On my past two rides, I chose not to constantly ask for funds to support the Wellmont Hospice House. I feel that the mission, the values, and their good work speaks for itself. Now that Ben is back as the Hospice Medical Director, I am doubly anxious to continue riding and raising funds for them.
One month from today, I will begin another long ride for Hospice. It will be in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. 1500 miles is the shortest "long" ride that I have done but it will still be a month of riding (with a few rest days in there). 100% of your donation supports hospice. My ride costs are all my own. Please consider making a donation to Hospice in honor of my ride. It is easy. Just click the right hand side bar where it says ANNE'S LINKS. Click on the one that says DONATE TO HOSPICE. The site is secure and safe. Thank you in advance for your support of my ride. I really appreciate it. Have a great day!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Time for a Memorial Service
Although those conducting the search for Alice's body have been unsuccessful, the family has decided to go ahead with a memorial service. It will be on Wednesday in Johnson City. We have received so many nice calls and emails from so many people near and far. It is wonderful to have such support at a time like this. Thanks to all of you.
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Saturday, June 27, 2009
Long days
Two more days have passed and they have not found Alice's body at Lakeview Dock. Today, there have been deep water divers searching, but so far, no luck. It is so difficult for all the family. We are really suffering. It has been a tough few days, with the inevitable yet to come, and some family members needing to go back to their families in other far away states tomorrow.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Bike Virginia and sadness
I would write in glowing terms about our trip on Bike Virginia, but we came home to a terrible family tragedy and I just cannot write anything now. I have been doing catch up things around the house but I can't seem to focus at all. The tears flow, the pain is there, and there is absolutely NOTHING to do but wait for the inevitable.
Life is short so don't waste it.
Alice was Harry Bachman's daughter-in-law, the wife of Ben's first cousin. I rode for Harry on my 1st Great Bicycle Adventure for hospice, and he passed away of cancer 13 days into my ride.
Life is short so don't waste it.
Alice was Harry Bachman's daughter-in-law, the wife of Ben's first cousin. I rode for Harry on my 1st Great Bicycle Adventure for hospice, and he passed away of cancer 13 days into my ride.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Ben is officially UNretired!!
Ben has signed a contract with Wellmont to be the Hospice Medical Director! He has been doing this for most of the past 15 years so it isn't like a new job!!! It is a 15 hour a week job and although it is not his ideal retirement choice (no work at all), he feels very connected with the hospice program here. Since he left, they have had no Boarded Hospice Physician, though they have a doctor covering call and seeing patients. It is 24/7 and no one can do that all the time. I guess the stipulation is that Ben cannot cover every hour of every day. He loves hospice, as I do, or why would I have ridden across the country twice for them and be riding this summer 1500 miles to raise funds for them? We are both dedicated to the wonderful work that Hospice does and I am glad that Ben feels that it is important enough for him to support the nurses by going back to work for them part time until they find a full time director.
A lot of soul searching has gone into this decision but I think it is the right one for Ben and he seems happy to be doing it. He will not start until we return from Bike Virginia next week. When I went to my volunteer job yesterday at the hospital, I had many people come up and hug me and say how happy they were that he was going to cover Hospice again. And then there were those who were flabbergasted that his retirement only lasted 6 weeks!
He has enjoyed the time off so much and together we have gotten so much done in the yard, garden, and house. He has brewed beer and taken his Beer Judge Certification Exam. He has ridden 1000 miles on a self supported bicycle trip. In six short weeks, he has packed in a lot of work and play. He still will, being off part time. We can make this work! I am glad he is doing it. We love hospice!
A lot of soul searching has gone into this decision but I think it is the right one for Ben and he seems happy to be doing it. He will not start until we return from Bike Virginia next week. When I went to my volunteer job yesterday at the hospital, I had many people come up and hug me and say how happy they were that he was going to cover Hospice again. And then there were those who were flabbergasted that his retirement only lasted 6 weeks!
He has enjoyed the time off so much and together we have gotten so much done in the yard, garden, and house. He has brewed beer and taken his Beer Judge Certification Exam. He has ridden 1000 miles on a self supported bicycle trip. In six short weeks, he has packed in a lot of work and play. He still will, being off part time. We can make this work! I am glad he is doing it. We love hospice!
CouchSurfing
In an earlier post, I said that I would talk a bit more about couchsurfing.. www.couchsurfing.com This is a web site that caters to hikers, cyclists, and other travelers by offering a way to communicate to others that you have a bed, couch, or tent site at your home that you would share with them. On the site you post your profile, your available accommodations, and any other pertinent information that would allow a visitor to contact you ahead of time to ask for a place to stay. We received a very nice email from two young hikers (college students) who also happened to be Boy Scout leaders, headed to their summer job at a Boy Scout camp 150 miles from here.
They were interested in leaving a car and getting transported to the Appalachian Trail for a 7-10 day hike. After several emails, a few phone calls, and discussions, we agreed for them to visit. After all, we know the AT in our area like the back of our hands, have lots of room in our home, and ended up having a really nice visit with them. It was their luck that our asparagus bed and our pea patch both had ample supplies for our dinner. Local strawberries are also in abundance right now. It was a delightful evening and we had many common interests, even though we are 40 years older. I think they appreciated the help with their itinerary and were especially pleased with the ride to the top of Roan Mt. to start their hike, after making a food drop at Kincora Hostel at Dennis Cove. It all worked out perfectly.
We picked them up at the end of their hike, as agreed upon, and after another good dinner here (if I do say so myself) they were on their way to their summer jobs. It was a great first experience with couch surfers and we will do it again in the future if the situation presents itself.
I had told our friend from Australia about this last year when he was flying to Denver to meet Ben and our boys for the Bicycle Tour of Colorado. He made contact with a guy in Denver who met him at the airport and toured him around until Ben and the boys arrived two days later. He has now signed up as a host in his home in Australia.
