Monday, December 29, 2008

Walker's Chores

  Walker's bosses are gone for several weeks and he's in charge of the farm. Today, the group of seven tagged along while he did chores. Tim rode tractor with Walker and Jake and Sara took the 'slow' tractor and fed the second group of cows - the ones with the calves. Here, Sara gets a lesson in tractor controls.
  Walker and Tim head off to move and feed.
  Jake and Sara open the gate and the herd starts bawling. They start tearing at the hay bale before it's even off the tractor.
  Jake and Sara start rolling it out so every cow has an equal chance at the hay. These are the mama cows so since they aren't for meat, they can be fed more hay. The herd that's for meat gets the most fresh grass since that's what Hickory Nut Gap Meats are known for - being 'grass fed and finished'.
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Pig Riding

  Pig Riding: by Jake
  Pig dismounting. It was the pig's idea.
  Walker selecting his steed.
  Walker successfully hanging on.
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Hike to the Edge of the World

  Here's the main view from a simple, local hike to "The Edge of the World". Ask us to take you there when you visit. It's a short and simple hike with a worthwhile view of Lake Lure area.
  Walker, Jake and I pose so you can see the view.
 
 Jake and girlfriend, Sara, while taking in the scenery. We should have taken Erik here!!!
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Beauties and the Beasts

  Beauties: Grace and Cameron dress up for the Big House Christmas party. Totally 40's - don't you think?
  Walker, Vera, Salem and Tim exuding 'cool' with their 3-D glasses. This was after a rousing game or two of Schmiddle.
  Handsome salad fixins fresh from our garden in December!
  Beasts: Two of Walker's charges at the farm - soon to be hams. Beauty is in the snout of the beholder.
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All My Sons

  Here we all are with my three sons: Erik (31), Walker (21) and Jake (18) - and - their girlfriends: Cameron (Walker's), Sara (Jake's) and friend Mark Clarke in the middle if you're wondering who that mysterious 'son' is.
  Here we go again with a slightly different pose.
  Susan with Erik, Walker and Jake. Thanks to Erik making the trip up here, Susan was able to have the present of presents this Christmas - all three boys together at one time. We had such a grand time with Erik. He watched an indoor soccer game that Walker and Jake played, went to the annual Big House Christmas party, camped out in the apartment house with Jake, went fishing in the rain and generally put up with us.
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Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas 2008 II

  The one and maybe only photo of Franklin playing Scrabble. He NEVER plays with us but today, since it was Christmas, he agreed. We had to postpone the game till tomorrow to go play football at the Big House so we don't know who won. Nancy kept us in Christmas music throughout.
  Franklin is a long lost cousin of Minnie Pearl as you can see. Walker pointed out that at the bottom of the tag is the word 'vintage'.
  Walker and Jake harvest salad fixings from the garden. I got away with not cooking today or yesterday. No photos of the football game yet because I was using someone else's camera.
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Christmas Day 2008

  Nancy (Franklin's mom), outfitted me with a new look as I hold the liquid gold that my mom sent - Dr. Pete's mustard praline sauce.
  All Four Sides -
 The guys model their shirts from Grandma Barbie and Grandpa Dory.
  Walker and Jake tickle each other behind Nancy back. I think Walker started this one.
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Sunday, December 21, 2008

Operating Room Humorist

  I just called my mom for her birthday and she told me a great story I have to pass on. My niece, Melissa, pictured here, is a nurse and was in the operating room recently for a male patient who'd put a gun in his pocket and accidentlly shot off one of his 'matching pair' - if you get my drift. The surgeon was about to begin when he asked for music suggestions as is typical. My niece piped up, "How about Great Balls of Fire?" She IS her mother's child is all I have to say.
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More Photos From the Full House

  Fresh lettuce and spinach from our garden to go with the lazagna.
  Walker shocked everyone by shaving his beard.
  Grace and Cameron dressed for the forties for the Big House Christmas party. Cameron's dress is from the Big House attic. Both girls are beautiful inside and out.
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Erik Comes to Visit

  This weekend Erik came to visit. he hasn't been here in many years. We couldn't drum up snow for him, at least not yet but we did have a full house: We had Walker and Cameron, Erik, friends Hannah & Grace, Jake and girlfriend Sara and at one point, Mark Clarke. Having all that girl-energy made for rarely a dull moment. Here's most of us: From L-R: Cameron, Hannah, Erik, Walker, Mark, Jake, Sara and Susan in the front. Grace is taking the photo and Franklin got cut out of the picture.
  Here we are with our three sons and the girlfriends of two of them: L-R: Erik, Walker, Cameron, Susan, Franklin, Jake, Sara
  It's a rare gift for Susan to have her three sons in the same place.
  Cameron, Grace and Hannah co-authoring a crumble topping.
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Beethoven Spotted In Fairview

  Or was it Gabriel McNair, six, whom I have tutored and loved for the past two years. One day he's Sam Gribley from My Side of the Mountain, the next, he's Davy Crocket. Like my own sons, it just depends on what he's currently reading.
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Saturday, December 13, 2008

New Calf at Hickory Nut Gap

  This little guy is the newest of several calves at the farm where Walker works. His mother is the red cow in the foreground. Walker told me about him being born early in the week but the weather and my schedule didn't allow for a photo op till now. It had poured all day until right before these photos. They all look like 'demon cows and calves' due to flash reflection from my camera just before dusk.
  Don't know what variety this one is but they give her wide berth when she comes to the feeder.
  This little guy is a bit older and has the most beautiful coloring and pattern to his hair.
  Another shot of the newbie. He's quite bold and wanders from his mom to nose other cows and explore the pasture on his own.
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