ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL??? AUGUST 13 2011..................

I think that is how they phrase it on TV.  I like football.  I watch football.  I guess I take after my Dad.  He loved football.

My Dad was a grade school principal and teacher.  When I was a kid teachers did not make very much money.  I grew up in Martins Ferry, Ohio, went to MFHS, and our football team were the Purple Riders (colors were purple and white, logo a rider riding a bucking horse, helmet with a purple horseshoe), therefore Purple Riders.  I would have liked to have seen the horse that was wearing the purple horseshoes.  Any how we were the Purple Riders.

My Dad wanted to see the games.  So my Dad volunteered to be a ticket-taker at one of the gates for all the home football games.  That way he got to watch the games for free.  But did I get into the games for free because he was the ticket-taker?  You've got to be kidding.  My Dad was scrupulously honest, a trait that I admired and respected. I had to pay just like everyone else.

When it came to college games, my Dad loved Ohio State.  I can't imagine why, we only lived in Ohio, but he loved the Buckeyes.   My Mother was NOT a football fan.  She just plain did not like football.  During college football season it sometimes got very interesting at our house.

First of all we did not have a TV until after I had graduated from high school, but we had radios.  In fact I think we had 2 - one in the living room, and I'm not sure where the other one was kept, but on Sunday afternoon this second radio mysteriously appeared so my Dad could listen to the football game.  My mother would usually take her "Sunday afternoon nap" while the football game was on.

I can remember many a Sunday dinner at noon after church, we would be sitting at the table eating, my Dad had the radio beside him, listening.  Well, trying to listen.  My Mother did not appreciate a football game with dinner.  She usually let us know that football was a bunch of foolishness.  Didn't phase my Dad in the least.  He just ignored her and kept his ear glued to the radio.

I guess that is where I got my love of football.  He must have rubbed off on me.

When we got a TV things got really interesting.  The more my Mother complained, the more my Dad ignored her.  He loved watching the football games, and when Ohio State happened to be in the Rose Bowl, watch out.  He would not miss that game.

My Dad never seemed to get ruffled.  He just let everything go in one ear and out the other, never got upset.  I can honestly say I NEVER EVER heard my Dad get mad.  Not at my Mother.  Not at my sisters and me.  Not at any one.  Even when correcting us girls he never raised his voice or threatened.  He knew Mother would take care of it if he didn't get through to us. 

Wish I could say the same for me.  Guess in that respect I have a little bit of my Mother in me.

So, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?  I know I am.  I love the Steelers.  Win or lose, they are my team.  Guess it is time to get all our Steeler stuff out of storage and re-decorate the living room.

Wonder what I'll blog about tomorrow.  Maybe I'll think of something.  In the meantime enjoy the weekend and God Bless. 

FEELING LEFT BEHIND......AUGUST 12 2011..........

Have you ever had that "left behind" feeling?  Feeling sorry for yourself?  There they go, here I stay?  The left behind blues?

That's me and the dogs today.  the "left behind blues".

Sons Mike and Jerry, and Phoenix's Son-in-law and Grandson, were on their way, yesterday, to Alaska --- again --- to go fishing.  Not that I want to go fishing - that is not my thing - but just to be in Alaska again.  I believe that is the only place I have ever visited that I could go back time after time.

Pile on top of that that this is the week-end of the Salt Fork Arts Festival held in Cambridge, Ohio every year at this time.  Bummer!  I have done that festival for more years than I can count, have won several awards, ribbons, and, yes, cash, over the years.  Russ and Kay went yesterday to get set up, and then continued on to Ted and Judy's, our home away from home. 

I have been left behind not only once, but twice, this weekend. 

This is how I feel - all topsy-turvey and bent out of shape. 

No, you are not seeing things.  I found this tree in the spring while at Canyon de Chelly in Arizona while visiting the kids.  It just caught my fancy, but the picture when printed was pretty blah! 

Can't have blah!  So played around.  Decided on it being black and white, then decided to print it as a mirage.  Voila!  I got my topsy-turvey bent-out-of-shape tree.

But then there is always tomorrow.  And tomorrow, and tomorrow.  Hopefully lots of them.

I do have two adventures planned for the next few weeks - then Jerry will be left behind, just him and the dogs. 

Hopefully those two adventures will give me something to blog about.  Only time will tell.  I am not going to tell you what is planned, keep you guessing.

In the meantime I have printed up some of the new pictures I took over the past weekend, and have printed and matted the order I received at Y-bridge for a 16 x 20 picture, to be shipped to a couple in Zanesville, Ohio.  They saw the 11 x 14 I had with me, but wanted larger.

This is the picture they wanted of one of the exhibits at the Chihuly Glass display at the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh a few years ago. 

In addition to that, I have mowing to do, flower beds to work on, whatever.  It is not like I will just be sitting here twiddling my thumbs looking stupid (well maybe I will have the stupid look, which seems to be normal), talking to the dogs (which is better than talking to myself), and touching base with friends and family.  And trying to decide what my next blog will be about.  (That's what happens when you have a blank mind).

If they guy's fishing trip goes well, will probably have another 100# or so of flash frozen fish fillets coming home with them.  We have gone through last year's fish, and are looking forward to a new supply.  There is absolutely NO comparison to the fish they bring home and the fish you buy in the store.

In the meantime, the dogs and I will muddle through.  Always have Tammie, Mike is her husband, to talk to, Kay and Tim on the next farm, neighbors down the hill, family here and there, and friends there and here.  Sometimes I just enjoy being by myself, eating whenever I feel like it, and eating the stuff that I like, but Jerry doesn't, so I only eat it when he is away.

So enjoy your day, the sun is shining, the humidity has moved on, life is good, and God Bless.

ZANESVILLE's Y-BRIDGE......AUGUST 11 2011...............

Today is a history lesson.  It is about the famous Y-bridge located in Zanesville, Ohio. 

Zanesville, Ohio came into being when Colonel Ebenezer Zane convinced congress to build a road from Wheeling West Virginia to Maysville Kentucky.  Where Zanesville is there is the confluence (joining together for dummies like me) of two rivers, the Licking and the Muskingum.  Hence the Y-bridge.

You can see from this map the joining of the two rivers.  Route 40 (known as Zane's Trace and the National Road) crosses the River, and Linden Avenue branches off of the bridge.  This is what forms the "Y" of the bridge.

The first Y bridge was constructed of wooden trestles and stone with logs and planks bolted to the trestles  The center pier was made of limestone and above it stood the toll house. 

