tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20928598193498338832024-02-19T07:59:46.495-05:00This Sweet LifeFinding the Essence of Life in the Midst of LivingNancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-88427867397071177942018-09-30T22:06:00.000-04:002018-09-30T22:06:07.433-04:00Butterfly Bandwagon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I jumped on the butterfly bandwagon this afternoon. Folks are commenting on all the Monarchs this year, and there are a LOT of them around here. I finally went out with the camera, just down the road from our house, and found dozens feasting on a patch of thistles. I took over 200 photos in less thirty minutes or so! The butterflies were very cooperative and seemed to get more and more comfortable with my presence. Here are a few pretty pictures of these fluttery creatures that are delicate, tough, and beautiful, all at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I count at least 18 butterflies in this photo. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I love how</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the orange glows among the greens and browns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are many things I could say about what these photos show: spindly legs, graceful wings, stained glass patterns, those white dots! But they don't need my words. Their message is loud and clear: our God is an awesome God!</span></div>
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Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-85899879754207088282018-03-28T00:13:00.001-04:002018-03-28T00:13:59.742-04:00Another New Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our phone rang just after 10:00 last Saturday night. Calls that late can be not-so-good news. But not this time. We were hoping for that call. You see, we'd been waiting and watching for another baby...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">...this one from the tiny heifer we bought almost two years ago...her first calf. The phone call came from the folks spending the weekend in the <a href="http://www.vancescountryguesthouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Guest House</a>. They had taken over Robin's late-night checks and called to say, "It's coming!" And come it did, quickly and easily, at least from our point of view. Mama might beg to differ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With no electricity in the barn, the only light we had came from flashlights. It was a challenging photo situation for me, to say the least!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday night was cold here, with the temperature near freezing. See that misty fog above the calf? That's the steam coming off her little body. Being born must have been a pretty chilly experience.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_x9Ce5GATU4Uo94ctzLCUAsZmirAFgJii4zfzT7SYUnRrlNO9X8Dvpp6YLhVHZtwU2rDeg4P9B9kG5Fx-rhxpEbU7YOPNzYMoSpZtyhLnk9LTAjiXb1FscRWCrFB9SkhbwzfSnSpNTxg/s1600/DSC_1060.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_x9Ce5GATU4Uo94ctzLCUAsZmirAFgJii4zfzT7SYUnRrlNO9X8Dvpp6YLhVHZtwU2rDeg4P9B9kG5Fx-rhxpEbU7YOPNzYMoSpZtyhLnk9LTAjiXb1FscRWCrFB9SkhbwzfSnSpNTxg/s640/DSC_1060.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But Little Jersey (we're not too creative when it comes to names around here) knew exactly what to do. She licked and licked until her new baby was clean and almost dry, stimulating the calf's circulation to warm it up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just a little less than an hour after birth, the baby was trying to stand. All that wobbling and falling strengthened her muscles and her resolve until she succeeded. And yes! She's a girl!! In farm language, that's a heifer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are snapshots from video footage...can't seem to get the video to load. Bummer!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QrpmU1ZlAFg9VdImBGW7BC7VxerFDsEokmc_TKWS-V6EsIzc-loH3czjKLb37WFAFTVhL-0JYuI3BPzTOF8uDDhK_eya1Y5N-ZPT882Mk0Ac70yVeB7k9eRzBICD2d5jKmMzp38sJ9Y/s1600/Snapshot+5+%25283-27-2018+10-15+PM%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="458" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QrpmU1ZlAFg9VdImBGW7BC7VxerFDsEokmc_TKWS-V6EsIzc-loH3czjKLb37WFAFTVhL-0JYuI3BPzTOF8uDDhK_eya1Y5N-ZPT882Mk0Ac70yVeB7k9eRzBICD2d5jKmMzp38sJ9Y/s320/Snapshot+5+%25283-27-2018+10-15+PM%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward about fourteen or fifteen hours, to just past noon the next day. I stopped at the farm on the way home from church to see how this little girl was doing. What a difference a few hours made!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At less than eighteen hours old, she was up and walking, even running a little. What a cutie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And those eyelashes!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu3h_bQjhRXg1MDAU8N9vzOOKE5ntlV3zZ5cv7LtpdT4XA2jvvlN2RbXFdKCH9C1oMTMA5MQDieqNIz9BfLGygewZxTXjaqPaP6Xfk5r0NQ88nFSnXIQnHq5nEzEmbvw_2cC5gD8UBvA/s1600/DSC_1190.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu3h_bQjhRXg1MDAU8N9vzOOKE5ntlV3zZ5cv7LtpdT4XA2jvvlN2RbXFdKCH9C1oMTMA5MQDieqNIz9BfLGygewZxTXjaqPaP6Xfk5r0NQ88nFSnXIQnHq5nEzEmbvw_2cC5gD8UBvA/s640/DSC_1190.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She got her dark eyes and nose from her Mama, a Jersey milk cow. But she got her red coat from her Papa. His name is Baltimore, an Irish Dexter bull. He belongs to our neighbors across the road. Irish Dexters are a hardy, all-purpose breed, good for milking, meat, and work animals. I think this little girl is a lovely combination of both her parents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's no doubt about it: she's a spunky one! She wasn't afraid to meet her "cousin," who <a href="http://sweetrun.blogspot.com/2017/09/finally-here.html" target="_blank">was born</a> last September...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56zjLGgchH7Y1LZZXmfj4G0paRAncuQfqQHgPGbU-457V2LtHh742UVkPqjXR5iheCkYyuDi4NobiQC1xNGWua-L3EJPiy3ZI-kMeLY3RPNYhrUL-gb4cSEeOenUokibHudXt2HxC4Bc/s1600/DSC_1215.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56zjLGgchH7Y1LZZXmfj4G0paRAncuQfqQHgPGbU-457V2LtHh742UVkPqjXR5iheCkYyuDi4NobiQC1xNGWua-L3EJPiy3ZI-kMeLY3RPNYhrUL-gb4cSEeOenUokibHudXt2HxC4Bc/s640/DSC_1215.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">nor was she shy about trying out running and jumping,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAune5-lj4gQNlBamgWP8n-ZQJSXBUTSap0Xi_payDEl6aSUJC9KktMxJBXuU9nAlnJfoTNcS8i1BIJ3E92_yc6d6uRyzLUFjOZGVwlnio7ejOChxEYOHs9wJnwToEYLVW6NlmBbQdofQ/s1600/DSC_1227.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAune5-lj4gQNlBamgWP8n-ZQJSXBUTSap0Xi_payDEl6aSUJC9KktMxJBXuU9nAlnJfoTNcS8i1BIJ3E92_yc6d6uRyzLUFjOZGVwlnio7ejOChxEYOHs9wJnwToEYLVW6NlmBbQdofQ/s640/DSC_1227.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N31evDATwrOA1jgsaD5ws4690ks5ZooKE_Gs-p9osnZexO7Afc0cEpGXUOucwOO7rP4iiPt-bEHGfbN4VdVatlFhqk8srtn38s_GGkN5UlYJrvQOnveQGFshsta5LFWjQ5MvH9i-92U/s1600/DSC_1228.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N31evDATwrOA1jgsaD5ws4690ks5ZooKE_Gs-p9osnZexO7Afc0cEpGXUOucwOO7rP4iiPt-bEHGfbN4VdVatlFhqk8srtn38s_GGkN5UlYJrvQOnveQGFshsta5LFWjQ5MvH9i-92U/s640/DSC_1228.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">all under Mama's watchful eye.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR7QzaP4IFB1TtK-M2aTCZ7SsFIHkZ2CF5rnJq6dlAoig4CslacDOI392mDW58PqrEgBzSW0KkUGoqGd2m5NNodU9tIBwqCvwG1MTt-LehdSuOqgO9cflJ9EvlQ5cKbiVad4Pg2b9v18/s1600/DSC_1224.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR7QzaP4IFB1TtK-M2aTCZ7SsFIHkZ2CF5rnJq6dlAoig4CslacDOI392mDW58PqrEgBzSW0KkUGoqGd2m5NNodU9tIBwqCvwG1MTt-LehdSuOqgO9cflJ9EvlQ5cKbiVad4Pg2b9v18/s640/DSC_1224.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia01Ze6DXjiGfN3Y_21JJOxn2eaM5Is0nBNimIOPOQqQvLQAXoo_or9w0RLwtoaP9XjIgJxO-6r8sbQDmyLa3JkWZPgt3sVt1vxS8gH3T98GnGmBIH6vZ-R8wfjMU3YRB7aZlJWDjH-0w/s1600/DSC_1226.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia01Ze6DXjiGfN3Y_21JJOxn2eaM5Is0nBNimIOPOQqQvLQAXoo_or9w0RLwtoaP9XjIgJxO-6r8sbQDmyLa3JkWZPgt3sVt1vxS8gH3T98GnGmBIH6vZ-R8wfjMU3YRB7aZlJWDjH-0w/s640/DSC_1226.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By yesterday afternoon she was almost two days old. She was nursing well, as evidenced by her energy and milk mustache.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBErdNFy_YNySwLycGxAOa_LqgDBF-5EeBv0xpfGhJGEFVIBfDr7AnzaEYsVFL7EtS0jju3w1ylNW5_hDOpuznqBeosZNt5NW7ft6996Lf9NYKiNUe0dwn8u4pRSl0k14CvEJ_tMfppIw/s1600/DSC_1247.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBErdNFy_YNySwLycGxAOa_LqgDBF-5EeBv0xpfGhJGEFVIBfDr7AnzaEYsVFL7EtS0jju3w1ylNW5_hDOpuznqBeosZNt5NW7ft6996Lf9NYKiNUe0dwn8u4pRSl0k14CvEJ_tMfppIw/s640/DSC_1247.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLH_eJ6JYYtlHHdCwxrqPstx7ibszUsbHKo5_-EqEOFRFb-CjRXnM2MJhAU5Woc87BeY-5dwKsKZAyzHspDcdg2U-hHou4eZ6xs9jGd5dlWSrx4v9vZiy-KPs9eiPyN8wOxdUtyVkY6uM/s1600/DSC_1249.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="1593" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLH_eJ6JYYtlHHdCwxrqPstx7ibszUsbHKo5_-EqEOFRFb-CjRXnM2MJhAU5Woc87BeY-5dwKsKZAyzHspDcdg2U-hHou4eZ6xs9jGd5dlWSrx4v9vZiy-KPs9eiPyN8wOxdUtyVkY6uM/s640/DSC_1249.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our guests in the Guest House became quite attached to this new baby. It was a girls' weekend out for two moms and their three "tween" daughters, ages twelve and thirteen. Just minutes after the calf was born, the girls christened her "Belle."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuljDw-5mFwm2jhyphenhyphenikW_QT1V6J4QIONB6_Ok3z7aABhYzPkKhQ0htN8E8GA_1axpC9ecQnxkZVwlxfauFTRVFXl0TYQMWg7O8ZwjMBpMt2ZYe0OR4Lm6TMqPUJi0PDYLBL6gqHuyUp5U/s1600/DSC_1290.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuljDw-5mFwm2jhyphenhyphenikW_QT1V6J4QIONB6_Ok3z7aABhYzPkKhQ0htN8E8GA_1axpC9ecQnxkZVwlxfauFTRVFXl0TYQMWg7O8ZwjMBpMt2ZYe0OR4Lm6TMqPUJi0PDYLBL6gqHuyUp5U/s640/DSC_1290.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By Monday afternoon little Belle was showered with lots of love and affection...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKm9r0RDLcE3EgWXyUls1voD7jWr16eTFyMfiYANX3QqVsRKfhRlj7RFuQH-30kY-nuChs0unYxj3HnCUK2HpRvDf7LOa4HqoMNmmsN1X-ZMgrj0vWikGZKSn-wxumlwZOoRw-Kx0x5o/s1600/DSC_1274.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKm9r0RDLcE3EgWXyUls1voD7jWr16eTFyMfiYANX3QqVsRKfhRlj7RFuQH-30kY-nuChs0unYxj3HnCUK2HpRvDf7LOa4HqoMNmmsN1X-ZMgrj0vWikGZKSn-wxumlwZOoRw-Kx0x5o/s640/DSC_1274.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IS6lqmTFYotnCka7P-zf1ai3RmWPXHFy4d3n1QZXtFBEPcYWEBDJuROtI7YfsMZW8mpfXzTSwhOYXFqlrrFcTMmO1F2asc4UTRNBIuLJlCIkuoYgnAPpKicXLGy6VM40dgJ7KI2cZuQ/s1600/DSC_1303.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IS6lqmTFYotnCka7P-zf1ai3RmWPXHFy4d3n1QZXtFBEPcYWEBDJuROtI7YfsMZW8mpfXzTSwhOYXFqlrrFcTMmO1F2asc4UTRNBIuLJlCIkuoYgnAPpKicXLGy6VM40dgJ7KI2cZuQ/s640/DSC_1303.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">...by the younger ones,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQaKeWPAIjvU4mkDqETFYgVSo0yYmwcp8f3ElKETz-001R34dmFcccw8PJDQWjk-wDZEMOOQYeG20Gxe6l_OiTESjFDbIhq95UTP524eO_coGFzLLixElsZoThHZ_C-5WUB6QDyCjyq4/s1600/DSC_1318.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQaKeWPAIjvU4mkDqETFYgVSo0yYmwcp8f3ElKETz-001R34dmFcccw8PJDQWjk-wDZEMOOQYeG20Gxe6l_OiTESjFDbIhq95UTP524eO_coGFzLLixElsZoThHZ_C-5WUB6QDyCjyq4/s640/DSC_1318.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">and the not-as-young ones. </span><span style="font-size: large;">What is it about baby animals that draws us humans in and makes us smile all the way down to our toes?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tgHn6Zh1g7xNmAXdDiFOq_DpyTNfB0gfMPgvuPIJIIsU11LQnSG_h-XfoU6810Y8-gEP6qkmLseNg814orItI-PYeegf9tGjaMwzLfe2aSFWVrrqj2DUUjcEvw7sOIkeis-Pqg_1v4U/s1600/DSC_1342.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tgHn6Zh1g7xNmAXdDiFOq_DpyTNfB0gfMPgvuPIJIIsU11LQnSG_h-XfoU6810Y8-gEP6qkmLseNg814orItI-PYeegf9tGjaMwzLfe2aSFWVrrqj2DUUjcEvw7sOIkeis-Pqg_1v4U/s640/DSC_1342.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3Ib5YojiXjHo2im8zanhLma0t7vnZAi0fpuk-zfxce9Sr1yJ1G7V6RhrcqWZUayccFJk-sJ7fUA2Yq8TKC8NnHYKlOZcKGfMvS9chJ0jzru_czVzHc3lX2-mpHjl_ZDwQOi1WdsEiag/s1600/DSC_1297.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3Ib5YojiXjHo2im8zanhLma0t7vnZAi0fpuk-zfxce9Sr1yJ1G7V6RhrcqWZUayccFJk-sJ7fUA2Yq8TKC8NnHYKlOZcKGfMvS9chJ0jzru_czVzHc3lX2-mpHjl_ZDwQOi1WdsEiag/s640/DSC_1297.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4DbV98Uy068SafMsUxY_SbtL7ElDnnKNm0mT6AszJSCChK6QvQT57Ak8kK6isFEUF7U6oVV6JWby9XOFzQycf6Wgx5f5yumvp9Kx1MQbke3KuwoVYiJD1eOHFaPWLYTyS6gbshND67s/s1600/DSC_1325.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4DbV98Uy068SafMsUxY_SbtL7ElDnnKNm0mT6AszJSCChK6QvQT57Ak8kK6isFEUF7U6oVV6JWby9XOFzQycf6Wgx5f5yumvp9Kx1MQbke3KuwoVYiJD1eOHFaPWLYTyS6gbshND67s/s640/DSC_1325.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV376OiDFTzvJpiuVYRG0sDAhFqGgwayg7iNOHYg9YvrdYK44_e2sc8RAuGfV1wPPzNV2-SwGcIdd7AtT5znN1NdPuygE9K6TKKyC1KPlSPzSr8ZGg68o91sQGBzKh30ZVsB9U-jr2T0/s1600/DSC_1296.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1600" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV376OiDFTzvJpiuVYRG0sDAhFqGgwayg7iNOHYg9YvrdYK44_e2sc8RAuGfV1wPPzNV2-SwGcIdd7AtT5znN1NdPuygE9K6TKKyC1KPlSPzSr8ZGg68o91sQGBzKh30ZVsB9U-jr2T0/s640/DSC_1296.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Although Belle was enjoying the attention, getting all that love and affection was hard work.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK1t9kpe2DCtuPYBNea_Mlo4B8Aqg_sKrq91fv0LiY-vIb2ZAzqnVah45meqnVBj76TcPBndHJsqfWt__P523TM0uOuVgH5609Ucnn4aM7q4w2Qr_tBn9nQemy8HRbvS4M-an-Moyidk/s1600/DSC_1335.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK1t9kpe2DCtuPYBNea_Mlo4B8Aqg_sKrq91fv0LiY-vIb2ZAzqnVah45meqnVBj76TcPBndHJsqfWt__P523TM0uOuVgH5609Ucnn4aM7q4w2Qr_tBn9nQemy8HRbvS4M-an-Moyidk/s640/DSC_1335.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It wasn't long before she was sound asleep.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqGETBKjVKeDenaacZb8Eh12kw__SxvQF1Vi7bB8Wgp1cXDrr66DLc-pp2yPYuuVMhJgFI-oW3IdvGSuQxipwN_FVI2e_Iz9CtxSKNFhz1Xdaf5a6BkRByQVjVkQ9bmXJtiKQ7TnMhhU/s1600/DSC_1337.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqGETBKjVKeDenaacZb8Eh12kw__SxvQF1Vi7bB8Wgp1cXDrr66DLc-pp2yPYuuVMhJgFI-oW3IdvGSuQxipwN_FVI2e_Iz9CtxSKNFhz1Xdaf5a6BkRByQVjVkQ9bmXJtiKQ7TnMhhU/s640/DSC_1337.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG89nWtFVjhDkY1aK6zJ6sc-_u2BGO4Cr6jpE5JBzjJhQskhq-Q6Lj-djLWFxjDeQ102DZXmBz4ieALhEClR-DIX8gvMzbP3sa-lqwxp_eZMKDDDoAeLStum6p9JNqK_C3MkXvILVPeQ/s1600/DSC_1311.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG89nWtFVjhDkY1aK6zJ6sc-_u2BGO4Cr6jpE5JBzjJhQskhq-Q6Lj-djLWFxjDeQ102DZXmBz4ieALhEClR-DIX8gvMzbP3sa-lqwxp_eZMKDDDoAeLStum6p9JNqK_C3MkXvILVPeQ/s640/DSC_1311.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And so, we have another new baby on the farm. What a joy these little ones are. In her first two days of life, Belle had visits from neighbors and friends who left the farm with smiling faces and lighter hearts. Oh, to be able to bless others by my presence like sweet and spunky Belle!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-36838048401287636022018-03-20T23:27:00.001-04:002018-03-20T23:27:31.417-04:00Life Lessons<span style="font-size: large;">The best thing about having the <a href="http://www.vancescountryguesthouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Guest House</a> and farm is sharing it with others...especially the young ones. Showing them where food comes from...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">and the effort it takes to get it to the table are important lessons.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQropN5Cl_lVg6lM9srzrB7_2ok1y1I5vU4sgq6M-KzCdKUgqfsj3jfaWBKaeIxouThnjZpwphMUrM7jrtyFv5LRwWDfX7TOhowvz0keoCd4HrWyYRGofC80Q__zB1QRgV2A1EEyuP66k/s1600/DSC_0508.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQropN5Cl_lVg6lM9srzrB7_2ok1y1I5vU4sgq6M-KzCdKUgqfsj3jfaWBKaeIxouThnjZpwphMUrM7jrtyFv5LRwWDfX7TOhowvz0keoCd4HrWyYRGofC80Q__zB1QRgV2A1EEyuP66k/s640/DSC_0508.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The rhythm of the farm,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMbfsQDP4of-5vySQ373_ieuvdKfsHU5FXI3Yzln6LyalPEMCoqsbXyG06STp7gUKR9R8eb6W6DzwZJH0ZJN8hRz4db-Vuc8fZjky3tMswYqcwCMk8A0xctPfoXbYS2R5JCP0blgqrUc/s1600/DSC_0617.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMbfsQDP4of-5vySQ373_ieuvdKfsHU5FXI3Yzln6LyalPEMCoqsbXyG06STp7gUKR9R8eb6W6DzwZJH0ZJN8hRz4db-Vuc8fZjky3tMswYqcwCMk8A0xctPfoXbYS2R5JCP0blgqrUc/s640/DSC_0617.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">with chores morning and evening,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7YCQ329Q_c8YWinHFJHU66ZGvl3egGV8LkjtzpnJ4qGsfeiLDQCFtMGsW1R9DeeLrVX2EQxpyqvNOopJvLMYBmVMyArK7FxjmGkzEVtr0KjpM8FHDRfgx11xx9ed3zauDS6vwsl2biM/s1600/DSC_1131.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1600" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7YCQ329Q_c8YWinHFJHU66ZGvl3egGV8LkjtzpnJ4qGsfeiLDQCFtMGsW1R9DeeLrVX2EQxpyqvNOopJvLMYBmVMyArK7FxjmGkzEVtr0KjpM8FHDRfgx11xx9ed3zauDS6vwsl2biM/s640/DSC_1131.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">hide values like consistency, commitment, and responsibility within.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhqPddiAopnVX3MW8JxxB76vww9Khf1IWPNhYS7FSclaZ-7-axk5OexOaJPbnObz3ZJj-nQvq1T850VKDqd10Lf7vzE8fCUZYx8vg_YL25U7ToC_RxGRClD3gVwC_UtK9-P2RNVgAwfA/s1600/DSC_0954.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1090" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhqPddiAopnVX3MW8JxxB76vww9Khf1IWPNhYS7FSclaZ-7-axk5OexOaJPbnObz3ZJj-nQvq1T850VKDqd10Lf7vzE8fCUZYx8vg_YL25U7ToC_RxGRClD3gVwC_UtK9-P2RNVgAwfA/s640/DSC_0954.blog.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And when you are faithful to the farm, there are rewards!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQj_PCmcqqDsy77qPfD188NTFUQGorM09u8so53EcSEVGV2BGdjYiRrRHsoTtb-3xba-VadIb4IndSDzeGWk21mOxPV9IiH2HkxH-6XqeCmHIeJ0ngnksHTzsmkFK78TrDORShY-cg6Cs/s1600/DSC_5548.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQj_PCmcqqDsy77qPfD188NTFUQGorM09u8so53EcSEVGV2BGdjYiRrRHsoTtb-3xba-VadIb4IndSDzeGWk21mOxPV9IiH2HkxH-6XqeCmHIeJ0ngnksHTzsmkFK78TrDORShY-cg6Cs/s640/DSC_5548.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8KBDSETeBWmCiyCG5MqQF0mZb3EuUarOTdLbelfK4Dsv29yJJJiVdSxtQk_6_yg_8zWCn93n3thmhLpIzSd9-8dqoxJOx_ANZ8jgmm4pqocoorjSlb4s0PF9BJD6gjooY2ojBBe5wLw/s1600/DSC_0933.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8KBDSETeBWmCiyCG5MqQF0mZb3EuUarOTdLbelfK4Dsv29yJJJiVdSxtQk_6_yg_8zWCn93n3thmhLpIzSd9-8dqoxJOx_ANZ8jgmm4pqocoorjSlb4s0PF9BJD6gjooY2ojBBe5wLw/s640/DSC_0933.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Children are with us only a little while, both here on the farm and throughout life.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SVY7ZjvqphORDAbhrEj21i7bjXfr1BIaI82Ys2qZwr3XSybAT54vBDdyrrfnQPzSVvBV8Phu3a4nNgCnk7EfOvW1AX9JshPbpWI3p3lMMMA0n-oHhgB5lOm-JbW6SdsTgjxpCAZsy3c/s1600/Hannah+milking+by+Lora.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="625" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SVY7ZjvqphORDAbhrEj21i7bjXfr1BIaI82Ys2qZwr3XSybAT54vBDdyrrfnQPzSVvBV8Phu3a4nNgCnk7EfOvW1AX9JshPbpWI3p3lMMMA0n-oHhgB5lOm-JbW6SdsTgjxpCAZsy3c/s640/Hannah+milking+by+Lora.blog.jpg" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Lora Garst</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Whether they are just beginning their journey,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Jl8la148okkBuApaLYscXA0F2srNrp4T6QVo62t_vrH-8qw9TwU_oo9kd8Mo8iNtUgJQ4UX22wXIKEq2nPYebwsF-vFVH-0PCGiTICvl3uJpi2fymOV0rTom6_6R2GzuQ1uGoyJEZaU/s1600/Carolina+by+Lora.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="379" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Jl8la148okkBuApaLYscXA0F2srNrp4T6QVo62t_vrH-8qw9TwU_oo9kd8Mo8iNtUgJQ4UX22wXIKEq2nPYebwsF-vFVH-0PCGiTICvl3uJpi2fymOV0rTom6_6R2GzuQ1uGoyJEZaU/s640/Carolina+by+Lora.blog.jpg" width="438" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Lora Garst</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">are somewhere in the middle,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpxlsRfBUcXTMTRlM2GZ6TN1Bcnnb84N2pRxP4Puwz4PkLjS47REY4bpH6_3KKfPyc9J-NoQGo_ozVvHPUpyslISnH_YyWnIBIVM0yVZVwxUFWXPv0p_vtijZM9MWl54nXX2NHr8KQTM/s1600/DSC_0639.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpxlsRfBUcXTMTRlM2GZ6TN1Bcnnb84N2pRxP4Puwz4PkLjS47REY4bpH6_3KKfPyc9J-NoQGo_ozVvHPUpyslISnH_YyWnIBIVM0yVZVwxUFWXPv0p_vtijZM9MWl54nXX2NHr8KQTM/s640/DSC_0639.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">or about to set off on their own path of adventure,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2eCj0mtIlc1R0qehNN1HhDuMG1zmUnKvELC836ol-ZD_fh7OxNt-qOyTUiYie_2bAu86Sycp9xG7DgELuiyErr4cNpc7sJLCqDP0llc8xDoAXYAhyphenhyphenRdknKceS1m3RSgJLHt2yjKuIGU/s1600/DSC_0997.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2eCj0mtIlc1R0qehNN1HhDuMG1zmUnKvELC836ol-ZD_fh7OxNt-qOyTUiYie_2bAu86Sycp9xG7DgELuiyErr4cNpc7sJLCqDP0llc8xDoAXYAhyphenhyphenRdknKceS1m3RSgJLHt2yjKuIGU/s640/DSC_0997.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">we are thankful for every child that comes to our farm.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkRstLMQGfkLN-U7Qi1JDqMH1BFUxjzqWqlzSEaaU-6WFbl4Z8RFG-Pmo_eh2nin2IWbMbFlGCFOCzZyVZaQZDKzivT-4h56qIFbqu1mCIcPW68xGqlFvpUM6aXFTc51y_6zPJeW6vp8/s1600/DSC_1029.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkRstLMQGfkLN-U7Qi1JDqMH1BFUxjzqWqlzSEaaU-6WFbl4Z8RFG-Pmo_eh2nin2IWbMbFlGCFOCzZyVZaQZDKzivT-4h56qIFbqu1mCIcPW68xGqlFvpUM6aXFTc51y_6zPJeW6vp8/s640/DSC_1029.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We hope they are making memories that will make a difference,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrpHFb2TKJ8UD79d1QAMFW2ehA7ndXaAhobV5Fw2GK2iwACmdfJZpCo8tjt6YvzY4jpDBvTTGbHko3HRitwyvQmyPJkSoaSCADAbewkC0Xm0lQT0BkKnAwNMAZc8ZHmZHtZM4i4AT6f0/s1600/DSC_1013.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrpHFb2TKJ8UD79d1QAMFW2ehA7ndXaAhobV5Fw2GK2iwACmdfJZpCo8tjt6YvzY4jpDBvTTGbHko3HRitwyvQmyPJkSoaSCADAbewkC0Xm0lQT0BkKnAwNMAZc8ZHmZHtZM4i4AT6f0/s640/DSC_1013.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and in turn, make this world a sweeter place.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0jxxiywC64PmM-utguiN76R19dCNJHpV4XixZyMwj8hA6Hp28Zp-xBZaJKoX4iLMRXTrUsV0d4AbCKqYJVpXM4_9I5T2se3CarNzhBuGAAecPPeNw4ldBM52FR2kUwpwL7P-mrMKjW8/s1600/Nancy+%2526+Carolina+by+Lora.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="631" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0jxxiywC64PmM-utguiN76R19dCNJHpV4XixZyMwj8hA6Hp28Zp-xBZaJKoX4iLMRXTrUsV0d4AbCKqYJVpXM4_9I5T2se3CarNzhBuGAAecPPeNw4ldBM52FR2kUwpwL7P-mrMKjW8/s640/Nancy+%2526+Carolina+by+Lora.blog.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Lora Garst.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-36022348434905421882018-01-06T00:51:00.000-05:002018-01-07T09:09:29.269-05:00Venturing Out<span style="font-size: large;">Like millions of others who live in the eastern third of the U.S., we've been "in the freezer" all week. Temperatures here in the mountains of Virginia have struggled to get into the 20s during the day and plunged to zero and below at night. The wind has been blowing as well, making it feel even colder. Engines don't want to start, furnaces and heat pumps are running nonstop, and wood stoves are burning hot as folks battle the cold. It creeps in and spreads through houses despite best efforts to insulate. Many a door and window have rugs, towels, or rags stuffed around them to keep the icy air at bay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because I could, I've been hibernating inside the house since Wednesday, not even venturing out to the mailbox. Unlike so many others who must go out, I've been able to stay in these last four days. Today, however, I did venture out for maybe half an hour because Robin came in from farm chores and said, "Get your camera. There's a big ice flow on the creek bank." And so the bundling began. First, the "tube" that keeps the wind off my neck:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC8FUP9IjbzbTzmoZGxglGGhBTdHRhZllkoVycnyuoCsykf6yTJz-w5LVstMQwRa6XhO0eUQGTzyWxyTsBAxaqmPTAJTClGPlxBHvk5RUXW3XTbpOdJY0RvZyy3ry4jSeYgrcCwHXhvI/s1600/DSC_0640.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1189" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC8FUP9IjbzbTzmoZGxglGGhBTdHRhZllkoVycnyuoCsykf6yTJz-w5LVstMQwRa6XhO0eUQGTzyWxyTsBAxaqmPTAJTClGPlxBHvk5RUXW3XTbpOdJY0RvZyy3ry4jSeYgrcCwHXhvI/s640/DSC_0640.sig.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then my favorite fleece jacket that I got for $3 at <i>Twice Is Nice</i>, a local second-hand store that benefits our medical center:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQVmJt2YdrJPMYLG4eYQo4BwHyPdHy4mhlREnBMtxqAc0PUrd61mOWFWSBD7NVn_2N-9U8h7KvebArgF4CVtwtq4Ff5USMA03trLiNeDLQYgfXvXNM46dFfI5DrwFrGozmEYSLUNTFds/s1600/DSC_0639.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1122" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQVmJt2YdrJPMYLG4eYQo4BwHyPdHy4mhlREnBMtxqAc0PUrd61mOWFWSBD7NVn_2N-9U8h7KvebArgF4CVtwtq4Ff5USMA03trLiNeDLQYgfXvXNM46dFfI5DrwFrGozmEYSLUNTFds/s640/DSC_0639.sig.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next came my goose-down coat that reaches almost to me knees. After that, I added my hat.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHbrS-u3X9khcbLmq3S99tro15TVy4l9LJqOUxB-KZVSSlBP6tGjvExvpnzUm-QXn0VLIrvsr-fdFHmOhx2KpQ5fk0PwZz5T8yikx7ZIkj_m3kgVh19sH_uq6UzrU-mkJniSXH9I8j_Y/s1600/DSC_0637.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1600" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHbrS-u3X9khcbLmq3S99tro15TVy4l9LJqOUxB-KZVSSlBP6tGjvExvpnzUm-QXn0VLIrvsr-fdFHmOhx2KpQ5fk0PwZz5T8yikx7ZIkj_m3kgVh19sH_uq6UzrU-mkJniSXH9I8j_Y/s640/DSC_0637.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For my hands, there were these nifty mittens.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2NDLFYqm16uRDkvgn2nEx91l5Ypcc6qBfMBu9OR79TAt4OYhlKnqGxp-owNTWHq-TdV2fZA9pMSAXzr2y60AKmLhnE0gmctiq5MZeMBWyPgMfKSuJ7JSyiyuuLLHLu9RoaDJ4pLOiBU/s1600/DSC_0636.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2NDLFYqm16uRDkvgn2nEx91l5Ypcc6qBfMBu9OR79TAt4OYhlKnqGxp-owNTWHq-TdV2fZA9pMSAXzr2y60AKmLhnE0gmctiq5MZeMBWyPgMfKSuJ7JSyiyuuLLHLu9RoaDJ4pLOiBU/s640/DSC_0636.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They have a flap over the fingers that can be folded back...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GnFhdaYZF2eQ31SW7tgbsEM89tDVH8YGfnbYL62_5-0r7Bw4n2ZhYFU7MoBAJZGAeFhCeEnbVOxV63VI0lShkmYKBciY7u0rFGOQZkn41m-nCievyYEyrEoC9jxB_bRrRiPZ7lVG_KU/s1600/DSC_0635.