Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Work

Work, here is a word with many differing ideas about it. I have ‘worked’ and successfully run our household for nearly forty-five years. Yet many folk do not consider this ‘work.’ Keeping a smooth running home is not real popular—never really has been, except perhaps during the ‘Leave it to Beaver’ days. At any rate it is my business, and I run it as such.

I do however have a one-day-a-week job outside my house. I say it helps me keep polite. It is a grand little job taking tours through the oldest home in town. I grew up in the tourist business, so it is a good fit.

My work at home has been a great success. Being my own boss, (wearing flip-flops all day!), setting my own hours schedule gives me flexibility to help in our community and church. There is a lot of freedom I could have never enjoyed with an outside job.

In all work there is profit. Proverbs 14:23

Abram’s Delight—oldest home in Winchester.

Garden Art

Do you have art in your gardens? I suppose that is the correct word—art. Perhaps statuary may be a better word. But that brings to mind lovely, thoughtful pieces of fountains, cherubs, beautiful women in flowing robes, or magnificent urns.

No, my “garden art” is more whimsical. Though I do have a couple stately pieces. Mostly animals, chickens, mushrooms, that sort of thing peek through the flowers and plants. Some have been gifts, others fun buys that add fun and conversation with visitors in our gardens.

Would you like to join me on a walk around the garden art?

This bunny cheerfully greets every visitor.
A birthday gift! It looks huge in this photo, but is only 6-7″ tall.
Do you have a gazing ball?
Helps me know which direction I am heading!
The only chicken allowed in the gardens.
My happy, green gardening assistant!
I am not keen on too many lights, this has a soft red glow though.
A more stately piece, wouldn’t you say?
No garden art is complete without urns somewhere!

Lego Art

This “One_local_gal” loves all things local. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is hosting its second Lego display placed all around the gardens this summer. A huge animal surprise awaits at every turn. We visited a few days ago.

Detailed, realistic looking wild animal art made out of legos is thoughtfully displayed throughout the beautifully kept vegetable and flower gardens on the property. Taking hundreds of thousands of legos in the building of just one animal makes it a wonder for adults as well as children to experience.

You can get a feel for them in my photographs, but it nowhere near as exciting as seeing these colorful, huge exhibits in real life. How does one pick a favorite? Which one do you like best?

Check out their website for more information @ themsv.org

They are placed all over the gardens.
Beautiful colors.
This rhino was in panels!
Down by the sea 🎶
Where the bugs?
I’m hungry!
Mr. Wildebeest
Did someone say there is a leopard around?
Yes, there is a leopard lurking!
Oh, I’ll keep a sharp eye out for the leopard!
The sea! Here I come!
Yay for the sea!
No worries here, I’m with momma.
No worries indeed, says momma bear…
…I am watching YOU.

The Fix-It Man

My father-in-law, Bill, was the best fix-it man I have ever known. He was a child of the Depression, as such, he learned how to fix things and make things work again. He did not throw stuff out he thought would be of use again somehow. Yet he was neat and tidy, all things were in order and clean. He always had his toolbox in the boot of his car and a knife in his pocket.

If I did not have a work list for him when they, he and Polly (my mother-in-law) would visit us, he would go home. Be sure gentle reader, I always had a work list.

I would sit and visit with him in his magnificent shop while he worked. We chatted about tools, and projects. I would help him sweep and straighten up.

The best thing is, he taught our sons. They enjoyed him and his shop as much as I did. They were made to keep it orderly if they worked in it. They had fun making wooden guns out of the scraps he had. I could hear them laughing together in the shop.

My best fix-it man has been gone a long time, but his skills and love of being in the shop are carried on by our sons, and me. Though I wish my shop were as tidy as his.

I never took photos of him working. So this summer I have had a grand time taking photos of one of his protégés, our son Gordon, working on his summer projects before heading back to school in Idaho.

This vice was Bill’s.
One summer project—his car.
Gordon keeps his tools neat and tidy too when he’s finished with them.
Their grandfather taught them all about tools.
Go-cart work another project.
This grinder was Bills as well.
Spending hours in the shop.
The big hands of a fix-it man.