A Nostalgic Hodgepodge

 Hello Hodgepodgers!

I certainly hope that you all had a fabulous Fourth of July weekend!
Our trip to Tennessee was great and by traveling at night, we had no traffic to speak of.
The weather was sweltering, as it was here, but on Saturday it cooled down and was just perfect...
...perfect for baking Adam's birthday pie (black raspberry, of course) and sitting on the back porch.
And just for fun, we thought we'd try out our future temporary home.

 

Adam had cranked up the A/C the day before we arrived and got it all cooled down for us.

 Parker slept in the bunkhouse room but Olivia chickened out at the last minute,
 being the creature of habit that she is...nothing like her own bed!
It was a little claustrophobic and the mattress needs a good topper which we will remedy later.
I imagine we'll get used to it when the time comes.😏



Something is always blooming in the meadow where we'll be building the house.



My favorites are the passion flowers...what a stunning and unique bloom.

They actually grow an edible fruit on their vine and you can bet I'll be doing more research on them.
I hope to be able to transplant some up close to the house one day.

And here are Ruby Slipper Hydrangeas that Adam planted a couple of years ago.
Aren't they gorgeous?

I think I need to get him to plant me some when we get settled. 😉

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So who's ready for some Hodgepodge?



Joyce asks us the questions on her blog and we link up and answer them on ours.
Won't you join in the fun?

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1. What's something in your house you'd like to get rid of but can't?

This one's easy...but it's not because I can't get rid of it...it's because I refuse to go to the bother, the mess and the expense.  After 26+ years, there are many fond remembrances about many things and people relating to our home here in NC... but those hideous popcorn ceilings that we have throughout our 80s-built home will definitely not be one of them! Never again!

2. When is the last time you experienced a sense of nostalgia? Elaborate.

It seems the older I get, the more I experience a sense of nostalgia...like almost every day. You all probably know me well enough to know that already. It doesn't take much to send my mind trailing back to years gone by...just a random word or object might do it at any given moment. Currently though, I am in the midst of trying to come up with something to say about my brother, Jerry for his retirement party in a couple of weeks as he prepares for his last Sunday of leading worship at the church where he has been on staff for 40 years. Although I have been away from Ohio for nearly that long, it has been a blessing to have been a part of quite a few of those services over the years and singing together as a family. It gives me great pleasure to hang on to those memories. And speaking of looking back...

I took this photo on the road to Tennessee last week. The morning sunrise in the mountains was just glorious as it reflected in my rear-view mirror and I had to capture the moment. Looking back can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective. I like to think that just like this image, what's behind you, when applied correctly, can be what makes you who you are today. Hmmm...that reminds me of this post that I wrote a few years back...I wondered why it sounded strangely familiar.

3. You're only allowed three apps on your smart phone or tablet...which three do you keep?

As one who has only had her smart phone for a little over two years, let me just say how quickly one learns to get used to having all of this info at your fingertips. I probably don't have as many apps on my phone as many of you hardened smart phone users do but if I had to narrow it down to three, I would most likely keep Google (because if you keep it, the whole world is at your beck and call and also because Siri is sometimes...well...an idiot), Facebook so I could stay in touch with my peeps and Wellsmith, which is the app for my healthcare maintenance through my employer.... BUT...if I could just pretty please keep one more app, I really don't want to part with my Waterlogue app....please...can I keep it??

4. July 11th is National Blueberry Muffin Day. Who knew? Do you like blueberry muffins? If you were going to have a muffin would blueberry be your choice? What's the last thing you baked?

I did not know this but it doesn't surprise me...simply because every day is something day, right? And if I were to have my choice of muffin, blueberry might just be my top pick. The last thing I baked was over the weekend when we were in Tennessee celebrating Adam's birthday and it was a black raspberry pie. Ironically, the week before, I had baked some blueberry-cornbread muffins. Have you ever added blueberries to your cornbread/muffins? Oh my, they sure were tasty!

5. What's the biggest way you've changed since you were a child? In what way are you still the same?

It would probably have to be the way that I see and understand who God is. As a girl growing up, I saw God as a stern authoritarian, shaking His finger at me when I had done something wrong. I didn't picture him smiling or showing love and mercy. It wasn't until much later in life when I realized that a relationship was needed to be able to understand who He truly is. I thank Him for His patience with me! Being the youngest out of eight children, it hasn't been easy to shake that "baby of the family" role...and it still continues to a point today. There is a part of me that will never grow up, I'm pretty sure and I'm okay with that. I can only do so much to keep my body from aging but I hope to allow that little girl living inside me to keep on playing Hopscotch and Red Rover as long as she can, even if it is only in my mind.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

And since we're talking about time...

