Blue Ridge Mountain Bear Chase near The Blue Ridge Parkway and The Writing on the Wall...

My Artwork

Field of Flowers  Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at  KENDALL KESSLER ART

Natural Rhythm   Original 30"x40"  Oil Painting   $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

I really do have flowers on the brain right now!

Today I found a wonderful Cherokee bear story about Autumn!

The Great Bear

A great black bear ,Nyah- gwaheh was terrorizing a village.  Children stayed out of the woods for fear of this animal. Four hunters set out to track down and kill Nyah- gwaheh.  The bear was said to possess magical powers and could cause its tracks to disappear.   The hunters had a magical dog that could see tracks days after they had vanished.

The four hunters were great hunters but one of them was fat and lazy.  He always wanted to take breaks.  On one break he reached into his pouch for a snack and found squirmy things in it which was a magical sign that the bear knew it was being hunted.

The bear ran and ran up the mountain to escape the hunters.  It was so huge that it was easy to track.  The forest was being torn up as it passed.  As the bear tired it stopped in its tracks to kill the annoying dog and one of the hunters succeeded in driving an arrow through it.

They cut the bear up and roasted it when one hunter noticed strange sparks in the darkness far below his feet.  They were no longer on the mountain but up in the air!  The powerful magic of the bear had led them to the world of the sky!

The dog started barking at the pile of bones and they came alive and the hunters chased the bear across the sky.

Legend has it that each autumn the hunters chase the bear across the sky and when it is killed the blood drips from the sky onto the trees.  The fat from the fire causes the grass to turn white.

I got this great story from the online publication, Cherokee Myths and Legends of The Black Bear

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

Sometimes my husband and I joke about how we got together.  It is rather unusual that a girl from McLean VA marries a naturalist poet from a town that is so small it could be on Hee Haws Salute the Small Town section of the show.

The latest quip is  I didn't hold a poem to your head.  You could have said no.

My response is I didn't see the puns on the wall.

Just kidding around!  I am very glad I married my mountain man!   He is the only one for me!

Blue Ridge Healing Waters near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Anticipation!

My Artwork

Lion Explosion   Original 20"x16" Oil Painting    $670

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

Eagle Fire  Original 16"x20"  Oil Painting    $670

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieN28aLojSA

I am real excited about my next series of paintings!  I am going to do a number of large paintings of Pawleys Island including some sunset over the ocean scenes!  It has been a while since I did a shore scene so I am looking forward to these new works.

I am going to do one more Kendall Expression painting and then get started.  I have had a great time working on my own brand of Expressionism but I am anxious to get back to my own personal Impressionistic style. I really do live to paint and I love to find homes for my creations!  I just mailed Small Flowers to a great Texas patron!

Here are two of my favorite Kendall Expressions paintings and the Youtube video I did on a number of them.  I need to get back to making videos!  I will soon!

 

Blue Ridge Healing Waters

The Cherokees have a tradition about healing waters in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  According to legend there is a mysterious lake high up in the Smoky Blue Ridge mountains that all animals are aware of and trust to cure their wounds.

It is said that whenever a black bear is wounded by hunters it will go this lake and swim from one shore to the other and then be healed as soon as it reaches the other side.

Healing waters are a part of legends and myths of many cultures.  Perhaps that is where we get the myth for the Fountain of Youth.

Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler

I wanted to again mention the newest Blue Ridge Discovery Center happening that starts tomorrow!

BRDC Day at Independence Farmers Market

Fri, May 30, 9:30am – 12:30pm

Where	Intersection of 21 and 58, Independence, VA map
Calendar	BRDC Web Calendar
Created by	scott@blueridgediscoverycenter.org
Description	Kids programs will be provided on site.

The Black Bear in The Blue Ridge Mountains near The Blue Ridge Parkway and So Pleased to sell another Original Painting!

My Artwork

Small  Flowers Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

This painting was sold today to a great Texas patron!  She is saving her money to buy a large one next!

Mostly Tulips     Original  16"x20" Oil Painting     $670

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

Summer Path at Rock Castle Gorge   Original 30"x40" Oil Painting     $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

One of my favorite places on The Blue Ridge Parkway!

