Even though it’s getting close to Halloween, don’t confuse this Salem with witches, rituals, and trials. Old Salem, NC is a historic living history museum, the site of a Moravian community of German-speaking immigrants who settled in the area in 1766. Steeped in history, the Salem Tavern once hosted George Washington while he was touring local battlefields. Usually, Old Salem is a thriving area featuring reenactments of life as it was in the 1700 and 1800s, with visitors roaming the streets moving in and out of the buildings, about 70 % of which are original. In normal times, several restaurants are open, historic shops sell deliciously sweet Moravian sugar cookies, and historic buildings house all sorts of demonstrations and exhibits.
The iconic and beautiful Moravian star.These days the shops and sites are closed due to Covid-19, but the grounds are open to visitors. It made a nice setting for a photo walk/drive, a pleasant diversion during our recent task-oriented visit to Winston-Salem. It was a nice contrast to my past visits and although I missed the chance to get some cookies – there is always their mail-order museum shop! Tourists might be scarce, but workers were busy with restoration work in some of the buildings as well as on the streets.
Trivia Tip of the Day: Salem was originally known as Wachovia
Founded in 1772, Salem College was the first all-girls school in the US and the oldest women’s college in the South.
The Mickey Coffee Pot Marker was erected in 1858, originally outside a tinsmith shop. The 7′ tall pot would be able to hold 740 gallons if any giants are interested.
The Single Brothers’ House was completed in 1769 and housed the unmarried men of the community. 
I had a really tough time trying to decide what inspired me, which is why I am so tardy with this post (Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #115: Inspiration). Finally, I decided I’m inspired by change. Half a century ago, a famous politician said, “Change is the law of life.” I won’t name the politician because I don’t want this to be considered political. Change really is a constant factor in life, bad or good. I simply feel with all the chaos in 2020, the world is ready for something different.
Fall is a season of change and October the beginning of my favorite time of the year. I am working hard to focus on the positives this year’s global changes have brought (time to think, focus on family, a pause for the environment, reconnecting with friends . . . . you can fill in others.) I don’t want to just wait for change, this year has inspired me to make some personal changes as well.
So, on that note . . . here’s to a Happy Fall Y’all.
Time for a feel-good flower pic. Welcome to my kitchen deck! I took this shot right before the cold snap, a last look at summer.
When I think “up close and personal” the first thing that comes to mind is my sweet granddaughter, Baby J. I just can’t get enough of that face! Here she is the center of attention at her first birthday party, right before the world closed down because of Covid 19.
At first, Baby J didn’t know she could touch the smash cake, so she dived in, face first. It didn’t take long to get the proper hang of it.
I seem to be drawn to architectural features when I am taking pictures. In these shots from Beijing, China we can see the incredible (and colorful) symmetry of Chinese Imperial architecture, in contrast to the contemporary formation of soldiers practicing drills.
Thanks to Patti Moed for another thought-provoking challenge and to Cee Neuner for her Fun Foto Challenge to feature colorful buildings. I hope I have managed to capture both.
This is the first is a series of things to do and see just a short drive from Washington DC.
Louden County is home to DC suburbs, Dulles airport, and beautiful rolling hills dotted with horse farms and vineyards. It has great country roads for scenic drives and it is packed with American history.
One good destination is the charming village of Middleburg and we had no trouble finding a pleasant outdoor spot for lunch right on the main street. The Red Horse Tavern’s menu had something for every taste. Since it was chilly out, we opted for a warm comfort food lunch of a crock of onion soup (a bargain at $5) and a grilled cheese sandwich. The staff was great, social distancing and masks in place, and menu through a smartphone scan.
I’m guessing the streets are never this uncrowded on such a nice fall-ish weekend, but it was a great opportunity to stroll leisurely and window-shop the interesting variety of independent shops. No chain stores crowing these streets. The village is also home of The Red Fox Inn & Tavern an 18th-century treasure on the National Register of Historic Places that has been visited by many famous individuals including George Washington and John F Kennedy.
Historically known for fox-hunting, today the area has quite a reputation as DC’s wine country, with more than 40 wineries in the County along the Northern Virginia Wine Trail. Organized into six clusters, many are centered around historic towns such as the vineyards we saw near Aldie and Middleburg. Another group is near the National Historic Landmark village of Waterford, and yet another by a town originally named Harmony (now Hamilton). These days you gotta love the idea of a town named Harmony.
If wine is not your thing, there are also more than 30 craft breweries in the area.
One place I definitely want to visit is the Cider Barn at Mount Defiance. On a hill just outside Middleburg, the Cidery looks like the perfect fall destination (and often food trucks are on-site).
I can’t wait to visit post-Covid and spend some time antiquing, visiting some vineyards, and staying in one of the area’s historic inns.
Sunflowers have to be some of the happiest flowers. Just seeing them has to make you smile. No matter the size or the variety, I love the way they turn to face the sun as the day progresses. We are in the Fraser Fir capital of the country and there is a Christmas tree vendor not far from me. Every fall, a few months before the trees are cut, the lot is filled with blooming sunflowers, and every year I intend to take pics. This year I did.
There is a little park in Banner Elk, NC that is home to dozens of ducks and geese. It’s fun to visit and feed them but be forewarned (as we were, thankfully), the geese can be aggressive! Our Baby-J stayed safely in the arms of her Daddy and although she is an expert food-thrower, only managed to drop her breadcrumbs straight down at her Father’s feet.
Just up the road (an easy walk) is the beautiful Linville River with a bridge and a great view of the water flowing over a small dam – it’s picture-perfect.
Was it a tribute to lost love, complete madness, or savvy entrepreneurship?
In the Miami of the 1920s, a diminutive Lithuanian immigrant named Ed Leedskalnin worked alone and in secret for 20 years to build a massive stone tribute to the love he lost. Or at least that the widely known legend. Defying the obvious laws of nature he did most of his work at night to carve and place these huge rock pieces. Decide for yourself if it was really a labor of love with more details in my previous blog post about the Coral Castle or an article I wrote published in South Florida’s Pinecrest Magazine,”Magic, Madness or Marvel?”
Our family includes two cats. Ziggy, a fluffy Himalayan, who lives with my daughter and her family and our cat, Pippi. Pippi does not like Ziggy. Ziggy just wants to be friends and thought his new lion cut would make him seem more approachable. Apparently not.
Enter sweet Baby-J. A whirlwind of non-stop motion who loves them both and has given them a common fear. Baby-J is learning fast how to win over kitty-hearts.
Treats are the key! And, it’s always important to know your cat’s measurements.
Getting kitty toys organized, searching everywhere, and finally, she found Pippi!
One for Pippi . . . and then one for Baby-J.
Mama says it’s time to go read a book!
