Downtown Holiday

I'm finally past feeling like Typhoid Mary, so we went downtown tonight for a Christmas concert presented by Voce´, a wonderful choral group from Mt. Airy. I just snapped this with Agape´'s camera from the car window to make a puzzle for you since it has been forevaaaaah . . .

First Look at the Wedding

Photo by Sara Hall Bulkley

My dear, sweet friend, Michelle Galyean, has saved me from editing hell by posting some of her shots of the wedding on her blog. Bless your soul, forever, girl! You did a rock-solid job; I couldn't be more pleased. Since I haven't gotten around to editing any wedding pictures yet (well, only one) (and I am ashamed to admit that I haven't even seen them all yet . . . shocking!) You will just have to surf on over to Michelle's blog to see.

Here is something else that is just sooooo sweet:
This is a video that my friend, Lynn, made of her daughter Alaina to enter into the Kid's Carol Contest on Spirit FM. She made it with her little digicam. I LOVE her concept and I really love that precious little girl. So sweet, innocent, and heartfelt!

Getting Ready for Christmas

What an unexpected gift to have all my children together at home in Galax!! After the wedding, Amy and Johnny surprised us by extending their stay until Thursday so they could come home with us. The only one missing is our newest daughter, Cara. We celebrated a little early Christmas tonight. Since we don't have a tree yet, we got out the pyramid that Amber helped Dad pick out when he went to see her in Germany a few years back.

A Darling New Baby Boy For Charity and Shane

My heart is overflowing! I can't begin to recount all the near disasters, miracles, and the goodness of God towards my family this week, but tonight tops it all: Charity gave birth to her beautiful son, Landon Eli, and she actually held out until I finished playing my concert!! This is as close at it comes to being a Grandma, at least for a while.

Charity was the picture of poise during labor. Here she catches the first glimpse of her new son.

Little Landon was most indignant with his new environment.

Boys just don't like baths!

Shane gets some daddy time.

Charity, you were so beautiful and magnificent! You're going to be really great mom.

After my long absence, I bet you all were expecting the low down on the wedding. Rest assured, that is coming, but for now, it's time to get some rest!

Yellow Snow * White Snow

This is what we saw a couple of days ago downtown:


And this is what we saw yesterday morning:

If McPhersons Were Psychologists . . .

Then they would use a Pyro blot test instead of the Rorschach Inkblot Test.

So, what do you see in these pictures??? Leave your answers in the comments!
(click on the image to see it larger.)

Veteran's Day Tribute

Yes, I know this is a few days late, but the sentiment and gratitude is just as heartfelt as ever. We made this little video last Sunday while Melissa was still flush with pride and excitement because she sang the Star Spangled Banner at her church in honor of the veterans. You might not think that what you are seeing on this video is interesting or exciting, but it represents HUGE accomplishments that these girls have made in facing their challenges. We wish to dedicate it to all of our Veterans. You are our HEROES!!



I actually did try to upload this last week, but our intermittent internet service stymied the attempt. We have finally reached the last straw with Embarq's off and on service and switched over to cable, which has brought about a rather ground-breaking, earth-shaking change to our household of 35 and a half years: For the first time ever, we have TV in our house! (Well, at least for 6 months, until the special introductory offer expires.) So, I am rediscovering the main reason why I can't live in a house with TV: it totally sucks me in! As if I didn't have enough excuses to stay up all night, last night I stayed up until 4 in the morning watching an Emergency Room show on Discovery channel. Reason #2 (or perhaps, this should be reason #1) I am constantly telling Agape to be quiet. . . .ughh

I'm a Survivor!

I SURVIVED!!!!
And, at least for the moment, I'm a relatively pain-free survivor!

I know that puzzle shot is technically flawed, but I LOVE how it captures the essence of our trip down the mountain to the hospital this morning. The windshield was too dirty so I was holding the camera up through the sunroof and snapping away.

Winter bareness has already crept about a third of the way down the mountain. But, my goodness, what a swath of gold there is left in Cana and MT. Airy!!!

A Little Whine

This is a completely random picture for today, but I'm having knee surgery tomorrow morning, and I am sitting here thinking about all the things that I am NOT going to be able to do the next few weeks. No contra dancing this Saturday night. No hiking or biking while Miss Emily is here visiting. No ballroom dancing lessons on Friday nights. No 10,000 steps a day. The Minister of Fun might as well just turn in her badge.
Back to the picture. I took it while we were in France for our 25th wedding anniversary which was the best week of my entire life, and thinking about how happy I was that week makes me feel better now.

Ole Gilliam Mill Pond

This is at the wedding venue, though it won't be looking so summery in 3 weeks.

Yee Haa!!!

As the pace of wedding preparations quickens, we're not tooo excited around here. HA!

The Wedding is Almost Here!

IT"S ALMOST HERE!!!
Cara and Amos will be getting married in 24 days!!!!
View the multimedia invitation with a single mouse-click. Who needs the USPS?

More Ole´

Ole´

Mexican Restaurants make me happy!!!
This is the El Patio, a new one that just opened up over in Wytheville. We just happened to stumble upon it on the night of their grand opening.

Still Wandering Down That Country Road

Hope you all are savoring the season as much as I am.

Country Road

These pictures were all shot on one little country road out near Laurel Fork.

Study of a One Room Schoolhouse

Little Schoolhouse on the Mountain

These images, made on a introspective, foggy afternoon last week are probably some of my all time favorite fall pictures. Today's installment represent how I work an idea when I see an inspiring subject.

This was my first glimpse of the schoolhouse. (I completely missed it when I first drove by here because I was following directions to turn left and not looking to my right.)

Believe it or not, that old football is laying right where I found it!