Have a great week, what's left of it!

ALL ABOARD!!

Well, it's taken me a couple of weeks to find the time to get this posted but as promised,
 here are a few highlights from our train ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad.



You don't have to be a train enthusiast or a history buff to enjoy visiting here,
but you may very well be one or both when you leave!
We have been talking about visiting this place since we lived in Kentucky
and our boys were still just little guys...about 30 years if I was to guess.
It was about a five hour drive from our home in NC and it was a very nice drive...
...for most of the way at least.

This is pretty much what the journey looked like for about an hour before we reached Cass.

And just let me warn you, there are a lot of photos so if this doesn't interest you,
please feel free to click out at any point! How will I ever know?? 😉
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The tiny little town of Cass, West Virginia has a population of 52 at last count in 2010.
You can click on the link to find out all about it if you like...it's really quite an interesting place.
I really wish we would have had more time to explore the tiny town, itself.
The town basically consists of the train station, a few old buildings, the old company store,
and 52 company homes where the loggers/railroad workers and their families lived.

source

In the early 60s the logging ceased and the railroad shut down, leaving much of the town deserted.
Today, many of these homes have been completely restored to their original condition
and are rented out to guests who visit the railroad.

Above is the old lumber mill that has been converted to various shops and such.
I failed to get a shot of the company store which is now a gift shop and restaurant
so I am borrowing one from Google.

source

We arrived at the station about an hour before the train was to get there at around noon
and we enjoyed a picnic lunch I had packed on a nearby picnic table while we waited on Shay #2.
Shay, you say? You can find out all you ever wanted to know about them here.







To say the least, these Shay locomotives are pretty amazing pieces of engineering,
no pun intended...well, kinda. 😀



The time had come and the train was ready to leave the station...
...ALL ABOARD!!

Jim is all smiles as we get ready to pull out of the station...
...actually, I should say push out...the locomotive actually pushes the cars up the mountain.

Josh, our engineer (above) is a 4th generation railroad worker at Cass.
His great-grandfather actually worked as cook for the loggers back in the 1920s.
I can't even imagine the back-breaking work these men endured,
spending as much as six months away from their families up on the mountain...
cutting down huge trees, sending them down the mountain, day in and day out for over 40 years.
Josh narrated our journey both up and back down and knows this railroad like the back of his hand.

Click on the short video as we get started...I love to hear that whistle!

Slowly but surely, we started our slow trek up the mountain.



I stood up much of the time to be able to get photos from both sides.
 Our seats were at the end of the car and above is a shot of what was right below my feet.




I prayed hard that the predicted rain would be delayed and my prayers were answered!
God is so good...the views were breathtaking.

Finally, we made it to the top of Bald Knob, elevation 4,843 feet above sea level

and the third highest point in West Virginia and the Allegheny Mountains.

The observation deck does look a bit rickety but I assure you, it was quite sound.
The rustic design seems to add the charm.

The view from the top nearly took my breath away.

At the very end of the tracks sits a caboose that may be rented out for weekend camp outs.

If you are the adventurous type, you too can be left on top of Bald Knob to your own devices!

The little red caboose can sleep up to 6 adults, comes equipped with a coal stove, coal, 

kindling wood, water (not running) for drinking and another container for dishes, etc., 

microwave, small fridge, minimal electricity for lighting and keeping your phone charged.

But there's a catch...there isn't any cell phone service.

Oh, and we mustn't forget to mention the outhouse...that is of major importance.

Once the train drops you off in the afternoon, that's it...bye-bye, choo-choo!

You. Are. On. Your. Own.

This sounds really fun to me for some odd reason.

source

So after spending about 30 minutes up top, it was time to make our descent down the mountain.



About half way down we stopped at Whittaker Station, what remains of the original logging camp,

where the old fire tower still stands.

Our crew took a few minutes to chill under a shade tree while others visited the facilities.

Soon it was time to give everything a quick once-over.




 This little guy should be considered our hero.
He alone, shoveled an unbelievable amount of 4-5 tons of coal to get us up the mountain!
Can you just imagine that?

Our break was over and woo-woo-woooooo...it was time to make our last leg of the journey.
It was a fabulous experience and we would love to return one day.
And maybe next time, we might even be crazy enough to stay in that caboose...
...or not.😊

A Fine Feathered Hodgepodge

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

You know, sometimes every now and then, when we least expect it,

something is put in our path that changes the way we look at an ordinary day.

