Old Country

 So much to see...feel....smell...touch....and learn.

Cathy McClanahan...my "Sister by Heart" didn't let us leave Virginia

without a ride through what her Daddy called "The Old Country."

 One spot we visited was Sherwood Forest...and yes, we were on Robin Hood Lane.

This was part of our journey to experience a swinging bridge...over the North fork of the Holston River.

I actually think we were in Tennessee...at this point.

Daniel Boon Country!

 Cathy loved to take me exploring.

We hiked mountains, climbed fences, filled our pockets with rocks,

and drank in peace only found in nature. 

Early settlers built log cabins...some still standing today.
This cabin is a little different, in that it has two front doors, side by side.
Cathy suggests one of these is what they call the "coffin door."
 During this time in history, funerals were held in the home.
The second door could be opened...allowing the coffin to be carried in and out
with room for pall bearers on each side.

In homes with two front doors that are not placed side by side,
one door was for good spirits to enter, and the second door for evil spirits to leave.

 Old churches with two front doors have a different history.
Originally one door was for white people and the second door for their slaves.

After slavery, one door was entry for men and one for women.

 This church was built in 1937...painted "That Green"

a term I learned referring to the green fabrics of the thirties.

Nested in the mountains....neighborhood churches are common.

Typical of Southern Women....beauty and grace adorns everything.

Even the front gate at the entrance of private property displays a seasonal wreath.

Rock formations

 From my years of  teaching rock formations for Science Olympiad

I knew sedimentary rocks formed near a water source.

However, I had no idea that water actually could seep through rock

and in winter become frozen water falls.

 Karl was particularly intrigued with this solution to keep rocks from falling into roadways.

Prop up the rocks with a steel pole!

 Rita and Nikki took me on a hike up Cedar Bluff outlook.

It was great to see the overview of the land...and how the roads and railroad would wind along the path of the Clinch River.  I certainly should have done this in summer...

but then...possibly we could not see the roadways.

Missing Richlands

 President McClure (left) was released from serving 18 years

as Richlands Branch President the Sunday after we left Virginia.
March 24, 2013

His lovely wife made this  friendship quilt to honor Paul and Cleo VanDyke

on their 50th wedding anniversary December 7th.

Jan also made a parting friendship "signature" quilt for Elder Hunt and I which we will treasure forever.

Certainly we will post a picture once we get one.

At our farewell party Jan also played her violin for us...a special arrangement

of one of my favorite hymns: "How Gentle God's Commands"

I especially like the stanza...."Cast your burdens on the Lord and bear a song away!"

We learned so much about faith, patience, and enduring trials from

the wonderful people in southwest Virginia...and especially those in Richlands Branch.

 Here is an ACOSTIC memory of dear Cassie

C = Caring

A = Always positive in her outlook

S =  Sensitive to the needs of others

S = Smiles for everyone

I = In tune with the Holy Spirit

E = Energetic

Although it was 90 degrees today for us in Arizona,

 our dear Virginia friends still have winter hanging around.

Suzanne lives in a winter wonderland. 

Her husband, Ron, is the new Branch President.  

We love them both....forever!

We are Daughters....of the American Revolution!

February 15, 2013

 DAR Library steps...Washington DC

During our time in Virginia, our very good friend, Jane Hughes, has patiently guided me through the process of documenting heritage and applying for membership to DAR....connecting to John Hart, signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Our DAR mission is to promote historic preservation, provide education and foster true patriotism and love of country.

It was fun to spend a day in the DAR library and read historic journals of the history of my own people.

Certainly, I must come again.
 

How to be a Southern Belle, Part II

Lest I forget...more Southern Belle trivia...

1.  Appearance is everything

Southern Belles are known for their beauty and graciousness, however, they do know how work.  They "Look like a cream puff and get things done like a Sherman tank!" ~Maryln Schwartz

2.  Matching is important:

• Bridesmaids shoes must match the color of the punch
• A tomato slice must be the same size as the slice of bread
• Napkin rings and bath linens are both monogrammed
  

3.  Being dead is no excuse

This is actually the title of a book written by Gayden Metcalfe and Charotte Hays that instructs on hosting the perfect funeral.  It includes not only a collection of favorite Southern recipes, but tells how to write a glowing obituary and the etiquette of a proper sympathy note.  Attention to detail is vital!
(And yes, I have my own hardback copy!)

