The last hike of the year in Shenandoah Park. There were no others on the trail, just a few birds and a very fat squirrel.

30 Dec 2019

Christmas lights in town.

29 Dec 2019

Looks like Santa’s resting a few nights in FroRo before heading back to the North Pole.

We were at Backroom Brewery when a black cat walked out, followed by a silver cat. So weird to see a ‘copy cat’ Tricksie Treat and a Rosie Lee together, it made me do a double take. 

27 Dec 2019

Whilst hunting through flea markets, I had to step back when I came face to face with this monstrosity. Black enamel paint inlaid with mother of pearl, I was horrified to discover there were two more, almost the same.

My tasty Boxing Day dinner. Ham, Yorkshire puddings, mashed potatoes, brussels, greens, broccoli and gravy washed down with a big glass of red. 

Finished Christmas Day at the Melting Pot in town with Carmen. Voted best pizza in VA the place was hopping. We got there 8 minutes after it opened and there was a queue. Amazing pizza, beer and company, and anchovies!

Our beautiful Christmas tree in the rotunda in FroRo.

I loved this Nativity scene last year and today was admiring it again before I realized, the manager was missing. Someone’s nicked baby Jesus! I really hope the church manages to recover it, or that it’s simply being repaired for some reason and will appear soon.

An abandoned lock cottage below Maryland Heights at Harpers Ferry.

21 Dec 2019

I saw this Elvis Presley toad on my travels and was sorely tempted to buy it, but ultimately it did not come home with me.

Ugly Christmas sweater winners at The Beer Museum tonight. Third, first and second from left to right.

A rolling ladder had been left out in production so I climbed it. Heron laughed at me, he’s our most excellent manual printer.

The local electrical services company has got into the Christmas spirit. Love the candy cane.

Sometimes in the way home I pass this beautiful old building. It’s being slowly restored, very slowly, it’s been like this for about 5 years. I hope it gets completed soon.

So many crashes in these now icy conditions. I hope I stay safe...

A happy Santa at Margie’s party, where actually, everyone was happy.

14 Dec 2019

Spotted these horrendous lamps today. Teacups and saucers. Why?

Kevin holding his Secret Santa gift aloft. The box is a joke, he had a cool shirt inside.

Tricksie Treat, like me, checks this huge prezzie daily, from my bestie in England. I hope I can hold out until Christmas Day before busting it open.

A colorful Christmas light display among my old glass bottles in the kitchen window.

This garish outfit was in my local thrift store. There’s no way I’d wear it but I’d certainly applaud any brave lady that would!

A dramatic sky with encroaching fog as I came off Rte 66 and took the back road to Front Royal.

The Valley Chorale of Front Royal sang to a packed house this afternoon. They were superb, singing beautiful harmonies in our favorite Christmas carols.

Winter arrives at The Beer Museum for her evening shift with her plug in heater in her bag. She’s so funny, she’s always cold. But regardless whether she feels cold or frozen, she’s the best ever bar server.

6 Dec 2019

We had a most excellent work Christmas party last night, ace throwing and go kart racing. Boss Man and the Art Dept grabbed the podium places after the racing was done. No champagne though :(

A long exposure of a train passing across the road in The Plains on the way home tonight.

4 Dec 2019

Christmas decorations are up!

3 Dec 2019

Blocked drain in the kitchen. Took the plumber over 2 hours to fix.

Our pretty trolley bus in town. $1 takes you all over town. I haven’t had a ride yet but it’s on my list.

Ice formations on The Skyline Drive this afternoon. 

I snapped a photo of this new LOVE sign in town just before it was moved and covered with tarps for the opening ceremony in the evening. Kind of like the way I framed the guy fixing the power cables too.

Time for dinner in Front Royal.

A fabulous Thanksgiving meal with friends, and this was the turkey soup cooking on the fire.

I passed by this well preserved mill today. Lantz Mill near Edinburg. 

Me and Carmen having fun at The Beer Museum.

Front Royal is the Canoe Capital of Virginia so I found an old canoe paddle and painted it with a picture of me paddling in Big Red on the Shenandoah. It’s now hanging in the dining room. 

Kelly Richmond Pope introducing her film in FroRo this afternoon, on the embezzlement of town funds by one woman in a small town near Chicago. A lot of our town showed up to watch it and the Q&A afterwards was very enlightening.

23 Nov 2019

Another superb evening with Brian. He beat me by 5 points at Scrabble but we used all the letters. We followed that with a visit to the Beer Museum and then the Brewery. The only damper was having to walk home in the rain but at least it wasn’t freezing.

Detective Sergeant Winner about to attack one of us in a 3 hour self defense class that FroRo’s Finest gave to a small group of local women. Even the Chief attended.. And we got a tour of their brand new station afterwards. I’ve never been a fan of police but these guys were amazingly down to earth, I instantly respected them. A huge assist to our little town.

Driving home on the back roads as the sun sets.

It’s hard to believe that in just a week’s time we’ll be packing up the fall decorations and replacing them with Christmas ones. I love this display above my fireplace and am wondering if I should just sprinkle some artificial snow over it so it can look more wintery. I know, not really.

This heavy fog seems to get thicker and denser every day. 

Even though I was late to work, I obviously got there ahead of a few others. The embroidery department was in darkness, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen it this dark.

I think I’ll give this yard sale a miss!

16 Nov 2019

I did a double take when I spotted my tradescantia leaves had developed a grid pattern, a shadow cast from my window screens.

I was going to call this Morning Wood. Oops...

Waiting for Macbeth to begin at Shenandoah University Theatre. They just call it The Scottish Play because saying its real name there apparently brings a curse. The play was excellent.

Morning moon on a 19F degree drive to work.

A cold sun gave little warmth tonight on the way home as we got the first snow flakes of the season.