Be sure to check it out. Even if you're not a quilting fan - you will absolutely love the photography!!

That's it for today!

Sweet P

2009-09-24T21:09:00.001-07:00

Well, yesterday I blogged about some of the many blogs I read and what my RVer friends are doing and where they're going. Today's blog has a little bit different twist.

I am not a quilter but I wanabe. One of the blogs I read is Paulette's Quilting blog. She calls it Sweet P Quilting and Creations. She is a very experienced quilter and has lots of photos on her blog. She also has a whole list of other blogs that other blogging friends write. Now I have been around quilts all my life and have seen many hand stitched from beginning to end but I have never seen as many in the same place!

She writes a very interesting story as well as great photos. I love to hear about her trips to garage sales. She always does something interesting with her finds. She is very creative. Here is a quilt she made from used shirts from thrift stores.

Recently she had a photo of a yo yo quilt. I remember my grandmother making one of those by hand. It took a long time. My favorite quilt my grandmother made was grandmother's flower garden. That was some 55 years ago. I wonder whatever happened to it.

She is having a Giveaway with a book, pattern and fabric to make a wall hanging. I left her a comment, added my name to her list of followers (she doesn't know I have been following her from day one) and now I have mentioned her in my current blog. That gets me three chances to win the prize. It would be a great start to a "Quilting Habit" -- I hope I win!!

If you get a chance check out her blog --- Tell her Jenny sent ya!

That's it for today!

On The MOOOVe!!

2009-09-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Well, the birthday hoopla is over and now it is back to finding something to write about. As everyone knows I read a lot of blogs. It is a sure sign of fall because a lot of my friends are on the MOOOve!!

Ellie, Jim, Dortha, and Mark, have picked up Deb and Rod and they are traveling in tandem through Oregon. Now that's the way to do it -- take your friends with you --- Hey!! Wait guys!! You left me back here in Spokane........

Gordon and his lovely bride Juanita are so in love with the Oregon Coast they extended their stay there in order to soak up a little more sunshine and "catch another wave or two".

Jesse and Ginger just finished their workcamping gig in New York and are moving toward the Southwestern portion of the USA.

Ed and Marilyn are soon headed for Indiana and meeting Jesse and Ginger there before heading toward South Texas.

Joy and Jay are headed for my hometown of Mountain City Tennessee after spending the summer in Alaska. They came right through Spokane - but guess where I was?? Mountain City Tennessee!!

Kevin and Arlene just picked up their new 5th wheel and are embarking to Florida on their way to their new adventure.

Doug and JoAnn and "My #1 poodle" Fillmore are also in Florida.

The Wishnies just finished a great wildlife tour in Yellowstone.

Larry and LeeAnn were in Montana on their way north to Canada.

When you're reading blogs you learn a lot about your friends. ----Speedy and Rollie found not only can they camp together they can also "dump together" without incident.

Linda and Howard had dinner in a brothel.

Dee and Jim have ordered a new fifth wheel.

Fred isn't afraid of bears or Buffalo!!

Al of the Bayfield bunch has a morning shake called "Sounds Yukky - Tastes Yummy".

Odell hides the brownies in the dryer.

Suzy hides her drinking glasses in the oven.

Jim and Linda are in West Virginia on their way to "parts unknown".

Sandra and Gordon are nearing the end of their six months in Canada and travels back to the USA.

"Pa" (Darrell) and Ms Judy are at home in Michigan visiting relatives. Well I should say their "old homeplace" 'cause now their home is wherever they are parked.

Gypsy is having repairs done in Kansas. Another mini gathering with her and Mac, Lynette , Paul and Mary is in the near future.

Bob, Molly, Donna and Keith are meeting at the Gypsy Gathering in Ohio.

These are but a few of the people I keep up with on a daily basis. Thanks guys for letting me travel with you as you move about. I will be out there with you real soon!!

That's it for today.

Day After!!

2009-09-21T04:30:00.001-07:00

My Official Birthday Photo 2009

Well, my birthday has come and gone, thanks to all of my friends who sent me Happy Birthday wishes, phone calls, cards and presents. I appreciate you all!!!

One of my favorite commments came from my friend Sandra!!

