The Black Bear in History and Break a Leg! Life in Radford near The Blue Ridge Parkway.

My Artwork

Egret Reflection    Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

Heron's Cove  Original    20"x30"    Pastel Painting    $1230

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

The Black Bear

I have been blogging about Cherokee legends regarding the black bear so I thought it would be interesting to write about the influence of the black bear on other cultures.  The Cherokees are not the only people that believe the black bear possesses healing powers.

This trait is said to be known by many cultures and it is believed this notion originated in the paleolithic period. The Ancient Greeks associated Artemis with the bear because of its self-healing properties.

There are many plants that are considered to be medicinal with bear in the name such as bear root and bear clover.

Some cultures believe so strongly in the bear's medicinal properties that the bear population is threatened by over demand.  China has bear farms but also poaches bears in the United States and Canada.

Now that the bear is making a comeback in its natural habitat it is in danger from poachers.

I found this information on the online publication, Interesting Facts.

Break a Leg

Yesterday I had my regular eye check-up here in Radford.  My doctor works out of two offices.  He is in Radford for two days and in Salem for the rest of the week.  Needless to say, his office usually has many patients.

Yesterday they were especially busy.  When the assistant got to me she said, "Welcome to the Mad House!"

A few minutes later I heard another assistant say they were so busy she needed roller skates so she could break a leg and go home!

Now, that is one way out of work!

Life with The Bird and Word Man  -  Clyde Kessler

I wanted to again remind folks of the next Blue Ridge Discovery Center event this Friday!

BRDC at Independence Farmers Market

Fri, June 6, 9:30am – 12:30pm

Calendar	BRDC Web Calendar
Created by	scott@blueridgediscoverycenter.org
Description	More kid events.

Blue Ridge Mountain Bear Man near The Blue Ridge Parkway and More Blue RIdge Discovery Center News!

My Artwork

Blue Ridge Meadow  Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

The great Charlottesville patron that recently bought Blue Ridge Meadow emailed me to tell me it is stunningly beautiful!  Now that is what an artist that sells paintings online wants to hear!

 Road to the Blue Ridge    Original 18"x24"  pastel painting   $862

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

Wish I were on that road right now!

Here is another fascinating legend about the Cherokee Native Americans and the Black Bear!

The Bear Man

A Hunter shot one arrow after the next into a black bear and chased after it until the bear finally took the arrows out and told the man he couldn't be killed and asked the hunter to come live with him.

This bear was a medicine bear and could talk and read people's thoughts.  

The hunter was worried the bear would hurt him but the bear told him he wouldn't hurt him and there would be plenty to eat.

They came to a hole in the side of the mountain that widened as they entered.  It was not the bear's home.  It was a meeting place for bear councils.  The other bears were alarmed at the presence of the hunter but the medicine bear told them it was only a stranger come to see them and he should be left alone.

The bear took the hunter to his home and rubbed his stomach and then his paws were full of chestnuts.  He did this many times for different kinds of food and both he and the hunter had plenty to eat.  The hunter stayed with him and his hair grew so long he was beginning to look like a bear.

One day the bear told him it was the day hunters would kill him. He told the hunter to put leaves over his remains after the kill.  The hunters entered the hole, killed the bear, and then realized the hairy creature was a hunter that has been missing for some time.  They  left with big chunks of bear meat and the hunter.  

Before they left the hunter put leaves over the remains of the bear and as they were leaving the bear reappeared, shook off the leaves, and disappeared into the forest.

The hunter told the tribe to let him be by himself for seven days so he could shake off the bear nature and become a man again but his wife was so determined to see him that she went into him and took him home.  He never became like a man again.

Legend has it that if he had been allowed to be alone and fast for seven days he would not have kept the bear nature.

Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler

The next Blue Ridge Discovery Center Happening is this Friday! 

BRDC at Independence Farmers Market

Fri, June 6, 9:30am – 12:30pm

Calendar	BRDC Web Calendar
Created by	scott@blueridgediscoverycenter.org
Description

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!

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

Radford Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and More Blue Ridge Discovery Happenings!

 My Artwork

Mountain Sunset   Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

Evening River Motion   Original 16"x20" Oil Painting   $670

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

THINGS I CAN'T EXPLAIN

I mentioned before that I am a very skeptical person and always look to logic and science to explain phenomenal happenings.

I also check people's motivation regarding their supernatural experiences.  Does the person gain money from people's belief in their presentations?

Over the years people have built up a legend around Houdini as if he really did perform magic.
If you research his life you will find out that he did not consider any of his tricks to be supernatural and could explain each one of them.  He did go around and expose mediums that claimed to be in contact with the dead.

