Thirteen Seems Lucky Again

I'm not a bit superstitious.  But I do love to

study folklore and folk beliefs. And I've always

had a special fondness for the number 13.  Many

a time I've won a door prize or had other good

fortune thanks to that number.  Plus, I'm just a 

contrarian, and am drawn to that which others

might reject.  (I won't say that I retired during

Miss Nora McNeill's 13 year as my principal

because I thought it was lucky.  Rather, the 

entire 13 years were lucky!)

So I thought it appropriate that 13 days before

I am to acquire (at a cost quite dear) the first

new knee of my life.  FirstHealth was kind

enough to call me just a few minutes ago and

assure me that from the convenience of my 

own telephone I could max out both my 2015

deductible and co-payment.  Wow, talk about

customer service.  Of course, I couldn't pass it up.

Thanks to some fine friends plus a little (more)

good fortune, I've already accumulated most of

the implements of torture-- I mean instruments

of rehab.  Here they are, assembled and ready.

First, of course, is the handy ramp that we had

built last fall.  It has been a terrific addition, even

if I had no knee problems.  Visitors love it, and

it is even a play space for the grandkids.  But in 

just over two weeks, it will be more fully appreciated.

Several years ago, when I thought I wouldn't

need new knees until my 70's or so, I came upon

this "cadillac walker" for $20 at a yard sale.

Since then, I've loaned it out to several friends,

and now I will put a few miles on it.  It's as

good as new.

A church friend bestowed upon me this

bedside toilet.  There's no room beside my

bed, so we'll find an alternative location.

Someone said "How about down at the 

tree house?"  While it's true the tree house

is lacking such an amenity, I think I'd (k)need

to frequently replace the wheels on my walker.

Another dear friend passed this shower stool

to me.  Along with my non-skid rubber mat,

this will make my sponge baths a breeze.

No showers until the doctor says so.

Finally, my favorite. 

This is the walking cane of my great

grandfather, Joseph Alford Loyd, who

died in 1935.  He was 6'4", four inches

taller than me, so this cane is right for me.

Also, it is made of uncommon "wormy

chesnut," once the most plentiful hardwood

in the southern mountains.  The chestnut

blight, which continues to this day, prevents

chestnut saplings from maturing, though new

shoots continue to sprout from old stumps.

For this reason, there is a finite quantity of

items made from this sturdy, attractive wood.

In fact, the dulcimer that Judy gave me, hand

crafted my my pastor, Reverend Max Gilmore,

is made of wormy chestnut.

A home health store found me a rubber tip

for the cane that fits perfectly, so I will be 

honored to use it as long as necessary.

I've already had my pre-op session at

FirstHealth, and am gradually checking off

items on my pre-surgery to-do list.

I've had great encouragement from many

friends and family members who have already

had knee replacements.  And a lot of friends

who haven't had a knee replaced look at me

seriously and ask, "Are you sure about this?"

Yes, at least 13 days away, I'm sure!

Hitting the High Points of Historic Hillsborough

On Friday, Judy and I embarked on one of

our signature Gypsy trips. We knew our 

destination was Hillsborough, NC, but we

didn't know what we might seeing while

going or coming.

The first thing I saw of interest was this

mosaic near the courthouse square in Pittsboro.

We often travel through this bustling town.

This day we got some tasty marked-down

items at a bakery.  This mosaic actually 

glitters, and the photo doesn't do it justice.

Here is the renovated historic courthouse

in the heart of Pittsboro.  You may recall that

it was damaged by fire several years ago, but

it cleaned up pretty well.

Below is a different courthouse, in Hillsborough,

the county seat of Orange County.  It's at the far

end from Chapel Hill- Carrboro, where we go

frequently.  It's funny that when I was a student

at UNC-CH from 1972-75, Mama and Daddy

always brought me to school via I-85 and we

took the Hillsborough exit to Chapel Hill. But

we never had cause to stop in Hillsborough.

So today was a get-acquainted trip for me and

Judy, and time well spent.

We had discovered the Saratoga Grill on

TripAdvisor.com, which I trust for travel tips.

Saratoga refers to the battle in upstate New

York which was the turning point of the

Revolutionary War.

This is just inside the entrance.  Then you 

ascend the stairs.

The grill is a bit unusual, in that it is upstairs

with no handicapped access. It has a bank of

windows which look out on the historic

courthouse, and we got a window seat.

We were early birds, and glad we were.

Here's that view.

And here's another nice view.

Can you say "Scallop and Cheddar Burger?"

Judy and I both said it, and enjoyed every bite.

The food was great and the atmosphere made

everything even better.

As you can see, by the time we finished the

place was packed.  Can you see Judy at center

at our window table?

I was a little heavier going down the stairs

than when I came up.

 This historic plaque refers to the same David

Fanning who took part in the skirmish at 

Moore County's House in the Horseshoe.

The date is 1781, though it looks like 1731.

 This monument recognizes Daniel Boone

whose adventures took him through here,

and Trader's Path, an old Indian route.