Happy birthday tomorrow, Jenny! May your 24th birthday tomorrow be as happy as your 24th birthday last year!

Here's the official birthday photo from last year!! Thanks again Phyllis!!

I have been celebrating my birthday for weeks now. I celebrated with a fish fry at my favorite fish restaurant "The Mayflower" in Tennessee with family, then I celebrated with my friends at Hardee's and when the "Big Day" finally came I got to spend it with the GrandGirls at the Spokane Interstate Fair. We had a wonderful day with all the exhibits and the animals, hot dogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy.

The theme of the fair was "Something to Crow About" The Grand Girls thought Grandma's birthday was really "Something to Crow About".

Here's my favorite latest photo of the "Grand Girls". Thanks, girls for making my birthday special and for my throw which will keep me warm when I take a nap!!

I recieved this photo from my brother and his family. Another one of my favorites!!!

My chatroom friends threw me a party in the chatoom and a good time was had by all!!

Some of my RV friends in Texas surprised me with a telephone call and "their" rendition of Happy Birthday!! Thanks to all of you! Mike, Speedy, Don, Rollie, Gina, Sherri, Cheryl and Leslie!!

My 24th birthday this year was made special by all of you. Thanks so much.

That's it for today.

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!

2009-09-20T06:11:00.001-07:00

It's My Birthday!!!!

Well, it was sixty three years ago today, my father took his shotgun and went out into the woods and bagged himself a squirrel. He placed it in a flour sack and carried it home to make squirrel stew. Upon his arrival, his mother told him the news --he had a brand new baby girl and asked him what her name would be. He looked at the squirrel and the name on the sack and said

"Virginia Rose".

That's the story of how I got my name and maybe - just maybe -- that accounts for why I am a

"Little Squirrely"

Thanks Dad! That's it for today.

My Birthplace

2009-09-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well, when I was in Mountain City one of the things I had on my "to do" list was a visit to the house of my birth. I have told and retold the story of my birth and how I got my name and I just wanted to see if the house was as I remembered it.

It was in the mid forties when my mother and dad bought the house. It is my understanding that it was co-owned with my Granny Holloway. She owned a "place" in Hatley Hollar at Butler and when the TVA was buying up the property to make way for Watauga Lake her place was one that was in the way and had to be moved. The TVA bought her land and she invested it in the twenty acres on Shupetown Road known as the "Shupe Place".

The house in Hatley Hollar was torn down and moved to Shupetown Road and the lumber used to build the barn. Getting the lumber there was quite the process. Because the house was down in the holler the lumber had to be dragged by horse and sled up to the main road and then it was transported by horse and wagon some 10 to 15 miles to the new house. The barn was built from this. Quite a few family members as well as some neighbors helped in the hauling and the building.

My memories of the house itself are not very clear. I remember the porch. It seemed we were always on the porch. It was raining one day and my sister and I were playing on the porch and I pushed her off the end right into a mudpuddle. I also remembered the house had a fireplace. When my sister and I were small I had my favorite pair of shoes. One day my mother put my shoes on my sister. Evidently I was upset about it because I bit her toe right through the shoe. .

I also remember walking home from my other grandparents house just across the hill. I spent a lot of time with them and my great grandma who also lived there. My mother and dad would come and take me home and a couple hours later my great grandma would send my brother over on the horse to get me. I can remember riding across the hill on the horse. We always had to stop by the spring to give the horse a drink of water and to pick up apples.

I didn't know if anyone still lived there so I coerced my sister June to making the trip to see the house. The photo on my header is the house as seen from Shupetown Road. The house itself is located about a quarter to a half mile off the secondary road. The lane is narrow and continues to get even smaller. The wooden bridge across the creek had been replaced with a concrete one.

This field used to be a field for growing beans, corn, tobacco etc.
Lane gets smaller as you get closer
Underbrush covers the road
The house
The lady that currently owns the house was very gracious and told me to take all the photos I wanted. She added it probably didn't look the same because her late husband had done extensive remodeling to it. To me it didn't matter I was standing in the place of my birth.

She also explained there were a set of twins born in her bedroom with no doctor in sight. She was amazed when I told her there were five of us kids born in the house and my grandmother, a midwife, had delivered us all. She exclaimed, "Granny still lives here".

