Doolittle The Flying Dorky

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Bedfordlandings

I don’t necessarily want to be THAT pet owner who adores their pet so much that – but I do adore Doolittle and so does everyone else who comes to Bedford Landings B & B. A couple of weeks ago, two Nashville songwriters were staying with us. Of course, Doolittle made friends with them. Laughingly, they said they thought they should write a song called “Doolittle the Flying Dorky.” Then, dreaming on, they said, then you could write a children’s book and it would even become a TV show. LOL!

So having a few moments, I played around with the first chapter. Now I have 5 chapters and I want (your) reader input. Let me know if you want to read more chapters and I will post them! Here is Chapter One.

(Doolittle The Flying Dorky (c) by, Karen DeBord Phillips)

Chapter One – Those Ears!

Since I was just a little pup, I have had big ears.  My 3 sisters and 4 brothers often would tell big earjokes about me. They said I was “all ears” or say I was half bunny rabbit.  But I am not a bunny rabbit!  I was born a Dorky just like they were.  My mama was a Yorkshire (Yorkie) terrier, and my Daddy was a Dachshund. Put it together and that makes a Dorky.  

I didn’t stay with my birth family for very long before I was adopted. And my, do my new people love my ears?  They pet them and stroke them.  I love my new place.  I love to snuggle with them at night and follow them all around the house and yard. 

Pup

We play outside… but outside, there are loud noises that I don’t like.  Sometimes, the Mister gets into his big noisemaker and leaves.  He is usually not gone long but in leaving, he makes big rumbling noise!  I watch him disappear into the clouds. He floats up into the air.  Then he goes far so far up that I can’t see him in the sky.

What is that loud noise?

Once the Mister and the Mistress took me with them in this loud thing and we went up, up, up.  We were flying.  The Mistress covered my ears, so it wasn’t too loud for me. 

Airplane
Doo in plane

My ears continue to grow and people that visit us say, “those ears!” then they laugh.

I love it when people visit. I sit pretty to let them pet me (and my ears).  Everyone seems to love me.  They tease and say they want to take me home with them!  

I love to run and play.  I almost caught a squirrel one time.  I am very fast! I can catch a ball and even rollover. My life is good.

One day I was running in circles outside letting a little boy chase me.

Then I had an idea.  Wonder if I could use my ears for more than being cute?

That night, I dreamed I was flying.  I must have twitched in my sleep because the Mistress woke me up using a soft voice. 

I liked the dream!  In it, I was the Famous Doo!

I could do something no other dog could do!  I had special powers! I could fly!

In my dreams, I could hear a crowd cheering and people singing!

Doo… littleDoooooo LittleDoo the flying Dorky

Doooo littleDoo Little

He’s always been quite lucky

He runs so fast then jumps up high

Then look what happens, he reaches the skyyyy!

Doooo Little, Doo!

The famous Flying Dorky!

End Chapter One. If you want more, you gotta tell me. If that was totally enough, it’s ok!

Update for Bedford Landings B & B

Posted on May 25, 2023 by Bedfordlandings

Life is busy at the Bedford Landings B & B but also in the community. Jack and I have been giving leadership for building an outdoor Learning Environment for our church preschool. It is going very well. Maybe we are half way there! Next step is fencing then landscaping.

Figure 8 bike bath in background

We are also active in the Lakeside Singers. Our concert is June 2 (7 pm) and June 3 (3 pm) with the theme “Gone Country.” It should be foot stomping’ fun! Tickets available at the door (Trinity Ecumenical Parish) or online.

Reservations for May were the best ever! What great guests! We are heating up for June but still have openings. Just check the online calendar.
The other thing Karen is involved in is singing with a band for charity (only) events. It is great fun in retirement to be acting like a teenager again but takes practice and coordination of schedules for an 8-person band.

Boomer band front line singers

It’s a great time of year to rent a boat and go out on the lake! Be sure to schedule a boat in advance. Many people get here and then try to get a boat and they are already booked! We are looking forward to your visit with us! We will save you some bacon!

bacon
Pecan-encrusted bacon!

Inn Quirkiness

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Bedfordlandings

“Quirkness” is a quality of being slightly peculiar or unconventional.   It is similar to eccentric. Have you felt as if you have met quirky people?  Have you observed quirky art or quirky décor?

While traveling for 6 weeks this past winter, we took two cruises plus traveled by land in Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.  We observed food and housekeeping practices on the ships but also we tried to stay in as many bed and breakfasts as possible so that we could observe them to improve our own practices. 

While on the cruise ship all day (called a Day at Sea), we generally get sucked into the art auctions.  And very often and very mindlessly, our bid card flew into the air and before we knew it, we own a new piece of art.  We have recently been looking at a sort of quirky artist.  His paintings are certainly pieces for discussion and wondering!  Here are two examples of Michael Cheval’s works and his website. What is your interpretation?

In New Zealand, we stayed at an Inn called Lake Tekapo Lodge. First of all, when we arrived, we broke a rule about knocking.  As B & B owners who live on our property, we prefer guests knock instead of walking right in.  Well, we walked right into the front door.  We didn’t notice the “Welcome Karen and Jack. Ring the Bell” sign, nor the big finger pointing the bell! We wandered around until the innkeeper’s dog barked alerting her we were there.

Front door
Please ring the bell!
Stephanie at Lake Tekapo Losge

Innkeeper, Stephanie, had some really cool, interesting, quirky décor!  I asked her which was her favorite piece in the house and she signified this one because of the energy and movement.

