A New Toilet and a Shower Head Too!

While it may sound strange to lead with a toilet story, in reality it is a life changing event! The upstairs bathroom's toilet worked fine but Bruce thought there was a crack in the bowl. So, there was that. More importantly though was the height and length. Not as low as a child's toilet, but pretty darn low which while we had grown accustomed to it, from experience let me just say that higher is better. And now it is done without too much fanfare. 

Plenty to talk about before all that happened so off we go!

Following church a week ago Sunday, I finally used my gift card to The Crown, a restaurant in nearby Brasstown that I have mentioned in the past.

As a matter of fact, a year ago this past week we sat in the room above for Tom's birthday while they were visiting from London that I wrote about here. There is a very funny picture of Nancy in that post, well several actually, that will bring back fond memories for some. Okay, where was I? The gift card was from Matt and Tom for my December 31 birthday so as you see, it was about time to put it to use! From there we went to Randy and David's new under construction home that I wrote about here.  To say that things have changed dramatically in the month since we visited is putting it mildly!

In a month's time, a house has appeared! They are moving at lightening speed and the "boys" could not be any more thrilled, especially so when Randy arrived with some very good news to share.

Their A-frame has a buyer! Although it had just been listed, there were showings already set up, however, a friend overheard a conversation between two women, one of whom was saying she wished she and her husband had a place near the Folk School. Now they do! Talk about happening at lightening speed. The folks offered to pay cash and who says no to that? On a side note, D'Anna brought her "chicken boots", the ones she wears when cleaning out the coop, because she thought it would be messy.  In truth, it was neat as a pin.

Bruce loves nothing more than visiting a construction site! 

Back on Campbell Street, Bruce had his own project underway. (Since I took the photo below, he has it all patched up and the evidence that three holes were cut into the plaster is impossible to detect)

He is making a drawing of how he wanted Danny to complete the connections. Danny arrived on Tuesday morning, albeit a little late. I was just beginning my five minute walk to the church for some volunteer work when he arrived. Two hours later, as I walked up the hill to our house, I noticed that his truck was not out front.  Already done? Nope. He left for lunch! Nevertheless, he returned and is on his way upstairs for the new toilet installation. Those who have been here know that the stairwell is narrow but he managed.

The exciting news is that in the photo he is leaving the downstairs bathroom having successfully installed a shower head and controller! 

It is very basic as we don't expect it to get a lot of use. Bruce installed the waterproof backing to the wall behind the fixtures and we are still working out ideas on how to protect the wooden window frame. Because of the new material we had to paint, or should I say Bruce had to paint. Finding paint to compliment that tile was a chore and without the help of my neighborhood Sherwin Williams store I was mostly guessing. She sent me home with the fan deck and finally we came up with a color scheme. Fortunately Lowe's had a shower curtain we could use which pulled it all together. 

I made something new to decorate this very small bathroom.

Sooner, rather than later, they will find their way to the wall. 

Here is something not nearly as pleasant and that is what happened one afternoon. On the patio outside the basement sits the furniture made by John that we bought last year at the Big Brothers fund raising auction. Bruce is very fond of that spot, oftentimes resting there after yard work or better yet, just enjoying the yard which looks pretty darn good thanks to him. Anyway, I was facing him and said, what the heck is that behind your head. Oh my goodness friends, it was a bat whose wing caught in the wall slats!!! Yikes. I cannot believe I was only just noticing it! To tell you the truth, I am out there more than him because I am always needing to either water my flowers or fill the feeders! First I will show the flowers so you have time to prepare yourself for the bat.

Soak it in a moment....

Over the years I have photographed so many, many things, but if my memory serves me well, which of course is a bit of a leap, but nonetheless, I don't think that there is a bat in my photo library. Now there is, albeit..

Sorry!! Sorry!!  It is definitely a mystery. 

Let's jump quickly back to pretty. My neighbor Sandy's beautiful sunflowers.

Whew...that's better! 

Now that we are on the subject of birds, if you can imagine I have some news on that front. Look at this cutie who has daily been resting on the trellis adjacent to the feeder. It just sits there for minutes at a time, something I am not accustomed to seeing as they are normally constantly in motion.

