Fourth of July in Wanton, WV

Fireworks, a parade and lots of excitement surrounds the Fourth of July in Wanton, WV. There's even a Dilly-Dunker where it's a tradition for Mayor Harold Benson to get dunked. The townspeople have been trying for years to get the sheriff to volunteer too, but he says, "No way."

Mayor Benson, one of the biggest men in Wanton, smiles broadly as he sits on the little padded seat. People are lined up to get a shot at seeing him fall and hearing the song, "Splish-splash" play each time the target is hit. He's there early to allow the people to have some fun, but he has to leave around lunch time to get ready for the one o'clock parade. Never fear, he'll return to the Dilly-Dunker right after he finishes the parade, kissing some babies, and judging the pie baking contest.   

Aunt Linda always wins the pie baking contest, but no one minds because she makes plenty of extras to sell. Linda leaves McKeel's Bed and Breakfast long enough to watch the parade, win the Blue Ribbon for her apple-rhubarb pie and to take a couple turns at dunking the mayor.

The local gossip is all about Aunt Linda and Mayor Benson. Have they rekindled their the love affair of their youth? You'd think with so much going on in this small town for the 4th of July there wouldn't be time to gossip. 

Hearts on Fire

Love is in the air and in West Virginia the groundhog did not see his shadow, so an early spring is expected. This is good news for James and Carolyn, because they love to walk along the Cheat River and it's been way too muddy. While waiting for the mud to dry up, the couple needs to find another way to entertain themselves.

James and Carolyn (like any new lovers) want to spend some time alone.

Carolyn has never been to an auction. James is very excited. Usually it's her that introduces him to new adventures, this time it will be him. Auctions may not be the best place to buy antiques, but sometimes there comes along a great value and maybe even something hidden within something else. Such as a valuable painting under a cheaper print. Once James' mom had bid pretty high for a frame she wanted and she got the bid. The print was a dark, slightly damaged picture of an old barn with a wagon sitting in front of it. Under that print was a sketch by Grant Wood.

A  very good reproduction of a William and Mary Antique end table was up for auction. It was a very dark wood. It was a little over two foot high by almost the same width. The auctioneer suggested  perhaps it could be used to hold cocktail supplies, in a spare room or even at a summer cabin. William and Mary style furniture was known for the dovetail design and for the lightness to the pieces. With this type of carving and construction the furniture was made in a slimmer, sleeker style than ever before. It started out at twelve.

Carolyn raised her hand. The auctioneer nodded, stated he had twelve and went on with twelve-fifty. The auctioneer continued barking. He yelled fourteen, do I hear fourteen-fifty. The crowd was electric, the auctioneer was excited and James felt a little worried. It was a nice piece of furniture, but it was getting into pretty high numbers. He hadn't known Carolyn that long, but he couldn't see her spending that much on an end table, no matter how nice the piece of furniture appeared to be. He leaned close to her and whispered, "Do you think that table is worth Fifteen Hundred Dollars."

She pulled her arm in close to her body and her voice squeaked, "Fifteen hundred?"

After they left the auction empty handed, James suggested they grab a bite to eat. They entered the little diner, seated themselves and snuggled together in the back booth. The waitress seemed hesitant to interrupt them to ask if they'd like to order something to drink. James never mentioned the auction and neither did Carolyn.

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Snow, Snow Angels and Snowshoe

James had seen snow every winter since he'd been a child, but this year, experiencing it with Carolyn is entirely different. He tasted it, as it fluttered to his tongue. He felt the coldness and he examined each flake that feel into his hands.

Playfully, he pushed Carolyn to the ground and she made snow angels. He laid down beside her and made a big snow angel. He wanted to have a snow ball fight and to build an igloo. Carolyn made him feel like a child again. 

West Virginia has some wonderful spots that have deep snow and giant flakes, if you get a chance to visit here, please share your experiences. Snowshoe Mountain is one of those spots. If you don't get to come here, James and Carolyn still hope you get a chance to play in the snow and they wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. \

What do you like to do for Winter Fun? 

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Coyote-the Four-legged Kind

Coyotes are very popular wildlife in West Virginia. They are a medium sized animal with large ears. The Eastern Coyote appears to have rounder ears than the Western Coyote possess.

Even though, the coyote looks like a dog, do not approach it. The canine can be as dangerous as many of the other animals found among the wild.

James and Carolyn went on the search of the West Virginia Coyote, because James wanted to take a photograph of one. He used his powerful zoom lens to capture this early morning photo. Often the coyote isn't as handsome as this big boy.




The Coyote below, which James saw from the attic room at McKeel's Bed and Breakfast, was what prompted the hunt.

James didn't want to admit that those glowing eyes were a bit frightening. If these animals were around Washington DC, he had never seen them. Carolyn laughed really hard, when James described the glowing eyes to her.

These coyotes are easier heard than seen, but if you are patient and look closely you will see them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX3cWUG1njg This video by 4jarda.

What do you think of Coyotes? Do you have any photos or coyote stories to share? 

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Fresh Strawberry Pie

Carolyn talked James into going to the "Strawberry Patch" with her. She promised him a fresh strawberry pie, if he picked enough strawberries. Linda baked the best Strawberry Pies in 3 counties, and she had the first place ribbons to prove it. Carolyn had helped her for years, but this year she wanted  to bake the pies herself. 

James followed Carolyn through the kitchen and into the huge walk-in pantry. She swished her long dark hair over her shoulder, and bent down to pull two pails from under the bottom shelf.

"Here, if we fill these, we will be able to make several pies." 

James absently grabbed the pail. He was fascinated with the organization that had gone into this pantry. He'd never seen anything like it. Giant cans of tomato paste nestled close to giant jars of peppers, which nestled close to giant cans of green beans. There were all varieties of vegetables, sugar, oils, shells of various kinds and pastas. This only touched the sundry of items that sat on the long shelves. 

"Jim?"

"Sorry, this all just fascinates me." He waved his hand in a slow circle.  "Ready?"

The "Strawberry Patch" wasn't far away. There was a small embankment beside the barn and it was covered in strawberries at various degrees of ripeness. Before long the young couple had filled their pails.

This is how Carolyn prepared the delicious, fresh, strawberry pie for James and for the other guests.


Ingredients 

2 (8inch) pie shells, baked or graham cracker crust
2 1/2 quarts fresh strawberries
1 cup sugar or sugar substitute
2 tablespoons of cornstarch
1 cup boiling water
1 package strawberry flavored gelatin


Directions

1. In a saucepan, mix the sugar and corn starch. Blend corn starch completely. Add boiling water, and cook over medium heat until mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Add gelatin, stir until smooth. Let mixture cool to room temperature. 
2. Place strawberries in pie shells, berries pointed up. Pour cooled gel mixture over strawberries. 
3. Refrigerate until set. Serve with whipped cream.

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