4.  Mayonnaise is best home made

I learned to make this in our Branch Relief Society meeting last night,  It was yummy...and would make a great salad dressing or fried chicken dipping sauce.

WISK following ingredients together and cook over very low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture bubbles in 1 or 2 places.  Remove from heat immediately and let cool 4 minutes:

2 egg yolks
2 T. fresh lemon juice or vinegar
2 T. water
1 t. sugar
1 t. dry mustard
1/2 t. salt
dash of pepper

1 cup oil (Suzanne--a true Southern Belle-- used Sunflower oil, but it could be olive or safflower)

ADD oil slowly, in a thin stream, blend until mayonnaise is thick and smooth.  Refrigerate...covered.

Needless to say, I have LOVED living in Southwest Virginia these past 18 months.  I will miss the mountains, the trees, the flowers, the birds, the rolling thunder, the roller-coaster roads, but most of all-- the people.  I have been blessed with eternal friendships and hope to return many times.  I'm not sure my farm girls ways could ever be changed into a true Southern Belle, but I feel I could blend in very easily as a Mountain Woman. 

Beautiful Mind...

<sup>I photographed this road sign on one of our many travels to Bluefield, West Virginia (a town about 35 miles north-east of where we currently live) which is recognized as the birthplace of John Forbes Nash, Jr.   Or in his own words, "My beginning as a legally recognized individual occurred on June 13 1928 in Bluefield, West Virginia, in the Bluefield Sanitarium, a hospital that no longer exists."  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Forbes_Nash,_Jr.)

Anyone who saw the movie Beautiful Mind will recognize the name of John Nash.  Anyone who knows our family well understands why this movie and this person is so endeared to my heart.  When I first saw the movie, I thought I had cried my life-time quota of tears that comes from the pain of mental illness. But alas! Not true.  I feel a kinship to this community. One more reason I feel so at home in these mountains.  I love the hills, I love the trees, the flowers, the thunder that echos through the mountains.... but most of all, it is the people and their life stories of survival that has captured my heart.  I am forever changed....forever enriched...forever blessed, for the experience of living in Southwest Virginia these past 18 months.</sup>

Southern Belle Primer

1.  Euphemisms
According to Dictionary.com, euphemism is "the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt."  Here, in the South, no one every "dies".  They go to their eternal rest, they pass on, or they depart this life.  We have even heard "they fell out."

2. Cuisine
A true Southern Belle will use only real mayonnaise, and will put only white meat in chicken salad... dark meat is "tacky."  She will own at least one egg plate, and is an expert in making deviled eggs, pineapple upside down cake, baked beans, and of course grits, biscuits and gravy!  Green beans are served with every meal, and cabbage is a part of all casseroles and soups.

3.  It's "Tacky" 
If found chewing gum in public
Not having matching silverware
If you serve pink lemonade... (it has Communist overtones)
Potato salad is for construction workers...not ladies , however a modern belle will eat potato salad, but she doesn't put it on good china.

4. Double names
It doesn't seem to matter where you go in the south, the entire South seems to be married to one another.
The use of double names, usually given to honor both grandmothers, creates what some people call walking family trees.  Common names are Rebecca Ann, and Martha Jane.

5.  Word Choice:  As mentioned in number one, no Southern lady would ever utter a word that is harsh.  Here are the six basic words that are the heart and soul of any belle's vocabulary:

•  Lovely:  "She comes from a lovely family.  Her people are lovely."  Etc.

•  Precious:  A high complement.  "You are so precious to think of me." or "Where did you get that precious dress?"
  
•  Darlin':  Also a high complement, to be used along with precious for better emphasis.  "Your daughter is darlin' and she wears the most precious clothes."  or "What a precious idea. It will make the most darling' project."
  
• Cute:  Not exactly a high compliment, but not a complete put-down either.
•  Sweet:  The kiss of death.
•  Nice:  The kiss of death with the coffin sealed.