This Month’s News

Mom and Pop-Pop spent a few days in American Rust country.  Here’s a summary of what transpired during their visit:

• Aunt Janet took Mom on a tour of locations in The Valley where the American Rust TV Series was filmed.
• Ross and Hannah took a ride up the Mon-Fayette Expressway from Morgantown for a short visit.
• Mom, Ross and Hannah took Aunt Janet out to dinner to celebrate her birthday.
• Uncle Brian, Aunt Rosemary and Pop-Pop also did a tour of American Rust locales.  Most of the stops they made were sites familiar to Pop-Pop as this is where he was born and raised. 
• During their junket, a stop was made at a beer distributor in Monessen PA to stock up on IC LIght and Uncle Brian’s favorite Skunk Beer.
• The next day, much to Pop-Pop’s surprise, Uncle Barry and Aunt Lucy appeared on the scene.  This resulted in Pop-Pop and his Brothers consuming copious amounts of beer and recalling the way things were in the Mon Valley before “The Rust.”

Mom and Dad took a Road Trip:

• It started with a visit with friends at Smith Mountain Lake.
• They then went down the road to Bristol, VA.
• They stayed in an airbnb in Bristol, TN, which is literally across the street from Bristol, VA.
• In addition to their sight-seeing in the Bristol VA/TN area,they made side trips to:
  • Abingdon, VA
  • Little Switzerland, NC
  • Asheville, NC.
• They made one last stop in Newport, VA for a short visit with Owen at CNU before heading home.

Other happenings this month:

• The Fagerli brothers had a weekend reunion in Charlottesville, VA.
• There are a fair number of craft beer breweries and wineries in Loudoun County.  And there is a Meadery here too.
• Toby and Cosmo celebrated National Pug Day on October 15.

That’s all the news that’s fit to print this month. Stay tuned for the next edition.

This Month’s Pictures

This Month’s News…

Here’s all the news that’s fit to print for this month and some which probably isn’t. 😉

• Our neighborhood was invaded by a flying ant swarm for a day.  Everything was covered with ants.  They even took a swim in the pool.  Fortunately, it rained that night and they were all gone the next morning.
• Armed with his COVID-19 vaccination card and a supply of face masks, Owen is now in his senior year at CNU.
• Ross started his new job across the Mason-Dixon Line in American Rust territory.
• Our backyard bird feeders are still a big attraction.  Species we have seen include House Finches, Gold Finches, Purple Finches, House Wrens, Cardinals, House Sparrows, Gray Catbirds, Mourning Doves, Red-winged Blackbirds, Downy Woodpeckers, Humming Birds, Carolina Chickadees, Blue Jays, Robins, House Wrens and a Juvenile Cooper’s Hawk, who no doubt was looking for something a bit more more substantial than bird seed!
• The due date for 3rd quarter estimated tax payments to the IRS is 15 September.  It is also the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. 
• Summer must be over…the Autumnal Tree has arrived.  And as each day passes more Autumnal paraphernalia appears!

This Month’s Pictures…

This Month’s News…

Our Family Reunion, which takes place on the first Saturday of August each year, was canceled for the second straight year due to the ongoing COVID-19 mess.

Pop-Pop said a member of one of his all-time favorite bands passed away recently.  He played the bass guitar and was the backup vocalist on most of the band’s songs, but this one was all his!

We added a new family member this month.  Cousin Brian’s better half Svetlana brought Aiden into this world on August 2nd.  Both parents are doing fine, as is Aiden’s big brother Bruno.

A bit of little known trivia…there is a farm within the Leesburg, VA town limits.  It’s about a half-mile down the road from our house.

Mom and Dad spent a weekend with Ross in Morgantown, WV.  While there, they stopped at Gene’s Beer Garden for a few cold ones with Pop-Pop’s BFF Pat.

We have some sad news to report this month.  Mom’s Uncle Henri passed away on 22 July 2021.  May he rest in peace.

This Month’s Pictures…