Trees & Plants In The Yard

We had a HUGE tree in the front yard that died over the winter. It is now on the ground. We had some people take it down today and when I got home this is what the front yard looked like. After taking pictures of the downed tree I decided to take some shots of my garden and my lonely hanging basket. I've gotten two cukes out of the garden and will have a few more in as many days. Should have some green beans by the weekend and I have one squash with many more blooms. I have lots of tomatoes, you might be able to see some on the vines in some of the pictures. Now if we would only get some rain!

UPDATE - The tree wasn't cut down by the folks we thought! Apparently the phone company cut it down --- we (and Dale) had a few conversations with an employee of the phone company about the possibility of cutting the tree down since the phone lines were running right beside the tree. At any rate, the tree is down and we now have to clean up the remains.



The downed tree. They took out the top and then took down the rest.










Garden and Hanging Plant and one Glad that is blooming









Look closely you can see a cuke or two

Traning Recognition Ceremony Pictures from UVA web

I'm not sure how long these will be posted to UVa's web. Take a look. There are a few of Chris and a few of Josh Ferguson and family.

http://www.fm.virginia.edu/photos/2008Ceremony/index.html

Letter From Heaven

LETTER FROM HEAVEN

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author) ©Copyright 1998-2008 http://www.ruthann1.com/

I found this today and wanted to share. If you have time please look at her website and read some of her work. They are beautiful.

UVa Training Recognition Ceremony

Today Chris, Heather and I attended a ceremony in the Dome Room of the Rotunda where he (and others) were recognized for their training accomplishments. The group receiving their GED this year through Facilities Management contained the highest number of graduates in 23 years.

This ceremony also recognized people that had been selected for the Apprentice Program. Josh Ferguson was one of the ones selected into the Carpenter Apprentice Program. He starts at UVa into the program on August 1st. Pat and Glenda were there to support him.

We had refreshments after the ceremony and then Chris, Heather and I took a trip through the Digitization area of the Unit I work in and went by my office in Alderman.

Here is a group photo (the only one I had time to snap) of the participants in the Education Achievements. Two were graduates of PVCC.

Rus on Bike

Today after church we rode the bikes to Waynesboro. Russell wanted to get something at McDonald's so we stopped by there for a little while. We had a book and some video tapes to return to the public library so we stopped by there to take care of dropping those off. Chris had to follow me there since he's never been to the Waynesboro library before. I don't like to ride in front of him so I was glad that it was a short trip from McDonald's to the library. Then we headed back home and took these pictures of Russell on Chris' bike. He had on the chaps we got for him a few weekend's ago.

I played guitar and sang in church this morning. After I got back to my seat Russell told me that he had recorded me singing on his MP3 player. I sang a song a wrote several years ago called "He's There"

Prize winning Harley Davidson

We rode to Lynchburg today where the Blue Ridge Harley Owners Group was having a bike show. We got there about ten minutes prior to bike show registration closing. We hadn't planned on entering the bike show but I decided to go ahead and enter mine.

I received a 2nd place trophy! I can't wait for Russell to see it. He is with his dad and will be back home on Monday afternoon. He will love it because it has an eagle on it and also stars and stripes. He always insists on putting flags and eagles on his bike, vests, etc.

Here are a few pictures of my prize winning 883 Sportster. Thanks to Chris for all the customization he does for me! I couldn't do it without him.

Belated Anniversary Wishes

Happy Anniversary Waverly and Matt!

Dying While Living

To die while living

We should all be so blessed

To die while giving

Before we lie down for eternal rest

Mama was a giver during her life

Giving to family strangers or a friend

She rose above things that gave her strife

she was a giver till the very end

Even though I know we'll see her again

and know she's in a better place

Every now and then

I'd love to feel her embrace

Crozet Summerfest

Yesterday we went to the Crozet Summerfest. While in Crozet we also went to the pool and watched the parade prior to our visit to the Summerfest.

Check out Russell's visit to the bounce house. Chanel 29 out of Charlottesville filmed him!

http://www.nbc29.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=2661179&at1=News&h1=Crozet Hosts Summerfest

Click on the link or copy and paste it into your browser.

He's not wearing his glasses in this clip but I'm sure you'll recognize him.

I forgot my camera but took a couple of pictures with my camera phone. They aren't that great but I wanted to post anyway. Two of him on the bungee jump and one climbing a rock wall.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Yesterday we went to the celebration at the pond across the road from the Church of the Blue Ridge. There was music, food and fireworks! A lot of people were there. The Piney Mountain Boys (Bruce, Andy Mansfield and the bass player) performed. Next person up was me! Then Donna Cain's daughter. The Faithful Men gave about an hour long show. Donna Cain sang as did the Worship Band from CBR.

The fireworks were great.

We got home a little before 10:30 last night. Russell went to lie down on the bed and feel asleep before we could tell him good night.

Today we slept in. I walked down to the garden and discovered that there were some kind of bugs eating my squash plant. I put gloves on, turned off the electric fence and started getting the bugs off. I went to the True Value store and picked up some Sevin (sp?) dust, came back and dusted all of my plants. After that we *finally* finished picking up the piles of rock out of the garden. Thank goodness for that. We have the mower and trailer parked at the garden now and will put rocks in the trailer as they surface. I didn't think we were expecting rain but it sure looks as if we might get some. If we do I'll be dusting the garden plants again.

Chris gave me a quick lesson on driving the tractor so here are a few pictures he took, using his camera phone, of me on the tractor. Also one shot of one of the 11 piles of rock we picked up out of the garden when we plowed and tilled. I guess my next lesson will be on the tiller. Neither of these jobs do I want to continue but it's nice to know how if I ever want or need to use the equipment.