I really have flowers on my mind right now!

The Cherokee Legends of The Black Bear

The Cherokee Indians did not always inhabit the mountains of the North East.  Some historians claim they have only been here five hundred years after migrating from the upper Mid-West but their traditions, legends and myths date back for thousands of years.

The Cherokee, along with all the Northeastern tribes were comfortable living with the black bear. The southern Blue Ridge Mountains have many Cherokee myths concerning the black bear.  They have often seen the black bear as a spirit guide to their people and considered the white bear to be a special spirit.  A few are born with white fur. It was a significant part of their ceremonial or religious practices.

Joining The Black Bears

One tale is about a boy that would leave the Ani tsa gu hi'  tribe for a while and come back with significant amounts of hair on his body that was not previously there.  The tribe asked him what was going on and he said he was spending time with the black bears where there was much food.  He told his tribe they should all join the bears and live in peace with abundant food.

This tribe was part of the Cherokee tribe and they all decided to leave the Cherokees to live with the bears.  They told the others not to worry, that they would live forever with the bears.  There are Cherokees today that believe some of their people became black bears and their descendants are alive today.

I found this story on Cherokee Myths and Legends of The Black Bear online publication.

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

While we were on vacation I had a great time watching River Monsters!  I loved to fish when I was a child so it was great to watch Jeremy Wade catch huge fish!  In one episode he talked about the fishing method called noodling.  The fisherman puts his hand in the fish's mouth and pulls it out of the water.  Considering the types of fish he catches, it is a dangerous sport.

My mountain man laughed when I told him I had never heard of noodling.  He said his Dad was doing that when he was a kid.  I replied that I bet it is new to people like me that are part of the mainstream culture, not isolated mountain people.  He said that was true.  His people were so far up the holler the creek ran dry trying to get out.

Just joking!  My husband's great-great uncle George Kessler was one of three founders of Ferrum College and Clyde Kessler is the most knowledgeable person I have ever known.  Don't trust those mountain stereotypes!

Mountain Folk Tale near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Blue Ridge Discovery Center Happennings!

My Artwork

Blue Ridge Pasture    Original 12"x16" Oil Painting    $384

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

Color Flow  Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

Dusk on The Little River      Original 30"x40" Oil Painting     $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

Preacher Tale

I'm sure there are more ghost stories out there but I am going to look into other legends of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  There are a lot of wonderful folk tales about famous people and about regular people attempting to better understand their mountain life.

A lot of them are humorous.  I especially like this Preacher Tale that I got from Blue Ridge Folklife by Ted Olson.

It seems there was a church that was separated from the people by a patch of woods.  There was a road that went around the woods to the church and there was a path through the woods that went directly to the church.

The pastor and a deacon were having supper at the deacon's house and were getting ready to go to church for an evening service.

The deacon remarked that the woods were full of bears so he was going to take the road.  The pastor said the Lord would protect his people that do His will, which is what they had been preaching all week.

He finally showed up at the church all torn up and got up to the pulpit and told the congregation that the Lord will protect you if you are doing His will but he ain't worth a damn in a bear fight.

Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler

The next Blue Ridge Discovery Event is this Saturday!  Don't miss out on this great activity!

BRDC Day at Independence Farmers Market

Fri, May 30, 9:30am – 12:30pm

Where	Intersection of 21 and 58, Independence, VA map
Calendar	BRDC Web Calendar
Created by	scott@blueridgediscoverycenter.org
Description	Kids programs will be provided on site.

Staunton Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and The Wedding Planner...

