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.

The Music of Woodside 3

The music room was important to this family. I was sitting here many years ago when Rick’s mother told about giving gifts to family members. Her three children were encouraged to give a performance for special occasions. For her birthday, she would be thrilled to have a memorized piece of music played for her or a poem recited from memory. These were creative people who fostered creativity.

Rick talked about the old pump organ. The player used his feet to pump the bellows for the air going through the pipes. Picking up a modern violin, he said that years ago a visitor had come to stay while traveling with his Stradivarious. That was high class, indeed!

He called attention to the medallion on the ceiling. Most old ones were made of plaster, but you can probably guess that the one here was carved of wood and painted to look like plaster.

At the end of the tour, we ended up in the new section that connects the main building with the kitchen. When the house was built, kitchens were usually detached for fire safety. Rick and Myra made a stage under the back stairs, seen here with Chris and Chrissie posing before his instruments from all over the world. I’m convinced Rick could take any unknown instrument and play it reasonably well in a matter of days. What amazing talent! Two of my favorites are the hammered dulcimer and the musical saw. The saw is longer than one used in construction, but its teeth would be just as effective. Myra accompanies him on the piano for that. Rick’s dad taught him to play the saw, and also taught my brother. I tried, and I can’t do it.

In her travels, daughter Lise bought an unusual instrument for Rick which he can play easily. I think it may be the one that he is blowing into below. Information overload had kicked in.

Here are three of the newer instruments.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a video of Rick playing the instrument he made himself. It is by far the most amusing one. It’s called the Bed Panjo, held here by Chris. It’s a real bed pan with fingerboard and strings attached. Good humor is a hallmark of this family.

The Magic of Woodside 2

The tour of Woodside began in the living room, and the first episode showed Rick with a cabinet that could be turned into a desk by lifting the lid and lowering the front facade.

The furniture carved by a family member nearly always had some secret compartment. Rick showed how the desk could be transformed further, introducing it with a magic trick. He pointed out that the carver had been through the prohibition era, so hiding liquor was a theme here. Please note that the family members were NOT known to be heavy drinkers.

Many old homes are reputed to have ghosts, and people claim to have seen one on the staircase at Woodside. A daughter of the family died of a broken heart and was buried in the grave dug for her fiance. Rick brought the drama to life, so to speak. After he made her handkerchief fly down the stairs into the clock, he retrieved it and brought it down to show us.

The Magic of Woodside

The most magical place in North Carolina to me is the home named Woodside. I first saw it in the early 1960’s and have been there occasionally ever since. Sue and Jack were the owners back then, and they were the most welcoming people I’d ever met. The house was a magnet, and they the shining, sharing lights inside. Everyone was drawn in and enchanted. Fast forward to today, and the love and warmth come from Rick and Myra. What a team they are, watching over and caring for the old house and its memories!

Niece Kathie took this photo that shows the group around the table. I’m on the left, then comes nephew Chris, daughter Lise, Rick, niece Chrissie, and Myra.

After lunch, Rick was beginning to tell the history of the house and its owners to Chrissie and Chris in the living room. Thus began the most thorough tour of the house I’d ever witnessed. Though standing at the front door, I’m lurking in a mirror behind and to the right.

Rick showed them something about the coat rack, but I was concentrating on getting a picture and didn’t listen.

A piece of furniture that looks like it holds books, opens to reveal a desk. I know the photos are dark, but try to see all the carvings. If my memory is correct, most in the house were done by T. J. Stone, Rick’s great uncle.

Although the house and many of its furnishings are old, Rick shows that they stay up to date. They have an iPhone in this cabinet.

Here is a flashback to 2004. Myra is talking to my grandson David and daughter Lise. Rick is performing a Harry Potter trick for young David. The dates changed, but the people remain as warm and caring as ever. The magic stays up to date, as well.

Visit of Nathaniel and Sarah

Grandson Nathaniel and his partner Sarah drove from Charlotte to be with us for a couple of days. Nearly all my photos include food. I realized that it’s natural to take pictures when everyone is together. We began by eating barbecue sandwiches at Butts on the Creek. Lise and I took turns taking photos.

There were many lighthearted moments, none more amusing than Nathaniel putting the corner of the package of chocolate chips on his nose.

It took all afternoon for the baking, cooling, making the icing, and frosting the cake. He, Lise and Sarah posed with the finished cake.

We had a snack on the porch where Lise had lighted candles on the railing. David was at work, so we didn’t cut the cake until after midnight.

Hours later we had waffles for breakfast, again on the porch. They left before noon in order to get back to Charlotte for Nathaniel to go to work. We crammed as much visiting in as we could and enjoyed being together.