About

HAY!

“Hay” is my country-girl way of saying Hello!

If you are curious about the remote possibilities of finding adventure in country living, WELCOME! I do believe I have tales to tell and I will try to tell them well.

Peace and quiet! That’s what we were after when my husband, Bill, and I retired and moved from the Washington, DC area to a small town in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Peace and quiet depends on your perspective though, doesn’t it? And here it is, 26 years later and I must say, we have had some unexpected surprises and not always quiet ones. And in general, peace prevails.

I learned a few things in the process, and may include a Tip Sheet for City Dudes in this blog.

Tip #1: Do not wear high heels on a gravel driveway!

I am very lucky to live where everybody really does know my name and I can’t get out of a grocery store without stopping to meet and greet folks in the aisles. Country life is everything I expected.

But this blog is more about Unexpected Adventures in Camelot. So, hang on for the ride!

~ Dor

71 Comments »

71 Responses

on May 26, 2012 at 12:09 pm Cathy G

Hi Dor! Thanks for letting me know about your new blog! I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventures…although I just read your bluebird post…and I hope that you’re doing okay!

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on May 26, 2012 at 1:42 pm dorannrule

Hi Cathy… sorry if I gave the impression the ankle break was recent. That was some years ago and 3 plates and 6 pins later, I mended well. Most of the stories for the new blog will have taken place over the 24 years we have been here in rural Virginia, with maybe some reflections on the present. I’m not sure where my thoughts will take me, but the new focus is downright fun. Thanks for your well wishes though. 🙂 Dor

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on May 27, 2012 at 3:00 am Cathy G

Hi Dor! So good to know that all is well! 🙂 As always, I’m looking foreward t hearing more!

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on July 13, 2012 at 1:55 am Val

Your blog is great, well done! 🙂
My husband and I also moved from an urban to a rural area, though not to a farm. We love it here – much, much better than living where we were before.

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on July 13, 2012 at 10:45 am dorannrule

Thanks Val – your opinion means a lot to me. 🙂

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on July 14, 2012 at 10:20 am Val

Thank you, Dor. That’s very kind of you to say. 🙂

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on September 8, 2012 at 10:01 am Seasweetie

I jsut found your blog and it’s delightful! The Shenandoah Valley is my ancestral home and I feel a deep peace whenever I have the chance to go back. Looking forward to following you!

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on September 8, 2012 at 2:43 pm dorannrule

Ditto! Looking forward to following you too and glad you found me. Your “About” section is so unique. 🙂

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on September 16, 2012 at 5:36 pm Sunshine

Hay! Thanks, Dor for the visit earlier…just wanted to drop on by to say hay, and THANKS!!
Okay, will go around and see your place now…abundant blessings and peace to ya. 🙂

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on September 17, 2012 at 7:05 am dorannrule

Hope you like what you see! 🙂

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on September 17, 2012 at 3:23 pm Sunshine

🙂

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on October 23, 2012 at 11:28 am shofar

Aloha, Dor! Just thought I would tell you that you’re in ‘Blogs I Like’!
Liz

‘God’s Enduring Love’ http://heulu.wordpress.com

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on October 23, 2012 at 3:03 pm dorannrule

I believe this is an honor shofar. Thanks so much! 🙂

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on October 23, 2012 at 3:40 pm shofar

You’re so welcome!!!

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on October 23, 2012 at 5:37 pm shofar

You’re welcome; I’m so glad to have you as a friend to blog with!

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on November 8, 2012 at 12:21 pm nutsfortreasure

Hi

I have an AWARD over at my place come and get it
🙂
Eunice

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on November 9, 2012 at 7:33 am dorannrule

Eunice – Thanks so much for nominating me for this award. Response to follow and answers to all those questions! 🙂

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on November 29, 2012 at 12:44 pm Sheryl

I just recently discovered Virginia News and Rural Adventures–and have enjoyed exploring it a little. No matter where I live I’ll always be a country girl.

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on November 29, 2012 at 12:52 pm dorannrule

Thanks for stopping by Sheryl. I will have to check out Virginia News & Rural Adventures… thanks for sharing that.

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on November 29, 2012 at 1:01 pm Sheryl

Oops–I didn’t have my glasses on and read Views as News. I was just trying to say that I enjoyed your blog.

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on November 29, 2012 at 1:49 pm dorannrule

LOL~! 🙂 And here I thought there was a magazine just like my blog! Love it. But also delighted you discovered Virginia Views, and I’m now following ahundredyearsago too.