The bridge opened on November 16, 1814 and had the following tolls:

Each foot passenger - 3 cents
Each horse, mule, or ass - 4 cents
Each horse and rider - 12-1/2 cents
Each coach with four wheels and driver, drawn by four horses - 75 cents.

In 1818 this first Y-bridge was washed away by a flood.

Construction of the second Y-bridge began immediately and was opened in 1819.  Like the first bridge this one was wooden, with a toll house.

Twelve years later this bridge was declared unsafe because of heavy traffic.  So the third Y-bridge was constructed, also a wooden bridge, but this time a COVERED bridge.  (Wish I had a picture of that!)  This bridge was completed in 1832.

In 1868 the county commissioners bought the bridge and abolished the toll charge.  Eventually rumors began to spread that the bridge was unsafe and in 1900 it was voted to tear down the covered bridge and rebuild.

The fourth Y-bridge opened to traffic in 1902.    In the 1940's highway engineers spotted trouble with the bridge, but were ignored by local residents for another 30 years.  In 1983 construction began on the fifth Y-bridge, and completed in 1984, and it is this fifth bridge that I was on this past weekend.

This is an areal view of the bridge as it looks today courtesy of a web site about the bridge.  You can see the leg of the Y on the right hand side of the picture.  It was on this leg that the festival is held.

"GO TO THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE AND TURN LEFT".

According to local legend, these are the directions a Zanesville man gave a confused traveler more than 100 years ago.  This phrase is still in use today.  It is also the only bridge that you cross a river and are still on the same side of the river.  Go figure!

The Y-bridge has received worldwide attention.  In the day when airplane pilots used landmarks for guidance, they always knew when they were over Zanesville.

I have heard of the Y-bridge all my adult life, but this was the first time I had ever seen it.  I wonder when bridge number six is going to be built?

I hope you enjoyed your history lesson today, that you weren't bored to tears.  The great thing about traveling is the getting to know about the things you see, things you did not know before.  As I tell folks during the festivals - "There is a story behind every picture".  And there is.

When you get a chance drive to Zanesville, for not only is the bridge amazing, their courthouse is beautiful, and some of the churches are awesome.  Take a day and take it all in, and God Bless.

AND THEN THE FUN BEGAN!!!...AUGUST 10 2011.....

All was quiet, not even a mouse stirring (I really don't think they have any mice, but just in case), we were sleeping soundly, when SUDDENLY, sirens are going off.  Very very loud sirens.  Talk about waking up already sitting up in bed, hair standing on end, covering your ears.  You would not believe. 

While I leave you hanging, I need to back up a little bit.

As mentioned, Ted and Judy retire to their cabin a lot of the time.  They were there that night.  When we arrived at the house after the closing of the festival, we found notes on the counter.  (We always find the neatest notes every time we come "home" telling us where this is, where that is at, help yourself, make yourself at home, etc.  Saturday night was no exception.

These 4 pages were laid out on the counter top.


They have an alarm system (they spend the winter in Florida).  According to the notes, the alarm had been mal-functoning on occasion, and these were the instructions on what to do, just in case.

Now you know!!!  The alarm system was blasting full speed ahead.  We're all in the kitchen reading the notes, Vicki goes to proper key pad and follows the instructions.  Still blasting.  Russ tries.  Still blasting.  I try.  Still blasting.  Vicki calls Ted (he had left the cabin number on the notes).  He would be there shortly.  In the meantime we are panicking, waiting for the police and firetrucks to arrive, we are NOT Ted and Judy, off to jail for breaking and entering, Ted and Judy having to come and bail us out.  Vicki decided to try one more time, and finally it was silent.  Called Ted back, told him all was well.

Now we are waiting for the other shoe to fall.  Who will arrive first, the police or Ted.

Ted got there.  And he started laughing and laughing and apologizing for the inconvenience.  Told him no problem.  He also told us until the company got the alarm system fixed, it was not connected to the police and fire departments.  What a relief.

The rest of the day was great, had a wonderful breakfast, then it was time to head out until the next time.  Russ, Kay and Vicki headed for home, I went, of course, on a photo shoot.  Found 6 new Mail Pouch Barns, 1 Covered bridge and several other things. 

This is the Mail Pouch barn.  I did not have a picture of this barn, so can add to my collection.

This is the Longaberger Basket Company's headquarters building near Dresden, Ohio.  Have you ever seen a basket building before?

The is the old railroad bridge that I could see from my tent on the bridge.

I arrived home about 8 p.m., tired (very little sleep for some reason) but feeling good about the weekend.  Frankly, I cannot even begin to imagine being bored.  My life is NEVER boring.


I hope you enjoyed my crazy weekend of bridges, sirens, and stuff.  Have a good day and God Bless.

I FEEL ALMOST HUMAN TODAY...AUGUST 09 2011......


We were up at 6 a.m. on Saturday.  It had rained during the night, and of course we were wondering if the tent leaked, or did we stay dry.  We had our breakfast, and headed out.

Did I mention that when we stay with Ted and Judy, part of the time they move into their cabin/cottage back in the woods, where they would stay before they had their house built.  They give us door keys, and off they go.  We get together in the evenings, sometimes in the mornings.

Everything was fine.  The tent crew already had the sides off, all we had to do was uncover, put the covers away, and we were ready for business.  The festival opening was 10 a.m., but we had browsers as early as 8:30.  So much for relaxing before the  10 o'clock rush!

It was hot.  It was humid.  We drank so much water it is a wonder we didn't
float away, but all was well. 

 This was the scene on Friday when we were setting up.

We were half way across the bridge, on the right hand side, where we had a view of the old railroad bridge, and the paddle boat Lorena, which took folks on river cruises.

We had a good steady crowd all day.

The festival was scheduled to close on Saturday night at 9 p.m.  A long
day.  This was the Lorena making one of her trips. 

We had a good steady crowd all day.  They must have been as nutty as we are to be out in the heat and humidity.  We got our water free, they had to buy theirs. 

The lamppost was at sunset Saturday night.  One of my favorite pictures.

By then we were wondering how tear down and load up was going to proceed.  We were told by the folks in charge that at 8:30 we could begin packing up non-essential items, completing our packing up beginning at 9 p.m.  As soon as we were completely packed, come to the end of the bridge, tell them your space and tent number, then go to the parking lot and get your vehicle.

By the time I returned with my van and they jockeyed me in to place at the end of the bridge, and I walked back to my spot. there were 2 volunteers already loading my stuff onto the carts.  1 - 2 - 3 and they were done, then they took the carts to my van and even helped to load.    By 9:30 I was done.  Amazing!