She says the neighbors had told her what a great person my Granny was . She says the house was so clean you could practically eat off the floor and nothing was ever out of place. She says that she hears my Granny walking from room to room upstairs and if the kitchen is the least bit messy she can hear her slamming the cupboard doors in the kitchen. Sometimes she will be looking for something she can't find and then she will turn around and it is right there. She also told me the barn had been standing until a giant windstorm last winter blew it down.

The Barn

This was a huge chestnut tree in the yard. It could have been the tree my sister and I were sitting under when we had our photo taken some 60 some years ago.

I had a look around. It still looked the same but it was different. The garden place was gone and the huge front yard we had was shrunk to almost nothing. The porch was cement and crowded with many unused items. The field behind the house was overgrown. There was one thing that wasn't different.

"Granny Still Lives Here"

In the words of my father, "That's it for today".

Happy Birthday Gordon's

2009-09-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

Well, two of friends are having birthdays today and both are named Gordon.

Cyber friend Gordon (and his lovely wife Sandra) are full time RVers from Canada. They have the best of both worlds. They spend 6 months in USA and 6 months in Canada. I hope you have a wonderful birthday Gordon.

My other friend Gordon (and his lovely wife Juanita) are also full time RVers. They travel the USA and Canada and even last summer traveled all the way to Alaska. I had the absolutely wonderful privilege of meeting them last spring when they come through Spokane.

In honor of your birthday, Gordon I am posting a photo of two Virgos who were born only four days apart. Notice how much younger looking one is than the other.

Have an absolutely fantastic birthday Gordon!!!

That's it for today!

In Spokane

2009-09-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

Mountain City, Tennessee

Well, I am Home again. Seems like I just left home and now here I am right back where I started. There were no photos because I inadvertenly packed my camera in my suitcase. The bus trip as well as the plane trip went off as planned. Even the shuttle was at the station to pick me up as planned. My three hour layover in Kansas City seemed so short. I was able to surf the net and that makes the time pass so quickly. My only beef with the flight was I had to again fly 300 miles west to Seattle and 300 miles east again to arrive in Spokane. I don't know why Southwest Airlines does that. This time I didn't have to get off the plane though. Arrival in Spokane was 10 minutes early. I was glad to get my feet on the terra firma.

I had a couple of comments about my "Clotheslines" post. One was asking if I remembered about the pole that held the clothesline in the middle. Well, yes I do. The pole in the middle was to keep the clean clothes from dragging on the ground. Sometimes it was a board with a notch cut in the middle and you put it under the clothesline t keep the bedsheets etc. from dragging the ground. My dad had gone out into the woods and cut down a "sapling" with a fork and that is what we used to hold up the clothes line. He cut it so the fork portion was what held up the clothesline.

The other question I had was: How do you hang socks on the line - by the toe or the top?

Well, the answer to that is by the toe of course. you could hang a pair by each clothespin. If you hung them by the tops you could only hang one at a time. Bobby socks were the "in" thing and if you hung them by the top you ended up with indentations in the top of your sock and you certainly couldn't go to school looking like that. If you ran out of clothespins before you got to the socks you just slung them across the line or laid them on a bush along with the rags and such.

I had another comment about another post where I had poked a little fun at my hometown of Mountain City. I love my hometown and am so happy I was able to grow up there. I love writing about my experiences there and believe me it was was not personal. I don't edit my writings nor do I use spell check (sometimes I think I should) but I write off the top of my head and the way it comes out is the way it comes out.

As bloggers we always leave ourselves in a very vulnerable state by publishing our thoughts, ideas, opinions, dreams, hopes & feelings on the web for anyone anywhere to read. I can tell you with all honesty there is no place I would rather be than Mountain City.

Keep those cards and letters comin' folks. I appreciate all your comments!!

That's it for today!!

Last Look Around Town

2009-09-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

Well, wrapping up my time in Mountain City here is a few photos from around town.

Minature hollyhocks bloom against the house.

Marigolds in the flower garden
A portion of my brothers farm
The church I attended as a child

A visit to The Soda Shoppe for a burger and a coke.

<Limited seating: Three booths and seven stools

And A Jukebox">A Bean Tree
A Walk down Main Street

Plenty of seating here

This was then --- And this is now
Just one of the reasons I love Johnson County!!

