POST 1441; OCTOBER 28, 2014; WEST HAMLIN, WEST VIRGINIA

I have again failed in my desire to blog at least each week while wintering over in West Virginia.  SAM and ME are still with DALLAS in HURRICANE, some 30 miles West of the city of CHARLESTON on Interstate 64.

Most of our time is spent with DALLAS preparing his lawns and garden for the coming winter.

Must admit, however, that I have found ample time - on an almost daily basis, for with my  "girl" friend and dance partner, SALLY... attending dance classes, going to local evening dances, and practicing.  I had forgotten what emotions are present with a beautiful partner in your arms.  One may ask, ...but, can she dance?   During a recent dance in the city of MILTON, one friend exclaimed..."We have not seen dancing like THAT since High School days ."  I must agree.  For a couple of near Centurians, SALLY and I do OK.

I continue meeting new friends.  Have taken to attend a local  church, of which many are closely scattered among the back country West Virginia hills.  MY church serves a half dozen families living along the MUD RIVER, some 10 miles South of the city of MILTON ... and half way to the town of HAMLIN.  A "homey" group of members are led by local residents, including Sons of SALLY.

The hills of this part of West Virginia are ablaze with COLOR.  Two days ago, I was treated by SUZIE, SALLY's Daughter, to a tour by 4-wheeler side by side all terrain vehicle, into the high country of BUFFALO MOUNTAIN  RIDGE, dead-ending the many HOLLERS (narrow Valleys) reaching in all directions some 1,000 feet below.  As would be expected, the view from up there is breath taking

I regret I have no photos to upload at the moment.  Oh, I have taken lots of lovely pics, but yesterday as I was preparing to create this blog update in the living room of SALLY's modest home, I misplaced the CAMERA to COMPUTER electrical connecting cord.  Must find it - perhaps under the couch - or order a new one from PANASONIC.

 Set out on this walk to SAVE $$ to return to PORTLAND, Maine to retrieve and repair SPIA's Rear-Main Oil Leak.   Have a growing nest egg saved.  Am considering traveling by Bus to fetch SPIA.  With cautious administration of engine oil, should be able to drive to HURRICANE, West Virginia, repair her here, and have local transport in the event (somewhat likely) we remain in West Virginia longer than the planned Winter of 2014 - 2015 ... pleasing at least one lovely lady..

My health remains excellent.  Having a caring hand to hold is proving to be a psychological treasure.




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POST 1440; OCTOBER 14, 2014; HURRICANE, WEST VIRGIIA

Some three weeks have passed since my arrival at the home of DALLAS in Hurricane, West Virginia.  Dallas has often expressed his pleasure of my presence, including me in his daily comings and goings, including Friday and Saturday night dances, Tuesday and Saturday Church activities, lunch at the Senior Center each weekday, and visits to friends and relatives.

Have been asked to accompany SALLY - a dance partner - to be her partner each Monday evening to learn Ballroom dancing and has asked me to help her learn the Charleston (Dance), which is somewhat new to me.

Have been asked often if I will stay the Winter in Hurricane.  A series of severe storms have passed through, including dropping snow in some of the higher mountain passes leading East to the State of Virginia.  Looks more and more that I should winter over.

For the past two weeks, have invested five or more hours daily helping Dallas with his home and property maintenance...about one acre and two homes surrounded by extensive grass and gardens.  Very much enjoy  manual labor, and have the grounds looking spiffy manicured nearly 95 percent complete.

Yesterday I , for the first time, drove his riding lawn mower.  Drove it into a drainage ditch, becoming high centered on a buried steel drainage pipe, becoming firmly stuck.  To get unstuck, the pickup truck was used to pull it out.  To properly align the mower, I manually picked up one end and moved the machine about 5 feet out of the ditch.  Was surprised I could lift and move it.  Today, found I strained a tendon  from my hip down my left leg.  Spent the morning manually raking fallen leaves and dead grass.  Seems the injury is minimal as I walked to the  grocery store with little difficulty.

Please say HELLO to SCOTT JACKSON and BRIAN BOOTHE, local Barbers.  $10.00 got me a haircut, only to have my $$ returned after sharing walking stories fo the next hour or so.

Local art applied to a roadside Mail Box.

MURAL painted on a downtown Hurricane building.

Please say HELLO to Mr. HULL, trying out SAM after Senior Center Lunch.

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Have beecome lax with updating this Blog.  In truth there is much near by to investigate and write about.  Having no transportation - except for SAM, it would take the better part of a day to reach such places.  Should I decide to remain the Winter, am considering purchasing a car, which would cost something under $1,000.00 - less than half the cost to repair SPIA.

We shall see.

POST 1439; OCTOBER 02, 2014; HURRICANE, WEST VIRGINIA

The three days recently  past have treated me to several longish forays into the low mountains - high hills - of West Virginia, connected by endless roadways - sometimes no more than narrow trails accepting one way traffic.  Yet, each flat spot...each narrow "Hollow"... accommodating a single track seemingly having been traveled just hours before by a wagon of two hundred years ago.

"Homes" popped out of the roadside brush...some no more than a lean-too of rough hewn timbers sagging under the weight of inattention for who knows how man years; next door, magnificent homes with lovingly attended properties stand in apparent denial of not so fortunate neighbors.


Like muffins in a baking tin, 1,000 foot hills radiate out from wherever one might find ones self, separated by narrow steep valleys struggling to keep the hills from joining together - mazes intent on confusing the not so wary visitors to this hidden home land of Hill Billies.
Where towns recently stood...home to isolated mountain folk... stand not even a foundation to suggest someone once lived here.

DALLAS' Sidekick, BUDDY...has taken to my lap a bit of the time.

Each roadway curve brings to life shadow and color of breath taking vistas

Around the next bend is often found yet another family or neighborhood cemetery...

...hidden deep in the hollows between hills reaching out to touch it's  neighbor.

Carefully tended for nearly a half century after the departure of the last nearby LOVEJOY home, DALLAS' Family Cemetery is a sparkling testament to the dedication by generations 0f LOVEJOYS.

DALLAS strolling through HIS Cemetery...yes, DALLAS carries Title to this land .

In death, LOVEJOY family members command the best of West Virginia views.

Track leading up the hill appears to have not changed much during the past many years.

Adjacent to LOVEJOY homestead lies LINCOLN COUNTY MUD RIVER Recreation Lake...boating, swimming and picnicking a stone throw away.

...  not to mention great BASS fishing.

Home of the Grandfather of FLORA, DALLAS' Sister In Law, who was caretaker for her Grandfather ADKINS until his passing.

,,,a frontal view ...

Grandfather ADKINS' Cemetery.

ADKINS Cemetery Reception Area.

Continuing deep into the West Virginia Western Mountains, DALLAS' guided his 2011 HONDA some 150 miles, visiting the area some 50 miles South and West of the city of CHARLESTON, City.

"HOLLOWs" actually do exist...

DALLAS and ME

Please say HELLO to DALLAS, SARA, NICKEA, SLENA, and DARRELL (BUTCH) LOVEJOY.

Living only 15 miles from HURRICANE, DALLAS and I have visited their home a number of times.

Headstone of ELIZABETH, Wife of DALLAS for 41 years.

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Have enjoyed tagging along with DALLAS activities in and around HURRICANE.  Cold weather is arriving this weekend.  Must make decision to continue to enjoy the hospitality of DALLAS - he has made it clear I am welcome to stay in his home - or cross into North Carolina for the Winter.