Fall greetings to all readers!  It has been wet weather with remnants of Hurricane Helene blowing through, but it is starting to dry and it is time to plan an autumn outing to Smith Mountain Lake. Upcoming events include the Charity Home Tour October 11-13 and the Chilifest on November 2.

It’s ok to walk on them
Just a quick recap, Jack and Karen recently returned from an annual vacation, this time returning with two Turkish carpets.  Mind you, that the 9×12 full size costs about $30,000.  Instead, we purchased a lovely, colorful runner that will adorn the welcome hallway (for far less) and a small area run that will most likely go in the corner where the rocking chair sits.  One of them has already arrived. 

We never cared one way or another about Turkish rugs, but the onsite presentation was so cool, it was a great sales pitch! They rolled out rug after rug, then flipped them to show how the colors change when laying in the opposite direction, like the nap in velveteen!  All hand woven, it takes years to make these!  I hated to walk on them, but the carpet makers encourage you to do so.  Yikes!

To the left is the runner in place. The silk area run has no arrived. This vacation, rugs served as the art that we purchased on our travels this year. So there is nothing new on the walls!

Update on Miss Pine

With reference to “killing Miss Pine,” I didn’t kill her!  She is flourishing.  I just had given her the pruning she needed. 

Karen continues to sing with the SML Boomer Band.  There is a Facebook page for this band.  Only playing for charity,   this week, the band is plating at the Waterfront Country Club to benefit the Franklin County Humane Society.  Next week, they will play for the Smith Mountain Lake Arts Council and November 15, for the SML Lions Club Scholarship Fund.  Known for playing great oldies dance music, the band has a good following at the lake. (Photo was when the Boomers (roasted) played outside on the hottest day of the summer to benefit the Moneta Library).

Flooding and power outages

Last week we were without power for 6 hours.  But it is nothing compared to one week or more without power in many parts of Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee.  Today Jack used his airplane to fly flood relief supplies.  It is the least we could do.  There is an airport in Concord, NC where pilots landed, gathered supplies, then flew to another site to deliver what they had picked up.  The organization Operation Airdrop is the organizer. 

Operation Airdrop
Of course everyone wants to do something to help with a disaster. Jack’s plane was among 100’s of airplanes flying into Concord, NC to pick up supplies. There was a team that met him, refueled him, asked how much load (in pounds) he could carry. He told them about 440 lbs. He accepted 446 pounds in the plane and headed to Ashe, NC. In comparison to the need, this was literally a drop in the bucket!

The most impressive part was the degree of organization that this operation carried out. He was on the ground a minimal amount of time. Many thanks to our airport owner at W91 (Moe) for providing fuel and accompanying Jack. The ride was stressful with so many pilots in the air. It helped to have another set of skilled eyes (and hands!) Some have asked how to help. If you are a pilot, check the link. We hear, however, that tomorrow may be the last day to donate to those particular locations. But we don’t know how long they will need pilots to fly supplies.

If you want to help after Red Cross and FEMA do their initial search and supply, then check with UMCOR in Western NC. There is an UMCOR in every area. They are a reliable organization skilled in rebuilding. It is far better to work through an organization than just loading up your car and showing up.

Even at Smith Mountain Lake, we are sending Flood Buckets. Bethlehem United Methodist collected for these in June to prepare, and now it is time to send them! Our church also sent prayer crosses. A group of crocheters at our church made them and prayed over them. Hoping they will bring some solace. 

Life sure gives up things to deal with – and it is up to us to use our abilities, skills, and kindness to respond. Thank-you to all.

Generally, in the summer, Miss Pine (see last blog) has lived and thrived on the screen porch.  After sawing her in half, after being chastised by others, after mourning the dedicated old tree, I left her alone.  I kept watering her and by August 4, I noticed some green growth.  It’s not much but I feel that indeed, she will blossom again!  

And the part that I sawed off of the top, I have wrapped in a fertilized moist towelette nested in soil. Hopefully new roots will grow.  We all wait!

On to other items

The summer has been medium busy.  It is ok.  After being in business 11 years, we are ok with whatever business walks through our door.  We welcome visitors and hopefully give them a high quality, personally-attended stay!  We try to schedule our time around breakfast and check-ins because on the community front, we are as busy as ever.  Karen just finished a week as camp director for the Smith Mountain Arts Council youth Arts Camp.  She is also still rehearsing and playing with the SML Boomer Band.  The band plays for charities and doesn’t take any money for themselves.  

Jack is chair of the church (new) organ committee and chair of the church trustees.  Both come with an array of duties and visits multiple times a week to the church.

Doolittle turned three years old and we had several grand children visit in and out this summer! Of course we had to join the fun of Pirate’s weekend at Smith Mountain Lake!

Travel

Those seeking to stay with us in September may see on the calendar, that we will be taking our annual vacation in September.  Off to Greece and Turkey on a Celebrity Cruise! Cheers!

Secondly, In November, we have marked our calendar CLOSED as we will attend a professional Innkeepers conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Those are always fun and we get new ideas, although the sorbet maker I ordered on impulse during the last conference has only been used once.  Any interested buyers? 

And lastly, Our church choir has been invited to sing at CARNEGIE Hall!  That’s right!  That’s the same stage that Def Leppard, Jelly Roll, Billie Ellish, and Pink will be performing on this year!

We will be singing with a 250-voice choir performing a Joey Raney cantata entitled Have you Heard. Joel Raney is a prolific composer who works for Hope Publishing Co. in Chicago. Our choir often selects his cantatas for Easter and Christmas. So with a new black dress in hand, a tuxedo, music folders and train tickets, we will leave the day after Thanksgiving for this adventure!