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1600" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GnFhdaYZF2eQ31SW7tgbsEM89tDVH8YGfnbYL62_5-0r7Bw4n2ZhYFU7MoBAJZGAeFhCeEnbVOxV63VI0lShkmYKBciY7u0rFGOQZkn41m-nCievyYEyrEoC9jxB_bRrRiPZ7lVG_KU/s640/DSC_0635.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">which makes them perfect for taking photos in the cold. For my feet, I started with knee socks. They've been standard dress all week.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT5ApmA1AY0D3ZV-n30EieAB0kxTp-qJaccTowen7gT_jTqbeWUdBr4fZ2EwLnR4rpkDTZot-LuwrcyLd4n8oS5T6XOL5wtYTs8TzZxnrlWOWHxuEa7HthtuJ4r6-y8R7VfkL_79NlCc/s1600/DSC_0643.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT5ApmA1AY0D3ZV-n30EieAB0kxTp-qJaccTowen7gT_jTqbeWUdBr4fZ2EwLnR4rpkDTZot-LuwrcyLd4n8oS5T6XOL5wtYTs8TzZxnrlWOWHxuEa7HthtuJ4r6-y8R7VfkL_79NlCc/s640/DSC_0643.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Over these I put some heavy-duty cold-weather socks...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm5Qn6tymZDAkX9oRjiE70YREwe49GfeWWzXA9_L1Pat9BNZHfUD9x6a1q0dPGSRGtsdSuWLilKHJmZdvJH0TpL5dzdEOAkr-_EDEXRl-a23N4A0JYDf_o6VrmAGo_C6dUWA_rVHd0yM/s1600/DSC_0642.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm5Qn6tymZDAkX9oRjiE70YREwe49GfeWWzXA9_L1Pat9BNZHfUD9x6a1q0dPGSRGtsdSuWLilKHJmZdvJH0TpL5dzdEOAkr-_EDEXRl-a23N4A0JYDf_o6VrmAGo_C6dUWA_rVHd0yM/s640/DSC_0642.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and finally, my muck books that are lined with neoprene and keep my feet warm for quite a while.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImfWqa51Eydnzyi7FodVNMTq_XmP-MpdSWFvMzAkIHtXD1hHliqDoJhEZBnMAgVkgyyxcEtU5duTCxnS7oJWQWJnMbF6hf46bgfeLIZV8JeFalSCiqvvXoryemr2zeT0bOUmqZtB9H4o/s1600/DSC_0641.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImfWqa51Eydnzyi7FodVNMTq_XmP-MpdSWFvMzAkIHtXD1hHliqDoJhEZBnMAgVkgyyxcEtU5duTCxnS7oJWQWJnMbF6hf46bgfeLIZV8JeFalSCiqvvXoryemr2zeT0bOUmqZtB9H4o/s640/DSC_0641.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The last step in bundling up was to pull up my hood. Now you might think I was overdoing it a bit for such a short excursion. We did go when the temperature was at the high for the day...but at only 8 degrees above zero and in a farm truck with a heater that doesn't work very well, I was glad to have all those layers!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRePHMCOZDoyMg_Ok5vY6ZCeAxXkB7xYJHzBs4Pq2-m_R6H5bLRDWhqOJLRKCcP24Ihuh68cx8qxmV1pO2q3CfSQnGATUVxHsSsA4HctriRNxt0EoqICfk4iClObIkJ5hoi6zl3Pp184/s1600/DSC_0644.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRePHMCOZDoyMg_Ok5vY6ZCeAxXkB7xYJHzBs4Pq2-m_R6H5bLRDWhqOJLRKCcP24Ihuh68cx8qxmV1pO2q3CfSQnGATUVxHsSsA4HctriRNxt0EoqICfk4iClObIkJ5hoi6zl3Pp184/s640/DSC_0644.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After all the trouble I'd gone to, the ice formation didn't seem too impressive at first sight.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_EpcguTAPwp5Li8jJE0ErkaP1bVTiROU91QDPChtdK4qmfoznvemdXGNBOr5HUWIa0iq6qbq4dSZ4OL4me1GLr001ErVtJxKXU_KSTVWR9sooFXV4SILLqNt5PL5LhWELAs8Q-jZsE4/s1600/DSC_0611.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_EpcguTAPwp5Li8jJE0ErkaP1bVTiROU91QDPChtdK4qmfoznvemdXGNBOr5HUWIa0iq6qbq4dSZ4OL4me1GLr001ErVtJxKXU_KSTVWR9sooFXV4SILLqNt5PL5LhWELAs8Q-jZsE4/s640/DSC_0611.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But, like most things, a closer look revealed a wee bit of wonder.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRdwlEV2_GhyphenhyphenhbLrNBoGxlZFnbMWv-NiZGwemoGrxErGJQNTokiL5u_ky9v7oH-lnT7aqix4uT4-ZCRzzImag0xi7aUXYo9WSsD9kfGx33cWbrFCIcc2Fug5j5bKcg0lIG5CXLM1NOz0/s1600/DSC_0613.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRdwlEV2_GhyphenhyphenhbLrNBoGxlZFnbMWv-NiZGwemoGrxErGJQNTokiL5u_ky9v7oH-lnT7aqix4uT4-ZCRzzImag0xi7aUXYo9WSsD9kfGx33cWbrFCIcc2Fug5j5bKcg0lIG5CXLM1NOz0/s640/DSC_0613.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Either there is a wet-weather spring in this hillside, or rainwater drains through the ground and emerges about halfway up. At the base of the bank is a small creek which, of course, was frozen solid.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6uRXoPrnhkhucTTNQvFOQvJtvUhS1AQlMHcXzztzsxKpwgAhUNEXkk7tqj28BUKQiZn3D2oSnJMH16tvCoVp2_o3617hDYvsi8T_llJt0uq6SVQdCJONWyA_uRDwzB1pQ5WaAc1ybXg/s1600/DSC_0606.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6uRXoPrnhkhucTTNQvFOQvJtvUhS1AQlMHcXzztzsxKpwgAhUNEXkk7tqj28BUKQiZn3D2oSnJMH16tvCoVp2_o3617hDYvsi8T_llJt0uq6SVQdCJONWyA_uRDwzB1pQ5WaAc1ybXg/s640/DSC_0606.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Robin had to help me across since the ice was quite slippery. I'm glad there wasn't anyone else around with a camera to record that little trek!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FTcrsT8BNhP-Jw-HwreRNnGp7CRFZD_LT6d1mX8jUe0eYXy3R0wrbI1-BixzrWf_Cqxl7vAr_TrQFRw3580MiPJtEJZjDBPWMFrkIVNs03tzYksz_TScOP2j-U2OsorAePRX-WCksdE/s1600/DSC_0604.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FTcrsT8BNhP-Jw-HwreRNnGp7CRFZD_LT6d1mX8jUe0eYXy3R0wrbI1-BixzrWf_Cqxl7vAr_TrQFRw3580MiPJtEJZjDBPWMFrkIVNs03tzYksz_TScOP2j-U2OsorAePRX-WCksdE/s640/DSC_0604.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But I got some nice photos from the middle of the creek, don't you think?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2isT2Xpe2elvXrDaghQQCWu-_wE_Z-6AKD1vS968sXieZ6nVVXpT253Lo_14dc5Dq_54GA3xwaEBotjEU3f8HCqTv4xHZKMjDklx69JzeSQKYAN0cTYVe7Q-Y6kpliEF45rmzfQ4qnfE/s1600/DSC_0609.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2isT2Xpe2elvXrDaghQQCWu-_wE_Z-6AKD1vS968sXieZ6nVVXpT253Lo_14dc5Dq_54GA3xwaEBotjEU3f8HCqTv4xHZKMjDklx69JzeSQKYAN0cTYVe7Q-Y6kpliEF45rmzfQ4qnfE/s640/DSC_0609.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once on the other side, there were only a few places to put my feet that weren't slick, so I couldn't move around much to take photos. Even so, here's what I was able to capture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwia99nVHvyAUQlaSrWWa6qTEbPpBXNS_kU65F_VO18JrlwJ5CEiGEypN3VIl3cwrULQ3ceSrysCFqMeRAdeaTf5uB-UMNTw6KpTdIIPBBC018igzGb-0IHZmNnSjDBqLjq-NQG7hdMEo/s1600/DSC_0590.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwia99nVHvyAUQlaSrWWa6qTEbPpBXNS_kU65F_VO18JrlwJ5CEiGEypN3VIl3cwrULQ3ceSrysCFqMeRAdeaTf5uB-UMNTw6KpTdIIPBBC018igzGb-0IHZmNnSjDBqLjq-NQG7hdMEo/s640/DSC_0590.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWfl0PuLjsYeRiOW1s5yco1ZmHN2S7wQxmSfQpqfKKgYFgUU-FnocN82iKeiBlstfOyTDxKfftZYKLA3O3usVUeivbcgfTxeP9UBsK_euyfNZGyCJA40aQSohfAHWgLFp5P7iRny19Ks/s1600/DSC_0592.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWfl0PuLjsYeRiOW1s5yco1ZmHN2S7wQxmSfQpqfKKgYFgUU-FnocN82iKeiBlstfOyTDxKfftZYKLA3O3usVUeivbcgfTxeP9UBsK_euyfNZGyCJA40aQSohfAHWgLFp5P7iRny19Ks/s640/DSC_0592.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course the big dogs went along for the adventure. Although they didn't appreciate Mother Nature's ice sculpture, they were totally absorbed by the smells and sounds.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPL0zgLS4Q7Iag12knuysICF1mUwW_fBjwAZEgVKoi7SJ8PSUa-T0UffuuoGDvqGKSkW6mWGpk1U_BO1f1znCd06Y9nHSg66YcrFm3TDkk4HRbX6H4dVziy6UIcEhV5J9tHTRMT7AYt0/s1600/DSC_0596.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPL0zgLS4Q7Iag12knuysICF1mUwW_fBjwAZEgVKoi7SJ8PSUa-T0UffuuoGDvqGKSkW6mWGpk1U_BO1f1znCd06Y9nHSg66YcrFm3TDkk4HRbX6H4dVziy6UIcEhV5J9tHTRMT7AYt0/s640/DSC_0596.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Ernie. He'll be five in a few days.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFoi-dAIDP1uzPAqymU2icnoPJOfL2gGo6kvKYeDAw_yWLwFOuRvFNrLJIkB1lJi5DGXpCipK1GTeu9PVrGCzcV9P4r_UcESe3XrA_wvZIdVlrLtFPaq0rUyLZVAqk4dog7XrMhBZA0A/s1600/DSC_0597.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFoi-dAIDP1uzPAqymU2icnoPJOfL2gGo6kvKYeDAw_yWLwFOuRvFNrLJIkB1lJi5DGXpCipK1GTeu9PVrGCzcV9P4r_UcESe3XrA_wvZIdVlrLtFPaq0rUyLZVAqk4dog7XrMhBZA0A/s640/DSC_0597.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Leah. She's Ernie's mama and she just turned seven on December 28th.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcf3izYWPcOH7NQG2ctKmCU8gc2fmeT01JdZNfuEVnNg24ZKzykeJAHeByrAnD5zGGuoaInJYe6DT8iPBHDD1DxaLG9NURiqTKCy3GiNcontXgePjkfbdQ5knKPYX4O4bokYfV1pg2dUY/s1600/DSC_0600.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcf3izYWPcOH7NQG2ctKmCU8gc2fmeT01JdZNfuEVnNg24ZKzykeJAHeByrAnD5zGGuoaInJYe6DT8iPBHDD1DxaLG9NURiqTKCy3GiNcontXgePjkfbdQ5knKPYX4O4bokYfV1pg2dUY/s640/DSC_0600.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is Ernie's papa. His name is Red. He's one good dog in so many ways! He's 11 1/2<br />
and though he's showing some signs of aging, he's still going strong.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All three dogs were sniffing and scrambling, but Ernie...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkADDwwewhP8zrQO_lnY6vAvkbMCYmS_xAzIU3r5GHJcrH1-E1RnmGZZt9gcuygCff7meDARJ1YBDxY_SvMcyqJSSMzltdfLoKbmIO32ofirsYS2BTT69WzLlEHNTe-gdXe9tZ5HPtbw/s1600/DSC_0601.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkADDwwewhP8zrQO_lnY6vAvkbMCYmS_xAzIU3r5GHJcrH1-E1RnmGZZt9gcuygCff7meDARJ1YBDxY_SvMcyqJSSMzltdfLoKbmIO32ofirsYS2BTT69WzLlEHNTe-gdXe9tZ5HPtbw/s640/DSC_0601.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">...well, Ernie had a little trouble.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCr2P1LAhXAu7U5XHjNU7HbXJqzzq17a4euwfSxrce5COA8aEKpO4XdhXL4-OJBEIHlFOY0hzSrAl4CJbdUmSF6S6_xupk42b5VzKHUsQZ_sYiQzhS2QM51YauxTe1QsoxJU3Wf3pDqT8/s1600/DSC_0602.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCr2P1LAhXAu7U5XHjNU7HbXJqzzq17a4euwfSxrce5COA8aEKpO4XdhXL4-OJBEIHlFOY0hzSrAl4CJbdUmSF6S6_xupk42b5VzKHUsQZ_sYiQzhS2QM51YauxTe1QsoxJU3Wf3pDqT8/s640/DSC_0602.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">His nose was getting all his attention when his back feet hit the slippery ice. After some scrambles, a somersault, and a flying leap of <i>several</i> feet, he landed (on his feet) on the frozen creek beside Robin. Thankfully he's fine, but he didn't venture back up the hill!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the time Ernie's acrobatics were over, the cold was seeping into our coats and boots. We skated (if you can call it that) back across the creek and headed home. Then came the undoing of all those layers: first off were the mittens, then the coat and hood, the hat, the fleece jacket, the "tube," the boots, and finally the extra socks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In less than an hour, the entire adventure was over. I sat down at the computer with some hot spiced cider and started on the part where you come in: getting the pictures out of the camera and into this post! Stay warm out there!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaStI6W3ccDb2AElLgvJUm9PKwI2H8mEb60ubv8TFEeXBgw0_ErQWiRPqKWZ4uzMp3Sxa6brZnXXKuJtlbb8btOo5m8Mgw4eyJILkhS_D5rpqyZC7XNOHqiHkIWHMnulINZTx8OE61_8/s1600/DSC_0648.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaStI6W3ccDb2AElLgvJUm9PKwI2H8mEb60ubv8TFEeXBgw0_ErQWiRPqKWZ4uzMp3Sxa6brZnXXKuJtlbb8btOo5m8Mgw4eyJILkhS_D5rpqyZC7XNOHqiHkIWHMnulINZTx8OE61_8/s640/DSC_0648.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-41479756292923589672017-09-18T00:45:00.000-04:002017-09-18T00:45:01.288-04:00Finally Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Way back on the first of December, our Jersey milk cow was artificially bred. That was over nine months ago...and ever since then we've been waiting. First it was waiting to see if she "took," then it was waiting to see her tummy grow - that took a long time. For the last four weeks or so, we've been waiting for her baby to arrive.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcZCi1UK5q3oWjQ4fWoJ9H_SqaGndpVEKjoB2gjSMiv9nW6Vdm9h6vmwY_wQOWuEjH-JwkeFQbsZyxdbXDexv-bzFfo63x7nvCt78o1USVNKIjEEgCD0Gbsbyn2LNw11HIjWrMT_WLVg/s1600/DSC_0282.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcZCi1UK5q3oWjQ4fWoJ9H_SqaGndpVEKjoB2gjSMiv9nW6Vdm9h6vmwY_wQOWuEjH-JwkeFQbsZyxdbXDexv-bzFfo63x7nvCt78o1USVNKIjEEgCD0Gbsbyn2LNw11HIjWrMT_WLVg/s640/DSC_0282.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Waiting,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpmCKfo4WxGyyA2fWKQKDAAOa5QWIUD32t34Ak_hYuBu5FbFTDoaVk9Gpo9aCjen8F3L_Fxb0wZu0O0iLXCUOAgvclu21K27WT-ITVzyRIkT91lS7VhJvtxcyRVdY8s5qbHcYl2n_noo/s1600/DSC_0286.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpmCKfo4WxGyyA2fWKQKDAAOa5QWIUD32t34Ak_hYuBu5FbFTDoaVk9Gpo9aCjen8F3L_Fxb0wZu0O0iLXCUOAgvclu21K27WT-ITVzyRIkT91lS7VhJvtxcyRVdY8s5qbHcYl2n_noo/s640/DSC_0286.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and waiting,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGmNzGRNaRFN8UyfLf-PaYFvV5WGVGo3hetM9-Hzb7Ev-7-YILJEgLsQtQGxK4Ef9fsa4U-Ppr_gp8i1JbPlPzHKe3PHsnCH-t-vfMa9111NoTI1hJ3L0EwV4Y3KQSIMkQGzhyphenhyphenm8UC9Q/s1600/DSC_0299.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGmNzGRNaRFN8UyfLf-PaYFvV5WGVGo3hetM9-Hzb7Ev-7-YILJEgLsQtQGxK4Ef9fsa4U-Ppr_gp8i1JbPlPzHKe3PHsnCH-t-vfMa9111NoTI1hJ3L0EwV4Y3KQSIMkQGzhyphenhyphenm8UC9Q/s640/DSC_0299.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and waiting,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUwqglF7HfoWG4q4NC8GenNL3xGjQfHVABgX-OPDuK0v5ymm2WDbr4U_I71zVnxHRUuwFZ6EnF0pUq8205XIT9UwLRgzC4uGozZqv189d1IAKeME0jm0qS4EWMskeldbIeQR0Cz7SO4o/s1600/DSC_0311.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUwqglF7HfoWG4q4NC8GenNL3xGjQfHVABgX-OPDuK0v5ymm2WDbr4U_I71zVnxHRUuwFZ6EnF0pUq8205XIT9UwLRgzC4uGozZqv189d1IAKeME0jm0qS4EWMskeldbIeQR0Cz7SO4o/s640/DSC_0311.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and waiting some more.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpY1sEtu6kmhn3L27IW6gus8MAxwd9th-fGOAAHoDqdnEeVZts-TmB03FQ15tYDuvfRab_gtHk1qjnFHULlziL5sB47qLRIBE7wCqE3kK74LjJaubKplgdtrQbSxB9Wlqqx6SkBWgtcYk/s1600/DSC_0371.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1243" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpY1sEtu6kmhn3L27IW6gus8MAxwd9th-fGOAAHoDqdnEeVZts-TmB03FQ15tYDuvfRab_gtHk1qjnFHULlziL5sB47qLRIBE7wCqE3kK74LjJaubKplgdtrQbSxB9Wlqqx6SkBWgtcYk/s640/DSC_0371.sig.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was obvious there was a baby in there, especially when</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">we took into consideration the size of her udder...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_23QjggC-sLG5wg0WUzP-CsrrS1lwrQBLF51Q3ffq2oheiWf0L5MLLK2MMQ6Rmd0eVfA-vqRcW7jHySa8aVjWBrJFmfdRTP82A5rbD4P7vs4N_GZIY34qE9fTUXpzfIy8SuqSw36vw_M/s1600/DSC_0453.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1600" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_23QjggC-sLG5wg0WUzP-CsrrS1lwrQBLF51Q3ffq2oheiWf0L5MLLK2MMQ6Rmd0eVfA-vqRcW7jHySa8aVjWBrJFmfdRTP82A5rbD4P7vs4N_GZIY34qE9fTUXpzfIy8SuqSw36vw_M/s640/DSC_0453.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but it seemed as if it would <i>never</i> come.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_chrJrea_LgnocliuK7q_T3yu8t3IrFEM12ZbiLKMNmN0wr-RtrDdHK7opDpTo8Gr6pHD_ADUmnKFmKhWnJeKx2vEUV4z8pssyqNeV192qVia0fW25evSwRawkB5HNvL4gxc-KckR0I/s1600/DSC_0455.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_chrJrea_LgnocliuK7q_T3yu8t3IrFEM12ZbiLKMNmN0wr-RtrDdHK7opDpTo8Gr6pHD_ADUmnKFmKhWnJeKx2vEUV4z8pssyqNeV192qVia0fW25evSwRawkB5HNvL4gxc-KckR0I/s640/DSC_0455.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For weeks Robin checked on her at bedtime, in the middle</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of the night, and early in the morning. Yesterday morning it</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">was the same conversation when Robin came in:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Me: "No baby?" Robin: "No baby."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSrcE8v5M649sGJLqRB7w4_i3oOGbPJECHK3CEeTxyb1XHplKKNabtZVvm8X0TPiMvtNPryYJ_g3_2YRa0FMqkBYpoc7qVvkMF9SaqdUvfWdyh7BlKzWJPgdRDsnD3qeH8kYXy5nx2Dc/s1600/DSC_0378.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSrcE8v5M649sGJLqRB7w4_i3oOGbPJECHK3CEeTxyb1XHplKKNabtZVvm8X0TPiMvtNPryYJ_g3_2YRa0FMqkBYpoc7qVvkMF9SaqdUvfWdyh7BlKzWJPgdRDsnD3qeH8kYXy5nx2Dc/s640/DSC_0378.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Robin went back to the farm to shock corn stalks and I sat down</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to eat my breakfast. The phone rang: "Hurry up! You've got</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a baby and he's trying to stand up!" I gulped my last bite</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of toast, flew upstairs and threw on some clothes, and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">grabbed the camera. The farm is just under two miles</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">from our house, and my car didn't piddle. And just look</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">what was waiting for me!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcBE-RUKbJmMlKUQI69VR5uROesmWnYwN0PuQFEqv2Sz7VEcJoswX_TSh70FkpBITct9hU7pesIeZ-54jllxEGKip5n8kbgjNyJ_tFZbdKzUAjJzc_AE-vCzbSUAoHNQfj94cP7Mn9g4/s1600/DSC_0466.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcBE-RUKbJmMlKUQI69VR5uROesmWnYwN0PuQFEqv2Sz7VEcJoswX_TSh70FkpBITct9hU7pesIeZ-54jllxEGKip5n8kbgjNyJ_tFZbdKzUAjJzc_AE-vCzbSUAoHNQfj94cP7Mn9g4/s640/DSC_0466.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZTL6IwiwEttuVpKHjNDFaLQt50X90j_AGfV_tgFwtpVZnJ_sZd6pdEdFusUn68J308QOgE6KCjdsdZgKmnuKO3Mq-V8q6F6w1hYPwJEhdfGEaCGTQRVUi5Ot_w5gPN09Cd6PKjR94Eo/s1600/DSC_0469.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZTL6IwiwEttuVpKHjNDFaLQt50X90j_AGfV_tgFwtpVZnJ_sZd6pdEdFusUn68J308QOgE6KCjdsdZgKmnuKO3Mq-V8q6F6w1hYPwJEhdfGEaCGTQRVUi5Ot_w5gPN09Cd6PKjR94Eo/s640/DSC_0469.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMJPWCEw7IWoccOMNVytTnPqQtgcPk1_-8wAHxd8NKXd2YeSQyvQJhU-Bwleo2PWRpSOMS11yT89wnNIjQ5OIcSfzcnzlklL83z_wNRBaa5NFq9QVUfPidIlveaj54DDE47o-f89NjVQ/s1600/DSC_0479.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMJPWCEw7IWoccOMNVytTnPqQtgcPk1_-8wAHxd8NKXd2YeSQyvQJhU-Bwleo2PWRpSOMS11yT89wnNIjQ5OIcSfzcnzlklL83z_wNRBaa5NFq9QVUfPidIlveaj54DDE47o-f89NjVQ/s640/DSC_0479.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuaH9BA8cxsodZU_dYcZ910Xlvc6QGWU6JNjOiqWvRLl_LAZ_6E1agnwQ3F0Sl1JK7HvxqAcR4wl1zBBCXGDn7uNZwOAkksT59BhCQzk_DyhVC30sN0DYkqbuWOtjOgfjD7Y8bTxiuog/s1600/DSC_0472.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuaH9BA8cxsodZU_dYcZ910Xlvc6QGWU6JNjOiqWvRLl_LAZ_6E1agnwQ3F0Sl1JK7HvxqAcR4wl1zBBCXGDn7uNZwOAkksT59BhCQzk_DyhVC30sN0DYkqbuWOtjOgfjD7Y8bTxiuog/s640/DSC_0472.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mama Star had delivered her baby all on her own,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">probably around 6:00 am. When I got there,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">around 8:30, he was working hard at standing up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It didn't take him very long to figure out how to get up,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but staying up was another story. All that effort on an empty</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">stomach was just too much, so a short nap was in order.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xDY2feulsh3C8IPGYQG_TkhGG57xkg0e8PCz66jsrDvh9-jFKwn5VVlhSIaafHcq4w0lrHPZzBJ-OcstTP9jwvpV2xroME33MMJ1zQhdkCKlJyQnRvOkdWfr8Yyz_PiLu0tMdTP8yAo/s1600/DSC_0488.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xDY2feulsh3C8IPGYQG_TkhGG57xkg0e8PCz66jsrDvh9-jFKwn5VVlhSIaafHcq4w0lrHPZzBJ-OcstTP9jwvpV2xroME33MMJ1zQhdkCKlJyQnRvOkdWfr8Yyz_PiLu0tMdTP8yAo/s640/DSC_0488.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKdH8WiweWPhSwKOPwLAG917F1POyNMhncWzUqVgaTFS6-FnXgppOAgqyLFhF1oAe_SJ2i4gJlZmPCCjwHcTTPwQMucHoXcsB0LAZI0QGDGbznQXWXuV-FIYiQec6kRUP2Y4tNr3UhmM/s1600/DSC_0490.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKdH8WiweWPhSwKOPwLAG917F1POyNMhncWzUqVgaTFS6-FnXgppOAgqyLFhF1oAe_SJ2i4gJlZmPCCjwHcTTPwQMucHoXcsB0LAZI0QGDGbznQXWXuV-FIYiQec6kRUP2Y4tNr3UhmM/s640/DSC_0490.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGmIhXTRnu1MONnEzSbKTF8WucsF3NLuQmtp2e6WhimObTM6L47JHxVIu8ZLiI7XqYl4Xvm7Lt_G9Ty9bgPU-32i-r4MhvQMwjw2AuyYHcFprrK-QNLjngW2a-SSWW3WLUvoL5OiPC50/s1600/DSC_0492.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGmIhXTRnu1MONnEzSbKTF8WucsF3NLuQmtp2e6WhimObTM6L47JHxVIu8ZLiI7XqYl4Xvm7Lt_G9Ty9bgPU-32i-r4MhvQMwjw2AuyYHcFprrK-QNLjngW2a-SSWW3WLUvoL5OiPC50/s640/DSC_0492.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A hungry tummy is a powerful motivator, though,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and it wasn't long before he was up again and searching for breakfast.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9zNReozjAryS6URD4ABadmYWlWiMj5rpEX2nQjdWgzid4d90BYxGc2wOdSkWlKXe1makj-LJ2meJTsdvfuGDsuDXIOHl_EekLQNF5mXW9EyCJykkWVTo3n2lLsguaHeFPht0DxnpxeI/s1600/DSC_0497.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9zNReozjAryS6URD4ABadmYWlWiMj5rpEX2nQjdWgzid4d90BYxGc2wOdSkWlKXe1makj-LJ2meJTsdvfuGDsuDXIOHl_EekLQNF5mXW9EyCJykkWVTo3n2lLsguaHeFPht0DxnpxeI/s640/DSC_0497.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He knew which end...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMBfDDc4zFH0UpKLXRzDuLOmRM1yAV6hJwFPwUTdp5NvBTwo_F117wIuo7BPB7ADc_4VdBmt4a-ii2bvgBPTiLPh6KYZE-MN1B1i2Qv3wAm4Cv0z2aYYNeXy8ZCueX-0XmYwqIujS5qM/s1600/DSC_0495.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMBfDDc4zFH0UpKLXRzDuLOmRM1yAV6hJwFPwUTdp5NvBTwo_F117wIuo7BPB7ADc_4VdBmt4a-ii2bvgBPTiLPh6KYZE-MN1B1i2Qv3wAm4Cv0z2aYYNeXy8ZCueX-0XmYwqIujS5qM/s640/DSC_0495.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and he knew how to suck...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOLsMla6GJKpNPkHDks5BaLEPWCvP7xLsYt4S7XoXZygMMS43tZRvsl-UApTlq48jkew5VQB0y-rSEOP4KbJBDAuHOW2InReyXkZxsoVet5tzePyLog32ULFYmAdAkKNWS6iFmNbJiS8/s1600/DSC_0496.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOLsMla6GJKpNPkHDks5BaLEPWCvP7xLsYt4S7XoXZygMMS43tZRvsl-UApTlq48jkew5VQB0y-rSEOP4KbJBDAuHOW2InReyXkZxsoVet5tzePyLog32ULFYmAdAkKNWS6iFmNbJiS8/s640/DSC_0496.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but he couldn't quite get in the right spot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After several minutes of trying, he needed some more rest.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_kwtAlxiJcsayU-WLq2oc1iMKt1TJz9DO_asY9eMb1ypybTpBfjk_1hxVRX9JTXaISYTSyjUAkNTwCYNthrzEf3HZ6qOIFDXKsjeu0WDKmTn3IPqA6hPlK-cahLVbw0ZCSb9QQMQWMY/s1600/DSC_0501.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_kwtAlxiJcsayU-WLq2oc1iMKt1TJz9DO_asY9eMb1ypybTpBfjk_1hxVRX9JTXaISYTSyjUAkNTwCYNthrzEf3HZ6qOIFDXKsjeu0WDKmTn3IPqA6hPlK-cahLVbw0ZCSb9QQMQWMY/s640/DSC_0501.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This time Mama joined him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AWP81CwBZXQ2dnE4Lft0Vw6E7_FabFLKtGvXmcmPzzf2S1Qnv7vpzGWTqR5Hh4nMpfP0p2XN-Ijl3ZJkk_yf4qE1Td2u5QPhszpKAhQcbdjG_kGa59N04wIppD-uhF-b-2SRbvSFAmY/s1600/DSC_0505.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AWP81CwBZXQ2dnE4Lft0Vw6E7_FabFLKtGvXmcmPzzf2S1Qnv7vpzGWTqR5Hh4nMpfP0p2XN-Ijl3ZJkk_yf4qE1Td2u5QPhszpKAhQcbdjG_kGa59N04wIppD-uhF-b-2SRbvSFAmY/s640/DSC_0505.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lp5bThnCrErouBHObFce0DocsehumnRDlM8Zp-KhzauvmnZHeSTZVeKoObt4554Hi5N0kp3XbKPJPTc2x71kbtmC4alDxqV1DvASY1v_JYaSY19xxSykYeFq1_EuyxDPZv_LO3QPAZI/s1600/DSC_0507.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lp5bThnCrErouBHObFce0DocsehumnRDlM8Zp-KhzauvmnZHeSTZVeKoObt4554Hi5N0kp3XbKPJPTc2x71kbtmC4alDxqV1DvASY1v_JYaSY19xxSykYeFq1_EuyxDPZv_LO3QPAZI/s640/DSC_0507.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBmn1oELHpK29OglR59b-HQd6Tu_zjbfT8mGbnAtDSNnfbPfNs2QVEpC4-1jGg76vWKIkBHeRxL3kot61MVNz1BdZbB1WTqbTR2R0BF1u_-4GUVkaTk_g6P753JnhkErDXnNVVxaGGo0/s1600/DSC_0506.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBmn1oELHpK29OglR59b-HQd6Tu_zjbfT8mGbnAtDSNnfbPfNs2QVEpC4-1jGg76vWKIkBHeRxL3kot61MVNz1BdZbB1WTqbTR2R0BF1u_-4GUVkaTk_g6P753JnhkErDXnNVVxaGGo0/s640/DSC_0506.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPrqeL_iZG-qvUOlOAKKG_PRXyzlOXTopRvlTjQ1KtOOMU8GK0HFrN4hOvAcUpmiuQjfBIdQcm_8xiyVELr3joJMVdCRGnlrdKx7g2Qsv96ajA-KRGLtHFKIkgBeWn7stduHeYBWMbzE/s1600/DSC_0508.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPrqeL_iZG-qvUOlOAKKG_PRXyzlOXTopRvlTjQ1KtOOMU8GK0HFrN4hOvAcUpmiuQjfBIdQcm_8xiyVELr3joJMVdCRGnlrdKx7g2Qsv96ajA-KRGLtHFKIkgBeWn7stduHeYBWMbzE/s640/DSC_0508.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Later, in the afternoon, Robin got both Mama and Baby</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in the barn. He helped the little guy out a bit and soon he was</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">feasting and filling up his empty tummy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYjVvtGQYIrTKjX4J6OAMwKdYaMb8HEMrsp75p9okTJjVFS-DAz6GIv3fbzuxFIZBCq9j9IrTvNsVftdxplPsIyvqMNmXuZiwO_Hmc44JOPDrimArJfLuA4yFn0LBRU4xPy-h7SD6GNY/s1600/DSC_0519.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYjVvtGQYIrTKjX4J6OAMwKdYaMb8HEMrsp75p9okTJjVFS-DAz6GIv3fbzuxFIZBCq9j9IrTvNsVftdxplPsIyvqMNmXuZiwO_Hmc44JOPDrimArJfLuA4yFn0LBRU4xPy-h7SD6GNY/s640/DSC_0519.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDzqwugN9pWPFPoj8ikfhb0poNCcOqEos5PUGgBFWi_FdRmJTHPG60GS5GbfGDM0nmrgKKAdxmOEknlNLRlpiYUl0RvJo9d-wtqbhk8TGWrqgyfNOfXKpC74bq-oPz69bxmRMgQ_3IOY/s1600/DSC_0514.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDzqwugN9pWPFPoj8ikfhb0poNCcOqEos5PUGgBFWi_FdRmJTHPG60GS5GbfGDM0nmrgKKAdxmOEknlNLRlpiYUl0RvJo9d-wtqbhk8TGWrqgyfNOfXKpC74bq-oPz69bxmRMgQ_3IOY/s640/DSC_0514.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvtiVpkbNru4LhlGJwn7x7_FPBJtHtjKolH8KKRjJED1Lq56IADkYMStB37fbmiTIxScETcK7fiJosE1X1OzaOq0OobDVeni6WK41evomTBiJGShGHu9P0ghH_IOJmFC-sI7LIdPsIiE/s1600/DSC_0515.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvtiVpkbNru4LhlGJwn7x7_FPBJtHtjKolH8KKRjJED1Lq56IADkYMStB37fbmiTIxScETcK7fiJosE1X1OzaOq0OobDVeni6WK41evomTBiJGShGHu9P0ghH_IOJmFC-sI7LIdPsIiE/s640/DSC_0515.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Because Star had so much milk, there was no way this</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">new baby could drink it all. Mama needed some relief!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_wTiXhkprYA-lc488n05uD6WLIkECW4XSM09kVAf6s2lWbH3_S8Gtyxgue0DownNMZwNDRwhO2h3OWQZa8I_gqNJCzU-7v-TRmH7V6j1Ka6v4pH-1eUtsrf37bfZpYFkMkMLYTEjJbE/s1600/DSC_0534.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_wTiXhkprYA-lc488n05uD6WLIkECW4XSM09kVAf6s2lWbH3_S8Gtyxgue0DownNMZwNDRwhO2h3OWQZa8I_gqNJCzU-7v-TRmH7V6j1Ka6v4pH-1eUtsrf37bfZpYFkMkMLYTEjJbE/s640/DSC_0534.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Robin milked out over a gallon of the golden colostrum,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the rich first milk that is filled with all a newborn needs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_Ns3S2ObiCKFIYP5oLfWoKWAAiemEWHolkxmgoHE3GgfYcbmQR0oEPdbHZdEmz1anfPoL5oFuuBCVPZwI7jcYiThK5STh_0JhNA5IkDsLZpvqas26ear6BDZPS1NUXY8i1-ykRXMmwM/s1600/DSC_0532.