The Pond

Hidden Cove RV Park
Arley,    AL

We are currently spending a few days at Hidden Cove, one of our favorite parks.   More on that later.

As promised ....  our pond.   When we bought our property in December 2016 we wondered if there was once a pond between the house and the road.

At settlement we asked the previous owner if there was a pond at one time.  She confirmed there was.

A few weeks after we moved in our neighbor, Hilton, came over and bush hogged the area.

Of course it didn't take long for growth to grow.  While we were away over the summer, we were delighted  when we returned to see that he had bush hogged again. 

Last October we bought a tractor with a bush hog attachment and Leonard was able to keep some of the land cleared.  Since there is a natural spring there, some areas were just too wet to handle.

A few months ago we contacted an excavator who specializes in pond building (or is that digging).
He moved the Track Hoe in one afternoon and started digging the next day.

Immediate water rose from the spring.

Before the levees were built and ground leveled.   They later brought a bull dozer in to build the levees.

Looking better.   Levees built and leveled.

We have a creek that runs along the side of our property.   A temporary dam was built and an overflow for water constructed.  Now to wait for the rains.  It came.  Water flowing into the pond from the creek.

Len and the girls picking up rocks so grass can be sowed.

Visitors even before the pond was full.

The pond is full after recent rains.   Now waiting for ground to dry enough and rains to stop so we can seed it for grass.

We greatly enjoy the view from our porch.

Until next time.....

Texas to Kentucky

Back Home in Cullman,  AL


Our Granddaughter Lindsey graduated HS with honors on Friday, June 1.

On May May 30 Leonard and I took off for Conroe TX and the Lake Conroe Thousand Trails RV Park.   Nice park.  We've been there several times.   They have expanded with a new lovely looking loop.  However, poor planning.  Many of the sites are so steep to enter motorhomes and many trailers would scrape bottom backing into them.  We tried. No go.  Found a more level site.  The entire time we were there, those several steep sites were unused.

Conroe is about 50 miles from where the family lives in Pearland.    I HATE HOUSTON TRAFFIC.  The graduation was in an arena in Houston.   Took us an hour just to get out of the parking lot. On Saturday D'Juana and Joe had a crawfish boil of their house.  Even on Saturday, this is what to expect.  But Joes brisket and D'Juana's broccoli rice were well worth the trip. 

We left Conroe on June 3 and drove to Leonard's hometown of Vinton, LA where we camped for one night only.   We wanted to visit our friend Diana.   Her beloved husband Teaux had passed the week before.  We both adored Teaux.   Diana introduced us to a local Italian Restaurant.   The BEST sauce I've ever had.  We pray for Diana's peace and healing.

Then on June 4 we headed back to Alabama.  We had planned to park a night of the road as it is over 550 miles.  But we both wanted to get home.  So we pushed it a bit. 

Glad we did.   As for several previous days Leonard was being bothered by a rash and itching.  It got worse and worse.   Once home, it was so bad we went to the ER in the middle of the night.  We wondered what was causing it.   Then it hit us...... he started taking new meds for gout.  Yup, that was it.  No more meds.   No itch.  No rash.

We were home for a week and a half.  On June 14 we trailered to  WAX COE park near Mammoth Cave, KY.

There we met up with daughter Amy and SIL Scott with granddaughters Charlotte and Abby.

The girls are now with us for about 7 weeks.   

Yesterday they helped Grandpop pick up rocks from around the new pond area.  We are loaded with rocks.   Abby got to drive the tractor.

More on the pond at a future posting.

Until next time.

Country on my mind

Willis,  TX


During our drive from home in Alabama to the RV park here in Willis TX we listened to our favorite radio station........ Willies Roadhouse on Sirius   Satellite.  As I listened to this older country music, I realized I had gone to concerts of so many of the artists from that time period.

Growing up in the 50's and early 60's the popular music was 50's Do Wop.  Yea, I sort of liked it then.  Can only take it in small doses now.    What changed?

Around 1961 or so Ray Charles came out with a cross-over Country song...... I Can't Stop Loving You.   I loved it.  So much so I bought the album (old term, I know) that included that song.  Modern Sounds in Country Music.   Great Songs.   Born to Lose.   Hey Good Looking.  You Win Again.   I was hooked.    Then he came out with Modern Sounds In Country Music 2.   More good stuff.

Loved Country Music then, love it now.    But, I must say not so much today's stuff.   Don't even know most of the artists names.    I am old don't forget?

So this morning I got to thinking... who have I seen in concert?    I made a list, bet I forgot some.

Many of these acts performed at a local theater back in New Jersey.   Pitman Theater once was a Vaudeville house.   Back in the 70's and early 80's they booked some greats.   I saw:

Tom T Hall (the great story teller)    Jerry Reed,    Roy Clark,  Mel Tillis,   Marty Robbins,  Bill Anderson,  Tammy Wynette,  George Jones (who once walked off after only 3 songs)   Loretta Lynn,   Charlie Pride,  Old Ridge Boys (I've seen them multiple times in several places)    The Statler Brothers (again lots of times),  The Gatlins.

About the Gatlins.     When we saw them, it was very clear that Larry was under the influence.  Glad to know he got help and that is behind him now.  I really like him.

At other local places in New Jersey I saw Kitty Wells ( that's MANY years ago ) Eddie Rabbit, Charlie Daniels,  Crystal Gayle,  Doug Kershaw.