I also mentioned that I have had three strange occurrences in my life that I cannot explain, but I forgot about this one.

Ghost at My Piano

I come from a family that has many artists and musicians.  My grandmother and great uncle attended Peabody Conservatory and both taught music.  My grandmother believed everyone should play an instrument and practice every day.  She did not consider the arts to be an educational frill.

I have been working at my Art all my life.  I cannot remember a time that I didn't spend time drawing and I didn't like coloring books.  I wanted to make my own drawings.

I also enjoyed music.  My mother wanted us to take lessons but she didn't make us take lessons.

When I was twelve I decided to take lessons and it was one of the best decisions of my life.  I play every day and it is a wonderful experience.  There have been times that I didn't play every day but I recently have gotten back to it and do my best to play everyday.  My fingers are not as good as they used to be so I am working hard to improve my technical skill.

A few months ago when I was playing I could have sworn that I heard soft foot steps behind me as I played.  Since I am so skeptical I just considered the sound to be a  trick of my mind.

It happened a number of times the next few days and now I don't hear them.  I would like to think my grandmother was there with me!  Who knows!

Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler

In addition to The Mount Rogers 40th Naturalist Rally on May 9th and 10th, there is a Farm Days outing coming up on May 21st through 23rd!  This great event will be at Matthews Living History Farm Museum !

The event will include educational demonstrations and programs for kids!  Come on out!

Another Roanoke Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Murphy is Stalking me again...

My Artwork

Poppies and Lace   Original 30"x40" Oil Painting     $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

Roanoke City Ghost Story

I keep thinking I am going to move on to other interesting aspects of the New River Valley and The Blue Ridge Parkway and then I find another ghost story to share!  Ghost stories are so much fun and I didn't know about any of these until this year!

Here is another Roanoke one!

At The Patrick Henry Motel there are a number of ghostly apparitions. The Motel was built in 1925 and there are three ghostly men that supposedly hang around the ball room to keep an eye on things.

On the second floor there is a man with a pipe that sits at one of the tables. Some people say he kicks the tablecloth with his foot.

Many people claim they feel the presence of an elderly woman who died in one of the rooms!

I found this information on the online publication, Haunted Places.

Murphy's Law

When I was working on my Master's degree I worked for a professor that had a huge poster of Murphy's Law.  He said a friend gave it to him.  I read the whole poster and have never forgotten all the things that this mysterious Murphy does to us.

Sometimes I feel like Murphy is stalking me!   My latest example of how, if anything can go wrong, it will, involves my favorite sport.

I have been skating since I was a child and my sister is so accomplished that she teaches ice skating in Sterling, Virginia.

Since there isn't a skating rink nearby I have been roller blading for many years in Christiansburg.  

The rink closed down but a few years later a fantastic one opened near the old one.   The boot on one of my skates finally cracked apart and I had to buy new ones.

I have never liked the new ones so a while ago I ordered a very expensive pair that I knew would be great!

Last Sunday I drove to the rink with my old skates and they were closed.  I figured that they were starting their summer schedule early so I went home and looked online.  I was stunned to see that they were closed permanently!

The next day my new skates showed up!  AAAARGH!

Dominion   Original 30"x40" Oil Painting     $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

A Beautiful Moment    Original 20"x 16"  Oil Painting     $660

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

Since my husband is on a computer eight hours a day he knows more than I know.  We did not grow up with them so we are baffled at times.  

Now I am trying to figure out a Yoast plug in that I downloaded.

So far we aren't cussing the computer but I think we will be soon!  I wish one of us was a computer whiz!  I hate how we have to call on someone that is our son's age to help.  Such is life!

Another Radford City Ghost Story and Not just any Idiot...

My Artwork

Winding Flower Path    Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

The beautiful weather has inspired me to put up this colorful floral that was sold in a gallery in North Carolina

Mushroom Clouds   Original 30"x40"  Oil painting        $2425

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

There is nothing like the beautiful light in the mountains!  Not a cloud in the sky is fine, but I prefer skies with clouds!

Another Radford City Ghost Story

I having a lot of fun looking up New River Valley Ghost stories.  I am a very skeptical person but they are great stories whether or not they are are true!

La Rivierie which is located in Radford by The New River is said to be haunted by a Lady that appears in a mirror.  The 10 room mansion was constructed by Mary Draper Ingles grandson but was destroyed in a fire before the couple moved in.  The mansion was rebuilt according to the same specifications.

Some say the woman that haunts the mansion is Mary Draper Ingles.  There is a woman's image that seems to be burned into the mirror that can be seen from a certain angle.  

