The Wedding
I could not ask for more than a wonderful son and an amazing new daughter-in-law. Devin and Justine married at Rosebrook Inn near Charlottesville, VA, on March 31.
The Latest News
Take yourself back to 1900 or so. Not that old? Well imagine, then.
The smokehouse rafters held the hams and bacon that would feed the family, store the rendered fat for lye soap, and stack the many, many jars of home-canned vegetables prepared each summer season.
On May 16, the smokehouse came tumbling down to make room for the new house. For my Dad, it meant that with every slat of siding – every nail – we were dismantling a building that was formed by his father and grandfather to last for a hundred years. Amazingly, the upstairs was totally dry, a testament to the resilience of a tin roof.
Rest easy that we will find a place of honor for the door and use the attic boards for paneling in our new foyer. Some things you just shouldn't let go.
Update July 27: Our fantastic team of bricklayers are almost finished the first go-around. Dad has decided to use brick on the basement instead of cinderblock, which will make a more beautiful and stronger house.Once the brickwork is finished, we'll spread a load of gravel and the wire in preparation for the basement pour. I remain amazed at the daily progress as the house slowly comes above ground level.
In the meantime, I must be a daily amusement to my neighbors on Walker Branch as I bend over to pick beans and okra. The site on Walker Branch is the hot spot to be for all the retired men and the yard is generally filled with pickup trucks every morning and afternoon as people come by to visit and inspect. Who knew you could talk and chew tobacco at the same time?
Update October 8: We are literally firming up the basement level by pouring the concrete and walls. The next big step begins when the framers begin closing in. A roof will protect us from the weather, and we're looking forward to (keep your fingers crossed) a spring flourish with a finished new home.
In the meantime, the muscadines are done with just a few hanging on if you're willing to look for them. The soybeans are turning yellow, and the cotton is bursting. Piedmont North Carolina is getting ready for a long winter's nap.
Update March 1: March came in like a lamb, and the sunshine drew our carpenters out to hang siding. It's finally starting to look like a house! Inside the electricians have finished and the plumbing is almost done. Next comes the insulation, followed by the drywall. We are looking forward to the "big move."
As the old saying goes, "It's too wet to plow" the garden, but just as soon as we get several days of sunshine, I'll be planting my sugar snaps and stalking the garden center. Welcome Spring!
The smokehouse rafters held the hams and bacon that would feed the family, store the rendered fat for lye soap, and stack the many, many jars of home-canned vegetables prepared each summer season.
On May 16, the smokehouse came tumbling down to make room for the new house. For my Dad, it meant that with every slat of siding – every nail – we were dismantling a building that was formed by his father and grandfather to last for a hundred years. Amazingly, the upstairs was totally dry, a testament to the resilience of a tin roof.
Rest easy that we will find a place of honor for the door and use the attic boards for paneling in our new foyer. Some things you just shouldn't let go.
Update July 27: Our fantastic team of bricklayers are almost finished the first go-around. Dad has decided to use brick on the basement instead of cinderblock, which will make a more beautiful and stronger house.Once the brickwork is finished, we'll spread a load of gravel and the wire in preparation for the basement pour. I remain amazed at the daily progress as the house slowly comes above ground level.
In the meantime, I must be a daily amusement to my neighbors on Walker Branch as I bend over to pick beans and okra. The site on Walker Branch is the hot spot to be for all the retired men and the yard is generally filled with pickup trucks every morning and afternoon as people come by to visit and inspect. Who knew you could talk and chew tobacco at the same time?
Update October 8: We are literally firming up the basement level by pouring the concrete and walls. The next big step begins when the framers begin closing in. A roof will protect us from the weather, and we're looking forward to (keep your fingers crossed) a spring flourish with a finished new home.
In the meantime, the muscadines are done with just a few hanging on if you're willing to look for them. The soybeans are turning yellow, and the cotton is bursting. Piedmont North Carolina is getting ready for a long winter's nap.
Update March 1: March came in like a lamb, and the sunshine drew our carpenters out to hang siding. It's finally starting to look like a house! Inside the electricians have finished and the plumbing is almost done. Next comes the insulation, followed by the drywall. We are looking forward to the "big move."
As the old saying goes, "It's too wet to plow" the garden, but just as soon as we get several days of sunshine, I'll be planting my sugar snaps and stalking the garden center. Welcome Spring!