1980 while working in Missouri we went  to State Fairs.   There we saw Crash Craddock (Does anyone remember him) and Merle Haggard.  We sat outside on bleachers in over 100 degrees waiting about 2 hours for Merle to arrive.  Anyone suspected he was sitting in the air conditioned bus parked nearby.   People were getting rowdy.  The announcer said he was running late.  Sure we thought!  But, a bus rolled in and out he walked.  And gave a good show.

Len and I saw Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.   They had their son, John, in the act.  Believe me, his parents didn't pass on their talents to him.

Yes,  I've seen a few more recent stars...  Martina McBride,  Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill and the great King George...... George Strait.  One on my loves.

As I look at my list I realize so many of the greats are no longer with us.  But their talent lives on.

Ah yes, I do enjoy listening to true Country Music and remembering all those acts I've had to thrill to see.

Who have you seen?

Until next time.

Visitors

Cullman,  AL


We haven't done a heck of a lot the last couple of weeks but we have had some visitors.

 Almost 2 weeks ago my sister, niece and great-niece came for a too short visit.  My sister Debbie, Great-niece Emilie and Niece Kelly.

Emilie is completing her Junior year of HS and is considering various colleges.  While they were here we all went down to Tuscaloosa to University of Alabama.   Kelly had made plans for us to all tour the campus.     What a huge complex.  Impressive.  U of A is one of a couple on the top of Emilie's list.   First we went to a bus tour, then a walking tour with one of the students.   Nice but at 98 degrees  the walking tour was a challenge. 

We've had other visitors since they left.    A wren family building a nest in our crock on the porch.

Frequent visitors from across the road.  Each time he and his mate come closer to the house.

Most visitors are welcome.   Not this one.

This weekend... Flag the flag and buy a Poppy.  We've done both with gratitude to our Military.

Until next time.

A visit, a recital and more renovations.

Cullman,  AL


We've had a busy, fun week.     Our friends Jerry and Carol has a Tiffin Motorhome manufactured in Red Bay, AL.    They like to take it there once a year for its oil change, check-up and renovations.  We love visiting with them and Teddy.   

Teddy makes himself comfortable.  He's a sweet boy

The three of them left Red Bay Saturday morning in the midst of a typical Alabama downpour for the 80 or so miles to Cullman.     Once here and settled, Len grilled the pork chops they provided  and the marinated veggies I made.  Also had cole slaw on the menu.    We spent the entire afternoon visiting.

At dinner time we went into town to our favorite Bar BQ place.... Jim and Nicks.   Thank you Jerry and Carol for the treat!

Sunday morning they attended church with us (not Teddy).  After a lunch of tacos they scooted back to Red Bay. Their plan is to get to Illinois by Mothers Day to celebrate it with Carols 95 year old Mother. 

Our granddaughter Maddie takes piano lessons.   Tuesday night was the recital.   Glad we got to go as it was the first time we heard her play.   You did good Maddie!

Continuing our work around the house and property.    I've mentioned before that we need many cedar trees taken down.   This week Len cut down 3 that were between the house and future pond.  They hid two beautiful cypress trees from our porch view.

The other project was replacing the vanity top to the guest bathroom.

Old top.

New solid surface top.

That's it for the last few days. 

Until next time......

This evenings visitors

Cullman,  AL


I've written before how my front porch is my favorite spot in the world.    What makes it especially nice is all the critters I view.    This is just the last hour or so.

They all seem to prefer the seeds that have dropped on the ground rather 

than directly 

from the feeder.

Another ground feeder.

The Mrs.

The Mr.  (and friend)

Love hearing their Coo

A bright show of colors.

One of these things is not like the other

This guy is on the telephone pole.  I can hear the noise he is making. 

 I am thinking he is tapping our phone.

Enjoy the sights where you are.

Until next time.

Up a Creek

Cullman,  AL


As I have noted before, the back of our property was dense brush.  We've slowly removed some of it.   There were areas we could not easily get to. 

Last month surveyors were surveying the adjoining property behind us.  They left pink flags and placed a marker at one corner of our property.   We managed to find it a few weeks ago.   We were told that an old barbed wire fence ran along the back end of the property.  We found that too.

Yesterday seemed like a good day to follow that fence from the marker to a creek that runs along the opposite side of the property.     To do that Leonard had to use a machete to chop our way through.  We made it.  I have the scrapes and bruises on my arms to show.  From there we hacked our way back out to land we had cleared.

Today Leonard is on the tractor again and knocking down trees and brush to clear a path to the back.

He's having fun.  At least he says it is.    Here is the creek as it looks back there.  Nice!

Wish it looked that way in the front of our property closer to the road.

We will get it cleaned out eventually. 

Not too long ago all that area between those sheds and the wooded section was thick with trees and brush.   We could  hardly walk between the buildings amid overgrowth.  Now more grass to mow.

Exiting times ahead.    Later in the week our friends Carol and Jerry (and Teddy) will be visiting for a few days.

They are fulltimers who own a beautiful Motorhome made in Red Bay, AL.  They are there now getting some renovations completed.    At some point they will have to temporarily vacate (hope it is soon) for the work to be done.    Here we are!   Looking forward to spending time with them again.  Let's hope it is not like last time they visited.   We were under a tornado watch.  Don't want to scare them off forever.

Then on May 14 my sister, niece and great-niece will be here for a few days.   My great niece is visiting colleges and has an appointment to tour University of Alabama!

Loving the Spring weather.  Hope it is as nice where you are.

Until next time.