"About the Authors"
Steve retired from the military (23 years as a Navy and Coast Guard pilot) in 1994. He continued working as a Pasquotank County, NC, building inspector for three years and then as a Construction Administrator for the Pasquotank County school system for another three years. Following the completion of a new high school, he was no longer needed, so we took that opportunity to move to the mountains in 2003.
After numerous house hunting trips to Pennsylvania and western North Carolina, we moved from Elizabeth City, NC, and settled into a smaller, but very nice home in Hendersonville, NC, in July 2003. We moved here because we love the mountains, which we can never grow tired of. The weather here has mild summers and winters, but we still see the four seasons. However, while we enjoy all the seasons here, perhaps the best season is fall. We are just minutes away from the Blue Ridge Parkway and this area normally sees some fantastic fall colors throughout October.
Our new home lacked what Steve called a 'water feature', so he quickly set about building water gardens and other garden landscaping around our new home. The water feature had to come first, so he began construction during the summer; "Pond0308" and "Pond0309" show some of the progress, while "Pond0705a" and "Pond0705b" show the result.
Steve's other hobbies include woodworking (mostly simple furniture from yellow pine, which we like because of its character and warm color), electronics repair, and writing a newsletter called the "Z-100 LifeLine", for users of the mid-80's Heathkit/Zenith Z-100 series computer. He completed a small (18x24') workshop in the backyard for his woodworking and it came in real handy while we were renovating the home. He also maintains an electronics shop in the garage and has at least one computer in nearly every room (Myra forced him to remove the one he once had installed in the kitchen!). So, when time permits, he can either be found working in his numerous gardens, the "Workshop" or in the garage, which has been set up as the electronics workshop. We still can't park a car in the garage!!!
Following a lifetime as a mother, military wife, volunteer, and Vagts' social worker, Myra finally found her calling. She worked in the Pasquotank - Camden Library for over seven years and in 2004 began work at the Henderson County Library - the second busiest in North Carolina and by the time she came home each day, she felt it. But she enjoyed the work being busy and meeting all the people. She finally put all that behind her, when she retired in 2018 with over 20 years of service. Now her hobbies include keeping track of the vastly expanding family and reading murder mysteries, espionage, and thrillers. And, of course, Myra is still going stir crazy missing the kids, and especially the grandkids... "Empty Nest".
We have three children, all grown - Marian, Lisa, and Karin - and seven grand children, which keep everyone hopping.
Happy New Year! May this new year be much better than 2020 for all of us!
On occasion of the New Year, we have a video of Auld Lange Syne, sung by Lisa Lambe of Celtic Woman. David Downes is on the piano.
- Celtic Woman - Lisa Lambe - Auld Lang Syne
We hope you enjoy it. We wish you all a safe and healthy 2021.
The following jokes and comics were favorites from our old Earthlink website:
* Aah... Life in the country can't be beat. Each spring, thoughts turn to gardening and yard work... "Yard Work".
* Steve has finished fixing up the outside world to his satisfaction and the yard looks great. But I think it might be a lost cause out here in the country... "Country Garden".
* Yep, the rabbits have been having a party, but when the birds begin, "Bird Garden", it's just too much!
Finally, we leave you with some thoughts to ponder...
* Myra's favorite cartoon...
Why you never judge a book by its cover - nor a person either... "Answer"
* Steve's favorite joke has become a family tradition: "Men were born to suffer".
* Life in the country does provide us opportunities to educate our grandkids.
For example, try to explain... "This!"
* And for those who are still looking for the secret to an excellent marriage... "Answer"
* For the follicularly challenged, here's a common question... and "Answer"
* Have you ever wondered if someone, up there, was looking out for you?... "Answer"
* And for us retirees, the major decision of the day... "Answer"
* Oh, and always be very careful of what you may wish for... "Answer"
* In an age where marriages just don't last anymore, what's our secret for putting up with each other for so long?... "Answer"
* If you think that you worry about global warning;
I'm sure you've heard about its affect on the polar bear population, but did you ever suspect its possible affect on another species... "Answer"
Please... Let's all do our part to save our environment: Conserve, Recycle, and Protect.
We hope you enjoyed your visit. Please feel free to come again.
