The painting is one of mine. The scene is the lane, that led to our home in the back pasture of the farm. The brightly colored tree was the first to turn, each autumn. The farm was sold, four years ago. A subdivision is being developed. We watch each fall to see if the "red" tree is still there, along the creek. It has survived, so far. The binoculars and case, sitting on the cabinet, belonged to J's great aunt.**********************************************
The grid shows different areas of J's lodge, in the lower level of our home. Many of the furnishings were collected over a lifetime. They were stored in the attic and garage of our farm home, for several years. The table, we use for games and meals, is decorated with postcards, under glass. The cards are from family and friends and a few from our travels. The "log cabin" sits in a window, beside the fireplace. It is made from salvaged wood from the restoration of a building in old St Charles, MO. The small black milk stool, that sits beside the armoire, in the lower right photo, was used by J, when he was a child. A hickory limb table and two small foot stools were made by a friend, who lives in the Ozarks. There are two Mission style rocking chairs, near the fireplace, that belonged to J's grandparents. The coffee table has a "carved" Trout stream under glass. There are several Moose images around the room. J's nickname is Moose.There is a bar in one corner of the room, with several old neon lights. A cabinet holds J's collection of steins, that number over 100. Another cabinet holds memorabilia from J's 40 year career as a Lineman.
When our home was presented on the Garden Club Christmas Tour, 2006. The most popular room was J's lodge. That was not a surprise, since we know it's a favorite of family and friends.
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The fern stand in this photo, was made by Granddad almost 50 years ago. The creel is new. The pack basket belonged to a friend, who actually used it for it's intended purpose, over 60 years ago. There are two prints, of watercolors, above. These depict scenes from beautiful Bennett Spring State Park (MO).
The "lodge" is filled with memories and well loved keepsakes. It's warm, comfortable and a favorite place to relax.
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I was tagged by willzmom, to pick up the book nearest me and turn to page 28. I am to write here, about paragraph 3. I decided to pick up the book on my nightstand. It's an old favorite. I've written here, about this book, before. The Foxfire Book, originally published in 1968. My decision to write about J's lodge today, is linked to my tag book choice.
The paragraph reads:
An' picked blackberries'n'strawberries. Always had somethin' t'eat. Pickeled beans'n' everthin'. Why, we've pickled beans in a twenty gallon barrel; but I ain't got any this year. Groundhogs eat m'beans up an' I never had nary one t'pick. I had two bushel baskets full'a cans, an' I took 'em out there an' poured 'em in th' groundhog's hole an' took a stick an' beat'em in. An' you know, that groundhog left an' never did come back. Couldn't bear them rattlin' things. Just couldn't stand 'em (laughing). This paragraph is from the chapter about a mountain woman called Aunt Arie, written in her words.
The book is dedicated to the people of Appalachia.
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If you would like to write about paragraph 3 of page 28, in a book nearby, please do. I'd love to read what you write!