Another theory is a that the image is of Anne Mclanahan who was a frequent visitor to the mansion.  She was looking for her cat during a thunderstorm.  Supposedly she was standing in front of the mirror when a lightening bolt blast seared her image in the mirror.  The mirror was new and residents noticed the change after her visit.

People say she haunts the mansion and is referred to as The Lady in the Mirror.

I got this story from Strange USA.com

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

My husband and I have had a lot of trouble with vacuum cleaners.  I always look for objects that will break them, but, either I don't find them all, or the vacuum cleaners just aren't any good.

This time I am determined to take good care of the one we recently bought and I have the box with everything in it so we can return it for a full refund.   I don't like to insure household objects, but this time I am making an exception.

I used to have one that required bags but our new one has to be emptied.  I am trying not to do anything stupid so I asked Clyde to empty it and then show me how.  He showed me where the lever was and I then remarked that, of course, any idiot could put it back together.

He said, with eyes wide open, not just any idiot, this idiot!

No problem.  Maybe we can hang on to one this time!

Roanoke Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Clyde Kessler poem in Red Rose...

My Artwork

Blue Ridge Autumn  Original Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

Lake Sunset  Original 5"x7" Oil Painting   $75.00

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

Pink Light   Original 30"x40" Oil Painting    $2425.00

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

Roanoke Theater Ghost Story

The Grandin Theater in Roanoke was built in 1932 and is one of the first theaters with sound.  It was closed for a while in the '50s and a homeless family lived there. Two of the children died there and some say that late at night you can hear a baby crying in the stairwell.

Former projectionists have stories about strange occurrences late at night.  One time a small boy was sighted at the top of a staircase and the projectionist followed him because he thought the child hadn't left the theater after the movie.

He saw the child walk straight through the doors of the nearest screening room.

I found this story on the online version of Collegiate Times.  The article is called  Ghostly Stories, Haunted Sites, and Sinister Sisters Who Scare.

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

Yesterday I printed one of the two poems that Clyde just published in the online magazine, Red Rose.  He is publishing his work all the time now and is included in an anthology.  Here is the other poem that was published.

I hope you like it!  I think his work is great!  It is not easy reading so take your time and think about each word!

Elegy for a Time Freak
Clyde Kessler

I burn sundials on the moon.
Other time freaks are crating the ashes,
naming them all for all their frozen days.

At night, I know my true wish list
is a crater full of rum, a dark
breed of whiskey flowering like stars.

At work, you can trust my lighters
and rolling flints. The noon shadow
on my next bonfire is favoring silver
like a thunder-cloud to brood the Dead Sea.
There are no ratty scrolls here, nor heaven.

Radford University Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and I think we read too quickly these days...

My Artwork

Memorial Bridge   Original Oil Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

New Memorial Bridge    Original 30"x40" Oil Painting      $2425.00

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at    KENDALL KESSLER ART

These two paintings are before and after Radford City paintings.  The New Memorial Bridge is beautiful but I loved the complicated lattice work of the old one.

 Radford University Ghost Story

I am still finding New River Valley Ghost stories!

There is a rumor that a girl hanged herself in an elevator shaft in Tyler Hall at Radford University when it was an all girl college.  The story is that she was with child by a professor and became so despondent that she ended her life. Student/Professor relationships were strictly forbidden in those days.

The writer of the story for The Tartan in 1995 said that one night an RA told her he noticed the door was open to the old shaft and he looked in and saw a rope hanging from the top of it. The rope startled him since he was familiar with the tale but just thought it was another rope.  He shut the door but had to shut it three more times that night.

Students on the third floor have reported sounds of a baby crying that seem to be coming from the attic.

I got this story from WHIM, RUs online magazine.

Too Much Information

I think we are so bombarded with words on the internet that we are reading way too fast and missing very important information.  Since I am a professional artist and I sell online I communicate with a lot of people all the time.

Sometimes I get messages from men that would like a relationship with me that is more than friendship.  I am flattered but I am happily married and I always send that in the message.  Oftentimes after I send that message I get another message with the same request for a relationship.

We need to slow down a little!

Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler

Before I met Clyde I didn't know anything about birds beyond a robin, crow, or eagle.  I am still do not know anywhere near what he knows about bird and butterflies but I know a lot more now that when I was single.

Clyde is not much for the beach but I am not happy if I don't get there once a year.  Many years ago at Rehoboth beach he pointed out an osprey to me flying over the waves.  I had never heard of that eagle before that day.  It is a beautiful bird and here is a painting I made to celebrate the flight of the osprey.