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_Ns3S2ObiCKFIYP5oLfWoKWAAiemEWHolkxmgoHE3GgfYcbmQR0oEPdbHZdEmz1anfPoL5oFuuBCVPZwI7jcYiThK5STh_0JhNA5IkDsLZpvqas26ear6BDZPS1NUXY8i1-ykRXMmwM/s640/DSC_0532.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTLu9-LENj_tCH2TmUARjt6Yf8WvnmIycjgp3l70t4kmCARFSEm8NXgbYB0jO3OgRt-XPj1edHROijXHg3rWt9iJ3bfQPzrZtPr8Ys1jQEjITUHRfcbRaeTPCjbHut63VpKA-uEFspfk/s1600/DSC_0550.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTLu9-LENj_tCH2TmUARjt6Yf8WvnmIycjgp3l70t4kmCARFSEm8NXgbYB0jO3OgRt-XPj1edHROijXHg3rWt9iJ3bfQPzrZtPr8Ys1jQEjITUHRfcbRaeTPCjbHut63VpKA-uEFspfk/s640/DSC_0550.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Although it was probably uncomfortable at first,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Star was mighty glad to give a bucketful of milk.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRrmAvJ9EvYLsBpqqEbzYeXPPFvl-ZplxEl20g7ZmYoYnSNP0gbMEqMNcF7vmMZYTQRw4_Bmx8iqbh0yF2FQuBXBAPbmQZ28lkoKfFh5EXG9YfLHFRw-G-kMTMrkNwS11qddNOpbgnxc/s1600/DSC_0530.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRrmAvJ9EvYLsBpqqEbzYeXPPFvl-ZplxEl20g7ZmYoYnSNP0gbMEqMNcF7vmMZYTQRw4_Bmx8iqbh0yF2FQuBXBAPbmQZ28lkoKfFh5EXG9YfLHFRw-G-kMTMrkNwS11qddNOpbgnxc/s640/DSC_0530.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Later, she got a little treat of grain for all her efforts.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSnktulWeoqNiFYU9U57xH3-0Rwo_PJhNgUOz3ZFk3tjSbQapgVbHrAHmMoNOdifKhRvYt1t1Q_PY7xBr2-7WFV6HaYJ2-ZBqEt5BhxRaN2A4Kej6IrGsyj5niSK-cb-lFArIC5f_TWk/s1600/DSC_0542.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSnktulWeoqNiFYU9U57xH3-0Rwo_PJhNgUOz3ZFk3tjSbQapgVbHrAHmMoNOdifKhRvYt1t1Q_PY7xBr2-7WFV6HaYJ2-ZBqEt5BhxRaN2A4Kej6IrGsyj5niSK-cb-lFArIC5f_TWk/s640/DSC_0542.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At home, I strained the colostrum and put it in bottles for the freezer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHSoToLvwxLe_9Fa44YAQgym7HSs_1GBLmFKZdQMoM8otdny9HhR3K0ZS_5SIB7bK97aDE8zdHH5MWRslQcHpBufb_RcMa1WQt8orrNxYauappjf31dSdE67RSQnZ-lytfxPbnObI7PA/s1600/DSC_0551.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHSoToLvwxLe_9Fa44YAQgym7HSs_1GBLmFKZdQMoM8otdny9HhR3K0ZS_5SIB7bK97aDE8zdHH5MWRslQcHpBufb_RcMa1WQt8orrNxYauappjf31dSdE67RSQnZ-lytfxPbnObI7PA/s640/DSC_0551.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is highly prized by fellow farmers to nourish a weak calf or lamb</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that needs an extra boost. We're thankful to have so much to share.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjen0C_JDBJ0Lm3mnIEzgtKa6cP515JHQ3NhPs8ZrE_2jKj8GmpbRwoSsr1dZDMw04qfYdieQIhyphenhyphenCK4Ipfvq-rmNLDb5kJEiPpFLIRGPwnIiKnIZ-PSqrtAHBbwVsCoA3q6P1LJw5yUy2w/s1600/DSC_0555.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjen0C_JDBJ0Lm3mnIEzgtKa6cP515JHQ3NhPs8ZrE_2jKj8GmpbRwoSsr1dZDMw04qfYdieQIhyphenhyphenCK4Ipfvq-rmNLDb5kJEiPpFLIRGPwnIiKnIZ-PSqrtAHBbwVsCoA3q6P1LJw5yUy2w/s640/DSC_0555.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">By evening, our new baby was stronger and more sure of his legs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QJCzRyWJMyamt9nHscxExNZR5y6PafQ9BQamztlabi1LhAYBFSQR0EF_UNhwDurXaFxJJlYXTu6RjEuIs3OipEKhOkvDO9fCJm653DU43abECb7nqvbeguC-V6uykJDNoEOIsg-l1pM/s1600/DSC_0560.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1106" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QJCzRyWJMyamt9nHscxExNZR5y6PafQ9BQamztlabi1LhAYBFSQR0EF_UNhwDurXaFxJJlYXTu6RjEuIs3OipEKhOkvDO9fCJm653DU43abECb7nqvbeguC-V6uykJDNoEOIsg-l1pM/s640/DSC_0560.sig.jpg" width="442" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He's a mighty pretty boy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4uc_Atxa6UQ5hCN9Mj0-txqJ-ZmML5R47jFZwzlNzX_vNVqiY113Yparxzl-FC-yz0_9Wgm2dleynB2UyvlJO6qhpaaZMJqd-cpqoasscWLRzfetEBzkPcaGTxwHFajr7ehk0aRkDno/s1600/DSC_0579.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4uc_Atxa6UQ5hCN9Mj0-txqJ-ZmML5R47jFZwzlNzX_vNVqiY113Yparxzl-FC-yz0_9Wgm2dleynB2UyvlJO6qhpaaZMJqd-cpqoasscWLRzfetEBzkPcaGTxwHFajr7ehk0aRkDno/s640/DSC_0579.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This afternoon, he could go in and out of the barn by himself.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g1W4oS51wP0NGIVlqD4mURffxFCUNJ1-_cOz2EnGIUwgu8pGf_Hmty0EVIH6h0vlcKlUSM-03M8dNZjcDUnNcfNdjYS_f_R3QSnCIrXTCi6KmNv-au9WB71toiB4BBAx1-BBc67_SVY/s1600/DSC_0582.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g1W4oS51wP0NGIVlqD4mURffxFCUNJ1-_cOz2EnGIUwgu8pGf_Hmty0EVIH6h0vlcKlUSM-03M8dNZjcDUnNcfNdjYS_f_R3QSnCIrXTCi6KmNv-au9WB71toiB4BBAx1-BBc67_SVY/s640/DSC_0582.sig.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's amazing how quickly this baby is gaining independence.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But he still needs his mama.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lBYY5Yc_BDZ2DYreCEqTgGdLNLJzosQ_YUiJr797dBXD-u4RAAn0yAbgQUkBcIK1Jmkk5D-2s4ZE3WRzkLdL_tR4vTaklGQfUOatUoq8_CReQedQx0bKXgKKctRXJlgNBBYT39RydmU/s1600/DSC_0575.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lBYY5Yc_BDZ2DYreCEqTgGdLNLJzosQ_YUiJr797dBXD-u4RAAn0yAbgQUkBcIK1Jmkk5D-2s4ZE3WRzkLdL_tR4vTaklGQfUOatUoq8_CReQedQx0bKXgKKctRXJlgNBBYT39RydmU/s640/DSC_0575.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just look at those eyelashes! What a miracle to behold!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We're so glad you're finally here, little guy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R7eRtIfiaLGLsf3rb4nbTdytbtNDd34xVnTBNHTRELwNYd2ZaDk2Xd9Ly7UOSKo4h_5txz1KII2Md-P_0sROv4CkNZ2DmCAXsDwGZel2Ka6vI0KwcWZsH8t533Zmk0zJm7PPhy3IFNw/s1600/DSC_0584.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1453" data-original-width="976" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R7eRtIfiaLGLsf3rb4nbTdytbtNDd34xVnTBNHTRELwNYd2ZaDk2Xd9Ly7UOSKo4h_5txz1KII2Md-P_0sROv4CkNZ2DmCAXsDwGZel2Ka6vI0KwcWZsH8t533Zmk0zJm7PPhy3IFNw/s640/DSC_0584.sig.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-50462119228542110982017-06-18T14:32:00.003-04:002017-06-18T14:32:56.450-04:00Leaf Lessons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was about right here that I first noticed it,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">several yards up the road.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3fp2ue9iJq4df9HIKAbUu-MGHclepIISWLb9_hKKKP93EsQjxqSOMO_kljb2j0O9jw3Yld-DsigIdJo-5uPxdNiIEbLIvNDTW2Rf1eXM5g3EI8M3FkUP8nSkdOABEWiGNmEKadRoIQ0/s1600/DSC_0357.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3fp2ue9iJq4df9HIKAbUu-MGHclepIISWLb9_hKKKP93EsQjxqSOMO_kljb2j0O9jw3Yld-DsigIdJo-5uPxdNiIEbLIvNDTW2Rf1eXM5g3EI8M3FkUP8nSkdOABEWiGNmEKadRoIQ0/s640/DSC_0357.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you see it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ki2C7ToKN33vxP4FCfFPJLw26qPre_s1-_83cm09bErpf9J2av7BUBjeZes8bDuCtMbkH8bQIbW7ah9hgaA2eelujGD2K6cD45SPrXMrMBGNDaO0-ZpWeNnGdxJDnwq_F0L33DdfinY/s1600/DSC_0358.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ki2C7ToKN33vxP4FCfFPJLw26qPre_s1-_83cm09bErpf9J2av7BUBjeZes8bDuCtMbkH8bQIbW7ah9hgaA2eelujGD2K6cD45SPrXMrMBGNDaO0-ZpWeNnGdxJDnwq_F0L33DdfinY/s640/DSC_0358.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't figure out what it was...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho62T2Qdyts9cPgSi8ybxtExzGz1ecB-8eOncsGEuen4vKRnsiSbHf1LEPyPHjHwxEsRdET3q-dAGdctZT1Sv1iqCg3c01NFwaMtmTAEMQ_jXndVLSbejGIqd17T-Q-CUeHA1IJMG6tEI/s1600/DSC_0359.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho62T2Qdyts9cPgSi8ybxtExzGz1ecB-8eOncsGEuen4vKRnsiSbHf1LEPyPHjHwxEsRdET3q-dAGdctZT1Sv1iqCg3c01NFwaMtmTAEMQ_jXndVLSbejGIqd17T-Q-CUeHA1IJMG6tEI/s640/DSC_0359.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">until I got closer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBIZ2rtR_MtYgB754fX3j_JT2vpA51j7QnnHB5jkH1K9usNgY42b10TxzTBm8MfT8NCpcle8FlbfeTcrGsvrDqw737MVHHyiv_1uMkKf81cnOKLCBy2PZ7BShkpR0L0U3H5-5eGVFHTo/s1600/DSC_0360.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBIZ2rtR_MtYgB754fX3j_JT2vpA51j7QnnHB5jkH1K9usNgY42b10TxzTBm8MfT8NCpcle8FlbfeTcrGsvrDqw737MVHHyiv_1uMkKf81cnOKLCBy2PZ7BShkpR0L0U3H5-5eGVFHTo/s640/DSC_0360.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a leaf, a tiny <i>red</i> leaf. A little red leaf wouldn't be</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">unusual in October, but in June?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLM2Q7-AhAHTn3F9UAdYaHOWZFd9hO3FUffM5JegfjUWjK9YgybmWDNyZcuV65PSBluWTmz8hGKSvtQM7jyLR_iHM6LSJSSVnLqCmln-zHE6uPcsEtJL7cRg4oe1qvcYPo2PPEaUQsBs/s1600/DSC_0361.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLM2Q7-AhAHTn3F9UAdYaHOWZFd9hO3FUffM5JegfjUWjK9YgybmWDNyZcuV65PSBluWTmz8hGKSvtQM7jyLR_iHM6LSJSSVnLqCmln-zHE6uPcsEtJL7cRg4oe1qvcYPo2PPEaUQsBs/s640/DSC_0361.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I looked around, but couldn't find anything with red leaves,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">only the vibrant greens of early summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3fp2ue9iJq4df9HIKAbUu-MGHclepIISWLb9_hKKKP93EsQjxqSOMO_kljb2j0O9jw3Yld-DsigIdJo-5uPxdNiIEbLIvNDTW2Rf1eXM5g3EI8M3FkUP8nSkdOABEWiGNmEKadRoIQ0/s1600/DSC_0357.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3fp2ue9iJq4df9HIKAbUu-MGHclepIISWLb9_hKKKP93EsQjxqSOMO_kljb2j0O9jw3Yld-DsigIdJo-5uPxdNiIEbLIvNDTW2Rf1eXM5g3EI8M3FkUP8nSkdOABEWiGNmEKadRoIQ0/s640/DSC_0357.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A closer inspection revealed not only the brilliant red color,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but a few imperfections as well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwDkG1tExZfNSGm-uTOzzdxwllZRNHRlH5P2WYBDVC5EyHkWRfgRxCNFD1nlLne3tl4mgmJ9Zcb9rWYK7Go5Z5QX8Zja0gW-BWuaHNs1sOgf9h_onHLbqJeH_RS3CvISJTZw_qS3CBEw/s1600/DSC_0363.crop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwDkG1tExZfNSGm-uTOzzdxwllZRNHRlH5P2WYBDVC5EyHkWRfgRxCNFD1nlLne3tl4mgmJ9Zcb9rWYK7Go5Z5QX8Zja0gW-BWuaHNs1sOgf9h_onHLbqJeH_RS3CvISJTZw_qS3CBEw/s640/DSC_0363.crop1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">As I walked, I pondered this little red leaf. It was unconcerned about being the only thing red in a world of grey and green. The fact that there were no others like it didn't keep it from being true to its beautiful, red self. Nor was it hiding its blemishes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUozan8w6fQNbFVG0zs3u1GYmU9hyphenhyphengHseGFJTXPbNkFwHKFi8fZExmj5gXMXf5Ij5ZDeao5JuelL0H6leoNkrGvkcVvjE2mZUBAmy9AirmWhaI0E_FR5TMgJGAu8NB3xD2wBEWITCvco/s1600/DSC_0363.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUozan8w6fQNbFVG0zs3u1GYmU9hyphenhyphengHseGFJTXPbNkFwHKFi8fZExmj5gXMXf5Ij5ZDeao5JuelL0H6leoNkrGvkcVvjE2mZUBAmy9AirmWhaI0E_FR5TMgJGAu8NB3xD2wBEWITCvco/s640/DSC_0363.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The conclusion I came to is this: as a Christian,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I should be more like this tiny leaf!</span></div>
Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-85067017911201023932017-06-11T23:19:00.000-04:002017-06-11T23:19:52.668-04:00Touring History: The Major John A. Wallace Cottage<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you had asked me about the Major John A. Wallace Cottage <i>before</i> the Monroe County Historic Homes Tour, I wouldn't have been able to tell you a thing. You see, I didn't know this humble little house from my childhood had a name, let alone any historical significance. This photo was stuck on the refrigerator in the cottage kitchen and it is exactly how I remember the house from 40 years ago, give or take a few.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It sits directly across the street from the Sarver house.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sarver House</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like us Martins, the Sarvers had three girls the same ages as my sisters and me. We played together often, as our houses were only two streets apart. There are some good stories of our adventures, but that's another post...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Connie and I walked the short distance from the <a href="http://sweetrun.blogspot.com/2017/05/touring-history-gen-john-echols-house.html" target="_blank">General John Echols house</a> to the Wallace cottage. As we approached, I could easily tell that sometime after I left Union in the early 1980s, the tiny house received a complete and much-needed makeover. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Wallace Cottage was built in 1854, according to the printed tour guide sheet: <i>"John Wallace was the owner/operator of the Wallace Business College in pre-Civil War Union. The current owners of this tiny cottage have restored the building with a Greenbrier Hotel-inspired interior, featuring Dorothy Draper-style colors and details." </i>The Greenbrier Hotel is about 18 miles from Union, where you can see the work of famous decorator <a href="http://www.greenbrier.com/Top-Navigation-Pages/About-Us/Dorothy-Draper-Co.aspx" target="_blank">Dorothy Draper</a>, but this little place is wonderfully done in her colorful style.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The front door opens right into the small living room. Come to think of it, the front door is the only door!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first thing I noticed was the fireplace, to the right, maybe because the fire was so welcome on such a chilly day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To the right of the fireplace was this cabinet:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lamp caught my eye, too. I like vintage lamps. Vibrant colors were everywhere - check out the surface of the table the lamp is sitting on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was an inviting sofa facing the fireplace, and beyond that another interesting cabinet. The open door with the brass handle in the extreme left of this photo is the front door, which gives you an idea of how little the room is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The doorway under the stairs lead to the kitchen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like the living room, it's a little kitchen with color and whimsy everywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To the right of the fireplace was the sink, the stove, and some cabinets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To the left of the fireplace was another vintage cabinet. The window in this photo is on the front of the house.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vcyjT3EYn5RpZCuISYkmwA5Ld627EDcGSlI3olEaJBm60Mjx3NV8nOvT3sd2TOzfEpTWfwOX-yNDI0-8Q5SNxMGvauMt-NNuQLGOR-McSeLpm5k5XX_4SCD0547Y6HvcuNFQk1HvP70/s1600/DSC_0841.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vcyjT3EYn5RpZCuISYkmwA5Ld627EDcGSlI3olEaJBm60Mjx3NV8nOvT3sd2TOzfEpTWfwOX-yNDI0-8Q5SNxMGvauMt-NNuQLGOR-McSeLpm5k5XX_4SCD0547Y6HvcuNFQk1HvP70/s640/DSC_0841.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see the doorway (on the left) that leads back into the living room in this photo.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv8K4tbkQ476gStFcQRmvi16ssyCJpQwq6UFKwu4VO3Q3ETJ_41EMyLPKmRx4_JG6ljz_-Y5tIrLNQ0lbThTYEmrHpaflE2tYr4XBR7w2D2N-EHS_l8argej5sAZhITd6hHyCAPi97DU/s1600/DSC_0855.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv8K4tbkQ476gStFcQRmvi16ssyCJpQwq6UFKwu4VO3Q3ETJ_41EMyLPKmRx4_JG6ljz_-Y5tIrLNQ0lbThTYEmrHpaflE2tYr4XBR7w2D2N-EHS_l8argej5sAZhITd6hHyCAPi97DU/s640/DSC_0855.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To the right of the kitchen stove, a door lead to a pink bedroom on the back of the house.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGhmsv5imgNbX56q-WOOC-Hg67j5-UhHUeynFTZ51pqBNUY45hWxDvwZuxA4a-w3lTf4HhtKw72z_xjYRaCZEkzwlBvGicGBRVzzvlTOIK-4EBkNPDYpvIbLWWwD-7Qs4yKccuynz3lk/s1600/DSC_0845.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGhmsv5imgNbX56q-WOOC-Hg67j5-UhHUeynFTZ51pqBNUY45hWxDvwZuxA4a-w3lTf4HhtKw72z_xjYRaCZEkzwlBvGicGBRVzzvlTOIK-4EBkNPDYpvIbLWWwD-7Qs4yKccuynz3lk/s640/DSC_0845.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dhowf1waOWTyBteCI9_QQhI0UPU3QoW75m0ubtObBZrwfsfGTYq3EGqh-pX1Ttg2T8Bp576mBnJ3R_2iJ36dJKtN9Cta-uJrfZaZyqfgwccFEjfcMox1Ze3Gq1eUl6Tc263qm0EATI8/s1600/DSC_0847.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dhowf1waOWTyBteCI9_QQhI0UPU3QoW75m0ubtObBZrwfsfGTYq3EGqh-pX1Ttg2T8Bp576mBnJ3R_2iJ36dJKtN9Cta-uJrfZaZyqfgwccFEjfcMox1Ze3Gq1eUl6Tc263qm0EATI8/s640/DSC_0847.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bedside table had another delightful lamp.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXXVF6_ROPtUlNXzYn6CLxvi2RC-wfL2Z-659lMl5TbAFvdhinxDg-2G1kQWzEJCvOBz7utD34wHGpQ8He5z0fiuIqgmm06722iLncNm1qFEaNwzxZ7D-8M2gD-Y1_soeeLLhhGePsNw/s1600/DSC_0844.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXXVF6_ROPtUlNXzYn6CLxvi2RC-wfL2Z-659lMl5TbAFvdhinxDg-2G1kQWzEJCvOBz7utD34wHGpQ8He5z0fiuIqgmm06722iLncNm1qFEaNwzxZ7D-8M2gD-Y1_soeeLLhhGePsNw/s640/DSC_0844.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And on top of yet another vintage green cabinet was a nod to the cottage decor's inspiration: a hat box from a shop at The Greenbrier.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGtXLmE_p-UhmWW3i2f0PLky7bCOq_vsp7ehw29-eXYiUpdDp_0nWosQP9eR9qAGrDLwbECvth71KreRQ7mdX8lWN-qaEeBFshgiTmvK5Bwjm1JdR1nVJZET8V7_VzMx8fBPu8Cnb49A/s1600/DSC_0852.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGtXLmE_p-UhmWW3i2f0PLky7bCOq_vsp7ehw29-eXYiUpdDp_0nWosQP9eR9qAGrDLwbECvth71KreRQ7mdX8lWN-qaEeBFshgiTmvK5Bwjm1JdR1nVJZET8V7_VzMx8fBPu8Cnb49A/s640/DSC_0852.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just off this cozy retreat was a tiny, but complete bath.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml-sQAk1YmjFPPH6lMo71JRYmyGwzBdr06JlEPD3C71r8gDJnP0iB3jguA47bXSThC5Q0tR85M806ceDuGYhvhohqS_SoiprOTrTV_mPNMUESjMTK15bJHB8WAyELXRHnN-2V5yERu8s/s1600/DSC_0848.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml-sQAk1YmjFPPH6lMo71JRYmyGwzBdr06JlEPD3C71r8gDJnP0iB3jguA47bXSThC5Q0tR85M806ceDuGYhvhohqS_SoiprOTrTV_mPNMUESjMTK15bJHB8WAyELXRHnN-2V5yERu8s/s640/DSC_0848.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0npKAmsbybQ9rQyEiB-e5BbqTqtrugJqX4F2wmRNNpIJLI-6fvKP2wsa0qqGKi3NDebSWVSk3b2CGltW34XuNRhbjAhBI72tZT6Ueo4ICJpKKbmvFa9Li9c5_r0zPziOMcJ2Ny2I8JU/s1600/DSC_0850.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0npKAmsbybQ9rQyEiB-e5BbqTqtrugJqX4F2wmRNNpIJLI-6fvKP2wsa0qqGKi3NDebSWVSk3b2CGltW34XuNRhbjAhBI72tZT6Ueo4ICJpKKbmvFa9Li9c5_r0zPziOMcJ2Ny2I8JU/s640/DSC_0850.sig.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AnZkWHQXeXjgNdEa8oUscr7fgNZNKJSh37Qx5UsZGkUvTmasTXsRvp1MjnJ0onJaf4Tg3KG6HEMl6ZCYIkQwMEK25U_t_M8AF6JXtnbCAsGYESsvs942G8Lur4oqi4yXurpJJvGxwy8/s1600/DSC_0851.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1115" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AnZkWHQXeXjgNdEa8oUscr7fgNZNKJSh37Qx5UsZGkUvTmasTXsRvp1MjnJ0onJaf4Tg3KG6HEMl6ZCYIkQwMEK25U_t_M8AF6JXtnbCAsGYESsvs942G8Lur4oqi4yXurpJJvGxwy8/s640/DSC_0851.sig.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTIu2SJYIHuWuHmnb9oOFMSZmlZQZr2HOWibSQEScvL7mVC01yObf1qo2LaGp880J3A2MgqsN6S-bHK0sFklbbXnJCo_tsy5iUNRB17_WKCXvX1O0nIjLpIgUHxcQ2uqGr_6PJYIP5Xc/s1600/DSC_0849.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTIu2SJYIHuWuHmnb9oOFMSZmlZQZr2HOWibSQEScvL7mVC01yObf1qo2LaGp880J3A2MgqsN6S-bHK0sFklbbXnJCo_tsy5iUNRB17_WKCXvX1O0nIjLpIgUHxcQ2uqGr_6PJYIP5Xc/s640/DSC_0849.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From here we retraced our steps to the living room. In the front corner was a narrow staircase leading to, believe it or not, a second floor!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsjG-rx8M_tHWllfoCMpsRRBo-M9jokk1JpFlCV35ezAkOMxqV4ioD63-sWPus6YiIXdS14u5pmUAPpnTmSRvAQnv4K7t_TCqWxG64MhEe3aAcDeWaQq0N2QCjog81f0xG87WdDLGgV0/s1600/DSC_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsjG-rx8M_tHWllfoCMpsRRBo-M9jokk1JpFlCV35ezAkOMxqV4ioD63-sWPus6YiIXdS14u5pmUAPpnTmSRvAQnv4K7t_TCqWxG64MhEe3aAcDeWaQq0N2QCjog81f0xG87WdDLGgV0/s640/DSC_0836.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A small table sat at the foot of the stairs (behind the front door), adorned with, of all things, a pink and black high-heeled shoe! A Barbie doll was also there. The amazing thing was, all these eclectic things looked completely normal and at home.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jlgWyPirbelJYsfqCA0LD43O0BSX6PG6B5kvA8SOlLfcZyO1O7dcuPUSd_vFVRqQ4f_23Ru2H7WspbP5SDCmDAsldkrlLAWRghc08Lfi2SJ-3aUut9iLP93lbfGFCDTX683Ui7dSma4/s1600/DSC_0856.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jlgWyPirbelJYsfqCA0LD43O0BSX6PG6B5kvA8SOlLfcZyO1O7dcuPUSd_vFVRqQ4f_23Ru2H7WspbP5SDCmDAsldkrlLAWRghc08Lfi2SJ-3aUut9iLP93lbfGFCDTX683Ui7dSma4/s640/DSC_0856.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the top of the stairs we found wavy and uneven floors, tell-tale signs of the 163 years of use the cottage has seen. There was a twin bed in the small hallway, and another tiny bath.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaHymbZQznwYVx-IqIAv6YYy9EVRqRHjjyLwoguLGt-Qc5xd-9HnznxVXg7pMG1Ma6M2_SHBJ4G9kLNyVD86sGIPz_QnWIfT2b5IB-U0r2PXqT9TjmzH9w1FgU16dgrHfIMPMmcxsKiM/s1600/DSC_0857.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaHymbZQznwYVx-IqIAv6YYy9EVRqRHjjyLwoguLGt-Qc5xd-9HnznxVXg7pMG1Ma6M2_SHBJ4G9kLNyVD86sGIPz_QnWIfT2b5IB-U0r2PXqT9TjmzH9w1FgU16dgrHfIMPMmcxsKiM/s640/DSC_0857.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AvfQRCMjun-bDDOm4SVJHzbhcO_eio-YT8sBXHrmvdz-PIuULL7i3_feXped7jZwFZWILvx-6M2VSKu7qoiPiolJw142OYFOlQjHBZTUPwMt8hb0OsvpoQ88qRNjQjotDA05E-6RoW4/s1600/DSC_0858.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AvfQRCMjun-bDDOm4SVJHzbhcO_eio-YT8sBXHrmvdz-PIuULL7i3_feXped7jZwFZWILvx-6M2VSKu7qoiPiolJw142OYFOlQjHBZTUPwMt8hb0OsvpoQ88qRNjQjotDA05E-6RoW4/s640/DSC_0858.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Passing through the hallway/bedroom, we came into the last room of the house. Here we found another bedroom, this one with a full size bed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY97DA6xNFmb_JBfXJN8WK4t7E7tKO70ZVKxTQOKvElpNYTzIfiHW8LyceCeZD_IRqSpBKqftXIdFkyQq-wxIZDNeB1ZTumnwfKAQrPStvbIkZsiy1pkt6-JPswb22L9IUQ6CSjqOpHVY/s1600/DSC_0860.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY97DA6xNFmb_JBfXJN8WK4t7E7tKO70ZVKxTQOKvElpNYTzIfiHW8LyceCeZD_IRqSpBKqftXIdFkyQq-wxIZDNeB1ZTumnwfKAQrPStvbIkZsiy1pkt6-JPswb22L9IUQ6CSjqOpHVY/s640/DSC_0860.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This little guy held the door open,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasfJlYb0D7ErwLkzvOglhAZlrdQEF9mCPlWUKLGUbsAUc46kuaJDbD8bpL0S2BuDvOupg-ZqP2kr2u3nfK2NEWcGDWothmFRNKSzHj7UTw5HidS479r6wo0nY7xmnSS3CWHUM3PMDUqY/s1600/DSC_0862.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasfJlYb0D7ErwLkzvOglhAZlrdQEF9mCPlWUKLGUbsAUc46kuaJDbD8bpL0S2BuDvOupg-ZqP2kr2u3nfK2NEWcGDWothmFRNKSzHj7UTw5HidS479r6wo0nY7xmnSS3CWHUM3PMDUqY/s640/DSC_0862.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and above the fireplace were some very unusual mounts. They appeared to be made of felted wool. And who would have though of decorating the mantle with vintage flower pots!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigv02lx46TJsDUWi9KfE-M7k0rjd5nxJ0bCRnclNaJjUiotX5fBJ3VrtT0NStSXOt0lR8G7l-MWJj81Wio5PAP1fmP4SMk1SMVe31O2X_aX9tnBT1-4NbRqadUwHeuosQVNiKQPLyNKSo/s1600/DSC_0864.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigv02lx46TJsDUWi9KfE-M7k0rjd5nxJ0bCRnclNaJjUiotX5fBJ3VrtT0NStSXOt0lR8G7l-MWJj81Wio5PAP1fmP4SMk1SMVe31O2X_aX9tnBT1-4NbRqadUwHeuosQVNiKQPLyNKSo/s640/DSC_0864.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout the house were white board ceilings, original wood floors, and colorful rugs. Every room exuded welcome, whimsy, and delight. Multiple colors, patterns, and styles came together in a harmonious decor that stimulated the senses and soothed the mind at the same time. It's a style I don't think I could ever achieve, but I had no trouble at all enjoying every inch of it. And to think all of this is now inside that once-neglected little house...who knew??!</span></div>
Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-19701880418086113212017-05-28T21:05:00.000-04:002017-05-28T21:05:17.719-04:00Touring History: The Gen. John Echols House<span style="font-size: large;">When my sister and I left <a href="http://sweetrun.blogspot.com/2017/05/touring-history-dransfield-store.html" target="_blank">The Dransfield Store</a>, we continued on to our next chosen stop on the Monroe Co. (WV) Historic Homes Tour. Back in Union, where we grew up, we visited the General John Echols House. We know it better as "the Boone house." Connie can remember Papa Boone, but I don't. The Dillons and the Maseys are who I remember.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back in the 1960s, Julia Dillon lived here with her mother, Eunice. Julia was beautiful, probably in her early twenties, and seemingly everything a little girl like me dreamed of being. I vividly remember attending her wedding at the Presbyterian church nearby (not the one in the background - that's the Episcopal church), and walking with many of the other guests to this house, where the reception was held. It was quite exciting to an seven-year-old girl like me when Julia threw her bridal bouquet from the upper porch.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY61aVcsYWjcn34aGOEOx8AEhsPWv3uAVzeVL9xFigJRucsZ48PJiI2opdgfXTzv8cBIF7OSPu3oosWAFzUppuKuKPQ8yiIFhNeggSPtGPjlgtVF7YsOULwHgfiLwdMK057AgLJzd-TY/s1600/Julia+Dillon+Wedding.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY61aVcsYWjcn34aGOEOx8AEhsPWv3uAVzeVL9xFigJRucsZ48PJiI2opdgfXTzv8cBIF7OSPu3oosWAFzUppuKuKPQ8yiIFhNeggSPtGPjlgtVF7YsOULwHgfiLwdMK057AgLJzd-TY/s640/Julia+Dillon+Wedding.sig.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look what I found in my first scrapbook! It's the article about Julia Dillon's wedding<br />from our local newspaper, plus the printed napkin from her reception.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Julia had two older sisters: Peggy and Mary Lou. The Sarver girls and us Martin girls have them to thank for a magnificent box of dress-up clothes. Left over from the Dillon girls' heyday in the 50s and 60s (maybe even some from the 40s), there were party dresses, shoes, stoles...everything we needed to boost our imaginations.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqa2DGJJH6xlpaOPjQ7YkQ439g0NqfSx6bPyPbikoTX94aonbPQekybaTp1HD5navbCn-o6c-CodN-dS28976OXMKqqGVgh1sJAFIe3A7t73ymp8H7g-VQWsKQpFv45GGwxGjv-9U1RQ/s1600/Dress-Up+Jo+Ann%252C+Connie%252C+Peggy%252C+Janie.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1074" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqa2DGJJH6xlpaOPjQ7YkQ439g0NqfSx6bPyPbikoTX94aonbPQekybaTp1HD5navbCn-o6c-CodN-dS28976OXMKqqGVgh1sJAFIe3A7t73ymp8H7g-VQWsKQpFv45GGwxGjv-9U1RQ/s640/Dress-Up+Jo+Ann%252C+Connie%252C+Peggy%252C+Janie.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JoAnn Sarver on the left, then my sister Connie, Peggy Sarver, and my sister Janie. I'm not in the photo<br />because I was three months old when it was taken. Not to worry, though. There were plenty of<br />dress-up clothes left by the time I was old enough to join the fun.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the Dillons lived there, the house was configured for a small apartment on the side, where the Masey family lived. Many of the neighborhood kids came to play with their only daughter, Karla. They had an above-ground pool in the big side yard, which we all loved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, the house is still a private residence and has been renovated and beautifully decorated. Photography was not allowed inside, which I completely understand, but the shutterbug in me was a bit disappointed. However, it was nice to just drink in the loveliness without trying to get a good shot of everything. It was probably a lot quicker, too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The house was built in 1846, as noted on the plaque by the front door.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tour description says that the house is a "two-story Greek Revival with hipped roof and four prominent chimneys."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A framed building on the property is believed to have been servant quarters. There used to be an old garage in the back...I'm wondering if it's still there, and if that is the building referred to. There is a marker that explains the historic significance of the house:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH5ek7WCHR9KJMqoc_k_N2cUjQnYZurJYRZ7DRii9PL9O3vTTcj127S1aKbTE4CICQIHZCvXVEUYYsxeW2m29Iwy-MUZjUZn4_7fkTqGC54JRTlNMyC0j5zvjLRmSwtBy5oBKo47qGBc/s1600/DSC_1135.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1487" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH5ek7WCHR9KJMqoc_k_N2cUjQnYZurJYRZ7DRii9PL9O3vTTcj127S1aKbTE4CICQIHZCvXVEUYYsxeW2m29Iwy-MUZjUZn4_7fkTqGC54JRTlNMyC0j5zvjLRmSwtBy5oBKo47qGBc/s640/DSC_1135.sig.jpg" width="594" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Inside this grand old house, there are high ceilings, hardwood floors, a grand staircase, and at least ten rooms, not counting bathrooms. The furnishings and art are gorgeous - definitely magazine-worthy - but even so, there are family photographs, books by the bed, and spices in the kitchen cupboard, all signs that it's still a home, after all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few years ago, I wandered around Union with my camera one evening and came home with these photos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is something about stately old houses that inspires awe and homey comfort, all at the same time. The General John Echols house is one of those. I'm grateful it has a place in my memories of a mid-century childhood, and grateful for the opportunity to see it in all it's restored glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next stop on our tour: The Major John A. Wallace Cottage...just wait til you see it!!</span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-38865076918691840372017-05-22T20:08:00.000-04:002017-05-22T20:41:31.600-04:00Touring History: The Dransfield Store<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Monroe County (WV) Historic Homes Tour on May 6 was a delight. After our first two stops at <a href="http://sweetrun.blogspot.com/2017/05/touring-history-st-johns-chapel.html" target="_blank">St. John's Chapel</a> and <a href="http://sweetrun.blogspot.com/2017/05/touring-history-old-sweet-springs.html" target="_blank">Old Sweet Springs</a>, my sister and I headed back toward Union. About 12 miles before we got there was our third stop on the tour: The Beirne Dransfield General Store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Depression-era store sits unassumingly near the road miles from any other business. Decades ago it was a place to buy groceries, farm products, machinery, fertilizers, feed, and gasoline. The store was established by Beirne Dransfield and the building was built in 1933. For years prior to that, however, he had been supplementing his farm income through dealerships with V. C. Fertilizer Company, International Harvester (farm equipment), Wayne Feeds, and Amoco gasoline. Once all these enterprises were operated out of the building, it made sense to stock other supplies needed by the locals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beirne Dransfield had seven sons, three daughters, and several grandsons. I went to school with some of those grandsons and one granddaughter (also named Nancy). One grandson is the same age as me and we've been friends since seventh grade. I remember asking him what that white building was in front of his house and he told me it was "an old store." Now, after some 50 years or more, it's a store once again. Not in the usual sense, though. It's open only for special occasions to share a slice of life long-ago for free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another of Beirne's grandsons has spearheaded the effort to restore this old family business. Since he was a child, he's been collecting antique and vintage items that were once sold new in the store. He's also obtained vintage signs for the various dealerships and even an old gas pump.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0_NOocj-6GDrXngbrbRxZflwt55U_0pPFng_sHvYn9sEaZVgVLcuCh-xapGIeQV2W61UqHFgL6YNCQ70VIy7OFyJml2KdmasA6IM8GeUjt2Frnuby9H-DPAV-3y2C28QSCqa8joqwd4/s1600/DSC_0800.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0_NOocj-6GDrXngbrbRxZflwt55U_0pPFng_sHvYn9sEaZVgVLcuCh-xapGIeQV2W61UqHFgL6YNCQ70VIy7OFyJml2KdmasA6IM8GeUjt2Frnuby9H-DPAV-3y2C28QSCqa8joqwd4/s640/DSC_0800.sig.jpg" width="364" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because the day was so chilly, the door was closed, but I'm sure it stood open in bygone days whenever the weather allowed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenqKjDOR0c5K1cRQwn5VLU8Yan_5C-m8hg1yT1Hf5N6gkfj0fYHSzspKzJ10hbb5-PGPxgiCQf1X3BqPLfLNC-zEpaKqdcHNzV5CacGzSDdl8vJuOBqs-XCI9ZOUNFSfKeU8jH4MSZ70/s1600/DSC_0803.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenqKjDOR0c5K1cRQwn5VLU8Yan_5C-m8hg1yT1Hf5N6gkfj0fYHSzspKzJ10hbb5-PGPxgiCQf1X3BqPLfLNC-zEpaKqdcHNzV5CacGzSDdl8vJuOBqs-XCI9ZOUNFSfKeU8jH4MSZ70/s640/DSC_0803.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Inside was an old wood cook stove that now serves as a display counter. On this day it held a guest book. The walls were filled with old photos and advertisements, helping folks to imagine what life was like for their grandparents and great-grandparents.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2Jl7BxmQakDKTtPvDRJIC1ensjcnl2rJIMK0nzy0EZvbh57hX3kC23FBvE9fN1COUMD6RoSCbbhKZhUwVWZeNG5r1vEXC234ePbEAOxhrFY-tENgyOhMs2LNjjUaH0_WgT6MyvssxzU/s1600/DSC_0804.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2Jl7BxmQakDKTtPvDRJIC1ensjcnl2rJIMK0nzy0EZvbh57hX3kC23FBvE9fN1COUMD6RoSCbbhKZhUwVWZeNG5r1vEXC234ePbEAOxhrFY-tENgyOhMs2LNjjUaH0_WgT6MyvssxzU/s640/DSC_0804.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXEyvv04QtR9r9SeyWR2QLK5CJTZvM0ml29O057fsVLw9lWDj-RL1gTCSo5LNw6Gv6PIYJOsSdFKPjeh5m5KHKpk3SFcieuEt9xwJJIF4X6hl3ebmDc8lnYrGK-oHI5dzZo2Sw9-k5bA/s1600/DSC_0805.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXEyvv04QtR9r9SeyWR2QLK5CJTZvM0ml29O057fsVLw9lWDj-RL1gTCSo5LNw6Gv6PIYJOsSdFKPjeh5m5KHKpk3SFcieuEt9xwJJIF4X6hl3ebmDc8lnYrGK-oHI5dzZo2Sw9-k5bA/s640/DSC_0805.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like many merchants then and now, Beirne Dransfield gave away calendars to promote his business. There was a beautiful one from 1939, framed and hanging behind the counter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwojspoTob2-Iz1Iz5r6I_y3bVQaACa3RHbqFs6t6_ypuXiNqEq9AgwONkb1DpfMurRYnXStuEr_iqIQJ1ZB-iVKcN986Kk_pHIevZ3_9TgZx03CKav5sot-flrPUa7i5FEeApulotquw/s1600/DSC_0820.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwojspoTob2-Iz1Iz5r6I_y3bVQaACa3RHbqFs6t6_ypuXiNqEq9AgwONkb1DpfMurRYnXStuEr_iqIQJ1ZB-iVKcN986Kk_pHIevZ3_9TgZx03CKav5sot-flrPUa7i5FEeApulotquw/s640/DSC_0820.sig.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were shelves lined with a variety of vintage items as well. Some would have been sold here. Others were typical of the era.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNQ12MPI0ipWyGR3eaZXTSCcJVtZ7jDxrjm-X95q1y2hUeY3RJ_XeWcXQ0cYE9jsksId40r1PBFtK8hyphenhyphendXi-JOolpn3oIVhqJ348LzJokKxO_0sWrZWCQxDozvlbmlvdcE2JEjIJ3kJ4/s1600/DSC_0806.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNQ12MPI0ipWyGR3eaZXTSCcJVtZ7jDxrjm-X95q1y2hUeY3RJ_XeWcXQ0cYE9jsksId40r1PBFtK8hyphenhyphendXi-JOolpn3oIVhqJ348LzJokKxO_0sWrZWCQxDozvlbmlvdcE2JEjIJ3kJ4/s640/DSC_0806.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRx-2P6dCVQg7tknDAul3rawBqI_psvM3ukGN1z7VqeNVsBh-O3no3wSkk29AOLUhbRZAk8bYp6T0AqxGL32ym17vhIq9yRiCFx2-HNDET_hAgqqDkHxyT7pw3aTMA64MwSIAD-BO9cK0/s1600/DSC_0813.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRx-2P6dCVQg7tknDAul3rawBqI_psvM3ukGN1z7VqeNVsBh-O3no3wSkk29AOLUhbRZAk8bYp6T0AqxGL32ym17vhIq9yRiCFx2-HNDET_hAgqqDkHxyT7pw3aTMA64MwSIAD-BO9cK0/s640/DSC_0813.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4agFvCFJ2ghzS4E-IsJ9lGBRIXfz-pEENPW_FYXpkAURBvXTpa_vnF1YwTqClm48EOFdv9ana96bLtKCrNX2J6S2n9rBY5W3tlpp6BNIsgvDiweoBenN5Lpugqs73w51NF1HL8NLzGk/s1600/DSC_0814.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4agFvCFJ2ghzS4E-IsJ9lGBRIXfz-pEENPW_FYXpkAURBvXTpa_vnF1YwTqClm48EOFdv9ana96bLtKCrNX2J6S2n9rBY5W3tlpp6BNIsgvDiweoBenN5Lpugqs73w51NF1HL8NLzGk/s640/DSC_0814.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv10vwswTBUcmuFhRr07-Qt90L_eL5IEsX_uGv35DSRd8eXMEUoDFjj6m7V5M6ZN-4Jysoo5q_xKD56_PsMGfc30AxM6kuH0sLhpkTYknbl2Gk1gfUZNZg4yLGJwruG5lOQ8PMAWY4mmw/s1600/DSC_0815.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv10vwswTBUcmuFhRr07-Qt90L_eL5IEsX_uGv35DSRd8eXMEUoDFjj6m7V5M6ZN-4Jysoo5q_xKD56_PsMGfc30AxM6kuH0sLhpkTYknbl2Gk1gfUZNZg4yLGJwruG5lOQ8PMAWY4mmw/s640/DSC_0815.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back in the day, I'm pretty sure the store sold snacks of some sort. On this day, however, one of Beirne's grandsons was behind the counter, serving up barbecues as a fundraiser for the local 4-H program.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoJbkvDi17ayChR7GcfUXVsEMbEnOj5t2w7KdjcpPuPZc2napKjA5nP4q8TffBhN7z429PYOfHd3E0ldGLB9ya02YuQMtSvnPa4ghvADITjKz7LuBEB7xEwH2aunSfYZd-E9v4Ol6t0Y/s1600/DSC_0810.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoJbkvDi17ayChR7GcfUXVsEMbEnOj5t2w7KdjcpPuPZc2napKjA5nP4q8TffBhN7z429PYOfHd3E0ldGLB9ya02YuQMtSvnPa4ghvADITjKz7LuBEB7xEwH2aunSfYZd-E9v4Ol6t0Y/s640/DSC_0810.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To go with the hot sandwiches, there was pop (we call it "pop" around here, rather than soda), in a vintage cooler complete with ice and a bottle opener on the side.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL981Z3aRxRTxFQtSIz4oAT2OWfuMp_cy_2eL-xHOTrlNEmRlMfxrlQThUmvGjAiHKivs38iSQKQJ7au39Wj6T66zoINLv5iQdOvfKKP0elz68u9amb-5MvhO0AoMVNCTLoj1KRHmtMaA/s1600/DSC_0811.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL981Z3aRxRTxFQtSIz4oAT2OWfuMp_cy_2eL-xHOTrlNEmRlMfxrlQThUmvGjAiHKivs38iSQKQJ7au39Wj6T66zoINLv5iQdOvfKKP0elz68u9amb-5MvhO0AoMVNCTLoj1KRHmtMaA/s640/DSC_0811.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you would rather have water, that was on ice as well, in an old cream separator.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGDRaaciXIDzRAsM0yWpnIjlQNYAQS1CTHSTDJlymDG9if5n3-IuPo5t8fRPcdEp_wryHbfs6F0FFxkkoupZmpZTDeDyz96hRCbIpty3yYSgQZct4ic6Fl4hfhfDDoWvMdB_jG3DLZ2Q/s1600/DSC_0821.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGDRaaciXIDzRAsM0yWpnIjlQNYAQS1CTHSTDJlymDG9if5n3-IuPo5t8fRPcdEp_wryHbfs6F0FFxkkoupZmpZTDeDyz96hRCbIpty3yYSgQZct4ic6Fl4hfhfDDoWvMdB_jG3DLZ2Q/s640/DSC_0821.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was a display of old farm equipment manuals,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXHBcXcvQ0asVImwWBAXEYrMtKDKrKrdJNoL6XDBsfknxrekqkL6h-i6zPxX6NwUXnojSy_t5skY-WAOmw92R_ShIKDZBpE1vnS4NFiqgkB08kjr1rlH0e8zRFfvAkAV3rNPCh6jaY1w/s1600/DSC_0807.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXHBcXcvQ0asVImwWBAXEYrMtKDKrKrdJNoL6XDBsfknxrekqkL6h-i6zPxX6NwUXnojSy_t5skY-WAOmw92R_ShIKDZBpE1vnS4NFiqgkB08kjr1rlH0e8zRFfvAkAV3rNPCh6jaY1w/s640/DSC_0807.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">some of which might have told me how to start one of the old tractors parked in the yard.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQXQXfEWnNTHc_XeHUkjCTUtoEwGlX3K0p6Vh3CPuY5TY-5ZFSthZLHFslqNxdAK_wVeQ73YDVIUpVlFBiOfIdvLy-rxbI2DQPYOSQdc4yS_CL_lwsc9KVTTetrRpbI8QZtaw6hkc6xo/s1600/DSC_0703.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQXQXfEWnNTHc_XeHUkjCTUtoEwGlX3K0p6Vh3CPuY5TY-5ZFSthZLHFslqNxdAK_wVeQ73YDVIUpVlFBiOfIdvLy-rxbI2DQPYOSQdc4yS_CL_lwsc9KVTTetrRpbI8QZtaw6hkc6xo/s640/DSC_0703.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8opCDO3QTZ-4OzGK05TbUmVm7KVv0raOnC8QKJ4t6qUX2lV65DMReYRra5KUDjyNUMsmKlblTgpKefEiSVltBsAeWUtRUpYIiVXYqkuXy1K1lKPa6_PcNpVLOHyX0DnUGBTv00Ztvlc/s1600/DSC_0704.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8opCDO3QTZ-4OzGK05TbUmVm7KVv0raOnC8QKJ4t6qUX2lV65DMReYRra5KUDjyNUMsmKlblTgpKefEiSVltBsAeWUtRUpYIiVXYqkuXy1K1lKPa6_PcNpVLOHyX0DnUGBTv00Ztvlc/s640/DSC_0704.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And, if you had time to sit a spell, there was a checkerboard ready for a game. If you were able and so inclined, there was also an old family fiddle that could provide a lively tune.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQgNsYnawCfUtZhD3ic98FQ-swK5J7O5sOe4qwmj5Z0oJjtxcLqstBAzoFdxTypXnNTkNVHEzpK8YhmlCCTywY4jzG7WY8DUzCu_EBSP6zw2ZYdtxs248MSntw_bsujPC5FpdZJYw3jE/s1600/DSC_0809.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQgNsYnawCfUtZhD3ic98FQ-swK5J7O5sOe4qwmj5Z0oJjtxcLqstBAzoFdxTypXnNTkNVHEzpK8YhmlCCTywY4jzG7WY8DUzCu_EBSP6zw2ZYdtxs248MSntw_bsujPC5FpdZJYw3jE/s640/DSC_0809.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the storage room, there were horse harnesses, a potato sorter (I think), and other tools of the day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInaboGt7TM_8eeeFne8ufkEJsgUEK7NEPviN5S8J9vLPiarXH5-EDAnEzit-qM1t6NJkDsCrJkeKyqxETqeyay27EbUmPa7bWjYJOO4mPKFxdcXyjWyzxiL753jrUECmYknae7jGR5OM/s1600/DSC_0816.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInaboGt7TM_8eeeFne8ufkEJsgUEK7NEPviN5S8J9vLPiarXH5-EDAnEzit-qM1t6NJkDsCrJkeKyqxETqeyay27EbUmPa7bWjYJOO4mPKFxdcXyjWyzxiL753jrUECmYknae7jGR5OM/s640/DSC_0816.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJhHew8YlaqSWht3LzgovJl2IUrCxnASlbmAA0f-hHl67erZAdswatNtt38cuXLyAYuHyaSFThc0bjrfC0aBxZCtOBVFvaClElIBl1Z8Ju7V8zMnLywOozaMSAqV_nLUDPQaKSS_q3mk/s1600/DSC_0818.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJhHew8YlaqSWht3LzgovJl2IUrCxnASlbmAA0f-hHl67erZAdswatNtt38cuXLyAYuHyaSFThc0bjrfC0aBxZCtOBVFvaClElIBl1Z8Ju7V8zMnLywOozaMSAqV_nLUDPQaKSS_q3mk/s640/DSC_0818.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDONtqj9wBwRBiLwkFetOm1wCoLFh5XBcIkrwKyOThXhRcWK66n1GwQ0exZIBvbhKjSb6MulM9XxQsVeRUDKsUFqUt1FLmW-dSJ_UHs9-FAIwOgd3IcYkMLiitbraudoXdB1mCePRLs-g/s1600/DSC_0817.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDONtqj9wBwRBiLwkFetOm1wCoLFh5XBcIkrwKyOThXhRcWK66n1GwQ0exZIBvbhKjSb6MulM9XxQsVeRUDKsUFqUt1FLmW-dSJ_UHs9-FAIwOgd3IcYkMLiitbraudoXdB1mCePRLs-g/s640/DSC_0817.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I wandered around the tiny store, it was easy to envision it in its heyday, with farmers and families stopping in for supplies, gas, or maybe even a bottle of pop - an extra special treat during the Depression. What a delight to take a little step back in time! It does my soul good to venture into days gone by now and then.</span><br />
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<br />Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-47342709898723339972017-05-13T23:23:00.000-04:002017-05-13T23:23:33.145-04:00Touring History: Old Sweet Springs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My sister and I had a great time on the Monroe County (WV) Historic Homes Tour last weekend. After our first stop at <a href="http://sweetrun.blogspot.com/2017/05/touring-history-st-johns-chapel.html" target="_blank">St. John's Chapel</a>, we drove south, maybe a mile, to Old Sweet Springs. This grand old place is probably the crown jewel of Monroe County's historic sites. The first hotel on this property was built in 1792, with the main draw being the sweet water that flowed from underground springs. Author Stan Cohen describes this magical water in his book <u><i>Historic Springs of the Virginias</i>:</u></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">"It has been described as the best acidulous water in the United States. It contains quite a lot of carbonic acid (fixed air) which gives it a peculiar briskness. For many years the spring water was credited with remarkable cures of the sub-acute rheumatism and neuralgia. Immersions in the water were also recommended to relieve nephritic complaints. The springs are thermal and are similar to the famous springs of Bristol, England."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Beyer" target="_blank">Edward Beyer</a> included a rendering of Sweet Springs in his 1857 <i>Album of Virginia</i>, which shows just how much of a resort it had become by the mid-1800s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of the buildings in Beyer's painting are long gone, but enough remain to spur the imagination to conjure up what this sweet spot in the mountains must have been like in its heyday. Old postcards show the main building that still stands today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is what that stately old hotel looked like when Connie and I arrived. It's rather like an old suit: still dignified and proper, but a bit worn around the edges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sweet Springs functioned as a resort until the early twentieth century. In 1945 it was sold to the state of West Virginia and was first used as a tuberculosis sanatorium. Sometime later it was converted to the Andrew S. Rowan Memorial Home for the Aged, which is how I remember it. I was there many times with church choirs and 4-H groups, giving vocal concerts or caroling the halls during the holidays to cheer the old folks who called it home. When I was in college, I worked there during the summers, assisting the activities director with picnics, shopping trips, and playing many a card game with those who were able to help them pass the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My grandmother, who lived alone until she was in her early nineties, always said that if the day ever came when she could no</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandmother,<br />Edith Baker Martin, in 1990.</td></tr>
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longer live at home, she wanted to go to "the Old Sweet." And that is exactly what she did, sometime in the late 1980s. Her maiden name was Baker, and her father and grandfather had both worked there as bakers: one making breads and the other making cakes. She most probably spent a good bit of time around the resort while she was growing up, so spending her final years there was, for her, a given. Unfortunately, around 1990, the old folks home was closed by the state and my grandmother spent her final months in another facility. And the resort? Well, it has been sitting there for almost thirty years, abandoned for the most part, and waiting for someone to restore its former glory.</div>
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Connie and I climbed the front steps to the massive porch, which spans the entire length of the building. Below the porch is an open breezeway, accessed by huge arches.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbZhxVt68Vy_VMxiXLid3ekEY7fKPdAJeWiaaiHFIMpidUiZ81wTvHNTw3QemrUhJBAPGaxG9jItJF9U7tNc_NXD8Ehf3jxKR-PE5L2SSHTz_HHMIQ9hvZeVgy-7YQZO4BMPV8MTqFW4/s1600/DSC_0745.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbZhxVt68Vy_VMxiXLid3ekEY7fKPdAJeWiaaiHFIMpidUiZ81wTvHNTw3QemrUhJBAPGaxG9jItJF9U7tNc_NXD8Ehf3jxKR-PE5L2SSHTz_HHMIQ9hvZeVgy-7YQZO4BMPV8MTqFW4/s640/DSC_0745.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEBuuIXyJv3YbT7AFQ0oFNcDtcyPWuN2ZjynjxMosebD59rhFfKOJd3TS-PICo5eoMxKixLw4aijTfJekg0_iYfjmKZGD4ghU9o6E65rpSAGZy0GyRX0wDZS_hMoMLhgZW1aL-OIEXrw/s1600/DSC_0742.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEBuuIXyJv3YbT7AFQ0oFNcDtcyPWuN2ZjynjxMosebD59rhFfKOJd3TS-PICo5eoMxKixLw4aijTfJekg0_iYfjmKZGD4ghU9o6E65rpSAGZy0GyRX0wDZS_hMoMLhgZW1aL-OIEXrw/s640/DSC_0742.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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When we stepped inside the once-beautiful lobby, our hearts sank. The further we walked into the depths of the building, the more we were saddened by its current state of disrepair. The years of neglect have definitely taken their toll.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lobby Fireplace</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lobby</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was an office during the days of Andrew S. Rowan Memorial Home for the Aged.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another office.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The dining room during resort days.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The dining room now.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOPepmFDivIhuB_2g-VoNU9Qef_m7zrpkHgJnJzmsv1rZrt1DkzxUCgQnbOQt3FgroOJYYLYKltwP7820ZNA4tWmfc_I5d-3ZIxvRpUXyygzja9bRw-jCmw_hhAV4BqGbp2JNMsUh47I/s1600/DSC_0752.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOPepmFDivIhuB_2g-VoNU9Qef_m7zrpkHgJnJzmsv1rZrt1DkzxUCgQnbOQt3FgroOJYYLYKltwP7820ZNA4tWmfc_I5d-3ZIxvRpUXyygzja9bRw-jCmw_hhAV4BqGbp2JNMsUh47I/s640/DSC_0752.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inside the chapel.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui12NOpoz2BhrKgDpDCiJJ0TcCCVrtF5ury6VbMsoc6P79dFdAYVNjO5d3WWVvBvLBuASN_OF_RNrWk0rb1hfPFqdyL2YGPnjNgmF9yVn6KEe58nHNwzsNbnOWV0G9BPLbaXjg9M9KdY/s1600/DSC_0751.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui12NOpoz2BhrKgDpDCiJJ0TcCCVrtF5ury6VbMsoc6P79dFdAYVNjO5d3WWVvBvLBuASN_OF_RNrWk0rb1hfPFqdyL2YGPnjNgmF9yVn6KEe58nHNwzsNbnOWV0G9BPLbaXjg9M9KdY/s640/DSC_0751.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQo6KFtW_RngsRBlzSX8u61nI7jeVLEDNzrdgYeEaIBLFKFPbkn7oelAoq7U4ewSnWd3F3IIebKLal0nNL9gg4a8ZS5Vh9FCPR9ozJBYAWU9eDEy5TGJ__f2C-5Zgj0jPcZHZVoX6MDk4/s1600/DSC_0750.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQo6KFtW_RngsRBlzSX8u61nI7jeVLEDNzrdgYeEaIBLFKFPbkn7oelAoq7U4ewSnWd3F3IIebKLal0nNL9gg4a8ZS5Vh9FCPR9ozJBYAWU9eDEy5TGJ__f2C-5Zgj0jPcZHZVoX6MDk4/s640/DSC_0750.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The fairly modern kitchen for the old folks home was in a wing that was added, I'm guessing in the 1970s, maybe. Nevertheless, it's ghostly, and easy to imagine the sound of voices, running water, and the clatter of pots and pans.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeizYL35zyPeU9wjQ4OfT3j8ayMgIl2fDCMzWVDSQtQAb77jDq-nczzWDPEn_9fJtlg30LILNQmfOrfVKq5TEuIdmYlSGB-CWwMynJiHlxnsW6Q24uwaIYNs-pOLjcXGeY2jkhNfF080/s1600/DSC_0756.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeizYL35zyPeU9wjQ4OfT3j8ayMgIl2fDCMzWVDSQtQAb77jDq-nczzWDPEn_9fJtlg30LILNQmfOrfVKq5TEuIdmYlSGB-CWwMynJiHlxnsW6Q24uwaIYNs-pOLjcXGeY2jkhNfF080/s640/DSC_0756.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pantry</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibO4YIFhNcFbjEK8MGiJ1O3EkiBHv5_wbSpR0A1MY1DvL0kwrZWcDm7v2MNB9lzcWcZ9pooPOBwuNCO9CRIeTyEoO4m0eQIQ4dRa_1gjikBlLn4yHF-CMQY7DzYlXav2_jAiQoBFoCZQ/s1600/DSC_0757.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibO4YIFhNcFbjEK8MGiJ1O3EkiBHv5_wbSpR0A1MY1DvL0kwrZWcDm7v2MNB9lzcWcZ9pooPOBwuNCO9CRIeTyEoO4m0eQIQ4dRa_1gjikBlLn4yHF-CMQY7DzYlXav2_jAiQoBFoCZQ/s640/DSC_0757.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A beautiful door to walk-in refrigeration, one of three or four.</span></td></tr>
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Along with the kitchen addition, a dormitory was built to house the elderly residents. Wandering these halls made my heart hurt as I thought of the days when they were filled with people, both those who needed care and those who gave it.</div>
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In the basement of the original building were remnants of the glory days.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZcd037sthpBtScHKjFPZGFN41kXgcjH-r-7eVg5Fnz5ATu3WMy64QSMiFkGpbulxlXBYZkS0CPYh0SU8PqlTnV030o2V6El3Zc4jPXSscUBD3tdCoWfft_-RyCBlgPX9T05Lg2i7qo8/s1600/DSC_0763.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZcd037sthpBtScHKjFPZGFN41kXgcjH-r-7eVg5Fnz5ATu3WMy64QSMiFkGpbulxlXBYZkS0CPYh0SU8PqlTnV030o2V6El3Zc4jPXSscUBD3tdCoWfft_-RyCBlgPX9T05Lg2i7qo8/s640/DSC_0763.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This arched opening still had faded green construction paper shamrocks pinned to the temporary covering.<br />I'm guessing that at one time long ago, it must have been a place to get drinks and snacks.</td></tr>
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As we wandered around, looking at all the peeling paint, water damage, broken windows, and dirt, Connie and I kept wondering aloud, "Where would you even begin to fix up this place?" It's so big, and literally every inch needs to be redone. It would take much more than a small fortune to even make a dent. From the outside, the Old Sweet still stands tall and stately, but on the inside, she's a lot more than worn around the edges. She's worn out.</div>
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Besides the main building, there were originally five brick cottages - more like houses - built in a row not far away. Only three remain now, and the middle one has been remodeled. What a breath of fresh air it was to see a tiny bit of the decaying resort saved from an ugly death! This remodeled middle cottage currently houses the office of Ashby Berkley, the man who has taken on the monumental task of restoring the Old Sweet. To read about his vision in detail, check out this excellent article in <i>WV Living</i> magazine: <a href="http://www.wvliving.com/Spring-2017/Springs-Eternal/" target="_blank">Springs Eternal</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvloZOvUR_AwJU7cUgte4xCulCpOMELkhAuH6NttsHbcP8ElLUzPS5WWjKaZ4uIwxzyin9d7kCs-u6_6CG-XPqxqkpS2-7UuWPhPTIqMTsiikaBEcGu5kkcf8_R_2k4wf2rhiNxWXmkE/s1600/DSC_0771.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvloZOvUR_AwJU7cUgte4xCulCpOMELkhAuH6NttsHbcP8ElLUzPS5WWjKaZ4uIwxzyin9d7kCs-u6_6CG-XPqxqkpS2-7UuWPhPTIqMTsiikaBEcGu5kkcf8_R_2k4wf2rhiNxWXmkE/s640/DSC_0771.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three remaining cottages; the one nearest the person has been remodeled.</td></tr>