Some of you make think this is a little hokey but it really did make my day.

~ 

Last Friday morning I went out and about to look for some signs of spring,

 my cameras in tow, as usual.

I decided to head for our local Lake Michael, a place I have shared with you before.

I had missed the sunrise by just a few minutes and as I started walking towards the lake,

I noticed what I thought was a lone goose swimming close to the bank.

As I got closer I saw that he was not alone at all but instead, hovering near his mate.

I couldn't quite make out her form at first...

...her feathers were all fluffed up and her head tucked in under her wing.

Then I saw it...she was sitting on her nest right out in the open!

No tall grasses to cover or camouflage...nothing.

I got within maybe 10-15 feet and they just watched me as I began snapping away.

As I started to sit down on the bank to get down to their level,

Mamma Goose stood up, gave me a little hiss or two and flapped her wings.

I reassured her (yes, I spoke to her gently) that I would not hurt her and she calmed down...

 ...but while she was still standing, I got a peek at these...

...six of them from what I could see.

I just sat there for a while taking it all in.

Isn't she beautiful?

Papa Goose did not leave her side, not even for a moment.

 

It reminded me just how blessed and grateful I am to have a Heavenly Father

who guards and protects me every moment without fail.

I love it when that happens.

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So, are you ready for the Hodgepodge?

Joyce asks the questions on her blog and we answer them on ours.

Welcome back, Joyce...we missed you!

Come on over and join the fun!

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1. April is National Jazz Appreciation Month. Are you a fan? If so what's a favorite you'd recommend to someone new to jazz listening?

I never have been much of a fan of jazz although a little Kenny G as soft background music wouldn't bother me so much. (Is he even considered jazz?) I would not be the one to recommend jazz to anyone, simply because I am not familiar with the artists.

2. Mandolin, ukulele, harp, accordion or banjo...which would you be most interested in learning to play? Or do you already play one of the instruments listed?

I grew up in a family that was quite familiar with many kinds of stringed instruments. As long as I can remember, my three brothers played the guitar and mandolin mostly and messed around a bit with ukulele, fiddle (not violin) and banjo at one point. We girls all played around with them and learned some basic chords but never became accomplished like the brothers did. At one point, two of my sisters and I and a family friend would get together and play and sing a bit...one sis on guitar, the other on the mandolin, the friend on tambourine and me on the electric bass guitar. We called ourselves 3+1 (3 sisters plus 1 friend). Man, you shoulda heard us.......well, maybe not. LOL!

3. Do you judge a book by it's cover? Elaborate. You may answer in either/both the literal or figurative sense of the word.

I would be a liar if I said I have never judged a book by it's cover, figuratively speaking. Haven't we all been guilty of this at one point in our lives, or is it just me? I give thanks to the Holy Spirit for convicting me when I have done so but mostly teaching me about grace through some experiences of my own and in my family..."There but for the grace of God, go I". Do I always succeed? No, but thankfully He's still working on me.

4. According to a recent study the ten most nutritious foods are-almonds, cherimoya (supposed to taste like a cross between a pineapple/banana), ocean perch, flatfish (such as flounder and halibut), chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, swiss chard, pork fat (shocking! but I don't think they mean bacon), beet greens, and red snapper. Are any of these foods a regular part of your diet? Any you've never ever tasted? Which would you be most inclined to add to your diet?

Out of the list, I have never eaten (nor have I ever heard of it) cherimoya. I'm pretty sure my mom used to cook beet greens but I don't remember eating any. All of the fish varieties, except for ocean perch I eat but not on a weekly basis. Pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and bacon (or pork fat) would be something you might find me eating most often. I really do like most greens but I don't cook them just for me...Jim would NOT eat them!😣

5. Besides a major holiday what is the most recent thing you've celebrated with your people? Tell us how.

Since we're not counting holidays, I would have to go back to September of last year when my family celebrated my brother's home going. Death isn't necessarily such a sad thing when you are certain they are with Jesus in heaven after being so sick for so long. The family celebrated after the service by going back to his home where everyone had gathered to eat, enjoy a family song fest and just love on one another.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

And the corners of my mouth will most definitely be turning upward, more than usual today since we are finally (maybe I should say hopefully) getting to make our trip to Tennessee tonight. I'm so excited! 

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Enjoy the rest of your week, friends!