News for today's 2018

At the Frontier Culture Museum this weekend: Good Times, Tastes & Traditions Festival

10:02 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5aRaW-ED5eGvtGROX1LeGCx35y9vlp_wji0nXfZPe7oo73Z4rByqUJKfdgxaJ_wM8UUxZCelvgtE_7lZZm-0oz2rxSBc3bIKd0QFlskhHNzlj5eGiojzmUijJ1xa-kt8-IyoHHGP80dw/s1600/Good+Times+Festival+FCMV.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5aRaW-ED5eGvtGROX1LeGCx35y9vlp_wji0nXfZPe7oo73Z4rByqUJKfdgxaJ_wM8UUxZCelvgtE_7lZZm-0oz2rxSBc3bIKd0QFlskhHNzlj5eGiojzmUijJ1xa-kt8-IyoHHGP80dw/s320/Good+Times+Festival+FCMV.png" width="255" /></a></div><br />Our festival title says it all.... <a href="http://www.goodtimesaugusta.com/#!festiva-schedule/c4nz">GOOD TIMES are ahead</a>. We will feature  music and bands that expand all cultures at the 5 featured farms at <a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/">The Frontier Culture Museum</a>, as well as great local bluegrass, country, jazz  and blues. <br /><br /><div class="font_8"><b><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="color_2"><u>Saturday, September 21st, 2013</u></span></span></b></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">11am: </span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Gates Open </span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">12pm: </span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Registration Starts for Kid's Tractor Pedal Pull in America</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">12pm: Entertainment in Africa: </span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_16">Drummers / Dancers</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">12pm:Entertainment in America:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Bourbon Barrel Congress (Bluegrass)</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">1pm: Entertainment in England:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">  NoneSuch</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">1pm:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Beef Cooking Demo in America                         </span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">1pm:Entertainment in Germany:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Rhythum Road</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">1pm: Entertainment at The Dod Amphitheater:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Sara Jane and Brian Buchanan</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">2pm:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Circle 8 Square Dancers in America</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">2:15pm</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">: </span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Linda Marchman – Magical Monarchs Butterfly Presentation, Tagging & Release</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">2:15pm: Entertainment at The Dod Amphitheater:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Many Nights Ahead</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">2:30pm</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">: Sheep Herding Demo in America</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">3pm: Entertainment in Africa: </span><span class="color_16">Drummers / Dancers</span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14"> </span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">3pm: </span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Beef Cooking Demo in America</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">3pm: Entertainment in America: </span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Bourbon Barrel Congress</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">3:30pm:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Kid's Tractor Pedal Pull in America</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">3:30pm: Entertainment at The Dod Amphitheater:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Chaise Lounge</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">4pm: Entertainment in England: </span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> NoneSuch</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">4pm: Entertainment in Germany:</span><span class="color_16"> Rhythm Road</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">4:45pm:<span class="color_16"> </span>Entertainment at The Dod Amphitheater:</span><span class="color_16"> Chaise Lounge</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><br /></div><div class="font_8"><b><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="color_2"><u>Sunday, September 22nd, 2013</u></span></span></b></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">12pm: </span><span class="color_16">Gates Open </span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">12:30pm: Entertainment in Africa: </span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_16">Drummers / Dancers</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">12:30pm: Entertainment in America:</span><span class="color_16"> Cutch Tuttle and Hound Dog Hill </span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">1pm: </span><span class="color_16">Registration Starts for Kid's Tractor Pedal Pull in America</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">1pm: Entertainment at The Dod Amphitheater:</span><span class="color_16"> Valley Dance Theater (Hip Hop)</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">1pm:</span><span class="color_16"> Beef Cooking Demo in America</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">1:30pm: Entertainment in England:</span><span class="color_16">  NoneSuch</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">1:30pm: Entertainment in Germany: </span><span class="color_16">Oum Pah Boys</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="color_14">2:15pm: Entertainment at The Dod Amphitheater:</span><span class="color_16"> Al Hamilton Men's Choir </span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">2:15pm</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">: Linda Marchman – Magical Monarchs Butterfly Presentation, Tagging & Release</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">2:30pm: Entertainment in Africa: </span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Drummer / Dancers</span></span><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">2:30pm: </span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Sheep Herding Demo in America</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">2:30pm: Entertainment in America:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Cutch Tuttle and Hound Dog Hill</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">3pm:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Kid's Tractor Pedal Pull in America</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">3pm: Entertainment at The Dod Amphitheater:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> VSDB Bluegrass Band</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">3pm: </span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Beef Cooking Demo in America</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">3:30pm: Entertainment at The Dod Amphitheater:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">  Wilson Fairchild (The Reid Boys)</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">4pm: Entertainment in England:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> NoneSuch</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">~ and ~</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Entertainment in Germany:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Oum Pah Boys</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_14"><span style="font-size: 16px;">4:45pm:</span></span><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Special Presentation of a Donation to VA School for the Deaf and the Blind.</span></span></div><div class="font_8"><br /></div><div class="font_8"><span class="color_16"><span style="font-size: 16px;">*The  Stonewall Area Boy scouts are helping us with Old Fashioned Cane Pole  Fishing from 1pm - 5pm on Saturday and 1pm - 4pm on Sunday.</span></span></div>

At the Frontier Culture Museum this weekend: Good Times, Tastes & Traditions Festival

Our festival title says it all.... GOOD TIMES are ahead . We will feature music and bands that expand all cultures at the 5 featured farms ...

First morning of 30s in my corner of Augusta County

3:11 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpnF0u1CXybkzosX2FTii4iwVt-XYgehKEcIVBnYLQZeuVYhDWE5mdlYrMpMYb57lt6d-SgIW12nBP03PdgTNPUPNgePVjbmyyrQ35ssudb7Qk90EMjMx_xIh0xWQxjoftDdikg9DgB_U/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpnF0u1CXybkzosX2FTii4iwVt-XYgehKEcIVBnYLQZeuVYhDWE5mdlYrMpMYb57lt6d-SgIW12nBP03PdgTNPUPNgePVjbmyyrQ35ssudb7Qk90EMjMx_xIh0xWQxjoftDdikg9DgB_U/s400/2.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Update:</b> On this thermometer the temperature dropped to 38.5 while an outdoor thermometer read 37. Either way, it's in the 30s which is <i>cold.</i> Fall officially arrives Sunday.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdy_l2bZBfsENBSSvAfXkhAc-g5jy68DYosVBVXdC-E3moPPkNCH8f1dc1r2rSwtjSxIq7Fj93_x4Ua0txbp33QF8gmHaIK6FjQqZMwYcjkavztFDDLnKcD_vF30ETM06CWYvN5gmsglX/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdy_l2bZBfsENBSSvAfXkhAc-g5jy68DYosVBVXdC-E3moPPkNCH8f1dc1r2rSwtjSxIq7Fj93_x4Ua0txbp33QF8gmHaIK6FjQqZMwYcjkavztFDDLnKcD_vF30ETM06CWYvN5gmsglX/s400/1.jpg" /></a></div><br />By 6:00 it had dropped to 39.4 ... will it go lower? Fall's first day of temps in the 30s. Get out those sweaters because it's fall in the Shenandoah Valley....<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Brrrr<br />September 18, 2013

Augusta County Shenandoah Valley First morning of 30s in my corner of Augusta County

Update: On this thermometer the temperature dropped to 38.5 while an outdoor thermometer read 37. Either way, it's in the 30s which is ...

