Christmas with Cohens

Zephyrhills visit

Dave, Bill and Stuart walk in the woods

Carl Sandburg home, Flat Rock, with Fraziers

greengateoliveoils.com 

Steve and Lynne Frazier visited us this week, to check out our new digs.  They live in Pinehurst, NC about 4 hours Southeast.  They brought delicious olive oils (Roasted French Walnut and Whole Fruit Lemon) and balsamic vinegar (Lavender and Wild Blueberry), which we sampled on Wednesday night -  our salad was accompanied by risotto and bison.  

We met the goats at the Carl Sandburg home, and took a hike on the Glassy Mountain trail.  Also attended an Octoberfest dinner at Highland Lake and went to the Craft Fair in Asheville. 

This is where Carl Sandburg and his wife and 3 daughters lived after moving from MI.  His wife was known for raising goats, and the herd is still maintained on site.  There are wonderful hiking trails all over the land.  It's a national park site.  When we were there with Stuart they were holding a ceremony to induct immigrants to American citizenship. 

Art in Flat Rock Cottage

We've been eyeing "Stellar Moment" by Adonna Schroer in Mean Mr Mustard's restaurant since we first went there with the Monahans.  Adonna painted a series based on the Hubble telescope pictures, and this is a big one.  On Sunday, we visited Adonna in her studio, and on Wednesday, we tried out the picture, just after the Fraziers arrived.  It was a party, as Adonna brought homemade spice cake from Mustard's and Harry Deaton, our decorator, showed up for the hanging.  Tony (husband) and Adonna delivered and hung the picture.

it works - looks like it belongs

"Mobilia" in Asheville had this wonderful wall sculpture we saw last month. That joined us on Monday!

Our neighbor across the street is Ed Morris, artist

Gift from Barry and Meltem, for our shelves

Mary Tift

From Long's Park Art Show in Lancaster, a cousin of the Infinity clock, Douglas Durkee

Janet Jacobson

Janet Jacobson

Mary Tift 

Remembering Jasper

Born the runt at a few ounces to a Sheltie breeder in Wilkes Barre, PA August 26, 1998, Jasper was transported by Dave in a cardboard box just before Halloween that year.  The breeder fed him with an eye dropper and kept him aside so he could thrive.  He drew to 3 pounds, was adopted to us as he needed "a quiet home."  
Jasper lived a good life, in Radnor and Mount Gretna, traveling to Florida and Minneapolis for family visits. He was an eager greeter of visitors, and "talked a lot."
Bright and vigilant, he let no person, dog or horse pass unnoticed.  Cats set him off the most!  Our neighborhood cat liked to taunt him by running by the back door.  A funny memory was the cat perching up on the window of the door in my office and looking down at Jasper lying on the rug, unaware.  I wish it had lasted long enough to get a picture.

As he aged, he did not like traveling, so we lodged him with Kevin and Becky at the Kind-Hearted Pet Resort.  He was at home with them and they loved him so much he slept in their home.  "Guest of the Year" in 2007, he spent weeks there as we traveled to Turkey and other destinations.
 
He showed signs of aging, at 12, and was on heart and kidney medication.  The vet told us he was in decline in June.  His duties on patrol for walkers, horses and dogs were lightening - and he had to be called to race more slowly out the back door for a break. Last week he had heavy bleeding from the mouth.  After a few days observation and medication, the vet found it necessary to find the cause.  Cancer of the jaw was extensive, and he let him go to sleep.    

We are gradually getting used to life without him.  We miss him.  Thanks for all the caring notes and calls.  Our friends and family loved him too.

Dave and Stuart drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, September 14-16, 2010

July in Flat Rock NC

Touring Mt Pisgah park

Smokey Mountains compliments of Evelyn and Sid

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Mitchell and Kim at "Mean Mr Mustard's" touring the Beatles memorablia

Mitchell watching the T with grandpa

Mt Pisgah scenic stop

Mitchell and Sid going to feed the goats carrot tops

Mitchell with Beatles coasters

Sid and Evelyn on their llama trek in Maggie Valley, Smokey Mts

Woods in Westhampton!

Dave and Susan visited the New York Woods June 9-11, 2010.  Marilyn and Stuart were hosting Randy and Ericka, with Valentina, age 2 and newly arrived Diego Alexander Wood.  As Randy and Ericka are headed for their new assignment in Senegal, West Africa, we wanted to meet the kids!  An added bonus was a visit from Barbara and Jerry AND Gary came by with Zachary and Ajia.  A mini-reunion!

Valentina on the move at the Atlantis Aquarium

The Wood-Briceno family at the Aquarium


Randy and Valentina