More Knitting for the Home...

A cotton knit washcloth....

A wool felted potholder.....limited outdoor exercise due to the record breaking heat...

A Dorothy Parker Sunday

I walked 3.4 miles round trip on Sunday to see "Dorothy Parker's Laments" performed at the Star City Playhouse. Taken from the program - " The Star City Playhouse is a labor of love. Formerly, the Elizabeth Playhouse located 11 miles from Manhattan, owners Marlow and Karon Sue Semones Ferguson brought the ready made theater to the old Pete More Warehouse....

The purposes of this little theater will include the training of actors for professional careers, the creation of affordable art for the Valley and to encourage others to renovate old landmarks into useful spaces for the community. The Fergusons bring 45 years of NYC theatrical experience to the Valley and this is Karon Sue's gift back to the neighborhood and valley who raised her." What a treasure for Roanoke and how wonderful to be located in the blue collar, most ethnically diverse area of Roanoke ..... and only ten dollars a ticket with discounts for seniors and students.

Cookies and hot water for tea and instant coffee are available in the lobby for whatever gratuity you see fit.
I loved the vintage coffee maker filled with hot water.

Patrons are able to buy stars for the ceiling for a donation of $500.00. Chair plaques are available for a $200.00 donation.

These beautiful doors open into a small area with simple chairs and exposed ceiling pipes. The area is air-conditioned but hand fans are available for those who desire a little more air movement.

About a half block up from the theater I saw just the perfect partner for the Big Blonde. Along the three blocks I walked on Williamson Road I saw these signs and businesses. I can safely say no other area of Roanoke offers this diversity. I love my neighborhood....and the Star City Playhouse.

If I Could Turn Back Time...

I wouldn't ... but I did enjoy attending my 30th year class reunion last Saturday. Many of these folks I've not seen since graduation and anyway I'm not sure I would have recognized most of them. To have been such a wallflower in high school I must say I look good now. I honestly did not recognize my friend DS from high school - talk about a transformation - she was one of the most attractive, outgoing women in the room. Just goes to show....






Greenfield Education and Training Center was the reunion site. The floor to ceiling windows framed rolling fields and a beautiful sunset. There is a trail system I want to check out later this year - perhaps combine with an apple picking day...





Another knitted project !!! - a felted oven mitt....

Another Day, Another Lake

In 100 degree weather the only place to be is on the water so off we go! My DH jumped out of bed early like a boy on vacation so we could be on the road and in the water early. Philpott Lake was built by the Army Corp of Engineers and remains public land so therefore no McMansions line the shoreline.



I prefer the serenity of this lake rather that the one we visited last week. Just need to come prepared with all the supplies and fuel you need while on the water since there are no marinas. Certainly worth it....

During the eight hours we were on the lake I knitted two washclothes ...

another lacy heart design in a bright red-orange cotton...


and an attempt at intarsia that ended up combining Fair Isle technique.



We ended the day by harvesting the first tomato from our garden - yum!

Hot Weather Cooking

My hot weather cooking tends to be cold salads that I can eat for several meals... I recently made a fresh beet and onion slaw dressed with a homemade vinaigrette. Raw beets are crunchy, sweet, slightly earthy goodness. I also love the deep purple red color of beets ...



I gathered the vegetables from the fridge , coarsely chopped them, added my vinaigrette and canned garbanzo beans and threw in plenty of freshly picked basil from my backyard garden. Adding fresh pita bread and mango pickles from the nearby ethnic market...



and a freshly brewed glass of tea spiked with fresh mint, I had a deliciously healthy lunch in this unbelievable heat.

On the Lake...

Recently, my DH and I spent a hot day cruising Smith Mountain Lake in our new (used) boat. The Lake (as people around here call it) was created in the 1960s by damming Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers and is used to supply much of the electricity to the region. This rustic marina was one my DH used growing up playing on the lake. While the gas, oil, snacks are long gone the hand painted signs remain... yes, two dollars is still the charge for using the boat launch.






We were greeted by two wary, but quickly friendly dogs...



I was amazed at the shore side diversity - the lake has become a popular retirement area and the "elite" area to live. Million dollar homes are becoming common alone the shore. Amazing to consider such affluence in a region where the median family income is around $45,000. However, plenty of humble cabins and trailers are spotted along the shore and cows still wade in coves and graze on pricey shoreline pastures. Perhaps the farmers are counting on the land to fund their retirement....


Not so humble....




The railroads seen from the lake are a reminder of the industrial origins of the Roanoke Valley and continue to move goods throughout the country.

During One Day Off Work...

I finished this sweater...
and cooked this tasty eggplant curry loaded with my own home grown basil...