My Artwork Cup of Flowers  Original 8"x10" Oil Painting    $168 Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART A cup of beauty to start my day! King on a Leaf    Original colored pencil drawing has been Sold Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART A Beautiful Monday Monarch! Marble Twirl    Original  21"x14" Oil Pastel Painting   $618 Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART One of my most intense still lifes! A Staunton Ghost in the Bed Room I am still finding Staunton Ghost Stories.  Staunton, VA has so many ghost stories that there is an a tour people can take of the haunted sites!  Many of them are residential. Here is a scary one! One man claimed his apartment on Church Street was haunted by an evil presence. He claimed the ghost had shown itself to four different people, including his girlfriend! The ghost covered her mouth and pinned her down when she was trying to sleep. They consulted a professional medium and were told not to sleep there anymore.  Of course, he moved as soon as he could. I found this ghost story on the online publication, Ghosts of America. Life with The Word and Bird Man-Clyde Kessler My husband, son, and I just got back from a great vacation at Pawleys Island in South Carolina!  The weather was great, the food was great, and we stayed in a gorgeous, roomy house one minute from the beach! Clyde saw 93 species of birds just walking a couple of minutes to a dock and my son and I got our ocean fix for the year! Clyde planned everything.  He found the house, decided which week would be a good week, etc. It was such a great vacation that I told him he missed his calling!  He should have been a Wedding Planner! The groan he let out was heard throughout the whole island.  There were rumors that the Real Estate Office had to close down for hours due to the incredible number of phone calls regarding the groan! No offense to wedding planners!  Just thought this would be a good funny for the blog.

More on The Staunton Theater Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Farm Days!

My Artwork

Wildflower Current    Original 30"x40" Oil Painting     $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

Very proud of the color contrast and flowing motion in this one!

Kraft Avenue Blacksburg Virginia   Original  16"x20" Oil Painting     $670

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

Beautiful section of Blacksburg wildflowers!

Bisset Park Sunrise     Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

This favorite sunrise painting is owned be a great patron in Germany!

Staunton Theater Ghost Story

Yesterday I wrote about the little girl that haunts a Staunton Virginia theater.  There is a little more to the story and another story about a male ghost on the premises!

Sometimes rolls of coins would disappear and then show up in stacks and patterns in the projectionist room. It looked as though the ghost was playing with them. The girl seemed to be most active in the upper story and the projectionist room.
A tall man dressed in a Victorian suit has been seen in what was the orchestra pit.  The suit did not fit.  It was too tight across the shoulders. As I mentioned yesterday, the theater was originally an opera house.
I found this story online at Ghosts of America.

Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler

As always, The 40th Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally was a great success!  Now Blue Ridge Mountain lovers can look forward to next week's Farm Days!   Clyde spent his early years on a farm and his father still has an extensive garden that we have enjoyed over the years!  No one grows corn like Herman Kessler!

The Blue Ridge Discovery Center is hosting Farm Days at Matthews Living History Farm in Independence VA!  Here is the address and a map can be found on the Blue Ridge Discovery Center website. The tour will include educational demonstrations and programs for kids at the farm museum!  Come on out for a great time!

Matthews Living History Farm

107 W Main St

Independence, VA 24348

Staunton Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and What an Error!

My Artwork

Spinning     Original Tempera Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

One of my favorite florals.  I am especially pleased with the movement that gives the flowers the appearance of spinning in the space!

Pawleys Island Evening     Original 30"x40" Oil Painting      $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

This is a beautiful home on the north end of this great South Carolina resort!

Flower Backyard     Original 30"x40" Oil Painting       $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

This painting combines my love of architecture with flowers

Staunton Theater Ghost Story

The Gypsy 4 Theater of Staunton was once an Opera House. A fire broke out in the mid 1900's and significant damage was done to the building.

According to a former projectionist, very strange things have happened there.  Once while threading a movie the person's eight inch braid was lifted straight up in the air.

A young blond girl, dressed in white and about eight years old was sitting on the pallet playing with the projectionist's hair!  She silently laughed and vanished.  The projectionist's mother
claimed to have run ins with the girl also, and she is a skeptic concerning paranormal sitings.

I found this ghost story on Ghosts of America online publication.

Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler

I have mentioned several times that my naturalist husband is uploading bird sightings to Cornell University.  Yesterday he told me he is ranked 10th in the country for this information.  In a number of blogs I wrote he is uploading over 2000 files.

I don't know how I got that so wrong!  He has already uploaded 15,000 files and says he has over 30,000!  Wow!

Kendall Kessler Special Promotions!

Every week I put up three of my popular paintings in the Limited Time Section of Fine Art America under Buy tab!   Here are the three that are ending tomorrow evening.  40% off regular price of a large canvas price with a 30 day money back guarantee including shipping!

