More Alabama Pictures

Tomorrow my son and I head to Nags Head, N. C. to join his sister and her family at the beach for a week. Until then, here are some more pictures from my visit in Alabama.

I was happy with this bluebird picture. Look how one foot is resting on the clothespin! Posing for me, I suppose.

And, yes.. my son loves to hang his clothes out to dry. The art of clothes drying on the clothesline is not lost.

When we were younger and living on the farm, my husband would find tiny little flowers on his walk about the place and he'd come in the door with them, held gingerly between his thumb and forefinger. I'd find a thimble to put them in. 

The other day, I look up and there is my son with these pretty little white flowers between his thumb and forefinger. Like Dad, like son.

We drove out to Joe Wheeler State Park where Michael's boat is docked. We saw lots of deer. The dog just goes nuts when she sees them. 

My son and his constant companion, Sadie. They are on Michael's sailboat. I am sure Sadie was the job overseer!

Sunset at the Park. Such a gorgeous sight. A perfect way to end the day.

Climb that mountain

Okay,

I am back. I think. I really meant to just quit blogging but found I missed my blogging buddies too much.

So, let's give this another shot.

First of all I decided to start writing a sequel to my book "Springtime in Magnolia" published in 2014. That takes a lot of time and 'finger power'. These old hands aren't what they once were. They get to hurting if I type too long so I decided I would just concentrate on the book. But, here I am...

I am in Alabama. Been here 2 1/2 weeks visiting my son. My daughter and I met him halfway ..

Here is the first part of my trip while I was with my daughter. Still in Virginia.

Our first stop - Danville, Virginia and lunch at the Cotton Mill Restaurant....

with friends, Isella and Joe.

Shirley got the brick-oven pizza

I had a spinach salad

On to the mountains, we took a narrow, curvy side road, lots of ravines on either side.

Shirley dislikes the mountains and she was driving, so here she is with a victory punch...she did it!

We thought this cloud formation was unusual. And, we are nearing Tennessee where we will meet Michael and I will continue on to his house the next morning.

A Ride Through The Wintry Woods

                                                I continue with my birthday surprise!
                               (be sure to check out the two previous posts for more on my birthday)

On Sunday afternoon, after a very delightful breakfast buffet and a donut with a candle in it and the staff singing happy birthday,
                                                  We took a carriage ride. 

It's January, for goodness sakes, sunny, cold and we are going for a ride through the Virginia woods.

                                                    Sounds like fun to me!

                                                    Our shuttle takes us to the stables....

Mike, our jovial driver, is busy getting the horses and carriage ready for our ride.

We go by the falconry. No falcons there today.

There are clubs that bring their falcons there for special events.

The ride through the wintry woods is delightful.

The journey over, we head back to the stables.

Duke (the one nearest the camera) and Duchess pulled our carriage. Mike kept snapping the reins over Dukes back. He says Duke is lazy and let's Duchess do all the work. Isn't that just like a male? Okay. that's a joke. Sort of. he he

Linking with Our World Tuesday, Nature Notes

Surprise!!

                                                      My birthday was Jan. 6th.

My daughter, Susan, called from New York to say she was flying down to Richmond to help me celebrate. I was to choose where I wanted to eat, stay and what to do.

Daughter Shirley and I drove to the airport to pick her up. But, then we didn't head to downtown Richmond!!

                                       Shirley headed WEST.... and drove and drove.

      We got to Charlottesville... still driving... over Afton Mt. , through Waynesboro and on.

Where are these girls taking me?

                     We come to an overlook and stop to take in the view. It is Windy! and Cold!

               We are in the mountains and it is getting what my Mother called "Dusky Dark".

   We have passed lots of farms, barns, a couple wide places in the road, but no towns to speak of.

 The road is winding and narrow. 

We climb up and up and then there before us is this huge building on the side of a mountain. The sign says "Homestead Resort".

My golly gumdrops!! What a surprise. I loved it.

More of this adventure to come.

Stay tuned.

Linking to Thankful Thursday and Little Things

Beautiful Bride...

It's such beautiful weather. I am loving it. Church yesterday was good. And, I stopped by Kentucky Fried Chicken, got me some good eating in the drive-thru, and came home. Just a peaceful day.

We are looking forward to a wedding which is coming up soon. Lots of excitement, for sure. This picture, which I am linking to Blue Monday, is of the beautiful bride. Of course, I'd say that... she's my granddaughter!! with her uncle and Mom. The wedding will be outdoors in this setting. More pictures to come, you can bet on that!