The sign at the edge of town says "Hurry Back". No photo - I could not see for my tears.

That's it for today.

Clotheslines!!

2009-09-11T01:08:00.000-07:00

Well, today is a busy day as I prepare to leave... so I thought I would share
THE BASIC RULES FOR CLOTHESLINE with you. No doubt some of you can remember.

You have to be a certain age to appreciate this. I can hear my mother now....

THE BASIC RULES FOR CLOTHESLINES: (if you don't know what clotheslines are,
better skip this)

1. You had to wash the clothes line before hanging any clothes-walk the
entire lengths of each line with a damp cloth around the lines.

2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, and always hang "whites"
with "whites," and hang them first.

3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders - always by the tail! What
would the neighbors think?

4. Wash day on a Monday! . . . Never hang clothes on the weekend, or
Sunday, for Heaven's sake!

5. Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines so you could hide your
"unmentionables" in the middle (perverts & busybodies, y'know!)

6. It didn't matter if it was sub zero weather . . . Clothes would
"freeze-dry."

7. Always gather the clothes pins when taking down dry clothes! Pins left
on the lines were "tacky!"

8. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so that each item did
not need two clothes pins, but shared one of the clothes pins with the next
washed item.

9. Clothes off of the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes
basket, and ready to be ironed.

10. IRONED?! Well, that's a whole other subject!

and that's it for today.

Connected!!

2009-09-10T05:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I have had a very enjoyable visit here in my hometown of Mountain City. One of the things that bothers me when I visit here that the internet connection is not the best. Packing everything up and going to Hardee's to use my high speed was kind of a pain. However, I seemed to have figured it out now.

When I changed my cell phone service I opted to buy a Blackbery Storm phone. Now I knew it would do eveything but the dishes and I wasn't sure if I could ever get all those little bells and whistles figured out. It was quite a learning curve and it was a lot different than my old "hand crank" cell phone. After some major hurdles I found you can teach "an old dog new tricks".

Before, I left Washington I had found out I could tether my laptop computer and my Blackberry cell phone together and I could have high speed intenet without leaving the house. I wasn't sure how good it would work here in the mountains of East Tennessee but I gotta tell you it is excellent!! I have high speed connection and in the two weeks I have been here I have only used 1 Gigabyte and I am allowed 5 Gigabytes per month. I couldn't be happier---

The weather here has been great for the most part. A little rain and lots of sunshine keep these mountains beautiful. As I reflect on the past two weeks here are some things I've done.

Lots of visiting with relatives

Connected with some old friends

Found some new ones

Gained a few pounds

Listened to lots of stories

Spent quality time with family

Explored old places

Watched the sunrise

Spent a day at the fair

Traveled some new roads

Had my fill of biscuits and gravy (well almost)

Found some bluegrass musicians

Ate fish in three different states

Got locked in the library

Visited with my North Carolina friends

Had some home cooked food straight from the garden

Visited some cemeteries

Celebrated my birthday (a little early)

Watched The Longhorns win at football

Visited the place of my birth and found my Granny still lives there.

As soon as I finish packing, I am planning on one last dinner out and memories to last until I come back again.

That's it for today.

Mountain City News and Fun

2009-09-08T10:04:00.001-07:00

Well, here's all the news thats news and then some.

A farmer driving his combine down Main Street caused a traffic jam in downtown Mountain City.

You don't need a turn signal in Mountain City -- everyone knows where you're going anyway.

You can't get lost in Mountain City - Main Street dead ends in both directions.

Everyone reads the local paper here to make sure the publisher got the facts right.

Sign on Main Street Restaurant: Our restaurant is presently not open because it is closed.

_____________
Jim-Bob was over on Highway 91 and he had a flat tire. He pulled off to the side of the road. He got out and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back into his car to wait for some help.

A guy from Florida passed by and saw him and was curious as to what he was doing. He turned around and went back and asked what the problem was.

Jim Bob said "I have a flat tire."

"But what's with the flowers?" asked the Floridian.