I'd like to keep those two young fellows for all my festivals.

I returned to the parking lot (so another car could get into my spot) and waited there until Russ and Vicki were finished and joined me.  By that time we had lightning all around us, a constant light show.  We hadn't been on the road returning to Ted and Judy's any time at all when the sky opened up and it rained.  And rained.  And rained.  We were very glad we did not have to drive home that night.

We arrived safely, had our showers, had our mid-night snack, sat and talked until after mid-night, as we were spending part of Sunday with our friends, to have breakfast, and just enjoy each other.  So we were not in any great hurry to go to bed.  After all, we could sleep a little later in the morning.

Little did we know!!!

I will keep you guessing until tomorrow.  In the meantime have a great day and God Bless.

RUNNING ON EMPTY!!!!! AUGUST 08 2011...........

The above says it all!  It was a fun, busy, hot, humid weekend, but I am not complaining - just stating the facts.

Left here early Friday morning, met Russ and Vicki in St. Clairsville, Ohio, then we all drove to Senecaville, Ohio to touch base with our friends there, leave our luggage, take a break, then on to Zanesville and the Y-BRIDGE festival. We had no clue what we were doing, or how we were going to do it, as this was our first time at that particular festival.  None of us had ever seen the Y-bridge.   We had never actually been to Zanesville, just drove through on the Interstate, and the bridge is now visible from there. 

When we arrived, the first thing we saw was the row of big white tents going across the bridge in the middle.  We were jockeyed into a spot at the end of the bridge - no vehicles allowed because of the tents - then signed in, got our tent and space assignment.  There were volunteers to help us unload.

My volunteer had a nice big 4-wheeled cart, we were able to unload the van and they wheeled the cart to my spot.  Only took one trip!  And I have a lot of stuff.  Everything unloaded in my 10 x 10 space, I returned to move my car to the reserved parking lot for vendors so that the next person in line could get unloaded.  It was hot!  It was muggy!  I am crazy!

The festival was scheduled to open late Friday afternoon until 9 p.m.  Vicki had asked me what we were going to do between setting up and the opening.  Told her not to worry, it took Russ and me hours to set up. 

First you have to decide how you want to configure your spot, as we have display panels that need to be put into place first, then where your tables are going to go.  Once that is done (and you can't just twitch your nose and wiggle your ears and bingo!) it is time to, in my and Russ' case, hang our art work, in Vicki's case, arrange her jewelry display.  Russ' mother-in-law and one of my good friends Kay,is always with us, she kind of supervises us, mothers us, and keeps us on the straight and narrow.

I think I have a permanent sign on my rear (back?) end that reads THIS BUS MAKES FREQUENT STOPS.  I work a while, take a break, work a while, take a break.  But I do get it done.  Once the art work is hung, then the unframed prints have to be arranged on the tables, plus you need a small work area (got to have room to put all that cash, checks, and charge slips) somewhere, plus what you are drinking - which was bottles and bottles of water, all supplied by the festival staff at regular intervals, and eating.  As every location is different, you always start from scratch.

Another thing that kind of slows you down, at a free outdoor festival like this, you have browsers (nibby noses, etc) wanting to look and see.  And talk.  And ask questions.  You can see why it takes time. 

We actually were ready to go with about an hour to spare before the official opening.  Time to make a pit-stop, change shirts, or whatever and get ready for the "mad rush" of folks to buy buy buy!  Friday evening is the after work group, and they did come to b. All three of us had a good evening.  The festival closed at 9 p.m., time to cover everything up (we all carry plastic with us, because of the weather), and head for our home away from home.

We were hot, tired, sweaty, probably smelly, left two of the vehicles in the parking lot in Zanesville, no sense taking three empty vehicles to the house.  Sometimes we really do think ahead.  Not often, but sometimes.  Never did a shower feel as good as it did Friday night.  We didn't even stop to eat our late night snack before bed until we were clean.  Then of course we had to sit up and talk.  And laugh.   Finally called it a day - a verrrry long day - and had to be up by 6 a.m. Saturday morning as we had to drive back to Zanesville, get everything uncovered and, if necessary, re-hung before opening at 10 a.m.

Never did a bed feel so good.

Tomorrow I will finish this saga, and add a few pictures.  Later this week I swill share the history of the Y-bridge with you.  It is quite a story.

In the meantime, enjoy your day and God bless.

ALWAYS REACHING...AUGUST 04 2011.............

You've all probably hear the saying "REACHING FOR THE STARS", I know I have. 

I have been reaching all my life.  I keep thinking that if I work a little harder, give a little more, laugh more than cry, I will get to where I am supposed to be.

But where am I supposed to be?  That is the question of the day.

I guess I am where I am supposed to be, otherwise what would I be doing?  I am busy all the time, have a great family, unbelievable friends (in every way), I get to do the things I enjoy doing, and I have folks to share with.  Would the stars be any better?  Somehow I don't think so.

I am beginning to think that "reaching for the stars" is actually being satisfied with your life, including all the ups and downs, good and bad, happy and sad, that this is actually our goal.  Not what if, should I have, but being satisfied with what is.  At that point in our life you have a handful of stars.

I am blessed.  Many times over.  I hope in some small way I am able to share my blessings with family, friends, people I meet.

Now for the important stuff.  Will spend most of today getting ready to leave for Zanesville first thing tomorrow morning.  Every year is a challenge.  What are folks going to be interested in this year.  It is always changing.  You are always trying to second guess what pictures will sell, what will sit.  And you are never right.  Well, maybe sometimes.

All my work is divided into the major categories.  Some years it is mostly one category, the next something entirely different. 

I am constantly taking pictures (I know you would never in a million years guessed this), but the majority of them never actually get into the business.  But I always have them available.  Just in case.

This is one of my oriental poppies in bloom this past spring. 

Right now can you guess what my most popular category is?  Lets see, covered bridges?  Lighthouses? Mail Pouch Barns? Landscapes?  Seascapes?

All wrong.  My most popular category at the present time is CHIHULY GLASS.

I will not go into details today, but this particular picture was part of the glass display at the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh.  All the spires are hand-blown glass.

I have seen three of his exhibits, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Ohio and Phoenix Arizona.  All were fantastic, all were different. 

So right now this in  the IN stuff.  Next year, who knows.

Perhaps this explains why I take soooo mannnny pictures, of soooo mannnny things.

This is a Luna Moth, resting on one of my shrubs in my three tier flower bed. 

