A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-17-05....A Finest OH and WV Adventure! Part II

Mama_Bear, JustAmy, Dutchess, WVNan, DollyCali, PrissyMissy, Babychick

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

Leading up to the arrival of my expected guests (FRiends) from California/North Carolina, my time was consumed with our annual Union Camp Meeting at the Union United Methodist Campground, where it has been held since 1921.



It has roots in homecomings which began in 1896 in the same community. The last Sunday of Camp Meeting we hold the annual picnic. So, Mama_Bear, JustAmy and PrissyMissy arrived on that Sunday (July 24th.)



They wanted to attend the picnic and the last night of Camp Meeting. It would be an unusual cultural experience for them. Scubachick and Babychick didn't arrive from N.C. in time (well, actually they did arrive in time if she had known how to find the campground).

The covered dish picnic was just the beginning
of a week of good eating.


The meeting was filled with good music....



and good preaching.



The girls seemed to appreciate being there, in spite of the heat.



PrissyMissy got to go with the other children to Children's Camp. They had a weinie and marshmallow roast and sang lots of songs. Notice that the flag was ever present so that they could recite the pledge of allegiance.



Monday morning meant a real West Virginia breakfast of sausage gravy, biscuits and homefries, cooked by Mr. WVNan. (My FRiends soon realized that Nan doesn't cook).



After breakfast we tried for some local sightseeing, but found the heat to be daunting with the children. We stopped by the Riverfront park and drove by the outside of a couple of museums and historical markers. We did take time to stop by the antique/craft mall, where Mama_Bear and Scubachick sneaked around behind my back and bought me the Westmoreland sugar bowl and creamer that I have coveted for months, but refused to pay so much for. Thank you again. When did you say you were coming back? We also dropped by to see the Mothman.



Tuesday, which was even hotter, we went to breakfast at Bob Evans Farm Restaurant which is the original Bob Evans Restaurant near Rio Grande University. There JustAmy and Mama_Bear got their first taste of Grits. The consensus was, "Not too bad, but sort of bland."


I don't think they were a big hit as further offers were rejected. So I ate them with gusto. Afterward we stopped by son's studio so Mama_Bear could see the mess. She claims that a certain other photographer she knows maintains a similar mess. I guess that was supposed to make me feel better.


We took a ride out into the country to visit the West Virginia State Farm Museum. Missy contemplated what school was like in the old one-room schoolhouse, and saw the huge stuffed horse.


She also got to see some live horses, cows, goats and chickens. Everyone agreed that the church was small by today's standard.



Tuesday evening JustAmy treated all of us to a special meal at the 4-star restaurant just a block down the street from our house.


Wednesday morning JustAmy and PrissyMissy left to return to Ohio to visit with friends. Mama_Bear and Scubachick and Babychick took off for parts unknown to spend two days poking around the hills of West Virginia.


The three wanderers returned on Thursday evening. I think that may have been when Mama_Bear destroyed the shower, or maybe it was Friday morning. That morning we went to Bob Evans in Gallipolis, OH for breakfast, and then went to Wally World. It was there that I caught Mama_Bear choosing a shower attachment that looked suspiciously like the one in my guest bathroom. She was actually trying to get a new one to replace the one she destroyed and install it without ever telling me. HA! What subterfuge! Well, she was properly chastised. I made her install the new one.


We spent a laid-back Friday evening after a second trip by the studio to show Mama_Bear that It's_me_K.E.T. and I had cleaned it up on Thursday. Then we took some back roads to K.E.T.'s country home. Enjoyed seeing her baby ducks, rabbits, goats and dog.


Early up on Saturday morning. Said goodbye to Scubachick and Babychick and sent them off toward N.C. Mr. WVNan was happy to drive Mama_Bear, K.E.T. and me to Circleville, OH, where we were to meet up with Amy and Missy at the White Castle. He would drive to L.A. for the chance to eat some of those White Castle Sliders. Mama_Bear had never eaten one so she got a couple to sample. Next thing we know she's back in line buying two more.....with onion chips. K.E.T. seems amused for some reason. Perhaps she is recalling the time we took her for her first sliders.