Grand Caverns

3:47 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6W1DeqG2sjCs3rIsw_16OCRu5-8CVdFv0hCGm4ejKNlu2ifNf6Wj8T9q4k86cEwwM6Yk1gNYpSges-G-79ynOanlY9wcLibXlFFEAx1xRvLXT6dSDKwNmmfukJfjRX-fNZPm44O_8C-Y/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6W1DeqG2sjCs3rIsw_16OCRu5-8CVdFv0hCGm4ejKNlu2ifNf6Wj8T9q4k86cEwwM6Yk1gNYpSges-G-79ynOanlY9wcLibXlFFEAx1xRvLXT6dSDKwNmmfukJfjRX-fNZPm44O_8C-Y/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">South River borders <a href="http://www.grandcaverns.com/">Grand Caverns Park</a>. It's the southern fork of the Shenandoah River.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8md8_pEourGBdNX_dJ_HVM6WVWIFDquJDNMvkT-NhZuaavN0xoF7wUc7qKhOttv6nILtvcZlUpqJlI2TgeNvUjfy5HzdR-KUirdSbhpgmdslQTdQfz4CB9_mkXcS5kc6jV8fS4HWgIfS/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8md8_pEourGBdNX_dJ_HVM6WVWIFDquJDNMvkT-NhZuaavN0xoF7wUc7qKhOttv6nILtvcZlUpqJlI2TgeNvUjfy5HzdR-KUirdSbhpgmdslQTdQfz4CB9_mkXcS5kc6jV8fS4HWgIfS/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswbzZfRIZIBGPtG-U1ODvvH2JofDKqhU-4I2lt_WzUZsaBGGDfezZd9_2v77zjiGNS9f3Tc9XJdHvRUwedMIT0OOdRUsdvyZLPYBd6UEvDxYRl0VqF6d2DUsOxGbqjJpEtJ766kck5hdB/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswbzZfRIZIBGPtG-U1ODvvH2JofDKqhU-4I2lt_WzUZsaBGGDfezZd9_2v77zjiGNS9f3Tc9XJdHvRUwedMIT0OOdRUsdvyZLPYBd6UEvDxYRl0VqF6d2DUsOxGbqjJpEtJ766kck5hdB/s400/18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KfLoON4w-4RJb5Tdvz0ObPWNKgfo28wGiplgxVZl8BhJpWs4oYNaz0XwLUEU7hxEBNhcnvPEklQmoh2-rcIklI3VytTeEEHMLN8TKVs7xwmr0oUYkVQt0tWbRDHoNXcWVjfF3_T1UkKw/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KfLoON4w-4RJb5Tdvz0ObPWNKgfo28wGiplgxVZl8BhJpWs4oYNaz0XwLUEU7hxEBNhcnvPEklQmoh2-rcIklI3VytTeEEHMLN8TKVs7xwmr0oUYkVQt0tWbRDHoNXcWVjfF3_T1UkKw/s400/19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX64IzxgrP0VZY6oAkKs-T2gDwrkSG_SRj1YCJ5bfxPhSDOzdP0a99tdJQNTlaGOi_NNLal9mLwCumXMs0MFv7ZS6Fnc8YmcfWMWKMQjBHU5JbeFEPHTejfivNwPqRebNQdKCgwVlLiuyB/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX64IzxgrP0VZY6oAkKs-T2gDwrkSG_SRj1YCJ5bfxPhSDOzdP0a99tdJQNTlaGOi_NNLal9mLwCumXMs0MFv7ZS6Fnc8YmcfWMWKMQjBHU5JbeFEPHTejfivNwPqRebNQdKCgwVlLiuyB/s400/20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/07/jurassic-park-in-augusta-county.html">Jurassic Park at Grand Caverns?</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYmA27NvtMz9_V-mEkPCGYZNMBmPgBapON120Undu4vgwT5wDVSNVaYiSz9RYs1_IupIb0EQZ9yals___M3Oq-Xxzpt6aSIF_RaWB6NeuyMS1_hWPfYGcSDKI2ifAlQKb7xTuFXbVF3V4/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYmA27NvtMz9_V-mEkPCGYZNMBmPgBapON120Undu4vgwT5wDVSNVaYiSz9RYs1_IupIb0EQZ9yals___M3Oq-Xxzpt6aSIF_RaWB6NeuyMS1_hWPfYGcSDKI2ifAlQKb7xTuFXbVF3V4/s400/21.jpg" width="321" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NTnWUF9WkmvPFnAnxlx9dCe_UFV9XvTT2cNFfBllgxQeX__vdWMlMNLh75VTH-0T3k3XCNbUcAqRhPYoBSeuh9EEtLzCFeFtSKIZhlYH6x4LiG8zi0eahyo7G6uxwV4TnT18zrpofLyE/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NTnWUF9WkmvPFnAnxlx9dCe_UFV9XvTT2cNFfBllgxQeX__vdWMlMNLh75VTH-0T3k3XCNbUcAqRhPYoBSeuh9EEtLzCFeFtSKIZhlYH6x4LiG8zi0eahyo7G6uxwV4TnT18zrpofLyE/s400/23.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ15LUw444p4_BCPEnCUeMqd5wTtT1zMaeFndJYkIVk3807T8_RpTVHtW5ECv658NUYWs2guFMJa4UfEsRzWRQ9p0bZqJcgZWFPXmmZTcBKv2Qi6ifujNv2EGYjtLmNfFXe2OD6srjVH_w/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ15LUw444p4_BCPEnCUeMqd5wTtT1zMaeFndJYkIVk3807T8_RpTVHtW5ECv658NUYWs2guFMJa4UfEsRzWRQ9p0bZqJcgZWFPXmmZTcBKv2Qi6ifujNv2EGYjtLmNfFXe2OD6srjVH_w/s400/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEupZGlbMNpR047FR_qngubnaqtxNVXigGL4abpSp5S982sF_GRHjYqrIuOPyAmEsuml6RQTULG2ulc5uTxftclnINGRmmNxBDovyVgRwDZZbGD8WpS0cbHt-c91Kj8vKkbi1LNH9ZlNAr/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEupZGlbMNpR047FR_qngubnaqtxNVXigGL4abpSp5S982sF_GRHjYqrIuOPyAmEsuml6RQTULG2ulc5uTxftclnINGRmmNxBDovyVgRwDZZbGD8WpS0cbHt-c91Kj8vKkbi1LNH9ZlNAr/s400/25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Related posts:<br />- <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2010/06/augusta-county-gives-grand-caverns-to.html">Augusta County gives Grand Caverns to Grottoes</a><br />- <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/shenandoahs-south-river-grand-caverns.html">Shenandoah's South River ... Grand Caverns</a><br />- <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2012/10/october-2012-20-things-to-do-in-and.html">October 2012 ... 20 things to do in and around Staunton</a><br /><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />September 12, 2013

Augusta County Blue Ridge Mountains Grand Caverns Grottoes Rockingham County tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Grand Caverns

South River borders Grand Caverns Park . It's the southern fork of the Shenandoah River. Jurassic Park at Grand Caverns? Related posts: ...

