Today was a free, run-around day at Lavender Hill Farm in Lexington, VA. The problem was ...relentless RAIN. While the chickens did get fed, it was hardly what we'd call hanging out with the animals and running around, as kids must at some point do.
Our hostess recommended visiting Stonewall Jackson's house in the historic district of town. F i n a l l y, a regular Southern gentleman instead of a wealthy plantation owner. He was a professor, a natural leader, and a military hero to some (he got his nickname from standing with his regiment at the top of a hill like a big stone wall).
But really, he was a man of faith who watched his pennies and lived on the wrong side of town (across from the jail and next to a hotel) simply because he fell in love with "this
old house;" it was already 58 years old when he moved in!
The poor guy, lost his first wife in childbirth along with his baby daughter. He remarried and lost his next baby girl to typhoid. The third daughter he met once at 6 mos. before meeting his own end in battle. That's his sad story.
The best part of the day was hurrying down the rainy street and finding such a hilarious plaque!
Saw your van in lex. It's a shame you didn't get to swim in goshen pass while you were in the rock. If you are heading south, the best part of your trip is about to begin...the warm sun shines kindly and the stars are bright in the southern sky.
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