Friday 07.12.2013

The afternoon rains began about  3:30 this afternoon!

But we've had a good day -- and a good week --

with hard working guys going at it since about 7:15 this morning.  

We're very blessed!

Despite the rain and the inconvenience, we've been spared
 any serious storm damage during recent weeks.

Just a few miles away on Dick Wood's Road yesterday,
the storm caused this damage:

On site today:

SY - the usual

Eric with Vector Security - bringing a final resolution to the security system issues! 

Kyle & masonry crew - 95% complete in the Parterre Garden

What a remarkable difference!

Kevin & Mike (back from vacation) - mending numerous gates and working their carpentry mastery.

Ron Bush & crew - installing the piping for the irrigation system for the Parterre Garden

(1) Irrigation supply lines

(2) Unobtrusive sprinkler head.

Thursday 07.11.2013

At the time of this writing (10:11pm) it has been raining steadily at 

Ramsay since about 4:30 this afternoon. At the moment, the rain

 on the Farm House metal roof is like thunder!

All of this region is under flash flood watches!

I'm posting this picture to summon the Sunshine gods!!

On site today:

SY - the usual

Kyle and larger crew - making good progress

                                                             


       The North portico walkway has  a new
       row of "soldiers" at attention!

                                                            

Kevin Kennedy - finishing the Guest Cottage porch rails

Custom rails "by Kevin"

Kevin's handiwork!

Wednesday 07.10.2013

At least the rain held off until 3:30 this afternoon,

but then it really poured ...

On site today:

SY- the ususal

Kevin White - his final day for sure this time. 

Kevin has been our yard man extraordinaire for the last month. A rising Junior at the University of Michigan, he got a call from his coach last night, and he flies to Anchorage, Alaska tomorrow for summer league baseball until mid-August. Recruited after his sophomore year of high school--Saint Anne's-Belfield in C'ville-- Kevin is being heavily scouted by most of the major league teams in the nation. We wish him all the best and will always have a place for him at Ramsay.  Let's hope he remembers us when he becomes rich and famous!!   

Kevin requested this picture with the tractor!

 Kyle & the masons

             The Parterre Garden masonry work is nearing completion! 

All the old pickets are "heart pine"

                                                                                                      Kevin Kennedy continues restoration work at the Guest Cottage

Tuesday 07.09.2013

Ditto weather from yesterday!

Some storms skirted by, but no rain drops fell on us today.

Here is a frequent scene:
a visitor stopping to visit with Toby,

our newest four-legged critter at Ramsay.

On site today:

"Measure twice--cut once!"

SY - the usual
Kevin White - the usual handyman yard work
Busy Brooms ladies- playing housekeeper while Sherry is on vacation.

Kyle, masons, and crew :


(1) Making a slight "adjustment" to the new walkway in the parterre garden...

(2) ...and creating beautiful new cobble stone pads at the "Courting Benches"

Monday 07.08.2013

Back in March we had some guest artists on grounds painting

wonderful sites and views around the estate. This weekend...

Mother Nature did a pretty good job herself--especially with these clouds

On site today:

SY - the ususal

Kevin White - keeper of the grounds!

Kyle and crew in the parterre garden - working on cobble stone pads at the "Courting Benches"

Tony Fielding - from Curtis Heating & AC

Rachel Lilly our resident landscape architect and Ron Bush our irrigation consultant:

"I don't know what's going on, do you?!"

And,  Kevin Kennedy - our master carpenter.

Reworking the hand rails on the Guest Cottage front porch.

Old hand rail

Kevin sizes up the picket layout

Patched, sanded, & primed

New hand rail custom made by Kevin

Saturday 07.06.2013

A beautiful summer day at Ramsay

3rd in a row since five straight days of rain earlier this week!

While mowing the fence lines this morning,

 I (SY) couldn't resist this picture:

Community News

The annual Crozet 4th of July Parade was held this afternoon.

In just a few years, the parade has grown substantially, 

 involving volunteers from many neighboring counties and organizations.

A new Crozetian standing next to us said, "This is the best small town

parade I have ever seen in my life. I'm glad we didn't miss it!"

Friday 07.05.2013

A peaceful and restful day at Ramsay today, with the only major activity being
the mowing crew who were rained out on Wednesday,but offered to come over
the holiday weekend to keep the grounds looking crisp and manicured!

Thank you Timmy and crew!

Late afternoon today while TJ & SY toured the grounds.

TJ, Reae, Margaret and some friends who came down yesterday took their time enjoying the extended holiday weekend, picking blackberries and raspberries--rumor has it that the delightful aroma of a blackberry cobbler filled the main house last evening, prior to some spectacular fireworks on the north lawn!

SY ventured to Richmond for another meeting at the 
Department of Historic Resources

regarding rehabilitation work we're preparing to undertake on the garage and barn.
A lot of bureaucratic "hoop-jumping" -- but the end product will be worth it!

A spur-of-the-moment call resulted in a savory lunch at The Continental 

on Grove Street, with son, Lindsay who lives and works in Richmond.