The day started much the usual for me with a before 6'ish wakeup and then since it was so dark outside I decided to linger for few until I could see the dawn around 6:15. All of a sudden I'm back to awakening before 6 and even around 5 for some reason. I guess going to bed at 10 ish may play a big part in this early morning awakening, oh well!!! At least I'm thankful to a daily awaking. I did my usual routines that started with my cup of hot turmeric tea after washing down a handful of Nutrilite vitamins and supplements. I did the posting of this ramble for posterity from the day before's activities then spend a few quiet moments with my Creator giving thanks and lifting up those I know and love by name as well as those who are hurting. I especially lifted up our nation for some decent uncorruptible folks to lead our country and once more make America great again. How we have become this country of special interests is beyond me and turned our back on what made us respected as well as feared with our laws that were equal for everyone. We have elected folks who only care about their personal fortunes and staying in power which has evolved into an elites class who are above the laws for the common man. It's downright criminal and disgusting and is just what our founding fathers were weary of when constructing our constitution. There is complete disregard for the precepts set forth in this ideology by this corrupt administration in D.C.
After a breakfast of eggs, Jalapeno peppers and bacon in a wrap I headed out to check on the gardens. Nancy noticed a Morning Glory bloom and another bud about to open today(Fri.) that is on the rail fence. The vines on the arbor are about half way up but no buds yet. The Zinnias in the circle drive bed are so beautiful with various colors and so many more buds yet to open. What a difference from last years circle drive bed of grass, clover and a few flowers. I started weed whacking the yards and that kept me busy until it was time for a hike to the top of the mountain around lunch time. We stopped off for a visit with Joe and Jetta and she showed us the rocks she painted as kittens for the huge rock painting as a mother cat. She is very talented and gave us some great ideas for next year when the kiddos come for a visit. I will need to fine some smooth rocks in the local creek and save them for that occasion.
We came back and the grass had finally dried out enough to mow so I skipped lunch except for the last of the delicious cookies from the farm market in Virginia and commence to mowing all of the yards. That kept me busy or entertained until after 4 o'clock when we got the phone call about our weekend guests cancelling. Luckily we hadn't been to the grocery as of yet so we cancelled on a run to Wal-Mart and instead re-introduced ourselves with a group riding the Creeper Trail to Damascus, Va. on Sunday. Initially we were planning on that trip but cancelled because of our over night guests but that now is back on the agenda. Our trip to the Blue Ridge Music Center is still on as we were taking our guest there as well on Saturday.
I cut off the three leftover corn on the cob and Nancy made a delicious cream corn dish along with fresh buttered garden grown cabbage and some fried taters for our supper, wow I could eat like this everyday as it was that good and we didn't missed the meat either. Just maybe we could lose a few ounces eating this lite as well. We settled into the news when we heard a knock on the door and our once neighbor Pam came by with a friend who wanted to harvest some of our Galax leaves. She works at the Saddle Mountain Cafe and her family runs the Carpenter Evergreens farm near the cafe. She harvest the leaves then sells them at the farm market as well as supplies some to the local florist. We gave her permission to collect the leaves to add to her income. I have thousands upon thousands of the plants growing in the woods beyond the yards. We did learn the garlicky smell is when the plant is blooming and sending up their white shoots which is usually in the early summer months. She was thrilled to be able to harvest these leaves which is not easy to do. They are low growing to the ground and you must pull the stem with some effort as well to get to the roots which are then placed in water. They will maintain their beautiful green waxy appearance for months and the discolored leaves that look like burgundy are especially sought after. She is a Believer and is trying to make a better life for her family by working and using her efforts to do so without relying on assistance by the gov't.
Last night on the way home from the Tracy's around 9'ish a full moon was evident over our mountain and Nancy wanted to capture its beauty in a photo so we took off on the golf cart a little after 9 out to the mailbox but to our dismay the cloud cover blocked any view of the moon, oh well another night and time, LATER
Just a few photos of the groomed yards and beautiful flowers!!!
