So, on we charged, following our adventures on Black Friday at Wallyworld in
Barboursville, WV, headed for Bumpass, VA, and Jay's cousin Barbara, aka Miss
Bob, and her family.  About that "Miss Bob" thing...it goes back to Jay and
Barbara's grandfather, "Grandaddy," who never seemed to call anybody by their
correct names.  Jay's grandmother, ("Grannaw",) whose name was Hester
Virginia, was "Miss Ginny Jo."  Jay's mom, NIta, was "Sis Sal."  Barbara's dad,
Nita's brother, Marvin, was "Big Mike".  Nita and Marvin's younger brother, Jay
and Barbara's Uncle Bill, was "Pete".

Jay was "Seannie" and Barbara was "Miss Bob."  You almost had to have a
program to keep the players straight.  Along that same line, it was a couple of
years ago, a Friday night at Red Cedar Speedway, that Jay had a "visitation" from
the spirit of his grandfather, who whispered into  his ear, "Tell Sis Biddy I love
her."  So Sherry earned her nickname from Grandaddy and truly became one of
the clan, although she insists, "Heavy on the "Sis", light on the "Biddy."
Bumpass, VA, is near Richmond. It's a small community located mainly in Louisa
County.  It's named for the Bumpass family, from the French "Bon Pas" (meaning
"good step", or something like that), and, as with so many Wisconsin communities,
it has more livestock and wildlife than people. The correct pronunciation is
BUMP-us, not what you were thinking.

Jay has a special love for the Richmond area, having lived and worked there three
times in his life, and having spent much time in his youth with his cousin, Miss Bob,
and her family. Since the last time the two of them were together, her kids are
grown and married, and there are grandchildren for Miss Bob, for some years now
a proper Southern widder woman.

On that Friday, we followed Frau Bluecher's flawless directions from Barboursville,
all the way through the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia and Western
Virginia, until we were about ten miles from Miss Bob's home.  Then, it was as
though the strain of navigation kicked in and Frau Bluecher had a vaporlock.  She
had us leave a perfectly good paved county road, turn up a smaller, increasingly
narrow road, and then into what became someone's private drive.  We wandered
through the woods, eventually coming onto a small clearing, which apparently
housed several of the cast members from "Deliverance."  We beat a hasty retreat,
ignoring Bluecher's commands to the contrary and were directed onto another
private drive to a horse farm.  At that point, Jay did the unthinkable, for a man.  He
phoned MIss Bob, told her where he thought we were and ASKED DIRECTIONS!
After a few more minutes, we arrived at the Miller home.  Miss Bob's daughter,
Beth, and her husband David own a farm, Elim Meadows,  with a home that looks
like a luxurious Bed and Breakfast.  It's just beautiful.  And the inside of their home
is even warmer and more loving, and it was here that we camped for the next few
days.
BUMPASS, VA
We pulled into Elim Meadows, the home of "Miss Bob's" (Jay's cousin
Barbara) Son-In-Law and Daughter, the David and Beth Miller Family. A step
away from the hustle and bustle of the every life. So charming and loving, a
home that welcomes a host of friends and wandering relatives.
When we walked in the door, we
were greeted by the elegance of
this beautiful Christmas Tree and
curving staircase decorated in the
warmth of the season.
The picture above is looking
toward the Dining Room where we
had some GREAT cooking (all
identifiable to a Northerner).
We were sitting on a Love Seat
at the time. As we see it, there
is Love everywhere in that
house.
There was scarcely a time when the kitchen was empty.
Here are Beth and Nita, Jay's cousins, busy turning
Love into something edible, with cold delicious to wash
it down.
(No Leinie's available, but, they broadened the horizon
with Yuengling (pronounced Ying Ling, German for
Young Man) Beer.
We even had our own "Dancing With The
Stars" routine, thanks to Melissa and
Casey as they practiced for an upcoming
performance.
We took over "Miss
Bob's" room for the
duration of our stay.
The whole house is so
beautifully decorated, it
was like staying at
one of the best B&B's.
Even the pets
in the house
were a
compliment to
the decor.
Three generations of true
Southern Belles.
Kellie, her Mom, Nita; Miss
Bob; Beth and her Daughter
Megan.
(By the way, Megan,
congratulations on your top 10
finish in the pageant. And
Kellie, good luck in your
Cheerleading competition.)
LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, WE KNOW YOU'RE WONDERING...
HOW ABOUT GRACIE AND THE BUMPASS PUPS?
GRACIE, THE PROUD MAMA.
As you can see, the pups have grown up, a lot!
Gracie's a great Mama, but, it's time for the
pups to find new homes. If you happen to know
of anyone in the Virginia area that would be
interested in a Golden Doodle pup, or, I you
want an excuse to visit Virginia, contact us at
Jay and we'll get you the information.
There's only a couple of pups left, but, if they
are anything like their Mama, they well be great
dogs.
I promise, Ladies,
that next time I
will bring pictures
of the men of the
Clan. Chris,
David, Luke, and
Alan.
TURKEY TROT 2
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