Raining Kittens and Going Home....

So---we're home.  Home for me is where I grew up.  Western Pennsylvania--small town called Johnstown-- about 2 hours East of Pittsburgh, known for our floods, steel mills (that sadly are gone) and the movies "Slapshot" and "All the Right Moves".  Learn more about Johnstown here.
I was born here--lived all my life here until I was 38 years old.  About 32 miles was the farthest away I ever moved from the house I grew up in.  The borough is named "Daisytown" no kidding.  They say that when the first people came her to settle the fields were full of Daisies--not sure if it is true or not, but sounds reasonable.  My Great-Grandfather Baiker built the house that my parents still live in.  Pretty awesome history.  The local small graveyard is filled with familiar names and I grew up around people who my Mom had known growing up.  It was the type of place where everyone knew everyone.  Kept an eye out on one another's children.  Heck, I remember playing hide and go seek through about a 10 block radius when I was around 12.  In the dark, with a neighbor's home as base.  Never would I think of allowing Alayna to do that now, with the way that the world has changed.  
I guess you could say I was sheltered... it's a small town.  We had bad things happen of course but nothing like today--and nothing like Virginia Beach area today. 
I love coming home... I love the mountains, the winding roads, the friendly people, drivers who actually follow traffic laws and are considerate.  Things are different here...and I love it.  But it's always hard to come 'home'.
This time the trip was a little different.  Alayna and I headed back up with a late start (I don't sleep well so waking up early would have been a mistake).  We took our time, stopped in several places and even went to Front Royal at the top of the Skyline scenic highway and walked around a bit.   

It's really hard for me to drive or ride for long ways because of the pain that I am in all the time--so the frequent stops to get out and stretch and walk around do help.  It was a lovely little town and actually they were shutting down the streets to have a dance that night...Alayna wanted to stay but I wanted to get going.  On the way back home though we are going to take that Skyline highway and enjoy the scenery and stop at at least some of the 75 overlooks along the way South to home.  
Almost home, about 40 miles to go and we were going through Pleasantville...coming up out of the town and heading into the mountain curves.  I see a small little kitty on the side of the road... small, just a baby... and it's all abandoned homes there, fields and an old shooting range.  I knew it wasn't there and owned by someone.  I drive up about 4 blocks to a place I can turn around and go back, there it was sitting right by the guard rail.  I pull the van over as far as I can, turn on the flashers and hop out to go get it... well of course it ran down the high grass down the hill.  I did eventually find her, she was good at hiding for being black and white and thinking back I'm glad I didn't encounter any other critters.  A little hissing but that was all.  Stopped at BiLo to get some food and litter, warned Maw & Pappy of our new little addition for the time being and finally made it home around 9pm.  (AFTER stopping to get Ann's pizza of course!  Little side note on Ann's--I have been going to Ann's since I was about 15 years old.  Small square cut pieces sold out of a hole in the wall little storefront...owned by the same woman the whole time and the pizza really is the BEST!!  Ann's Pizza Facebook Page check them out and if you are ever in Johnstown--you have to stop!) 
Kitty is doing well, she is easy to get attached to. Very cuddly, loving and has not had one accident at all since we brought her into Maw & Pappy's house.  I was doing my best to try and find her a home--but if the one young woman here doesn't take her I think we will have a new addition to our family.  Scott said he loves cats too and I know he misses his cats that we had to find new homes for when we came back into the active duty Army--housing rules are only 2 pets per home, and we had 2 dogs... I didn't realize that as long as you cared for them and kept your home clean no one really says anything--my heart still hurts for the three cats we had to leave here before moving to KY.  Is it smart?  Ah, probably not.  But I find myself questioning the timing---and thinking that perhaps God put her there at that time for a reason--I mean we could have missed her had we made our trip faster or slower--and she may have even been squished by the time we passed her.  

She is a sweetheart....and she makes me smile.  So we'll see.  


I got to meet my little Willow Grace--such a sweetheart she is, and so beautiful and special, just like her Momma.  

Carol and Willow <3

Alayna picked out the name, "Willow" <3

Precious baby

 I miss the beach though--isn't that weird.  I never used to be a big fan of the beach, but somehow swimming with the dolphins and listening to the waves now is one of my most favorite places to be in the world.  It's so relaxing and sometimes even makes me forget I'm hurting for a moment or two.  We live in such a beautiful area.  

Collage of the lighthouses and scenery around Fort Story <3

My friend, Heather, caught the dolphins at play.  None of my photos are this good--all credit goes to her!!!

 So the weather here is chilly--60-70 and won't warm up until the end of the week.  We were hoping to be able to swim and even though the temperature of the water is 72 and the ocean water is only 63 it somehow feels colder in a pool rather than the ocean.  

Rainy days the past two, and of course being stuck inside the house isn't exactly fun for my 12 yo--and she's driving me a little crazy with her not listening...

 Anyway, hope you enjoyed the latest entry... I always wanted to be a writer of stories--too bad my head is too messed up to actually make sense sometimes... 
Have a great night, I'm going to try to sleep!