Kate’s Visit

We stayed busy while daughter Kate was here for a week, but we never felt rushed. I usually take photos when we go out to eat, making it appear that we never stay at home. I have only two from this visit – eating dumplings at China King and going to Jukebox Junction, modeled after roadside eateries from my childhood. Neither place was busy, and both had wonderful food.

Mother and son do heavy chores, making them look easy. I wrote about their burning the garden trash early on. They trimmed the Wicked Wisteria, making me hold my breath. Kate held the ladder, while David reached wayward branches. He felt safe bracing his knees against the top of the ladder. I wouldn’t look too closely, but was relieved when the job was done.

Kate noticed I had left a pile of branches from a nasty thorn bush. She loaded them on the broken wheelbarrow without touching the sharp thorns. It looked like she was running with the wheelbarrow, but she said she hurried because one of the handles was hard to hold.

Seeing neighbors was fun. Joyce brought mail that was put in her box by mistake and stayed to sit on the porch to visit.

Logan came over to play games with us. Kate was putting a jigsaw puzzle back in the box while he and David played a computer game. I didn’t take a photo of our visiting with Shawn and Bob in their living room, but we did enjoy it.

Although Kate has always been very afraid of dogs, she paid lots of attention to Kasey and often took her on short walks. These were two of the photos she took of the dog in her playpen and a favorite pose when looking at the neighborhood from the front porch.

A most exciting moment was seeing a bird flying at full speed and crashing into the porch wall. It didn’t move for a long time. I eased past the bird, took a photo of it through the front door, fetched a dustpan, and gently put the pan next to its feet. It stepped on. As I rose to take it to a tree, it suddenly flew straight to the top of a tree across the street. When Logan (13) saw the photo on our frame, he asked what kind of bird it was, looked closer, and said, “It’s a waxwing. No other bird has markings on its tail like that.” I was very impressed with his knowledge. I had planned to look it up but hadn’t gotten around to it yet.

David and I were chatting with Kate on the phone as she drove home to New Jersey. Grandson Nathaniel called to talk to us, so David propped the phones up for a four-way family conversation. We had had a lovely visit, and that was a fine way to end it.

Daughter Kate Comes to Visit

The day after daughter Kate drove down from New Jersey, we walked to the stop sign with neighbor Brit and grandson David. I normally walk in the morning, but this was Sunday afternoon. It was dark by the time we got home.

Because David had an appointment, we went to the closest restaurant, only to find it had closed early that day. We drove a bit further to get dumplings at a favorite Chinese restaurant. He still had plenty of time to meet the person he was seeing.

The three of us love going on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so we did that early in the visit. On the way, we went to my favorite waterfall, Sunburst.

Later, driving on the parkway, we spotted any number of mountain ash trees with their red berries. I have never before seen so many of those trees with such vibrant fruit. As far as I know, the berries are not edible.

Back home, Logan saw us on the porch and came over to visit. He lured David out to pass a football, probably long enough to make David sore. Can you see the football in the air above them? That was a happy photographic accident.

Kate and Kacey stayed out of the way while watching the fellows.

Another day David went to the dentist for his checkup while Kate and I got my car inspected. I am not currently driving because of my eyesight, but we keep the car here as a spare for David or wheels for Lise when she visits. Later that day, David, Kate and Kacey burned the garden trash. The fire was hot enough to make the K’s move back so that only David was near the fire.

Music on the iPad

If you are an Apple device user, prepare to laugh at me. Popular opinion says Apple products are easy to use. Lise bought me this refurbished pad, and I’ve played with it every day since it arrived. It must be several weeks now, and I am no nearer mastering it than the day I started. If Apples are intuitive, then I have no intuition worth speaking of. Neighbor Shawn took pity on me when I was bumbling about and showed me how to close sites I had open. I might never have found that on my own.

I did learn how to scan my own music with forScore, an app I installed on the iPad. I’ve practiced four pieces that I had started playing several years ago. After my retina leaked (Age related Macular Degeneration), I could no longer see the notes of regular music. Now, with the music backlit and expanded, I can see fairly well.

One super day I stumbled into an online store and was able to download one free piece of music that I had never seen before. That was really exciting. I kept looking for that store and could not find it. David was sitting in the room with me when I began to grumble. He offered to look at it, even though he has no experience with Apple things. He bumbled around, too, but at warp speed. He found the store, which was accessed through the music app. I THINK I can get back to that place again.

I downloaded a free set of pieces by Handel and found there were 13 in all. Most are one page long. What a delight! I sat down and sight read seven of them, finishing the rest the next day. Perhaps a second grader would be challenged by them. I am going to have to look at them closely, because I found I couldn’t see the little dots under the notes indicating staccatos. Meanwhile, I am so grateful to David for unlocking this music for me.

A Harrowing Bus Ride

I’ve been riding on county buses for a year now, and today was the first time I didn’t think I was going to make it to my appointment. Riders are warned to be ready one and a half hours before appointment time, giving the scheduler time to fit everyone in. I was ready at 9:25, and the bus pulled in my drive at 9:30. The driver said she had a full schedule, figuring people wanted to get out and get things done before the holiday weekend. Buses will not run on Labor Day.

