September 7, 2023 ~ Hahn Horticulture Garden 'Art In the Garden' & VT Campus

 

New places, new scenery, new adventures! 

The  6-acre Hahn Horticulture Garden on the Virginia Tech campus has been in existence since 1984. As written in their brochure, "the Garden serves Virginia Tech students and the local community as a hands-on learning resource for plant material, landscaping concepts and environmental awareness. While the Garden is located on the VT campus, the Garden does not receive funding for daily operations from the university." Below is a map, including the Garden Features and a visual for the walking paths:

For the remainder of the month of September one can see the exhibit "ART IN THE GARDEN", a showplace for artists. SIMPLY ELEMENTAL EXHIBITION 2023 includes 'works of art' from many talented individuals. These installations are placed along plantings, trees, and garden paths. Of particular interest to us were the 2 pieces created by our friend Linda Correll. Her two displays are titled WISE GUY and ZENSPIRATION. 

We entered the Garden at the Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion. What an entrance! 

To the left of the Pavilion, was their Vegetable Garden.(We were a wee bit green with envy at how healthy their veggie gardens were, compared to ours😁)

Strolling through the Gardens was delightful, as there was ample shade and benches. Bridges, waterfalls, stream garden, serenity pond, arbors and more, the entire walk brought us a sense of peace and awe! 

The array of perennials and flowering shrubs was abundant. (Breathtaking as well as fragrant!)

Of course our day trip would not be complete without a 'drive-thru' of the campus (Ron's Alma Mater, class of 1969.....go Hokies! ). Oh what memories. 

The 'We Remember April 16 Memorial' was indeed thought-provoking.😢😢😢

 A DAY TRIP TO REMEMBER❣️

2023 June 29~ Dental Bloopers in Haymarket

 Mid week Dental Bloopers in Sarah and Brian's dental office in Gainesville, VA. 

Who says going to the dentist is scary? HA 

Everyone should have this much fun at the dentist! 

Dentist visits can be unexpectedly hilarious! and today was one happy visit! 

2023 June 17-24~ Cherry Grove Beach, South Carolina

 

"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour, but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides,and follow the sun."

................ and of course, play Pickleball😂, read, eat seafood, walk on the beach, and visit with dear friends. Unlike the rainy weather that we left behind, our week(excluding one morning, where the sea was angry)  was filled with South Carolina sun, seaside, sand, shore, seafood, and more!

Oh the mesmerizing sound of the ocean! I was armed with book, hat, coverup, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Somewhere around page 4 of my novel, eyelids were closed, and that was the end of my desire to read😉. Morning coffee on the deck, overlooking the inlet, was a highlight.

Our 'walk' to the beach was mere steps away!

We were literally at THE POINT on Cherry Grove Beach, complete with a lifeguard stand. (I'm not sure where all of the summer vacationers were, but we didn't dare ask!)

The sunrises/sunsets were equally spectacular.

Our condo overlooked the inlet, with a view of these pines 👇!

Standing on the point at low tide, one could walk across Hog Inlet.

Did I say that the beach was spectacular? 

...... almost as spectacular as our friends! 

And oh those South Carolina 'marsh views'!

Yes, Pickleball was alive and well in the area!😂

The week was peaceful, and a nice break from being retired😁😁😁. 

Kudos to my personal chef! He was the BEST!

Until next time!

2023 June 18~ Happy Fathers Day Tribute to my Dad

"My first hero, my first love, always my Dad" ~ Thank you, Carl Cannaday Hamilton, for giving me the very best things in life that money didn't buy:

Your time, 

Your care, and 

Your love.

You were my compass, always showing me the right path by your example. You believed in me, protected me, strengthened me, and loved me unconditionally. To many, you were known as 'Sarge', and I'm pretty sure that you passed that particular trait down to your first born. 😉😂🥰😁

Oh, What a cherished legacy you left me.

Proverbs 3:5-7

2023 April 9,~Easter Childhood Memories and Vintage Photos

 Happy Easter! 

"In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it, you'll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade."- Irving Berlin. (Chances are, if you were born after 1960, this song, written by Irving Berlin, is not a familiar tune to you. Me? I still whistle the melody when I think of the Easter season).

There was a time that greeting Easter meant wearing a new bonnet, and you had to strut down the avenue to show it off! That was the order of the day. This new finery and the new clothes that went with it were symbolic of the end of dreary winter and the rebirth of nature that came with spring. Back in the early 1900s (and continuing somewhat until the 60s), strolling to church and back home, to show off bonnets and clothes became a popular pastime. 

Last week, I wandered down the Easter rabbit hole (no pun intended). I reminisced of some of my childhood Easters. You see, a friend posted a photo, on social media, of the style of dress and accessories that I fondly remembered wearing for Easter when I was a little girl. 

Oh those itchy crinoline slips😝! And the fabrics of semi-translucent organdy and satin. And ribbons and lace! The hats, the white gloves, the white socks, the black patent leather shoes, the handbags ...... all part of the 'total image'. While I do not remember the photo below being taken, written on the back was Easter April 9, 1950. It was taken on Jefferson Street near Elmwood Park. Can't you hear the music of that song? while they strut up and down the street? I was almost 2 years old! 

Our family increased. By 1953, I had gained a sister. Our family of four seemed inseparable from  my Dad's twin brother, wife and 2 boys! (It was as if I had 2 brothers!) Easter Sundays were no exception. How did we get those church choir robes placed on top of our Easter finery😂?

Our family, once again increased with the addition of another sister, Nancy Sue, in 1954. The Easter extravaganza continued with the fancy homemade Easter attire!

Store bought Easter finery was not an option in our household. But oh, how my Mom made sure that we were 'dressed-to-the-nines' with her sewing skills. That sewing machine of hers must have 'burned-the-midnight-oil,' making sure all outfits were ready to wear. How she and my Dad managed get us ready and in the car to drive to Church was an accomplishment! My Dad would keep things moving along, as well as care for my paternal Grandmother, his Mom, who was also living with us at the time. I suspect he was busy boiling (what seemed to be hundreds) eggs that were dyed for the big hunt later Sunday afternoon. THERE WERE NO PLASTIC EGGS BACK THEN!

Easter childhood memories included my Uncle John, a mechanic at N&W, who was my Mom's brother. He worked part time at a florist delivering corsages to customers to be worn with their Easter attire. We, too, were the lucky recipients to receive such delicate orchids. No outfit would be complete without it! Photos below include my Grandfather, Grandmother, Mom, sisters Judy, Nancy, and myself.

 

***On a side note, my Uncle John lived at home with my Grandparents. He never married. In addition to assuming most of their household maintenance, he made sure that we had transportation to various activities. My Mom did not learn to drive until I left home for college, and my Dad drove the only car to work.

Our family increased, once again, with the addition of another sister, Kathryn Lee, born in 1959. I was 11 yrs old when she was born. No doubt, the Easter fineries continued each year, and I'm pretty sure my Mom continued to 'burn the midnight oil', making our outfits for the proverbial Easter Parade! (Oh how I wish I had more photos 🥰.)  While I do not have 'Easter' photos of the early years of my sisters and me, this one comes close (1960)! Look at those dresses, and patent leather shoes, and white socks! 

Reminiscing of Easters past included the last 'Easter finery' that my Mom made for me. (She made sure I was able to make my own clothes from this point on.😁!)

Our 3 children are now adults with children of their own. 

I wonder what Easter childhood memories they will pass on to the next generation?