This moth was there for a couple of hours, then the next time I looked he had gone on his way.

But I have the picture, just in case.

This is another of my rainbow pictures as seen from my deck.

Again I have this picture, just in case.

Guess I'll sign off for now, lots to do before leaving early tomorrow morning.  I will not be blogging again until Monday.  Hope I have something interesting to talk about.  If not, guess I'll just have to make something up.

Have a good weekend and God Bless.

A LITTLE OF THIS and A LITTLE OF THAT......AUGUST 03 2011....

Nothing earth-shattering today.  It is raining, and we sorely need the rain.  Did get the front yard mowed yesterday, back yard going to have to wait.

I believe I mentioned my visitor yesterday.  This red squirrel came loping across my front yard right into the mulch in front of my deck.  There must have been something in the mulch that he liked, as he sat there for quite a while, pawing through the mulch, then sitting up and eating something.  He was either desperate, or didn't have clue as to what he was doing.

As you can see these pics were taken before I mowed.  Also photographing through a window is not the best procedure, but then, it was through the window or not at all. 

This shows him after he came up with whatever goodie he found.

Here he had jumped up onto the deck and was eating away.

I originally though he was a red squirrel with the sun shining on him, but now have half-way decided he is a gray squirrel.  Perhaps he is a mixture.

Anyway he just stood there, or sat there, or whatever it was he was doing, and ate away, seemingly to really enjoy whatever it was.  As far as I know there is nothing there except the mulch. 

I guess that tasted good, so was time to look for something else.  This went on for at least 15-20 minutes, then off he went, back across the yard and down into the woods.

I am also going to share with you today an e-mail I received from a grandson and his wife in Arizona this week.  I hope you like it.  It makes you realize there are times when it is better to keep your mough shut.

MAXINE's 1 DAY EMPLOYMENT

My 1 day employment. 

So after landing my new job as a Wal-Mart greeter, a good find for many retirees, I lasted less than a day.

About two hours into my first day on the job a very unattractive, mean acting woman walked into the store with her two kids, yelling obscenities at them all through the entrance.

I said pleasantly, "Good Morning and welcome to Wal Mart.  Nice children you have there.  Are they twins?"

The ugly woman stopped yelling just long enough to say "Hell no.  They ain't twins.  The oldest one's 9 and the young one's 7.  Why the hell would you think they're twins?.  Are you blind or stupid?"

So I replied:

I"m neither blind nor stupid, Ma'am, I just couldn't believe that anyone slept with you twice.  Have a good day and thank you for shopping at Wal Mart".

My supervisor said I probably wasn't cut out for this line of work.

There are things you can think, and there are things you can say, and a lot of times you can't do both.  But how many times have we spoken without thinking, and wish we could take it back. 

I guess I'll wrap up today's blog with one  final picture.  Saw this blimp flying over the farm while mowing, got to the house and took the picture just before it disappeared over the trees.  I know it is probably too small to read the words, but on the side of the blimp was DIRECT TV.  How direct can you be?

Everyone have a good day, and if it is raining where you are enjoy the coolness and freshness the rain bring to the air and God Bless.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN - ON A BRIDGE??? AUGUST 02 2011........

That says it all.  I am doing a new festival this coming weekend in Zanesville, Ohio, and the festival is held ON A BRIDGE.  Zanesville has the famous Y-Bridge, so each August One span of the "Y" is closed to vehicle traffic and their arts festival is held on the bridge.

This picture is from their web site.

The festival committee erects all the tents, and if I am reading the info correctly, we will be permitted to drive onto the bridge, unload our merchandise, then go to a designated parking lot.

And I have a problem with heights.  Go figure.

Each tent supposedly holds 4 vendors, Russ with his mother-in-law Kay, Vicki and I are all together in Tent #8. I feel sorry for the poor fourth vendor - little do they know!!!!  There are 18 tents listed on their web site with 4 vendors per tent. I really don't know what the three of us have gotten ourselves into this time.  At least we don't get bored.

Russ and I have done the Salt Fork Arts Festival in Cambridge Ohio for years, and we have great friends living near Cambridge that have asked us to stay with them for quite a while now.  What a wonderful weekend, doing the festival and staying with friends.  The best of both worlds.

When Ted and Judy learned we were doing Y-Bridge, they contacted us letting us know the house was waiting for us.  Vicki is new to the group in Ohio this year (she does not have a tent so does not apply for outdoor shows, unless tents are supplied) so she has never done Salt Fork.  Ted and Judy insisted that she also stay. 

We always look forward to our visits with them.  Their hospitality is beyond belief.  When do you find friends that will actually give you a key to the house, and on occasion move into their camping cabin on their property.  This was before they finished their downstairs family room.  Now they no longer have to move out so we can move in.  And the food - They buy everything they can think of for us to eat, both at the house and to pack lunches to take to the festivals with us, and always come to the festivals.

I don't know what we have done to deserve such friends, but are greatly blessed by their friendship.

Just had to take a quick break.  While sitting at the computer my window looks out onto the deck and front yard.  Just had a squirrel come right up to the deck, the onto the deck, nosing around.  Snapped a couple of quick pics and will share them with you tomorrow.

Now, back to Y-Bridge.  We will arrive at our friends' house around 10 a.m.on Saturday morning, to introduce Vicki and drop off our luggage.  Then on to Zanesville for set-up, from noon until 5 p.m.  The festival opens 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

On Saturday the festival is 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., then pack up, load, and get off the bridge.  Will be spending Saturday night with Ted and Judy, and start for home some time Sunday.  What a weekend it will be.  Hopefully sales will match the hospitality, but even if they don't it will be a great weekend being with friends.

Mowing the front yard is on the schedule today.  Then weather permitting the back yard tomorrow.  Thursday will be grocery shopping, then loading the van.

I only have the one festival in August, as I am unable to do Salt Fork this year because that is the weekend Mike and Jerry are flying to Alaska to meet up with the guys from Arizona for another fishing trip.  Guess who gets to take care of the dogs?  But there is always next year, the Good Lord willing.  I am always looking forward, forget the past.  There is always something new and exciting just around the next bend in the road, and I am all for it.

So always look forward and God Bless.

KEEPING BUSY .... AUGUST 01 2011....................

I got up this morning and guess what ... It is August already.  Where has the summer gone.  Where has the year gone.  Fall is just around the corner. 

Jerry has kept my garden tilled for me, I have been pulling the weeds around the plants, and mounding the dirt around them, garden looks good.  Green beans about ready to start picking.  Lots of tomatoes, now if only they would turn red!