For the first time, the bus turned toward I-40 instead of Waynesville. The roads got progressively smaller. We headed down a twisty lane that I would have hesitated to drive a full sized car on. We were in a BUS. GPS said we had arrived at our destination, but which small trailer was it? No numbers showed. The driver honked. No one came out. She was about to go knock on the door when a woman hurried toward us. When she made her reservation for the bus, no one told her to be ready so early. We really didn’t wait long and still had plenty of time to get back to town.

Retracing our route, we passed my area, but instead of going to Waynesville, we veered off to Maggie Valley. GPS was confused. We wandered down three roads, contacted headquarters, made another wrong turn and finally were passing trailers with not three feet between them. A man laboriously climbed into the bus, pausing at each step. He advised us not to get old. I wanted to know how old is old. He said 85. I said, “Good. I’ve got five years to go.”

In silence we headed for the fourth pickup. GPS dithered. The driver had a proper address, but only a few lot numbers showed and fewer house numbers were visible. Headquarters said the house had a car parked there with lots of stuff in it. We all laughed, saying that applied to almost every car in the area. We passengers were peering out the windows trying to help the driver. The road was one-way, and we were going the wrong way. A truck came toward us and veered off to another tiny road. He evidently knew a way out. The houses were tiny house size but lacking in modern attractiveness. Small trailers were packed in so tightly that we wondered how they ever got there. GPS ( I now say short for Go Punch Something) said we were at our destination. After a couple of calls to headquarters again, the driver sighed and got out to knock on the door of a decrepit trailer. She came back, saying the back door was wide open, but no one responded. Headquarters said no one answered the phone, so we were free to go. The driver kept her cool, but the pressure was on. She knew my appointment was at 11, and we had barely enough time to make it. By this time we felt like old friends and chatted all the way to Waynesville.

Noah, the acupuncturist, was standing in the waiting room when I rushed in. He said I wasn’t late, but I’ll bet I wasn’t more than 15 seconds early. I had planned to arrived relaxed and peaceful.

Here is a video from the porch cam showing the bus gingerly backing out of my driveway. The drivers do a marvelous job of navigating our circular mountain roads, and they do it cheerfully every time.

Outdoors in the Summertime

Most of my photos from August were taken outside, reflecting the time we spent outdoors. Neighbor Logan has a great sense of humor, and he wondered if his small dog’s cone would fit him. It did, and we all laughed.

Neighbor Shawn took a photo of David with his dog Kacey on her front porch. We can see their porch easily from ours, and we often cross the road to be with them and vice versa. Those impromptu gatherings make the summer sparkle.

Neighbor Joyce had show and tell in her driveway as we were heading to the stop sign for a morning walk. This is a complete black snake skin she found under her house. She dislikes snakes and would rather it hung about my house, since I would welcome it. The black snake will eat mice, rats, moles, voles, shrews, and chipmunks as well as small lizards, frogs, and bird eggs. Having lived on Long Island where there are no poisonous snakes, I am not as wary of snakes as I should be. There is no danger from a black snake, though.

When David joined me on our front porch, he sat down beside me, not caring that he was sharing the chair with my cane. I thought that was excuse enough to take his photo. The top of the cane is on the seat, and the tip is behind his right foot.

The one indoor picture I have shows me sitting on the piano bench with an iPad behind me. Daughter Lise bought a refurbished one for the app forScore. I have scanned four pieces of music from books I own, as well as one free score from the internet. I haven’t played the piano for over two years, since one retina leaked. I could see groups of notes and guess what they were, but I couldn’t tell the difference between sharps, flats, and natural signs, nor which notes they were supposed to change. Having the music backlit makes a huge difference. I am delighted to be playing again and will be scanning more soon.

Kacey let me know something unusual was going on, and I looked out to see Shawn and Bob talking to a couple riding mules. Neighbor Cindy had seen them come into our area near the stop sign. I thought the animals were horses, but Shawn pointed out the large ears. She was told the mules were a cross between a draft horse and a donkey.

David and I love rainstorms and go on the porch to see them whenever possible. It had rained for a while, which put both Kacey and David to sleep. We were pleased to find that Kacey does not mind thunder at all and will often sleep through rather loud storms.

It was almost dark when David decided to transplant a tulip tree that had sprung up in a flower bed. He put it where a Bradford pear tree had been taken down a few months ago. We know the tree could outgrow its welcome, but we are not likely to be here when it does.

Spoon Biscuits

This is not a cooking show. Spoon biscuits refers to how we ate the bread, not the name of the recipe. I was longing for regular old Southern biscuits from my dad’s recipe, but I knew something had to change. David’s ideal is quite different from mine. He likes biscuits bigger and softer than I do. I always overcook them to his taste, so I tried using the air fryer for a half recipe. It felt like cooking for dolls – tiny bowl, small utensils, little rolling pin, and a small cutting board instead of a pastry sheet. The best part? No leftovers! The biscuits had a delicate crust and melted in my mouth. That’s because they were one step removed from being raw. Next time I will increase the cooking time and take David’s biscuits out while I cook mine another two minutes. That should work out well, because he likes cool food, while I like it piping hot. Well, you know I’m not referring to Jell-o or ice cream. A happy adjustment should be easy when you are cooking for only two people.

