Someone spent some time stacking these rocks near the Appalachian Trail as it runs through Grayson Highlands State Park, not far from the cabin.
How long will it stand before it topples? And why did someone build it?
It doesn't matter - it was a "hello, I was here!" moment to whomever left it.
Yesterday's abundant sunshine and high temps in the 70s led me to ask a couple of friends if they wanted to hike up and see the ponies.
Little valley at the top of Grassy Creek road.
More green!
Look ma, NO JACKETS!
No sweaters, sweatshirts, denim shirts or long sleeves.
Hooray!
And the ponies were out enjoying it too.
This was the first time that Denise and Laurie had been up here with me - so it was extra fun experiencing it through their eyes.
There really is something so soul centering when communing with nature in this way.
No foals yet - but by the girth of things, it should be soon!
Zoey, taking it all in.
Who cares about people? I'm totally into grazing!
Oh, that belly!
We hiked a bit over 2 miles - taking the usual rhododendron trail loop that we like.
There are so many more trails to explore - but there may not be ponies!
Did sewing happen? Yes. I worked on a couple of blocks behind the scenes. This is the time of year I start working on the next year's Addicted to Scraps column blocks. I hope to have some fun things in store for you in 2022!
And just for kicks and giggles. Click to Play:
Most of the time there aren't recordings of live callers - but we sat around and played it again and again and just LAUGHED!
It's much more satisfying than just refusing to answer unknown numbers. It's great to strike back!
Today - back at it. Binding still not done on the Rockabilly Swing quilt - but getting close. I'll post some photos when it's done.
With the weather as nice as it is all I want to do is be OUTSIDE, not sitting at a sewing machine. Isn't that just crazy?
I will put in some more time this morning though.
How are things shaping up in your world this Thursday morning?
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
It's not our differences that divide us, it's our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences in others.
We are as diverse as the blocks in this vintage quilt found in North Carolina.
We need to embrace, uplift and cherish those differences!
We are as diverse as the blocks in this vintage quilt found in North Carolina.
We need to embrace, uplift and cherish those differences!
Have a lovely Thursday -
(Isn't it grand to start the day off with a good belly laugh?)
Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of "things found along the trail" -- I volunteer at a national wildlife refuge. One of the staff there came back from a walk on one of the trails with a photo of leaves laid out artistically on a stump by some unknown person. I'm currently trying to turn that photo into an art quilt - way out of my comfort zone but an interesting process.
ReplyDeleteWe are under a "stay at home" order here in Ontario, so I really enjoy hearing about your outings and quilty adventures... thanks for helping me and all the quilters stay sane through this crazy pandemic time!
ReplyDeleteSad to hear about the new orders. If we keep up with crazy numbers here in BC, we will be joining you. A new ear worm for today is, "When will they ever learn...." Off to the sewing room to plot fabric therapy ; )
DeleteYea for a pony day!! A Shop Hop is starting in Nebraska. I have a few hours this am to drive to a few Shop on the list. Fabric Foldling is my favorite sport. Hope it doesn't rain all day. Sprinkles kept me inside most of yesterday. Happy to so more Tulips everyday!! LOL on the Robokiller call.
ReplyDeleteIn the north of England and parts of Scotland there are lots of piles of stones like this along trails and paths they are called 'cairns' and are used to mark the path. Walkers can add extra stones to the pile.
ReplyDeleteDH and I have seen them in many places across Europe and they always feel welcoming to us.
DeleteWe see them along mountain trails here in East Oregon/Idaho. Native Americans used them to Mark their land as Pioneers encroached, and hiking/horse riding trails have long been marked by them as well.
DeleteMy hubster is a cybersecurity officer. Once in a while he will pick up a call from a scammer and toy with them for awhile. They do get nasty when he won't give them the specific network requests. It's hilarious to listen to on my end ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday!!!!
I think my phone contacts have been hacked because I sometime get spam calls from my Dr office. A few weeks ago I got one of those calls and I answered the phone and the person on the other end said Hi Gramma! I said who are you and he said don't you recognize me? Well I toyed with him for a bit and I said to him Oh did you want to speak to my granson, he's right here! He hung up. I other one I use is when I answer the phone because I want to have some fun is "Hello FBI fraud division"! Hang up!
Deleteoh oh & ho ho ho... when i'm in a happy mood, I ask: "Are you calling about the puppies?" -- "Oh, I have puppies, do you want a girl or boy?" interupting their spiel w/another question... what color, long or short hair, what size, until they finally get a chance to tell me they're not interested in a puppy...
ReplyDeleteWell, how about a kitten, then?" They usually hang up on that one... it's fun, but I have to be in the right mood, not irritated about being called...LOL... or interupted in my sewing! LOL... Cats in Carlsbad CA giggles & grins
isn't today Thursday? The days are indeed pretty and the weeds are growing fast. This year I have declared sunflowers to be weeds and they get yanked.
