Author Archives: Eva

About Eva

Hi, I'm Eva. Thank you for stopping by. I live in Mendota, Virginia. If you like rural life in a country village, sharing decorating and DIY ideas, gardening, local and seasonal eating, food preservation, thrifting, and anything to do with honey, we have something in common.

Changes Are Coming..

I’m writing this on January 4, and it was really cold today. It was about 30 degrees here in Mendota. I wanted to go for a walk, but I couldn’t get started, so Mike just “dropped me off” about two miles from the house. I took my camera because I wanted to photograph the Granny Bott’s house.

My parents were friends with Ed and Edith Cunningham. Granny Bott was Ed’s mother. When I originally put this post up, I said that Granny Bott was Edith’s Mother, but Dianne, Granny Bott’s great granddaughter corrected me. Thank you Dianne! I have always liked this house, and I remember when it was lived in and kept. There was a lilac bush growing by the house, and the last family that I recall living there was Pastor Sifford’s family. His son, Joe Sifford, and I were about the same age. Pastor Sifford was the pastor of the Mendota Bible Methodist Church, and I believe he was also an auto mechanic. I wonder where this family is today?

We are are going to have some road construction on the road in front of the house, and while I haven’t heard for sure, this old house could come down. I’ve never been in the house.

There was a little store across from the house when I was very young. It was known as Granny Bott’s Store. The store was composed of logs and it was moved around the corner five or six years ago.

The road that you see in this picture is Barnrock Road, and it is being “reworked” to make it a little wider and a little safer. I really do not know who makes these decisions. A few might think it’s important, but for the most part, it’s not something most people in Mendota care about. However, removing the sharp curve at Granny Bott’s house will make the road safer.

The signs were put up this week.

It must work like this…someone comes out and identifies where the sign should go and they spray paint the road and then the sign is put up by another crew. Right beside the sign, “RWA” is sprayed on the road.

I wonder if I write on my driveway “PCHH” if someone will put up a sign “Please Clean Her House” and then someone will actually come and clean my house? I may try this!

Here’s another change on Swinging Bridge. Steve and Mary McCroskey, owners of Riverview Dairy, have moved some of their cows to the pasture running along Swinging Bridge. I love these cows, and I’m thinking they were bottle fed because they are so friendly. They ran over as if I had a treat for them. (I may have a treat on my next walk…I’ll get some sweet feed!)

Isn’t this one pretty? I love those faces.

Here’s another…look at the funny face in this picture (below). The little guy to the right? If I were a cow, that would be me!

It was so dang cold today that the ditch water was frozen when the sun was shining.

I enjoyed this walk. I need the exercise and I need the sunshine. I get a little Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) in these long, dark winters.

A walk really helps…especially on a sunny winter day. It’s one of the bright spots in my day.

I took this picture looking up to the house. So thankful to live in this beautiful place. With pretty cows.

Just getting outside felt good…and it reminded me to look about for the bright spots in the winter landscape…such as the presence of these red berries in my back yard…reminding me that brighter, longer, sunnier days are ahead.

W. T. Barker

One of my goals for 2013 is to learn a little bit about Mendota beyond what I presently know. As I learn interesting things, I’ll share them. Here’s a start.

He looks like a gangster in this picture…a hillbilly gangster born and raised in Mendota, Virginia. I’m wondering who that car belonged to? I’m wondering what kind of car it is? My husband thinks it’s a Ford from the 1930’s.

His name was William T. Barker. Most people called him “W.T.”…or “Dub”. Mother called him “Bill.” I called him Daddy.

I haven’t seen that face for over 40 years as he died the summer I was 16, and at the time of his death, he was about 64 or 65 years old. As I look at his face, I’m looking to see if I favor him. I do not. I favor Mother.

However, I have his feet (ugly) and his sense of humor. Thanks Daddy! Not for the feet but for the sense of humor!

