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!

[WVNan]

Yep, and that IS the WV Possum Ridge hat that Chester sent to him. I wonder where the camoflage (sp) T-shirt is?

[Mama_Bear]

Now, isn't WVNAN just the best? Everytime I've visited her, it includes having some good chow!

She absolutely IS the best. She and Mr. WVNan opened their home and hearts to us like we were family. Nan is a great tour guide and showed us why she loves her beautiful WV so much. And I can understand why she would like to keep it a secret, LOL, I would move there in a second if I didn't have a business here in California to run.

Whenever you see this special lady, be sure to give her an extra hug for me. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Morning, Gail. How are you today?

[Mama_Bear]

Now about the grits.. Your supposed to mix eggs over easy, salt and pepper all together with butter.. Yummy!

Mix it in with the grits? Now, why on earth would anyone want to ruin perfectly good eggs? LOL ;-)

[Mama_Bear]

What a great post! I feel as though I met you all in person.

Awww....what a nice thing to say. That is what we hoped our post would accomplish. :-)

((((((((Temple Owl))))))))

[Aquamarine]

I like my grits with cheese, butter and bacon with the last few bites spread on toast.

Grit's must be a Southern heritage thang. :)

[Mama_Bear]

Morning, sistahs Aqua and Nan.

About those grits, I think it is an acquired taste....best acquired when one is young (and preferably REALLY hungry, LOL).

((((((((Aqua/Nan))))))))

[Mama_Bear]

See! Y'all had a great time! West Virginia is lovely Next stop! MARYLAND! :o) C'mon down!

Morning, Pippin. That sounds like a great idea! Maybe we will just do that someday. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning! So when should we plan a trip for everyone to come to Maine and enjoy some lobstah? :)

Hey, good morning to you, mrstank!

I would love to come to Maine! New Hampshire is the farthest north I have been in New England. Maine looks like a lovely place to visit. I am assuming that summer would be the time to visit? Or maybe early autumn?

[Texagirl4W]

GRITS = Girls Raised In The South

I know I posted this somewhere once and someone even said they would use this as their tagline.

Great post MB. Thanks, as always, for your great inspirational post, Mayor.

Hope you all have a great day.

[Pippin]

Hi, Mrstank!

[Pippin]

We might be a blue state but we do have some great places to visit

I'm not able to drive but I can show you some inteeresting sights.

but don't come in July or August or you get the three "H's"

Hot! Humid! and Hundred! PHEW!

But come for the crabs too! :o)

[mrstank]

Summer is when the beaches are crowded and it takes me a half hour to drive the 2 miles between my house and the interstate because of tourist traffic. I would say the end of September, beginning of October is the best time, but I'm partial, fall is my favorite time of year anyway! I definitely don't recommend January or February though!

Rte. 302 through the White Mountains is beautiful in the fall though. That's mostly NH, but starts in ME.

Honestly, I've lived here 4 years, and haven't seen much of Maine myself. We'll discover it together! ;)

[mrstank]

Hi Pippin! :)

[Mama_Bear]

You did an awesome job of tying everyone's remarks together Lori.. Lovely presentations.

Thanks, Dolly. I wouldn't have attempted it if the others had not so willingly contributed their write-ups to me. That's the part I DON'T like doing. Nan even specified which photos she wanted inserted and where. Made it fairly easy to put together. :-)

what a hoot about the shower stall.

LOL! You should have been there. It was like a classic Ethel and Lucy routine. Here I am mortified, about what I had done to my hostess' shower thingie and Scubachick was nearly rolling on the floor laughing at me as I was explaining how the thing just "broke" and water was spraying everywhere....(Hey Nan.....I think "destroyed" is a little over-stated, LOL. It implies intent, for Pete's sake!). So, scubachick and MamaBear mastermind a brilliant plan to slip out and go to Wal-Mart and buy a new one, which I was going to bring back and present to Nan with my apologies. I really wasn't going to try to get away without confessing. LOL.

Of course, the sly Nan foiled our plan when she announced she would go with us. YIKES! What to do now??? LOL. So, much to my dismay, my confession had to be made in the hardware isle at Wal-Mart. Being the sweet angel of a person that she is, she graciously told me I didn't need to replace it.....but, of course, I did need to replace it and I did. :-)

What a klutz I am! But I repair what I destroy accidentally break. LOL!

[DollyCali]

Well I really needed this email that I opened from my minister's wife. In the past hour both the vacuum & electric shampooer (both fairly new) died. And I am frantically trying to do a "project" of timely importance.

Life is never easy is it?

@@@

Stress Management

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience,
raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass
of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g. The lecturer
replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter: Its practical
weight depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it
for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour,
I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day,
you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same
weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress and its
management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or
later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't
be able to carry on. As with the glass of water, you have
to put it down for awhile and rest before holding it again.
When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden. So,
before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down.
Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever
burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if
you can. Relax; pick them up later after you've rested. Life
is short. Enjoy it!"

Then he shared some ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're
the statue.

Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have
to eat them.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a
detour.

Remind yourself that birthdays are good for you: The more you
have, the longer you live.

Nobody cares if you can't dance well: Just get up and dance.

Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by
their maker.

If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague
or silent.

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it
was probably worth it.

It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve
as a warning to others.

Never buy a car you can't push.

Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because
then you won't have a leg to stand on.

Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep
late.

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the
cheese.

When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be
the world to one person.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Don't cry because it's over: Smile because it happened.

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are
pretty and some are dull; some have weird names, some have
ragged wrappers, and all are different from each other, but
they all have to live in the same box together.

Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left
open.

[Mama_Bear]

We'll discover it together! ;)

Hey, wouldn't that be fun!?

You have a great day, mrstank!

[Billie]

Thanks for *the rest of the story*, girls! A wonderful trip and great time had by all, and lots of pictures to remember it by.

Lori, I have never eaten grits either. :)

[Mama_Bear]

Mr. Mama_bear & Chachi... a team... mama takes em both or not at all I believe that Mr. is saying.

That is EXACTLY what he is saying. They are best buds.....he is absolutely crazy about that little dog. Well, I confess, I am too! I am crazy about BOTH of my guys. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Yep, and that IS the WV Possum Ridge hat that Chester sent to him. I wonder where the camoflage (sp) T-shirt is?

Oh, yes, that very expensive souvenir shirt that we found in that little WV specialty shop! (But, nothing is too good for my JK - he is worth every penny I spent on it/him.....in fact WAY more. LOL) ;-)

Darn, I forgot to have him put it on. :-(