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The last thing we explored was the pool and bath house. It wasn't so very long ago that these were usable. Many of my friends and schoolmates who grew up in the area swam there as children and teens. Originally, the sweet spring pool and bath house looked like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYyx696OQ2ttumUnpL2Nx2GtUe_HpuNzxY6eVT57bw7yfh0pRqGXa9AZ7nN-LJ-WIovDIALbz1zIRE5M2gxTa7n1M_dmgAeLQH2M-0LJKWd9dBl7GjO2yQ7v_ekUSe7aGMJnAFB4JnCE/s1600/digitalImage.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYyx696OQ2ttumUnpL2Nx2GtUe_HpuNzxY6eVT57bw7yfh0pRqGXa9AZ7nN-LJ-WIovDIALbz1zIRE5M2gxTa7n1M_dmgAeLQH2M-0LJKWd9dBl7GjO2yQ7v_ekUSe7aGMJnAFB4JnCE/s640/digitalImage.jpe" width="640" /></a></div>
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And now it looks like this:</div>
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The corner towers have crumbled since I worked there in the early 1980s. I don't know when the pool was last used, but from the look of things, it's been decades.</div>
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The pool is basically square, and the surrounding bath house is (was) as well. These photos were taken of all four sides, from various angles inside the enclosure.</div>
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Although the water is green with islands of algae in the corners, the spring is still running constantly through the pool, as evidenced by this drain and the sound of rushing water.</div>
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Inside the bath house there are two dressing rooms (one for women and one for men) and more of the same ruin and decay.</div>
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As our tour of Old Sweet Springs came to an end, we were sad indeed to see it so neglected. The gloomy weather didn't help lift our spirits, but the prospect of restoration via the vision and effort of Ashby Berkley and a bevy of other dedicated folks is encouraging. I'm eager to see what they can accomplish!</div>
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Watch for the next stop on our tour: the Beirne Dransfield store...</div>
</span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-91020137844457943162017-05-08T00:05:00.001-04:002017-05-08T00:06:30.106-04:00Touring History: St. John's Chapel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Saturday, I went back to my hometown for the Monroe County (WV) Historical Society's Historic Homes Tour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Anticipation was high, partially due to the fact that six out of the nine stops are rarely, if ever, open to the public.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Historical Society had initially hoped to sell around 100 tickets, but the word on the street was that over 500 had been sold! Mine was number 243.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Obviously, I wasn't alone in my desire to see all the tour properties, but I was especially eager to see those I had grown up around, passing by hundreds of times without ever being inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The weather wasn't especially pleasant, with temperatures in the 40s, rain showers, and wind. Nevertheless, hosts and volunteers were ready to welcome visitors. My sister and I left her home in time to arrive at our chosen first stop by 10:00 am, when the tour officially began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were the first visitors to arrive at St. John's Chapel, in Sweet Springs. It is the oldest Catholic church in continuous use in West Virginia. It was founded by Letitia Preston and Floyd Lewis, and built by slaves sometime between 1839 and 1859.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our guide met us outside to explain that when the slaves built the church, they used the best bricks for the front. Also, they somehow knew to lay the top layer of bricks at an angle, which makes a better seal when the roof is attached. You have to look closely, but you can see that top row of angled bricks in the photo below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The original cross from the top of the steeple was found in the attic during renovations, and a new one was faithfully reproduced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the rain began to fall, we hurried inside. The stained glass windows let in some light, and there are electric lights here and there, but because of the gloomy day, the interior of the chapel was a bit on the dim side. Still, it was beautiful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Renovators discovered a remnant of the original stenciling and were able to replicate it on all four walls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The paintings hanging all around the chapel date back to its beginnings, and depict the stations of the Cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pews and kneeling benches are also original.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What caught my eye first, though, was the altar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to believe such a thing of beauty is tucked away in this tiny chapel in the mountains of southern West Virginia. I'm thinking transporting it here was quite an undertaking in the mid-1800s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is a balcony that runs across the back of the chapel, and up there is a working pump organ. Connie couldn't resist and played <i>Amazing Grace. </i>Because of all the wood and plaster in the room, the sound was glorious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just as Connie finished, our guide gently rang the chapel bell - such a wonderful, soothing sound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is the view of the chapel from the balcony. The cables you see running horizontally held a lower ceiling that was added at some point, and has since been removed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see a statue of Mary on the left end of the altar rail and a nun on the right end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When you go through the door to the right of the altar area, you find a pot-bellied wood stove.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Continuing on to the left, behind the altar area, there is a narrow hallway. From this hall, there is a very narrow stairway, leading up to a small second floor, where the priest had meager furnishings for his living quarters. The stairs are so narrow that visitors weren't allowed to go up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The hallway led to a small room to the left of the altar area, where the priest heard confessions. He sat in the upholstered chair, the person making his or her confessions sat on the other side of the wooden divider, and (as the guide put it) everyone in the church listened. Gulp!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBwMkvBGVpkDyIFk8lcXZntXlukRmGO3UALIS6gjAVJAwOBvcJAY7ks_qCTXVkFe2W92kIT0RrBaVoz1IsN_0u6NXosyRjaUB96BZyHFtGVpIcM_e85lkUvABE4l1fa9B4nD8-hzRiuw/s1600/DSC_0718.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBwMkvBGVpkDyIFk8lcXZntXlukRmGO3UALIS6gjAVJAwOBvcJAY7ks_qCTXVkFe2W92kIT0RrBaVoz1IsN_0u6NXosyRjaUB96BZyHFtGVpIcM_e85lkUvABE4l1fa9B4nD8-hzRiuw/s640/DSC_0718.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This plaque is posted on the back wall of the chapel:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8K90-ny56O-2oMA4QVYs6WyedxRdLEVMsXUwoMcaJvqKgJxwPEOICUS2jVpeVhilny1Mg6nJvkQBhlUTBgf_xBMA9rqV52R9YvAXGVb57YmhXP5lBEtZVlAf2ztgY6mQRGdrnWiYKak/s1600/DSC_0731.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8K90-ny56O-2oMA4QVYs6WyedxRdLEVMsXUwoMcaJvqKgJxwPEOICUS2jVpeVhilny1Mg6nJvkQBhlUTBgf_xBMA9rqV52R9YvAXGVb57YmhXP5lBEtZVlAf2ztgY6mQRGdrnWiYKak/s640/DSC_0731.sig.jpg" width="546" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was to be a Latin Mass conducted on Sunday afternoon in the chapel, and a service is held annually in August. Even though I'm not a Catholic, I think I would like to worship here. Just like the banner hanging in the chapel says, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." We're all God's children and He likes it when we worship Him together.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0boNRUDJ0VuEC6WaMYpRrhQ0bs7CdM9ZTIFEpSMGhM-jmY9BzOJlBryFLTZEHPH3sjDczg2-5ivpO476NkIo1fl94ay9Vs0yoSXxGwumjw8_ROH3BWnS9GFn5G6J3mS_IfVrMTpMeoVE/s1600/DSC_0738.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0boNRUDJ0VuEC6WaMYpRrhQ0bs7CdM9ZTIFEpSMGhM-jmY9BzOJlBryFLTZEHPH3sjDczg2-5ivpO476NkIo1fl94ay9Vs0yoSXxGwumjw8_ROH3BWnS9GFn5G6J3mS_IfVrMTpMeoVE/s640/DSC_0738.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our next stop on the tour was the Old Sweet Springs resort...which will have to wait for another post. Stay tuned!</span></div>
Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-85113522029631679102017-01-01T23:01:00.000-05:002017-01-01T23:03:10.742-05:00Butter, Butter, Who's Got Butter?<span style="font-size: large;"> Remember when, back in the summer, I wrote about embarking on our "milk journey?" (If you don't recall that tale, you can read about it <a href="http://sweetrun.blogspot.com/2016/07/my-buckets-runneth-over.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) Robin and I gave it a valiant effort but, try as we might, we just couldn't keep up with five gallons of milk a day. After about two months, we were happy and relieved to find sweet LouAnn a new home.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ofM_YVBadEcJwHsNcwWaBQMxAJqDDI7cTNQsHK7DDJ77ZKcKZhoiFUqwW8MGDJ4Kp5m67PSTwQRTHVanXA9EHr_maCB51gJbl57fQfIjGJsxSZkJCbmpk2YThOHqh_MjuJep-pov11k/s1600/DSC_0493.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ofM_YVBadEcJwHsNcwWaBQMxAJqDDI7cTNQsHK7DDJ77ZKcKZhoiFUqwW8MGDJ4Kp5m67PSTwQRTHVanXA9EHr_maCB51gJbl57fQfIjGJsxSZkJCbmpk2YThOHqh_MjuJep-pov11k/s640/DSC_0493.sig.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now she lives with a lively family with five growing children who need a lot of milk. She's such a good cow, very sweet-tempered and very patient with all the pulling, tugging, and twisting that goes along with the young ones learning to milk.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42CtfmbTO7q-KvWpeF6vhJ1J_xHgNL3fNywwISPpc8knsR0x298U3R5gbQbqpoalMx_yzV8yattwpUILOw_U5uV1khx31o4U_Ujf7VGn1MmdaK5M3LFsZub3-1-yuowhPbfMkl1Q19Ew/s1600/DSC_0622.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42CtfmbTO7q-KvWpeF6vhJ1J_xHgNL3fNywwISPpc8knsR0x298U3R5gbQbqpoalMx_yzV8yattwpUILOw_U5uV1khx31o4U_Ujf7VGn1MmdaK5M3LFsZub3-1-yuowhPbfMkl1Q19Ew/s640/DSC_0622.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That left us with Star and her calf, which is a very good thing. The calf took all the milk unless we penned her away from her mama for eight to twelve hours. Then we could milk and manage the gallon and a half with ease. And we didn't have to milk again until we needed more. The perfect dairy life, I'd say.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwwM7AW-S8Yz6WZEdMse2Ixa8Dt4IgROVfFGY6NuVgBips7a8f9H8Kgtcj27zZuxuMT2H_lZ8dKVTqPRvkUaf8x4f7bdkHAGeySOP53D4TTizYHADyjlwOLYGkjlwna03uwetT4AydXs/s1600/DSC_0498.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwwM7AW-S8Yz6WZEdMse2Ixa8Dt4IgROVfFGY6NuVgBips7a8f9H8Kgtcj27zZuxuMT2H_lZ8dKVTqPRvkUaf8x4f7bdkHAGeySOP53D4TTizYHADyjlwOLYGkjlwna03uwetT4AydXs/s640/DSC_0498.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But there comes a time when the calf must be weaned, and that turned out to be at the beginning of December. Now Robin is milking morning and evening again, and we're getting about two and a half gallons every day. That's still a lot of milk, but it's oh, so much more manageable than eight gallons!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These days, we're making yogurt, butter, curds, and sometimes pudding. We give some away to our little friend Kirsten, who loves it. We feed some of it to our chickens. Little Notch, our rescue cat, is growing sleek and fat on his share. But mostly, we make butter. Lots of butter!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQUAKx5cjKs0ON0F4urj2NgizAP8dx0MmHKdsuYDKVu2IigA4bM6qaOswJldZy0hA1xRCpshmsUZkaE6giRqAZL1OQYUiVVdaSbDyqATjzv9Au7ZOUi_9aiUO18ec0lOmQazTTvorIpc/s1600/DSC_0540.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQUAKx5cjKs0ON0F4urj2NgizAP8dx0MmHKdsuYDKVu2IigA4bM6qaOswJldZy0hA1xRCpshmsUZkaE6giRqAZL1OQYUiVVdaSbDyqATjzv9Au7ZOUi_9aiUO18ec0lOmQazTTvorIpc/s640/DSC_0540.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While we had LouAnn, there was so much cream that Robin dug out the old electric churn his mother and aunt used decades ago. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This thing is somewhere between vintage and antique, probably from the 1940s. With some coaxing and TLC, it still works. These photos are from our first time using it. We put in about two gallons of cream and the dasher,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5ozMxSG6FQhSsOlloIjkz74FILuVlZxZvj2gBksdMDZ3qRFQ4k_-pIv7eh9tNhu9vkyaNIRwqYakqK2GATYErBzOuOLQIVdhbpDXJ4CAZPLlxv6Foc3udV2YkpgsJmBivneTEZcvEGo/s1600/DSC_0521sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5ozMxSG6FQhSsOlloIjkz74FILuVlZxZvj2gBksdMDZ3qRFQ4k_-pIv7eh9tNhu9vkyaNIRwqYakqK2GATYErBzOuOLQIVdhbpDXJ4CAZPLlxv6Foc3udV2YkpgsJmBivneTEZcvEGo/s640/DSC_0521sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and then got the tank all settled in the frame and hooked up to the motor on top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Robin plugged it in, and wa-laa! It worked! </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was a bit noisy and he had to sit with it to make sure the lid didn't bounce off, but in about half an hour we had butter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, it wasn't right. It was too fluffy, more like cake icing and almost white.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiVasISvscdNAqpIzaCJGu7Ys3qPb6qKrkHefA7LU6ZUWRD0WKrhCaxGKufsorIlRwkHX0rjlMipiUnrfAbYBdt-WeedEo6m_xfEupqJYCmygSSbZ99gnIcbyCJAcn591uf4TvU6-nbs/s1600/DSC_0537.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiVasISvscdNAqpIzaCJGu7Ys3qPb6qKrkHefA7LU6ZUWRD0WKrhCaxGKufsorIlRwkHX0rjlMipiUnrfAbYBdt-WeedEo6m_xfEupqJYCmygSSbZ99gnIcbyCJAcn591uf4TvU6-nbs/s640/DSC_0537.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I managed to get it washed and packed, but it was quite a mess. All that fluff ended up being made into ghee, a wonderful substance that I use for frying and oiling bread pans, among other things. But that's another story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the almost 30 years since we made butter, we had forgotten that one must add some milk to the cream in order for the butter to form. Once we did that, we ended up with real butter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After LouAnn went to her new home, we didn't have enough cream for the big old electric churn, so we went to the manual method.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This old glass churn really is an antique, but it still works just fine as long as you supply the power.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also remembered another nugget of churning wisdom: let the cream and milk come to room temperature. Doing so cut the churning time almost in half, from close to an hour down to 20 minutes, give or take a few.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the buttermilk is poured off</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the washing begins. Did you know you must wash the milk out of the butter?</span></div>
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Simply add cold water and start squeezing.</div>
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It takes several rounds of squeezing, pouring off the water, adding clean water, and squeezing some more to get all the milk out.</div>
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Then you squeeze more to get as much water out as possible, add salt, and squeeze and pat some more. When the salt is all mixed in and most of the water is out, you're ready to pack.</div>
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Butter freezes well, so once it's solid inside these containers, we pop it out, wrap it in plastic wrap, and pack the butter blocks in zip-top bags. We have quite a stash now. And the cream keeps coming.</div>
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This past Saturday, we bought a more "modern" electric churn from the same folks we bought the cows from.</div>
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Isn't she a beauty? She needed a good bit of scrubbing and a new cord, which we took care of right away. Now she's as good as new.</div>
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There's even an on/off switch</div>
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and a pretty red handle.</div>
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Maybe she needs a name. Hmm...I'll have to think about that a while. I'm open to any suggestions you may have. Anyway, we loaded her up with three quarts of cream and a quart of milk...</div>
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put the dasher/motor/lid on, plugged her in, and turned her on.</div>
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My! How quiet she runs! Just a soft whir on my kitchen counter. How nice it was to turn her on and walk away while the she did the work.</div>
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After about 30 minutes, she sounded like she was working a little harder. Sure enough, butter was starting to form.</div>
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We let her run a few minutes more and there it was! Beautiful, golden butter floating in the milk, and we barely had to lift a finger. What a wonder!</div>
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From there on, it was the same process of washing and packing. I was so delighted with what's her name that I forgot all about taking pictures. </div>
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Along with the churn came this handy butter mold, which also worked like a charm. It holds a pound and you can cut it into four sticks, just like store-bought butter. That's great for cooking and baking, where measurements matter.</div>
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I think we've finally come to an even keel in our milk journey. Star will be milking for another month or two. She's hopefully bred again, with a calf due in late summer. She'll be dry for a few months while her baby grows, meaning she won't give any milk. Never fear, though! We have plenty of butter to get us through until she freshens with a new calf. Then we'll be back in the dairy business again.</div>
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</span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-57797606039327822732016-12-24T18:28:00.001-05:002016-12-24T22:43:56.978-05:00A Gurley Christmas Story<span style="font-size: large;">And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And she brought forth her firstborn son,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">keeping watch over their flock by night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. </span><span style="font-size: large;">For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> And </span><span style="font-size: large;">this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, </span><span style="font-size: large;">Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And they came with hast, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. </span><span style="font-size: large;">But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp63TcH1dgxihjhaznJtS5R9Uq_6T586azKEVMQpNJHrHwPU1_Hxy3AVQH_-mVi2qR5woV4Undo1GBm7HrQ-x982eo2jC7Pd5NHOEdxPrdVSleFsA36mLhnnqwJEk5KDOKstc84tSIwE/s1600/DSC_0561.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp63TcH1dgxihjhaznJtS5R9Uq_6T586azKEVMQpNJHrHwPU1_Hxy3AVQH_-mVi2qR5woV4Undo1GBm7HrQ-x982eo2jC7Pd5NHOEdxPrdVSleFsA36mLhnnqwJEk5KDOKstc84tSIwE/s640/DSC_0561.blog.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Luke 2: 1-20</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdfqseZJQ5VUwUnh29TKGvs0xIUqMx2P23JFo9WTUCxGtc-sYzhHgbFBVqxffKngaErSxsfIYONuOZvp8TJrqqtrc6ie5rMgr67QoSEz60Ob2SRB7BuBBygm5e2VAQHt16VCFmD403ng/s1600/DSC_0503.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdfqseZJQ5VUwUnh29TKGvs0xIUqMx2P23JFo9WTUCxGtc-sYzhHgbFBVqxffKngaErSxsfIYONuOZvp8TJrqqtrc6ie5rMgr67QoSEz60Ob2SRB7BuBBygm5e2VAQHt16VCFmD403ng/s640/DSC_0503.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas!</span></div>
Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-71676477175944152592016-11-24T20:28:00.001-05:002016-11-24T21:27:27.446-05:00Pilgrims on My Table<span style="font-size: large;">As far back as I can remember, my mother had these little Pilgrim candles out for Thanksgiving.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibniQae-3siizpTKW9s2bNS9CtLSV6SkGR89dazMrOkRHfhYOA518L1e68uzwfLR6QJfnKE7X9eK8C5Ipi89PvB265lpYnaMYzdzHvC-5AooW-rOpIZ5RRqZIO6VhMgmNMz3qNvv7gARw/s1600/DSC_0449.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibniQae-3siizpTKW9s2bNS9CtLSV6SkGR89dazMrOkRHfhYOA518L1e68uzwfLR6QJfnKE7X9eK8C5Ipi89PvB265lpYnaMYzdzHvC-5AooW-rOpIZ5RRqZIO6VhMgmNMz3qNvv7gARw/s640/DSC_0449.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The labels on the bottom reveal that they were made by the Gurley Candle Company of Buffalo, New York. The Pilgrims cost 15 ⊄, and the turkey 29⊄.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUm6eIk1JqW78SObbILfQg0BOVamphKSVhANGB_Lb1hG1zyi1hNXKO_gdZNNmoRgs3iV-lB0_O6b-OaY-Bnl5pWX6sdpb6KY_riWOZzwu2K3f230CNMHo1sDZx47Hq-SqE5W6doQyX9s/s1600/DSC_0451.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUm6eIk1JqW78SObbILfQg0BOVamphKSVhANGB_Lb1hG1zyi1hNXKO_gdZNNmoRgs3iV-lB0_O6b-OaY-Bnl5pWX6sdpb6KY_riWOZzwu2K3f230CNMHo1sDZx47Hq-SqE5W6doQyX9s/s640/DSC_0451.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When my mom bought these, probably back in the 1950s, 59⊄ was more than just pocket change and was carefully spent. She never lit the candles, keeping them in their original condition for decades.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB4d2GvOLl7-2gmq4Hik0w45U0aSxAaXTB3c5NVwtXQvq6S0sKseoUjgSilYk7OJO6JXOOq4fVLlHzj_aVQ-Y4-LcSBc1cHq6DOTFZO1Kg2R4UsJbqJ6R7Lyylq3hyphenhyphen2Zxlsx9sW4N8kw/s1600/DSC_0450.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB4d2GvOLl7-2gmq4Hik0w45U0aSxAaXTB3c5NVwtXQvq6S0sKseoUjgSilYk7OJO6JXOOq4fVLlHzj_aVQ-Y4-LcSBc1cHq6DOTFZO1Kg2R4UsJbqJ6R7Lyylq3hyphenhyphen2Zxlsx9sW4N8kw/s640/DSC_0450.sig.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I married Robin, he came with lots of stuff. Among his treasures were more Gurley Pilgrims.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyfitl04p1M7FoHpCO_NcMT_yIUS3D_gfBQuu5FKY9VxGYZG0dsYxIUNUZhW6M13mKh9JcXq4xqv7fbu0159Vb9l0OYprPtyVnh8-idbGhyphenhyphenL13zZF0KN3qoXt0vpTrOZ97vCnYRqROvM/s1600/DSC_0444.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyfitl04p1M7FoHpCO_NcMT_yIUS3D_gfBQuu5FKY9VxGYZG0dsYxIUNUZhW6M13mKh9JcXq4xqv7fbu0159Vb9l0OYprPtyVnh8-idbGhyphenhyphenL13zZF0KN3qoXt0vpTrOZ97vCnYRqROvM/s640/DSC_0444.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The little lady is like Mom's except for her grey dress, and the larger turkey is a duplicate of Mom's. I had never seen candles as big as the taller lady, nor a turkey as small is this little one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many years later, my sister found this little Indian girl in a thrift shop and gave her to me for Christmas.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1fqsyKq_WO5w5wOQ6w8Ijmzhoi9XHoWuNSrg3YJEyqSxeu0sFQXWwnS6vrhjTbXrKLwnMvnYCg60T_yXrz8tp-u1ncXWM070P5Lvlt_m8UhUN0odiW8spmSrBbTWBJyZZbl_GepyRBY/s1600/DSC_0457.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1fqsyKq_WO5w5wOQ6w8Ijmzhoi9XHoWuNSrg3YJEyqSxeu0sFQXWwnS6vrhjTbXrKLwnMvnYCg60T_yXrz8tp-u1ncXWM070P5Lvlt_m8UhUN0odiW8spmSrBbTWBJyZZbl_GepyRBY/s640/DSC_0457.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She's a Gurley too. Until she joined my Thanksgiving candle collection, I didn't know they made Indians. The text on the bottom label is different from all the others...does that mean she's older?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7uEHIHn2XHP1vNGGhVPMq2udEngXDjMExFmZA1-B2kHJUJNHvT4D05jruN9y0KzQ79mCo-3KIDHmknZlBOdpo1jy2T7tQ_KlLEoToh1piIebq1Qe74ie1UtihHXw69V6tHX40_bBS2I/s1600/DSC_0460.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7uEHIHn2XHP1vNGGhVPMq2udEngXDjMExFmZA1-B2kHJUJNHvT4D05jruN9y0KzQ79mCo-3KIDHmknZlBOdpo1jy2T7tQ_KlLEoToh1piIebq1Qe74ie1UtihHXw69V6tHX40_bBS2I/s640/DSC_0460.sig.jpg" width="556" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even if she's showing her age, she has a sweet little face, don't you think?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A2RyTrg8u0PXxmwj6ySvOh5J4ncBvhaCBLgiNY5kHeLDKUkhgbH2qEZenkD1qZaLGx8nZQ6Kq93g9vX37Tey-mnsx6j-X7TExWTy2bb-RXFwJTFY9jbSfad2i2TLNKY70_3cI3Zps5I/s1600/DSC_0458.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A2RyTrg8u0PXxmwj6ySvOh5J4ncBvhaCBLgiNY5kHeLDKUkhgbH2qEZenkD1qZaLGx8nZQ6Kq93g9vX37Tey-mnsx6j-X7TExWTy2bb-RXFwJTFY9jbSfad2i2TLNKY70_3cI3Zps5I/s640/DSC_0458.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tzkwGfIKdECctXbmR1IlrjcxrbYAbZhTkQ-nutJlmXrFZdbX4mDy1RCA9e1sx_yyw_IQHxvgh0_nxsyrsYrgPWbiPT24ymyxuIOJ4SZhkAkT8di_9tlyxJmESADAaVXBKl7WcUqU0Ds/s1600/DSC_0459.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tzkwGfIKdECctXbmR1IlrjcxrbYAbZhTkQ-nutJlmXrFZdbX4mDy1RCA9e1sx_yyw_IQHxvgh0_nxsyrsYrgPWbiPT24ymyxuIOJ4SZhkAkT8di_9tlyxJmESADAaVXBKl7WcUqU0Ds/s640/DSC_0459.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few months ago, I ran across this pair of Pilgrims in an antique store.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMWFgy2AO0nFqZTr7Pu1rF0Phws-DI09r_aCL5plcOI8FNasW0Rm6BU2GN76dJ79u4jQ53oCEgnY0xdcZ6uWnr3H5oZEUaFcOpU3OFN9GtJNy9EjeK5UcPLkw6k-U6jZJnBvwbKNZVbs/s1600/DSC_0446.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMWFgy2AO0nFqZTr7Pu1rF0Phws-DI09r_aCL5plcOI8FNasW0Rm6BU2GN76dJ79u4jQ53oCEgnY0xdcZ6uWnr3H5oZEUaFcOpU3OFN9GtJNy9EjeK5UcPLkw6k-U6jZJnBvwbKNZVbs/s640/DSC_0446.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They're the same size as Robin's taller lady, about 5 1/2 inches. I'm not sure they started life together as a pair, since their labels and prices aren't the same.