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on December 6, 2012 at 11:06 pm Community Awards and Nominations | Lori Lipsky | Poetry Patio

[…] Dor writes well from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, sharing her Virginia […]

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on December 11, 2012 at 2:27 pm bussokuseki

Went to Virginia for the first time this summer, visited the Shenandoah Valley and some old friends there – so beautiful. Loved your post from today. Be well~

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on December 12, 2012 at 4:48 pm dorannrule

Thanks so much for visiting and for your comment.

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on February 11, 2013 at 11:24 pm 11-11-11 | these days of mine

[…] 2) Dor at Virginia Views […]

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on February 28, 2013 at 7:13 pm Eleenie

Hi Dor, I’ve nominated you for Mrs Sparkly’s Ten Commandments award. You can find the link here http://denobears.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/mrs-sparklys-ten-commandments-award/ There’s no obligation to accept the award, I just wanted to let people know that I think your blog is great 🙂

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on March 1, 2013 at 4:19 am dorannrule

Thanks so much Eleenie and congratulations to you too! We are both uncontested “winners” and I will read the rules soon and happily respond! 🙂

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on March 11, 2013 at 4:37 pm pattisj

I saw your comment on Georgette’s post. I didn’t realize you are in Virginia, too! Howdy, neighbor. 🙂

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on March 12, 2013 at 8:25 am dorannrule

Howdy back Patti! And thanks so much for visiting! 🙂

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on July 6, 2013 at 8:14 pm ritaroberts

Hi there ! just found your blog through Eunice Livin and Lovin blog. Your posts sound adventurous so I am going to follow you. Love your Spinach and Strawberry Salad. Look forward to reading more.

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on July 7, 2013 at 5:55 am dorannrule

Rita – Thanks so much for visiting and following my blog. I have just been wandering around yours too and finding some fantastic information. Your specialty of archaeology has always fascinated me and though I know it takes long grueling, not-very-exciting digging, the end results are sometimes phenomenal looks at the past. I will be following you too.

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on July 8, 2013 at 3:24 pm Kenton Lewis

Great blog good writing.

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on July 9, 2013 at 12:06 am ritaroberts

Thank you for your nice comments Doran, such a nice name !. I don’t do any digging archaeological sites. I work in finds depts. and sometimes conservation.(Much more exciting for me.) I would not like to be excavating here its far too hot but the students love it when they come from America to do their studies.

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on July 9, 2013 at 1:03 am dorannrule

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for this special comment. Coming from you (I have seen your writing), this is high praise. Again, thank you.

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on July 9, 2013 at 1:05 am dorannrule

I think whatever one does as a professional in the area of archaeology has to be exciting because it all connects us to an otherwise shrouded past.
I am so looking forward to reading more of your posts.

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on July 9, 2013 at 1:10 am Kenton Lewis

Don’t mention it. I guess you did, well you know what I mean.

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on August 1, 2013 at 4:29 am ritaroberts

Thank you Dora. Hope you had a nice time with your friend. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. Have just commented on the lovely steps to the stars.

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on September 2, 2013 at 10:46 am Tracy Lee Karner

I’m a country girl at heart, temporarily living in the city, so I’m looking forward to living vicariously through your posts.

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on September 3, 2013 at 1:59 am dorannrule

Thanks so much for visiting my blog Tracy. 🙂

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on October 7, 2013 at 4:08 am Jill Weatherholt

I grew up in the D.C. area and currently live in Charlotte, NC. The Shenandoah Valley is what I miss the most…you’re blessed to be living in such beautiful country. Somehow I stumbled across your blog and I look forward to reading future post. 🙂

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on October 7, 2013 at 1:07 pm dorannrule

Thanks for stopping by my blog Jill and for your comment. I’m glad you stumbled onto this post. I wandered around your blog too and now following. It’s wonderful to meet new people this way.

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on December 4, 2013 at 2:46 am VisitSiena

thank you very much for following my blog!!happy that you like it 🙂 what an interesting blog you have 🙂 for sure will be back here 🙂 have a nice day 🙂

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on December 4, 2013 at 4:10 am artourway

On board~ hangin on

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on December 4, 2013 at 8:27 am dorannrule

🙂 🙂

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on January 19, 2014 at 7:34 am lingeringvisions by Dawn

Hi Dor!
I just came across your blog through the weekly photo challenge. Where are you in the valley? I’m in Strasburg.
~ Dawn

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on January 19, 2014 at 12:06 pm dorannrule

Thanks for visiting my blog Dawn… I’m not sure if my comment went through. We are about an hour north of Roanoke.