Natural Rhythm

Burning Shore

Blue Ridge Jewels

Staunton Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Around the Water Cooler...

My Artwork

Flower Field   Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

I really have flowers on my mind right now!  I miss this painting but it has a good home in North Carolina.

Hibiscus at Bisset Park Radford VA      Original 30"x40" Oil Painting      $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

I am looking forward to seeing these beautiful blooms in the park!  They are gorgeous!

Blue Ridge Meadow  Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

This painting will be mailed out tomorrow evening to a great Charlottesville patron!

Staunton Asylum Ghost Story

In my search for ghost stories I am surprised at how many of them are in Staunton, Virginia!  I guess there are a lot of creepy places there!

There is a haunted asylum there that is infamous for a doctor that use to cleanse his patients by torture! It was shut down many years ago but people claim they still hear screams and thumps in the building. 

One father and son actually video taped their experience.
I don't know what to think about the tape but it is a great ghost story!

I found this story on Deletion Quality.net

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

I work at home and I do mean work.  Now that I am selling my artwork full-time I get up and work hard at promoting my paintings online.  I am working harder since I retired from teaching at Radford University.  I knew that would happen.

My husband works at V.P.I. and S.U. in Government Documents.  Like any office, there are times when workers can take a break, especially if there is a party.

So today I got up and started to work right away and then decided to take a little break!  Time for me to stand around the water cooler for a little while or celebrate a pretend birthday!

My husband is always glad when I let up a little.  Two days ago a blood vessel in my right eye broke when I lifted my easel.  My doctor said that if you take aspirin and then lift things the strain can cause that to happen.  Next time I need to take something for soreness, I am taking Advil, which is what he suggested.

Another Staunton Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Put it on the Floor...

My Artwork

A Pair    Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

This is my most colorful still life.  I am very pleased with the vibrant color contrast!

Across the Marsh at Pawleys Island    Original 30"x40"  Oil Painting     $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

Another Colorful Shore Scene!  I am planning to do more soon!

Staunton Ghost Story

Staunton is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley about ten miles from The Blue Ridge Parkway.  It is a town rich in history and some of it is supernatural.  Among the haunts are a 1890 train wreck , civil war stories and unsolved murders.

At the train station Myrtle Knox was fatally wounded when the sleeper car derailed.  Her opera troupe was napping when the incident occurred.  She lost  one of her legs below the knee, her shoulder was dislocated, an arm broken, and a piece of wood severed the femoral artery in her leg causing her to bleed to death.

Supposedly her spirit haunts the tracks and people have reported seeing her peer into the Pullman Diner which is now closed.

I found this story on One Writer's Way online.

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

I spend a lot of time in front of the kitchen sink washing dishes.  We are one of the extremely few houses in America that does not have a dishwasher.

 I really don't mind.  I grew up with one and we had to thoroughly clean the dishes, load the dishwasher and then put the dishes away.

I wash the dishes and put them in the rack.  End of story.  I like it better that way but sometimes I do complain about how much time I spend at the sink.

My husband said why don't you just lay the food out on the floor and yell come and get it!
Not a bad idea!  Then I would only have to mop a little!  Another great "modest proposal from the Word Man!

Staunton Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and So Pleased to sell Another Original Painting!

My Artwork

North Albemarle, McLean Virginia      Original 30"x40"    $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

Here is a beautiful Mclean garden!

Near The Dedmon Center     Original  11"x14" Oil Painting      $313

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

Great View of The New River by The Dedmon Center at Radford University!

Near Kirby Road     Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

This is where I spent much of my childhood!  It is no wonder I married a naturalist.

Staunton Virginia Ghost Story

I am still finding news ghost stories.  Here is a Staunton, Virginia spooky tale!

The Bell Grae Inn Ghost Story

This Inn is haunted by Mrs. Bagsby since the 1800's. She unlocks door and play other tricks. It has been reported that she has caused the Inn's hot water supply to bypass a guest that she does not like.
The Inn claims guests can experience this ghost if they stay in Room 7!  I thought 7 was a lucky number.  Not in this case!

 Recent Sale

I am so pleased to sell another Blue Ridge Vista to a great patron in Charlottesville, VA.  Blue Ridge Meadow is one of my favorites!  I had it hanging next to my computer.  I'm glad it will have a great home!  I can't take them with me.

