Bill and I have been city transfers to Virginia country life for 26 years now.
The house feels brand new and happily, our visitors keep saying, “You have a nice place here.”
Oh, it needs a few tweaks like interior paint, but it is intimidating to think about moving big furniture around , so we invested in Mr. Clean’s Magic Erasers.
The ugly old wood stove still works to save our lives in winter when the power goes out. You can’t disguise an ugly stove so she has a place of honor in the living room. After 26 years she looks a bit tired with rust stains and slightly dull brass edging, but I consider them wrinkles and frown lines and signs of character (like mine) and we will grow old together.
In the garden, where we dug and weeded, and planted, and weeded ad infinitum (reaching for the ultimate landscape and nature’s edible harvests), we are now content to watch bears, squirrels, and birds massacre the fruitful peach trees. And the once raised-bed vegetable garden became a giant salad bowl for deer. Ah well, there are two farmer’s markets in our little town.
I used to make Hypertufa pots with my friends (they look like natural rock). I still use them to enhance the garden, but if you ask me to make more I’ll undoubtedly be yawning and yearning for a nap! There are wonderful memories of “Hypertufa parties” and how we worked so hard mixing cement with feathers. What fun we had – like children playing in the mud.
Living out here in “no man’s land” is still exciting though. I can always look out the window to see a sweet doe and her spotted fawn happily munching flowers I thought they wouldn’t like. And I always hold my breath in awe no matter how often I see them.
Or I can see so many wild turkeys strutting along that I call them a “herd” instead of a flock. Technically a group of wild turkeys is a flock, whereas a group of domesticated turkeys is known as a rafter or gang.
Or how about that Mama Bear and her twin cubs who recently marched right past our living room window and dared anyone to get in the way?
Life does move on (albeit a bit slower) even in Rural Virginia. And like anywhere else, the people are always who matter most. Happily we are still surrounded by living characters who color our lives. But, we lost close friends over time and are frequently reminded of how important they were then and now as they inhabit memories and dreams.
- Meche taught me all about laughter and fun, and even though I never caught on, the value of bargain shopping.
- From Viola I learned about land and water cress and never to allow a dog to kill chickens or sheep “else he will be shot by the farmer or you will have to shoot him yourself.” She was a gruff, impatient, kindly friend and I will never forget her shouting, “ARE WE GOING TO PLAY OR NOT?” when we talked too much before or during a ladies’ poker game.
- Les was a man’s man and a lady’s idea of John Wayne – a big man, always ready to help in a big way.
- Courageous, fun loving Mary Beth insisted on always trying new things. We met as docents at the Stonewall Jackson House. “MB” would never stop at a chain restaurant when we traveled together and everywhere we went was an exciting adventure.
- Frank and Alice contributed Forsythia bushes when we were new, and told us about Puff Ball mushrooms that were safe to eat.
- Brownie kept us supplied with homemade pickles that we didn’t like, but we did love Brownie.
But as we go about the business of life, making new friends and forging new memories, enjoying the old house in slightly different ways, Bill and I are still genuinely thrilled when visitors say,“You have a nice place here.”
And they don’t seem to mind the sign in the guest room that reads:
“Check out time: Noon! Gratuities Accepted!”
A nice place, indeed. What a haven you have. And the view is spectacular, Dor.
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Your story was as homey as I’m sure your house is. I love that you’ve given your garden up to nature–unapologetically (sp) and that you are doing exactly as you please. And, i love your wood stove. If the scratches bother you, they sell black fireplace /furnace paint that stands up to very hot temperatures, but why bother? It has character as it is. judy
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It certainly sounds a lovely place and I love the idea of the stove growing old along with you.
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– sounds like a happy slice of heaven to me! 🙂 MJ
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Having visited myself, I can honestly say you have a beautiful place there, and you are a wonderful hostess :).
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You’re spot on about MB, no chains.
Sent from my iPad
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Hi Dor: Love all of your photos–makes me homesick. We will be driving up on 7/19. Can we get the old gang together for a meal? Hope so. Let me know.
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I love the wood burning stove, Dor! You’re living the retired life that I dream of. I’d love to head back to Virginia when I retire…unless of course, you know of anyone who’s hiring. 🙂
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Thanks Lori! We do love it here for all the quiet times. 🙂
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LOL! The black furnace paint is a great idea Judy, but then again, if you have to take Bill and me “as is”, why not the rest of the place?
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Yes! “The best is yet to be.” At least we hope so and it will be interesting to see who lasts longer – the wood stove or the people it warms in winter. 🙂
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MJ – That is close to the feeling we have here (“a happy slice of heaven”), especially every time we leave for any kind of travel. The question is, “Why bother leaving?”
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Awwwwww! You and Mikey are always welcome back too…. but keep in mind the required gratuities. 🙂
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Hi Donna. I’m so happy you have read this. MB is so sorely missed and I love your comment about “no chains.” Hope all is well with you and yours. ~Dor
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Can’t wait to see you! I am writing in July 19 or 20 or ? on the calendar and will get Peg and Monika on too. Lunch is always easiest but once we have a set day we can work out the details. See you soon! Luv, Dor
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I will watch for job openings Jill (maybe Washington and Lee University?). Would love to get you here, retired or not. 🙂 ~Dor
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Any state, county or city job would be great, so I can transfer my pension plan. 🙂 Ah…it’s nice to dream!
