Please check out my latest Youtube and send it to Stumbleupon!
So much to do it is hard to know where to begin. I will get all my chores done so I can go swim at the Aquatic Center. I hope those weren’t famous last words. Cheers!
blue and green mountain paintings
Staunton Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and One More Time!
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!
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!
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.
Salem Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Mount Rogers 40th 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 Ghost 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 Mount Rogers 40th Naturalist Rally Coming Up!
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!
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 Center News!
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 City 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!
Peaks of Otter Resort on The Blue Ridge Parkway and The Mount Rogers 40th Naturalist Rally is almost here!
My Artwork
Now that the weather is finally warming up I am thinking about all the beautiful spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Peaks of Otter resort is high on my list and I have a number of paintings that were done from that beautiful place.
Here is the lodge. I am especially pleased with the dreamy reflections in the water and the serene mood in this painting.
Peaks of Otter Lodge Original 16″x12″ Oil painting $484.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Color Swirl over The Peaks of Otter is my favorite one of the series. I have sold a number of prints of this colorful vista. The original painting is still available!
Cloud Swirl over The Peaks of Otter Original 18″x 24″ Oil painting $864.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Craftsman Original Oil Painting has been Sold
Prints on Paper or canvas are available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Craftsman is my tribute to the great mountain people I have come into contact with through my husband.
The Peaks of Otter
The Peaks of Otter has drawn settlers and travelers for more than 8,000 years. The community began in 1776 when Thomas Wood came down from Pennsylvania and settled there. The wife of one of Wood’s descendants opened her home as the area’s first lodging for travelers in 1834.
By the late 1880s the Peak of Otter was home to 20 families, a school, church, and resort.
In the mid 1900’s it was selected for special attention as the National Parks Service developed recreation sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Abbott Lake was constructed and the resort opened in 1964.
I got this information from the Peaks of Otter online website.
Life with The Bird and Word Man – Clyde Kessler
My husband is still hard at work uploading over 2,000 bird files to Cornell University. He hopes the research he has been doing on the wildlife of this wonderful mountain region will be of help to future generations that seek to preserve his homeland.
The Mount Rogers 40th Naturalist Rally
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.
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