Amy and Missy soon arrived and they also ate Sliders (Did dutchess wonder why you were not hungry at lunch?). Then it was time to say goodbye. It was sad to see them go, and I was in a blue funk for two or three days. I needed my Babychick fix and hugs from my new Sistahs. I have an angel hanging beside my computer that Amy gave me. I have a beautiful tray and a card that Scubachick actually made with her two talented hands, along with a glass kiss (not forgetting her contribution to the Westmoreland glass), and I have a sweet little bear sitting on my computer shelf to remind me of my Sistah, Mama_Bear.


What a wonderful experience to meet and spend so much time with some of the people that I've loved for years. Just as it was with my trip to meet my Sistah, Maggie in S.C., it was one of the sweetest times I can recall in recent years. Thank you all for coming and for all the gifts. You shouldn't have, but I treasure them all (even the shower attachment).

I'm excited about seeing a new state,
even if it isn't Hawaii.

The camp meeting was awesome.
We sang songs, roasted
hot dogs and marshmallows.
I met lots of nice young people.

Oh No!
Someone please save me from the Mothman!

Auntie Nan showed me an old school house.
She even let me try a desk.

The newest FReeper chapter holds a meeting.
We vote to have another meeting next year.
Maybe in Hawaii!

Point Pleasant, West Virginia!
We're here. Mama_Bear is a great navigator.

After a very moving camp revival meeting,
WVNan gets a hug and a thank you from Lori.

When you order breakfast in West Virginia,
you get grits.
Mama_Bear is ready to try anything, once.

She is not impressed!! :)

We've had a wonderful time on this adventure,
but we are ready to head home.
We are taking beautiful memories with us.

You made our visit one to remember.

My mom told me we were going on a road trip to see our favorite Auntie. I'm always up for a new adventure, so I packed some formula and diapers and we took off. When we got to Point Pleasant, not only did we get to see Auntie, but I got a new Grammy (WVNan) and Grampy (Mr. WVNan), another fave auntie (JustAmy) and a great new cousin (PrissyMissy). Grammy and Grampy could not have been more gracious and hospitable! Their home is lovely and we felt right at home!


Our first morning there, my new Grampy made everyone but me a "real West Virginia breakfast". Do you believe it-they made me eat squash and rice cereal while they chowed down on potatoes, sausage, biscuits and gravy, coffee, the whole works! Being little isn't easy, I tell you! Thank goodness for PrissyMissy, though! She kept me company and took good care of me! I just love her!


We got to tour around Point Pleasant, then Auntie Bear, mommy and I took off for parts unknown. We saw beautiful works of art at Tamarack,


lovely countryside, and we ventured into Hatfield-McCoy territory! I couldn't believe it!! What if we got caught up in the feud?? I'm 8 months old! How can I defend myself?!?!?!


We escaped unscathed from the mountains, though! The whole trip was just great-I got to meet a whole new set of relatives, all my freeper and West Virginia family members! The best people in the whole world! Grammy Nan even gave me piano lessons!


All of this traveling and meeting new people was great fun, but very tiring for a baby girl. After my nap, I'm sure I'll be ready for more adventures!

One last chance for a get together so nearby was NOT to be missed. Amy & Lori were returning home a week from the Stan Hywet Picnic/tour. Whoever could, would meet for lunch at Max & Erma’s at the airport. Those that could included: PrissyMissy; Just Amy; Mama_bear; Dutchess & DollyCali.

Hey, the first time three of the “Sistah’s” had “face to faced” ~ and Here We Be: Mama_Bear; Dutchess; DollyCali

Surprise… again Amy & Lori were not too hungry because they had a short time prior had lunch at four star White Castle !!

Well, actually, there is a little more....
MamaBear hasn't shared her "MamaBear Sez" yet.
I will post it later today. This post is
already way too long as it is.
(My apologies to those with dial-up connections.)

06-28-05 HALL OF FAME #12

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-15-05 Military Monday 08-16-05 A Finest OH and WV Adventure Part I

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[DollyCali]

A Killer Gift!

The couple had been debating the purchase of a new auto for weeks --
he wanted a new truck, she wanted a fast little sport car so she
could zip around town...

He would probably have settled on any beat up old truck, however,
everything SHE seemed to like was way out of their price range.

"Look!" she said. I want something that goes from 0 to 200 in 4
seconds or less. And my birthday is coming up. You could surprise
me." So, for her birthday, he bought her a new bathroom scale.

Services are pending.

[DollyCali]

What would we do without WD40 - a girls best friend LOL

and duct tape! I duct taped a CDRW (2nd one) into one of my computers. When My friend did some work on it a few weeks ago, he groaned. Replace tape with screws.