So cute, right?  In more bird news Laura introduced me to a woman who is involved in Mainspring Conservation Trust, which you can read about should you care to by clicking on the link. In short order, when I talked to her she wanted to know if I knew any places where Chimney Swifts were roosting. Although we have them here at our house, and the height of our chimney surely must hold a bunch at some times of the year, she wanted more! I believe it was Laura who was ultimately able to help. The main roost is only a few blocks from here in downtown so last Tuesday night I walked over and met her in front of the church. She stayed behind to count while I walked toward the roost.

It was a lovely night with a crescent moon and hundreds of birds swirling overhead. To your eyes they will look like tiny specks in the photo and in real life it is much the same. One thing to note is that I noticed the bulb not working in the street lamp so after consulting with you know who, I called the power board to report it and by golly a day later we happened to go by when they were fixing it. 

Anyway, Wednesday night I returned after scoping out the way to actually get to said chimney during the day. Walking over at deep dusk I found Laura and Alina on the roof adjacent to the chimney.

And while I went up there briefly I wanted to watch it from below. 

For someone fascinated by bird behavior, this ranks right up there. Pictures from inside chimneys available online show birds stuffed in the chimney like gum balls in a gum ball machine. It's a wonder they can breathe. She is looking for folks to count the birds but frankly they move so fast I don't think I am a good candidate for that job. I am, however, a great observer for pleasure. 😁

Another day I spent time photographing the church from every angle imaginable for Judi who is working on a new website for the church. 

A beautiful blue sky makes everything look good don't you think? Speaking of church, we are in the last week of our year long Bible reading project! Three chapters into Revelation, a book that everyone is dreading to be honest as it is so hard to understand. Nevertheless, it has been a very worthwhile journey made even more special because of doing it as a group.

The weather is changing my friends! Fall is coming!! The downtown merchants are ready.

It has been mostly in the low 80's or middle 70's, a welcome relief to this heat-intolerant gal. 

Have I shown you this plant that is a complete volunteer in our yard?

It just appeared one day and it has kept growing and growing with a beautiful lush color that is not fairly represented in my photograph. AI searches do not agree on what the heck it is. 

And just when you begin to think that my growing efforts are stellar, take a look at this.

I was making a cucumber salad and I kept tasting them and they were so bland well, you see where they ended up.

The front door picks are narrowed down to green. Which one is still up in the air.

Our friends, Curt and Nancy, the ones with the pickleball court in their driveway, remember them? I'm pretty sure I've mentioned how sick Curt has been for months and months. Well, his health is somewhat improving and one thing that helps his spirits is having folks out to play while he watches. They put together a group of six men who played round robin style. Bruce rode out there with Cobby and Diane picked me up in the middle of the morning. I totally forgot I was going to have the pleasure of seeing deer again.

That, of course is easy for me to say because they don't eat my flowers like so many folks we know.

Everyone had a great time including Curt who was distracted from his pain for a few hours. I do remember being in his shoes way back when.

The day was meant to be cloudy, but as you can see from the above, it was anything but.

We were delighted that he felt well enough for the get together and pray he finds answers for his spinal cord leak in Colorado next month!

In other news, I did some first day of school portraits of the new preschool class along with their Moms one morning. 

Meanwhile in Orlando our beautiful grandson Christian just turned nine months old last week. I would show you a recent photo, but I've only received videos lately because friends, he is on the move!! Crawling around like nobodies business and using things to pull himself into a standing position. It is hard to say, but I suspect he will be walking by the time we get there at Christmas time.

Here's a little something that deserves to be documented and that is the auction closed for the wrestling card sets (two) that David was selling through an auction house. I learned later that this happened at the same auction.  While David's cards did not sell for nearly 13 million, he was very pleased with the outcome. When he began, 15 or more years ago, laughed at by many, he kept collecting, especially when prices were very low. His set of 36 cards, along with a smaller set returned a very big margin on his money. Not to worry, he has plenty, and I mean plenty more in stock! 

This is happening on the back porch and doesn't it look pretty?