David’s biscuits stayed warm until he came in from walking the dog. His were not as raw as mine.

All Dressed Up….

All dressed up and nowhere to go. I’m not really dressed up, though I do look nicer than when I work in the garden. A year ago I made the appointment as I left the doctor’s office to return for my annual checkup. The thought went through my head that it would be a waste if I took the bus as planned and found out there was a problem after I got there. The receptionist checked the roster and said my appointment is for tomorrow. I told her I had the appointment card in front of me, and it was definitely for today. I explained that the bus was on the way to pick me up. Could they get me in?

She did the best she could and said they could fit me in three hours later. I had to say no, because there was another person also going to Asheville, and the bus could not have waited that long for me. She suggested the obvious, that I keep the appointment they wanted me to have. That wouldn’t work, because the rule is to book a bus three days ahead to go out of county. I just canceled and said I’d try to make another appointment when one of my daughters came to visit.

I am appalled that they gave me an appointment card, yet wrote down a different day AND and a different time in their system. There was no time to fume, because I had to cancel the bus immediately. The dispatcher was sympathetic and used her radio to contact the driver. She must have caught him in time. I’m glad he was going to Asheville anyway, because it wouldn’t change his schedule very much.

My adrenaline was flowing, and it also had nowhere to go. I’m glad I didn’t take it out on David or Kacey. Maybe now is the time for a power nap.

The Oriental Garden at Woodside 6

Many years ago I went out to see the spring behind the house, but the area has been transformed since then. I lagged behind, walking on uneven ground, and saw the others go through a lovely gate. It was modeled after a gate in Chile.

Nearby was a Zen rock garden similar to one seen in Japan. Someone said there was a rake for it, but I didn’t see it. The bamboo fence in the background was modeled after one Rick and Myra saw in China.

The wind chimes were most impressive. Lise took a turn at making them sing and said it was deafening up close. I didn’t ask if wind is ever strong enough to hit the chimes so they can be heard at the house.

At the spring there is lots of watercress growing. Myra picked some for us to taste. It was fresh and crisp and would be a lovely addition to a salad.

We sat in the tea house briefly. I didn’t ask if they have tea ceremonies there, but it would be a lovely setting for that.

Rick, Chris, and Chrissie were talking near the pagoda.

I loved the non-gate in the fence and was thrilled to see Rick and Chris use it. There are no moving parts, but humans can walk through it. Obviously, farm animals would not be able to get through. I would like to know where the idea came from and if it is something in common use now.

Whether you are inside or outside, there are lots of interesting things to see at Woodside. I spoke to the donkeys when we arrived, but they had gone to another part of the pasture when we left. I saw where the event barn is and would like to see the inside some time. It’s great to know there is something yet to see at a place where I love to go.

The Shoe at Woodside 5

My children and grandchildren have climbed on the shoe, but I missed a vital part of the story until my recent visit. In 1945, concrete was ordered for the foundation of a building, and there was way too much. Rick’s dad and great uncle used the extra concrete to build the shoe for Rick’s older sister, who at that time would have been about four years old.

Most recent photos show Lise and Chrissie standing before the shoe and Chris and Chrissie on top of it.

My earliest photo was taken in 1973 showing Rick’s mother with Lise and her cousins Julie and Kathie. Lise was four years old.

Grandson David had just turned 9 when he stood on the shoe in 2004. Do you think his shorts are long enough? Maybe they are short longs.

Grandson Nathaniel finally saw the shoe for the first time in 2019 when he was 19 years old. The label says he was cleaning inside the shoe.

Nathaniel recovered from his dusting and stood tall, perhaps toasting cousin Kate. I think we can safely say the shoe has stood the test of time.

Pirate Visit to Woodside 4

In the recent past, things were published about the pirate Lafitte, putting him in the vicinity of Woodside. His main area of operation was New Orleans, and Rick points to a photo taken there having to do with this legendary man. Since travelers couldn’t always find an inn, they often stayed with wealthier people along the way. If the pirate had been in the vicinity, it’s quite likely that he would have stayed at Woodside, under an assumed name, of course.

They have a cabinet or dresser in a bedroom now featuring nautical things. A bookcase has a photo, presumably of Lafitte.

Perhaps the pirate stayed in this room and has haunted Woodside, Rick says as he moves closer to the bookcase. Books begin to move in and out.

Rick talks about the church not far from the house. A long time ago grave robberies were fairly common. The superstition was that if you weren’t wearing your wedding ring, you would not be reunited with your spouse after death. Most folks were buried with a ring, which attracted thieves.

This led to some sleight of hand as Rick borrowed my ring to show how it could have been stolen by cutting off a finger.

Lafitte makes a sudden appearance, brandishing knives. Rick saves the day by pushing him back through the door. It felt like high drama, since we were not expecting an apparition to materialize.