Articles (Blog)
Posted on January 18, 2021 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: A story to share
 
There are so many funny stories from my years at Sunnybrook Day School.  Here's a good one relating to Arts and Crafts.
 
One day at Show and Tell, a very shy little friend shared with us a sock puppet she had made using a scrap of fur.  When I asked her how she made it, she flipped her puppet around (it was on her hand) to let the puppet speak to me, and said:  "She made me with Arts and Craps."
 
Can we ever walk into a Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics store without thinking of that?  NOPE.
 
HAPPY CRAFTING!!!
Posted on January 11, 2021 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: A story to share
 
I'm running out of ideas, here.  
 
If you'd like to send me a photo or a story, I'll be happy to share it here on the Five Forks blog.  Oh wait!!!  I just remembered a text I got from my friend Sandy.  Check back tomorrow for a look at her Florida garden.
 
But you can still send me a photo or a story to share.  
 
HAPPY WINTER!!!
Posted on January 10, 2021 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: A story to share
We saw this today on Facebook:  Jon's grandson, Hunter.  This is how his sister Brooke found him in the morning, asleep on the sofa.
 
Check out his pillow!!!!  The dog!!!  Hahaha!   11 year old boys are so funny.  
 
Thought you could use a good laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
HAPPY WINTER!!!
Posted on January 8, 2021 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: A story to share
 
This is a picture from our Christmas snow.  I took it at noon on Christmas.  You don't mind more snow pix, do you?  
 
I thought the folks on the North side of the community would like to see their houses in the snow.  Their houses from MY porch on Crabapple Lane.
 
When we moved here in 2004, these houses weren't here.  This mountainside was just trees.  No roads, no houses.  When they first started developing it, it looked raw and bare, but it was interesting to see the houses being built, and the roads being put in.  And it has grown into a beautiful area of the community.  We call it the North village.  As you can see, it looked gorgeous in the snow.
 
HAPPY WINTER!!!
Posted on January 6, 2021 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: A story to share
 
Look who I saw hanging out in Jo and Mike's garden.  I wonder what kind of magic they perform when nobody's looking.  
 
 
Thought you'd like to start your day with a smile.  ;)
 
HAPPY WINTER!!!
Posted on January 4, 2021 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: A story to share
 
Look who I saw on the trail the other day.  
 
On Thursday, our decrepit old friend Tedd was hanging out in his usual tree.  On Saturday, he was gone and this new bear was in his place.  I started checking in with my friends, to see WHO did it.  I still don't know, but as soon as I find out, I'll let you know.  You may want whoever it was to carve you something to park in your tree. 
 
Next time you're on the trail, be sure to say hello to the new and improved Tedd.
 
HAPPY HIKING!!!
Posted on December 31, 2020 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: A story to share
 
Look what Bill made!!!  His very own Merry Christmoose!!!  He is amazing!!!
 
I asked him to tell me about it.   Well, I'll let him tell you:
 
  1.  body is 2 pieces of 4' long 28" dia dead oak cut down in front of bailey's house carved with chain saw - bolted together - made at my barn
  2.  legs 2 x 4 steel tube welded with knees and hooves - made at bruce beall's shop
  3.  antler 3/16" steel plate cut out with plasma cutter and forge shaped - made at bruce's  shop
  4.  finished with burning and australian timber oil
  5.  assembled in bruce's shop with bridge crane
  6.  weighs between 900 and 1000 lbs
  7.  total time to make approx 60 hours
  8.  his name is morrison - we call him morrie
  9.  loaded on trailer with bridge crane - off loaded from trailer by approx 10 invited neighbors
10.  his feet are welded to plates anchored in concrete to prevent him from falling over in our heavy winds
11.  its good luck to "kiss the moose"

Wow!!!  I told you he's amazing.  Really, go up and see it!!!
 
 
HAPPY WINTER!!!
Posted on December 29, 2020 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: A story to share
 
You know George.  He's the guy with the tractor.  You know, the tractor that moved the haybale into position, the tractor that helped raise Mike's carport roof, and the tractor that clears the roads when it snows.  He loves that tractor.
 
Here he is on Christmas, and you can see that he's already been driving his truck, and getting ready to clear the roads.
 
His comment along with this picture was:  "Merry Christmas!!! Great to have NY gear!"   At first I didn't get it, I thought he meant New Years, but then I remembered that he and Priscilla came here from New York.  Of course he would have good winter clothes, and being George:  good winter WORK clothes.
 
And sure enough, he spent most of the morning clearing the roads and pulling folks out of the snow.  
 
 
THANKS GEORGE!!!
 
 
Posted on December 28, 2020 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: A story to share
 
We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!!  You know, the song....
 
My friend in Texas asked me to call her and play my cello for her on Christmas.  So I got out my beautiful cello and practiced a few Christmas carols to play without having to look at the music.  They sounded pretty good, so I decided to call her.
 
I put on the Santa hat and set up the chair in front of the glass door, so she could see this gorgeous snowfall, and Jon took my picture.  Really, we were just killing time until it was 8 am in Texas so we could ring her phone.
 
Ya know how some people have two numbers in your address book?  Well, I called Donna's home number, and when a lady answered, I started playing the Christmas song.  Jon held the phone and sang along with me, and when we ended, the lady said "Well, Merry Christmas to you too."  It wasn't Donna's voice, so I asked if this was her number.  Nope.  It was her OLD number, and somebody else has it now.  She thanked us for our music, we all said Merry Christmas, and hung up.
 
Then we called Donna's mobile number and she answered.  We played and sang for her, and she sang along.  When we told her the story about the wrong number, she laughed and called me an angel.  (I don't know about that, but I do love to make people smile.)
 
We hoped to make one old lady's day by singing and playing the cello, and we got to make two old ladies smile.  Even though it was an accident, it was fun for us ALL!!!
 
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
 
 
Posted on December 27, 2020 8:00 AM by Gerry Trout
Categories: A story to share
 
Just when I thought I had nothing to blog about:  we got snow!!!  On Christmas!!!
 
I guess taking a winter break wasn't such a good idea.  I'M BACK!!!!
 
Our neighbor Tom took this picture of us on Crabapple Lane as we were dragging the sled back up the hill.
 
It was so beautiful, and 26 degrees.  We stayed out long enough to sled down Stonebriar and Crabapple.  We took a few runs each, but you still have to drag the sled back up.  That gets old really fast.
 
So we got in a little sledding, then spent the rest of our day inside.  
 
WISH YOU WERE HERE!!!
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