All different hydrangea cuttings. What it also looks like is someone who is still learning about living in a much colder climate than was customary. Last year we did nothing with all the plants outdoors, but this year we have a better plan to preserve what we can. Overwintering is the term I've heard and I hope we can have some success with that this year. I have managed to root two new plants, one in a pot and one in the ground and wouldn't it be fun to watch these grow next year? Heck yea it would!!

Grayson played pickleball with us this morning as did Laura. Yep, you heard it here first. She's been thinking of doing it for a while and now she has. School has begun here in Cherokee County which means Grayson is busier than ever so some of he and Bruce's time together will be over a deck of Uno cards. That said, he not only loves pickleball but is getting so darn good at it so that will continue to be in their repertoire. 

Me, I will just keep on taking photographs for anyone who asks!

Happy Labor day from,

your friend,

Gail

p.s. Could our Florida State football team be back? If this past Saturday was any indication, it might be true.

It's Been a Minute

Walking down the stairs this morning I asked Bruce, have you ever thought how hard it was for the Pilgrims? I don't mean that it is now considered really bad form to displace the locals, I totally get that. In fact, on the pickleball court the other day, a friend got in a heated argument with a woman who yelled loudly, "I am from Murphy" meaning she can do what she wants. But, that's a story for another day. What I meant is like the whole boat trip, arriving on land that is so foreign, knowing almost nothing about how you will eat, have shelter, or care for your family. Elementary school children are taught a version of the story but after those years most of us never think much of it again.

To me it is unimaginable. How about you? 

Okey dokey then, let's talk about that title Gail. I think it must be a Georgia thing because three people I know who lived there for a long time use it with frequency. Is it new to you? 

Certainly it is appropriate after this blog has sat fallow for nearly another two weeks. It is a good thing and a bad thing because while it means we have been busy, it also means I am not holding up my end of the bargain and that is to publish once a week. It must be an age thing, or at least that is a good excuse! My apologies.

And yes, we have been busy in spite of the heat which everyone knows how much I hate. Frequently I remind myself that it is far worse in Orlando and having hot temperatures and abundant sunshine helps all my flowers and plants to grow, and grow they have! The roses are growing, not blooming much yet, but I think that is to be expected as they acclimate. Seven tomatoes of various sizes are on one plant, while the other has about five. The cucumbers seem to have run out of steam, although I am not counting them out just yet. And the flowers, gosh it has been fun.

The spider lilies popped out of the ground last week, and of all things my hydrangeas are on their second round of blooming.  You don't have to take my word for it, here are said tomatoes.

The peppers were mostly a bust, but here are some fresh picked cucumbers to back up my claims.

Next year if you come across a "balloon plant" I suggest you purchase one because not only is the color wonderful, but those buds are so cool! Furthermore, when they are spent they feel like a balloon.

In house news, we are getting a shower in the downstairs bathroom. After 100 years it is happening, or nearly so.

You may be meeting Danny in this space in the next week or so. Visiting early one morning, he and Bruce conferred about how best to go about it. At $140/ hour, Bruce is cutting the plaster himself, and it is not really only about the expense, it is who is most qualified to cut into the wall!

In the photo above he is planning the special waterproof board that is to be installed there and then painted. Note the round hole where the handle will be. I have mixed feelings about this but he does not, so since he's doing the work, what can I say? He took me to the plumbers early Friday morning. It's been there, well it's been a minute! It is probably at least as old as our home.

Returning to Campbell Street, I've got a tip for you! My 80 year old friend Dottie mentioned, when we were talking about hard boiled eggs, that she shakes them in the pan once they are cooled. Good grief, it is magic!!

Perfection, right?

One day we went to look at a couple of campgrounds near the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Two of them were quite nice. Below, Mr. Bruce is taking note of the site numbers.

Most of three days were taken up with quilt making. In this instance, a baby quilt marked for the beginning quilting lines. I've had that piece of alphabet fabric for years and did not want to cut it apart, thus the design.

I am obsessed with this view of the cornfields and mountains and can you blame me? 

Every single time we head towards Andrews I can't help taking a photo no matter the time of year. We were on our way to the Liber's again, this time for a sleepover. David knew of a nearby fishing lake so because of the distance, it only made sense because they wanted to fish in the evening and then again in  the early morning. 