I love duct tape.. what is the old saying..

it moves and shouldn't - use duct tape.
If it should move & doesn't use WD40

Break over.. I suspect the next break will be bubbly with Lori's tale...of many cities

[Mama_Bear]

Okay, it's my turn now to share a few of my thoughts about our trip.....

There were so many memorable highlights during our trip to Ohio and West Virginia, I barely know where to begin. Most have already been shared by Amy, Dutchess, Nan, Dolly, PrissyMissy and Babychick, but a couple high points have not yet been mentioned and definitely should be.

For me, getting to see WVNan's church was a real treat. Now, each and every Sunday morning I will be able to picture our Nan giving the sermon and ministering to her parishioners here at this pretty little white church on a hill in beautiful Point Pleasant, West Virginia. I have no doubt, this scenario and recollection of visiting her church will make me smile for many a Sunday to come. :-)






A second highpoint of our visit was getting to meet Nan's talented son, Roy, and his wife and their precious little girl, Emma.


I thoroughly enjoyed Nan's tour of Roy's studio and the opportunity to chat with him about the ups and downs of running a photography business.


We also got a chance to hear some of Roy's music. Unfortunately, we didn't get to hear him play live, but Nan showed us a video of one of his past performances with his group "Idletymes". She also sent me home with a cd of his music so I could upload it and share it with all of you.

This is one of her favorites, "Talk About Suffering", a haunting Gospel song featuring Roy playing the fiddle. It is a large MP3 file and will take a while to download, but I promise you, it is well worth the wait.

Click on the graphic below.

(I photographed this pretty West Virginia
country road through the car windshield
near FReeper Its_Me_KET's home.)


My sincere thanks to Mr. and Mrs. WVNan for their warm hospitality, to the people at the Camp Meeting who welcomed us like family into their fold, to scubachick and Babychick for joining us in Point Pleasant and sharing this adventure with me, to DollyCali for going above and beyond in planning a wonderful picnic get-together for us and to Molly Pitcher, OhioWFan, DrDeb, boxerblues, dubyaismypresident and Commiewatcher for joining us. I enjoyed meeting each of you.

And, to my dear sistah dutchess, thank you for a lovely day at the zoo. What can I say? You are exactly as I expected you to be - sweet, sweet, sweet! I never had a sister, but if I had one, I would want her to be just like you! :-)

And, last but definitely not least, thank you, JustAmy and PrissyMissy, for inviting me to tag along on this adventure. It was wonderful, from beginning to end!

[Kitty Mittens]

That's Wonderful that you will be Closer to your Church, and I Hope Everything Goes Well! Our Lord Bless you and your New Home!

I have DSL Here where I am Now, but on the Weekends, I have Dial Up at my Ranch, and it's very Slow!

(((((((Dolly)))))))! I'll be Looking Forward to the Thread Starring our sweet FRiend!

[GretchenM]

I don't have room on the writing desk (serving as PC desk) to set up my sound system, so I am going to have to wait to enjoy web cast / video clips, but am really looking forward to that, as well. woooHoooOOOOO

[Mama_Bear]

Hi GretchenM! I can sure feel your excitement over your high speed connection. LOL! I can understand it completely. I remember dial-up and NEVER want to go back there again.

Welcome and happy to have your here today!

[GretchenM]

Looks like y'all had a great time. Perfect weather, too.

[OESY]

I just caught your posting about the birthday girl. Very funny. It was a joke, right?

[Victoria Delsoul]

Lovely pictures, Lorie. Thanks.

Hope everyone is having a good time.

[Mama_Bear]

Oh, and, of course, my sincere thank you to you also, KET, for letting us pet and ohhhhh and ahhhhhhh over your cute animals. What a beautiful home you have in such an idylic setting!

[Mama_Bear]

Lovely pictures, Lorie. Thanks. Hope everyone is having a good time.

Thanks. Hugs back to you, Victoria. Hope all is well in your world. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine; DollyCali, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

Please keep these FReepers
and their loved ones in your prayers.