I will be keeping an eye on Miss Pine and continue to report about her growth!! Send me any nurturing tips!  Happy (upcoming) Fall!

In 1976, I was only 6 inches tall.  Starting my new life in a dorm room, I have witnessed many life events. In my more than 40 years I have met dogs, cats, and babies, witnessed power outages, panic, terror, sadness, anxiety, surprise, and joy as I have moved from Virginia to Michigan, back to Virginia, to Missouri, North Carolina, and back again to Virginia. Two different families fostered me while Bedford Landings was being built. But finally I have found a comfortable place to winter in the breakfast room; and summer in the sun of the screened porch. As my best, I stood over 7 feet tall. I add new growth each summer.  Unfortunately, I would also shed fronds and some of my lower branches became a bit drafty.  But, I have had many ancestors that have grown to over 200 feet tall.  Proudly, I wear white lights to give a soft glow to the breakfast room where people are stunned that I am actually a live Norfolk Pine.  At Christmas, small ornaments adorn my branches and through it all, I proudly am referred to as “Miss Pine!” and “Miss Pine of Bedford Landings” to my important friends!

Well, now we have sad news. As the years went by, standing guard at Bedford Landings B & B, my pot began to rot so my owners decided to do me a favor and get me a new pot. I got new soil and a healthy new start. But somehow that didn’t agree with my system. More fronds shed than should have in the Spring of 2024. At 48 years old, it appeared I was withering away from my best to looking my worst. My owners were perplexed as to what to do. And here is what happened. As she cried, she sawed me down. Yes, with an actual saw. She took my best part and saved it in hopes I could root somehow. She also stuck a small piece back into the soil. If I bear children, I will be amazed truly!

I am not angry with her, but maybe, just maybe there will be a miracle and my life will be perpetuated.

Nothing to do now except watch the passers by and hope that I can sprout. I will try really hard! Stay tuned!

We decided to take in the 2024 solar eclipse in Wapakoneta, Ohio.  We made the reservations in December, know there would be a mad rush for the “band of totality.” It was a short 2-hour flight from Smith Mountain Lake. We were the third plane to arrive and the gas attendant filled our tank right away, knowing that he had the day ahead of him filling tanks.  Once we landed, we set up “camp” beside the airplane.  We had a rental car, but the excitement was imminent, so rather than checking into our overnight stay, we remained in place awaiting eclipse start time of 1:54 pm. 

Over the loud speaker, a disc jockey was asking solar system trivia questions and playing music with the SUN in them such as “Here come the Sun” and “Walking on Sunshine.” I never heard my all-time favorite, “You are My Sunshine!”

At least eight people stopped to admire Jack’s airplane and ask where we were from.  One little woman approached us and asked where we flew in from.  She said she just lived across the street and wanted to take our picture. Awww. We smiled!

It was a festive atmosphere and clear skies.  The jet trails were evident but so was the warmth of the sunshine!  Dressing in layers, we began peeling them off as the temperature rose.  I was so glad we didn’t have to stand in the food truck line since we had taken sandwiches and bottled water.

At 1:54 the slightest curve of the moon moved over the path of the sun. 

Little by little, the sun became covered.  I took a picture of my watch at 3:00. 

I don’t know why but the day just seemed eventful!  Using my solar filter over my camera lens, I snapped picture after picture, some blurry and some un-centered. At 3:09, the DJ started playing the theme song from “2001 a Space Odyssey.” It was perfect for the occasion.  Later he told me his wife made him promise not to play “It’s the End of the word as we know it!”

At totality, the temperature became cool and the shared experience of everyone at the airport was created.  We were one community sharing a Godly phenomenon. 

In the darkness, I wrapped a small blanket around my shoulders and enjoyed what looked like a brief sunset. Even the security lights on the airport were triggered by the darkness. In this three-minute lapse, we saw some stars and Venus!  I am telling you, I will never feel the power of the earth, the moon, and the sun in concert with humanity ever again!

You are my Sunshine!

During pollen season in Virginia, you may hear sneezes, coughing, sniffing, and grouchy complaints about itchy watery eyes and yellow pollen.  It makes one dread this beautiful  season…but Ahhh–choo!

What are you allergic to?  I am not even sure I know what bothers me, but I know if I am outside for too long doing spring planting, blowing pollen, or even a little touch up paint, I have to come inside after a bit.  My throat feels parched, and my eyes feel full – not sure of what but that’s my sensation!

According to Yale Medicine, in March and April it is the tree pollen and in June it is the grass pollen.  In the Fall it is ragweed, and in the winter, mold! They recommend wearing a hat outdoors and changing clothes and washing your hair to avoid pollen on your pillow!  As simple as it sounds, I had never thought about this.  But it may apply to the dog too! 

Some people swear by a humidifier, nasal sprays, steam and essential oils.  Adding Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lavender, Rosemary, and Sandalwood to a steam shower or neti-pot may help.   Ginger tea is said to help alleviate inflamed bronchial passages.

As much as I hate not opening the windows during the cool spring nights, I know it can lead to poor results. Replacing your ventilation system filters before and after the season is a consideration!

What about the Yellow Pollen?

The first time I saw the thick yellow pollen, it was tax season so I know that about mid April, the yellow powder becomes prolific! When I first experienced it, it looked as if a bomb had dropped.  Come to find out, the pine trees were mating (of sorts).  The best thing about pine pollen is that is is much larger (in size) than other tree pollen so that it cannot get up into the nasal passages as easily as smaller pollens. Blowing with the blower creates a huge cloud and after a rain, the pavement is just floating yellow dust!

So for the season, wait it out!  Wash the dog, change your clothes often and enjoy a nice lavender steam bath!  Carry on!