 

Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler

I wanted to be sure to announce The 40th Annual Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally that starts today!  What a great opportunity to learn about this wonderful mountain region and gain insight to ways to preserve the wildlife and natural beauty of this region I have happily spent my adult life in!

I cannot imagine living anywhere else and I never tire of painting the incredible atmospheric effects of The New River Valley and the surrounding areas!
Please come out and have a great time!

Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and The Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally is Tomorrow!

My Artwork

Isle of Palms Sunset     Original 30"x40" Oil Painting      $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

This is where my head is at right now!  Looking forward to our South Carolina shore visit!

Fast Water Wildwood Park    Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

 

Beautiful view of Radford Virginia's popular park!

Today I came across a very interesting ghost story written by "an old man" according to the writer.  It is intriguing to me that the author has a theory that perhaps we see these things when we are young and more perceptive to what is around us. He has not had a supernatural experience since this story.

As I have mentioned before, I am a skeptical person but I have had four strange events in my life that I cannot explain.  Interestingly enough, the latest one was a few months ago and I am not young by most people's estimation of what young is.

Lunch Bucket Man

The writer's story happened when he was a student.  He was traveling home to Roanoke via Rt. 81 via Wildwood Road.  Supposedly the Wildwood Inn has quite a spooky reputation. The Inn was closed and he was pretty much the only car on the road.

As he approached the ramp to Wildwood Road he saw a tall thin man holding a lunch bucket, not a pail, but a bucket.  The writer said he had seen that type of bucket carried by coal miners.  When the car lights passed over the man there was no shadow. 

He didn't move or change expression.

He seemed to vanish and the writer tried hard to figure out what had happened but could not come up with a logical explanation.  He has not had a similar experience.  This was in the early 1980's.
I found this story on Ghosts of America online.

Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler

The Mount Rogers 40th Naturalist Rally is tomorrow!  I wanted to be sure to alert everyone again to this great event!

The 40th Annual Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally

This BRDC signature event highlights the crown jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southwest Virginia.  The Mount Rogers area, which includes Virginia's three tallest peaks, has long fascinated scholars and explorers.  Not only is there a wide variation in altitude, there are many different ecosystems and mini-ecosystems within a short drive or hike of each other.

The 2014 Rally will be May 9 & 10.

Friday Night Speaker -  Nancy Lee Adamson PhD, Pollinator Conservation Specialist - East Region, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. An Introduction to Native Bees and Other “Beneficial” Arthropods of the Mid-Atlantic - learn about common native bees we can support by protecting and planting pollinator habitat. The program will highlight nesting habits of some of the 500 species of native bees in Virginia, as well as other pollinators, predators, and parasitoids that benefit from pollinator habitat.

Friday night entertainment - Ronald and Ellie Kirby will be bringing in the evening with some traditional old time tunes.

DOOR PRIZE! - David Richert has offered a free afternoon consultation on forest management as the friday night door prize.

Roanoke Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Lives in Forest...

My Artwork

Golden Farm Scene      Original Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

One of my favorite fall scenes!

Water Wings   Original 16"x12"  Oil Paintings              $384

Prints on Paper or Canvas   Available at      KENDALL KESSLER ART

Beautiful lake scene!

The Rusty Silo         Original  20"x30"  Pastel Painting     $1230

Prints on Paper or Canvas     Available at      KENDALL KESSLER ART

When my son was little he was fascinated by farms and especially liked to look at silos.  He was always pleased to see The Rusty Silo!

It is no wonder that I keep finding more ghost stories in The New River Valley.  According to  Harper's Index, the ghost Research Society of Oak Lawn, Illinois Virginia ranks number one among states with the largest ghost population!

Some stories come from oral traditions and others are mentioned in books about the area.  Again, I don't really believe in ghosts but these stories are part of our literary heritage and I love ghost stories!

 

The Woman in Black

In 1902 The Woman in Black terrified Bristol, Roanoke, and Bluefield.  According to newspaper reports her name was spoken everywhere.

One night over 25 people saw her and claimed she was very beautiful!  She never hurt anyone and people believed her to be the wife of an unfaithful husband.

