Rocky

Here is Rocky, my ancient ferret, sneaking what's left in the bottom of a cup of hot chocolate.

I'm not exactly sure how old Rocky is, but I think he's well past 7--a very old man who has the right to enjoy the occasional indulgence!

Pennsylvania

Mike and I drove (well, actually, he did the driving) to Johnstown, PA to visit our friends Maryann and Sam and their kids. We went from Columbus Day through Thursday. It was a very nice visit and Maryann and Sam made some good meals.

The kids were in school, except for the littlest one, Garrison. So we four adults went off on several 'adventures.' On the first day, we stopped by a very old church called "Shade Church." It is an old structure that is supposed to be haunted. It is never locked. No one knows if it is in use now, but someone is keeping it up because the place is clean. It still has the original candle-holder chandelier and wood-burning (or coal burning?) stove. The odd thing is that there is no place where the stove vents to the outside, and yet there is still wood in the box behind it as if it is being used.

I, for one, didn't feel any ghostly presences, but Maryann said something tugged her shirt. There is a graveyard next to it that dates back over 100 years. I found one grave, shaped like a little lamb, with no name on it. So I cleared away the overgrown grass at the base and found it was the resting place of a 2-week-old baby named Edna Marie. If she'd lived, she's be 95 years old. I don't know why, but it really intrigued me.

Mike and Maryann explore the Shade Church. Sometimes, I'm told, the old organ plays by itself.

We hit a mall the next day. Not a grand adventure but I had a great time shopping in a kitchen store! And on the last day, we went antiquing before heading home. I found a sweet Horseman doll from the 1950s. I think she is "Ruthie," but I'm not sure. All I know is, I really like her!

Shadow gets comfy

Here is Shadow snoozing on my couch, which is covered with Fall and Halloween-themed pillows!