Elusive mountain lion sightings continue in Valley

1:32 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUcHqfzbAwkmrVy2FHKKRYM-Gw26UIewXH419ZGmGdkJheZzkfEqCZqFlKQzw7fs59vWxXCSFN6xx2DwzIjLq2i5sbWZpU-_mhyphenhyphen46wyaTRthdccKqmFYL4cznb3ncidBB4-lX945ODTj7/s1600/Mountain+lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUcHqfzbAwkmrVy2FHKKRYM-Gw26UIewXH419ZGmGdkJheZzkfEqCZqFlKQzw7fs59vWxXCSFN6xx2DwzIjLq2i5sbWZpU-_mhyphenhyphen46wyaTRthdccKqmFYL4cznb3ncidBB4-lX945ODTj7/s1600/Mountain+lion.jpg" /></a></div><br />When my husband and I bought our house west of Staunton in 1997, one of the first things the homeowner told us was about seeing a mountain lion crossing our quiet street. According to him, the mountain lion had reportedly killed a calf in the field beside the house. Nothing, however, came of it.  Throughout the years, various Valley residents have reported sightings of the elusive creature but, according to Friday's <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050026/Have-you-seen-Valley"><i>News Leader</i></a>, there has never been positive evidence of mountain lions in the area: <br /><blockquote>Lee Walker, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said they get calls on a regular basis on mountain lion sightings, but have never been able to substantiate any as true sightings.<br />...<br />The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has cited the mountain lion, or puma, to be an endangered or threatened animal in Virginia since 1979.<br /><br />Since 1970, scores of mountain lion sightings have been reported without a single one being confirmed, the department reports. Most occur in Shenandoah National Park and in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson counties. Others have been clustered in the Valley.</blockquote>Read more about this curiously interesting cat <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050026/Have-you-seen-Valley">here</a>.

Elusive mountain lion sightings continue in Valley

Augusta County mountain lions puma Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah Valley Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries western Virginia Elusive mountain lion sightings continue in Valley

When my husband and I bought our house west of Staunton in 1997, one of the first things the homeowner told us was about seeing a mountain l...

Adventures with Barb: Rockingham County and Liskey's sweet corn

5:48 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK63OoE824NXRDooU8CQz5sLvIZKWlyr6xPYTMnfKGtQGeNThyphenhyphenXrJVVCSNxNqZGHsI3CFiIKj8i-NMRFqgqxjRJD8NM3qxY10YaSfk1CaVhIE-5A9Y_codk3PQ1cRlQueCL1lbylfqvJLd/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK63OoE824NXRDooU8CQz5sLvIZKWlyr6xPYTMnfKGtQGeNThyphenhyphenXrJVVCSNxNqZGHsI3CFiIKj8i-NMRFqgqxjRJD8NM3qxY10YaSfk1CaVhIE-5A9Y_codk3PQ1cRlQueCL1lbylfqvJLd/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It was pouring rain in the Shenandoah Valley today but that didn't stop  my friend Barb and me from heading north to Rockingham County for some  Liskey's sweet corn straight out of the field. Their popular roadside  stand is usually packed with vehicles as consumers from near and far  stop to buy some of the freshest, just-out-of-the-field corn around.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdAmBxEgElkq3C94JsV5CXH5vr21HWd_v0zO_a09TQCc_HH-vxaOWZsvsizewQougyG_Y6z236Ne-kWokR0JQmtOJyVcXEXLV5nxwKXKGrOUP3aRyAr9lePxoNKoTjAj5I_SbnJdeO8yW/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdAmBxEgElkq3C94JsV5CXH5vr21HWd_v0zO_a09TQCc_HH-vxaOWZsvsizewQougyG_Y6z236Ne-kWokR0JQmtOJyVcXEXLV5nxwKXKGrOUP3aRyAr9lePxoNKoTjAj5I_SbnJdeO8yW/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfOZkWPaxVC8_HfA3AYJidYRwmwhOpsKqdrpcFfvT9Pum5829uZ_w334JD-sV4MZl9cDjRpH2NI5WHOIS3xNxDW1GcdoVy0ciJnJI3wxR5uPHcqOavfgPEtyMR6dwMcebmzT0W_ItckGC/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfOZkWPaxVC8_HfA3AYJidYRwmwhOpsKqdrpcFfvT9Pum5829uZ_w334JD-sV4MZl9cDjRpH2NI5WHOIS3xNxDW1GcdoVy0ciJnJI3wxR5uPHcqOavfgPEtyMR6dwMcebmzT0W_ItckGC/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Today's fog and heavy rain made it a quiet adventure today since we were  the only ones under the tent picking through a heaping mound of corn as  we looked for big, just-right ears. Together we bought five dozen --  some for friends, some for family, some for freezing, some for eating.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBOzo-sCVTv25IxJJgYVcY_ZLpTQGxMhKdXX8NGXgLoXNPbT9KkU01prna8KA5m4Wvf2IZzRhl7P__R6sMNYE8o1nBrc_I9pRLdwuQhMw93THS724QnFKshYG_gH61IWPXFJCNSPmxEMp/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBOzo-sCVTv25IxJJgYVcY_ZLpTQGxMhKdXX8NGXgLoXNPbT9KkU01prna8KA5m4Wvf2IZzRhl7P__R6sMNYE8o1nBrc_I9pRLdwuQhMw93THS724QnFKshYG_gH61IWPXFJCNSPmxEMp/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfvi0zppLs_PaQPvOpAPeo4U9mp64RJQmuY_ecM_noO_Ut34uHzUFChz2DoDLksTuN8fCGzOOAceXtaMau2smHB3JJCBvn7QNBMMWW7uaWqZF_c0EnxkNCLpwG332dTTLwm000fGuuWUq/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfvi0zppLs_PaQPvOpAPeo4U9mp64RJQmuY_ecM_noO_Ut34uHzUFChz2DoDLksTuN8fCGzOOAceXtaMau2smHB3JJCBvn7QNBMMWW7uaWqZF_c0EnxkNCLpwG332dTTLwm000fGuuWUq/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6hNocjMSi7uWwsa1tQu0BVxygaK5piRIUcwd7mLrLXkiM8EWABGmTcuFOcF__yAHenx0bJAGvAPxxs7hk-HXvmoMC3xAK5XTMdFAB2W6nLhW-kgkAxWi5TsMNDk-Ll08b5bi5d_ZzENe/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6hNocjMSi7uWwsa1tQu0BVxygaK5piRIUcwd7mLrLXkiM8EWABGmTcuFOcF__yAHenx0bJAGvAPxxs7hk-HXvmoMC3xAK5XTMdFAB2W6nLhW-kgkAxWi5TsMNDk-Ll08b5bi5d_ZzENe/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />By 10:30 some of the ears I had purchased were shucked and boiling on my stove. We had corn for lunch and corn for dinner. <i>Yum.</i><br /><br />As we drove back through the rain and fog to Augusta with our prized ears, I told Barb about a growing-up memory when I was a little girl in Chesterfield County. My mom and aunt would buy dozens of ears of corn on the cob, parboil it, and slice it off the cobs into freezer bags for good winter eating. My sister and I would sit eagerly at the table waiting for leftover cobs that had just enough of the good kernels left for nibbling. That was some <i>gooood</i> eating. Barb has done her share of putting up corn in the freezer, too.<br /><br />Memories and summertime corn. It was all good today.<br /><br />The Liskeys have been growing and selling corn for 29 years. Mrs. Liskey said they will be there for another 10 days or so and then that will be it for this year. With Labor Day cookouts this weekend, you may want to get some for the grill.<br /><br />The stand is on Rt. 11 just south of the Rockingham Farmers Market (with the windmills) and is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Corn is priced $5.50/dozen, $3/half dozen, and $0.50 an ear. The fields surround the stand ... it is as fresh as it can be -- picked each morning. Their phone number is 540.434.2196.<br /><br />Summer and corn-on-the-cob. As Andy Griffith would say, "Hmm, hmm, good!"<br /><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />August 28, 2013

Adventures with Barb: Rockingham County and Liskey's sweet corn

Adventures with Barb Augusta County Chesterfield County family farm market friends Harrisonburg John Liskey Liskey's corn Lynn R. Mitchell Patsy Liskey Rockingham County Shenandoah Valley Adventures with Barb: Rockingham County and Liskey's sweet corn

It was pouring rain in the Shenandoah Valley today but that didn't stop my friend Barb and me from heading north to Rockingham County ...

