VirginiaView from the Pines

 

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

Bear With Me – Part 2

BigBruno

If you are weary of hearing about my bear visitors here in rural Virginia, I do understand.  I hope you are able to “grin and bear it.”

But I must recount the latest episode.  This time I was away from home with a friend.

We were out for lunch at a general store (and diner) in Natural Bridge Station, Virginia.  That is only a few miles from the actual Natural Bridge (an awesome sight indeed).

The Natural Bridge  is also now a Virginia State Park.

Anyway, we pulled into the driveway of the little general store and there he was – Bruno’s father! BIGBruno!

He was crossing the parking lot right in front of us.  And he went loping down an embankment to a little stream, and up the other side to cross the road into the woods.

Could I get out of othe car without fear of bodily harm?  No.

I was on the bear’s side!

Could I outrun the bear?  No.

Still having trouble hobbling around on a bad foot, but even if it was normal……. well, you get the picture.

Was I stupid enough to get out of the car (on BigBruno’s side) and slowly make my way to the diner entrance?

Yes.

And so it was.  Lunch was a breathless affair recounting the story to the hostess.  She said they had been frying bacon all morning.  Well, no wonder BigBruno was enamoured of the place!

And on the wall was this frightening image!

It looked just like him.

I still don’t know if it was a photograph or a painting, but BigBruno loomed out of the canvas as big and wild and beautiful as I could ever conjure up in a dream/nightmare.

Lunch was delicious by the way.  A very informal setting with all natural all fresh salads and sans – everything to a bear’s liking!

Another adventure in Virginia country living.

Read Full Post »

A Virginia View Point

I never tire of sweeping Virginia views!

Read Full Post »

Life in the Slow Lane

Read Full Post »

Remnants of Autumn in Virginia

I thought that Autumn came and went

as winter spread its clenching hand

but Indian summer lingered

 

leaving love notes upon the land.

I am here.  Please don’t forget me.  I am here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

Life’s a Game but Very Tiring

I’m back!  Remember me?

My name is Pichu and  I am visiting these strange old people again.  They think I am absolutely the most wonderful, adorable, sweetest, cutest pup in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (or maybe even further afield).

I am theirs for a day (and a night too) but this day is speeding by since I am very busy having fun.

First they gave me a cup of Frosty Paws (doggy ice cream).  Wow!  I wonder if there are more of those around.

Then the lady and I went for a short walk so I could explore the grounds.  I have been here before but the smells of the wild are always different you know.

Then it was back inside for a bone chewing marathon.  It took awhile butI won!

Some of my old squeaky toys are here too, and some new ones, so I figured she wanted to play.  And I was right.

Then the man said, “Let’s go OUT!”  We all went out and I ran as fast as I could around all that grassy space.  I ran so fast the lady started laughing and that made me want to run even faster.

I ran so fast I got pretty worn out.

They had their dinner and gave me little bites of yummy chicken since they could tell I needed more energy.

But a nap is definitely in order now, even if it is before bedtime.

 

Read Full Post »

Follow Me

Why did the turkey cross the road?

I know.  If you are reading this, maybe you are already “following” me/my blog.

This morning I was stopped by a turkey in the middle of the road, who decided it was safe at last and led 13 other turkeys behind him/her.  They moved too fast for me to get a photo, but they gave “Follow me!” a whole new meaning

Do you follow?

Follow me!

Are you following?

 

 

Read Full Post »

High Definition Darkness

RANDOM RANTS – AGAIN

It’s Friday and the sane people in my life are recording normal weeks.

How I envy you all y’all.

Well, my own week started off nicely with a dog visitor who earned a place in our hearts in about five minutes.

Then a friend and I went exploring around Clifton Forge way in Virginia.  And that was fun too.

BUT MIDWEEK WAS A DIFFERENT STORY!

 Mid-week was UPGRADE-TO-HDTV-TIME and my excitement knew no bounds.  That’s “High Definition Television” in case you do not deal in initials.  Anyway, I was looking forward to a clearer, brighter, more magnificent television picture.

Isn’t technology grand?

A nice Direct TV man named Joe arrived and trotted around from room to room, messing with the the grandgirls’ little sets in the back, then messing with the big television in Bill’s secret lair, and finally getting to my just-the-right-size set.   When Joe was done, all sets were in brilliant High Definition.  Could life’s little upgrades be this simple?  Ha!

A Dark Television

Joe was gone about an hour when Bill’s big television went dark.  Blank.  Totally unresponsive.  Did we do something wrong?  No.  Bill simply left the set on, was away for a few minutes and when he returned there was no television access.

No DVD Access

In that same hour, I lost all DVD capability on my just-the-right-size set.  Never mind watching a Netflix disc.

And unbelievably, more casualties were vying for attention:

The radio in the car went dead.  Huh?

Bill’s Krazy Kindle lost its internet connection,

and our smart stupid home phones went into answering machine mode

while we were saying “Hello.”

TECHNOLOGY = COMPLICATIONS = STRESS

Back to the HDTV problem – We spent hours looking at wires, talking, analyzing, comparing, arguing, studying, and finally calling for help.  In other words we were sagging with nervous exhaustion.

You can guess that we called the company to COME BACK – PLEASE COME BACK!

THIS IS ALL TOO COMPLICATED!

WE GIVE UP!

HELLLLLLLP!

This morning a very nice HDTV man named Jody arrived.

• He took one look at the back of Bill’s big set and said, “Your power cord is not attached.”  He attached it and everything works fine.  Brilliant picture!  Hurrah!
• Then Jody took one look at the back of my set and said, “Your DVD player is not attached.”  He attached it and everything works fine.
• And the High Definition stuff is perfectly beautiful too!  Hurrah!

Jody was here five minutes, solved the major issues with two plug-ins and deserves “my hero accolades.”

I am sorry to say he could not help with stupid home phones, car radios, or Kindle connections, but I have a feeling something somewhere is not attached.  Restrain your comments please!

Here’s hoping y’all have had a satisfyingly calm and collected week of fun and frolic, minus the stresses and strains of modern technology.

And if you decide to call me and I don’t answer, leave a message because even if I am here, something is not attached.

Read Full Post »

It Was a Very Good Day

The Daily Post Photo Challenge

Today Was a Good Day

Show us what makes you happy.  Share your ideal day, recount a memorable day in the past, or share your favorite things.

This photo was taken here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  It was at a time when our grandgirls were little and loved the joy of a ride on a tractor.

Read Full Post »

As High as an Elephant’s Eye

Virginia Farm Stuff

Virginia Corn Silk

Virginia Corn

Read Full Post »