It’s been another cold night in Mendota. I’ve just checked on my honeybees, and I still don’t know anything definite. (See post here where we’ve been trying to keep them from freezing.) It doesn’t look good, though. Three dead bees were lying in the opening. I removed them and stuck a small stick inside to see if I could arouse the guard bees to come out. Nothing. I’ll return this afternoon as it continues to warm. Needless to say, I am very sad if they have all died. I did everything I could do, and yet they have not survived. What are we-you and I and others–going to do if our honeybees continue to struggle?

On a happier note, a few weeks ago I received a package in the mail. It had traveled all the way from the Netherlands. Flory, my niece’s childhood friend and the daughter of my friend Tineke, has learned to knit. In a pay it forward kindness that circulated on email last year, she made me this shawl. Flory, you are extremely talented and you have made me very happy.


I love the rich earth tones….you can see it better in this picture.   Sorry about the holey jeans…I’ve got leggings on underneath them.

My shawl, my dogs and my husband and I bundled up for a drive. I had Flory and Amanda (another one of my niece’s friends) on my mind as we drove and I wanted to take pictures from their home in Virginia. Amanda is a Scott County girl, and Flory lived in Washington County, Virginia but ran with the Scott County girls! Here ya go girls!

We stopped at Dennis Dean’s property which is known as “Big Bend” since the river does a loop and almost meets itself. The ice backed up as it met the curve.

Here’s another…

The ice meeting sounds like a “Freezie” machine in a convenience store. I took a very brief video so you could listen to it!

Once futher into Scott County, we pulled over and took a picture in front of the Humprey’s Farm in Hiltons. The North Fork looks like glass…

Went up to Lunsford’s Mill. I wish the Lunsford’s Mill restoration would resume. I’d swing a hammer.

More…

Look at the old turbines (below)…this had a sign that was falling off that said Lunsford’s Grocery.  Someone had plans for this mill and little store.  I wonder what happened?

We drove a little further and I spotted a quilt barn!   How have I missed this?   I love it!!

Scott County author and teacher Ann Goode Cooper passed away last year. I’ll bet she received a lot of inspiration living on the North Fork.

And a bit further… see the big ripple where there is a rock formation under the water. This is a canoe flipper for sure when the water is rushing.

I’ll let you know more about my bees later.

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