2004 Bush-Cheney campaign sticker

2:22 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOFooDb7sJZdOFs-xNmNJ-ZjxofqAQpSXIlM_4c9V8QxYqq4vKD9oETxBjRZvB-JKZ8ENrmjuMTSv_9uWkE6C3Ia5UFyOtasEZ3Qys-d_Hkrup3cyeN5SwvUSsLjPhr5RR4mvlYKMH7ux/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOFooDb7sJZdOFs-xNmNJ-ZjxofqAQpSXIlM_4c9V8QxYqq4vKD9oETxBjRZvB-JKZ8ENrmjuMTSv_9uWkE6C3Ia5UFyOtasEZ3Qys-d_Hkrup3cyeN5SwvUSsLjPhr5RR4mvlYKMH7ux/s400/14.jpg" width="270" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I saw this Bush-Cheney '04 bumper sticker yesterday in Fishersville. It brought a smile to my face ... what a campaign! People practically fell in the door of GOP headquarters in Staunton trying to get yard signs and bumper stickers, and headquarters was constantly full of people from the community stopping by to talk or vent about the war, terrorism, and the state of the country. We ended up opening HQs seven days a week to accommodate everyone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, that bumper sticker brought back happy memories of a successful campaign. Cheers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />August 26, 2013

2004 presidential campaign Augusta County Bush-Cheney 04 Dick Cheney George W. Bush political headquarters Staunton SWAC Waynesboro 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign sticker

I saw this Bush-Cheney '04 bumper sticker yesterday in Fishersville. It brought a smile to my face ... what a campaign! People practic...

Sunday afternoon in Augusta County

11:33 AM Tukiyooo 0

Appalachian Mountains Augusta County summer in Shenandoah Valley tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Sunday afternoon in Augusta County

Looking west toward the Appalachian Mountains on a sunny, low-humidity late summer day with temps in the upper 70s. Photo by Lynn R. Mitchel...

Foggy late-summer Shenandoah Valley sunrise

4:29 AM Tukiyooo 0

Augusta County foggy morning summer in Shenandoah Valley sunrise Foggy late-summer Shenandoah Valley sunrise

Foggy morning in the Shenandoah Valley as I tiptoed with bare feet through the cold, dew-covered grass to grab a photo of the sun rising b...

