"FAREWELL TO SUMMER"

This is blooming in my yard.  It is a member of the Aster family. I posted a picture of it last year too!

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

We made it to Virginia Beach and back without any incidents .  Bill made it better than I thought he would.  The weather was almost perfect.  It rained a little going up Thursday and a little sprinkle as we were coming home Sunday.  What more could you ask for?  The temperature was in the 70's.    The Shriner's kept food out at all times for three days.  We went out to eat seafood one time with a total of  $56.35.   That's the only money we spent for food.   The rest was on the house.  And it wasn't "junk" food.  I mean real food like chicken, shrimp, barbeque, ham, turkey, and just about anything you can mention.   Thank You Shriner's.  The parade was terrific.  It lasted three hours.  You have never seen a parade until you see one of their's.  Below are a few  pictures I made.  Click on any picture to make it bigger.

Ryan, me and my son Gary.

Our Motel...SandcastleThe Highlanders Band.

My Shoes and Ryan's.We left footprints in the sand.

Bill and me...

Shriners Convention....

 

The Shriners Convention is this coming week-end on Sept 17, 18 and 19th at Virginia Beach. We will be leaving early Thursday morning. Bill says he is able to go. I hope he makes the trip O.K. Ryan is going with us. I will go after him on Wednesday. The picture is The Highlanders Band where my son Gary plays the bagpipes.It was made two years ago in Va Beach. The Shriners always have a terrific parade. I can't wait.

WE REMEMBER!!!!!!

Fish and Their Pond......

I'm practicing uploading pictures because I upgraded my post editor.   Before I could post only five pictures in one post and I sometimes I needed to post more.   This is my fish pond that I cleaned out this morning.   Remember the Koi Lisa bought me for my birthday?   They are growing.

O.K.  Lets see if I have this right!

It will take a while to get used to this.   Bear with me!  Please!

Our Family Reunion.....

eThis is a root cellar.  

We had the Melvin family reunion at Loretta and Dean's house this past Sunday.  A good time was had by all. The food was wonderful.  thanks Loretta and Dean for your hospitality and sharing your home.

Our Outing Today!

Bill wanted to go for a drive today and this is what we saw. I drove across Holston Mountain and into Damacus VA. Below is Backbone Rock. You can walk all the way across the top. I don't know how long it is, but it takes a while to get across. There is a picnic area there and just a beautiful place.A little church in Shady Valley, TN

South Holston Lake. It is the fullest it has been in several years.

And a Pumpkin Patch.

I could stand here and gaze on God's handiwork forever! If this doesn't make you feel good, nothing will!

Our outing...cont'

South Holston Lake with the bridge in the background.

Cool cool water! It was 68 degrees as we drove through the mountains. What a delightful outing we had.

J4 ...music group

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjmXydINguQ These children are brothers and sisters. They won 1st place in a contest with entries from all over the nation. The Today Show had them on right after they won. This is their new video. They live in Bluff City, my little town!

My Fair Ribbons....

Second place on my stained glass window afghan.

First place on "Dolly."

First place on my knitted socks.

First place on crocheted baby booties.

First place on a knitted baby baseball cap. I had nine entries and won seven ribbons. Five of them were blue, one second and one third....two entries that didn't place. Below are Carolyns ribbons. We had a good day at the fair altho we arrived there an hour before it opened.

Carolyn's Ribbons At The Fair......

Her flag afghan won a third place ribbon. I think it deserved more.

And her ripple.

A pair of her knittted socks won a second place ribbon.

A beaded Christmas ornament won a blue ribbon.

And her knitted baby socks won a blue ribbon. There was a knitted baby sweater and cap that won a second place ribbon, but I didn't get a picture . Good work Carolyn! Now we can start thinking about next year!

Wave Petunia....

I wanted to post this morning and tell you why I haven't posted. :-) One of my grandsons (Ryan) has been with me for a week. The week before that was full of Dr's appointments and such. It's been a busy summer. Keeping the grass mowed has been a full time job because of all the rain. My garden consisted of two tomato plants and three cucumber plants but that was enough to keep us supplied. I did have a garden across the road from me. My sweet neighbor that always had a garden passed away a year ago and her son put out her garden and told me it was mine. I have had some good things out of that garden. I thought that was so sweet. It feels like fall here this morning. The air is so crisp and cool. I think I am ready! The fair open this week. My friend Carolyn and I will be going on Thursday. That is senior day. I will let you know how that goes! The wave petunia above is on my front porch.

KNITTED SOCK.....

I just finished this sock. It was enjoyable to work on. I never knew what color was coming next. Now to start on the second one. I can knit two at a time, but I spend more time keeping my yarn straightened out...I need to practice more on two at a time. In the meantime, I will stick to one.