Osprey Evening    Original 8"x10" Oil Painting     $168.00

Prints on Paper or Canvas available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

Riverview Park Beauty near The Blue Ridge Parkway and It is Difficult at Times...

Riverview at Dusk   Original 16"x20" Oil painting  $670.00

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at  KENDALL KESSLER ART

Riverview at Dusk is one of many sites that my husband researches for bird and butterflies.  He is oftentimes there very early on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  It is a beautiful Radford City Virginia park on The New River.

Difficult Times

The circumstances of my life are rather difficult at times.  I am not going to be specific because of what a friend once said.  What is the use of complaining?  Someone will always complain louder.

Still, most of my friends do not have the problem I have to contend with everyday and sometimes I envy them.  I do not have the freedom most people my age have and there are times I would like to scream and I do.

My husband and I do the best we can and that is all I am going to say.  Enough venting.  I have a lot of work to do.

Nearing The Shoals   Original 12"x13" Oil Pastel Painting  $342.00

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at  KENDALL KESSLER ART

This is where I would like to be right now.  I am very thankful that we will be at the beach in a few weeks.

Life with The Bird and Word Man - Clyde Kessler

I wanted to again mention 40th Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally that is coming up soon!  Clyde is on the Board of Directors for The Blue Ridge Discovery Group and arranged for Nancy Lee Adamson to be this year's speaker.  Don't miss out on a great time!

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.

Recent Sale

If you are not in the market for an original or print I hope you will visit my Zazzle store for my work on just about anything!  A great way to have my artwork in your home or a great gift!
Yesterday a pack of Sweet Pea postcards went out to a great North Carolina patron! 

Here is the link!    NEW RIVER ART

Sweet Pea Morning at Rock Castle Gorge  Original 16"x20" Oil Painting     $670.00

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

Radford University Ghost Story and One of Those Faces...

My Artwork

Boat House Mountain Lake in Giles County   Original Painting has been Sold

Prints on Paper or Canvas available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

This painting is of a beautiful section of Mountain Lake Resort in Giles County, VA.  This popular resort was the setting for the great movie, Dirty Dancing, starring Patrick Swayze!

Radford University Ghost Story

Beneath the grounds of Radford University there is a network of tunnels that used to be used by students so they wouldn't have to go out in bad weather.  The school was originally a girl's college.

There is a ghost story about one student that prowls the tunnels on Hall o' ween.

The tunnels were closed long ago and entrance to them is forbidden.

The girl's name was Elizabeth and she shunned the other students. They played tricks on her and sent her a note claiming a suitor wanted to see her at the Hall o' ween ball dressed as a princess and he would be her prince.

 She went to the ball and waited. He never appeared but a student handed her a note that requested she meet him in the tunnels.  It was dark and she tripped and broke her neck and died instantly.

The legend is that she prowls the tunnels calling for her prince every Hall o' ween!

This story was written by Richie Ellis and printed in The Haunted Commonwealth online publication in 2010.  The story is more complicated if you would like to check it out!

The Mushroom Picker    Original  32"x40"   Oil Painting    $2580.00

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at     KENDALL KESSLER ART

This painting is based on a photograph my husband took of someone picking mushrooms at Pandapas Pond.  Oddly enough, the man resembles my husband.

A Memory    Original  26"x36"  Oil Painting    $1892.00

Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at   KENDALL KESSLER ART

Since I am writing about New River Valley ghost stories lately, I thought this haunting painting would be great for this post!  This painting is loosely based on a photograph I saw of a scene that reminded me of my grandmother's beautiful grounds in her home in Clarksville, Virginia.  When I look at this painting I am reminded of our special visits to her home.

One of Those Faces

All of my life people have told me I look just like a relative or friend.  It has never bothered me that I just have one of those faces but now I like to make a joke out of it.

The other night at a Chick Corea concert at Radford University it happened again.  A lady in the seat behind me asked me to forgive her for staring but I look so much like her sister.

We discussed backgrounds and hers was mostly Irish while I am half Italian but I do look more like my mother's Scottish and Irish side.

When the concert was over I looked over to the lady and said, "You must have a beautiful sister!"   She said she did and we both laughed -  but not too hard, of course!

Life with The Word and Bird Man - Clyde Kessler

My husband is at it again publishing poems!  This week he had five poems published in Still: The Journal.  This is the second time he has had work published there and this online magazine won the 2014 E-Appalachia Award!

Also, another bird count is coming up in Franklin County on April 26th.  There are teams that have mapped out locations to survey.  People are welcome to join the effort.  If you are interested contact my bird man at ckessler@vt.edu!