Summertime Blooms

The former owners of this rental did a wonderful job of landscaping.  We have flowers blooming all over.  We've added to the mixture by placing hanging pots hoping to attract  humingbirds and by planting a few flowers in our vegetable garden.  So far, we've only seen one humingbird - I think they come around when we're not watching.

Anyone know what the name of the lavender flower is?  It is beautiful!

Vegetables!

Bill and I decided to try our gardening skills while still in the rental house.  After much digging, hoeing and adding extra soil, we were able to get the dirt ready for planting.  Our small plants have grown much bigger and are beginning to produce vegetables: green and red peppers, squash and tomatoes.   We're looking forward to our first tomato and mayonnaise sandwich of the season!

 

 

The Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke

We took a break from work and research to visit the museum in Roanoke. 

                        It has a wonderful set-up of miniature trains.

 

The display of antique cars and buses is wonderful -

especially the old school bus!

 

 

They even have an old hearse wagon with a wicker casket!

 

 

The best part, however, is always the trains!!  We were able to ride on a passenger train for about 10 minutes down the track and back again.

 

 

 

 

Antique Cars

The Bedford area seems to be the meca of Antique Car Shows.  I seem to gravitate towards the convertibles - wonder why?  Maybe I'll talk Bill into getting another one some day - a convertible would be perfect for cruising down the BlueRidge Parkway!

"Raging Raper Rapids"

Thunder, lightning and RAIN, RAIN, RAIN for 2 days have caused the streams and rivers to flood everywhere around us.  Farms and roads having standing water - our land at the bottom of the hill is marshy.  And our very small stream has turned into the "Raging Raper Rapids"!

Groundhog Day!

We are having a very difficult time with groundhogs digging large tunnels all over the property.  Bill has tried several methods so far for getting rid of them: "Double Bubble" chewing gum down the holes and using smoke bombs. He said "talking nice to them doesn't work". But aren't they cute!!

Cleaning the stream.

Bill began clearing the dead limbs, old leaves and other debris from in and around the stream in March.  He finally talked me into helping!  We spent hours each day cutting down dead trees and carrying the rubbish to piles.  We ended up with 5 large piles of wood which we will chip and shred later.  Our stream is now running smoothly and looks wonderful!