My potatoes have finished blooming and the plants are beginning to die back.  When I finish the last 10# bag of potatoes that I bought at the grocery, I can start digging new potatoes, one or two hills at a time, for eating purposes.  Nothing like you own new potatoes.

I don't do the major digging until mid September, or a little later.  They need time to stay in the ground after the plants die back, to give the skins a chance to toughen up to protect the potatoes.  When you dig them right away, you can actually rub the skins off with our fingers.  Not good if you are not going to use them right away.  I wonder how many I will get this year?

The kids were back a couple of times yesterday.  In the morning they, with their Mom were out back, up at Tim's corn, supposedly for his cows this winter, they were running and playing, in and out of the corn. Mom just watched, when she wasn't pulling the baby ears of corn off the stalks to eat.  Pretty soon into the hollow they went (the sanctuary). Time for their afternoon nap.

Later in the evening, they were back playing in the front yard again.  Doesn't seem to bother them a bit with us around. 

Had an interesting day a few days ago.  There was a dead ground hog where Tim had mowed the hay.  The "clean up" crew was out there, (turkey  buzzards) when three red-tailed hawks flew in.  As soon as they landed the buzzards scattered.  It looked so funny, the buzzards are twice the size of the hawks, there were about a dozen of them and three hawks.  Guess they knew something I didn't.

Anyhoo we watched for the longest time, the hawks really working hard on the clean up, you could almost see the buzzards drooling - hey, we were here first!

Every so often a braver buzzard would kind of mosy up, it only took one look from one hawk to send him scurrying back to the rest of his friends.

Even in nasty situations such as this, nature has her own way of doing the clean-up work.  By the next morning you would never have known anything was in the field.  Nary a sign.  But I'll just bet there were some hungry buzzards going to bed the night before.

Everything in nature is not a bed of roses.  Nature can be very forbidding, harsh, sometimes nasty, but there are also the wonderful days, the deer playing in the yard, running and jumping, just having a great time. 

We have such an abundance of nature at our place, there is never a day goes by that something isn't happening, whether it is the blurbirds feeding their young, the deer eating the corn, the hawks flying over, scouting, the coons peering through the trees at you, the coyotes loping across the hill-top, the rabbits playing in the yard, mama skunk, with her young following, off in the distance (just hope they keep their distance), the dogs laying at your feet.

I really don't think I could survive in the city.  I just hope when it is time to go to heaven, that I don't have to live the the city with streets paved with gold.  I would much rather just be in a peaceful meadow, watching the for-ever young creatures as they run and play. 

What would you prefer?  With this thought in mind, enjoy your day and God Bless.

FOR EVERY SADNESS THERE IS A HAPPINESS....JULY 31 2011

And for every happiness there is a sadness.  Life was not meant to be all joy, everything always going the way you want it to go, the road always smooth with nary a bump or pot-hole, the sky always blue with white clouds, the winds always soft breezes, the days always the right temperature.

Life is taking the sadness and learning from it, and how to overcome it.
Life is taking the happiness and cherishing it.

No road is ever smooth, straight, there are always twists and turns, bumps and pot holes (especially in Pennsylvania).  You learn how to go around them.

Many days are overcast, the sky gray and gloomy, perhaps with rain, or snow, or, or just plain nasty.  You remember, that there is always a better day ahead.
Many nights are stormy.  The other evening sitting on my deck just as daylight was fading, there was an amazing lightning display to the east of me.  There were storms somewhere, we jut got the lightning.

I watched for a good half hour, the scene constantly changing.  It makes you realize, we are not in control.

The breezes are not always soft, sometimes they howl and shake and rattle everything they touch, sometimes destroying whatever is in its path.  But the calm always returns, you clean up, pick up, re-build, and be grateful it wasn't any worse.

And the temperature, really miserable with humidity, makes you ache all over some days, tempers get short, life is miserable.  But the good days return, and you wonder why you got so up-set.

My favorite Bible scripture is Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, Verses 1 thru 8. 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew, a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate, a time of war and a time of peace.

My life has been a touch of all of these, I have lived and my time to die draws closer every day.  I have planted and harvested many gardens over my lifetime.

I have had my personal life "break down", and with God's help was able to build up.

I have had many many times to weep, with the loss of a loved one, a beloved pet, a friend,  but all these things have passed, and I go on, smiling when I can.

I'm not real good at the part, a time to keep silence, as I tend to open my mouth when perhaps I should not.

I have loved lightly, and loved deeply, but I can't honestly say that I have ever been aware of hating.  Dis-illusioned, yes, upset, yes, many times wondering why, but actual hate - I don't know.

I have laughed a lot, there is always something to laugh about.  In fact yesterday I received an e-mail from a friend, and would like to share it here.
I hope you enjoy this - you may have received it as an e-mail also, but if so, enjoy it again.

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look
At TV commercials and see if they could use them in 20 ways
To communicate ideas about God.  
 God is like BAYER ASPIRIN, He works miracles.

God is like A FORD, He's got a better idea
God is like COKE, He's the  real thing.

God is like HALLMARK, He cares enough to send His  very best.

God is like TIDE He gets the stains out others leave behind.

God is like GENERAL ELECTRIC, He  brings good things to life.

God is like WAL-MART, He has everything.

God is like ALKA-SELTZER, Try Him, you'll like Him.

God is like SCOTCH TAPE, You can't see Him, but you know He's there.

God is like DELTA, He's ready when you are.

God is like ALLSTATE, You're in good hands with Him. 

God is like VO-5 Hair Spray; He holds through all kinds of weather.

God is like DIAL SOAP, Aren't you  glad you have Him?  Don't you wish everybody did?

God is like, The U.S. POST OFFICE, Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.

God is like, Chevrolet. . . .the heart beat of America.

God is like, Maxwell House. .... Good to the very last drop.

God is like, B o u n t y . . . . He is the quicker picker upper. . Can handle the tough jobs.And He won't fall apart on you.

How many of you will look at commercials in a different way.  I know I will.
So life is many ups and downs, twists and turns, laughter and tears, but that is the way it is supposed to be. 

Before the day closed, the "kids" came to visit.  I watched them play for a good 20 minutes, they had gotten "away" from Mom and were using my front yard as their playground.  I'm sure Mom was just in the woods keeping an eye on her rambunctious kids.

So take each day as it comes, make the best of it, and God Bless.

THE BEST PART OF SUMMER....JULY 30 2011.........