Jim Bob says, " When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. I never did understand it neither."
______________
A Tennessee State Trooper pulled over a pick up truck.
The trooper says "Got any ID?"
The driver says, "'Bout what?"
___________________________________________________________________________ I started my day off right - At Hardee's. Here's Willis in the Drive Thru waiting for his breakfast.

and Juanita and Peggy who have already had theirs.

My twin sisters Mae and Faye

and my brother in law Ralph with his favorite sister in law.

We watched a rainstorm coming up the valley

All that rain keeps everything green.

I got a lesson on how to dig ginseng from Jay.

Found a tobacco field that was being cut.

The green in the background is tobaco waiting to be cut.

That's it for today.

"More Busy"

2009-09-05T10:40:00.001-07:00

Well, I am still trying to catch up. Here are more photos of my visit to Mountain City.

In my last post I forgot my North Carolina friends, Lenaivell, Fran, sister June and myself went to Walmart. I am putting a visit to a Walmart in all 50 states on my "bucket list".
And my friend Jacky and I spent an afternoon together which included a tour of Tri State Growers which is the "local hot spot" for anything you need to use on the farm!!

A visit with my cousin Laura is always enjoyable. I treasure any time I get to spend with her. We love to talk about the good old days.

And I did get to "Go Home Again". This is the house I was born in. My Granny Holloway was the midwife and my dad named me after a sack of flour. I found out my "Granny" still lives there. If the house gets messy - she will let you know about it.

I love spending time with my brother, Doran. Loved the tractor ride, Thanks, Bro!!!

And then I went to the grocery store. My only problem was what kind of greens to fix for dinner. Do I get turnip greens, creasy greens, leaf spinach, kale greens, beet greens, mustard greens or mixed greens? Too many choices - So little time!!

A trip to the outhouse was definitely a must on my list of things to see and do

Spent some quality time with my best friend Jean and her mom, Sue. Her mother tells great stories and grows the prettiest flowers. She is really special.

Met some more childhood friends. Mary and I have been friends since grade school and still keep in touch.

and I met some new friends. A faithful reader, Keisha, knows me only as "Elevenfootrv" and Carter stole my heart with that great big wink. He is named after his great grandfather Carter Issacs, another friend of mine. You might say I have known the family for generations!!

and I attended a great football game --my first in 46 years. I watched my alma mater JCHS trounce Unicoi with a score of 26 to 13. Go Horns!!!

and that wraps up this edition of Travels in Johnson County - Stay tuned for more!!

That's it for today.

Whew!! I'm Busy!!

2009-09-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I would take a vacation for some rest but as the old saying goes "There's no rest for the wicked". I have been busier than a "bee on a bonnet" ever since I arrived on the outskirts of Mountain City. I am posting a few photos of some of the things I have done and places I have been. A note to my Canadian friends - there's lots of photos -hope I don't mess too much with your bandwidth.

First I had to have a good country dinner - Pot roast, potatoes, carrots and my very favorite half runner green beans.

My Oldest Brother Doran and my Youngest sister June spending "quality time" together.

We did some reminising about old times, for you "city folk" these are cornshuckers that belonged to my grandfather.

I went to the Appalachian Fair with June, Coleman and my best friend Jean.

At Shirley's we found some great bluegrass music.

I spent some time with my North Carolina friends

Here's Fran at the "Dump".

and then we went to the car wash

and here we are at lunch, Lenaivell, Fran, Jenny and June

My sister Mae and her husband Ralph were having lunch also
and then we went to a cemetery
and off to to Appalachian State University where one of Lenaivells quilts was displayed
and then we went to her house where she showed us her many many awards and ribbons and gifted my sister and I with signed and numbered prints of her mother quilting.
OOps, this photo got sideways -

We had a tremendous time in North Carolina ------More photos to follow.

That's it for today.

Catchin' Up

2009-09-02T03:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I am way behind in my posts so it may take me one or two to catch up. I am not as faithful as my friend Dee who writes every day, or my friend Al from The Bayfield Bunch who has such great stories, or Speedy who writes and saves his posts for a week or so and posts them all at once. I tend to let the days slip by and then I think well, I will post tomorrow and tomorrow I put it off again. At least I am writing and I WILL get back in the habit again soon.

