Editor's note. . . I wrote this and evidently never published it. sorry.
November 12, 2012
Good, bright, sunny morning,
John and I got home at 8:30 last evening exhausted! The day started with a very busy church time, getting a sandwich and running a couple errands, and then trying to find the party we were invited to for the afternoon.
For perspective, the party was west of Howardsville, south of Shipman and 12 miles from Oak Ridge Estates where Karen and Ben were married. We got a little lost finding it, so it took well over an hour to find it from C'ville, but what a gorgeous day. Even with almost all the leaves gone, the oaks looked like burnished copper and brass in the dark pines and the sun required shades. No sweater or jacket on this day. . .it was beautiful!!!
On the James, the house has a gorgeous view of the river vally and 'yogaville' or the House of Light next to 'Lotus international airport'. (Think pastel circus tent in the middle of beautiful hills and forest.) Red brick and white trim, it is a little past its glory days, but what a treasure!! Building began in 1798 on what was part of the original land grant for Oak Ridge. One can imagine the builder imitating Jefferson's first Monticello as it is the same floor plan and is a 'sister' to "Point of Honor" in Lynchburg down to the molding trim under the windows in the parlor. Plumbing was installed in the 50's, and the current owner added a kitchen onto the back, but most of the house is still very original. Taking the paint down to the original reveals a gray/blue color complete with 'combing' on the parlor doorway. The current owners love 'old fashioned' things, and except for the stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, you could be in an 1850's kitchen. The original kitchen is fairly untouched in the basement. The ceiling installed in a previous attempt to 'upgrade' is gone as is the carpeting and oak flooring throughout the rest of the house that covered and protected the original pine flooring.
I have the highest opinion of the commitment of my friends to preserve this National Historic site. A young couple with a 3 year old, his work is restoration of historic buildings. . . including reconstruction of replicas of old buildings. Several small cabins are on the grounds displaying his work. And this beautiful and historic house is being preserved with great love and attention to the original.
As delightful as the house is, the party was equally an experience. From the venison roasting over the wood fire in the original basement kitchen, to the delicious lamb in the crockpot, the guests' home made sausage, more cookies and pies than salads, greens fresh picked from the garden, to the unlimited beer and other kind beverages, it was an orgy of smells and sights. Wonderful people to meet and folks from 1 to 80+. My regret. . . exhaustion and knowing it would be a long drive in the dark compelled me to leave just as the picking and fiddling was picking up pace around the wood fire. I would miss our hostess' beautiful voice joining in. . . but we listened to her sing all the way home! And I should have come dressed as Lucy Marks, because she might well have visited this very spot.
Speaking of the drive, I was looking at cell phone maps, so I missed the bear in the road as we left. John says it was the biggest black butt he's ever seen. . . pretty good from someone who has seen so many all across the US and British Columbia. There was a family of young raccoons that scurried out of the way, several skunks lurking by the ditch, and a possum all of which escaped injury from us. And yes, we were able to find our way home safely after over an hour of driving on very dark, very country roads.
You know, this volunteering thing is a pretty good deal!!
Love to all from delightful and historic Virginia!
Ida