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I love this piece, Dorothy! Your description of life in the country is right on, but my favorite part was at the end, friends lost. They were all so wonderful in their own ways and I miss them too!
_____
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Ok, I’ll remember that. We weren’t aware of those conditions on the first visit :).
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We are the same. We’ve been here 13 years. My garden gets smaller and beds disappear. Some interior painting needs to be done. I used to love to redecorate. Now I try to clean off the bad spots to make it last another year. Strangely, I’m contented to be like this at this stage. We get wild turkeys under our bird feeders. They clean up the ground but only one at a time. I can spend hours watching the wildlife. So much better than weeding and planting and painting and whatever else needs to be done.
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🙂 🙂
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The memories are priceless aren’t they Julie? Thanks for connecting so personally with this. Love you, ~Dorothy
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Now that you are special, you get to adhere to the regulations at the inn! In exchange, you will have a room with a view. 🙂
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How great to find a like mind out there! Let the turkeys do the work. 🙂
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And what a stunning view it is :).
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Over 2,000 followers, yet you are generous with your replies! You are an amazing person.
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While we drink the wine….
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You DO have a nice place there! I didn’t realize you had been there that long. Somehow I thought it was more recent. It really is a lovely place!!! Love the sign!
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We got rid of the garden last year and this year I didn’t even bother planting my herbs. I don’t miss them either – not that we got much by the time the squirrels ate the tomatoes and the powdery mildew killed the rest. Even the lantanas died after a few years. That’s okay; I’m enjoying just sitting on the deck and reading instead!
Nancy
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Wow! I never know how to respond to a great compliment except to say a very loud THANK YOU! 🙂
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and doze…. 🙂
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The house feels new to us too… like we just moved in and have some last minute finishing touches to do. Ha! We have also mastered the art of self delusion. 🙂
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Love getting back to the Blue Ridge as often as I can. Looking forward to settling into simplicity over the long weekend of the 4th. For the rest of this week and next I can dream of country life while I pretend my backyard really isn’t in the middle of the city, ha!
Don’t you just love a wood stove? I look forward to the warmth of my mom’s during my winter visits.
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Sounds all too familiar Nancy… but it’s the enjoyment that counts. I did plant 3 herbs though – basil, parsley and lovage – each of which I use in large quantities. They seem to be held sacred by roaming critters too. 🙂
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It is clear you know the wonders of country life Suzi and I love the way you put things – “Looking forward to settling into simplicity.” Perfect. And thanks for the lovel comment. 🙂
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Well, I was thinking you and Bill could stand with a little paint touchup as well, Dorann!!!
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Our daughter is visiting from Florida and just yesterday she said she never tires of watching the deer and their antics. Unless us, some things never get old!
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You have a point there! 🙂
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How very true and it is grand that deer watching is often more fascinating than watching t.v.!
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Love the misty morning (or evening) photo off your deck. I bet you never tire of that view! I’m with you on cutting back on the gardening. It is easier and more fun to support those eager young farmers at the market.
We have a 1975 Vermont Castings Defiant that is still going strong and since they don’t make stoves that can equal its BTUs, we’re keeping it! 😉
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It was a misty drizzly morning and even that made for a great view. And you are right, we never tire of the ever changing scene. The wood stove is an “Englander” and I don’t know the date but it is a trooper and sometimes makes the whole house so warm we have to open windows. It’s a keeper.
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I understand 100%, our big yard is a LOT of work but, when I sit in my porch sipping my coffee and listening to the birds sing as I plan what time to hit the pool I think … why would I ever move?>? (we will .. but not today) MJ
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Yes! You have caught the complacent fever of being where you want to be. 🙂
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You two DO have a beautiful place, and I’m so glad that Motor Man and I had a chance to visit! Love this post.
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Thanks so much Dianna! Bill and I loved seeing you here and hope you will return soon. 🙂 ~Dor
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You really have a nice place, awesome pictures capturing the great mood. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks very much Cecelia!
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I covet your wood stove!
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Hahaha! With all its flaws? 🙂
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I love the photos, your descriptions and your tribute to your friends, Dora. Some of mine are gone too soon as well. As for your country living, I still would love to combine the things I loved about the country with the convenience of living near the city. 😉
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I have to agree with you about the city plus country wishes. Shopping is sadly missing from life in rural Virginia and if we need anything out of the ordinary, it is generally an hour away.
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Ah, you DO have a nice country place. There’s no place like home no matter where it is.
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You do have a nice place there. Mostly because you are there. Sounds like some great friends from your thoughtful reminders. Yes, we’ve known a couple dogs whose lives ended much too soon, hanging out with the wrong crowd and chasing livestock.
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You are the kindest person Patti to say we have a nice place “mostly because you are there.” Only you would come up with that. Thank you for thinking so.
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