But I also loved this hanging dress- origami-type of art created from a road map and the curious collection of images below this.

And this fine trio of interesting characters.

Fine looking trio!

This was among my favorite!

Speak to the Hand!

Her property was overlooking beautiful Lake Tekapo. This little man gets to peer out the window at the view all day long!

What a view!

On the way to this Inn, we went through a curious little spot called Burkes Pass. Not much there but this:

Creative looking gas station
Burkes Pass, NZ

And this…

Picker's paradise
Picker’s Paradise

And here’s an idea for those jeans that the kids outgrow!

planter in little jeans


After leaving the Hawaiian cruise, we spent one night in Honolulu to see Pearl Harbour before heading home. We stayed at the (historic) Manoa Valley Inn. Our flight didn’t leave the next day until midnight so we vacated our lodging room so they could clean it but then stayed in their sunroom as long as we felt appropriate. We called an Uber about noon then we we hung out in the airport for 12 hours!! It was a nice sunroom.

Cheery sunroom

Then there were a few items of interest at the Manoa Valley Inn like this collection of frogs!

Ribbit!

The frogs were sitting right across from this very ornate (period?) piece.

Lamp
It’s a lamp

And that was sitting right next to this sort of scary dog!

Dog statue
Guard Dawg

But they indeed had a nice fish tank!

fish
Fish sucked right to the tank!

We learned soooo much on this trip and saw such amazing places! Maybe in the next blog you will get a wildlife tour!

But let me leave you scratching your head about this one! We found these cheerios in the grocery store in Hawaii. Think that’s quirky? We didn’t purchase them!

Hotdogs labeled cheerios

Eleanor Pigby and Petunia the Pig

Posted on January 5, 2023 by Bedfordlandings

Ah, look at all the lonely people, where do they all come from?  

Eleanor Pigby confided that she has never seen so many people come and go.  They come with suitcase in hand, timidly knocking at the door, then upon departure, they act like old friends giving hugs and exchanging contact information.  Where do they all come from? Some come by car, some by airplane!  Where do they all come from? Eleanor has sat in the same position on the front porch through all seasons.

Where do they Come from and Why?

Bedford Landings has hosted people from as far away as Canada, Curacao, France, Germany, and Hungary.  But, why?  What brings them to Bedford Landings?  Some are visiting family.  Some are just passing through and want an overnight off the beaten path. Some are on honeymoons or a get away from the rush of day-to-day life while others know that Smith Mountain Lake is a beautiful place to be any season of the year!  

Eleanor has seen them all.  She looks and listens but never judges.  She watches and learns.  She tries to look pleasant and welcoming but watchful; always watchful.  She sees planes land, motorcycles and, hears noises coming from the hangar.  Sometimes late at night, guests tiptoe up the steps and sometimes late at night she sees a raccoon sneaking around.  She’s seen it all!  

Look at her next time and hear her singing quietly to herself very softly, “Ah look at all the lonely people, where do they all come from?!”  Eleanor has been standing watch for nearly 10 years. She has a crack in her ear, mended with a visible streak of glue. Her ribbons fade and we replace them, yet she always appears lonely.  Spotting the perfect companion on Facebook, we ordered another porch pig.  It took well over 6 months for Petunia to arrive, but don’t they look so joyful in each other’s company as we enter the year 2023!

Two sone pigs

Come visit our Porch and our Pigs in 2023!  Don’t they both look happy now?

Before & After

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Bedfordlandings

In December, we will have been opened for 10 years! Well, in 10 years with thousands of guests per year, comes wear and tear. Fall is our time for repairs, renewing, and fixing up at Bedford Landings. As the summer slows, most of our guests are visiting on weekends so we have some gaps of time to get the work done. Here are a some of the before and after views of our work.

We have had the flower beds weeded, trimmed, and mulched. Then we worked on porch stain.

Re-staining the Front Porch

Last year, we had the rear deck re-stained. This year, we could afford to do the front. Now the paint matches on both sides. Jason with HouseBath (housebath@live.com) power washed the whole house before he started to stain. It is really a lot brighter. But also feels fresh and clean. I would recommend this guy!

old color boardwalk
stained porch

Carpeting

Next we needed to consider the 10 year old carpet. Last year we had wanted to replace it but were not able. So this year, we recarpeted the upper level where the guest rooms are located.  The carpet, after 10 years, had become worn and wrinkled.  We left the crew from Floor Source to scrape and bang while we went off to my 50th Class Reunion in Blacksburg.  Replacing the padding and carpeting makes it feel very soft and plush now.  We moved all the small knick knacks, lamps, small tables, etc. We had to unmake all of the beds and it was a mess having to move furniture; but it is done! It took them three days to complete so we were glad to be out of town for most of that time.

old carpet
recarpeting
new carpet

Brightening up the Dining Room
Overtime, timbers in a timber-framed house will darken.  I have had the same valances in the dining for 10 years.  They were a deep navy floral. But it was time to brighten things up.  

old valances

The very skilled Shelley from Shelley’s Vintage Camper Awnings custom made the new valances.  I selected the fabrics, and she designed them just like the old ones.  All the way from Tyler, Texas, she shipped them to us. I could not be happier with them! She has a Facebook page by this same name. 

new valances

What’s next? Our 10-year old sectional in the great room will be moving to the theatre room. We just hope it will fit. We have ordered a brighter color to replace it. We will share that once it is in place. It’s always fun to document changes over time. So how about this for a before and after? Things change!

house in 2013
2013 Just before we opened.
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