Gender confused fowl

Just a quick post to show everyone a picture of the hen named Lance, Jr. Before you jump to any conclusions, I will explain. This bird was thought to be a rooster when he was a chick given his aggressive behavior. At that time we posted a picture of the little trouble maker on a 10/8/2005 blog entry. He was subsequently introduced to cyber space as Lance junior in a 10/30/2005 blog entry. His more feminine side prevailed as the little rooster grew and now that he has begun laying eggs, we are less convinced of his cock-hood. Fortunately, he/she has become the most sociable of the group and has taken to Heather following her around the farm -- no comments from the peanut gallery. I guess I can't blame him/her.

Lance

Cabin Coming Down!

The first log came down last Friday. Though I would ideally prefer a team of work horses and hoists to use for the disassembly process, I will settle for a modern cherry picker. Pictures are as follows: 1) Heather on the cherry picker. 2) Larry preparing to chain the first log. 3) The cabin from the back of the property (surrounded by "progress"). 4) The Holston River, which forms the back boundary of the property--175 years ago, there was an iron works/nail factory (Pactolus Ironworks) about 1/4 mile away on the river. The first nails used in the cabin were likely made there.

Winter weather

Old Man Winter has decided to show up this season after all. Three inch snows twice in the last few days have slowed the cabin disassembly but the logs will be completely broken down by the middle of this week.

Posted pictures are 1) the cabin earlier this week during some warmer weather and 2) a snowy picture of our massive pile of firewood at the farm

Second childhood

The most productive afternoon I have spent in a long time.

Rocks and snow

The first substantial snow of the year fell last night. So far we have about an inch and will probably get a couple more today. Of course, that means the grocery stores are all out of milk and Moon-pies. These southerners are nuts.














Below is a picture of the snow covered farm with house in state of repair. Next to the smoke house there are 30 pallets of stones we are going to use for the foundation of our addition and cabin. We bought the stones from the Pendleton family of Gate City, VA.


These stones were the foundation for a 1893 Methodist church named Ewing's Chapel which resided on the Pendleton property. In 2001 the church was dismantled and moved closer to downtown Gate City but the stones were left behind because they were too heavy. We got them for a steal AND Mr. Pendleton delivered them to our property.

Posted below are pictures of an early 1900's singing school in front of the church and a current picture of the building after moved and restored.















Of interest, the lumber for the church was furnished by a Mr. Drury Godsey who in his younger days was a Confederate soldier in the Virginia Infantry. He was captured at the Spotsylvania Court House battle in May of 1864 and remained prisoner until the war's end.

Finally, I have received multiple requests from friends and family to keep the blog more up to date. Sorry, Heather and I did not realize how often the blog was being viewed.

Thanks for watching,
Lance

We Found a Cabin...but Lost Henny Penny

The following post will be a long one—mostly in order for me to deal with the opposing emotions of sadness and excitement I am feeling at the moment—so feel free to skim.

Good news first…Lance and I have found a cabin for our addition. Built in 1835 by David Birdwell, the two story hewn log structure was sold to the Bradley family in the late 1800’s, and they occupied the house until about two weeks ago. In 1907, the house was “modernized” and molded into the shape of the I-type farmhouse that was in vogue at the time (like our house): a front section was added, and the entire structure was covered in clapboard. The cabin is located between Kingsport and Johnson City—right beside a Wal-Mart. The land on which it sits is going to be developed into a shopping mall and subdivision. The developer donated the cabin to the Exchange Place, the living history museum where I volunteer, and since Exchange Place doesn’t have room to reconstruct it, they offered to give it to me and Lance. It is a sweet victory to save such a historic structure from corporate America. I have driven by this house many times in the past (never knowing that a cabin lay hidden beneath the clapboard), and I always said to myself, “That poor little farmhouse is doomed.” No more.

We are in the process of dismantling the cabin and salvaging as many original building materials as possible. The logs and the stones in the chimney will be numbered, disassembled, and reconstructed on our property. When it’s finished, we’ll have a big cabin-warming party!

Now for the sad news…Last Friday, Henny Penny was killed by a Beagle who had crossed our property line in search of rabbits. I was working at the cabin when Lance called to tell me that he had found her. I cried all the way home—and for hours afterward. The owner of the dog offered to pay for Henny. I felt like I was in a MasterCard commercial: “Old Rhode Island Red Hen who lays only yolks and has more bare spots than feathers: 50 cents”; “Friend who comes when you call her and keeps you company while you’re planting the garden: priceless.” My energies now will be focused on encouraging one of the little pullets to follow in "Granny Henny's" footsteps.

Pictures:
The farmhouse/cabin before the clapboard was removed (Mom is in the foreground and Walmart is in the background)

The cabin portion after the removal of the clapboard

Lance and Heather at the cabin

One of the last pictures taken of Henny Penny (with Heather, Shane, and Jackson)