ReplyDeleteI remember those days, and party lines too. I still remember our 1st phone number 1119W
ReplyDeleteI remember those days, and party lines too. I still remember our 1st phone number 1119W
ReplyDeleteJust got back from my walk 1.5 mile and 28 min around the neighborhood.So wonderful to see the trees starting to bud and the grass to green-up. So far the only flowers our are the daffodils and forsethia. I love Spring! !
ReplyDeleteI was not aware there are ponies to see, but I live east of Richmond so they are a bit of a hike from here! Gorgeous time to be outside. The heat will be here soon and that will make your sewing machine more appealing!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, Chris, Christie and I walked 2.25 miles yesterday. Christie and I will be ready for that walk to the ponies in July.
ReplyDeleteYour Grassy Creek Road valley photo is so lovely. I can see why that area inspired last winter's mystery quilt. Beautiful country.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he/she just stacked the rocks to see how to do it..kinda the reason I quilt, hahaha...
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was 2 and was enamored by the phone, I’d hand it to her when telemarketers called.
ReplyDeleteOn beautiful sunny days....taking my little machine out on the covered deck is a joy. I get to sew and enjoy the sun. But that won’t be today, rainy cloudy and cool here today. Thank you for the smile.
ReplyDeleteDid the cairn (stack of stones) start out as a trail marker and was added to by hikers over the years?
ReplyDeleteSounds like it’s time to drag a machine out on the deck! Enjoy the beautiful day!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunshine in the Pacific NW. Starting to put fencing in to keep the chickens and ducks contained. So I have grandson duty while the younger adults do the fence. Good day for handwork on my Eastmoreland village.
ReplyDeleteYou surely do live in God's country and I envy you, even the winters as we have some hard winters here in Michigan also. My son in law likes to build the rocks for relaxation but not nearly that tall. Can't wait to see more hiking and pony adventures.
ReplyDeleteYou and your friends look so happy. Great pictures! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy brother does improv and LOVES to hone his skills on the scammers. I've started singing to them. The opening song from "Bye Bye Birdie" is great: Hi Darren, from India! What's the story, morning glory? What's the word, hummingbird? Have you heard about Hugo and Kim?" I've got a couple of other musicals up my sleeve, but so far I've only needed the one before they hang up.
ReplyDeleteWe have the spam risk blocker as well. It's very nice. Absolutely loving the pony trail pictures. I took my 2nd Covid shot yesterday afternoon and have been laying low all day today. Staying home again tomorrow. Hopefully I can get back to normal by Monday!! Have a great evening!
ReplyDeleteLOVED your phone effort and wonder what would happen if we all respond in some similar fashion. Last time , I blew a very loud horn into the phone - the kind of horn you use at the starting line on ocean boat races - VERY loud - kinds feel guilty but those callers are so irritating.
ReplyDeleteSpent today at my sister’s with Frolic on the longarm-finally! I fell in love all over again 😉
ReplyDeleteFrolic is on my bed this month, so pretty and enjoy seeing it before bed and when I get up!
Deletethere are a lot of stone cairns in Sedona, AZ. Also, there are a lot around the dog park here in Thousand Oaks, CA.
ReplyDeleteLOL! That was so funny! We have a call block where it is vetted so we don't even get answerphone messages from spammers. A neighbour had a computer scammer (who wanted remote access and told him to click certain buttons in order for him to help with the Microsoft issue) and so he was led up the garden path - in the end the guy was so desperate that he said we can do anything for you. So neighbour said he didn't like the colour of the computer and wanted it yellow. The spammer said OK and finally understood that he was being played.
ReplyDeleteWhat an enjoyable walk with the ponies. Beautiful! Thank you.
Look at that antique quilt. I always find it amazing what blocks they created and used whatever fabric they had. It’s a challenge to do that, and not want the “perfect” fabrics for the most “beautiful” quilt. They’re all beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe rock stack looks like an Inukshuk, which is an Inuit word and custom to build a human like stack of rocks to tell people that others have been there before. It’s a fun tradition that has spread throughout Canada. So, maybe the people there before you this week were Canadians! Can’t wait to see photos of the finished Rockabilly Swing!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have a miniature Doxiepoo who is 6 months old. I have been looking for a halter for her for 2 months. I have tried several and had to return all of them. I spotted Zoey's halter the other day in one of your photos, went to your Amazon page and ordered one. It fits perfectly, easy to get on, comfortable and safe. Finally! I have tried other brands of that style but none of them worked. This brand is great. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteStacking rocks or stones is something you’ll see along hiking trails. Hikers add a stone as they pass by.
ReplyDeleteLove the robokiller!!!!
ReplyDeleteAs a teenager, I worked part time. Phone operator was one of my responsibilities. What a hoot, I could never get it right! Answer the call one lever, one way, call the person whose call it was, another lever the other way yes or no, take a message or put the call through. All this with the various wires, knowing what hole went to which department and which person!!!!!
ReplyDelete