Minute Man National Historical Park (2 photos)

We visited here for the 3rd time in 2016. CJH and I were here in 1972 and we stopped here again in the late 80's. The park has changed a lot in those years - especially encroachment from housing. Still there are stretches of old road and fields that must look very similar to that spring day in 1775. One thing that has not changed in the statue. I remember the first time seeing the minute man and how thrilled I was to see in person what I had only seen in photographs and to walk in this place that to me was hallowed ground. That, too, remains unaltered. 

Along the lane the British marched to Concord on and fled back the same way. 

Just an Impression

This pond photo reminds me of Claud Monet's work. Not comparison - but in generalities. My favorite painters are of the Hudson River School, and few individuals and the Impressionists. Different styles but I always seem drawn to them in galleries. 

Welcome 2018...

...with a big breath of fresh air and hope that the prevailing choices that people make for '18 will be those in line with God's character, values, esteem and joy. There is a Way in peace. 

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned.... Then the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8,9 NLT

Passage

Time passes quickly when looked back. My amazing grandson is old enough as of today to actually learn to drive this car and I am thrilled to be able to share in teaching him. He is a clever, creative, strong, capable, smart, engaging young man who knows a lot, works hard, is determined and full of grace. How fortunate his grandmother and I are to be able to live near enough to see him change and grow. Kudos, too, to his mom and dad who are doing a phenomenal job shepherding three excellent kids toward adulthood. Have a super birthday, K. 

Old Point Comfort Lighthouse

On the grounds at Fort Monroe in Hampton Roads. I am not pleased with the photo but so far this is the best I have been able to coax out of the image. Sometimes you are not really done when you are done.

Yates Mill Number Three (and last for this series)

The pond has been here for decades. It is about 20 acres with a bridge across the inlet portion and a nice, easy trail around the rim. The day we were here it was Rudy Duck Day, apparently, because the lake was awash in them. This view is not much different than in 1756. 

Yates Mill Number Two

Same mill but below the dam. Yates Mill is a fully restored, circa 1756 gristmill on about a 20 acre pond south of Raleigh. It is one of the oldest structures in the area. It operated as a grist mill (and often a saw mill) until 1953 when it closed. Now it is a regional park and much of the original land an experimental farm for NC State. 

Yates Mill Number One

I have a couple of different photos on the Mill and a bit of the history tomorrow. 

Cypress on the James

This is taken from nearly the same place on the river as the earlier lone cypress. I love the location and hope to shoot some more from this area. 

Happy Christmas

"And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.” Matthew 4:16b NLT

Eve

Not that Eve, Christmas Eve! One of our less traditional nativities - this one came to us from a place similar to 10,000 Villages. The actual country of origin is not on the figures, which are rather tall, about 8 or 9 inches high for Joesph. It was a gift we have enjoyed each year.

"and they bowed down and worshiped him." Matthew 2:11 NLT. I hope you will do the same this day.

Different

I wrote a couple of days ago about our eclectic memory tree so I thought I would share just one more this year. It is not the norm for a star. And if you try and place it near the top of a tree, look out because it is heavy. A few years ago two friends and I rode the GAP trail, (Great Allegheny Passage) from Pittsburgh to Cumberland. That Christmas my daughter-in-law gave me the star made from a bike chain. Really a nice memento to remember that super trip. 

Forgot! (2 photos)

It is also critical to your event to have neighbors, friends and family. Thanks for stopping over!

New

We have a new ornament this year, a gift from a good friend. There is a cardinal on the top and a cardinal on the ball. It looks nice  on the tree. Nearly every ornament on the tree has a bit of a story. Some people have theme trees our "theme" is eclectic. We have things our kids made, our grandkids made, we made the first year of marriage, from our parents, grandparents, relatives and friends. So, perhaps, our theme is "memories."

So what did we serve? (four photos)

Mint Bars and Peppermint Bark

Cheesy sorts of things

Homemade cookies supplemented by Trader Joes

Miniture chocolate mousse and pumpkin cake with ginger sause

Preparation (two photos)

Nice to welcome folks to our home occasionally. We had friends and neighbors in last evening - and it was fun.

Christmas Week 2

A snow storm and decorated light in the Merchants Square area of Williamsburg. 

"John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light." John 1:8 NLT

Christmas Week

Check in each day for the next 9 days for Christmas themed posts. Or at least something I make up and call a Christmas theme. Today qualifies for the latter. But I love the red berries. They remind me of this season. So, here are your red berries of the season!

"All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)' Isaiah 7:14 NLT

Shadow President

Mrs. Roosevelt was a force on her own and quite an amazing woman. I found one quote that said she was the "shadow president" because of her influence and intellect. So, at the FDR Memorial in Washington DC this shot of Mrs. Roosevelt in the shadow seemed very appropriate. 

Lonely

This cypress tree is along the James River but in an inlet at the end of Flying Point Bridge Road on the south side of the James between Surry and Hopewell. A land that time forgot.