We enjoyed a short visit to the visitor's

center, where we got helpful maps, saw

a short slide show, and got personal attention

from a tour guide.

Among other historic connections, General

Lord Cornwallis spent time here near the end

of the Revolutionary War. Also, the surrender

of General Joseph Johnston to General Sherman

in the Civil War was nearby.

As gardeners and flower lovers, we deeply 

appreciate bees and other pollinators.

And since we detest mosquitoes, we adore

all things "dragonfly." Judy eyed this bench,

wondering where we could find one.

A historic home, Ayr Mount, had a steep

price for a tour, $12.  So we passed on that,

opting for the FREE one-mile walking trail

called Poet's Walk.  It was perfect!

They didn't charge us to look at the house.

More about Poet's Walk.

We loved this ubiquitous wetland plant.

Not until we got home was I able to research

it.  I learned it is Trout Lily, which also goes

by other names.  But it does resemble a

speckled trout.

This one is a little more open than most.

This internet photo shows what it will look

like in full flower.

 The Poet's Walk took us down to the Eno

River, which was still rushing from recent rains.

(Ah, alliteration!)  As you know, we have 

discovered and loved the nearby Eno River

State Park (see previous blogs).

No, it's not what you think it is, it's something

else.  Exactly what, I'm not sure.

The last of the walk comes back to this 

reflecting pond.  Note the double meaning.

Not only is a pond that reflects its beautiful

surroundings, but it's a spot that invites

poets and would-be poets to reflect on their

own experiences here.

I snapped this photo, aware that back at 

home, Hunter and Brianna were studying

ecosystems with 4-H this day.

We're all about "life-long learning," kids!

Back in the heart of town, we parked at

the site of the farmer's market (not open

yet, of course).  It reminded us of the nice

shelter we had seen in Abingdon, Virginia

last fall.

From that parking area, we entered the newly

completed River Walk, and were impressed.

We would have walked further, but had already had

 a good leg stretcher.  Plus it was on the cool side.

 A view of the Eno from the pedestrian bridge.

As we departed from Hillsborough, we

located the Occoneechee Mountain State 

 Natural Area.  It has a 2.2 mile loop trail

to the summit, which at 350 feet above the

Eno River, is said to be the highest point

between Hillsborough and the Atlantic Ocean.

It's definitely the highest point in Orange County.

We proceeded on, via rustic back roads,

to the little known former mill village of

Saxapahaw, beside the Haw River in

Alamance County (just south of Burlington).

We came here to see an old general store,

which along with other shops, has given new

life to the abandoned mill buildings.

Here's a view of the Haw River from the 

parking area.

This end of the building contains several

loft apartments overlooking the river, 

plus a nice restaurant.

This ampitheater is home to regular concerts

on a seasonal basis.

The General Store was more like a health

foods store, and high-priced, in Judy's 

estimation (trust her).  But we were glad

to see this creative enterprise succeeding.

The entire building also houses a coffee

shop and even a charter school!

From Saxapahaw, Highway 87 led us straight

back to Pittsboro, and the car knew the way

home from there.  What a nice day trip for

the first day of spring.  We'll be going back

to Hillsborough for more hiking, for sure.

Hearty, Healthy Home Action

Favorable weather has had us more outside

than inside with the kids lately.

You name it, we did it.

The old standard Sit'n'Spins are still a hit

with Bri and Hunter.

The new ramp is a little bumpy for riding

these scooters, but worth a try.

Now here's a new twist.  The Easter bunny

has three tiny babies-- and the dinosaurs are

determined to eat them for a snack. Don't

worry, there's always a happy ending.

Bri tries out the new Tarzan rope swing.

I've made an improvement since then that

she'll like even better.

A new favorite game is "Call It," which is

probably not familiar to any or many of my

readers.  Amanda and I played this game more

than 20 years ago and loved it.  The kids have

picked it up quickly. I think I'll do a separate 

blog about this game soon.

And by the way, they're teaching Judy to play.

Less than 24 hours later, we had a new

attraction-- a double trapeze. (Bri and Hunter

will see it tomorrow)  Evan demonstrates.

A real leg-stretcher.

It's okay to relax, but don't let go.

An old blender with the cutting apparatus

removed is fine for the sand pile. Many a

smoothie was concocted this day.

Sorry, Grandpa.  You can't have a basketball.

I've barely got enough for myself.

(Just kidding-- Evan always insists on sharing!)

Evan invites Claire to try out the new trapeze.

She's a natural.  And he can't help but get in

 on the act.

Why is it kids would rather be upside down

than right-side up?

I could always just turn my camera upside down.

Claire falls in love with the Tarzan swing.

She tries it out with the new foot support

and swings back and forth across the ravine.

As the kids near the weight limit for a 

bike seat, I invite them to ride around the

yard with Grandpa.  This requires a high

degree of trust. But Evan accepts.

So does Claire.  Bri also rode it last week

but I failed to get a picture.  Bri and Hunter

have another chance this week.

Like Evan, I'm just hangin' around waiting

for the kids to come back-- and it won't be long!