Visiting Uncle Vernon

21 August 2007 - When Becky was growing up there were several relatives who had a huge influence on her. One of those was her mother's brother, Uncle Vernon. Although he had always lived down in the southwestern corner of Georgia he had been so very faithful to make trips to visit his sisters no matter where they lived. He continues to make an annual visit to North Carolina and Virginia for that purpose to this day. Becky had never been to his house and this had long been a trip she wanted to make. We scheduled it with Uncle Vernon and drove down to spend a few days with him and let Becky see him, his wife and his daughters who she had not seen in many years. We had a wonderful time (Dave met with what passed for approval) and had an evening with two of his girls and some of their children. As a bonus Becky Uncle Vernon gave Becky one of the chairs he has made for many years as a hobby (and to sell) and Dave was told of a watermelon market where he bought two of the largest watermelons you will encounter!! The photos are of Becky with her aunt and uncle and there house. We intend to stop again on our way west in the new year. Thanks for a great visit!!


 
 
 

Old Man of Ellijay

21 August 2007 - I freqently went by the library in Ellijay to check out their used books on sale ($0.25 for hardback and $0.10 for paperbacks) to replinish my library. On one such visit I found this old man sitting in the sun with his bicycle leaning against the wall. Both he and the bicycle were so interesting I had to go get my camera and take a few shots. Becky noted as I left the truck with the camera that he might object to having his photo taken so be sensitive. I too a few photos of the patio and flowers when I got back and spoke to him, asking how long he had been riding the bicycle (his response was how long had I been riding mine!!), asked if he minded my taking a photo of the bicycle (no, he didn't) and he asked me if I would take a photo of him and let him see it!! Thanks to digital cameras that was easy to comply with. We later discovered everyone in the area knew him but it was a great moment for me anyway. Note the handlebars and all the 'extras' on the bike.


 
 
 

Last of Dave and the Llamas

20 August 2007 - To wrap up these photos we have our little Princess in the first one. She absolutely loves to be handled and petted but is not so pushy as Elvira who just about demands to be petted. The next shot shows a very pregnant Magnolia and the last one show AJ totally out of character (except when there is food involved). AJ typically does not like anyone closer than about 3 feet or so and never wants to be touched but at feeding time she is the first one to stick her head over your shoulder to try and steal a bite of food before her turn. She is also the tallest, thinest and most athletic of the herd. Farewell to you all!


 
 
 

Last Days at the Farm

20 August 2007 - Not having any photos of Dave with the llamas when it came time to go we just had to have a few so here are the first of them. That's the one farm rooster in the first shot and then Dave with the llamas. The first one shows Elvira 'leaning' on my arm to get to the food with Princess (black and white) and Dinky (all black) ready to move in. In the next one we have added AJ (eating) and Dinky has started to get involved (oh yes, Rapunzel the goat is begging). The next photo shows Elvira back again, and Dior has wandered in for her share. All in all very friendly animals, relatively easy to control (as long as they don't get too excited) and very beautiful when groomed.


 
 
 
 

Farewell to Riseland

20 August 2007 - Well it is finally time to leave Riseland Farm and head north to NC and then on to Virginia. We have enjoyed our time here at Riseland with the llamas but we are ready to move on. I think we must still have itchy feet as we are always ready to move on by or before our scheduled time. Not sure what that says about us but for sure it says we are not ready to spend too much time in one place! I will miss the llamas, especially the ones who almost adopt you. In particular Princess, Elvira, little Gem, Windy, Stryker and in her own way AJ. I will not miss the two goats or 'field day' on Thursdays. I will miss Frank and his VW's and our occasional beer in the evening. I will not miss Sam's 'Now this is a negative'. I will miss the 'Big Dogs' (Great Pyrenees) and their friendly faces and greeting in the evening. I will miss Ellijay First Baptist Church and Dr. David's sermons. What a find when we happened to go there while looking for a local church!! Perhaps the best sermons we have ever heard week in and week out (sorry Tony, no offense and I still love you best). The photos are of Big Dogs, little Gem (his personality matches his looks) and a morning sunrise at Riseland. More photos on next entry.

 
 
 
 

Floor Cloths 4 & 5

12 August 2007 - These are the rest of the first 5 Floor Cloths off the design table. You will note that the 'Leaves' one is very similar to an earlier design - but not exactly. You will have to ask Becky how this came about as I would not dare reveal the secret!!!



   

Becky's Floor Cloths

12 August 2007 - The big news for this week is all about Becky!!! She had contacted a local shop here in Ellijay, the Art Guild here in Ellijay and a flooring store in nearby Blue Ridge to see if they were interested in displaying/selling her Floor Cloths. Those who visited us in Lebanon may have seen one of her products on our kitchen floor. All three places were very interested in seeing and handling them so Becky got busy ordering the material and producing 5 of them for 'samples' (and to sell!). Saturday she made the rounds and we are pleased to announce the same Becky all of you know and love is now gone 'commercial'. I know some of you will think she has 'sold out' but with the price of fuel, well ......

She will be replacing the ones she leaves here as they are sold and will also be taking orders from new customers so she will have an even harder time becoming bored from here on. Wish her luck!!! Attached are 3 of her cloths and the next message will have two more. Prize will be awarded for the first one who can pick out the two the first store chose as theirs (after giving up trying to have them all!). Future designs will be posted as they evolve.



     

Just in Time for Christmas

7 August 2007 - Less than 2 week remaining here in Ellijay,GA. The temperature has really decided to go up the past few days making us anxious to get up 'at altitude' in Virginia in the park. No matter, we will make it as long as our AC continues to work hard!!

As to the photos - I have always had a garage or shop or someplace to hang my wrenches making them easy to find and, more important the older I get, see at a glance if I have left one laying somewhere. Well having to keep everything in the tool boxes on the truck pretty well eliminated that as a possibility. For years I have owned a small pouch of nut drivers/screw drivers that came in a rollup pouch and have always found them extrememly handy.

Taking that thought toward my wrench problem, I have searched and searched for something similar but on a larger scale (and just a pouch, as I already have the wrenches). I was never able to find them and finally brought the subject up to Becky (never talk this type of thing over with your wife too soon!!!). She 'volunteered' to sew one for me if I would come up with the design, materials, etc. The photos are the result of our joint efforts. Obviously 'one' grew into 3 (I am looking at a couple more now). They are GREAT. They do exactly what I wanted them to do, were relatively inexpensive and pretty simple to sew together. I haven't decided if I want to 'label' the pockets for size yet or whether it would have been smart to allow extra pockets for expansion but for the 'prototypes' they worked out well.

Put your order in now for the do-it-yourself man in your life. Prices upon request. Infringement upon our design will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law so be warned!!!

Happy traveling!