At The Gazebo

Last week, we went up on the hill and watched the sun set behind the gazebo. Come with me!

A gazebo is a lovely way

To spend a balmy weekend day.

The Cedars

Have you ever seen a Cedar tree? They had a significant role in ancient culture. The Lebanon cedar is frequently mentioned in the Bible, and was used to build King Solomon's Temple and to seal David's house. The ancient Egyptians used it in embalming practices. Here are a few that I have seen in our state.

Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons; and they built a house for David.

2 Samuel 5

So the great court all around had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams even as the inner court of the house of the Lord, and the porch of the house.

1 Kings 7

The Smiles

We saw something new in the neighborhood today. This is like a small cement building. Maybe a shed? And it has been painted.

But there is more here than appears. At first it looks just like a lot of smiley faces. But look closer. There are lots of tiny, delicate designs! I don't know how they did it, maybe stamps or templates? It is always good to give things a closer look, for sure.

I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.

~Author unknown

It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown.

~Author unknown

Come Shopping With Me!

Last week, we went to the Shenandoah Farmers Market. It is like a little mall with many privately run shops inside. Here are a few unusual things I saw. No, I didn't buy any of them. This was in front.

Something about this doll is kind of creepy to me.

A quilt with the skyline of New York.

An old fashioned wooden marble roller. It was almost $300.00. 

Sand art

Colorful wooden utensils

I wanted this apron, but it was way too expensive. Probably one of a kind.

“When women are depressed, they eat or go shopping.  Men invade another country.  It's a whole different way of thinking.”

  ~Elayne Boosler

Christmas In July

Last Friday found us at Jazz's summer music camp play. It was Christmas In July, and about a lonely little Christmas tree that could not get sold. The older kids made up a bell choir, and the bells were large and expensive! This took place in a church, which housed Jazz's old preschool. Here are some of their windows.

The Bells

The Play

Jazz & Me!

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

 ~Albert Camus

Scenic Sunday

Welcome to our home in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies
Over and around us lies

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our joyful hymn of praise

For the beauty of the hour
Of the day and of the night
Hill and vale and tree and flower
Sun and moon and stars of light
Sun and moon and stars of light

Folliot Pierpoint

The Jellyfish

What would you think if I told you I bought some pet jellyfish? Well, no, I did not. In fact, these are not real jellyfish! We saw them in a toy store earlier this week. They are floating around and around in some kind of lighted liquid. They were quite mesmerizing, and I could have watched them a long time! But I'm sure the saleswoman would have thought I was a nut, so I snapped a few pictures and left. Now I wish I would have looked at the price.

The fact that jellyfish have survived for 650 million years despite not having brains is great news for stupid people.