Millwood Post Office and the Clark House

There was no art show in Millwood this year so I haven't been there since last fall. Since I am documenting post offices in my part of Virginia and I happened to be in Clarke County yesterday, I drove to Millwood yesterday to take some pictures.

#USPSProtests

I support our postal workers.

Across from the post office is the historic Clark House (sometimes spelled Clarke, and sometimes referred to as a tavern or hotel.) This building is privately owned, but is known as the place where John Singleton Mosby almost surrendered at the end of the Civil War. While he was in discussions with officers of the U.S. Army, a young ranger came in with a rumor that a thousand Yankees were waiting in the woods to capture them! Mosby promptly left and never did surrender, but disbanded his troops the next day in Salem (now Marshall).

At the edge of the post office parking lot is a book exchange box. Someone has made voting information available there.

The state historical marker (above) says, "After the Civil War, Millwood included a community of freed blacks with a school and several churches." Some of their descendants are still in the area.

"Black Lives Matter." Of course they do. It seems obvious, but then we read the news and realize some people seem to think they don't. It is heart-breaking what people do to each other.

Signs, Signs and Fences Around the World.

I had a history teacher in high school who said that much of history is about man's inhumanity to man. That never seems to end.

See all my posts about Millwood, VA.
My 2010 post on Mosby's Farewell.
See my Civil War Field Trips pages on Mosby.

For more on the story about Mosby in Millwood, check out See It Save It.

The Mill in Millwood

This is the final weekend for the art show at the Burwell Morgan Mill in Millwood, VA. We went today and were impressed by the quality of the artwork. We also attended the show there in May.

A state historical marker tells a brief history of the old mill.

This grist mill, built in 1782-85 by General Daniel Morgan of Saratoga and Colonel Nathaniel Burwell of Carter Hall, was in continuous operation until 1943. Now owned by the Clarke County Historical Association.

Link: Clarke Co. Historical Assn.

A Stone Church in Millwood

Christ Episcopal Church, Millwood, Virginia 

This charming church dates from 1832. It's in Clarke County in the northeastern part of the Shenandoah Valley.

Linking to: 

Old Red Schoolhouse in Millwood

On Bishop Meade Road, Millwood, VA

This school building is over 150 years old and is currently used as an antique shop.

Linking to: Rurality Blog Hop #38

Burwell Morgan Mill

There are a few days left to see this season's art show at the Burwell Morgan Mill in Millwood, VA. Also running this weekend: the plant sale at the state arboretum nearby. I took these photos of the mill a year ago.

Earlier Post: The Mill in Millwood.

The First Week in May

This is a beautiful time of year in Virginia. Flowers are blooming, leaves are green,  and rain is keeping things lush. The frequent rain does present a problem when we want to spend time outdoors, so we have to be flexible ... and prepared. 

I've been trying to take regular walks.  On Sunday I walked a short distance at Jenkins Gap in Shenandoah National Park. The first three pictures are from there. 

The Appalachian Trail is just a stone's throw from the parking lot.  Wildflowers were blooming along the trail. I don't dare to venture far from the car when I'm by myself because my ankles are easy to sprain due to loose ligaments. I enjoyed the scenery though. 

[Black and White Image: Fern.] 

Skywatch: I drove back toward Front Royal and stopped at an overlook. The evening sun was reflected on clouds as a "sun dog," part of a halo called a parhelion.

Next let us look at some irises. One of the neighbors has a lovely garden of irises. I have a few, including a two-toned fringed iris. 

Friday Bliss / Garden Affair / Floral Friday

Art at the Mill is held in Millwood, near Boyce. We went on Wednesday when it is not at all crowded. This is the final weekend.

Yesterday we met with our accountant to sign our tax forms. Then we went to Southern Kitchen for lunch. They have deep-cleaned and redecorated. Every other booth is marked as unavailable to ensure social distancing during the pandemic, which finally seems to be waning here.

Today it rained on and off. Frank did some yard work and I visited Seven Bends State Park. I had volunteered to help with a project that got postponed due to the rain. I walked a short distance and took pictures of wildflowers. 

I was delighted to see a peacock in the parking lot! It lives at a nearby residence. Then it jumped up on my car!

He seemed to like the view from there, and also checked out his reflection. I walked around taking pictures, and then tried to coax him down. 

He did not want to come down. I wondered if they bite like geese do. I did not want to find out. He stayed up there for half an hour! 

I'll share another picture of him tomorrow. 

Today at the Surgi-Center.

We spent the day in Winchester but not doing a fun thing. Frank had his Achilles tendon repaired. The surgeon was the same one who did my foot surgery in 2016, Dr. Vincent.

It went well but it took a long time, especially including recovery time. I got tired of sitting in the stuffy waiting room and wandered around taking pictures. There are places were that's not allowed, of course, due to privacy concerns. So these scenes are in public areas, without people.

Sharing this Collage with Mosaic Monday.

Yesterday we made a stop in Millwood and I snapped a picture of Frank with a hiking stick. He had on a special boot protecting his wrapped-up foot.

He apparently injured the tendon years ago but did not realize it was serious until recently when the pain became excruciating after he stumbled on the steps. The tendon was barely attached by that time so surgery was needed.

Recovery will take a while. He cannot put any weight on that foot for at least six weeks! We've rented and borrowed a carload of equipment to make this possible, plus I had a few items from when I had surgery. There was a waiting list for wheelchairs at the medical supply store, but fortunately a local foundation had one we could borrow.

We did some practicing this week on doing things on one foot. Still, this is going to be hard on both of us, and highly frustrating for him because he is accustomed to be able to do almost everything for himself.

Art on a Rainy Day

Boyce / Millwood, VA

A rainy day is a good time to look into an art show. Actually, Art at the Mill is always worth seeing. The venue is interesting and the work is high quality.

What Day is Today?

1. This is Marie's birthday. She is my younger daughter, shown in this old photo between Lynn and me. 

2. Today is Earth Day. A store in Strasburg gave away redbud trees this weekend to mark the occasion. We got one and Frank planted it in the yard. It's small but I hope it grows. Here you see a redbud blooming in the forest. They are more of a purplish pink than red.  

3. Today is also Sunday, so I'm posting a church for the InSpired Sunday linkup. This is the Shiloh Baptist Church in Millwood, VA.  I found an article that states that it was built in 1892.

Horses Near Millwood

Today I visited some Clark County estates that were open for Historic Garden Week tours. I was delighted to see horses! This part of Virginia has many horse farms.

Horses are intelligent, and they made me feel a little guilty for not bringing them treats.

Sharing with Saturday's Critters

Animal Art at the Mill

Millwood, VA

There were so many beautiful works of art displayed at Burwell-Morgan Mill! I took dozens of pictures, mainly so I could look up the artists later and see their other work. Today I’ll share some animal pictures, but first I’ll show you an artified picture of Charlie so he that won’t be jealous of that beagle painting.

Some of my photos don’t do justice to the artwork because the lighting was not always even, plus some paintings were mounted high on the wall so I could not get a totally level and straight picture. I tried to straighten them out using software

I did not buy any artwork this time. I already have more than I have wallspace for hanging, and I want to avoid spending too much money because the economy feels uncertain to me.