Thankful Five

I am so thankful for so much. I've lived a long, happy life although it has been filled at times with loss and pain. I am no different than most people, you see. I wanted to share some of my thankfulness with you today. 

                              I am thankful that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. 

I am thankful for cellphones so that I may keep in touch with family and friends.

I am thankful for fall after a long, hot summer. For the color it brings, the apples, pumpkins, smoke rising from piles of leaves being burned. 

I am thankful for quiet peace. 

I am thankful for beautiful sunsets. 

Be sure to check out Thankful Thursday, Little Things and Willy Nilly Friday Five

My Alabama Visit

1. Having a great visit with my son in Alabama! It's hot, dry and safe. So thankful that Florence decided to slow down and get degraded to a 2 hurricane. My folks back in Virginia are safe, maybe a bit wet but safe. Here's a picture of the sky while I stood in my son's back yard. Pretty, blue, slight breeze in the trees.

2. His deck and patio are such a nice place to sit and watch the many varieties of birds that flit through the trees and come to dine at the feeders. Such a peaceful place. You will see lots of pictures of birds while I am here....

3. Michael has some young scupernong vines in his back yard. Some small ones ripe but they aren't too sweet. So, he bought a container of these huge, sweet, juicy ones from a small market just up the road. Brings back memories of when I was small.

4. These white ginger lilies are edged one side of the deck. You just can't imagine how wonderful it is to sit on the bench out there and absorb the aroma!

5. I think this is a bougvenvillia (yes, I know I mispelled it) sorry. Don't have my Echo here so I can ask Alexa how to spell. he he.

Anyway, there are two of these in white pots flanking the steps off the deck. 

I am linking with Tom's Willy Nilly Friday today. You all be sure to visit often. I'll be telling you all about my stay in Alabama.

Hungry Critter

There's nothing like a bee or wasp to drink all your hummingbird food. Yes, I know... that's not a bee or even a wasp. I just don't know what it is... something or other but it was thirsty and kept the hummers from having some lunch. I guess the thing (whatever it is) has to eat, too. Just not at my feeder!! Joining with Saturday Critters

A Look at Rye, New York

I so enjoyed my visit with my daughter and her family in Rye, New York. I have always loved that small, intimate town, so charming, so easy to get around in. Tall trees, rock outcroppings, flowers everywhere. You should visit there sometime. 

Me outside La Panetiere French restaurant. 

The streets lined with flags and flowers.

Square House, built in the early 1700s. Serves as a museum in present day.

The oak/acorns on the pebbly sidewalk

And, a one eyed monster of a tree. 

I am linking with Our World Tuesday

First Day of My Trip - Flight and Deer

I left Suffolk on July 31st, headed for the airport in Norfolk. I hadn't flown since 2014 and had gotten a tad (well, more than a tad) of apprehension about going anywhere on a plane. Every time you turn on the news there one more plane involved in something undesirable, hours delays, unruly passengers, one passenger nearly sucked out of a window, crashes, bird hits.. it just goes on and on. No, I did not want to fly.

But, I got on that plane, one of those smaller ones that seats about 35-40 people. Had just one seat down the right side, two on the left side. So, I get into my one seat. Of course, I had a window view. That was good (I think). Brought my kindle to read, just in case I didn't want to see where I was!! 

As the plane revved up the engines and started to climb off the runway, I reached in my bag and brought out a small rock that I had painted... Closed my fingers around it and prayed. 

We reached cruising altitude... I began to relax, even put my rock away. Rather than reading I began to watch out the window at the clouds below us. Hey, this is pretty cool. I did not read one word on that just over an hour flight to JFK in New York. 

Susan had arranged for me to be met at the plane with a wheelchair.. And, there the guy was, a sign BARTON held high above his head. That was me! So, I get situated into the chair and then he says "scoot up, I got to put your luggage back here". He had an accent! I think that is what he said. So, I scoot up, he loads my bag and away we go. 

He must have said 'excuse me' a kazillion times as we made our way through the crowded terminal. But, finally he pushes me out the door and there is Susan, waiting by the curb. I did it!! I flew. It's not as if this was the first time. I've been flying since I was 18 years old but it seems that the older I get the more concerned I get. I think it's the news on tv. They will scare the beejeebees out of you! I need to stop watching that stuff. 

So, we get to Susan's. It isn't long until my welcoming committee arrives.....
A family of deer in her back yard...

My camera is never far from me...

They aren't afraid at all. Even play hide and seek with Ranger, the family dog.

That was the first day of my trip to Susan's ..... More to come tomorrow, be sure you check back in then to see what all we get into to...

linking today with abc wednesday