first Christmas together 1971

Important

Why can't this man just go away?

The president during a visit with the women’s volleyball team on Saturday. (Photo: Thomas Coex/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images)

Cover Art

This was taken on our "treck"to the summit of Sharp Top after the ceremony. It actually is only 2,000 feet but does have a really good view of the Virginia countryside . I still feel this photo looks like album cover art.

Sharp Top Summit

This was taken at the summit of Mt. Sharp Top, one of the two mountains surrounding the lodge where we were married. We originally wanted to have the ceremony at this spot but realized it would be difficult for everyone to get there. Eventually we learned that another couple (Park Rangers) had been married at the here so it lost some appeal . Sharon's parents were regular churchgoers but did agree to the ceremony outside of a church and the Lodge is a spot that they felt comfortable with.
I love the fact that we only had 14 at our wedding ,including the minister! The lodge (and their excellent restaurant kitchen) catered it. The total cost was $40!!
Between the setting and the excellent food we could have not asked for more.

The two of us

The photo of Sharon and I posted a few days ago gave me the idea to post others . Here is one of the first, taken after our wedding at the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia April 10 1971.

I couldn't

I started my first day of Kindergarten with excitement and a new hat.
My mom had been attracted to it by the little horn on the top. When I arrived at the school I proudly hung it in the cloak room. I was early so I found a place in the room , sat down and waited for class to start. As my classmates arrived and discovered my prized possession almost every one of the 20 or so kids could not resist trying it ,causing quite a ruckus. HONK HONK, HONK , HONK, HONK HONK HONK . It continued for what seemed like an eternity. Of course the teacher yelled at me . DON'T YOU EVER BRING THAT HAT TO SCHOOL AGAIN, thus beginning a school career of emotional scars! Thanks Mom!

Happy Birthday Raymond Layton

When I was a kid my family lived in a duplex next door to my dad's parents. We moved there when the opportunity came about to buy the place where they lived . We then moved into the other half of it. During part of the 17 years we lived there my grandmother agreed to take a young boy in.His name was (is) Raymond Layton and he stayed for several years. Living right next door we became like brothers during that time. Eventually he left and I have only seen him once since. I often wonder what he is doing now and every July 31st I think Happy Birthday Raymond!

WAS IT A DREAM?

As I mentioned in a previous reforestation post there was another lava rock outcropping on the lot . Here is a photo of it beginning to emerge from the tangled mass of vines and weed mat. This one is by far much larger than the other . It is fascinating to discover these features. I always wonder what caused this uplifting . maybe an earthquake ?( we have them frequently). Maybe one day I will find the answers . For now I will just enjoy finding, clearing ,and highlighting them.

LOVE IT!

Gotta love it

This reforestation thing is really pleasant . To be sure it is a lot of back breaking sweat laden work and we have been at it for years but it is worth it. Today the temperature was just right and skies were clear which makes working in the forest , with the its sounds really enjoyable. With almost no "city noise" to mask it ,the birds ,wind and even insects create an almost meditative atmosphere. But this photo illustrates one of the best things about doing this. The rock formation in the background (actually old lava rock) was completely hidden in invasive weeds and vines. When I first noticed parts of it in the initial stages of clearing I imagined what an archaeologist must feel like making more important discoveries. Now it is all cleared and is glorius. There is another bigger formation farther back on the lot which we will be getting to soon. This has become my retirement career!
Gotta love it!

Cathedrals &Minsters

Door Hockey

Darjeeling was only one of the energetic intelligent cats we have had(oops that have had us) Her brother Earl Grey was another. They were both feral cats born in our back yard in San Francisco in the late 80s and were the smartest best cats
in our feline family. Earl Grey was the official greeter of the house. He was always at the door no matter who was on the other side.
Just had to see who was coming to visit him ! He also fetched which is unusual for a cat.
At first it was plastic snap can lids but he was overjoyed when we found a little frisbe for him .
But the best was a game we invented. We called it door hockey. Because we had hardwood floors it was possible to slide a plastic lid under the door .
I would go into the bed room and close the door and he would be on the other side . Then we would shove the lid back and forth. We actually did this for for 10 or 15 minutes an a time!
I would try to get it past him but usually did not. Even when I did ,I could hear him( trot trot trot --scuffle-- trot trot--- plop ) and it came flying back under the door at me . Sometimes I would get this interesting feeling that a human was on the other side of that door!
Door Hockey and Earl, Grey miss them both!

Darjeeling and the Trifle Bowl

The last time we visited England was during Christmas 2000. One of the lasting memories was a wonderful Trifle we had for Christmas dinner.
We liked it so much we had to try to fix one after we returned home. So, sometime after returning we made a trip to William Sonoma to get a trifle bowl . At the store we found a really good one and bought it . They placed it in one of their bags with the cord handles and we were on our way. At home we put our purchase in the extra bed room and went about our business.
Enter Darjeeling our curious cat. After a day or so the new object in the room had to be explored . While checking it out (she probably thought is was her prey) she managed to put her
head through one of the bag handles then promptly forgot how to back out of it. She got excited,bolted and both she and her new appendage went flying down the basement steps. At the bottom landing they turned right and in quickly turning that direction the handle broke and the bag (and our new prized Trifle bowl) were sent crashing into the wall to the left .
Just for the heck of it we called the credit card co. to see if this whole humorous episode qualified for an insurance replacement payment. The agent said unfortunately not but He would to print it and place it on their bulletin board for a laugh .

I suppose that is almost as good!

More Reforestation

Our reforestation project is starting to look as if progress is being made. We are steadily removing invasive plants from our one acre "forest lot"(in the background) and thinning the edge of our "house lot" . Our plan of being able to see into the forest lot is starting to shape up. When we bought the house the former owners had screened (with plants) this area because they did not own the adjacent lot. It has taken 4 to 5 years to get this far. When I think about that too much it hits me just how much work it has been! We are getting so much satisfaction from the progress now it all seems worth it.

Blast from the past