All my facebook friends and my chatter friends know I am in Mountain City but for those of you who don't I am in my beloved hometown of Mountain City. I flew to Nashville on the 27th and waited for the Greyhound took the Greyhound to Johnson City and was picked up by my sister's "gentleman friend". No one else knew I was in town, not even my best friend. I was able to really surprise her and also my brother. He was very surprised to see me. And happy to, I think.

Since I have been here I have been very busy, visiting friends, my family and soaking up all these beautiful mountains. Oh, I almost forgot the eating part. It has been nonstop eating since I got here. Hardee's makes my breakfast every day and then there's lunch and dinner. And of course dessert!! Southern pople are known for their desserts and I gotta tell you the lemon merringue pie is just "delish".

Here's a few photos of my trip.

First I flew 300 miles west to Seattle

Over Lakes and rivers.

Across snow covered mountain peaks.

with Mount Rainier in the distance.

Leaving Seattle I went 300 miles east---then into Nashville.

A bridge into Seattle from the air.
and a closer view of Mount Rainier.
My office at Greyhound.
At Hardee's with family and friends.

Happy to be home for a few days.

That's it for today.

Oh Boy! Oh Boy!! Oh Boy!!!

2009-08-15T07:58:00.001-07:00

Well, Today I was eagerly awaiting an anticipated phone call from my friends. Jim and Ellie and Dortha and Mark. I met these good friends at the RV Dreams Rally in Branson, MO last summer. This year they are traveling together and sightseeing through the Pacific Northwest. They decided to make Coeur d'Alene, ID their home for four days. I was so excited to see them.

Jim and Ellie at the RV Dreams Rally last year.

Dortha and Mark at RV Dreams Rally

Dortha called and we drove over. It didn't take me long to find them. I spotted their Phaetons from the main road!! After long awaited hugs we visited in Ellie and Jim's home and were entertained by their fur children, Jasmine and Bo Jangles. Then we visited Mark and Dortha's 2009 Phaeton. I had followed their journal as they were building this from the ground up. It was awesome to see it in person. They both have beautiful homes and are having a great time traveling together.

I brought my camera along but forgot my "film". Left my SD card in my computer back in Spokane so these are borrowed photos. Check out the size of those raindrops in the photos. It poured in Coeur d' Alene but Spokane was "dry as a bone".

Ellie and Bo Jangles.

Jasmine and Ellie pose for the camera!

Mark and Jazz having a little "one on one" time.

Next it was off to Azteca for dinner. Service was a little slow but the food was excellent and the only one that brought home a box was "yours truly". No photos of food - camera left in the car.

More hugs and it was back to Spokane with plans for a lake trip tomorrow which of course includes dinner and a trip to the CASINO.

Hopefully all those raindrops will be gone and MY Lake will look like this.

That's it For Today!!

Two Week Post

2009-08-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I just checked and it has been almost two weeks since I last posted. Wow, time does fly when you're having fun. I must have had so much fun I can't remember what I did. At any rate I will get everyone u to date on what has been happening around here. I can sum it up in two words. Almost Nothing.

The weather has been unseasonably warm for the past few weeks. Temperatures were in the 90's, high 90's and even one day at 101 degrees. That was the day I got out all my photos of the snow last winter. Those memories cooled me down right away. Well, the memories and my air conditioning. It is great to have central air!!

I also went on an overnight trip to the casino with my friend Dodie for "A Girl's Night Out". Won a little - Lost a little and had a lot of fun!!

The highlight of the past two weeks was getting to meet my cyber friends Boris and Natasha (Mary and Paul). They bought a motorhome which they named "Bullwinkle" and they tow their jeep called Rocky. They sold their house in the San Francisco area of California and struck out across this great nation to become fulltime RVer's. They meandered up the coast of Oregon and Washington meeting mutual friends before coming to Spokane. We had a lot in common before we even met so as in meeting most RVer's it was non stop conversation for a couple hours over lunch. We met for lunch at Azteca - A great Mexican restaurant. As you can see from the photos Boris didn't like his food at all!!

We had a wonderful visit and I look forward to keeping up with their journal and meeting them again "down the road". They gifted me with a great book on RV Parks. Thanks again guys!!

That brings us up to date on all the happenings around here. I will not promise anything but I will try to post more often.

That's it for Today.