What is the best part of summer?  I am sure everyone has a different definition.  So, maybe I should ask "what is the best part of MY summer?"

It is now, not any particular day, or month, or whatever, it is now, when I am getting my first produce from my garden.  Nothing spectacular yet.  Just one of my favorites.

I really do love fried green tomatoes.  And I have had them twice this week, but I do have to be careful, or I will eat them all green and fried, and not have any ripe and red tomatoes.  I love them also.

I have also had mashed potatoes and green tomato gravy.  Most folks have never heard of green tomato gravy.  One year I had soooo many tomatoes, both green and red, and didn't know what to do with all the green ones.  At that time I was still canning and freezing, so canned the red tomatoes.  Decided to try freezing the green ones, it worked pretty well, but they don't taste like the ones fresh out of the garden.


REFLECTIONS

So somewhere along the line I experimented, an lo and behold, ended up with green tomato gravy. It is really one of those simple, easy to do things, and you wonder why it took so long to figure it out.  Genius I am not.  Sometimes smart I am not.  But I muddle through.

To make green tomato gravy.

Take a couple of green tomatoes, cutting the stem out, then chop the tomatoes into small pieces.  Once they are chopped, place them in a saucepan with butter and slowly saute them until tender, cooked through, but not browned.

To this mixture add flour (don't ask me measurements, I am a "cook by pinch and guess), mix well, then slowly stir in water continuing to stir until the mixture begins to look like gravy.  You will recognize it when you see it.  If you don't, perhaps you have never made gravy. 

Add salt and pepper to taste, spoon over your mashed potatoes, eat and enjoy.

I know there will probably only be one in ten that likes fried green tomatoes, and probably one in twenty that will like the gravy, but if you like it, you really like it, and if you don't like it, don't sweat it.  You have to be a little bit nuts, like I am, to like some of the stuff I do.

Soon there will be green beans, and, if lucky fresh corn.  The potatoes are bloomin' like crazy, the plants full and green, so hopefully will have a good potato crop this fall.  That is the extent of my garden.  Nothing like when all the kids were home.  Then we grew just about anything that would grow in a garden.

One year the kids and I grew peanuts, roasted and ate them.

One year we grew kohlrabi - just wanted to see if we could.  It grew and we ate it.  Every year we tried to grow something different, just to see if we could, and then to see if we liked it after we grew it.  Sometimes we did, sometimes we didn't, but it was fun.

I remember the year I grew turnips.  Cooked a mess of them for supper one night.  One son thought they were potatoes, he had a really really big appetite, so loaded up his plate.  I wish you could have seen the expression on his face with the first bite.  Needless to say he DID NOT like turnips. 

We learned that we liked persimmons, when we knew when to pick them  You have to wait until after a frost, then they become sweet and juicy.  Eat them before a frost, you will pucker up for about 24 hours.

Another thing that was fun was parsnips.  They are a tuber that you don't want to dig until after a hard freeze.  That is what makes them sweet.  We like them parboiled, then rolled in flour and browned in a skillet of butter.  Really good eating.

One year raised broccoli. It grew well, but so did the worms.  Major operation getting the broccoli cleaned so we cold eat it.  Too much work.  Bought all future broccoli from the store.  Tried celery, didn't do much. 

I don't raise cucumbers and zucchini any more - I like them - but they always bear way too many and too much goes to waste.  Tim and Kay have cucumbers and zucchini in their garden, so I always have some fresh on hand.  In fact, my major project today is making zucchini loaf.  My recipe makes two loaves, Jerry and I will eat one, will freeze the other until the kids come home from Maine in September.

All this talk of food is making me hungry.  Wonder if I should have fried green tomatoes for lunch????

Enjoy your day and God Bless.

THE STORY OF PATCHES McGHEE...JULY 29 2011.........

Patches McGhee was a dog.  We are a family of dog lovers, have had dogs since forever.  They become a part of the family.  Each and every dog has been special in our lives, but one in particular, Patches McGhee, was the exception.

She joined our family as a roly-poly fat little puppy.  Because she was multi-colored, she became Patches, I added the McGhee.  She was a mut.  As a full grown dog she was just about the strangest looking dog ever.  She had semi-long hair, her body was long, and square.  Her front legs were slightly shorter than her back legs, so she always appeared to be walking down hill.  Her back was wide and flat, you could put a dinner plate on her back and it would stay put.  She weighed in at about 35 pounds.

She was independent, also timid.  But if she thought any of us were in danger she became a little tiger, no one would harm her people!  She loved unconditionally and completely.  She loved running and playing outside, chasing rabbits, following us wherever we were, whether we were walking, working in the garden, or just sitting on the deck.  Patches was there, always with us.  He ears were longish, and would flop and flap as she ran.  She looked like a kite trying to take off.

As with a pet you get a vet. We have a great veterinary clinic in Claysville.  The only time any of our dogs have ever ridden with me in my van is to go to the vet.  Annual check-ups, shots, whatever, I seem to be the one elected.

I am also the one elected when their journey is over, and it is time to leave this world. 

Patches hated the vet with a passion.  As soon as the leash was attached and the car door opened, she tried to go the other direction.  It was an experience to get her into the van, you had to pick her up and shove her in and shut the door before she was out again. Once we started she would lay on the floor, trying to figure out how to get out of this predicament.

Arriving in town, it was a real contortionist's trick to vacate the van without her jumping out into the street, then getting the curb-side door opened, an inch at a time, to grab the leash before she hit the ground.  Then it was virtually drag her into the building.

Upon leaving the building she was perfectly capable of getting herself into the van, where she would sit on the seat watching the world go by.

Years went by, 10 - 12, maybe more.  Arthritis hit her hard.  Finally she could no longer get up without help.  Her appetite waned.  You could tell she was in great pain.  A call to the vet.  It is time. 

But this time was different.  She walked to the van and tried to jump in.  That had never happened before.  I lifted her into the car, and instead of laying on the floor she wanted on the seat.  I put her on the passenger seat, and she sat there all the way to town, watching her world go by.

Upon arriving, she actually managed to get out of the van by herself, then with head held high, tail pointing to the sky, she walked ahead of me, directly to the Vet's building.  She was dignity magnified.  By then the tears are coming, hot and heavy.  We were taken to "her" room, she was made comfortable, and within a few minutes she was gone.

I know, for a fact, that Patches McGhee knew it was her time, her earthly journey had come to an end, her new journey was about to begin.  She knew that she would be whole again, on the other side of the rainbow, where she would wait until her family re-joined her.

