John and I started the holiday a few days early, watching a video from blogger Linda [https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/12762988/posts/2721939870]. The Memorial Day video was touching and a very appropriate way to remember those who have defended our freedom.
At 10:00 am on Monday, I texted neighbors to see if anyone was available to have a pop-up lunch. We have planned holiday cookouts closer and closer to start time, but this was extreme, even for us. When we had one affirmative reply, John and I moved the grill to the front porch. We’ve always used the back screened porch for eating, but the front one is longer. Luckily, there were not many insects about. Our group included John, Jeff, David, Logan, Holly, Shawn, and Bob.
A pop-up lunch is equivalent to a come-as-you-are party, only for food, not clothes. Folks bring something they have at home, and they follow the unwritten rule of not going out to buy anything. Our group brought hot dogs, buns, chips, Scoops, quacamole , chopped onions, grated cheese, and deviled eggs. I love chips of all kinds and don’t allow myself to have them often. And deviled eggs! They are a particular favorite of mine, but I won’t make them myself because they take too much time. To me, this was a feast. Bob made us laugh. When asked what kind of hot dog he wanted, he said, “Steak flavored.”
Between the main course and dessert, Logan and David threw a Frisbee. After the meal was finished, Logan rode his bicycle on the street, and David got his bike out of the garage. Former neighbor Marla had tuned it up for him a few weeks ago, and this was the first time he’d done more than a test run. Shawn gave Logan permission to ride to the stop sign. Off they went, as we continued talking on the porch. We became aware of approaching rain, wondering where the fellows would be when it hit. They came back drenched, but still smiling. It began to rain when they were at the stop sign.
We were amused when Logan went home to change into dry clothes and came running back through the rain. He was not nearly as wet as he had been.
David had been longing to go up on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so we headed there after everyone went home. Often cloudy day scenery is more exciting than that under brilliant sunshine. We had several things – rain, fog, and sun. It began to rain while David and I were enjoying Sunburst Falls. The stream had more water than usual, making it louder and more visually interesting to us.
Fog was next. That’s what happened the last time we drove there. Both times it was so thick that John had to keep his eye on the middle line. On the other side of the fog, I took this picture of the brooding mountains flirting with the clouds.
The last time we got out of the car was at Looking Glass Falls. I was thrilled to notice lots of mountain laurel on the cliff above the falls. I zoomed in a bit and cut off half the falls to show the bushes. Because of recent rain, the stream was high. Spray billowed onto the walkway halfway down the steps. No one ventured into the water, and most didn’t even go to the bottom of the steps.
I hope you had a pleasant and meaningful Memorial Day.
Mehrling Muse 
I’m glad you had such a splendiferous day and I’m glad not everyone brought hot dogs. Your favourite falls appear to be at their best for you and David.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your week,
Humongous Hugs.
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We’ve seen Sunburst Falls in all seasons, and we’ve seen the water both high and low. We shivered, but we loved being there when the temperature was very low. The edges of the pools were frozen.
Are you having a good week?
xxx Waterfall Hugs xxx
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I love your oval pics. Somehow that makes them seem so fancy.
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The choice for oval photos appeared one day without fanfare. It may disappear just as quietly.
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You can always access that in the Image block. I don’t think that option will go away.
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I hope oval photos stay. They seem to neaten up ragged edges.
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I do love the quietness of my country life but I can see where you live in a very good neighborhood.
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How “country” are you? We feel we are in the country, although we have neighbors. The nearest towns are five and ten miles away. The road into our area hugs a mountain, curving in and out. We see mountains on all sides and are bordered on two sides by pastures. Our little dead end street has only seven houses on it. I think it’s the best of all worlds — away from town, but with lovely neighbors.
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Dirt road, nearest neighbor of question, 2 miles to private school, 10 miles to ‘town’ 190 ac. back yard….pretty much country wouldn’t you say. Closest ‘store was 2 miles but burned several years ago and hasn’t been rebuilt. sad
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Oh! My! Yes! You are really in the country. We just play at it. Compared to Queens and Long Island, we are fairly remote.
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LOL
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Hi Anne
Loved to hear of your pop up lunch- it’s interesting to read about Memorial Day celebrations as we have no day that commemorates our lost heroes.
Loved the porch party picture and everyone sitting at the stipulated distance from each other. I need to try deviled eggs sometime.
Most enjoyed the waterfall pictures and the untouched mountain laurel bushes .
Will send you our own waterfall pictures when we get out and go exploring.
Love
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I’ll look forward to hearing and seeing about your waterfalls.
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Not wanting to give the evil one credit we call them ‘Stuffed Eggs’.
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I grew up on stuffed eggs, too, Beverly. When I said that in front of someone from the Midwest, she didn’t think she had ever tried them. However, she said she loved deviled eggs.