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3styXelityQNIHv1Uinwo49nPLJa3kLb9Q4qliRJATlGVr3m9xearm_Hyn5jG9IPfeli4LvlTueVF-1x7ea_stWPXqHGZiVtS_t_oNYXgq4PR-v0V8lfQwvYi6o7iZ-6vqbJa99HqBVY/s1600/DSC_0447.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3styXelityQNIHv1Uinwo49nPLJa3kLb9Q4qliRJATlGVr3m9xearm_Hyn5jG9IPfeli4LvlTueVF-1x7ea_stWPXqHGZiVtS_t_oNYXgq4PR-v0V8lfQwvYi6o7iZ-6vqbJa99HqBVY/s640/DSC_0447.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But they're just the right size to go with Robin's larger turkey, so now I have another perfect three-some.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dJkXJWfa7TXDIKJjK6XPlkWJodmcuL5Y5WJfQn0sPNXlrehe7fJL5_CGIxtMcAaLNUzuezrHvb5_f2Tq7tFRbVAKfYu6rCimQd3FRa7KDP-aEKOC6IM8JjEu8NTwU0yb9ObpIxNZeDY/s1600/DSC_0463.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dJkXJWfa7TXDIKJjK6XPlkWJodmcuL5Y5WJfQn0sPNXlrehe7fJL5_CGIxtMcAaLNUzuezrHvb5_f2Tq7tFRbVAKfYu6rCimQd3FRa7KDP-aEKOC6IM8JjEu8NTwU0yb9ObpIxNZeDY/s640/DSC_0463.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now, for the best find so far...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTD5lFfsIj0o-uNZRgL334-qGdjzBpVxWC0A6jxkgm80nhmdhP0_dwG0Fuosviyg3YuxEvKDa2tKdBW9MMjEarLESF3kVBeno3HnGBiNhMapJ1UGgsvmK6ZzRhKCtIinP9nQnCwOtkgY/s1600/DSC_0452.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTD5lFfsIj0o-uNZRgL334-qGdjzBpVxWC0A6jxkgm80nhmdhP0_dwG0Fuosviyg3YuxEvKDa2tKdBW9MMjEarLESF3kVBeno3HnGBiNhMapJ1UGgsvmK6ZzRhKCtIinP9nQnCwOtkgY/s640/DSC_0452.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found this whopper just ten miles from home! Our local chapter of the SPCA runs a second-hand store in town. Not long ago, I went in to see if they had anything new and this lovely fellow greeted me from a table near the door. I couldn't believe it! I didn't know Gurley made holiday candles this big. He's almost six inches tall!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7bXJQJkXgZDTriiKgUzYMcwnjpYdw4zKAGLoHV2WL802Sm4SjbXGW07LITcQFYLbUuSvFmh9cGJBLRgp7SDWOLChLv4BB0wfL-d80KyjrOae33rmcccqPn_-sSKU8fmpOsuiUZ_XnMk/s1600/DSC_0462.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7bXJQJkXgZDTriiKgUzYMcwnjpYdw4zKAGLoHV2WL802Sm4SjbXGW07LITcQFYLbUuSvFmh9cGJBLRgp7SDWOLChLv4BB0wfL-d80KyjrOae33rmcccqPn_-sSKU8fmpOsuiUZ_XnMk/s640/DSC_0462.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He's in perfect condition, without a flaw of any kind that I can see.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7czgRkH-GxkN9evOSBlahq8NcYIRj9g77Qa5DpaPznxC0BJTc447Yuf2edN5tAyzibzGl42fyf82zGQ0VGkrJEYdjZ5d3sxzdRAY1mgF1yNv9cwHtqx44zL2PJ-U-cLBI0opmB3QaYKE/s1600/DSC_0453.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7czgRkH-GxkN9evOSBlahq8NcYIRj9g77Qa5DpaPznxC0BJTc447Yuf2edN5tAyzibzGl42fyf82zGQ0VGkrJEYdjZ5d3sxzdRAY1mgF1yNv9cwHtqx44zL2PJ-U-cLBI0opmB3QaYKE/s640/DSC_0453.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When he was brand new, he was quite an investment at $1.19. I got him for a steal...only 50⊄!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIRBSMcrBc-JPLTfTmcfYXS-VB2n1aTcLhtURKPotR9go_RAdOhEAulHWf6teuYcLUfkbIGyiUnnlu19qjt-4X7fJkGAWiUWrUALoAogw9LUJ6gK13s_AGxRvthdO1I5Z-1kHgIpdzfs/s1600/DSC_0454.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIRBSMcrBc-JPLTfTmcfYXS-VB2n1aTcLhtURKPotR9go_RAdOhEAulHWf6teuYcLUfkbIGyiUnnlu19qjt-4X7fJkGAWiUWrUALoAogw9LUJ6gK13s_AGxRvthdO1I5Z-1kHgIpdzfs/s640/DSC_0454.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He towers over my other little turkeys. Do you suppose they made pilgrims this big? They would be at least eight inches tall, maybe taller.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5ojOpZ9eQGlwyIkHf2AUwnIbOP8CW68FB-d2G9lVIQabSI__ItqHW4_5FUZ3L2vz2odkUAb2B1UErXoYY4s8BIClzaDyokRi2DmIsVh4ZuUOFKqh_XpsDi3fJ6ZyuYTlxgZqeeLFVQk/s1600/DSC_0455.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5ojOpZ9eQGlwyIkHf2AUwnIbOP8CW68FB-d2G9lVIQabSI__ItqHW4_5FUZ3L2vz2odkUAb2B1UErXoYY4s8BIClzaDyokRi2DmIsVh4ZuUOFKqh_XpsDi3fJ6ZyuYTlxgZqeeLFVQk/s640/DSC_0455.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gurley candles are among my favorite vintage things. I always enjoy having them on display during the holidays, and put them where I can see them often. Besides these Thanksgiving candles, my little collection includes two Halloween candles and several Christmas ones. Do you remember Gurley candles from your childhood? For me, they evoke a comfortable aura of nostalgia. Sweet memories of home and family are something to be thankful for, are they not?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB4d2GvOLl7-2gmq4Hik0w45U0aSxAaXTB3c5NVwtXQvq6S0sKseoUjgSilYk7OJO6JXOOq4fVLlHzj_aVQ-Y4-LcSBc1cHq6DOTFZO1Kg2R4UsJbqJ6R7Lyylq3hyphenhyphen2Zxlsx9sW4N8kw/s1600/DSC_0450.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB4d2GvOLl7-2gmq4Hik0w45U0aSxAaXTB3c5NVwtXQvq6S0sKseoUjgSilYk7OJO6JXOOq4fVLlHzj_aVQ-Y4-LcSBc1cHq6DOTFZO1Kg2R4UsJbqJ6R7Lyylq3hyphenhyphen2Zxlsx9sW4N8kw/s640/DSC_0450.sig.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-84149062443140551232016-07-21T09:36:00.001-04:002017-01-01T23:02:12.861-05:00My Buckets Runneth Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, that's right: my buckets runneth over. And my pitchers and jars, too. Everything's running over with milk!! Right now, there's at least five gallons in the house, and this evening, <i>again</i>, there will be more. A lot more. I guess that's what happens when you buy a milk cow!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfiMbtPV_Dz6guA2E69JdCe9ZLdwX66LmnHbH2UiJNkinpmZ4RmN6VNsrq9_6gzbjx0mk3kOCqCR8gBvmJjH6mD023hBTD1J78KWNthVRAHI4MI-ALo1lRDwWa44HlH1pP07MrXi-4WU/s1600/DSC_0502.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfiMbtPV_Dz6guA2E69JdCe9ZLdwX66LmnHbH2UiJNkinpmZ4RmN6VNsrq9_6gzbjx0mk3kOCqCR8gBvmJjH6mD023hBTD1J78KWNthVRAHI4MI-ALo1lRDwWa44HlH1pP07MrXi-4WU/s640/DSC_0502.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh my, have we taken leave of our senses?? Hopefully not. It's only been two days, so I'm believing that this is an adjustment period and we'll get into the routine of fresh milk twice a day...<i>twice a day</i>?? What were we thinking?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were thinking, and have been for a while, about getting a cow. For us, the older we get, the more important quality, nourishing food has become. Not that we're elderly or anything, but our bodies are telling us we're not 20-something anymore. The most logical place to begin a healthier lifestyle is to eat healthier food. I discovered the <a href="http://foodwifery.com/" target="_blank">FOODWIFERY</a> philosophy of sourcing, cooking, and eating, which made a lot of sense. One part of the Foodwifery approach is consuming raw and cultured milk products. Thus, the cow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also thought a milk cow would be a good thing for our vacation rental business. Folks who stay at the <a href="http://vancescountryguesthouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Guest House</a> love the farm, especially the animals. Milking a cow and tasting fresh milk will be a great experience for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We actually have four cows at the moment, but two of them are just babies: heifers that are about 8 months old. It will be a couple of years before they'll be giving any milk.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7i0kwTKqjmRHYWB56RF6ZFNqDfKnfmVh4OV74Kq-7DYSHZP4JoakKmLlC5dENPQI_buvZSXdqueZzrmpsSL6DiMgkC6HzHtb1FhoME3RAgniAneqtsa08-4G7QD6nFLDB8ms_QeWyAo/s1600/Milk+Calves.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7i0kwTKqjmRHYWB56RF6ZFNqDfKnfmVh4OV74Kq-7DYSHZP4JoakKmLlC5dENPQI_buvZSXdqueZzrmpsSL6DiMgkC6HzHtb1FhoME3RAgniAneqtsa08-4G7QD6nFLDB8ms_QeWyAo/s640/Milk+Calves.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The other two were a package deal. Otherwise, we would have gotten only one. They are both Jerseys and both came with month-old calves, thank goodness! Every drop those baby girls drink means less for us to deal with. Without them, we'd be dealing with about eight gallons a day! As it is, two to five gallons a day is way more than enough. I obviously have a lot to learn about dairy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vQzu2VB9kC8hexJxSTTFIPLk1OF0_dUJn7c3d1akioYn5zBsXsB4wJSWqwDWbhUnpZMfe8-rnPVocUE7ddOps2y8SJPdr3cpTBkRI_wlx8Xi9mBR6wiBOi6A8zdZoLwJB7_XYDu-hYA/s1600/DSC_0498.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vQzu2VB9kC8hexJxSTTFIPLk1OF0_dUJn7c3d1akioYn5zBsXsB4wJSWqwDWbhUnpZMfe8-rnPVocUE7ddOps2y8SJPdr3cpTBkRI_wlx8Xi9mBR6wiBOi6A8zdZoLwJB7_XYDu-hYA/s640/DSC_0498.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I met Robin oh, so many years ago, his family still had milk cows. We had raw milk the first few years of our marriage, but his mother took care of most of it. Robin brought in a glass gallon jar of milk every few days. I learned to make butter and whipped cream, but that's all. Now my mother-in-law is gone, and it's all up to me. All five gallons a day! Milking is coming back easily to Robin after all these years, but I think his hands are complaining a bit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for me, I'm filling jars and pitchers, skimming cream, washing buckets, and experimenting with cultured dairy. I think I have plenty to work with. There are jars and jar of milk,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8u53IXbJJSXH6Q7MsmazfMYaI66CitXSDbLCO4GLt42fRXz8QWaulA-X_mq_aaDjJTUZApXg0xP-fkLY2YRsyO4rk8L9lY-0ue6K-XfjJPTtyhkWGaIczeixeU0D8-DK_SrR73L7pro/s1600/DSC_0512.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8u53IXbJJSXH6Q7MsmazfMYaI66CitXSDbLCO4GLt42fRXz8QWaulA-X_mq_aaDjJTUZApXg0xP-fkLY2YRsyO4rk8L9lY-0ue6K-XfjJPTtyhkWGaIczeixeU0D8-DK_SrR73L7pro/s640/DSC_0512.sig.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The cream is adding up...I'll be able to make butter soon.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhBlRD078IVSbIKhizMDad7bt7eDg8q2mjIeHXFbDKyuVYLQGDFoLndblLPsrNuvq0nFTtfKKhkMFleHvIQc8lX01y3m3AKg4CvSO0pYnOg8z8VurxkqbtVPGAq8wkY2P6kZjFw8h338/s1600/DSC_0505.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhBlRD078IVSbIKhizMDad7bt7eDg8q2mjIeHXFbDKyuVYLQGDFoLndblLPsrNuvq0nFTtfKKhkMFleHvIQc8lX01y3m3AKg4CvSO0pYnOg8z8VurxkqbtVPGAq8wkY2P6kZjFw8h338/s640/DSC_0505.sig.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I let one gallon clabber and ended up with curds</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKiGWu-HWrC4C4phRaELDLF4ZL5koAs28J2Zhn9RXe2V759nMyKByMqj5I21XQsvoGG5iD89c8jmlVrymEbl2z_nKMx9OhotAs5SG23LYFvNNZzs2fimTWtERss0S1nIE6GWEj7f9DBI/s1600/DSC_0506.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKiGWu-HWrC4C4phRaELDLF4ZL5koAs28J2Zhn9RXe2V759nMyKByMqj5I21XQsvoGG5iD89c8jmlVrymEbl2z_nKMx9OhotAs5SG23LYFvNNZzs2fimTWtERss0S1nIE6GWEj7f9DBI/s640/DSC_0506.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and whey. Until now, I had no ideas what whey looked like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's milk to drink,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNePFxMtKEg-Ha78Fp2IZkjhRp648qI8DFws-DxN407alfbcldlwLPg2ZhFBjZ4Z8MiPZ38PCszzozSMYT0miF43UJRpaUvd96gNuHohyzPkJ9U6UIFZQrA1cf2dt7i8GgG_bhpLduDw/s1600/DSC_0508.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNePFxMtKEg-Ha78Fp2IZkjhRp648qI8DFws-DxN407alfbcldlwLPg2ZhFBjZ4Z8MiPZ38PCszzozSMYT0miF43UJRpaUvd96gNuHohyzPkJ9U6UIFZQrA1cf2dt7i8GgG_bhpLduDw/s640/DSC_0508.sig.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">even chocolate milk.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U5kca_lVb-BikzO42JwS45Fj00LtSKJ_Lhn3nnaZFyJQ6r7j0b_DhAbS69PWs-iYBIpvNkTb75GpC2jWG22UaLGJoCIp1EZwAiHWdxcAsyJeX6k_wgdG1grpcnvFC_YGf2mjyU-M4T0/s1600/DSC_0507.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U5kca_lVb-BikzO42JwS45Fj00LtSKJ_Lhn3nnaZFyJQ6r7j0b_DhAbS69PWs-iYBIpvNkTb75GpC2jWG22UaLGJoCIp1EZwAiHWdxcAsyJeX6k_wgdG1grpcnvFC_YGf2mjyU-M4T0/s640/DSC_0507.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm thinking ice cream might be a good idea soon. And pudding. At some point in the near future, I'll be giving cheese-making a go as well. I'll have to be careful, though, that all those pounds of milk products don't end up around my waist. That would not be good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so our milk journey has begun. I'll let you know how it's going once in a while. I'm excited...but I still think we're nuts.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOMky-d8CaUyWtBcJkE77xnBTgnpE6C8ip29Muq2tcQURaaWyyZ-ie8X9pBvz2Ts9wZ3vTZnG42qY7YgNfazBVZQVxI3kGeY9E8qn7ofJHSHvEgolTpzEvQRafESYs7jxHZicSjSm44I/s1600/DSC_0451.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOMky-d8CaUyWtBcJkE77xnBTgnpE6C8ip29Muq2tcQURaaWyyZ-ie8X9pBvz2Ts9wZ3vTZnG42qY7YgNfazBVZQVxI3kGeY9E8qn7ofJHSHvEgolTpzEvQRafESYs7jxHZicSjSm44I/s640/DSC_0451.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-7822659933374063652016-06-21T18:21:00.001-04:002016-06-21T18:21:53.286-04:00Don't Bug Me<span style="font-size: large;">I don't like bugs. Never have. I can barely tolerate a butterfly. Just about anything with six legs makes me recoil in disgust, and a praying mantis could give me nightmares. Needless to say, I don't normally look close enough to appreciate their intricacies, and insects aren't usually the subject of my photographic adventures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once in a while, however, I can get past my dislike and see the wonder in a bug. Such was the case Sunday afternoon. Down by the river, where we were enjoying a beautiful afternoon, Robin pointed out this pretty thing flying around.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE1Qe0A_pOheA9QyW6VjK264Mpw6uYEgHsxwzcuA7WxeFBF2l_9EebWPh0oqa5lW9RWSqDTEKg3GL4nBa2_YwvRDkiPIkpZlBF6QEzzShk6NNi4U9SVuec5PDlTREw9blTWW0M2hzW4Y/s1600/DSC_1102.ed.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE1Qe0A_pOheA9QyW6VjK264Mpw6uYEgHsxwzcuA7WxeFBF2l_9EebWPh0oqa5lW9RWSqDTEKg3GL4nBa2_YwvRDkiPIkpZlBF6QEzzShk6NNi4U9SVuec5PDlTREw9blTWW0M2hzW4Y/s640/DSC_1102.ed.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were several of them. When they landed, they were perfect subjects, sitting still long enough for me to compose a shot, focus, and click away. Almost entirely iridescent, they are tiny things, only about two inches long.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8Mdcnbid6jXFJplTKiW7GrP-G2NzuYNiI3LAVbkWjNvphsj4cK7bT4eGQwqKfqeft45vMZUPKv3nZBlixaK4tz-TyxlXj5y2KvytzpTz6hwRBeZ48-rTKYHx_d_-mKgskfBPCS5VWJY/s1600/DSC_1086.ed.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8Mdcnbid6jXFJplTKiW7GrP-G2NzuYNiI3LAVbkWjNvphsj4cK7bT4eGQwqKfqeft45vMZUPKv3nZBlixaK4tz-TyxlXj5y2KvytzpTz6hwRBeZ48-rTKYHx_d_-mKgskfBPCS5VWJY/s640/DSC_1086.ed.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit, it was fascinating to see this fellow up close. I got some nice photos, and it wasn't too awfully creepy-crawly, either.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3Z8wMTEEY1hziXfk5gXkJm2kdRkJMqBx5pvupapMLEh9_eoVaUsTBCAy_ZKv1dQZiscvLzCYelODI-_k1XbqCqkhjH2LDXOZYNlGuUE3d6PkHr5TGaVs0aygPdFFgXq4pjkCwB5rGBc/s1600/DSC_1088.ed.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3Z8wMTEEY1hziXfk5gXkJm2kdRkJMqBx5pvupapMLEh9_eoVaUsTBCAy_ZKv1dQZiscvLzCYelODI-_k1XbqCqkhjH2LDXOZYNlGuUE3d6PkHr5TGaVs0aygPdFFgXq4pjkCwB5rGBc/s640/DSC_1088.ed.sig.jpg" width="586" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But, just for the record, I still don't like bugs.</span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-46590810622002442462016-03-25T17:19:00.001-04:002016-05-09T20:06:49.043-04:00Good Friday Visitor<span style="font-size: large;">We had a special visitor on the Guest House pond this morning. <a href="http://www.sweetrun.blogspot.com/2015/06/to-say-my-husband-is-early-riser-is.html" target="_blank">Once again</a>, Robin called while I was still a-snooze, to tell me to bring my camera and hurry. And once again, I threw on some clothes, grabbed the camera bag, and this time, headed for the car. When I arrived at the pond a few minutes later, Robin had gone to feed the cattle and the surface of the pond was empty. Or so I thought. I watched and looked for a few minutes and saw nothing but the fish swishing and a few raindrops making ripples. Robin came back and didn't see anything either, but kept insisting that it was still there. Finally, we saw it: a grebe paddling around near the water's edge.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtbz7ZmZQP3mdzgkO6pZ6OCtmH1yorKNveCGC0nvm1upv5X0gy4uynNKmpTo3bo5N76IVfhJRPCPy83dy8ymKjDkkhUMqtQVY2BH-lFcAyZ1uAuSDyskivxXxnWXO1qFOpfXy9zJwdtU/s1600/DSC_1522.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtbz7ZmZQP3mdzgkO6pZ6OCtmH1yorKNveCGC0nvm1upv5X0gy4uynNKmpTo3bo5N76IVfhJRPCPy83dy8ymKjDkkhUMqtQVY2BH-lFcAyZ1uAuSDyskivxXxnWXO1qFOpfXy9zJwdtU/s640/DSC_1522.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunFdXsw-KUfgdDR-LgPBxV8Y_dVyb3PCaSgT3vmmHOEYYROMMTFfhPxAAZCzxjqY5mELZ18ETFThMunKczvCBOYmVAwT9075rry5qxFDCPoSaIIlZ8ZfnrI7kMInK1-Qfj5IYm0oJWGY/s1600/DSC_1518.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunFdXsw-KUfgdDR-LgPBxV8Y_dVyb3PCaSgT3vmmHOEYYROMMTFfhPxAAZCzxjqY5mELZ18ETFThMunKczvCBOYmVAwT9075rry5qxFDCPoSaIIlZ8ZfnrI7kMInK1-Qfj5IYm0oJWGY/s640/DSC_1518.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXmx_KDVRHP5zYGLuyvlpn2HYHeEh3p065z4PzmQBF3uFLPAFzoTZSS2jqaPBImLX3sV8hhPyy6yZqZEZSQrnDkGH3msDVmRYaXbM1UAyCoYOARswwH84M8M7ILQyE_i_DhV7bqjdaqY/s1600/DSC_1519.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXmx_KDVRHP5zYGLuyvlpn2HYHeEh3p065z4PzmQBF3uFLPAFzoTZSS2jqaPBImLX3sV8hhPyy6yZqZEZSQrnDkGH3msDVmRYaXbM1UAyCoYOARswwH84M8M7ILQyE_i_DhV7bqjdaqY/s640/DSC_1519.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> My <i>Birds of Virginia Field Guide</i> (by Stan Tekiela) gives the bird's proper name: a Pied-Billed Grebe and describes what we were looking at perfectly.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRs_6Ed838Qpuo5Tn1T4zOHwOQcl5NG-d7R5ZKhQcTknK6MLYq-vxj6QPP46HoGSavlJwFEbYV3soT4gF8_u4pVPat2pUC1rTHSe05mysI9QiJXquo9yA1zKL2xBNYGEPD649WH_mAHg/s1600/DSC_1603.sig2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRs_6Ed838Qpuo5Tn1T4zOHwOQcl5NG-d7R5ZKhQcTknK6MLYq-vxj6QPP46HoGSavlJwFEbYV3soT4gF8_u4pVPat2pUC1rTHSe05mysI9QiJXquo9yA1zKL2xBNYGEPD649WH_mAHg/s640/DSC_1603.sig2.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhx50gvZ8mAD6dYqnWvhvBs5NwOWRwbGqGDulLL5tzUrPYWCJMzB8TdMgjFNU3ErmYvB6dxJZEsZGeznZOJth9UYu0WjarfuZWqFVFeHfeAr17Hz6BvxCAcZxSo3g6DGBINmm0zNKKTk/s1600/DSC_1604.sig2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhx50gvZ8mAD6dYqnWvhvBs5NwOWRwbGqGDulLL5tzUrPYWCJMzB8TdMgjFNU3ErmYvB6dxJZEsZGeznZOJth9UYu0WjarfuZWqFVFeHfeAr17Hz6BvxCAcZxSo3g6DGBINmm0zNKKTk/s640/DSC_1604.sig2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although the book says grebes are "common residents," they are not common around here, at least not anymore. Robin's father could remember when, decades ago, there were a lot of grebes on the river. They called them "dive dippers" because they dove under the surface of the water. I tried to capture our little fella as he dove, but this is all I got:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF1YlbI84YakECzl5WqqQo7mAafgpDBzPzNcX9zHwQ6JQ0BbQ3uYu1GcxJHs1vLnn9rP0ESjMbHt7uwR-M2_jid9DKyJC_R1KNqBvVIzNJ2VaDsJ-BaRm4qvXCLMb0YTq8dTLZzUPV5A/s1600/DSC_1578.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF1YlbI84YakECzl5WqqQo7mAafgpDBzPzNcX9zHwQ6JQ0BbQ3uYu1GcxJHs1vLnn9rP0ESjMbHt7uwR-M2_jid9DKyJC_R1KNqBvVIzNJ2VaDsJ-BaRm4qvXCLMb0YTq8dTLZzUPV5A/s640/DSC_1578.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They stay under water for several minutes sometimes, and usually surface in a completely different place from where they went down</span><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Robin walked to the other side of the pond, which caused the grebe to swim toward me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He (or she!) finally got close enough that I could get some decent pictures. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSTuRx0_APDsl1Rq6gBgpUR8vEbvDYiJ7LSSvVuKAUbyCKikYCIgxPqRSZUyrf1EA-1Ivrqr7rvlk9DiAKp4F89wW9JGjnj9VacS5BoL3KYE7uxYdUQy4S69oA9-f2mWBPyHw55F8Xu0/s1600/DSC_1566.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSTuRx0_APDsl1Rq6gBgpUR8vEbvDYiJ7LSSvVuKAUbyCKikYCIgxPqRSZUyrf1EA-1Ivrqr7rvlk9DiAKp4F89wW9JGjnj9VacS5BoL3KYE7uxYdUQy4S69oA9-f2mWBPyHw55F8Xu0/s640/DSC_1566.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Years ago, when a school faculty meeting got hot and stuffy, I slipped out of the library to open the front door for some fresh air. A few minutes later, a little bird (which turned out to be a grebe) hobbled in and started down the hall! With the custodian's help, I got it into a box and brought it home. When we put it into a small tub of water, it was so happy! It paddled and paddled with its one good leg, sending it around in circles. Apparently, it had mistaken a puddle on the parking lot for water deep enough to land on and broken its leg as a result. We sent it to the wildlife rehab center where it could be properly cared for. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Luckily, this morning's visitor didn't make the same mistake.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gG-SQCTNM7UdeKpzfQJwZ2wRNJ_pvHSnsZy8QaWrjW7qnhR5aaQB5kmI5NDNWIMQh0zpvVOw5PtErR7aqiMootS96n35In3k8AJGPBmpk55SATTw88qI6cnzWTmxYd0e0QowUFXPcnY/s1600/DSC_1587.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gG-SQCTNM7UdeKpzfQJwZ2wRNJ_pvHSnsZy8QaWrjW7qnhR5aaQB5kmI5NDNWIMQh0zpvVOw5PtErR7aqiMootS96n35In3k8AJGPBmpk55SATTw88qI6cnzWTmxYd0e0QowUFXPcnY/s640/DSC_1587.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I watched him dive and resurface for almost an hour. He stayed in the middle of the pond as long as Robin and I were on either side. When Robin joined me, the grebe headed to the other side, away from us pesky humans.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uxe9cjBtyFZeL5DtgOhemlPUo5-lSaiW05vZ318oEitCcttqr5hYqBZ16FJ4qsDOECsmPClshpQ_jhId-_-DTYADBu-Kjfq561k_uHYGd-vsuSasH4gkHbYbp3gZ1Fm1-gIL6D6402I/s1600/DSC_1590.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uxe9cjBtyFZeL5DtgOhemlPUo5-lSaiW05vZ318oEitCcttqr5hYqBZ16FJ4qsDOECsmPClshpQ_jhId-_-DTYADBu-Kjfq561k_uHYGd-vsuSasH4gkHbYbp3gZ1Fm1-gIL6D6402I/s640/DSC_1590.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How blessed I am when God lets me peek inside the wonders of his creation! And how sweet it is to have a husband who gets up early enough to make sure I don't miss them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-12887662898786431982016-02-21T01:15:00.000-05:002016-02-22T14:17:04.373-05:00A Tale of Two (Or More) Dishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was young, my family ate off of Blue Willow dishes. My grandmother gave my parents the set not long after they were married in 1948.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMmKzT8f0WuMjpH_tMfTeC5JzeOJOoDhaSEXHymZjdI4JIIKJAEL8k89fl9FVSmIzvhPreDrwgwoFsInGpS4qZgSHkOHDUyf2Re3LtCT7Ak8DGkpGVmm6xs8K8WwwzhyphenhyphencS37t4qcr9Ek/s1600/DSC_1177.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMmKzT8f0WuMjpH_tMfTeC5JzeOJOoDhaSEXHymZjdI4JIIKJAEL8k89fl9FVSmIzvhPreDrwgwoFsInGpS4qZgSHkOHDUyf2Re3LtCT7Ak8DGkpGVmm6xs8K8WwwzhyphenhyphencS37t4qcr9Ek/s640/DSC_1177.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They weren't fine china, but they were good, sturdy dishes made to serve folks their daily bread.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g8ONOAffnmOjCs6LM04zDv3OBQWcAbrhGYM0Q-WGNXl8t0kRF8sU7MlFOLWxsrcE9oEHEuhnj4CbEdv-0ZjYKcMXvQCqWR0fxQOLvJ3B65UVO6uOBnRySQGzwfzJ0-SlRjU4mIRFY2w/s1600/DSC_1185.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g8ONOAffnmOjCs6LM04zDv3OBQWcAbrhGYM0Q-WGNXl8t0kRF8sU7MlFOLWxsrcE9oEHEuhnj4CbEdv-0ZjYKcMXvQCqWR0fxQOLvJ3B65UVO6uOBnRySQGzwfzJ0-SlRjU4mIRFY2w/s640/DSC_1185.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the years, some pieces were cracked, </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRPyC1a8u7TNsxpV3HLvplWikRT5qlK2KKYG9juOVT8o9WnsZ5x0Lk6yWR15hDtYDp13xkZZdH6f6lmNPQPiov-gEgDhjpQDN9-CZaXXv_iNa-uTtyvsFkQfY-NQ5RwKUWtx7DO2WFR4/s1600/DSC_1181.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRPyC1a8u7TNsxpV3HLvplWikRT5qlK2KKYG9juOVT8o9WnsZ5x0Lk6yWR15hDtYDp13xkZZdH6f6lmNPQPiov-gEgDhjpQDN9-CZaXXv_iNa-uTtyvsFkQfY-NQ5RwKUWtx7DO2WFR4/s640/DSC_1181.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">some chips appeared,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqEcF4R-Sip9ddU6gGNwAPzErnf2pU5NyMjFxBbs5V-FddFic-YcWoyyI8YfNR3Iny2jig5qmE7ytuNNos2aD4YD_v93ivnsZI6I5sUXzrzXlLRviPtfyVBaTFcxw8fnsVBImkktDx80/s1600/DSC_1182.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqEcF4R-Sip9ddU6gGNwAPzErnf2pU5NyMjFxBbs5V-FddFic-YcWoyyI8YfNR3Iny2jig5qmE7ytuNNos2aD4YD_v93ivnsZI6I5sUXzrzXlLRviPtfyVBaTFcxw8fnsVBImkktDx80/s640/DSC_1182.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and a few plates and cups were broken, but for the most part, they survived very well.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrsE8VXXkO2CaENwxPH1f8EFowsX0wchy_5005MPf-i9bwIxGvXVBfYyDwY_92gNc4eoVk9r4bOd_JvDNbozlcITgIOH_7s8GjIsT0bwaUmv2wkkHaKrAVGmyMNYZwXEaGTBCzEgIjGE/s1600/DSC_1176.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrsE8VXXkO2CaENwxPH1f8EFowsX0wchy_5005MPf-i9bwIxGvXVBfYyDwY_92gNc4eoVk9r4bOd_JvDNbozlcITgIOH_7s8GjIsT0bwaUmv2wkkHaKrAVGmyMNYZwXEaGTBCzEgIjGE/s640/DSC_1176.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Somewhere along the line, we switched to these wheat dishes. I think they came in laundry detergent, but I'm not sure about that.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZnS5bR0QWlsprK6sJeGGdwop8FtADUhik_VFJynpjb4503OYTCwvLItRcHwAtaWBtPEQEvlPivgFNvk6qT6ebs0GY9giD7XLnqg-jFEYJqh9upUJwg9BovBF5zgi-sDgmJJSeHpQ8bQ/s1600/DSC_1255.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZnS5bR0QWlsprK6sJeGGdwop8FtADUhik_VFJynpjb4503OYTCwvLItRcHwAtaWBtPEQEvlPivgFNvk6qT6ebs0GY9giD7XLnqg-jFEYJqh9upUJwg9BovBF5zgi-sDgmJJSeHpQ8bQ/s640/DSC_1255.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, Mom went with Correlle, white with a gold border design.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt9qF9VsMYkaJORAPF0R9UhsFUzGUqJMAvOWI4JRIQx7cILo1hcdlMa2k-Faj2-CApgyUCD4vVv375-c16GA4GsvqdlafBM5zfUhr_waz-UQo0Rpw5XTlSsu-_tifKZJMQXzbvpB2WmU/s1600/6a00e554fd440d883401156fd46c23970b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt9qF9VsMYkaJORAPF0R9UhsFUzGUqJMAvOWI4JRIQx7cILo1hcdlMa2k-Faj2-CApgyUCD4vVv375-c16GA4GsvqdlafBM5zfUhr_waz-UQo0Rpw5XTlSsu-_tifKZJMQXzbvpB2WmU/s640/6a00e554fd440d883401156fd46c23970b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But what I remember most are the Blue Willow. Maybe I liked them so much because I can remember seeing them used on TV, in westerns like <i>Bonanza</i> and my favorite show, <i>Daniel Boone</i>. A history buff from the beginning, I played pioneer and dreamed of living in a log cabin and wearing long dresses. The log cabin and long dresses were hard to come by in the 1960s, but the Blue Willow dishes greeted me at every meal. When I got my first apartment after graduating from college and landing a job, Mom helped me round up second-hand furniture, bedding, and kitchen wares. And she gave me the Blue Willow dishes, much to my delight. When Robin and I got married three years later, I added some newer pieces, made by Churchill, to complete a service for six. </span><span style="font-size: large;">We've been using them for thirty years now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2010 we remodeled our kitchen. We went from natural oak cabinets and a beige counter top...