I will never forget her final walk, head held high, tail erect, walking true and steady to her destiny.  At that moment she was no longer the old crippled dog, but the young dog she once was. 

This was Patches McGhee.  Of all my dogs, she is the one I will always remember, her dignity and demeanor as she made her last journey.

If only humans could have the unconditional love and devotion that our dogs have, what a world it would be.  God Bless.

TODAY IS A SPIN-OFF.. JUST LIKE TV .. JULY 28 2011

Today's blog has evolved from my blog of July 26.  It has just been in the last few years that I have begun learning what really went on when the kids were growing up.  It takes them about 12-14 years to figure out how to get into "trouble" and then getting themselves "out of trouble" with Mom never knowing. 

Every time there is a family / friend get-to-gather, the stories start being told.  As I sit listening to them, hysterically laughing because now they are funny, but if I had only known!!!

If I had only known, I would have no kids today.  I probably would have strangled each and every one of them.  If I had only known, they would have been grounded until they were 70 years old.  If I had only known I would have chained them to a tree, but then they would probably find a way to climb the tree and fall out.

I really really believe that we, as parents, are far far far better off not knowing
what your kids are doing.  We probably would never have survived.  The kids would be fine, but we wouldn't.

The time two of the boys were playing something or other.  They had a rope tied to a branch in a willow tree.  I don't really know what it was about, but one son was up in the tree (and he had a hatchet, yet).  Son No. 2 was hauling himself up into the tree, hand over hand, when "whack" hatchet hit rope, rope cut in half, boy on ground, dazed asking "what happened?"

The time Tom and I were invited to a New Year's Eve party.  The kids were all teenagers.  It was safe to leave them home for one evening, wasn't it?  So off we went, to my sister's home in Ohio, about a 45 minute drive from our place.

Little did we know that as soon as we left the house, the kids were on the phone planning their own New Year's Eve party.  One of them even went so far as to call their Aunt Ruth, and ask her to call them when we left so they could have the house cleaned up.

When we got home, the house looked great and all the kids were in bed.  It wasn't until years later that we found out:

No 1 - one of the kids snuck beer into the house.
No 2 - food was everywhere.
No 3 - the place, really really, was a mess

The kids figured they would have plenty of time to clean up before we got home. 

Only problem was - Aunt Ruth forgot to call.  When she finally remembered we had been on our way home for at least 30 minutes.  To hear the telling now it is hysterically funny.  I guess things were hidden, one kid had been sick, mess cleaned up, sweeper run frantically, I can just imagine all these kids frantically cleaning up so we would never know. 

We never knew until years later.  One kid didn't get away, and laid down in one of the closets in the boy's bedroom, and later sneaked out when Tom and I were asleep.  I will give them credit - they did a whale of a job cleaning up in approximately 15 minutes.

And the time, when Tom and I were gone - if we had known what we learned years later, we probably would never have left the house.  Jerry was working at Oglebay Park part time while attending school.  He found a baby raccoon that had been abandoned, and brought it home.  Fine.  It stayed out side, the boy fed it, when it grew up it would leave.  Right!.

I just found out that while we were gone some other teenagers dropped by, so, of course, our kids just HAD to show off their little raccoon.  So into the house came the 'coon.  And the 'coon got away.   And hid.  They searched and searched, had to find that darn 'coon before Mom and Dad got home.
They finally found it hidden underneath a room divider, which was hollow inside, and there was just the tiniest of tiny holes in the back that the 'coon wiggled through.  They had to tear the room divider apart to get said 'coon, and then reassemble it.  Again, we never knew.

I don't know if we were super trusting, super stupid,  super what-ever, and they were very very good at covering their tracks.

I could probably write an entire book on the Life and Times of Tom and Martha and the teenagers that were really really smarter than their parents.

You that have grown children probably know what I am talking about.  You with young children, watch out.  You are in for some hair-raising experiences.

Just remember, when you all get older it is really really funny.  Not so when it is happening.  Keep your sense of humor and God Bless.

TALK ABOUT A PROUD MOM...JULY 27 2011...........

To quote my daughter - "IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS".

I am sure you are wondering what this is all about.  So I will have to give you a thumbnail sketch of what my daughter Rebecca is all about.

She is all about doing what she loves to do, and doing a great job on top of overseeing a husband, four teen aged children, two in college, one dog, one cat, one house, and one business.  Makes me tired just writing this down.

Always interested in reading, writing (no arithmetic) and keeping busy, (she began her own publishing house - DoubleEdge Press) in 2005 (I think.  I lose track of time, but there-a-bouts).  Since her first release, to date she has published and released 16 books, with several more pending.

She has also been an invited guest/speaker at the Florida Writers Association annual meeting in Orlando Florida, for three years, where she has met with writers, and brought home manuscripts for consideration.  She has also presented workshops on writing, and been on one of their discussion panels.

I was fortunate enough to be with her for two years, her husband Neal went with us last year, and this year it will be just Neal and Rebecca, as I have other commitments.  But I will will greatly miss being there.

Now for the exciting news - FOUR, yes I said FOUR, of her authors are award winning authors.  Imagine the excitement of knowing that four authors you chose, yes I said CHOSE, to represent, are award winners.  I believe that says a lot about both the authors, and the publisher.  The author writing exceptional books, and the publisher realizing they are exceptional writers.

 Jane Gill's book, published by Rebecca  A Matter of Pride is a finalist FWA's Royal Palm Literary Awards contest for Published-booklength works this year.

Her most recent book, A Place No One Should Go by DL Havlin won a POW award for Best Novella (unpublished) in 2009. And the author himself won POW's Author of the Year Award in 2008. Did she know these things when she read his work? No. 

This is her newest release.  By the way, she also designed the book covers for these two books.  WOW!!!

The third award winning author, is Gail MacMillan for her book entitled Ceilidh's Quest which won the DWAA Maxwell Medal in New York for Best Non-Fiction 2007.

Her fourth award winning author is Sunny Serrafino, whose latest manuscript has been received by Rebecca and will be one of her forthcoming releases. 
Yesterday, she received an email from Sunny with the incredible news that her Unpublished work Finding Amy  has been selected as a finalist in FWA's Un-Published Booklength Category.  Rebecca had just recently received this manuscript for editing and publication down the road.  This will be the second book Rebecca is publishing for Sunny.

As this manuscript has just been submitted, no book cover is available as of yet.

And, who knows how many manuscripts she and Neal will bring home with them from Florida this year for consideration.  In addition to all this, she currently has seven (yes I said seven) manuscripts scheduled for release in the next 18-24 months.