January 6, 2013

Hi everyone! I’m going to be off the blog until Sunday, January 6. I’ve got to focus on a few other activities!

Thank you so much for reading RiverCliff Cottage. Have a very happy New Year!

And let’s keep hoping that it snows in Mendota, Virginia!

Where’s My Snow?

Drat…still no snow in Mendota, Virginia!

I have a girlfriend who used to work in Mendota. She says that she thinks it may be close to Hell because it never snows here. I’ve tried to disagree. It’s about 1500-1800 ft. in elevation…that probably has more to do with it.

There’s a weather blog that I follow called the Roanoke Weather Journal. Nurse Snow, one of the snow-loving contributors, says we should all put ice in the commode and turn our pj’s inside out.

Mike thinks I’m going to clean the commodes with something strange I’ve found on the internet (that happens around here…imagine!). I’m just going to stir a few cubes in the bowl.

Ya never know!

After Christmas!

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I love Christmas…but the day after, I am thinking about one thing–putting the decorations away! If you drove by my house this morning, you would have seen me down at the gate (in shorts of all things) taking down the greenery. I left the wreaths up for a while longer, but the garland was turning brown and driving me crazy. The wreaths are still holding their own. And the pretty garland on my porch from this picture taken in early December?

Gone! It had turned brown, too. I took care in removing my bows…I’ll use them again next year. I wired them to a coathanger and they’ll hang in the attic.

I’m not suggesting that Christmas be put away…it should remain inside of us all year long. However, for me…it’s time to replace decorations with something else. Snow!

Mendota did not have a Christmas snow required to build a really pretty snowman…so I had to improvise. Do you like him?

He’s not too tall. He’s rather plain. He could be Amish, but no…the red scarf is too sassy for that! He’s just an ordinary Mendota snowman made of three grapevine wreaths and a fleece scarf I made last year with doggy paw prints.

And do you think I’m organized since I’m putting the decorations away early? If you do, you might want to join us at our dining room table for dinner. Nice, isn’t it?

Somewhere in that messy picture above, there are Christmas cards I addressed but did not mail. I meant to mail them but Patsy was out of Christmas stamps. I could not mail these cards without Christmas stamps, and I would never, ever buy a stamp at any other place than the Mendota Post Office.

Nope…I’m not organizing or cleaning. I’m reading. I went by the Mendota Library last week with just this day in mind. I’m reading “The Giving Quilt” by Jennifer Chiaverini, and it has not let me down. I highly recommend this author. She writes about strong, imperfect women and their lasting friendships. She writes the Elm Creek Quilt series. They are set in Waterford, Pennsylvania, and there is a “red thread” which ties the books together. After reading all of her books, I feel that I know the characters very well. They are like friends!

Are you reading anything good?

It’s Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas! It is not snowing in Southwest Virginia this Christmas. It’s raining. Bah Humbug!

Mike and I tried and tried to think of what we should get each other for Christmas, and since we could not think of one thing we needed or even wanted, we decided not to exchange gifts. We are that blessed.

It’s a different Christmas than in year’s past. For the past few years, my husband’s youngest son, Aaron, and his family have arrived sometime on Christmas and this year they are staying in Northern Virginia. We totally understand this, but it still seems a little quiet! I’m actually glad it didn’t snow, as the granddaughters love snow, and had we had snow and not them, well, that would have been sad!

However, with candles lit and our extended family nearby, we are still having a wonderful Christmas. Of course, a Christmas visit to my True Love had to happen today!

Mike and I are regulars at Lowe’s…that is why I call Lowe’s my True Love. I would imagine that one of us is in that store five-six times per week. We were in the Kingsport Lowe’s two nights ago, and I saw a little lamp I liked. I didn’t buy it because I didn’t want to pay the 10 percent sales tax. I thought I’d find the lamp in the Bristol, Virginia Lowe’s–with only a 5 percent sales tax.