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIjbsWHXxhUeHW2GLER9OBZ-OD9En9ft7lBLAzTnExCkb-9bkip7AkdZqSTHGa4TRjP9Yu6ZLL7Ca5IfmHuAyjeatWyBt9P7z4WTAmaNJ1Cc3BS_asbr7yEKuc8Hd74ptWQx-dsa7E6o/s1600/IMG_8405.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIjbsWHXxhUeHW2GLER9OBZ-OD9En9ft7lBLAzTnExCkb-9bkip7AkdZqSTHGa4TRjP9Yu6ZLL7Ca5IfmHuAyjeatWyBt9P7z4WTAmaNJ1Cc3BS_asbr7yEKuc8Hd74ptWQx-dsa7E6o/s640/IMG_8405.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> to plantation white cabinets and a dark green counter top.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPFIhflpVEKzhX3_YwRR_DBJ45-Dy1UIp5a-Ai6unX5fkEQfEA9bmlQ-Z6v9OkBGeWhyphenhyphenLXHTktgNzWqhW2UDI0kJaBvxgPvKGz_02SssvuWKuYpGnErbNrL845wa9gutc_tMsweW3Az8/s1600/IMG_9219.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPFIhflpVEKzhX3_YwRR_DBJ45-Dy1UIp5a-Ai6unX5fkEQfEA9bmlQ-Z6v9OkBGeWhyphenhyphenLXHTktgNzWqhW2UDI0kJaBvxgPvKGz_02SssvuWKuYpGnErbNrL845wa9gutc_tMsweW3Az8/s640/IMG_9219.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The new kitchen is lovely and I like it a lot, but it does not go with the Blue Willow dishes! The colors simply aren't a good fit.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6XwfRzmbooGMvGsjWGivI4uyRq3qCGHTcY4ia6fI2LiOCPu6uWxWgw3Ijz2AS1aVuF_kLTq7385w9w20o8pUA_VNLaB8iTSDhaGjXhPnOM1UN9Y8mdirKdOWMTi4Ghg8EFS0RrKszJk/s1600/DSC_1259.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6XwfRzmbooGMvGsjWGivI4uyRq3qCGHTcY4ia6fI2LiOCPu6uWxWgw3Ijz2AS1aVuF_kLTq7385w9w20o8pUA_VNLaB8iTSDhaGjXhPnOM1UN9Y8mdirKdOWMTi4Ghg8EFS0RrKszJk/s640/DSC_1259.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Consequently, I've spent the last five years looking for new dishes. All the patterns I considered were either way too modern for my taste, way too fancy for everyday use, or way too expensive for my wallet. I like Fiesta Ware, and even borrowed a few plates and bowls from my sister to try it out. Although I liked the small bowls, the dinner plates were awfully heavy, meaning the serving bowls and platters would be heavier still, especially when full of food. So, I purchased a few little bowls, and I do enjoy these bright, happy colors in my kitchen. But Fiesta Ware was not the right fit.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMUFUV7-UnMWFDQfQT7Yc-qb2hxLkXB4XVTXwVj-u7txCcHX1vUS_bSq8dgXWZZ6ZjDY3a8sz9eqM26mJALE3y4pw3YNIWm9H3RJ__eruoeRR7_aojZDNjTX6jxJtKmtFMXFvaGmpfNY/s1600/DSC_1257.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMUFUV7-UnMWFDQfQT7Yc-qb2hxLkXB4XVTXwVj-u7txCcHX1vUS_bSq8dgXWZZ6ZjDY3a8sz9eqM26mJALE3y4pw3YNIWm9H3RJ__eruoeRR7_aojZDNjTX6jxJtKmtFMXFvaGmpfNY/s640/DSC_1257.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next, I tried dishes by Pioneer Woman, of Food Network fame. Ree Drummond is her real name, and she launched her own line of kitchen everything last fall. I thought her dishes were the answer to my dilemma, but alas, they didn't work either. The color was OK, but not great.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOz1znBj_e7xe6WD15MG6Akapq9yr6fdGFmAjfrfxDquXQvrSGqKZTiWDwwQ6CCPrSVHy05H970hzl56uJ-eh7LSQkaGevdIYf_XQI5cu0283OEi6AjxyhWZjRRedYf-XLJUIO0ehQY20/s1600/DSC_1260.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOz1znBj_e7xe6WD15MG6Akapq9yr6fdGFmAjfrfxDquXQvrSGqKZTiWDwwQ6CCPrSVHy05H970hzl56uJ-eh7LSQkaGevdIYf_XQI5cu0283OEi6AjxyhWZjRRedYf-XLJUIO0ehQY20/s640/DSC_1260.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The plates and bowls are deep, which is good for eating, but not so good for stacking.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFViNo_xd7H4tzTp_3f7PBH04hG5-97K1p_PyBa8yywKZ0nva3IjSMC_sn2L_2_35_6G89IfOOfhZNZyzivIOvjFiQgO-ydvSvVYbQriG_GxL3csNlcN0qD7tbstPHUVsfYxgt8Wc4AYw/s1600/DSC_1262.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFViNo_xd7H4tzTp_3f7PBH04hG5-97K1p_PyBa8yywKZ0nva3IjSMC_sn2L_2_35_6G89IfOOfhZNZyzivIOvjFiQgO-ydvSvVYbQriG_GxL3csNlcN0qD7tbstPHUVsfYxgt8Wc4AYw/s640/DSC_1262.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't particularly pleased with the quality, either. One plate has already chipped, and another is scratched (and we don't even have a dishwasher!). In the end, the price was great, but the dishes weren't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was beginning to think I'd never find the right dishes. As sometimes happens though, when I least expected to, I found them! Well, three pieces, anyway. The local SPCA chapter runs a second-hand store to raise funds and I like to stop in from time to time to see what treasures might be had. Last week when I walked in, there they were: the dishes I'd been looking for. There was a dinner plate, a square salad plate, and a fruit bowl, displayed on a wooden dish drainer and just waiting for me to arrive.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4cKMJK58IL5KgM6eLBo8TWcU8JmE1xTvl9cFlfPLFZuO_tPhxZysDHXcHhyphenhyphenvV6INFPqiz1alHONFeS-fKkNiJCcJ5BIXbvrOMXJkdptuBzXu7fl-9N7C3IvYxfx-qjy4ehHqQHzXnwI/s1600/DSC_1152.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4cKMJK58IL5KgM6eLBo8TWcU8JmE1xTvl9cFlfPLFZuO_tPhxZysDHXcHhyphenhyphenvV6INFPqiz1alHONFeS-fKkNiJCcJ5BIXbvrOMXJkdptuBzXu7fl-9N7C3IvYxfx-qjy4ehHqQHzXnwI/s640/DSC_1152.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The pattern is </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Strawberry Fair</i><span style="font-size: large;">, by Johnson Brothers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGN0W68BGgAdVWwwxDxNu3shPmmQJxFzVkQhkuR9zwOg5aiNem3zn89NyPVoYS3P62ho0PmsmA4vbfNHy2ZsQXk_n0738cNywEdYau5tGyQ1xrMClfCd3Tb1A-bWD1_47tL9cEG10DYo/s1600/DSC_1169.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGN0W68BGgAdVWwwxDxNu3shPmmQJxFzVkQhkuR9zwOg5aiNem3zn89NyPVoYS3P62ho0PmsmA4vbfNHy2ZsQXk_n0738cNywEdYau5tGyQ1xrMClfCd3Tb1A-bWD1_47tL9cEG10DYo/s640/DSC_1169.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The white is not bright white; I'd call it plantation white because it matches my cabinets. The red is that antique shade that looks both ordinary enough for every day and elegant enough to be special.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBms1RKQ_vWXA6AdoMeineq49EATrxExexP7mAhnyWX7GbGrfyQ1hgrn5r0xK_HLym1uZXU2nzJrfJl8XAv8dHcr2UZelZCzkRfE2gEqVxNYSd5e0GXwWOQRBeYEn4S47W9IGOOD3WxMo/s1600/DSC_1154.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBms1RKQ_vWXA6AdoMeineq49EATrxExexP7mAhnyWX7GbGrfyQ1hgrn5r0xK_HLym1uZXU2nzJrfJl8XAv8dHcr2UZelZCzkRfE2gEqVxNYSd5e0GXwWOQRBeYEn4S47W9IGOOD3WxMo/s640/DSC_1154.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought it would be easy enough to find and purchase a new set of these lovely dishes. Wrong. The website </span><a href="http://antiques.lovetoknow.com/Strawberry_China_Pattern" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">LoveToKnow</a><span style="font-size: large;"> says this:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "tiempos" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.024px; line-height: 23.8336px;"><i>Johnson Brothers also manufactured a pattern called Strawberry Fair. It is a red transferware pattern with the bulk of the motif arranged in a wide band around the edge. The rim on the plates is scalloped.Many of the bowls and cups have a small, matching motif inside. The bowl rims are decorated with a rope design, strawberries and daisies. This is one of the more unique of the strawberry china patterns. It was manufactured from 1959 to 1973.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leave it to me to fall in love with a discontinued and apparently very collectible pattern! A little poking around on eBay and Etsy revealed that these dishes aren't plentiful, nor are they cheap. But now that I've used the three pieces for a few days, I don't think anything else will do.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOsy3DycYujMFtZnuOGfoHVO90BBC4K8g75PzcMqAoyxuQa9iZQnC6fhr6z_OIpMYd0Etpj2f1_tlBcbXmf2U82Qryoy9khoTJh14ef_84ZMh0vFFmB3R3xtry8orl5tX63bDCLhe2Xc/s1600/DSC_1147.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOsy3DycYujMFtZnuOGfoHVO90BBC4K8g75PzcMqAoyxuQa9iZQnC6fhr6z_OIpMYd0Etpj2f1_tlBcbXmf2U82Qryoy9khoTJh14ef_84ZMh0vFFmB3R3xtry8orl5tX63bDCLhe2Xc/s640/DSC_1147.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found eight dinner plates in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/2roads2take" target="_blank">this Etsy shop</a> and decided to go for it and order them. They arrived in two boxes and oh my, the packing!! This photo was taken after I got the plates unpacked, which was quite a job and took me well over half an hour.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMewATrqaRNGZsmarBGEyNBw7by5eHQbIGHtmO-NKqiagU7AsrMeDUQLzMDRZ7FPbTi_pJ0Yuo3Lp4_t2suQk8bzgIpa01tT5ymXhMMbLmGXwturmGwM705lQ8YzZ0hiDhbY-B07OA5nQ/s1600/DSC_1221.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMewATrqaRNGZsmarBGEyNBw7by5eHQbIGHtmO-NKqiagU7AsrMeDUQLzMDRZ7FPbTi_pJ0Yuo3Lp4_t2suQk8bzgIpa01tT5ymXhMMbLmGXwturmGwM705lQ8YzZ0hiDhbY-B07OA5nQ/s640/DSC_1221.sig.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After I got the bundles out of the Styrofoam packing peanuts, there was cardboard and bubble wrap to deal with.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJiX2_S8CEIe8vcrKIjo86g5yjeBGeX-EzXwnIaLBr3x3udxXGL0SywacQcedb0PkmMCl0HUntmk9ZhqhYrGQXWlrGFvcANOfapUYp1a7d4bJEKow6f5t7Px2DoJK9D19qCvGjZ5IC9U/s1600/DSC_1212.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJiX2_S8CEIe8vcrKIjo86g5yjeBGeX-EzXwnIaLBr3x3udxXGL0SywacQcedb0PkmMCl0HUntmk9ZhqhYrGQXWlrGFvcANOfapUYp1a7d4bJEKow6f5t7Px2DoJK9D19qCvGjZ5IC9U/s640/DSC_1212.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each plate was wrapped in not one,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-unPo87jXQNdNAqZyDfDKcjtR8DQVMUXKNGKJR_747EIYQSR47pheSHYuIzFLyvCwwu8UTbEMHlofGzCyjtXqkofxant_6BGFLlLvWQOolyfvqgx5vL8Tmu9zEkkcVWhYQbX4rEuyJ98/s1600/DSC_1211.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-unPo87jXQNdNAqZyDfDKcjtR8DQVMUXKNGKJR_747EIYQSR47pheSHYuIzFLyvCwwu8UTbEMHlofGzCyjtXqkofxant_6BGFLlLvWQOolyfvqgx5vL8Tmu9zEkkcVWhYQbX4rEuyJ98/s640/DSC_1211.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">not two,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBQrdp3WY0T88isEBcztlhLe48Gi9sYH9gVx9E1A-JpAzqZzqDnNv3f4ONjZxYexHSn5JnH0BNB1fOSNimRW8p5r48O_XCnD6EaxSZ3aTR86RZR9boWo44M1EDxrrJLwRufpGEoWD4qQ/s1600/DSC_1214.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBQrdp3WY0T88isEBcztlhLe48Gi9sYH9gVx9E1A-JpAzqZzqDnNv3f4ONjZxYexHSn5JnH0BNB1fOSNimRW8p5r48O_XCnD6EaxSZ3aTR86RZR9boWo44M1EDxrrJLwRufpGEoWD4qQ/s640/DSC_1214.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but three layers of bubble wrap!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSfojB0ptTC7xuZge31R87dOszTwS3WWMzHulIC9IEvDT1moLB8x902JjUB96nz9BzPfpMVpXMuaYSzUVhr97aLcYDOmppFNXVCW1ZCRb1VuCeSyeyxKT1aSH2vTL7SBZ07ycdFKj0IY/s1600/DSC_1215.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSfojB0ptTC7xuZge31R87dOszTwS3WWMzHulIC9IEvDT1moLB8x902JjUB96nz9BzPfpMVpXMuaYSzUVhr97aLcYDOmppFNXVCW1ZCRb1VuCeSyeyxKT1aSH2vTL7SBZ07ycdFKj0IY/s640/DSC_1215.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was lots of tape involved as well.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIgEZHT_Zw3pJkGGCEC3LL_IMyb_tUqPwtD-gy0gz6XqSe6yT43PsR-nl-sUR0-QETv6UMhMKIcTGn2VUJ5SvAiYhEcwY6VZKZA9aWj4XvZVCTsHTXG6LOeIreOK_nGtp_3qeQI-JnG8/s1600/DSC_1220.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIgEZHT_Zw3pJkGGCEC3LL_IMyb_tUqPwtD-gy0gz6XqSe6yT43PsR-nl-sUR0-QETv6UMhMKIcTGn2VUJ5SvAiYhEcwY6VZKZA9aWj4XvZVCTsHTXG6LOeIreOK_nGtp_3qeQI-JnG8/s640/DSC_1220.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I finally finished, I had this beautiful stack of dinner plates,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF2CBLYJ0SfC0Td_IOzenoVBGzILLOxAu9_kfIAhm0UM_u6wNxc1rviR2Yrc2XIHTgPyiqvlhbQZH_QDizLJ-56sAdsTHqlCXbpBybDwE8lFMvrEg8239TR8E7ZIE4O1jCkna5TDetiU/s1600/DSC_1216.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF2CBLYJ0SfC0Td_IOzenoVBGzILLOxAu9_kfIAhm0UM_u6wNxc1rviR2Yrc2XIHTgPyiqvlhbQZH_QDizLJ-56sAdsTHqlCXbpBybDwE8lFMvrEg8239TR8E7ZIE4O1jCkna5TDetiU/s640/DSC_1216.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and this big stack of bubble wrap! (I added the pill box to give you a point of reference.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknxhmEfY1uT55rYRRx4Mn1xA6I8QiWM0bD9H2MqN2bMJX_pXsdb3ZpnoAVP9zzs_V3DtsmRiLySWlDd-p4UxbtMVmkYJwbxx3K-W-l3p8nlDnHTYTfdRa1dX3wXc_Kbn-AufFwOtmwgQ/s1600/DSC_1219.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknxhmEfY1uT55rYRRx4Mn1xA6I8QiWM0bD9H2MqN2bMJX_pXsdb3ZpnoAVP9zzs_V3DtsmRiLySWlDd-p4UxbtMVmkYJwbxx3K-W-l3p8nlDnHTYTfdRa1dX3wXc_Kbn-AufFwOtmwgQ/s640/DSC_1219.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because one of the dinner plates had a tiny chip, the Etsy shop owner threw in a bread and butter plate as a bonus. How nice!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjhvlD4E1JMvfUocbN7v_EjpIjgUsqtItU0NGkbfjMdeKw6whYxwn3o7VBYYTwjua5bAnDkFEKn85wfBzU18VbzViCFEmBpjdnwA1Cql1MCezrjFIu5blLQy3Rmej1exLvCzzr2S8LGo/s1600/DSC_1218.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjhvlD4E1JMvfUocbN7v_EjpIjgUsqtItU0NGkbfjMdeKw6whYxwn3o7VBYYTwjua5bAnDkFEKn85wfBzU18VbzViCFEmBpjdnwA1Cql1MCezrjFIu5blLQy3Rmej1exLvCzzr2S8LGo/s640/DSC_1218.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I'm good for dinner plates, and I have one each of the bread and butter, square salad, and fruit bowl. I guess I'll be haunting antique shops and searching eBay, and Etsy for good deals on the many other pieces I need. It will take a while, but I'll appreciate them all the more for the wait. It's just like that old saying: <i>"Good things come to those who wait."</i> And how sweet it is when the good things finally show up.</span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-47010269310034654522016-01-19T16:41:00.001-05:002016-01-19T16:42:56.244-05:00Winter Afternoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWhAajJnstvS20S0kjFOdbVzaKk1cHpW8q1NLt0nK47lEL7UDoCHm0-sdEGkxsEctF-PxVAhqXtur2mpYRPHeL22CWmhONmZHTk7FBYS7UvPyLAtSsUVFpfvCE58z6sXyc1MqhTjY4do/s1600/DSC_0841.sweetlife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWhAajJnstvS20S0kjFOdbVzaKk1cHpW8q1NLt0nK47lEL7UDoCHm0-sdEGkxsEctF-PxVAhqXtur2mpYRPHeL22CWmhONmZHTk7FBYS7UvPyLAtSsUVFpfvCE58z6sXyc1MqhTjY4do/s640/DSC_0841.sweetlife.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welsh Cakes in my mother's cookie jar!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sweet way to spend a cold winter afternoon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click <a href="http://www.sweetrun.blogspot.com/2012/03/welsh-cakes.html" target="_blank">here</a> for the recipe.</span></div>
Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-23509985537200457722015-12-14T22:56:00.002-05:002015-12-15T10:54:41.544-05:00The Prayer Tree<span style="font-size: large;">This evening, I decorated our Christmas tree. As I opened the ornament box and began unwrapping the treasures within, I found myself praying. Let me show you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This angel has been on the top of my Christmas tree every year since I've had a tree. My best friend in high school made it for me well over 30 years ago. As I put the angel in place, I said a little prayer for Debbie.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaR4uSohIYsN8w4YBSAWpn3lPWxRBSv1UyUcpkjp3yMeEHwyMnPQo0NmihXYvc42DmB2_tmuNyjiAIHrRViVLyQkIb_d2FirW6qS43JE5lGHVGpM5nai2RHINPgCOtP2GCJNiF6lpXjU/s1600/DSC_0484.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaR4uSohIYsN8w4YBSAWpn3lPWxRBSv1UyUcpkjp3yMeEHwyMnPQo0NmihXYvc42DmB2_tmuNyjiAIHrRViVLyQkIb_d2FirW6qS43JE5lGHVGpM5nai2RHINPgCOtP2GCJNiF6lpXjU/s640/DSC_0484.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This hand-painted goose egg ornament was a gift from our dear neighbors, Bob and Jerry, for our first Christmas in our very own house. Bob and Jerry (yes, she's a she) treated us like their own children. Bob passed away several years ago, and Jerry is in assisted living now. God bless Jerry.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraNwW8nINnunck-jssiIcfpR8YdXWO89lEP7Uk-X-_SiESf_ufS24vkA4KklkAnbz5DaoE1i0Zl9nZ27IK_uApWh3amJvRn5EGc77wSiCPP17eGaCsq6rola9Cgwl8Nha0P4CvU5XfAY/s1600/DSC_0465.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraNwW8nINnunck-jssiIcfpR8YdXWO89lEP7Uk-X-_SiESf_ufS24vkA4KklkAnbz5DaoE1i0Zl9nZ27IK_uApWh3amJvRn5EGc77wSiCPP17eGaCsq6rola9Cgwl8Nha0P4CvU5XfAY/s640/DSC_0465.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This pretty angel was a gift years ago from a fellow teacher and friend. I said another of many, many prayers for her as I hung it on the tree. She lost her son to suicide last May. He was 26.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-mF7eJ6A7vrDQOqi4VImmV-RGM0LDxDIbNjbd_Ny3gD1OQFo97HxhskG7q29Ab5gdNe41sNW6gSsTSQ8IyOPGBn6lz5otAWUOEg3H4N9pe65TlHFow4NJ3TP0mcVPQSr53ZsmSqq41c/s1600/DSC_0467.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-mF7eJ6A7vrDQOqi4VImmV-RGM0LDxDIbNjbd_Ny3gD1OQFo97HxhskG7q29Ab5gdNe41sNW6gSsTSQ8IyOPGBn6lz5otAWUOEg3H4N9pe65TlHFow4NJ3TP0mcVPQSr53ZsmSqq41c/s640/DSC_0467.blog.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These tiny bird houses were made by another neighbor in the days long past when his hands could do such fine work. Now both he and his wife are fighting cancer. More prayers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiuzGMHomJb5DrUqBBZ5_U4hzVHSxj4hLt79uZUGmWn4tLv7TUq-hfw6zgxvvqe0XcmgHagTcv2ePvAFjlZxKynkCxsAyZDunWkfV85rDkqvi5SFRmAO2R121z_wsVH_2hwBcxX7rgPA/s1600/DSC_0502.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiuzGMHomJb5DrUqBBZ5_U4hzVHSxj4hLt79uZUGmWn4tLv7TUq-hfw6zgxvvqe0XcmgHagTcv2ePvAFjlZxKynkCxsAyZDunWkfV85rDkqvi5SFRmAO2R121z_wsVH_2hwBcxX7rgPA/s640/DSC_0502.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknvRvrnxog7104oTP9fA27n4BR5MNzjdsUReOVWA274bQsRvfsQ_dEwyo-Pj7moyXKuenj26v3yPlcGaAD0FwRYuocQ4XXJFKsLbFfJa6zubMo0gMf49UZIWhpgOXSPN5v1GQskUSp-s/s1600/DSC_0504.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknvRvrnxog7104oTP9fA27n4BR5MNzjdsUReOVWA274bQsRvfsQ_dEwyo-Pj7moyXKuenj26v3yPlcGaAD0FwRYuocQ4XXJFKsLbFfJa6zubMo0gMf49UZIWhpgOXSPN5v1GQskUSp-s/s640/DSC_0504.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My big sister made this beautiful cardinal. She's traveling abroad right now and having trouble with her knee, so prayers went up for safety and no pain or stiffness.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOroIyWE3-s-jIrI3LmeyoZf_qPA9BIyUV7m8NfUTQM5kF0c3jSh9kXPg8AB4L7y_ZBZtglVps4sMLWWOuz9n1Z9hVCnkST37J2XOfPqoC6Qp3W48OI7zn1WYykvPncC_9mpp43toglLA/s1600/DSC_0475.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOroIyWE3-s-jIrI3LmeyoZf_qPA9BIyUV7m8NfUTQM5kF0c3jSh9kXPg8AB4L7y_ZBZtglVps4sMLWWOuz9n1Z9hVCnkST37J2XOfPqoC6Qp3W48OI7zn1WYykvPncC_9mpp43toglLA/s640/DSC_0475.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My middle sister made this pretty one. She has blessed me with several of her handmade ornaments over the years. She's been having trouble with her feet for a while now. Praying for healing there, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwbLlWWgVMAQ40We2VBwNxOV9a2Em2JwAm-H4stz24JdfLFDfSikEzodlKI360Yw-4g1YTHIdbiZ5GlN7UuLVkFOyqgtDoukHptK-tSWbLLEjMVxRqfQYbXIisEdP3KPBwvBzqD1Hs6U/s1600/DSC_0469.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwbLlWWgVMAQ40We2VBwNxOV9a2Em2JwAm-H4stz24JdfLFDfSikEzodlKI360Yw-4g1YTHIdbiZ5GlN7UuLVkFOyqgtDoukHptK-tSWbLLEjMVxRqfQYbXIisEdP3KPBwvBzqD1Hs6U/s640/DSC_0469.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My aunt made this lacy ornament. Can you tell she's a master at crochet? She's also in her 90s and dealing with all that brings. God bless my Aunt Mayo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhzkbAD5OqfZM32WByqRYYanpDeNcET2Emmo6vBuOrdVwYZOa4_hJjVi7wE96tixCkXBduFZ4xwoW5uGq3bI6zzLqg_3fcFrkA5YmELE5zHRzMYwOwk6USD7x7UUQQnWjfUwDDOFBVyc/s1600/DSC_0488.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhzkbAD5OqfZM32WByqRYYanpDeNcET2Emmo6vBuOrdVwYZOa4_hJjVi7wE96tixCkXBduFZ4xwoW5uGq3bI6zzLqg_3fcFrkA5YmELE5zHRzMYwOwk6USD7x7UUQQnWjfUwDDOFBVyc/s640/DSC_0488.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Her older sister, my Aunt Jessie, has also given me ornaments through the years. Some she made herself, and some were made by her friends in the Woman's Club. She's 98 now, and having some trouble with high blood pressure. Still more prayers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomGeYT2xgUx3-9jhwIDzgxCrYuvwZJGWQ6K9Z-D9g27EenCk7nU5exrEvTJZfo7Ub93RZGYkMh42Qnbo4XyNPXn2qI59GQSa74LnzVjFkmXY-tSnrZAmd83s-m7TYLAKj5E8GOa999fo/s1600/DSC_0473.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomGeYT2xgUx3-9jhwIDzgxCrYuvwZJGWQ6K9Z-D9g27EenCk7nU5exrEvTJZfo7Ub93RZGYkMh42Qnbo4XyNPXn2qI59GQSa74LnzVjFkmXY-tSnrZAmd83s-m7TYLAKj5E8GOa999fo/s640/DSC_0473.blog.jpg" width="482" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxvRO2yt0eGI9QYflMUrCvph4FvNYZX8nRcsF6IozqfvjYeu5RigHloGIwNS6W67zbDKfDrpcuPedScqJ5JZ6JbpSPWLPVT5LjnGzLTWlceTRRcPJz4kzaXpPqikIsM90M8CYU1_r5GI/s1600/DSC_0476.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxvRO2yt0eGI9QYflMUrCvph4FvNYZX8nRcsF6IozqfvjYeu5RigHloGIwNS6W67zbDKfDrpcuPedScqJ5JZ6JbpSPWLPVT5LjnGzLTWlceTRRcPJz4kzaXpPqikIsM90M8CYU1_r5GI/s640/DSC_0476.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then there are the ornaments my mother made. She loved Christmas! I can remember watching her make beautiful things to decorate our home. She died in 2009 and I miss her more and more. Thank you, Father, for a mother who loved me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Robin's aunts made ornaments, too. This star and ball are covered with embroidery and sequins, evidence of their fine handwork. They're all gone now, and I miss them, too. Thank you, Father, that I had the chance to know and love them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This little dough boy was a gift from a school child and his mother, many years ago. That little boy is in law school now. My, how the years have flown. Prayers for Scott as he navigates through life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyzi7fXEWPnTNCJTXT0RBF_1XHi566VUvIgJ1vh1nAikRLNpNdr2jhQoMxk4EJioDfSimyuWyFxlZeC4N9IO3iFYkS9s0RDyZSSc947T17q8iOYVasaTUu5GHteWGv1l-x9jC1IsO3yM/s1600/DSC_0539.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyzi7fXEWPnTNCJTXT0RBF_1XHi566VUvIgJ1vh1nAikRLNpNdr2jhQoMxk4EJioDfSimyuWyFxlZeC4N9IO3iFYkS9s0RDyZSSc947T17q8iOYVasaTUu5GHteWGv1l-x9jC1IsO3yM/s640/DSC_0539.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so it went,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoNc9miicjCckoW_sxpRN1kDAuaX27LlP3Th3g79EBouOtnd3pUG__7f8GOqvdj359iwX5ANd_0aX8GVsunVswsro5k_FMfj94LY2or205jvxielVNTWIX_6TuOPp-fEvSB-PbUfkMM0/s1600/DSC_0513.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoNc9miicjCckoW_sxpRN1kDAuaX27LlP3Th3g79EBouOtnd3pUG__7f8GOqvdj359iwX5ANd_0aX8GVsunVswsro5k_FMfj94LY2or205jvxielVNTWIX_6TuOPp-fEvSB-PbUfkMM0/s640/DSC_0513.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">unwrapping memories and prayers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYFn3_PMLTPR7yAU678n7alo-h8rsLtUcCM7pbYxU5bk5ebDeaaTXMhHXpqeNzGzC_hayBhZcGHTEBk8kHRzmgjfR7r10HwQX58HSCZ1KPQV9I4cqVAoNugVJQeEAcVBoj0AuDvnHDv4/s1600/DSC_0564.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYFn3_PMLTPR7yAU678n7alo-h8rsLtUcCM7pbYxU5bk5ebDeaaTXMhHXpqeNzGzC_hayBhZcGHTEBk8kHRzmgjfR7r10HwQX58HSCZ1KPQV9I4cqVAoNugVJQeEAcVBoj0AuDvnHDv4/s640/DSC_0564.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and hanging them on our tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNs9WM8tHiWKaZ3_82-nh9M4VFCSiibg8PTswLYWmysLoQrXQ2gJSBpk5Si_ys2jr03e8fGuflo8sKb3dyWoFhXYEMaf8holbmOnfZdekMhWgx7KeRy7UlXLn1tZMgFloAkNFAbC2q1r0/s1600/DSC_0497.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNs9WM8tHiWKaZ3_82-nh9M4VFCSiibg8PTswLYWmysLoQrXQ2gJSBpk5Si_ys2jr03e8fGuflo8sKb3dyWoFhXYEMaf8holbmOnfZdekMhWgx7KeRy7UlXLn1tZMgFloAkNFAbC2q1r0/s640/DSC_0497.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I got to the bottom of the box, the prayer tree was beautiful and my heart was full. And I think that just might be the sweetest blessing of all this Christmas.</span></div>