Family

7:06 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzorHewOrd8Hc2eJe9qzC4OPPcQEuV7a25gwpqO5mIrIs8o0VOD-OfhcgECPXy-RM-Pegm1N6b4Vp940LOvCCPCkbFKkDXwkEwgRcsO0pErREIalOJgkAhdS5fvnUQ7zHrgRWw_JGMdN_/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzorHewOrd8Hc2eJe9qzC4OPPcQEuV7a25gwpqO5mIrIs8o0VOD-OfhcgECPXy-RM-Pegm1N6b4Vp940LOvCCPCkbFKkDXwkEwgRcsO0pErREIalOJgkAhdS5fvnUQ7zHrgRWw_JGMdN_/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Birthday celebration on the deck.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHPxekV8ETst-1R3yFUrmFzkwn8fToyZqKKTF-nRK_zN6sEYjbDUzLBTv4tv9iYq0qlyB0LXcOkcecssR1YWbampUGe8kokAN1HOXMPCrnuT2-nZtxoQskXLBoulA4GGjCNesCXXHTdN1/s1600/1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHPxekV8ETst-1R3yFUrmFzkwn8fToyZqKKTF-nRK_zN6sEYjbDUzLBTv4tv9iYq0qlyB0LXcOkcecssR1YWbampUGe8kokAN1HOXMPCrnuT2-nZtxoQskXLBoulA4GGjCNesCXXHTdN1/s400/1a.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He brought flowers for his grandmother.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3XlfYOTpPQxp6qGLqYPg-RI_Mfy9NybScY7tpZitknfZ46o1EHerETS9mzoPX8xCvzjOy9J7CXnLPd1ZXZ600awQ_diSued9_rxCJqQif97qoTLdZttSm5IR0uo1VYqoSjGcu-V1NPl0/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3XlfYOTpPQxp6qGLqYPg-RI_Mfy9NybScY7tpZitknfZ46o1EHerETS9mzoPX8xCvzjOy9J7CXnLPd1ZXZ600awQ_diSued9_rxCJqQif97qoTLdZttSm5IR0uo1VYqoSjGcu-V1NPl0/s640/2.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mom with the beautiful flowers from cousins Lynn and John Osborne in Chesterfield.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbUaXJRojMov-ppJ4QZS9qS5Qa8FAGlcZo9BlAkT6X5ZIir8qCD0jgeu_YaZ8ElH95OE6_Zps8_R8V1aAq6UD8v_seH_gqPyZXRPYJTklP8VAJLbi7F2d_-RElH66inB3w-EQ_s9VLwa3/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbUaXJRojMov-ppJ4QZS9qS5Qa8FAGlcZo9BlAkT6X5ZIir8qCD0jgeu_YaZ8ElH95OE6_Zps8_R8V1aAq6UD8v_seH_gqPyZXRPYJTklP8VAJLbi7F2d_-RElH66inB3w-EQ_s9VLwa3/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiG6pRjJn7L3j_P-wxJ-5nvfY-ixCVZqujVxjI5-4ax2f2rSqHLpTfBSgy6kMslb5W0j2XQAbPrL1GQ_cz9VFprMrNVUrXce6SHqgLVxNImr9icdEotdrrmhbqOBACKhwoS6DTick6BqT/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiG6pRjJn7L3j_P-wxJ-5nvfY-ixCVZqujVxjI5-4ax2f2rSqHLpTfBSgy6kMslb5W0j2XQAbPrL1GQ_cz9VFprMrNVUrXce6SHqgLVxNImr9icdEotdrrmhbqOBACKhwoS6DTick6BqT/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUYWYs0emmlvK4qnSNEFekqfM3NTljJunoGLutNMxylf5ILmYJf7Hmu0_Umf1AmLcVLg4lG9XNEYlewtrG811NPh4zcWHAardNsXTv36qRvDb6yo8pGqMWzMk1fCDmfSBXIP5zS6vqiqG/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUYWYs0emmlvK4qnSNEFekqfM3NTljJunoGLutNMxylf5ILmYJf7Hmu0_Umf1AmLcVLg4lG9XNEYlewtrG811NPh4zcWHAardNsXTv36qRvDb6yo8pGqMWzMk1fCDmfSBXIP5zS6vqiqG/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dinner was marinated pork chops and corn on the cob from the grill, boiled Yukon Gold potatoes and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and grilled flat bread. Summer eating is some kind of good with all the fresh produce.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuMvQlGre56lv0dJiat56_e6XYxAkA0sWuEpyihxKkdcAlErLKr0ZeC00Oa2F5COqORkfkxo4uBgMvgfwPKUc8GJHMog5NkOfzbQd9Yvj8NK9IV63P5LNstC0YTBuElvlDAtclRzKoSSO/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuMvQlGre56lv0dJiat56_e6XYxAkA0sWuEpyihxKkdcAlErLKr0ZeC00Oa2F5COqORkfkxo4uBgMvgfwPKUc8GJHMog5NkOfzbQd9Yvj8NK9IV63P5LNstC0YTBuElvlDAtclRzKoSSO/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Gourmet birthday cupcakes for the birthday folks ... both my parents and SWAC Husband.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAOy6-pPoWtRdNrAiAh-aIpuPtJvKrXhr2ja5rCsFy8uWhTK2NmGt2olzMjIy1roQCnxp_ttTcSt7XiGoEn2X6hB4Peo6CBEJ3HzBw1Nu-fdnt5PPHToDUnAtfmedUf6mcFTyJgPi0Iyi/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAOy6-pPoWtRdNrAiAh-aIpuPtJvKrXhr2ja5rCsFy8uWhTK2NmGt2olzMjIy1roQCnxp_ttTcSt7XiGoEn2X6hB4Peo6CBEJ3HzBw1Nu-fdnt5PPHToDUnAtfmedUf6mcFTyJgPi0Iyi/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>SWAC Son brought flowers for me, too, even though he and I are February babies.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWPMnCTgN5zyPLSytmMi49DrggXI5kuqwlBsMp6ezC0Iy8toE0vqPEIq1WW8oLb5X4sSR6r405B2lCfodRhPnNBl5wdvG6bK63OfFR4ZgxcavHbVPlGtQxGJWKEv87fksLmX6xjPF0hEN/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWPMnCTgN5zyPLSytmMi49DrggXI5kuqwlBsMp6ezC0Iy8toE0vqPEIq1WW8oLb5X4sSR6r405B2lCfodRhPnNBl5wdvG6bK63OfFR4ZgxcavHbVPlGtQxGJWKEv87fksLmX6xjPF0hEN/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>My bookworm parents rocking and reading on the front porch.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUSwklR_qZWszUqKtYODYjP7eHPQCknvcKTprEOH66OvQIymupSiQwnhhZe_n9wlXoE1FXowDJjtqG1TSJb3VWR7FnosuKmIuSaWIdTK-YjXO41310D95lbNlHOy9WxcJgWjjdaICV_Y-/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUSwklR_qZWszUqKtYODYjP7eHPQCknvcKTprEOH66OvQIymupSiQwnhhZe_n9wlXoE1FXowDJjtqG1TSJb3VWR7FnosuKmIuSaWIdTK-YjXO41310D95lbNlHOy9WxcJgWjjdaICV_Y-/s400/2.jpg" width="167" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Stepping out in the back yard.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINo4_GuMbUBTyS3GtjcsOedZkyDIKW8b0AfkdTuCqR6bd72R_9YuGdSqmlGQkDL7v6GmUa0wrI-WNdKxKgtu6DjtfHy35UzlfttimPc9RjH8uqqmkgYub2WPxIwhRIDJQ79maICdDp2I5/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINo4_GuMbUBTyS3GtjcsOedZkyDIKW8b0AfkdTuCqR6bd72R_9YuGdSqmlGQkDL7v6GmUa0wrI-WNdKxKgtu6DjtfHy35UzlfttimPc9RjH8uqqmkgYub2WPxIwhRIDJQ79maICdDp2I5/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>They like to roam the yard and woods when visiting, checking out the plants, trees, and flowers they have passed along to us over the years. They like to check out the garden, too, and both love tomatoes so we sent them home with a load of freshly-picked produce.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AY84rFTSXCCa0HeFJxBsm83iLj4pvNAMRk7j4Om-kMXCs6UMrOnlLIvriAnrCnwUbk7rpkEUAkh_fF8fzKJrP5RqOy4GusUP20pgBBY3YO72KCKpeWEfexKb_f8WehG4zAAO5SABA9Bu/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AY84rFTSXCCa0HeFJxBsm83iLj4pvNAMRk7j4Om-kMXCs6UMrOnlLIvriAnrCnwUbk7rpkEUAkh_fF8fzKJrP5RqOy4GusUP20pgBBY3YO72KCKpeWEfexKb_f8WehG4zAAO5SABA9Bu/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I have a Country Mouse and a City Mouse for parents ... both grew up with different background experiences ... but both love the outdoors.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-H3lvpAvu-jMxmsTWkn163kY93e_asSGtWlT_XKAFbVwBI145SV-zJXdxBiEkaNiKreRnvomC8gMUH948XTYkRi8UfVV7M1M0U3U1XH2ZCVvWXmZUXbRsAwlU_E7t0fkp1etMuxSwMhW/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-H3lvpAvu-jMxmsTWkn163kY93e_asSGtWlT_XKAFbVwBI145SV-zJXdxBiEkaNiKreRnvomC8gMUH948XTYkRi8UfVV7M1M0U3U1XH2ZCVvWXmZUXbRsAwlU_E7t0fkp1etMuxSwMhW/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />My parents were in town this week for a visit. We were celebrating birthdays and family. They are in their 80s and still perking right along and, while visiting, they didn't really want to go anywhere but, rather, just talk, read, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Shenandoah Valley. <br /><br />So that's exactly what we did. SWAC Son joined us as we celebrated the birthdays on Monday with dinner on the deck ... grilled pork chops and corn with goodies from the garden -- boiled Yukon Gold potatoes as well as freshly picked tomatoes and cucumbers, along with strawberries, blueberries, and peaches. Oh -- and gourmet cupcakes for the birthday kids -- strawberry-topped cupcakes for my folks and key lime-flavored for SWAC Husband.  And gorgeous flowers for Mom from SWAC Son and cousins in Richmond. It was a feast on the deck overlooking the back yard, woods, and mountain ridge, and so we lingered until dark, talking and enjoying the cool evening breeze.<br /><br />It was a good week and we were thankful that the weather cooperated with low humidity, low temps, and a breeze, and even the rain showers were gentle enough to sit on the porch and read. I set up the video camera and recorded Mom talking about family history, something we need to continue next time we're together, and took notes that will be added to our genealogy books.<br /><br />They are part of the World War II generation, a sad, fascinating time in American and world history, and each personal perspective of that time as teenagers is unique ... one graduating high school and going straight to work ... the other graduating high school and attending Virginia Tech before the Navy pulled him into the war. Victory gardens, ration coupons, gas shortages, loss of a sibling during the war ... they know it up close and personal. <br /><br />Family and the Shenandoah Valley. It doesn't get much better....<br /><br /><i>Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell</i><br /><i>August 2013</i>

Augusta County Blue Ridge Mountains family friendship parents Shenandoah Valley World War II Family

Birthday celebration on the deck. He brought flowers for his grandmother. Mom with the beautiful flowers from cousins Lynn and John Osborne ...

