Monday, October 4, 2010

Attitude and Gratitude...

Imagine what creature has the most consistently positive attitude, the most grateful disposition.  Did you think of a dog?  Following is a reading of "The Thirteen Commandments" (from the Canine Old Testament):
  • When family members come home, drop what you're doing and run to greet them.
  • Let others know when they have invaded your territory.
  • Take namps; stretch before rising.
  • Run, romp and play daily.
  • Eat with gusto and cencentration.
  • Be loyal.
  • Never pretend to be something you're not.
  • If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
  • When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close and nuzzle him or her gently.
  • Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
  • When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
  • No matter how often you are scolded, never pout. Run right back and make friends.
  • Delight in the simple joys of taking a long walk.





Wouldn't it be great if humans could have the same qualities as our canine companions.



Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Signs Of Fall...

Our hike today revealed signs of fall...hooray!!  As we gained in elevation the trees are beginning to show their color. There were a lot of leaves on the trail making that crunching sound as you walked along.   I'm ready for some cool crisp weather.

taking a break at Deep Gap shelter on the Appalachian Trail

tree with a nose

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Fall At The Farmers Market

I love our new farmers market...so many fresh vegetables, fruits, homemade jellies and bread.  It's a great place to go if you are too lazy to have a garden of  your own.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Take Time To Notice The Little Things...

We took a hike to Ravin Cliff Falls yesterday.  The whole hike was along side a stream.  The 2 and a half mile hike to the falls was done in record time for me.  I guess you could consider it an aerobic workout.  The trouble with walking so fast is that many things go unnoticed.  But I got caught up with the group and was swept along.  I tried to make note of things I wanted to take pictures of because I had already made up my mind that I would have a very lazy walk back out.  Unfortunately I was unable to recall the exact location of that "special scene".  Several times the thought came to me...am I on the right trail...I don't remember this log bridge or this stream crossing.  That was a silly thought because there was only one trail in to the falls.  I had walked so fast going in that I didn't remember these things.  They went unnoticed like I'm sure a lot of those "special things" in nature do when you don't walk slow and take in your surroundings. You're too focused on the end result. 
I wish I could have captured the sound of the rushing stream...it was so soothing and relaxing.  I guess you can say I had both an aerobic workout and that "ahh" moment...the time to enjoy nature and God's beauty.


Saturday, September 4, 2010

Heritage Festival...

Our hertiage festival depicts local life from the early 1800's.  An original homestead was taken apart and reconstructed on site.  It's complete with a black smith and farm animals that are on display behind the museum. People from the historical society are dressed in period clothes and tell the story of how life was during that time.  It was a hard life, but a very simple life.  I think I should have been born during that era. I have such fascination for that period of time.



restored 1860's cabin
A family of 7 shared this small cabin, approximately 20' squared.  The parents bedroom, fireplace, eating and living space was the main area of the cabin.  The loft above is where their 5 children slept.  The cabin was sparse, but adequate.  Not like today where everyone has their own bedroom.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

September, the harvest month...summer is over and autumn has arrived...

Autumn to winter, winter to spring,
Spring into summer, summer into fall---
So rolls the changing year, and so we change;
Motion so swift, we know not that we move.
                                                                ...Dinah Mulock Craik


We have come full circle since we retired. So many things
have happened...new friends, new ideas, new thoughts on life.
Like the poem...our life has been so swift that we didn't notice the changes...even the little suttle ones. It's been the beginning of a new life.

Monday, August 2, 2010

The Lane Kids Visit Brought...

white water rafting adventures
soaring through the trees on a zip line
driving the lawn mower up and down the streets
sleeping on the floor in Mimi & Poppy's room
snuggles in bed for old times sake
hiking in the woods
going to the movies
driving Poppy's truck on an old dirt road (yes that's true...Emily really did drive Poppy's truck)
giggles
telling jokes
rocking on the front porch like old people
going out for ice cream cones
cooking
baking and decorating cakes (Jessi & Emily are taking cake decorating classes)
making smores
camping
campfires
just talking
pedicures
bracelet making
AND A TIRED MIMI AND POPPY
You can see that we had loads of fun packed into such a short visit.



"golden hugs"

Michael made his first visit without his sisters.
isn't that the largest vase you've ever seen
I had my own chefs and bakers!
girly stuff
Jessi and Emily had their first experience flying alone. 
Unfortunately they had a five hour delay.
We passed the time away playing hangman
and other assorted games, eating chocolate
covered pretzels and Cheez-its!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Virginia Creeper Trail

The Virginia Creeper Trail is an old railroad bed that has been converted to a multiple use trail by the Rails To Trails Association.  It runs 34 miles from White Top Mountain to Abingdon, VA.  We just rode the 17 miles to Damascus, VA.  Most of the trail is down hill along a rushing stream across old railroad tressels. 
Visiting the old town of Abingdon, VA



Sunday, July 11, 2010

Our First Crop...

What a surprise discovery!!!  We have our first crop of string beans and we can't wait to have them with dinner tomorrow night.  They are even yummy raw so I'm confident they will really be good when they are cooked.  They were actually very easy to grow.
1st I noticed three beans...

...then with further investigation I ended up with a bowl full!

Our tomatoes are not quite ripe yet,
but soon we will have more than
we can eat.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Back On The Trail Again...

Despite the record breaking heat we are still out hiking every week.  It's one way of staying in shape.  I can honestly say that I feel retirement has put me in the best shape every.  Other than a few aches and pains and morning stiffness I feel wonderful.  In fact I feel better when I'm moving than when I just sit around.  So I'll keep hiking those trails!!

A refreshing stream on a hot summer day.
lunch break
Candy with the shimmering stream in
the background

Monday, July 5, 2010

We Have Baby Birds....

We were sitting on the deck one morning and noticed some Eastern Bluebirds flying in and out of the bird house that we have.  Yes, there are really baby birds inside.  We watched for quite a while as mom and dad went in and out of the birdhouse feeding the babies.  We hope we are able to catch the moment when we actually will see the babies fly for the first time.
 They're just the cutest and...
...the best parents!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

4th of July Celebration

Dressed in our stars and stripes bicycle jerseys we took to the road for a little ride in the hills.  I say hills because we have not ventured up into the mountains as yet.  I'm not into wizzing down those mountain roads on those skinny tires.  I don't know if I ever will.
Even Maggie and Goldie were dressed for the holiday.

Isn't this what ever American dog eats on 4th of July?
Maggie has really learned how to nibble at just the
watermelon and not the rhine! She's so cute to watch.

YUM!!!

After our ride we had a covered dish picnic dinner at church and waited for the sun to set so we could enjoy the fireworks display.  Fun was had by all riding Pastor Ben's gator, eating popcorn and socializing.




soon the hazy mountains in the background were....

a blaze with fireworks