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Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-73826242597721736282015-12-09T21:14:00.000-05:002015-12-09T21:14:01.681-05:00Cold Frosty Morning<span style="font-size: large;">Nighttime temperatures have been in the 20s here lately. This makes for some chilly mornings, during which I usually stay snug indoors. This morning, Robin called at 8:00, telling me to get my camera and hurry because the frost and fog ought to make some pretty pictures. "Dress warm," he said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I quickly swallowed the remainder of my breakfast and threw on some clothes. Then I bundled up in my heavy coat, along with a scarf, hat, and gloves. The car thermometer said 25 degrees. Brrr! But it was worth it. The frost was indeed photo-worthy. Here are the best of about 135 images.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe6bTFy315Ggp2D3c0ZNS9a7N8noTCxAOUsSJWG5BnK8pRaV3TGTksasFPN719td-9zT_em4pN7X8TKxg7OGTRT7xBxVIZtB5gA4kEwSa7a7UPdQ6m23Q7V_Nsc-ewT4emNlpd5wL0iI/s1600/DSC_0274.ed.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe6bTFy315Ggp2D3c0ZNS9a7N8noTCxAOUsSJWG5BnK8pRaV3TGTksasFPN719td-9zT_em4pN7X8TKxg7OGTRT7xBxVIZtB5gA4kEwSa7a7UPdQ6m23Q7V_Nsc-ewT4emNlpd5wL0iI/s640/DSC_0274.ed.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's an old-time fiddle tune called "Cold Frosty Morning." Maybe the long-ago fiddler who composed it was out doing chores on just such a morning as this. Not only was it cold and frosty, it was magical, too.</span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-4786384400626596992015-11-13T11:26:00.000-05:002015-11-13T11:26:07.505-05:00Who Is This Man??<span style="font-size: large;">It happened again! Pretty much just like before. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, click <a href="http://www.sweetrun.blogspot.com/2015/10/hidden-treasure.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read about the first time. So here's how it played out the past two days, this time on my side of the family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">See this pretty picture frame?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's an old one that came to me when my sisters and I emptied our parents' house last year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjuaKPvueiWEAkuk5a6gVgNnZ0XqGOXJZUPqamiqTOJWa5Gw1-U-Pbts-vNGSioCzsQIweae-_tNTmpVYr-aJ2cnwlQFqUCAPutwrXOKAbxJuA-BNbYntAFnCTbLLCBAxaRQ87xh8RHI/s1600/DSC_0335.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjuaKPvueiWEAkuk5a6gVgNnZ0XqGOXJZUPqamiqTOJWa5Gw1-U-Pbts-vNGSioCzsQIweae-_tNTmpVYr-aJ2cnwlQFqUCAPutwrXOKAbxJuA-BNbYntAFnCTbLLCBAxaRQ87xh8RHI/s640/DSC_0335.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It hung in the dining room, over the buffet, for as long as I can remember, and probably longer. As far as I knew, it always held this Currier & Ives scene.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqJF6fEG7IvVsqJXpB6fdRQEtzMYZ8LqCa4yQhIrWicod8rcHUOmpdjWo0bja0e9FLGW9Eg3lfSjOnxjtHxfgga8FViXp3J-ZvQ6mK92_RiTRGMTPtxTmmwfcNTGDKt_OWDD-hVfp6Kk/s1600/DSC_0324.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqJF6fEG7IvVsqJXpB6fdRQEtzMYZ8LqCa4yQhIrWicod8rcHUOmpdjWo0bja0e9FLGW9Eg3lfSjOnxjtHxfgga8FViXp3J-ZvQ6mK92_RiTRGMTPtxTmmwfcNTGDKt_OWDD-hVfp6Kk/s640/DSC_0324.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is actually a piece of heavy fabric. I decided to replace it with one of my photographs, so I took it to the framer's to have it put together properly. These big old frames are so heavy, and I wanted to make sure it was hanging securely on the wall. I dropped it off yesterday morning, shopped til I almost dropped, and picked it up before heading home. Sure enough, along with the frame, which now contained my pretty photo, there was this cardboard folder containing the Currier & Ives scene.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAKsWCVKNRZopeiRfg54HIuWnZ3cM_TvMFCtKxxt1uKYL1Pxn_8zdQXF_fbyVkgvAHHtdEAT8aPEF6n_A0MpUB27iTSH9yUW498AV08EydJpThEQOcTlTmdoTR1D7L9yx0E3VnVwP6-g/s1600/DSC_0328.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAKsWCVKNRZopeiRfg54HIuWnZ3cM_TvMFCtKxxt1uKYL1Pxn_8zdQXF_fbyVkgvAHHtdEAT8aPEF6n_A0MpUB27iTSH9yUW498AV08EydJpThEQOcTlTmdoTR1D7L9yx0E3VnVwP6-g/s640/DSC_0328.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loaded both in the car for the drive home. It was dark when I arrived, I was tired, and we had an overnight guest that needed supper. Consequently, the frame and cardboard folder lay unattended until this morning. I unwrapped the frame and tried to hang it, but it was too heavy to manage by myself, So I turned my attention to the folder, thinking about what to do with the fabric scene. After pulling it out and looking it over for a minute or two, I turned it over. The fabric had been stretched around something and taped with masking tape, which was coming loose in several places. No wonder; it had been there for decades.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Supposing that the fabric had been stretched around some kind of sturdy paper, I investigated a little further, pulling the tape completely loose on one side. I wondered if there was something on the other side of "paper" form.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vsyckLq20UWwmbUziCLf7KeswYA6irgt03zFC4Vulwci_zUSePbsiviR8-8qMeOom8M3g-BK18Uutqq5onDT6k8G3zm0ECC7GiqSA1dvIAxn7DCHC9VPdtVQVVYfC_sC9hmZ7OkedAc/s1600/DSC_0323.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vsyckLq20UWwmbUziCLf7KeswYA6irgt03zFC4Vulwci_zUSePbsiviR8-8qMeOom8M3g-BK18Uutqq5onDT6k8G3zm0ECC7GiqSA1dvIAxn7DCHC9VPdtVQVVYfC_sC9hmZ7OkedAc/s640/DSC_0323.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sure enough, there were two pieces of something...so I removed the fabric to find this familiar print.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenGujA-vWxxrcWbsX1goLE_TNi1OOTauJqaZeLW8kF-5yaxB3ZTo2HW0qpzpmK92DZLYbOzV_9lxbvmL7YWTjyP1oIH9kEAkFW8r180xYfdpTJBQhkChvjy8-zC5M9IzZW5M6ge6lkrM/s1600/DSC_0319.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenGujA-vWxxrcWbsX1goLE_TNi1OOTauJqaZeLW8kF-5yaxB3ZTo2HW0qpzpmK92DZLYbOzV_9lxbvmL7YWTjyP1oIH9kEAkFW8r180xYfdpTJBQhkChvjy8-zC5M9IzZW5M6ge6lkrM/s640/DSC_0319.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've seen this image many times. It must have been very popular in its day. I'm guessing this one came off an old calendar. But underneath it was the real treasure!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3tsGWT93LI5yTJSDHEvtfkteVolccDkRD5FuQ4JvI5Sc9T73SOMFLUFYS9LDCykRcQ0amo7HGm6sLfOtJ4WB8GG2SSi8fuDKdBXVilDLKDKAdBFD_2IlNohHFN1d7MzY5AWmaxvQc_o/s1600/DSC_0316.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3tsGWT93LI5yTJSDHEvtfkteVolccDkRD5FuQ4JvI5Sc9T73SOMFLUFYS9LDCykRcQ0amo7HGm6sLfOtJ4WB8GG2SSi8fuDKdBXVilDLKDKAdBFD_2IlNohHFN1d7MzY5AWmaxvQc_o/s640/DSC_0316.sig.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another old portrait! The only thing is, I have<i> no idea</i> who this is! And alas, Mom and Dad are no longer here to ask. To my knowledge, he doesn't resemble anyone on either side of my family. Several years before her health declined, my mother put together an inventory of the antiques and heirlooms in the house, and the entry for the picture frame didn't shed any light on this man's identity:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglb_F60iqvXx8AtqamlkM_CljaWFcuMm8ZYoW8VXgLnTVfR9oxNt5wCa2lNdgPZBoKCHk9_DvyRh8N3XQaFRypOczGAS8NDx__wfltEkieSP-dUv0P9ozyePX5lQQSo3XTfoLlJytddjM/s1600/1994+Inventory+p+9.ed.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglb_F60iqvXx8AtqamlkM_CljaWFcuMm8ZYoW8VXgLnTVfR9oxNt5wCa2lNdgPZBoKCHk9_DvyRh8N3XQaFRypOczGAS8NDx__wfltEkieSP-dUv0P9ozyePX5lQQSo3XTfoLlJytddjM/s640/1994+Inventory+p+9.ed.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since my grandfather bought the frame, it could be that this portrait came with it. If so, that would explain why Mom covered it up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJYOUvGMd2jXXtTQlmOwpFXbWF6NRsZa35pEvEh43ibcBkzMy4qUyZgsVWNq09k6utZpqh4BIdWb0KjqEIP_ZiDl9DNL4h4v3fmOutH4VsucjIZCVnkpD9lVnh67JjS-ojaXpVhyphenhyphenUdp0/s1600/DSC_0317.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJYOUvGMd2jXXtTQlmOwpFXbWF6NRsZa35pEvEh43ibcBkzMy4qUyZgsVWNq09k6utZpqh4BIdWb0KjqEIP_ZiDl9DNL4h4v3fmOutH4VsucjIZCVnkpD9lVnh67JjS-ojaXpVhyphenhyphenUdp0/s640/DSC_0317.sig.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a shame there was no name on it anywhere, just a few numbers on the back:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT1cWF0AvP5Qc_FQquLAhkoVUYdc1hCIlFN1vn_7xRVOrLulB06Jy0f6m3qy0Qdu7_M63SwLVOQJvLSU3frGxs8BI-cIk4co8UhN0ZoW-YC7LQ6ro3Kqqnaa4y-jtBOUjcSUhXg5Jsm8/s1600/DSC_0321.sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT1cWF0AvP5Qc_FQquLAhkoVUYdc1hCIlFN1vn_7xRVOrLulB06Jy0f6m3qy0Qdu7_M63SwLVOQJvLSU3frGxs8BI-cIk4co8UhN0ZoW-YC7LQ6ro3Kqqnaa4y-jtBOUjcSUhXg5Jsm8/s640/DSC_0321.sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unless one of my two aunts knows something about this, I guess this handsome gentleman will remain a mystery. But what fun to discover another old portrait! You just never know what could be hiding behind a picture. Maybe you should go check your old frames...</span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-54030153898572499372015-11-11T06:00:00.000-05:002015-11-11T07:20:22.962-05:00In Honor of Those Who Served<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2qHlBzLhTcnupSAWzpa7koLFVX5AWgR91MKy_sgWOin3j-5Hd7XMu6emN3pVkgUB9VPNBARKASRtt6BzBbQhTJnDdxy02Fb254LAQqVB8NcSwjmbbM7TcYmb7S83M-0bfonUgLm2AME/s1600/DSC_0313.ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2qHlBzLhTcnupSAWzpa7koLFVX5AWgR91MKy_sgWOin3j-5Hd7XMu6emN3pVkgUB9VPNBARKASRtt6BzBbQhTJnDdxy02Fb254LAQqVB8NcSwjmbbM7TcYmb7S83M-0bfonUgLm2AME/s640/DSC_0313.ed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Back in June of 2012, I wrote a post about the two veterans I knew best: my dad and my father-in-law. </i><i>Both are gone now, and they never saw each other again after that last visit.</i></div>
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<i>In their memory, and in honor of all veterans, I'm sharing that post again.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><u>Two Old Soldiers</u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">Two old soldiers met today, to sit a spell and visit. They shook hands and greeted one another warmly, glad to have one more opportunity to be together.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIqj6rrRE-7nxsxowFWa3_QxMkpkMxuCpqXrq2M8uZ335zQwyPg9hVNvbMdRNRtM8tqL5NxZ0oYOWsE_GpT7BoNkU51yCNHJad05a3zs9HaTu93KVzG_MtuTnt0SC2eDdZVcFw7IbvsA/s1600/IMG_4486.ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIqj6rrRE-7nxsxowFWa3_QxMkpkMxuCpqXrq2M8uZ335zQwyPg9hVNvbMdRNRtM8tqL5NxZ0oYOWsE_GpT7BoNkU51yCNHJad05a3zs9HaTu93KVzG_MtuTnt0SC2eDdZVcFw7IbvsA/s640/IMG_4486.ed.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both were young farm boys when they went half way around the world to fight a war. One was headed for the Army's infantry <span style="text-align: center;">and the other for the medical corps.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill was a first sergeant in the 34th Red Bull division, and fought his way from Salerno to Cassino, in Italy, going without a bed, a hot bath, or a hot meal for three months in the fall of 1943.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbnDtjfmoadbZmnqB0QCR1WxvCuteiKnpxFfGU7UKkVuKVkAHjI0OXgwAWduAL_oqB0YmkSW89MrKspItcnlFjSZKJs-1y8dqeQM7m7-N_Xjcdr_YAnuU8SoHDHWoScBMz0Sue89S4f0/s1600/Bill.1st+Sgt.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbnDtjfmoadbZmnqB0QCR1WxvCuteiKnpxFfGU7UKkVuKVkAHjI0OXgwAWduAL_oqB0YmkSW89MrKspItcnlFjSZKJs-1y8dqeQM7m7-N_Xjcdr_YAnuU8SoHDHWoScBMz0Sue89S4f0/s640/Bill.1st+Sgt.blog.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bruce was a medic with the 42nd Rainbow division, bandaging up and transporting his wounded buddies across Austria and Germany, and making life or death judgement calls as to whom he could save and whom he could not.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV695icVIFgVAdR660ggb2OY9Ym513GLb7klJGNbQK80_3xO9BdLBxsFvYjnJnxX86lYPwfT1e7cP14NjmQHM0Unziy0lr2lnnHuV0ddxxAmlWpfahjOcn49ln0ivGMGoYX_JRXl7amcM/s1600/Portrait+Again.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV695icVIFgVAdR660ggb2OY9Ym513GLb7klJGNbQK80_3xO9BdLBxsFvYjnJnxX86lYPwfT1e7cP14NjmQHM0Unziy0lr2lnnHuV0ddxxAmlWpfahjOcn49ln0ivGMGoYX_JRXl7amcM/s640/Portrait+Again.blog.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But today, they were just two old widowers in their nineties, sitting on the porch and talking. It puzzled me as to how, when they are both deaf as a post, they could hear each other easily.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriNWyntMeyQ-SFqwqRR8Tl8XzxNERgseuLPQQElnuF5DtGG6NDTyDsE4ghg1eupFckXJMZWs00RslniyQm4ymRHNmG1TnqQyQvBSNeag8xn5UC3-k7RTn_HZtiQTGyKDGRVZv7_4uhQQ/s1600/IMG_4499.ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriNWyntMeyQ-SFqwqRR8Tl8XzxNERgseuLPQQElnuF5DtGG6NDTyDsE4ghg1eupFckXJMZWs00RslniyQm4ymRHNmG1TnqQyQvBSNeag8xn5UC3-k7RTn_HZtiQTGyKDGRVZv7_4uhQQ/s640/IMG_4499.ed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They talked about a lot of things: the weather, gardens, family, the War, the President, and how the young people have a lot to learn. They talked about being old, and the challenges they face in simple things, like walking and negotiating stairs, picking up a glass or cup without a spill, and eating spaghetti gracefully with a spoon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hjuV0kmDk8OidyGRzQCfBjOWS275mxuCStuphl3Y3jFEsIzCzvO-BBPEfFpA66ieGPPno2rUBwxd2o92yLFsAPXUHPKg9gAetsMl0b0Ap9wbxWaGgdArShtho3ChgWhgWVRElGIjPKk/s1600/IMG_4505.ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hjuV0kmDk8OidyGRzQCfBjOWS275mxuCStuphl3Y3jFEsIzCzvO-BBPEfFpA66ieGPPno2rUBwxd2o92yLFsAPXUHPKg9gAetsMl0b0Ap9wbxWaGgdArShtho3ChgWhgWVRElGIjPKk/s640/IMG_4505.ed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And they talked about how, like Dorothy in <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>, they believe there's no place like home, and nothing better than sleeping in your own bed. When they came home from the War, both men married and raised families, Bill with a career in the Postal Service and Bruce farming land that has been in his family for generations. They didn't know each other until one's youngest son and the other's youngest daughter married each other, but they soon found out that comrades in war make easy friends.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTLJcU4rvAkuHNGqRVxDWOnwwtNg_fzQakyt4jJoePbNtGTIz8RuW3xDbYkNyMAX0GgkZd489Nd7kedPd4njtBp3PfsGT-eo_0wsuPOY56Xvq1A3St5FYXr_sEgAi5AOy7GBVoAweoCY/s1600/IMG_4489.ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTLJcU4rvAkuHNGqRVxDWOnwwtNg_fzQakyt4jJoePbNtGTIz8RuW3xDbYkNyMAX0GgkZd489Nd7kedPd4njtBp3PfsGT-eo_0wsuPOY56Xvq1A3St5FYXr_sEgAi5AOy7GBVoAweoCY/s640/IMG_4489.ed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When their visit came to an end and my father and my father-in-law parted company, it was with another firm handshake and the usual pleasantries of taking leave. But the unspoken words hung thick in the air:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"</b>Life is hard for us old soldiers. Hold on.<b> </b>I hope I see you again."</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmUVZAf-ngraz4PNEEInhd6h7DQncsCaK5klC02D_JhlqJ6k4p8W8_dPNRGrKi8SePbbSoYNQyUT1SrjGX7EGfUdtKmeOqUF084sw6ThAx_9R3ZqRVyDvLuI1B6UtFMdlKzwKCKx-oG8/s1600/IMG_4492.ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmUVZAf-ngraz4PNEEInhd6h7DQncsCaK5klC02D_JhlqJ6k4p8W8_dPNRGrKi8SePbbSoYNQyUT1SrjGX7EGfUdtKmeOqUF084sw6ThAx_9R3ZqRVyDvLuI1B6UtFMdlKzwKCKx-oG8/s640/IMG_4492.ed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><i>Miss you, Dad.</i></span></div>
Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-21970392735267421862015-10-03T22:30:00.001-04:002015-10-04T12:49:01.275-04:00Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall...<span style="font-size: large;">We've all seen and heard stories of ordinary folks finding great treasures among their ordinary possessions. The premise of the PBS series <i>Antiques Road Show</i> is just that: appraising the worth of family treasures and lucky finds. I found my own family treasure last week, and although it probably doesn't have much antique or historical value, it's priceless to the Vance family!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since the middle of August, I've been busy cleaning up construction dirt at the Guest House. Along with that, I've also been waxing and polishing furniture and going through boxes of household goods from Robin's Uncle Lohr and Aunt Alice. Those boxes have been patiently waiting for me to unpack them for ten years! I needed a mirror for over the bathroom sink upstairs, and was pleasantly surprised to find a big, old, beautiful one stored away that I forgot about. It was perfect!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXA_07-2CLQCkRDXOwBX9yF-ZhfIopu3rjgfw2UUwtW2SvWklZGhCzq7OupJXPTxP1gKZ2db-2j8d9Yy4sBbfhx4vMfIEpT0y3FJzc3OkG3uPAj1BwpWyQXeDUSJLHiRnnbklA16G3wE/s1600/DSC_2209.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXA_07-2CLQCkRDXOwBX9yF-ZhfIopu3rjgfw2UUwtW2SvWklZGhCzq7OupJXPTxP1gKZ2db-2j8d9Yy4sBbfhx4vMfIEpT0y3FJzc3OkG3uPAj1BwpWyQXeDUSJLHiRnnbklA16G3wE/s640/DSC_2209.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Besides a good cleaning, the only thing the mirror needed was to be stabilized. It was hung with an unwieldy old wire and the backing looked like it would come loose at any time. I couldn't risk having such a heavy thing fall apart and/or off the wall, so I took it to a frame shop to have it taken apart and put back together properly in order to hang safely and securely. Little did I know what awaited behind that old mirror.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXbNKxEIHBYqigx-_ELotI8MibxXXieLOLZihUQ7DpxjvehikBZHcfdZMJIStFDRx59ya9bL-UGy7Dy2Bz6YMf-At426ypx66S_atTzKsGoViTMTeYuf6z8IqDZ7rsaWXybKQpWdq-ss/s1600/DSC_2210.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXbNKxEIHBYqigx-_ELotI8MibxXXieLOLZihUQ7DpxjvehikBZHcfdZMJIStFDRx59ya9bL-UGy7Dy2Bz6YMf-At426ypx66S_atTzKsGoViTMTeYuf6z8IqDZ7rsaWXybKQpWdq-ss/s640/DSC_2210.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I went to pick up the finished mirror, the clerk pulled out two packages for me. One was obviously the mirror: it was big, bulky, and very heavy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57iRIyZ-Xt6pc31C2Kga5ASozH1htTMhBP6T2ST7bw5vzW-sgCGa6IlqhyphenhyphenUew06PP-ug1aurb45r026lHEAkSCQXu88R8QiBhE6bPjB6bvaNN0Om7DVYjSHrjmLhEz8EDB9J5D1t09sE/s1600/DSC_2208.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57iRIyZ-Xt6pc31C2Kga5ASozH1htTMhBP6T2ST7bw5vzW-sgCGa6IlqhyphenhyphenUew06PP-ug1aurb45r026lHEAkSCQXu88R8QiBhE6bPjB6bvaNN0Om7DVYjSHrjmLhEz8EDB9J5D1t09sE/s640/DSC_2208.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It looked much better, and was ready to hang on the bathroom wall.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaViVhYRZb04JKoNzTLIa1ULrmn9VlrGQ6GDMTgZWNYK_TORQ7-6Na8i6V2SepYdXqwS-anl1RJ8ePlQR5rWPZkQaA8EYJH2S9-4VwibLooD-Vka2dE9i2b9gwEfVd47iwnZGFRZshmO8/s1600/DSC_2211.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaViVhYRZb04JKoNzTLIa1ULrmn9VlrGQ6GDMTgZWNYK_TORQ7-6Na8i6V2SepYdXqwS-anl1RJ8ePlQR5rWPZkQaA8EYJH2S9-4VwibLooD-Vka2dE9i2b9gwEfVd47iwnZGFRZshmO8/s640/DSC_2211.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The other package was a large piece of cardboard, folded in half, thin, very light, and taped shut.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUaFtfiZ04fWyKHrnbzIQFxz3OqhpeIFB6f7qSCxMei90QBXX3PPly8GZvg-xTj822y-Q7koJsgNfojBouJ0fl5chsZK6TIDYH3kvkZ5qmE1VoLiAK7cvaNyBJ3JN-f3png9ZeZPQlEQ/s1600/DSC_2440.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUaFtfiZ04fWyKHrnbzIQFxz3OqhpeIFB6f7qSCxMei90QBXX3PPly8GZvg-xTj822y-Q7koJsgNfojBouJ0fl5chsZK6TIDYH3kvkZ5qmE1VoLiAK7cvaNyBJ3JN-f3png9ZeZPQlEQ/s640/DSC_2440.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was puzzled. I left only the mirror to be fixed, nothing else. The clerk explained that as she peeled off the old brown paper from the back of the mirror, there were several layers of surprises beneath. This was the first:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuPXhn9_x2v1JtvUKo_bq9_IkSbrFd1ZWyE-jhV14Cqp4t1zAVXUWjVCAHQUup66iy8S4Iq8y4Oz82FZvmGcSyMiZ1J2ASWt84RBzcgbFe7tZkmaNaamB65T7LU8Rh-LWYVZJUWeRyFA/s1600/DSC_2441.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuPXhn9_x2v1JtvUKo_bq9_IkSbrFd1ZWyE-jhV14Cqp4t1zAVXUWjVCAHQUup66iy8S4Iq8y4Oz82FZvmGcSyMiZ1J2ASWt84RBzcgbFe7tZkmaNaamB65T7LU8Rh-LWYVZJUWeRyFA/s640/DSC_2441.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a very thin and bendable piece of wood</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumXEVl9m8Ig0a3BQLGuUTjViE3edrJIz1fU__hGT7GkSRd6Yw2nrnOvIVJtbAO5T1EazLoe5zV7oFR0SYX6g5hwWOzeqy4jGCxTsuy7WQlcYjRXPweg2fTR0Ut2MGSiZh18L4l4VXxb4/s1600/DSC_2446.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumXEVl9m8Ig0a3BQLGuUTjViE3edrJIz1fU__hGT7GkSRd6Yw2nrnOvIVJtbAO5T1EazLoe5zV7oFR0SYX6g5hwWOzeqy4jGCxTsuy7WQlcYjRXPweg2fTR0Ut2MGSiZh18L4l4VXxb4/s640/DSC_2446.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">with two names written on it in pencil. One says, "W. H. Vance."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek7B5Zjn_CVwAdxvlcem_aZjZDq8rxdFJ6HkF6_e61EYCXOdD2UmPD3Q23gKZbzTQ4DrdqXJaJDw-98GfJDRdSnHuLIt38gBDGLYGREAPlP1FuC-g7q_mi_xWrJESdOeOhqBO0oqCO5I/s1600/DSC_2442.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek7B5Zjn_CVwAdxvlcem_aZjZDq8rxdFJ6HkF6_e61EYCXOdD2UmPD3Q23gKZbzTQ4DrdqXJaJDw-98GfJDRdSnHuLIt38gBDGLYGREAPlP1FuC-g7q_mi_xWrJESdOeOhqBO0oqCO5I/s640/DSC_2442.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The other name isn't so easy to read. The last name is Fleming.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6EfkHUAV2o88gJjM_iCDlp8hZkJu4cjPoV5Ezt1IkMSlmp_vM-7DUsjYOx3CJqLtQ1-xeK9ikRKmux31rRmHba-cDM55i8gy_hloWKVpGbWhekb5rGk2yH_CBxUBL5OvZrYIN8QFgyc/s1600/DSC_2443.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6EfkHUAV2o88gJjM_iCDlp8hZkJu4cjPoV5Ezt1IkMSlmp_vM-7DUsjYOx3CJqLtQ1-xeK9ikRKmux31rRmHba-cDM55i8gy_hloWKVpGbWhekb5rGk2yH_CBxUBL5OvZrYIN8QFgyc/s640/DSC_2443.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first name is a mystery. I can see an "abel" but what is the first letter? Or is it "...abe" with a middle initial "I"? Can you make it out?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlksPIhkqcDvGQuvFY_gpag59A2cjflmOm0I43WCVX0xrVtfYOyECn1pd52QNfVqNpmdsijIlVBT9W1Tr_BQZzN-urDds0MkNGOwmpaMU9s4VcufgbTX1cWMgUqQRoyI3EiV-GfvbL-8/s1600/DSC_2444.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlksPIhkqcDvGQuvFY_gpag59A2cjflmOm0I43WCVX0xrVtfYOyECn1pd52QNfVqNpmdsijIlVBT9W1Tr_BQZzN-urDds0MkNGOwmpaMU9s4VcufgbTX1cWMgUqQRoyI3EiV-GfvbL-8/s640/DSC_2444.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beneath this flimsy board was a lovely vintage print. It's a bit tattered around the edges, but still in very good condition. I do love that iron bed!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbiq82BuAkqVL3_uNoKPuH7mihC566Arcs66QBRdQhxCuXv-X98T_YJBL9H16Qrvrq9pSDtjnLHIiDRg5eAxRfwbH79t7PG6SEZ83rOSepOAhWFa0OGFiz2koLrt-9-wRm_t1ACIyGvA/s1600/DSC_2451.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbiq82BuAkqVL3_uNoKPuH7mihC566Arcs66QBRdQhxCuXv-X98T_YJBL9H16Qrvrq9pSDtjnLHIiDRg5eAxRfwbH79t7PG6SEZ83rOSepOAhWFa0OGFiz2koLrt-9-wRm_t1ACIyGvA/s640/DSC_2451.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the real treasure was on the bottom. The back of it looks like some kind of loosely woven cloth.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSj_wTly-gMg-UUjtneeZxAeAp2XkO8LbVuMckS7DXtHPwKsP68_9U3W1ffoEhBvPyKponR8xZK4ei75ORQA3vW5-JNuIldj9rPVouSf5EV1mAjwPlIASYrPAdRzqKBUEN4RxeCbzwXQ/s1600/DSC_2448.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSj_wTly-gMg-UUjtneeZxAeAp2XkO8LbVuMckS7DXtHPwKsP68_9U3W1ffoEhBvPyKponR8xZK4ei75ORQA3vW5-JNuIldj9rPVouSf5EV1mAjwPlIASYrPAdRzqKBUEN4RxeCbzwXQ/s640/DSC_2448.blog.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Written on it is:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1Uqn22-QApcFfogiQ_uhc7678uv8E9FmSTepa6Vukiy3AH0-3n-_UR4UIAY5tKoeQZ3roYGWsn8E2i-IF9g3lTVvljdp9yCo_MZ_yDWhEFhWxFMcJikJAVTMAl1T1VWEOl4a3-J7NiU/s1600/DSC_2447.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1Uqn22-QApcFfogiQ_uhc7678uv8E9FmSTepa6Vukiy3AH0-3n-_UR4UIAY5tKoeQZ3roYGWsn8E2i-IF9g3lTVvljdp9yCo_MZ_yDWhEFhWxFMcJikJAVTMAl1T1VWEOl4a3-J7NiU/s640/DSC_2447.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the clerk turned it over, oh so carefully, to reveal this portrait, my hands flew to my face in surprise.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevdoMvFuMeJqTfZ0YL3fdLxAqnzWZ8LCT-9pWqtq6e9PTgJpxAMVawsg47xBhqbHfUr5Bk3itPs6c4_TXqlVQzW8ZH0UT4-lUP5MN8MRFsf4P_08z8HXLtSbP538eefKB1DzFLlWVoks/s1600/DSC_2462.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevdoMvFuMeJqTfZ0YL3fdLxAqnzWZ8LCT-9pWqtq6e9PTgJpxAMVawsg47xBhqbHfUr5Bk3itPs6c4_TXqlVQzW8ZH0UT4-lUP5MN8MRFsf4P_08z8HXLtSbP538eefKB1DzFLlWVoks/s640/DSC_2462.blog.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is William Henry Vance, Robin's great grandfather! He fought in the Civil War, and he and his wife built the house we now own and operate as a Guest House. I had never seen this picture...didn't even know it existed!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFHoZT-nSajdow_M-qit0rWE-zhCk5wrIcHJtcjitY2WhRsffTiCrS2iIz_6wzFtU9tvpRaqrLOcfJI6aS2yUd2SQQ8VAacym6Bd6_VR2c4ETrGlIutMqdUykuvoHSct_MQCZoKmVJ-s/s1600/DSC_2463.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFHoZT-nSajdow_M-qit0rWE-zhCk5wrIcHJtcjitY2WhRsffTiCrS2iIz_6wzFtU9tvpRaqrLOcfJI6aS2yUd2SQQ8VAacym6Bd6_VR2c4ETrGlIutMqdUykuvoHSct_MQCZoKmVJ-s/s640/DSC_2463.blog.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have several photographs of Will, as he was called, when he was an older man, taken well after 1900, but as far as I know this is the only one of him as a young man. How old do you think he is? 20? 30? 40? Unfortunately there is no date on the portrait anywhere.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKq1CitxRkk81aZPge9TX-SCmjn0uVQpT5i9s6I7O0fnjOk0HMubYWfdySiVEaIQUZQvbhowhXUTkWgsf-EA_C4PHcB0bRa8LPvu1kOxLD0WK5u9CjmRF75O9j3150XTJJdpPH6EqiQyQ/s1600/DSC_2459.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKq1CitxRkk81aZPge9TX-SCmjn0uVQpT5i9s6I7O0fnjOk0HMubYWfdySiVEaIQUZQvbhowhXUTkWgsf-EA_C4PHcB0bRa8LPvu1kOxLD0WK5u9CjmRF75O9j3150XTJJdpPH6EqiQyQ/s640/DSC_2459.blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As was customary, Will's expression is serious, but it's also intense. It seems as if he is trying to tell me something. His eyes look right into mine. If only this picture could talk!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNL_gvqSDPi377x0M2a768HLVt2KHvifedsqANQR4VIlrtqoHSjTHQKM0gGsaVxCwMFarAxpQTIV_udJy999uusxtvxrXF22T5jYYSs1Es6_xb3EgxFWWHTSGkzC1aaQWOP6KbRsVXwvw/s1600/DSC_2466.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNL_gvqSDPi377x0M2a768HLVt2KHvifedsqANQR4VIlrtqoHSjTHQKM0gGsaVxCwMFarAxpQTIV_udJy999uusxtvxrXF22T5jYYSs1Es6_xb3EgxFWWHTSGkzC1aaQWOP6KbRsVXwvw/s640/DSC_2466.blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just imagine if old portraits could talk! I wonder what secrets they would spill, what family legends they would debunk, what tales of hardship, strength, and love they would tell. But they remain forever silent.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevdoMvFuMeJqTfZ0YL3fdLxAqnzWZ8LCT-9pWqtq6e9PTgJpxAMVawsg47xBhqbHfUr5Bk3itPs6c4_TXqlVQzW8ZH0UT4-lUP5MN8MRFsf4P_08z8HXLtSbP538eefKB1DzFLlWVoks/s1600/DSC_2462.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevdoMvFuMeJqTfZ0YL3fdLxAqnzWZ8LCT-9pWqtq6e9PTgJpxAMVawsg47xBhqbHfUr5Bk3itPs6c4_TXqlVQzW8ZH0UT4-lUP5MN8MRFsf4P_08z8HXLtSbP538eefKB1DzFLlWVoks/s640/DSC_2462.blog.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once this wonderful portrait is settled into another frame, I'll find the perfect spot for it in the Guest House. And every time I walk by, I'll say hello to Will, and wonder what he would tell me if he could.</span>Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092859819349833883.post-50465664742881719102015-09-18T07:56:00.001-04:002015-09-18T07:56:33.341-04:00Photo Friday: Country Gentleman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKxyoalcykY_62U3dw4ZQ53sitXbRM9zpvxWptiVrdzUeGNwuzJxtI09tMPnItNac1DiX88TD7bWp3c3_OBHzduSpz7qw68KAVaYLsZiAaMSMbR4kqQOH_8U14jnG7ehxTTzr3OK1aqA/s1600/IMG_3141.edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKxyoalcykY_62U3dw4ZQ53sitXbRM9zpvxWptiVrdzUeGNwuzJxtI09tMPnItNac1DiX88TD7bWp3c3_OBHzduSpz7qw68KAVaYLsZiAaMSMbR4kqQOH_8U14jnG7ehxTTzr3OK1aqA/s640/IMG_3141.edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Nancy Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138616720553641981noreply@blogger.com4