Maigrey...............................cousin ladtx......................................2 sons scubachick.......................husband gator girl..........................husband severa................husband, brother LBGA.........................................son Hostel...................................cousin SpookBrat..........................nephew Himyar......................................son boxerblues............................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza...............................husband kemathen7.......................husband Diver Dave..............nephew, niece deadhead.............................cousin JimRobinson................2 nephews Armymarinemom...............3 sons Darheel.................................niece dixie sass............................nephew Diver Dave..............niece, nephew BeAllYouCanBe.......................son AgThorn...............................2 sons kneezles.....................................son The Mayor..............................niece ValerieUSA...........................2 sons StarCMC............................brother TexKat........................son, stepson Spruce.............................daughter ODC-GIRL....................active duty Dubya.................................nephew Donaeus.............................nephew SunflowerGal.................grandson katykelly...................................son Repubmommy...................brother Lakeside...............................2 sons philman_36....................2 nephews Veloxherc.....................active duty mrstank............................husband WVNan........................friend's son american_ranger......................son AF_Blue........................active duty lula.................................son-in-law auboy....................................cousin jamaly.....................brother-in-law Leofl...........................................son wingnutx......................active duty chena.........................................son LakeLady............................nephew LUV W........................................son cjk.................................active duty misty4jc............................husband mhking................................cousin The Mayor.................friend’s son Bykrbayb...................................son Colorado Slim...................nephew sneakers...................................son ariamne...........................2 cousins nelibeli...............................nephew Alouette.....................................son CGblue..........................active duty bigghurtt........................active duty Palladin.............................grandson Skimask.....................................son Gonzo...........................friend's son Its_me_K.E.T.............................son Socratic................................nephew veeceeque........................active duty Jemian.........................................son

OhioWfan.....................................son mystery-ak....................son, husband Gogrammy............................grandson Inspectorette..................................son Blessed American..................nephew Slip18......................................nephew anniegetyourgun...................nephew Pippin.......................niece’s husband Doug from Upland............son-in-law weldgophardline...........brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.................cousin WaterDragon...............SIL,grandson BeforeISleep..................................son Consort...................2 daughters, SIL Warrior Nurse............. ...active duty SK1 Thurman.................active duty David Osborne.................active duty fc2tomschermuly.............active duty bkwells.............................active duty LongCut...........................active duty Trish.................................active duty LadyX..................................grandson fawn796..................................nephew Homeschoolmama................nephew Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend Atomic Conspiracy .......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy ....niece, nephew MozartLover...................son, nephew visualops...................................cousin thumperusn.......................active duty cookcounty.....................................son RoseinRoseBear....cousin’s husband Conspiracy Guy................2 nephews MrsMike31...........................husband Notwithstanding..............active duty Q6-God/twin brother.......active duty eaglesiniowa.................................son spotbust1...............................husband Don Simmons..................active duty bjcintennessee..................son, niece campfollower............................fiance Ladysmith......nephew, friend’s son Painter...................................nephew ProudAFDad................................son MontanaCowgirlCop...........brother Katydidnt.....................................son Old Sarge........................active duty tina07............son-in-law and friend Hope and Glory............................son Tapatio................................2 nephews ak_daddoo................................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife.....husband Walkenfree...2 G’sons, G’daughter Walkenfree......................3 nephews Zechariah_8_13.........brotherinlaw Zechariah_8_13....................cousin DirtyHarryY2K...................daughter DirtyHarryY2K...................soninlaw El Gato....................................nephew frankiep...........................active duty MississippyMuddy.................sister MississippyMuddy.........2 nephews kimmie7................................brother Kramster..............................stepson jkphoto..................................nephew JRios1968.......................active duty freema............................son, nephew

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi Lorie. I'm doing well, thanks.

Right now, I'm enjoying the first day of my 2 weeks break before next classes start.

I haven't seen Amy around, is she OK?

[luvie]

What a beautiful way to present the story of your trip. I kinda felt like I was there with ya! It must have been so much fun!

[luvie]

LOL! That would be what would happen to my hubby if he ever did any thing that dumb!

[luvie]

LOL! That would be what would happen to my hubby if he ever did any thing that dumb!

[Mama_Bear]

I haven't seen Amy around, is she OK?

I've been wondering where she is too. She had doctor's appointments, but I think that was yesterday. I'm sure she's okay. Hopefully, she will show up soon. :-)

Enjoy your break. Make it count. They pass by all too soon. LOL.

[Mama_Bear]

I kinda felt like I was there with ya!

That is the best compliment! Thanks, LUV.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Make it count. They pass by all too soon.

I know, time just flies.

Hey, Amy, say hello sometime, lol. Hope you're doing OK.

[snugs]

Good evening Kitty hugs to you to