And just when you thought it could not get any better out there, it did!

Before leaving the house however, Matthew called via FaceTime to wish us a happy anniversary and happy it was. 52 years and counting!! He told me that flowers were forthcoming and we are so glad that he mentioned it because, of course, we were on our way to our sleepover.  Immediately I called Ramblin Rose and she agreed to postpone the delivery until Tuesday. Upon our return, I called to let her know we were home and she brought them over within minutes. Oh my word, another winner! For a small town, our florist rocks!

The above turned out to be a great spot for them because that basket leaks a bit. With marble on the hearth, it works perfectly!

Firstly, the Liber's garden. Have I mentioned before that everything there is like a Southern Living magazine come to life? It totally is.

While there are still butterflies, see previous post, they are not nearly as plentiful, so let's look at waterfalls instead!!

While the fellas went out fishing, we walked along the river with their dog Ranger.

The music of a waterfall is magic, don't you think?

My goodness, we saw a heron and while we were watching, I thought it was a molting Great Blue Heron; turns out that I was wrong and it is a Grey Heron, a bird that I have never seen before!

Look who joined our party! I do so love coming across butterflies in the pure wild, enjoying the natural plants!Following our waterfall walk, we returned to their home and made a delicious lasagna and salad for our anniversary dinner in their spacious kitchen. Picture taking in very dim light rarely works and this night was no exception, however I did manage to get a shot of the wonderful lemon icebox pie she made especially for us using her Mom's recipe.

Just before sunrise, which by the way, are you noticing how much the light is changing? Anyway, they took off while we slept in a bit. Once we were up and about she suggested we go to Wayah Bald because I had never before been. I am including a link because there are photos on that site as well as more details. The day they took those photos was a wee bit clearer!

Nonetheless, I think you will enjoy mine as well because it shows it in a whole different light!  But first we had to get there and for sure it is a winding road, followed by a four mile gravel road to the top. And what is a bald you wonder? I did too! Turns out it is a summit unexpectedly devoid of trees. Now you know, let's go! Lake Nantahala along the way, the very same one we went boating on.

Before too much longer Duke Energy will lower the lake and this scene will look entirely different until the Spring. 

Into the forest we go, round and round.

My goodness, a structure!! 

 

Wilson Lick Ranger station, the first of its kind in the Nantahala forest. D'Anna has been coming to the area for years before moving here full time so she is quite familiar with the roads and landmarks, the above is one such landmark that tells you that the gravel road to the bald is nearing.

One minute it is wildflowers alongside the road,

and the next photo I took is of the weird trees and the summit in the distance.

I really could not get enough of the bald trees!

D'Anna is looking down 5,324 feet!

We stayed for a bit however, the clouds showed no signs of parting any time soon, thus our views to Georgia and Tennessee remained veiled.

More bald trees and by bald I mean bald; really smooth bark!

That is in contrast to our drive down the mountain

Are you, like me, trying to imagine this both in the fall and winter? 

This time I got a nice photo of the full breakfast we feasted on after our excursions. Bruce caught and released two fish for the first time in several years! David caught a couple as well.

Back on Campbell Street, your favorite blogger is asking everyone she knows to voice an opinion about a new color for the screen door, including the florist who delivered the flowers herself because her driver did not show up.  They all differ btw.

Perhaps you have noticed that as the cooler weather approaches, projects are heating up in our sweet home. 

Three holes on this side of the wall and two on the bathroom side, all so perfect and let me tell you that is not easy cutting through plaster. And now you understand why a man with a carpenter background would want to be the one with the saw in his hands! This area is all tidy now after nearly ten hours of work. Plumber up next!

The gold bowl in the late afternoon light! Remember the 50th anniversary present from Matt and Tom? Of course you don't!!

I am constantly taking photos of the light here because it just pleases me so.

Lastly, we did an experiment recently to see if we could get used to something in the middle of the kitchen that we might use primarily as a landing pad. Although this was small, I could see something small in our future.

Of course that would mean more work for Bruce and is he up for so many projects you ask? Time will tell as it always does, but if the past is any indicator, the answer is probably a yes! 

Hopefully it wont be a minute until we meet again!!

your friend,

Gail