Monticello

My husbands brother and sister in law came for a visit last week.   We had a wonderful time touring around town.   We also took a little ride to the mountains to visit Thomas Jefferson's estate.  The third President of the United States,  author of the Declaration of Independence and the statute of Va. for Religious freedom, also founder of the University of Va.. 
Such an interesting tour,  a genius he was.   With the land he inherited from his father, Jefferson built Monticello when he was 26 years old.  When we enter the home, it is through the back entrance , the same area that carriages would bring guests.   In the entrance hall there is a mezzanine that connects the upper floors two wings.   From the outside - the home looks to be one level with the long narrow windows and their placement.
The second floor starts  at the ledge of the 9 panes on top of the 12.  
Our tour guide told us that Jefferson did not like the waste of heat and space with an exposed staircase.    I understand that their are tours of the upstairs, but for some reason we could not take that tour on this day.    I understand that as many as 25 family members would live at Monticello at times, and that the upstairs is small.  Areas they would sleep would be small sleeping alcoves.  Nine bedrooms with the famous Dome room.

Our entrance

closer view of window placement (enlarge to see clearer)

in this picture is the University of Va. as seen from Monticello

Bill and Luann with Mr. Jefferson

I will show some of the gardens tomorrow

A day with Mom and Donna

My mom, sister Donna and I went to visit Amy (Donna's daughter) a few weeks back who is in college at JMU.   Along the way we had lunch at the Hickory Notch grill,  yum mm.   We had to  make  a stop at the  Horton winery,  Mom and Donna tasted some wine and checked out the beautiful roses blooming in the front entrance. 

beautiful stained glass hanging above table

back patio for dining outside



 

fireplace near our table

I like the way that a tree limb is used to hold the curtain valance

beautiful view of the blue ridge mountains in Va. - Horton Winery

entrance to winery

mom heading inside after stopping to smell the roses

Donna and Mom

 Grandma, Amy and Donna in Amy's room
Mom will be 89 - November the 23 and she still made it up 3 flights of steps to Amy's apt.
Pretty darn good I should say.



Happy Sunday

Been a while since I posted due to death of my brother.   So glad to finally feel like doing so.
I made a wreath for my door yesterday,  probably will make another before the day is over, I am not to happy with this one, but I used what I had.   Notice the  reflection of the trees in the door glass, so glad I cleaned my windows too.

Roses store, here in town had the most beautiful Mums - can't beat the price of 3 for 10 dollars

here are two little ones I hung near my  lamp post

with violas

This red one- I purchased 2 seasons ago.  Can't  believe it survived and bloomed like it has.

Through the Garden Gate is where I purchased these two vintage pics.   The glass is convex and they cost me $9.00 for the pair,  one of them in the corner had a piece of glass that was broken out,  a very small area.  I just liked them and didn't care about the break.

I painted these little urns grey,  then sprayed some camouflage beige paint on them

Inside are sticks and a  tiny pumpkin.  I sprayed some leaves that fell to the ground with clear spray.

a piece of burlap is in there also.

The  next two are without the flash, I had to enhance them

Sort of like the effect

I am off to get some more sticks outside to decorate some large pots in the house.

My dear Brother

He was taken away to be with our  Father in heaven on Sunday the 12th.  You are resting now - Til we meet again.

such a cute little boy

  here with his grandma

I love this picture

L to R-- Brother Doug,  sister Donna , niece Robin, Me, sister Lynn and our beautiful Mom

Douglas in Europe - 511 M I

Doug bottom row Left

Brother Karl top row middle

My Memorian in Richmond Times Dispatch
September 14, 2010

I will miss you so much brother.

You had such an eloquent manner of discussing topics new to me. Always a gentleman. I learned much from you and will forever be grateful for that.

You were there for my children when they were young and would give guidance.

I remember the evening you left on the bus for your call to service for our country and I just cried and cried in the car. I was so proud of my brother.

You are resting in peace now with the Lord. I am sad, but at the same time

knowing that you are out of pain and suffering in this life at home with our Father in heaven consoles me.

Love, Betsy



STARKE, Douglas Eugene, 67, of Richmond, passed away Sunday, September 12, 2010. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard E. Starke, and is survived by his mother, Thoris Sheldon Starke; one brother, Karl Starke (Wanda); his sisters, Rachel Starke, Betsy Hastey (Steve), Lynn Gibson and Donna Gwaltney (Keith); and numerous nieces and nephews. Douglas served as a linguist in the 511th Military Intelligence Group in Wuerzburg, Germany, from 1965 to 1968. He was a Golden Gloves Flyweight Champion in 1959, Eastern Golden Gloves Champion-Bantamweight in 1959, and Southside Virginia Champion Golden Gloves in 1961. He was an avid reader and also loved playing country rock in local bands during the '70s in the Richmond Area. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Bliley's-Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Road, where funeral services will be held 12 noon Thursday. Interment Dale Memorial Park.



Published in Richmond Times-Dispatch from September 14 to September 15, 2010 Email