We had a grand time visiting several of Christa’s cousins in Tennessee. Cousin Judy and Billy built a mountain home thirty years ago just outside of Nashville. We stayed with them and their five yorkie dogs for a couple of days. Like her younger sister Joan in Florida, Judy is a quilter, does embroidery and jewelry work, weaves and dyes silk scarves. For years she has been an accomplished weaver of cloth on her looms and often teaches weaving workshops around the country. Billy makes fine woodwork furniture as a craftsman. He even made a dulcimer for Judy’s sis
Continuing on to Tennessee Ridge we stayed with cousin Janice and Roy Trodglen during Easter week. They live on two acres in the country with lots of birds fluttering to numerous bird feeders set around their backyard. From the porch deck it was fun to watch a variety of bluebirds, red cardinals, yellow wobblers, and starlings come and go.
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| Oh boy croppie catch number 7 |
On the first night of our visit Janice suggested JR and I obtain Tennessee state fishing licenses. The three of us went to Cane Creek Marina and fished off the boat dock in the evening with their neighbors. A bucket of live minnows for bait helped snag a few croppies, bass, and perch. None of the fish were keepers in size but we all had fun.
Their good neighbors were a hoot and joined us for supper one night. The fellow next door told us he had given up his earlier days as a backwoods bootlegger. He regaled us with several wild tales of making moonshine with his papa and brothers, outsmarting federal agents during the prohibition era, coon hunting, and having several shot gun encounters with the law. The stories were so outrageous that we wondered how many of them were actually true. His witty wife of 49years with a strong southern accent had a great spunky personality all her own.
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| There was a big bash celebrating Cousin Brenda's 60th and second cousin Eric's 22nd birthdays |
We drove out to a beautiful two story farmhouse for the church’s annual childrens’ Easter egg hunt. The weather was lovely as we all sat out on the porch watching kids of all ages fill their baskets, enjoy racing games, and get prizes. It was indeed a wonderful gathering out in the country. Attending Church of Christ events is second nature in the Trodglen household. Bible study sessions on Wednesdays and Sundays in addition to Sunday worship service are common practice for them. They enjoy a wonderful fellowship with their church family friends in faith. The congregation gave us a warm welcome as guests.
As Easter approached their six year old grandson Ross dyed colorful eggs.
We attended Sunday worship service together and enjoyed a wonderful Easter dinner around their country kitchen table.