It's evening in the Valley ... thoughts while sitting on the deck

5:31 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkiUVd5hNtgOqyvIeaj7Diro1RuWDQ1R5jCxu30Mfy_E0Ijjaa4K3imJiOtzRAufdyJ1KfpnDUO31DlDDyfhZs5449eC-uemVo0w69X7eZ44TeI4DcPL0tvSP4WF2wYI2Zj1O3eVVTy2A/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkiUVd5hNtgOqyvIeaj7Diro1RuWDQ1R5jCxu30Mfy_E0Ijjaa4K3imJiOtzRAufdyJ1KfpnDUO31DlDDyfhZs5449eC-uemVo0w69X7eZ44TeI4DcPL0tvSP4WF2wYI2Zj1O3eVVTy2A/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I love the quiet of the hours before dark. I'm sitting on the deck in the cool of the evening, a slight rustle through the leaves, with temperatures in the low 70s. The weather has been fantastic the past week and so we've enjoyed smelling the freshly dampened soil when it rains, listening to the summertime cicadas and crickets and tree frogs, hearing as rain drops plop on leaves outside the window, and enjoying just being alive in such a peaceful, beautiful place.<br /><br />It's been a busy summer spent with family and friends as we've traveled, visited, and enjoyed just being together and doing things. We've entertained company here at home, and we've traveled to visit others. Many memories have been made and stored away.<br /><br />I still cannot believe it's August. AccuWeather has forecasted an early fall with temperatures below normal beginning the end of this month. It's been a comfortable summer ... a few patches of hot, hot weather but mostly cool nights, comfortable days, and low humidity when cold fronts pass through. For campers like us, the beauty of living in the Shenandoah Valley is "camping" from home. We have all the privacy and convenience, yet can enjoy the beauty of the mountains -- you know, the things people pay to do in this part of Virginia. That used to be me while growing up in Chesterfield. I've lived here 17 years now ... I'm still pinching myself to believe that it's real.<br /><br />I still see the majestic mountains, the breath-taking vistas, the fields of freshly baled hay, the wildflowers and birds and wildlife. And when I look at those things, I see God's hand at work. Just wait until October's blaze of autumn colors take over!<br /><br />Ahh -- a hummingbird just buzzed me, coming in from three directions, hovering and making that little squeaky sound they do. I looked at him as he buzzed in front of me -- he looked at me, I looked at him -- and he hung in mid-air before finally lazily zipping away.<br /><br />There's a butterfly on the deck railing. I've noticed this week the butterflies are all over the deck and the trees whose branches shade the table and chairs. We have a maple and bass tree adjacent ... blue swallowtails, orange monarchs, and some smaller species that I'm not familiar with have covered the railing and branches. They have added a new dimension to enjoying the outdoors.<br /><br />Yellow bass tree leaves are beginning to litter the ground as they do toward the end of summer each year and, in the past, I attributed it to the hot, dry weather. However, this year has been rainy and fairly cool -- grass and trees are still lush and green -- so it must just be part of that tree's life cycle.<br /><br />Our deck is on the second story of our house which gives me some added comfort in an area that has seen black bears, coyotes, deer, wild turkeys, some have said they've seen some type of panther over the years, and other wild creatures.<br /><br />Tonight our next door neighbor, who has 60 acres of pasture and woods, informed us that a bear visited him this week, killing one of his goats and causing havoc in his barn. His motion camera caught photos of it that I hope to get and post ... he said it was the larger of the two bears that have been seen in this area all summer. Thank goodness he hasn't yet discovered our garden.<br /><br />So I'm sitting on the deck with my chair facing into the yard, camera on the table beside me, because you never know when that Kodak moment might pop up. I don't want to be surprised like SWAC Husband was in the spring when he was sitting in a chair near the garden and had kind of dozed off in the sunshine, waking up just in time to hear a panting sound as a bear came up the yard right toward him. I don't know who was more startled -- him or the bear -- but they both took off in opposite directions. <br /><br />No deer yet under the trees at the back of the yard which is kind of unusual since it's 8:00 and this is when they come out to graze. Maybe they are wary of the furry visitor next door.<br /><br />And the hummingbird just came back. I've got purple Mexican heather and blue dwarf potted morning glories out here ... perhaps I'm disrupting his evening snack. As I look across the yard toward the garden, a bunny is nibbling on this side of the fence. Good bunny. Eat the grass and not the veggies. Still no deer under the trees at the edge of the woods ... very unusual this close to dark.<br /><br />So I'll sit out and enjoy the coolness a while longer. Sometimes I stay out until after dark, watching as the stars come out, and sometimes the bull frogs in the neighbor's pond add their deep bass to the chorus of night sounds.<br /><br />It's August in the Valley....<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br /><br /><br />

It's evening in the Valley ... thoughts while sitting on the deck

Augusta County black bears bull frogs coyotes deer gardens hummingbirds night sounds solitude summer in Shenandoah Valley Virginia It's evening in the Valley ... thoughts while sitting on the deck

I love the quiet of the hours before dark. I'm sitting on the deck in the cool of the evening, a slight rustle through the leaves, with ...

Back in the homeschool classroom: Staying in touch with homeschool friends

8:20 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9Wt5U485Ogodnf069BMZv-B2xxO1xUucItIvN5dyMdiZrVfhQl1uGzGhqbHeuNVr2eWXsKNfiZ4ggaDSWBgQMstRPbLthlowrMvTVIvNuX5285ivGxOMq-aLxy7Mu43-8WeTSXlkLtx0/s1600/school+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9Wt5U485Ogodnf069BMZv-B2xxO1xUucItIvN5dyMdiZrVfhQl1uGzGhqbHeuNVr2eWXsKNfiZ4ggaDSWBgQMstRPbLthlowrMvTVIvNuX5285ivGxOMq-aLxy7Mu43-8WeTSXlkLtx0/s1600/school+books.jpg" /></a></div><br />I got a phone call this morning, out of the blue, from a homeschool friend here in Augusta County, the first homeschool friend I made when moving back home to Virginia seventeen years ago. Back in those day, I had left my name and phone number at the Staunton Library at the children's desk -- homeschoolers spend hours at the public library and I knew that was where I could find local moms -- and Christine was the one who called.<br /><br />She was in leadership with the local homeschool group, Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes, and it wasn't too long before she pulled me into leadership, too, once they found out I had been the newsletter editor with our homeschool group in North Carolina. We spent many happy years raising our children and teaching and working in leadership with others who were doing the same. She was the one who introduced me to Milmont Greenhouse and Nursery in Stuarts Draft ... her husband was part of one of the local Mennonite families with ties to that area of the county.<br /><br />Our children graduated from homeschool and then from college, and we drifted apart a bit but still catch up occasionally. After her phone call this morning, today is one of those catch-up days. So I'm heading to her house on the Middle River for a lunch of quiche, salad, and iced tea along with conversation and, always, laughter. Because when the two of us get together, we laugh the silly, carefree laughter of longtime friends.<br /><br />It reminds me of the saying, "Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold."<br /><br />How very true. <br /><br />---<br /><i>Lynn Mitchell educated her children at home for 16 years and was part  of leadership in North Carolina's Iredell County Home Educators (ICHE)  and Virginia's Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes (PEACH). Her  son graduated from Harrisonburg's James Madison University (JMU) in  2007 with a BS in Computer Science and a minor in Creative  Writing. Her daughter graduated from Staunton's Mary Baldwin College in  2012 with a BS in Sustainable Business and Marketing. Lynn and her  husband live in Augusta County located in the beautiful Shenandoah  Valley of Virginia. The story of how she began her homeschool journey <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/01/back-in-homeschool-classroom-blazing.html">can be found here</a>.</i> <br />

Back in the homeschool classroom: Staying in touch with homeschool friends

Augusta County Back in the homeschool classroom homeschool leadership homeschooling Mennonites Middle River Milmont Greenhouse Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes Stuarts Draft Back in the homeschool classroom: Staying in touch with homeschool friends

I got a phone call this morning, out of the blue, from a homeschool friend here in Augusta County, the first homeschool friend I made when m...

New neighbor

11:07 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifslJ-6QPHL71KLiHmszYhKcrW8bJhzw_4G3uT7f4C2FNz7bhykyItobzDDsLov4rvZSWbqWsPMRWwB9Q-Sf56Z7EuSLsJkdz5J4-Djz7tKe6v0H00r6BN5rteCaBKWaO_oiMNbIo9ih6P/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifslJ-6QPHL71KLiHmszYhKcrW8bJhzw_4G3uT7f4C2FNz7bhykyItobzDDsLov4rvZSWbqWsPMRWwB9Q-Sf56Z7EuSLsJkdz5J4-Djz7tKe6v0H00r6BN5rteCaBKWaO_oiMNbIo9ih6P/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">While trimming the wisteria vine on the porch, I heard a <i>clop-clop, clop-clop,</i> and looked up to see a horse and rider. SWAC Husband was trimming a cedar tree near the road so the rider stopped to introduce himself as a new neighbor, a 26-year retired Air Force veteran, which opened a new conversation when SWAC Huband told him he was also an Air Force vet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73LXB6p0by5KYGEL2AYQTl2Lu4WCBDj2Qnwcgm6HJlNBgxsVKB5W-ajv3Y3bwpXsJaW9xLYic2ZEUfGqecDZWKJrw59FykCHb5y-Bo8VQV26i3-HeJmcvkRJmhLJPz_m9o-_xZBaKXasv/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73LXB6p0by5KYGEL2AYQTl2Lu4WCBDj2Qnwcgm6HJlNBgxsVKB5W-ajv3Y3bwpXsJaW9xLYic2ZEUfGqecDZWKJrw59FykCHb5y-Bo8VQV26i3-HeJmcvkRJmhLJPz_m9o-_xZBaKXasv/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are an equestrian neighborhood so occasionally neighbors go horseback riding on the properties but it's always fun to see and it was good to meet someone new to the area, especially a veteran.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />July 29, 2013

Air Force Augusta County horses Shenandoah Valley New neighbor

While trimming the wisteria vine on the porch, I heard a clop-clop, clop-clop, and looked up to see a horse and rider. SWAC Husband was tri...