Supposedly her mission was to make sure other men were faithful and would appear to them on occasion.

One night she appeared to a wealthy business man walking home after midnight.  She asked him where he turned off which was twelfth street.  She laid her head on his shoulder and he could not push her away.  She said he was not the first married man she had walked home that night.

Two men tried to trip her on a downtown bridge.  One stood at each end but when they got to her, she vanished.

I found this story on Hobby Haunted House online.

Life with Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

As I have mentioned before, it is great fun living with writer because they are so good with humorous wordplay - or at least the one I married is.

I love to ask him questions that I am almost sure will lead to a crazy comment.

The other night we were watching a Star Trek rerun on TV.  I don't watch much TV.  I prefer movies when I have the time but it is fun to see those Star Trek characters again!

I asked Clyde what kind of name is DeForest Kelly.  DeForest is such an unusual first name.  He said it is German for lives in the Forest.  Yeah, tell me another one Word Man!  Just for fun I looked it up.  Lebt in Wald is lives in Forest in German.

Roanoke College Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and The Mount Rogers 40th Naturalist Rally is Coming this Week-end!

My Artwork Color Blast    Original Oil Painting has been Sold Prints on Paper or canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART A terrific example of gorgeous evening color on The Blue Ridge Mountains! Cloud Color    Original 5"x7" Oil Painting       $75.00 Prints on Paper or Canvas  Available at       KENDALL KESSLER ART One of my favorite cloud paintings! Riverview Reflections       Original  30"x40"  Oil Painting       $2425 Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at      KENDALL KESSLER ART If I had to pick a favorite painting, this is it!  The intricate surface, colors and textures are wonderful! The Haunted Guest House of Roanoke College The Monterey House on High Street on Roanoke College's campus is said to be haunted. The house was purchased in 2002 and is used for a guest house and meeting space.  According to Dr. Tom Carter, the owner did not want to sell the house and told her children that the college would get the house over her dead body. Supposedly the owner's body is one of many ghosts people come in contact with at the house.  Students that have stayed over night have claimed they heard noises or felt tapping on their necks and hands. Dr. Carter asks his students to consider how their beliefs shape their findings and to try hard to discern exactly where the noises are coming from. I don't know if this is something to boast about, but Roanoke College has a year round Hall o' ween house! I got this information from Roanoke College online.   There is a picture of the building in the article. Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler The much anticipated Mount Rogers 40th Naturalist Rally is almost here!   All are welcome for this great mountain event! The 40th Annual Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally This BRDC signature event highlights the crown jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southwest Virginia.  The Mount Rogers area, which includes Virginia's three tallest peaks, has long fascinated scholars and explorers.  Not only is there a wide variation in altitude, there are many different ecosystems and mini-ecosystems within a short drive or hike of each other. The 2014 Rally will be May 9 & 10. Friday Night Speaker -  Nancy Lee Adamson PhD, Pollinator Conservation Specialist - East Region, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. An Introduction to Native Bees and Other “Beneficial” Arthropods of the Mid-Atlantic - learn about common native bees we can support by protecting and planting pollinator habitat. The program will highlight nesting habits of some of the 500 species of native bees in Virginia, as well as other pollinators, predators, and parasitoids that benefit from pollinator habitat. Friday night entertainment - Ronald and Ellie Kirby will be bringing in the evening with some traditional old time tunes. DOOR PRIZE! - David Richert has offered a free afternoon consultation on forest management as the friday night door prize.

Bedford Virginia Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and The Word Man does it Again!

My Artwork

Monarch   Original 15"x21"   Acrylic Painting on paper  $652

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

Here is a great warm weather painting to brighten up anyone's day!

Natural Rhythm  Original  30"x40" Oil Painting       $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

Another Spring Beauty!  I have sold many canvas prints of this work.  The original painting is still available!

Road To The Blue Ridge    Original Oil Painting has been sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas are Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

Bedford Ghost Story

I am still finding great New River Valley ghost stories!  I don't necessarily believe they are true but they are interesting!  You never know!

The Seven Gates of Hell

This ghost story is about a place in Bedford, Virginia called the Seven Gates of Hell.  A house on a hill has seven black iron gates that lead up to the house.  The story goes back to a legend that began in the 1900's about an insane family that went on a killing spree of African Americans.