We have also met a young couple who live right here in Bristol who are signed up as a host family with CS and we have had them to eat here and gone to their home as well. They are new here and we have enjoyed meeting them.
They were interested in leaving a car and getting transported to the Appalachian Trail for a 7-10 day hike. After several emails, a few phone calls, and discussions, we agreed for them to visit. After all, we know the AT in our area like the back of our hands, have lots of room in our home, and ended up having a really nice visit with them. It was their luck that our asparagus bed and our pea patch both had ample supplies for our dinner. Local strawberries are also in abundance right now. It was a delightful evening and we had many common interests, even though we are 40 years older. I think they appreciated the help with their itinerary and were especially pleased with the ride to the top of Roan Mt. to start their hike, after making a food drop at Kincora Hostel at Dennis Cove. It all worked out perfectly.
We picked them up at the end of their hike, as agreed upon, and after another good dinner here (if I do say so myself) they were on their way to their summer jobs. It was a great first experience with couch surfers and we will do it again in the future if the situation presents itself.
I had told our friend from Australia about this last year when he was flying to Denver to meet Ben and our boys for the Bicycle Tour of Colorado. He made contact with a guy in Denver who met him at the airport and toured him around until Ben and the boys arrived two days later. He has now signed up as a host in his home in Australia.
We have also met a young couple who live right here in Bristol who are signed up as a host family with CS and we have had them to eat here and gone to their home as well. They are new here and we have enjoyed meeting them.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
A weekend of rides.
It has definitely been a riding weekend! Kurt and Ben had not ridden the metric that Kathy, Eugene and I did on May 30th. They were really wanting to ride the route since we had said how beautiful it was. So, yesterday morning we started out at 7 am and rode that pastoral ride again. It was gorgeous ...again...though a bit hotter. There were no SAG stops this time and we did make a couple of stops along the way for drinks.
Today, we rode one of Eugene's routes and I guess after it was over, I was glad, as there was over 2700' of climbing in 34 miles and after yesterday, our legs were tired! (well, mine were...!!) It was a lovely ride in Scott County, VA and Sullivan County, TN. We crossed the border several times. I did enjoy the ride but am glad to be back at home in air-conditioning!
We are picking up our couch-surfers (more on this in another post) later this afternoon from the end of their hike at Watauga Dam. They started last Tuesday at Carver's Gap and hiked over Roan Mountain. I can't wait to hear their stories. We had a whopper of a storm several nights last week. I wonder if they did.
Next on our agenda...Bike Virginia! wahooo!
We are eating peas now, lots of peas! Yummy.
Today, we rode one of Eugene's routes and I guess after it was over, I was glad, as there was over 2700' of climbing in 34 miles and after yesterday, our legs were tired! (well, mine were...!!) It was a lovely ride in Scott County, VA and Sullivan County, TN. We crossed the border several times. I did enjoy the ride but am glad to be back at home in air-conditioning!
We are picking up our couch-surfers (more on this in another post) later this afternoon from the end of their hike at Watauga Dam. They started last Tuesday at Carver's Gap and hiked over Roan Mountain. I can't wait to hear their stories. We had a whopper of a storm several nights last week. I wonder if they did.
Next on our agenda...Bike Virginia! wahooo!
We are eating peas now, lots of peas! Yummy.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Another bowl and a coaster!
This bowl and coaster were also from the same piece of fabric and the bowl I plan to give to a friend who gave me the fabric from her mother's stash after she passed away recently. Making these bowls is so much fun!
Fabric Bowls
I took a workshop at my quilter's guild last week and learned how to make these fabric bowls. I came home and made several more and these two were actually made from the same piece of fabric. It was really fun, and a change of pace. Now I have to think who I will give them to, or, well, maybe, actually, I might keep them!! :-) The book is called It's A Wrap, Sewing Fabric Purses, Baskets, and Bowls, by Susan Breier. Great, easy to follow instructions...and so delightful to make!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Detail of the Center
I used the Crest of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the Center of the quilt. Here is some detail.
Blue Ridge Quilter's Guild Challenge, 2009
Today, my quilter's guild had its challenge quilt show at our meeting. I have worked on mine for about 6 months or so and it was good, I think, not great. But I used fabrics that Reid's friends gave me when I was there, crepes, brocades, silks, and cottons, all in the same quilt. They were very hard to work with. At times, I thought I might give it up but that was definitely NOT possible as some people have been waiting for this to be done! It now goes to the Carroll Reese Museum on the campus of ETSU for our Guild's exhibit, until September.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Giving back.
Yesterday, Ben, Eugene and I went up on 87-B, one of our favorite mountain bike trails and did some trail maintenance. Eugene brought a chain saw and he and Ben chain-sawed out about 5 trees which were across the trail. I helped to remove brush and debris associated with the job! After we were finished, we could ride the entire trail without getting off the bike, something we have not been able to do in three years. It felt good to help not only the MTB community but the horseback riders who use the multi-use trail on Holston Mt. It is a beautiful place and I feel that our small part in improving the trail was a good thing.
The day today was gorgeous and with Ben retired, we could get up at a leisurely pace and ride when we wanted, and we did. We rode one of our regular routes and enjoyed the leisurely pace and the beauty of the day. We are now headed to the farm to plant another crop of corn and see how the rest of the garden is progressing...peas are almost ready! Yummy!
The day today was gorgeous and with Ben retired, we could get up at a leisurely pace and ride when we wanted, and we did. We rode one of our regular routes and enjoyed the leisurely pace and the beauty of the day. We are now headed to the farm to plant another crop of corn and see how the rest of the garden is progressing...peas are almost ready! Yummy!
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