Jurassic Park in Augusta County?

5:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Dr. Grant, my dear Dr. Sattler... Welcome to Jurassic Park."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">John Hammond played by actor Richard Attenborough</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Jurassic Park</i></div><br />Visitors who see dinosaurs peering through the trees around Grand Caverns in northeastern Augusta County may feel that they've entered Jurassic Park.<br /><br />Reporter Laura Peters with the <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/article/20130709/NEWS01/307090027/Dinosaurs-take-over-Grand-Caverns"><i>Staunton News-Leader</i></a> talked with Mark Cline, whose imagination is never at a loss for something new and different in the central Shenandoah Valley. Now, along the hiking trail in the Grand Caverns park, don't be surprised if you run into one of the prehistoric creatures, compliments of Cline's talented hand. Read the article complete with photos <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/article/20130709/NEWS01/307090027/Dinosaurs-take-over-Grand-Caverns">here</a>.

Augusta County Grand Caverns Grottoes Jurassic Park Laura Peters Mark Cline Shenandoah Valley Staunton News Leader Jurassic Park in Augusta County?

"Dr. Grant, my dear Dr. Sattler... Welcome to Jurassic Park." John Hammond played by actor Richard Attenborough Jurassic Park Visi...

Sunday night ... 'I will lift up mine eyes'

9:08 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKPLZ2usBuDCCCYplKZWf2VVY9KdiomrqS-TOBMkgGw5AveeeN35paX2MBKJalrPlF3hyBfVzljTVVW5eKixWLe8ktzwi0ExsQuQtRMMGQ5m7m4PljLGSNXRBj8KfTqR-pEmV5-vEZ1AS/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKPLZ2usBuDCCCYplKZWf2VVY9KdiomrqS-TOBMkgGw5AveeeN35paX2MBKJalrPlF3hyBfVzljTVVW5eKixWLe8ktzwi0ExsQuQtRMMGQ5m7m4PljLGSNXRBj8KfTqR-pEmV5-vEZ1AS/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."</div><div style="text-align: center;">--Psalm 121:1</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokCiTGKuMQgJZmFfGZ_QvuP1Oc7wzBks6ONnLkJonUcGzL2IJPl68s_0KaaqUTGkZyNmqSRsccb7Y-K14ZYvjuwIN9ZIanfGgGy17B-KMpnuG_0E3FTOEhVjo9rE6iXD1AsIm0Thrd_09/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokCiTGKuMQgJZmFfGZ_QvuP1Oc7wzBks6ONnLkJonUcGzL2IJPl68s_0KaaqUTGkZyNmqSRsccb7Y-K14ZYvjuwIN9ZIanfGgGy17B-KMpnuG_0E3FTOEhVjo9rE6iXD1AsIm0Thrd_09/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him."</div><div style="text-align: center;">--Psalm 95:4</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9BUlsX0F3FKec5sq7pdkWV64-u5UobkcIRhC3fum4rVBiLn863JIp9RW_6X_0sE6XaCNRl1DqxaPIizNoh03sn3F-MLJa5_QheOjGoJkkxpqYklXbX9T_nW1A_CPPs4XvXZtQgrFAnBi/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9BUlsX0F3FKec5sq7pdkWV64-u5UobkcIRhC3fum4rVBiLn863JIp9RW_6X_0sE6XaCNRl1DqxaPIizNoh03sn3F-MLJa5_QheOjGoJkkxpqYklXbX9T_nW1A_CPPs4XvXZtQgrFAnBi/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  "In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, 'Flee like a bird to your mountain?' "</div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Psalm 11:1</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCsXGeoqA8jbJBGFHbZ-9gnNMrxTKdvBBYA2YE8DjZQnmmytYjfvI6RXxSGznyEixKqL025OxV-JNsB6bUkYOjAeQBVd-uF-xU0jMtXlGTESkUFgy5_KPIVwS_FFM__XS8LykTre_eUkO/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCsXGeoqA8jbJBGFHbZ-9gnNMrxTKdvBBYA2YE8DjZQnmmytYjfvI6RXxSGznyEixKqL025OxV-JNsB6bUkYOjAeQBVd-uF-xU0jMtXlGTESkUFgy5_KPIVwS_FFM__XS8LykTre_eUkO/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy."</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">-- Psalm 98.8</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEixx95xhSZDsh1RLRcECQgqhJ7fzwr7EazlS6M6GDxFIx_W-NwMCBCe9I6C-PlYfJXtIzUR-NCTEM-1Jdta6krCA607I8f48V6hyphenhyphenU6xGEV5GMGUJ8kB44CJTr2NMchBGg7FQOUJPw0x2/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEixx95xhSZDsh1RLRcECQgqhJ7fzwr7EazlS6M6GDxFIx_W-NwMCBCe9I6C-PlYfJXtIzUR-NCTEM-1Jdta6krCA607I8f48V6hyphenhyphenU6xGEV5GMGUJ8kB44CJTr2NMchBGg7FQOUJPw0x2/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and  thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that  what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I  tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it,  and it will be yours."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Mark 11:23-24</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilG-syfBy-lteXVhtLgSukx03-k13HUWV5C7EaiBe5gm_g4KvpS1gDGCoBNsUNPuIq_6sA1j2qgMfNTxQuhkDpPYuCwXFZ-onw6IIzJcpo3vOPUzd6oq2jniFfgnN1fFBtUNqAXuqEWlJi/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilG-syfBy-lteXVhtLgSukx03-k13HUWV5C7EaiBe5gm_g4KvpS1gDGCoBNsUNPuIq_6sA1j2qgMfNTxQuhkDpPYuCwXFZ-onw6IIzJcpo3vOPUzd6oq2jniFfgnN1fFBtUNqAXuqEWlJi/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you  have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "'Move from here to there," and it will move. Nothing will be impossible  for you."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Matthew 17:20<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoLXrgUP7k2ChVOQk4L0GiNBbsgxM5-K0y49T-DplYYXc4Ok4iyAZ1NkW0pUp87AChA0DLsyAlAb6Fj9fYJQu5ZwrsfOiblSMrcLMcqkrVpecp9rTgYBoPPzX0GsrTA0xysDdXGc5yZ3A/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoLXrgUP7k2ChVOQk4L0GiNBbsgxM5-K0y49T-DplYYXc4Ok4iyAZ1NkW0pUp87AChA0DLsyAlAb6Fj9fYJQu5ZwrsfOiblSMrcLMcqkrVpecp9rTgYBoPPzX0GsrTA0xysDdXGc5yZ3A/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"The mountains shall bring peace to the people."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Psalms 65:6</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Augusta County, Virginia<br />July 8, 2013

Appalachian Mountains Augusta County fog Shenandoah Valley sunset tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Sunday night ... 'I will lift up mine eyes'

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help." --Psalm 121:1 "In his hand are the depths of the eart...