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Good one Bc
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Anne – Thank you for sharing my post with the moving video to our fallen heroes. I always envy your get-togethers with neighbors and this was no different. In fact the one comment struck a chord with me. I recalled a neighbor who told my mom they were having “rolled steak” one night and my mother said she had not heard of it and asked if it was a thin steak rolled up with stuffing. No, she was told, it was hot dogs. I like John and David’s shirts – they were red, white and blue and patriotic. I’ll bet you have a similar shirt/top you are wearing.
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I was color coordinated, but my clothing had no print design. I wore blue jeans, a white top, and a red shirt over it. Earrings were dangling stars in red, white, and blue.
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You were all set then and very patriotic looking – all three of you!
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Love David’s shirt! I also love impromptu picnics. When my mom was alive, we have friends and relatives all around and would often do that. Sadly, that doesn’t happen where I live now.
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We were lucky that both on Long Island and here, we had neighbors who were always ready to party on holidays. It’s too bad your neighbors aren’t the right sort. It might be just as well you aren’t close to them!
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How wonderful. Front porch gatherings and waterfalls.
Hope all your days are as happy
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This is the first neighborhood we’ve lived in where everyone has a front porch that is actually used. We use ours the least, since the afternoon sun makes it a convection oven if there is a breeze. Is it often too hot for you to sit outside?
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There’s an old saying here, “Don’t invite anyone you want to move here to visit during June, July, August…maybe end of Sept”
Some stay inside for winter, we stay inside summer. There aren’t really sittin’ porches ours is shaded in the afternoon, but it’s just too darn hot.. Luckily trees shade our back deck and it’s often tolerable. Dog walking people are out earlier and later these days – along with the small kids learning bikes and baby strollers. Sometimes we feel like underground creatures slinking out HAHA.
Take care
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I love your saying about avoiding certain times for guests. I grew up in West Tennessee before air conditioning. The only time we sat on the front porch was to watch rain storms.
Stay cool!!
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Sounds like a wonderful Memorial Day! We had a cookout with our son and grandsons. I have never heard of a pop-up lunch but now I want to host one. Logan is lucky to have wonderful neighbors like your family.
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I made up the term pop-up lunch, but they talk about pop-up restaurants. Why not neighborly lunches?
That’s great that you were with your son and grandsons.
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Sounds like a fun day!
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The pictures were beautiful but I’m more interested in hot dogs that taste like steak!
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Not tuna-flavored hot dogs??
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Oh, tuna flavored hot dogs sound better than steak flavored ones for sure.
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That sounds like the best holiday ever! Your photos are beautiful Anne…all of them from neighbors to scenery. What a blessed day.
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We all had a good time. Seeing people face to face has become something special!
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With the ferry not operating, (Holiday), we drove the long way around to daughter Kathryn’s, with Jeff and Abbigail there also, we enjoyed Burgers, Dogs, Brats, grilled corn, and Brussel sprouts, and steamed onions. Somehow I got to be the Grill Master. The kids live 1.5 miles away. It’s a 12 mile trip with the ferry, 27 miles to go around via Salisbury. “Life on the Eastern Shore,” the rivers define us.
Loved your Po- Up meals, especially in the warm weather, kinda like a Pop-Up shower. Our best to all, stay safe.
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You had a lovely gathering. Great! Your food was several notches above ours. I’ll bet you are an awesome grill master. Those mileages are sobering. I remember looking for the nearest store selling a particular item when we lived on Long Island. Google would come back with an address in CT. We were smart, though. We kept our relatives on the island until they escaped to SC, UT, and Denmark.
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what a sweet day! love the rules-bring what you can!
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The pop up lunch was such a fun idea and your Memorial Day drive to the falls was so pretty. I love David’s shirt!🇺🇸🇺🇸
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David’s mom bought patriotic shirts for herself and her two sons. We are really decorative when she is here for July 4th.
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It’s fun to make holidays extra special with decorations and what we wear on those special occasions.
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Looks like you had a lovely day! BTW, do my eyes deceive me – is that a bit of a moustache on David? Nice! BTW – doesn’t anyone wear a mask in your area? Just wondering, cuz here they’re pretty much universal… Are your Covid infection rates very low in your region?
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We wear a mask going in stores and to doctors’ appointments, but none of us do in the neighborhood. Our county has had 48 cases of the virus with no deaths. David trimmed his mustache this morning, as well as the hair on his chin. I trimmed around his ears. We’re both smiling.
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Ok stay safe, Anne. 💕
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Sounds A-OK Anne! 🙂
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We tried to plan a small picnic with youngest daughter and her boy friend but she ended up having to go into work to clean since the were planning to reopen on Tuesday. Pop-up’s are rare with our group. Glad you had a lovely day.
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How wonderful. Front porch gatherings and waterfalls.
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