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on February 6, 2014 at 3:32 pm Woman in the Middle

Someone clicked through from your blog to mine yesterday from your post in May about not having pierced ears. I thought it was a new post and commented away on it. Then I looked at the other comments and realized I had commented back in May. Getting old and having no memory is such a fun thing! Anyway, that is why I was recommenting on an eight month old post!

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on February 6, 2014 at 3:38 pm dorannrule

I love it that you commented on the earrings post back in May and now today! Come back and recomment again soon! You are more than welcome and I’ll bet there is some kind of message here…… beyond double messaging and the age-old question of memory loss. 🙂 🙂 🙂 P.S. I remain unpierced and freely admit cowardice as the cause.

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on April 10, 2014 at 2:24 am Silver in the Barn

I am so excited to have found your blog. I can tell that I am just going to love it. Yippee!!!!

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on April 10, 2014 at 3:40 pm dorannrule

Ditto! And thanks for following me too. 🙂

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on April 13, 2014 at 8:59 pm oawritingspoemspaintings

What an ideal way of living! This is all I aspire to but it’ll have to wait until retirement age which is not that far as I’m past fifty 🙂

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on April 14, 2014 at 6:56 am dorannrule

Retiring early was the smartest thing we did! You will love it. 🙂

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on May 7, 2014 at 12:16 am dorothychiotti

Hi there! I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. 🙂 http://shakespearesgal.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/a-horse-is-never-just-a-horse/ … Be well, Dorothy

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on May 7, 2014 at 12:24 am Jack Viere

Always love finding a fellow Virginian posting on WP! Looking forward to following you.

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on May 7, 2014 at 1:36 am dorannrule

From Dorothy to Dorothy – – You Rock! Thank you so very much for nominating me for the One Lovely Blog Award! I will be following the rules step by step.

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on May 7, 2014 at 1:37 am dorannrule

Ditto Jack Viere. Ditto.

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on May 7, 2014 at 10:12 am dorothychiotti

You’re most welcome! 🙂

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on July 20, 2014 at 12:00 am amforte66

Love the Shenandoah Valley! I grew up in Winchester and went to college at JMU…now living in NOVA. Looking forward to checking out your blog. 🙂

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on July 20, 2014 at 6:34 am dorannrule

Thanks for visiting my blog! It’s nice to meet another friend from Virginia.

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on September 7, 2014 at 3:21 am Marie (Mary) Abbott

Hey pretty lady!

I love your blog loads – so I’ve nominated it for the Lovely Blog Award. Check my blog for more details.

http://www.makemeupmarie.com

Look forward to hearing your answers!

—
Marie
xoxo

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on September 7, 2014 at 4:28 am dorannrule

Congratulations on your being nominated for the Lovely Blog Award Marie. Your award is well deserved! And Thanks so much for adding me to your list of faves too. I look forward to reading more of your blog and to all the really excellent beauty tips! Need all the help I can get! Unfortunately, I’m not receiving blog awards now, but you can check some of my responses to awards on my “page” called Awards. I

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on September 27, 2014 at 10:54 am Betsy Jones

I love your photography!!! Just beautiful, wish I had that view out of my window!!!!

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on September 27, 2014 at 2:41 pm dorannrule

Thank you Betsy and thanks for stopping by my blog! I love your jewelry!!!

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on December 10, 2014 at 7:46 am Zambian Lady

Half of me wishes I lived in the country while the other half likes living in the city. What to do? 🙂

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on December 10, 2014 at 8:06 am dorannrule

Thanks for visiting my log Zambian Lady. I think you should get half a house in the cit and half a house in the country! 🙂

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on May 21, 2015 at 11:53 am woodlandgnome

You are invited to the Five Photos, Five Stories challenge, Dor. I can’t wait to see what you come up with 😉 I hope you’ll accept ❤

https://forestgardenblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/20/five-photos-five-stories-dormant-isnt-dead/

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on May 22, 2015 at 1:39 am dorannrule

You’re “on” woodlandgnome. I couldn’t stop thinking about my first submission – Going Out Feet First! 🙂

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on May 22, 2015 at 2:10 am woodlandgnome

🙂 Thank you, Dor! I knew you’d play along with us ❤ ❤ ❤ Feet First???

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on May 22, 2015 at 2:20 am dorannrule

It’s on! Do you think the character is me?

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on May 22, 2015 at 3:30 am woodlandgnome

I’m hoping not, Dor…. But now you’ve piqued my interest and I’m waiting breathlessly for your post 😉

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on November 20, 2015 at 1:52 am A Virginia Autumn | From guestwriters

[…] a small town in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, most rooms of this photographer her home look out upon the Blue Ridge Mountains at the physiographic province of the larger […]

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