Author: Flower Roberts

Boat Tag

| Flower Roberts

There was some mysterious activity out on the river last weekend.

A group of boats gathered. All boats had the letters JS and a number on the side.

They seemed to be playing duck-duck-goose in the water.

One or two would take turns zooming around the group.

This went on for quite some time.

During the game, I was able to do laundry, write a blog on bricks and fix tuna salad.

It was a noisy game. I was glad when it ended and they all headed south.

Witnessing another activity that makes me feel old and persnickety.

Say it isn’t so!

Flow

The Colors of Bramwell

| Flower Roberts

I am not sure who is in charge of this charming town, but someone has an eye.

This place has color as well as class.

The first colorful house that caught my eye was blue.

I learned later its name is The Goodwill House after the coalmine owner that had it built.

The third floor has a ballroom.

The Collins House is a lovely mix of butter and olive.

The tallest peak in town is a soothing green. This belongs to the Cooper House.

It has a lovely gated entrance.

Its lawn has two matching fish ponds with frog fountains.

I stuck my camera through a hedge for this shot.

There was even a purple house!

Now that’s my kind of town!

Later we found a brochure for a tour.

If you want to visit beautiful Bramwell, here is the contact information.

FLOW

The Bricks of Bramwell

| Flower Roberts

I did not just spy a row of delightful dahlias in Harold Brown’s garden.

There was also a bit of masonry work in progress.

As you may remember, I spent five years as a concrete artist of Maiden Stone Garden Art.

I was fascinated by the projects in progress.

Pavers from some recent roadwork were being recycled in the garden.

There was also a new stone bridge over a Koi pond.

I hated to stop the progress by pestering the artist, but he did pose for a photo.

I do love interesting hardscape in the landscape.

FLOW

Over the River and Through the Wood

| Flower Roberts

The reason for our traveling to West Virginia was to ride the trails.

This is a new hobby taken up by Mr. Flower.

We stayed in Trailhead Resort just for riders in Bluefield, Virginia.

This was a new experience for the Flower.

Each cabin or campsite had a large toy parked out front.

Some trails were treacherous but most were pleasant.

We did turn around twice because someone who will not be named here

broke out into maniacal laughter and requested to leave the vehicle.

Most of the trails were well maintained and lovely.

We stopped to look at vegetation and scenery.

I prefer slow rides with many stops. Mr. Flower prefers fast and furious.

I suspect my son and/or daughter will replace me on the next excursion.

SLOW FLOW

Steinway in Bramwell

| Flower Roberts

It’s an amazing life when you go to West Virginia to trail ride

and end up in a mansion listening to a famous pianist serenade on a Steinway.

It’s all because of Thomas Edison, the dahlia that is.

We were strolling around the charming town of Bramwell, West Virginia

after enjoying a milkshake at the Corner Cafe’

when I spied my friend Thomas Edison over a fence.

Of course I had no choice but to intrude into the lovely garden to speak with the owner.

He turned out to be the world renowned pianist, Harold Brown.

After introducing me to his dahlias ( later post), he invited us in for a quick concert

He gifted us a signed CD which we listened to on our ride home.

The magic is back.

Thanks to Harold Brown, Thomas Edison and Mr. Flower.

Stay tuned folks. There is much more to come!

FLOW

The Sacred Circle

| Flower Roberts

There were weeds and mosses and Vinca between the rows of stones.

Some had no shape, just carefully selected and placed stones to mark a grave.

Many had no words, just lichens and mud nests.

Some markers had been replaced with new ones that included names and dates.

Family graves deep in the mountains, miles from pavement.

We respectfully intruded.  I whispered greetings and apologies.

Those living had struggled to secure this sacred spot from ATVs and dirt bikes.

Metal poles pounded deep in the earth. Thick cable strung around it in a circle, protecting the family graves from careless strangers.

I stood in silence, looking around the circle, examining the markers. These people were loved.

“Tho lost to sight, to memory dear.”

I sent up prayers for peace for the dead and peace for the living.

A sacred spot for the dead encircled in steel cable for protection from the reckless living.

Hallowed ground.

Peace

 

A Message from the Fairies

| Flower Roberts

I have been ignoring the fairies.

My mind has been on the pandemic, politics and bereavement.

To tell the truth, I was thinking all good magic had left the Earth.

As one of my friends puts it, “The Force has been disturbed.”

So I was pleased to find this purple mushroom

strategically placed by our trail in the mountains

where we would be sure to see it as we passed.

I have never seen the purple mushroom, ‘Viscid Violet Cort’,

so I knew immediately that it was from the fairies.

They have houses here in the mountains also, made of moss and stone.

They were letting me know all is not lost.

I was not sure if I was supposed to eat this message after seeing it,

so I left it to spread its spores.

Maybe next fall I will find a family of purple Cortinarius indes among the detritus of this terrible 2020.

My heart goes out to the fairies.

Take heart folks. There is still some good magic amongst us.

FLOWER

 

Cute Button

| Flower Roberts

This darling little button looks good enough to eat.

Not a good idea though.

It’s an Amanita muscaria, Fly Agaric  mushroom button.

In the past, it was mixed with milk to drug houseflies.

Don’t count on our North American species to produce visions.

Eating this will produce sweating and dilirium.

Eye candy only.  It’s poisonous.

FLOW