I think I forgot to tell you that in addition to all she does, she also works outside the home for a temporary agency, one who places someone to work for a company on a temporary basis to catch up back-log, or until they hire a permanent employee.  I wonder what she does with her spare time?

I hope this wets your appetites, and that you will check out Double Edge Press and order some of the books she has published.  I have read them all to date, and they are very worthwhile reading.

I can't help but wonder which cabbage leaf I found her under!

So, if you do order a book,  enjoy reading, and God Bless.

STERILIZED, SANITIZED, and SECURE....JULY 26 2011....

I know the world has changed.  I know that things cannot ever stay the same.  I know all this, but at the same time I wonder.  Are we really better off?  I'll let you decide the answer to this question.

When I was a child - we played outside all day, every day, unless there were extreme weather conditions.  We didn't have TV, X-boxes, Wi's, that sort of stuff.

Our mailing address was a street in town, but we were pretty rural.  Had fields and woods close by (the woods were our jungle), creeks (we called them cricks) running through the woods.  We waded, built dams, chased craw-dads, drank the water (how very very unsanitary),climbed the trees (and fell out of the trees) coming home scraped and scratched.  Out came the Mercurochrome, if we were lucky, the iodine or Merthiolate if we weren't.  It hurt.  We cried.  Then we went back outside and started all over again.

We roller skated - on the sidewalks or paved alleys.  We rode tricycles, bicycles, scooters.  We fell, scraped knees and elbows, went in to be treated, came back out and started all over again. 

After a rain we played in the mud, even ate the mud pies we made.  In winter we built snow forts, threw snowballs at each other, went sled riding, ate the snow, and even made snow ice cream.

No one had ever heard of bottled water, hand sanitizers, anti-biotics, and we all survived.  Not only did we survive, we were able to be kids.

I realize that all kids weren't that lucky.  Kids growing up in the cities did not have all our advantages, but they did have parks where they could swing and see-saw, run and play.  Today they have the parks, but have to have rubber or some soft material on the ground so they don't get "hurt" if they fall, and all the things to play on are so safety-regulated, they really can't have any fun.

But if I were growing up today -- don't wade in a creek, or drink the water, it is not sanitary.  Don't climb a tree, you might fall and hurt yourself.  Don't roller skate unless in a professional roller rink, where you are less likely to fall and scrape you knees and elbows.

And for pity's sake, don't ever touch the mud, let alone play in it, and even eat it.  Look at all the germs.

If you want to ride your bicycle, you have to put on a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads.  By then you have lost all desire to ride your bike.  Same with scooters, but then I don't think they even make scooters anymore, unless they are the electric kind.

And, whatever you do, don't ever ever leave the house without your hand sanitizer, use it every time you touch something, sneeze, cough, or even look at something.  Nasty germs.  Got to kill them right now. 

Now let's talk about our immune systems.  I grew up with none of today's supposedly safety precautions.  I have a great immune system.  Except for the few years when I HAD to take a flu shot or my husband would not get his (and because of his medical problems it was a necessity for him) he didn't get the flu, but I GOT THE FLU EVERY YEAR.  After he passed on, I discontinued the flu shots, and guess what.  I haven't been sick since.  I believe the reason is - that by just being a kid, getting dirty, etc., my immune system had a chance to grow.  I very rarely am sick, and then it is usually just a cold.

Today kids are obese, because they sit and play their games without having to go outside, or even get up.  They are always having some sort of medical problem as their immune systems never have a chance to develop, because of all the precautions and sanitizers and more sanitizers.

I am not a doctor.  I am not an expert on health issues.  But I do know my kids grew up in the country, doing all the things I did, and even some I had never thought of, and with five kids, they all have great immune systems, are healthy, rarely have anything of a major nature hit them.

One of my irises in bloom this spring

So, back to the question.  Are we really better off?  Or is it the medical field is what is better off?

Take care and God Bless.

PIATT CASTLES ... HISTORY 102 ... JULY 25 2011........

As promised a few days ago, and because my mind is completely blank, I will share the history of the Piatt Castles with you.  One picture I will be showing was taken by me on my last photo-shoot.  The other three are from their web-site, but I thought they would fit in.

I had never heard of, or seen, Piatt Castles until I picked up a brochure at the Red Roof where I was staying in Dublin.  I knew immediately that when I checked out Sunday morning to do my photo-shoot before heading for home that I would place the castles at the top of the list.  And so off I went.

I let my GPS drive me to Mac-A-Cheek Castle, arrived about 9:15 a.m., and was greatly disappointed that the grounds were not open, tours did not begin until 11 a.m., and I could not even see the castle from the Road.  Bummer. 

Retracing my route, as I went around a bend, wow!!!  Mac-O-Chee Castle was on my left, visible from the road.  Although their tours did not begin until 11 also, the grounds were open.  I had missed the Castle before as I was watching for the road going left to Mac-A-Cheek.  (Mac-O-Chee was on my right at that time)

This is Mac-O-Chee Castle, the one I was able to photograph. 

In the 1800's there was a division of the Shawnee Indians, known as the Mac-O-Chee, living near a creek also called the Mac-O-Chee.  Hence the name.

WHO WERE THE PIATTS?

Benjamin Piatt, a Federal Circuit Judge and his wife lived in Cincinnati, Ohio.  In the early 1820's they purchased a large plot of land in Logan County Ohio, where the Mac-O-Chees had once lived.


In 1828 Judge Piatt and his family moved to Logan County where they raised their family.

Later two of their children, Abram Sanders Piatt and Donn Piatt built their own homes, Mac-O-Chee and Mac-A-Cheek in the area they knew as they were growing up.

The Mac-A-Cheek picture, and following two were taken from the Piatt Castles web-site.

Tours are conducted from early spring until late fall.  The two castles can also be reserved for weddings, receptions, reunions, parties, even in the winter when the castles are closed for daily tours.  Group tours can also be scheduled in the off season. 

Can you imagine having your wedding and reception in a castle, in this country, in Ohio yet.  What an awesome experience that would be.

I would like to go back, arriving at the proper time, and touring these two homes.   They are private family-owned museums that interpret over 200 years of history of the Ohio land and Ohio people.

I hope you have enjoyed your history lesson.  Perhaps, one day, you will also have the experience of seeing and exploring these two unique structures.  In the meantime, if anyone is contemplating a wedding, or reception, or party of any kind, don't want to go too awfully far from home, you might want to consider a "castle". 

Enjoy your day and God Bless.