Today, I had to go to town, and I had that lamp on my mind. I went to both Bristol Lowe’s stores. No lamp. Rats! So…I drove back to Kingsport, and even in my gas-sipping Prius, I spent way more on gas than the sales tax would have been.

Here’s the lamp…it was $19. Nice and clean looking.

It replaces this old one which had been in our foyer in a house that we had 20 years ago. Although it looks like a fat, squatty little lady, I’m keeping her. With new paint and a new shade, she’ll look good elsewhere.

I’m writing this post and watching Lifetime Christmas movies. Perfectly happy and content. And then…surprise visitors…

It’s Betty Butterbutt wanting a dog treat and a ride back home.

And her sidekick, the Colonel, (as in Colonel Poopsie)…also hitchhikng and wanting a treat. Who trained them to do this?

Christmas has gone to the dogs! But that is okay…I’m thinking barns, stables, mangers, animals, sherpherds and stars…and the sweetness of a new baby that changed the world.

Who Is Guilty?

So…a few days ago I posted this picture of the wreath I made for the side door.

And today…it looks like this. Can you see what happened? See the streaks on the door?

I spoke with the suspects. Gangs are always suspicious…especially when they wear colors.

But this little friend looks innocent…

Who knows?

A Brilliant Idea

Mike and I were sitting in the living room about four nights ago, and I popped up and said “I have a brilliant idea.” Oh no, he thought.

I was looking at my doors in the living room and thinking about when someone told me I needed a dried flower arrangement over the door. “Not in my lifetime,” is what I thought but didn’t say.

But…how about a little something using my very favorite thing this December? How about some burlap covered blocks with Mod Podge? Maybe something like this?

I know I have a problem. I’ve gathered all of my friends around to discuss the situation. Here’s a picture of a few of the gang…some are hanging out in other rooms!

It is a rainy evening in Mendota, Virginia. I believe it is time for pajamas and bed. Good night!

Wreaths Going Up and…Oh No…Mod Podge!

It’s me. You know the one…the loser who had a wreath party and left one of her wreaths lying in the garage floor. The wreath party was over ten days ago. Maybe longer.

But today, that all changed.

I know it’s not a fancy wreath. It’s like me…a little askew here and there. It used to look like this…

Every time I see this picture and look at those two little pumpkins, I think Victoria’s Secret, Playtex and Vanity Fair.

It’s nice to use what you have. That’s what happened here…just stuff from the yard and some ribbon.

And lest you think that I’ve moved on from Mod Podge, I offer you this…

And one in the planning stages..

If I come across an easy craft that I can do, I work it to death!

Christmas Spirit

I was headed into the Bristol, Virginia Exit 7 area this evening. As I entered the Walmart/Lowe’s/Sam’s Club area (going to see my True Love), someone took my “spot” when I was supposed to be having “my turn” going through the four-way stop. Obviously, this person, I’ll call “Rude Boy” did not know how to drive!!

I went after him and grimaced as I realized Rude Boy and I were both headed toward Lowe’s. Destiny. We then met again at check out. More destiny.

While in the check out line, another shopper offered to let me move ahead since I had only one item. I thanked her and said “Merry Christmas.” It felt good. Almost at the same moment, another customer asked the check out clerk to call for assistance as an item was “up too high for her to reach.” Rude Boy, who just completed his purchase said “I’ll go back and help you.” The lady said “thank you, and Merry Christmas!” He said “Merry Christmas” to her…and nodded to me. I went from looking like a skulking Grinch to ashamed Grinch. I hate mean people…especially when they are me!!

Time for a turnaround. My good mood switch turned on. Immediately. All these “Merry Christmas” words. It’s that feeling I had last night when I was looking…and thinking…about this.

I sang Christmas carols all the way home. No one heard or saw me, but I’m pretty sure I was really good!

I skipped into the house and looked at last night’s Mod Podge work. Do you think my niece, Jennifer, will like this? Her twin babies keep her way too busy to read the blog.

I’ll finish these tomorrow!