Apple Picking Memory

Last weekend was filled with wonderful memories. Wishing to relive my children's autumn excursions, the family traveled to the Virginia countryside. I was expecting to see fall through the eyes of my twenty-eight-month-old granddaughter.

Our first stop was Sky Meadow State Park's fall festival. Upon entering the park we followed the windy road to the top of the hill. We immediately went to the children's playground that was piled high with haystacks in the form of a little house. She enjoyed the peek-your-head through wooden signs and the farm trucks. Sierra gleefully played before scampering through the pumpkin field, then off to listen to the banjo player strumming his country tunes. The only sight that was not readily accepted by her were the hens that pranced freely around searching for dropped food.  

Remembering our annual childhood apple and pumpkin picking trips, we drove to our second stop, Hollin Farm Orchard. The apple orchard was set in a slightly hilly area near the Blue Ridge Mountains. When reaching the top of the orchard, I looked out to the magnificent expanse while my granddaughter hung on to her little bag waiting to find the just-right apples to pick.  

I am including the above image poem in the Poemtober/Inktober 2019, day 17 challenge. 
The prompt is ornament.

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You can read more about my fall getaway with photos and poetry here. 

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I am excited to announce the winner of Michelle Schaub's book, Finding Treasure, that I reviewed last week at the Last Stop of the Blog Tour.  Congratulations Irene Latham!

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Join me at the ever joyful Jama Rattigan's blog site here where she hosts  the

Poetry Friday Roundup for this week.

Fall Getaway

Morning breaks. Sunshine filters through immense trees beckoning me to take a ride down country roads. The family prepares for a Sunday outing, reminiscent of my childhood days. Quiet roads lead us to our destination, Sky Meadows State Park.

quiet roads curve, swerve
edging closer to bliss
countryside charm 
©CV, 2019   
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Northern Virginia's pastoral landscape is inviting.
Join me as I:

Stroll through autumn's golden trails

and rolling pastures rich in history.

Listen to the "Country Shredder"

strumming his old-time banjo tunes. 

Watch graceful farm hens prance around.

Imagine colonial farm life in a century-plus old

kitchen warmed by an immense stone hearth.

Stare into the embers glowing with color, a 

black cast-iron kettle filled with cornbread,

and delicious pumpkin butter waiting on the table.

Find autumnal bliss; gaze into the grand expanse.

Notice and wonder about country farm life

on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

©CV, 2019   

In the stir of 

autumn rustlings, plump pumpkins

await picking

©CV, 2019   

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with excitement

toddler picks her prized apple

after many searches

childhood apple picking trip

will be remembered forever

via iPhone photography

©CV, 2019   

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This writing was drafted this morning but did not have time to work on my Tuesday Slice of Life until now. Each week I join Two Writing Teachers to add my #TuesdayThoughts in the form of a slice.