Summertime gardening

4:14 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2KuVAxWipUAPOglEqV_bW1YbC4w1QzFqYV40k5-_Jpy6FSM9NLwusCKLS71NifU-kKrppcUTNwy8IxxX_pX29DeIm3bCxBU4PbgMbunMsQYlOqnBAKFr8HwJTK436f7qqDizfKuum2-0/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2KuVAxWipUAPOglEqV_bW1YbC4w1QzFqYV40k5-_Jpy6FSM9NLwusCKLS71NifU-kKrppcUTNwy8IxxX_pX29DeIm3bCxBU4PbgMbunMsQYlOqnBAKFr8HwJTK436f7qqDizfKuum2-0/s640/4.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Flowers in the garden ...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeNat_LqeOuSfi9Lf2XyXuqiUDDH1JbpkdKFfn0o_2ZLpa0iQLAL7qjuCfrnKonmhXpNeRyzHRNtgVvaJYinyuX_6JuWb5WT_7YwffkNfbvReTmBHePpPNUxYj6ndF8v_GA3bV4n64mFH/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeNat_LqeOuSfi9Lf2XyXuqiUDDH1JbpkdKFfn0o_2ZLpa0iQLAL7qjuCfrnKonmhXpNeRyzHRNtgVvaJYinyuX_6JuWb5WT_7YwffkNfbvReTmBHePpPNUxYj6ndF8v_GA3bV4n64mFH/s640/2.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">... cucumbers in a pot ...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdcQMshwU90bWoiEud1wl8z7V8jVh9f8sy48KJLMgHmpuzyVbngf99G_fWRdlvYpeIWppQxsZbX6U9uO38_cab5u07jjZAkIcuf8IukGpHLT6EaFeFAmcMuIWagAgGVrptUPgxL9Svy8b/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdcQMshwU90bWoiEud1wl8z7V8jVh9f8sy48KJLMgHmpuzyVbngf99G_fWRdlvYpeIWppQxsZbX6U9uO38_cab5u07jjZAkIcuf8IukGpHLT6EaFeFAmcMuIWagAgGVrptUPgxL9Svy8b/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWVa_T0qiZq9AqbxRTEMnI7oyulrR3Aras9o3sSXiHHfGvqe2KmjDSyuAnZOqjGzyqcId3Dzssaw2RtWsdKiPBvOEW8PrHEo6bVedG6nFO2XWVQ1encEiq_k_mLMruEuO5lkWfQTlucUX/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWVa_T0qiZq9AqbxRTEMnI7oyulrR3Aras9o3sSXiHHfGvqe2KmjDSyuAnZOqjGzyqcId3Dzssaw2RtWsdKiPBvOEW8PrHEo6bVedG6nFO2XWVQ1encEiq_k_mLMruEuO5lkWfQTlucUX/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfx5YYjIH9QKD7-Rgib1BGP8UxP3mZw4JwOdBDpNL0NS8fZt_QuYo16yJHT7_HiZS8CwA15xsnlBI76mg7VRw604T0cAZAcXotJZ96RhuKDwSIkCvsfW59Np54tV6y-fG9Ur1FcAY_eam/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfx5YYjIH9QKD7-Rgib1BGP8UxP3mZw4JwOdBDpNL0NS8fZt_QuYo16yJHT7_HiZS8CwA15xsnlBI76mg7VRw604T0cAZAcXotJZ96RhuKDwSIkCvsfW59Np54tV6y-fG9Ur1FcAY_eam/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">... Yukon Gold potatoes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxFNE-44omFT4djX8W6mM69l1FR0PJSSO8lSfFd59eiAAchknhguUuKbVEmWtSKD6asqodgvY4WWo_oeWxeivVSXDUAeRQlLI0QXKK4Gd31fblacAWNCbhGtskZBHUImM4NDr_2Jd862V/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxFNE-44omFT4djX8W6mM69l1FR0PJSSO8lSfFd59eiAAchknhguUuKbVEmWtSKD6asqodgvY4WWo_oeWxeivVSXDUAeRQlLI0QXKK4Gd31fblacAWNCbhGtskZBHUImM4NDr_2Jd862V/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Herbs ...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2soDlae3PffWI4NFKpMZ10kt3EEmMacAO38LtI4J-W_3aUEWDZ6oDStjTH05EcLZgD0duuCEOvA-yZd9JpPZKI0u9m04TdN8c2IDUBO_I-gJ_L78FGUNrzgJCo2CNPHX_mnDnmt_2PrM/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2soDlae3PffWI4NFKpMZ10kt3EEmMacAO38LtI4J-W_3aUEWDZ6oDStjTH05EcLZgD0duuCEOvA-yZd9JpPZKI0u9m04TdN8c2IDUBO_I-gJ_L78FGUNrzgJCo2CNPHX_mnDnmt_2PrM/s640/10.jpg" width="566" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Kbjb0OUqrGGuuV-NqxxRpV6s5W6_ZKSGKKPmV1ZRvBBwjn9cDKGQ283_yIlqUCqz6okDzski_ZLhiPmzSa1JYWdJOZHLTNioJUdOHZMh91OOIsFKO3Nk2lLwXgln-_k1lC7-Dawuuy5R/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Kbjb0OUqrGGuuV-NqxxRpV6s5W6_ZKSGKKPmV1ZRvBBwjn9cDKGQ283_yIlqUCqz6okDzski_ZLhiPmzSa1JYWdJOZHLTNioJUdOHZMh91OOIsFKO3Nk2lLwXgln-_k1lC7-Dawuuy5R/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Digging potatoes while SWAC Niece films for a French documentary.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBUEf5Ysfkflg0fq5VdlywP8ndaY-Zxxl0soD-sowKxZn5t1YAIT3kmBVUSSdAEcRJkwz0xvq3XzvuuB5T0MuQOpxrgVDZtD9k-R3Z1AaokRywwFSJ3uUu05YpG2JA3K7oOYcvdVAgRJr/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBUEf5Ysfkflg0fq5VdlywP8ndaY-Zxxl0soD-sowKxZn5t1YAIT3kmBVUSSdAEcRJkwz0xvq3XzvuuB5T0MuQOpxrgVDZtD9k-R3Z1AaokRywwFSJ3uUu05YpG2JA3K7oOYcvdVAgRJr/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxItYo9lCWHdxHZ14jxmSMkZBNANDaoA3oE0WiWvlyz7dqZd4LYz_0F5ED5_gy-b105PJkEti-0IiU9hC79xz7JdgaxzrjMPFLpgvL7cBUv4Gc0dkpSnxLZW3p5k0KU_Y-qCZ4a9bYbgK/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxItYo9lCWHdxHZ14jxmSMkZBNANDaoA3oE0WiWvlyz7dqZd4LYz_0F5ED5_gy-b105PJkEti-0IiU9hC79xz7JdgaxzrjMPFLpgvL7cBUv4Gc0dkpSnxLZW3p5k0KU_Y-qCZ4a9bYbgK/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFcW64v3Fv8m-TIGhNe0L_hB10PCKzKFtC0k-TD31euGXgHFT-X0tI2uIVb8X3N6i1ZC4U69pEOaBG35ih4NRF18k7SwTvM0jkKKNIYJ2GBjdEqcDkZA_hRuv3zJsGXnvz8TH3DGFMtQE/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFcW64v3Fv8m-TIGhNe0L_hB10PCKzKFtC0k-TD31euGXgHFT-X0tI2uIVb8X3N6i1ZC4U69pEOaBG35ih4NRF18k7SwTvM0jkKKNIYJ2GBjdEqcDkZA_hRuv3zJsGXnvz8TH3DGFMtQE/s400/18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />July 5, 2013

Augusta County flowers gardening Staunton summer in the Shenandoah Valley Summertime gardening

Flowers in the garden ... ... cucumbers in a pot ... ... Yukon Gold potatoes. Herbs ... Digging potatoes while SWAC Niece films for a French...