The Bristolbury Springs Farm- A Gilmer County First Family Homestead

Thursday: Appalachian Homestead update.
First photo is the new stall front i just built in the addition. I’m pretty tickled it’s such a good match. I have to soak the hinges in vinegar to rust them.
Bucket hooks are up and im getting the rubber mats.
Second photo is one of the original old barn stall fronts.
Mission accomplished!
Now… onto all the detail/finish up stuff for the addition.

Friday: Appalachian Homestead update.
I conferred with a Structural Engineer today regarding the Dry Stack Stone foundation of the old cabin.
The cabin had an electric meter and electricity in 1939. Once abandoned (1968) the meter was pulled and in order to have a meter reset, of course the internal wiring must all be redone and inspected….But in addition to that…IRBC states that building must be on a “permanent” foundation in order to have electric service. My position is: “Well, it’s been on these same stones since 1931…. I’d say that’s pretty permanent!”…. Lol
Obviously, we want to always be in compliance (I’ve never had an issue with the wonderful folks at P&Z, and always look forward to working with them. )but we also do not want to lose this part of Appalachian culture and the lost art of Dry Stack mortar-less construction . I did feel a whole lot better when the Engineer said something to the effect of “ well the greatest evidence we have as to whether something was good construction or not, is “time”….
And my cabin has stood the test of time, by golly. Even with the rotted wood on the back two rooms, the stack stone pillars have never moved! Lol
I have also reached out to the Dry Stone Conservancy in Lexington, KY, to see what is protocol for balancing conservation while updating historic buildings.
The Engineer will make a site visit next week and I have asked the Dry Stone Conservancy for their evaluation also.
Preserving one of Gilmer Counties “First Family” Homestead remains my priority.

Sunday: Appalachian Homestead update.
Pix from yesterday’s portable hot water heater ( though we chose to make it permanent) installed under the open lean-to.
Marketed as a portable camping shower I can now give my old girls (hounds too) hot baths!

Saturday: Appalachian Homestead update.
The riding ring works!!
(No one here to take pix of me on the ponies)

Saturday: I’m forever grateful for being the youngest best sibling with SIX older brothers ( I’m the only girl).
Neither they nor my dad coddled me or said, “That’s man’s work” or “that’s a job for a man” or “girls don’t do that kind of work”…..
Consequently, Life Skills…..

Monday night: GSP in-tact male stopped by. Had some dinner and is tucked in a stall for the night… or til we can get him back to his hunting partner.
We tried to figure out the number on the collar… no luck.
Please share.
Also posted on Ellijay life.
He’s at 2633 Gates Chapel Rs.

Sunday: It’s all coming back to me….
Riding an Off-the-Track ( ex-racer) Thoroughbred in the Salisbury Christmas parade…. Winter of 1979.
Yeah, you do crazy stuff like that when you’re 17. What was I thinking?!?!

Saturday after I didn’t fall off my pony:
I’ve been on the Adductor/abductor machine ( y’all know which one that is, right???) in the gym since May getting ready for this ride. I’ve lost 32 lbs so I could get my butt in the 16” saddle…… and……
It was WONDERFUL to be riding again!!!!!!
“Caddo Candy Crush”
(Steppe’s Practical Magic x Caddo Texas Twister)
Thank you Mary Martin and Faye Cole-Tanner for my beautiful girl.
Sorry, no one on the farm today to get a photo…. But we did look way cute in our matching plum 🙂
I’ve had her tail bagged since Spring…. Look how long!

Saturday: I sure hope it’s like riding a bike…..
18 year gap from saddle to saddle.
Today’s the day. Gotta start riding them sometime.

Tuesday: I lived through the accident to tell the story and this day never passes that I don’t remember with gratefulness that I’m lucky to be here.
On this day in 1977 my 2- year old filly I was training kicked me in the abdomen. She crushed my rib cage and it lacerated several internal organs. I was schooling her on a farm quite a distance from any hospital I nearly died from internal bleeding before they could locate my parent to authorize the emergency surgery.
The Coroner/ME performed my surgery as he was the only doctor on call and he made the decision to operate. I missed school ( my sophomore year) from this day until after Christmas break and returned to school January of ‘78.
Each day since this day has been a gift. I squeeze as much life out of each day as is humanly possible.
Many of you have seen this post every year for years….. sorry for the repeat!!!
“Every day above ground is a good day!”
Live as hard as you can!

Monday: Gilmer County Saddle Club.
Today marks our 7th day of fence scraping. I can’t imagine doing this by hand…. It’s quite a job even with the best stripping power tools.
We’re (Tonya Green) here 2 days again this week. We’ve been scraping/ sanding with dueling sanders 6 hours each day…. I go back over there after dinner and my evening chores to paint what we scraped earlier in the day. We’re at the 3/4 section of doneness. I don’t think it’s ever overkill to spend extra time prepping…. And it looks REALLY sharp!
(Currently 96 man-hours invested).
I’m glad our project load was flexible enough we were able to do it for the equine community. Next Spring we’ll be able to spray a quick second coat and that should be enough to get us through quite a few years.