Supposedly in the 1930s more were killed by the Klu Klux Klan.  My source says The Knights on Columbus but I believe that is an error.

Anyway, the grounds are so spooked that people are too afraid to walk up the hill to the house.  The gates are always open on Hall ' o Ween.  Spooky stuff!

I found this story on Ghostvillage.com

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

My poet husband is publishing all over the place these days!  The other day he had one poem accepted for publication in Decades Review.  The poem will published a few months from now.  Way to go Word Man!
Clyde has been published in over 200 magazines!  He is in communication with a publisher regarding a book!  I see that day coming!

My Guy!

Monarch   Original 15"x21"   Acrylic Painting on paper  $652

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

Here is a great warm weather painting to brighten up anyone's day!

Natural Rhythm  Original  30"x40" Oil Painting       $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

Another Spring Beauty!  I have sold many canvas prints of this work.  The original painting is still available!

Road To The Blue Ridge    Original Oil Painting has been sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas are Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

Bedford Virginia Ghost Story

I am still finding great New River Valley ghost stories!  I don't necessarily believe they are true but they are interesting!  You never know!

The Seven Gates of Hell

This ghost story is about a place in Bedford, Virginia called the Seven Gates of Hell.  A house on a hill has seven black iron gates that lead up to the house.  

The story goes back to a legend that began in the 1900's about an insane family that went on a killing spree of African Americans.

Supposedly in the 1930s more were killed by the Klu Klux Klan.  My source says The Knights on Columbus but I believe that is an error.

Anyway, the grounds are so scary that people are too afraid to walk up the hill to the house.  The gates are always open on Hall ' o Ween.  Spooky stuff!

I found this story on Ghostvillage.com

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

My poet husband is publishing all over the place these days!  The other day he had one poem accepted for publication in Decades Review.  The poem will published a few months from now.  Way to go Word Man!

Clyde has been published in over 200 magazines!  He is in communication with a publisher regarding a book!  I see that day coming!

My Guy!

Another Roanoke Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Where is it?

My Artwork

Beach Houses at Pawleys Island      Original Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

 This is where I want to be right now.  We will be vacationing at this great South Carolina resort soon!

Clouds Over Fairlawn   Original 18" x 24" Pastel Painting    $864

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART 

Another Beautiful Southwest Virginia vista!

Cloud Dance  Original 30"x40" Oil Painting       $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

There are a lot of Sugarloaf Mountains.  This is the one in our neck of the woods off the Blue Ridge Parkway!

The Ghosts of Beth Israel Synagogue

Laurie Platt has no doubt she has been in touch with the other side at Beth Israel Synagogue!  She started to see and hear ghosts when she started her Folk Dance classes. A few times upon arrival she heard voices when the place was vacant.

Another time while dancing she looked up to see a woman floating in the back closet.  She was dressed in a ninteenth century dress.

The next day she went to the library and found out that before the synagogue was built there was a house on the property owned by "Betty" and her husband.  Supposedly Betty now haunts the Synagogue!

At other times another dancer and Laurie saw a short man standing on the stairs looking down at the hall watching them dance.

There certainly are a lot of ghost stories in Southwest Virginia and The New River Valley!  It is great fun looking them up!  I found this story on Ghosts of America.

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler and Where is it?

My husband has a huge library of his naturalist records, wildlife and poetry books.  He is trying to get back some space in our computer room/guest room by putting these records online.  The room is a wreck but I read somewhere that exceptionally intelligent people have a hard time organizing their things because they are involved with so many different studies.

I would like to think that is the case here so I won't set fire to the room.

I have to have my things organized or I can't find anything.   I don't have trouble finding my keys because it is against the law for them to be anywhere but on the kitchen counter or in my purse.  I have had panic attacks when they were just a little to the left or right of the spot and hiding behind something.

I only have one credit card.  If I had more I would lose them.     I don't wear a ring because I would lose that also.  I can keep up with large things but not small ones.

Oh well.  As a little boy said many years ago to my husband, "We lock the castle up with booming tamborines!"  We manage, we manage!