The Samsel Children- Produced by Nathaniel Barn Loft

Autumn Fern is a Girl

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female created he them. (Gen. 1:27) Fern was created female.

Fern might tell you that she is a boy or a man. She will put her shirt on her head to be a man "Indian." Sarah Daffodil helped with Fern's identity problem by making an "Indian" dress for her. She now says, "I'm a lady Indian."

Receiving a tea set for Christmas and hosting several tea parties also dispels her former notion of being a male.

What Child is This

Several years ago Acorn Hill residents visited a goat farm. One of the managers wasn't kidding around when she addressed the crowd.
The manager pointed down, and then around, saying, "This is a kid. You all are children." Certainly she knew how stubborn and self-centered goats are.
God calls us children.

Grilled Hot Dog

This Christmas will mark five years of shear bliss that Acorn Hill Citizens have had with Queen Esther Hunts.

Esther was to live outside. However, she shivered outside as a puppy. Main House President Dad and First Lady Mom did not have the heart to make her stay outside. A protester called her a "yard dog."

Citizens know that Hunts gets cold easily. She remains inside.

A Time for Gift Making

In the spirit of Sarah Daffodil, Acorn Hill citizens spent the day joyfully making Christmas gifts for each other.

It all started when Mayor Asher Ply Wood told Daffodil that he wanted to spend all day with her. Daffodil smiled. He said it several more times, and Daffodil smiled several more times. In time inspiration grew wings, and Ply Wood and Daffodil went to work on a gift for Autumn Fern.

Fern patiently waited...waited and waited on her bed until out of Ply Wood's Main House bedroom came a wrapped gift, just for her. Not knowing what it was Fern said, "I love my present!"

Fern told Daffodil that she wanted to make a present for Ply Wood. Daffodil had the "there's no time like the present" mindset, and the two secretly got busy with the next gift. "Autumn and I won't be able to work on art together for long," said Daffodil, "she has opinions."

The present making bug bit Nathaniel Barn Loft, who did his work in the basement without help. Meanwhile Daffodil supervised Ply Wood and Fern while they made gifts for Main House President Dad and First Lady Mom. "They're coming up with the most absurd and heartfelt ideas you could ever imagine," said Daffodil.

Dad and Mom are thankful for all of the time Daffodil gave to her fellow citizens today. Time is one of the best gifts to give.

YOJ to the World

There comes a time in life when you have to hand down simple pleasures like licking the bowl, getting the mail and...decorating the tree.

"I want to see your tree," visitors inevitably say this time of year when they visit. Visitors of the Main House tree will be delighted by the ornaments hung with the care of little hands with twinkling eyes. "We weren't going for a designer's look," said Main House First Lady Mom. "The tree is ever changing too." Yesterday Mayor Asher Ply Wood knocked down some bear ornaments to feed to his stuffed bears.

Mom has the largest basket ever this year of ornaments that need repair. She hopes to get to them before the season ends.

Acorn Hill residents know that Christmas is about something far greater than the tree.

Putting One Foot In Front Of The Other

Everyone already knows that Pastor Eli Hemlock rocks. Now he walks!

It was in the evening when Hemlock was too tired to be hesitant when he took eight steps. Sarah Daffodil was right there counting. Cheers filled the room. "I suspected that he'd walk when no one was really ready to watch," said Main House First Lady Mom. "He doesn't seem to like a lot of attention."

Today Hemlock mostly crawls, but who knows about tomorrow.

A Picture Perfect Day

A sense of fall and the sweet melody of a mountain dulcimer filled the air as folks from near and far roamed through the Saturday Shoppe, where artists John Kollock, Kathleen Kollock and Acorn Hill's own Sarah Daffodil displayed their artwork. Nathaniel Barn Loft, also of Acorn Hill, provided the dulcimer music for the Harvest Festival.

Picture-perfect weather proved perfect for showing and selling pictures (and books and cornhusk dolls, among other things), and the turn-out was outstanding. The day was the culmination of many months of creation and weeks of show preparation. Acorn Hill citizens are taking a deep breath and enjoying it today, and they trust the same is true at Misty.

Fellow in Fleece

Teddy bears have nothing on Pastor Eli Hemlock. Hemlock is irresistible in fleece.

Earlier this fall there were some pretty crisp nights. Hemlock needed warm over night clothes. Main House President Dad and First Lady Mom found the perfect pajamas for him. "The colors were good and they looked soft," said Mom.

Dad and Mom find it hard not to pick him up and hold him close.

Thanksgiving Tree Time

This time of year leaves fall off of the trees. Inside the Main House there is a special tree where the leaves go on the tree.

Red, yellow, orange and brown leaves are cut out of construction paper- usually by Sarah Daffodil. They wait in a wooden box that Nathaniel Barn Loft made. Every day residents take a leaf from the box and write one thing that they are thankful for, then tape it onto a tree branch. Visitors are urged to take part as well.

The branch is selected from many around the grounds of the Main House. It is brought inside. This is the Thanksgiving Tree.

It is in full glory by Thanksgiving Day. This is when residents take turns reading the leaves after dinner. There is so much to be thankful for.

"I would guess that this is our sixth year of having a Thanksgiving Tree," said Main House First Lady Mom.

Christmas Music and Corn Husk Dolls

It was Christmas time for one day this fall season for Acorn Hill residents. They participated in the Christmas open house at the Homestead House.

Sarah Daffodil had a table set up with her corn husk doll creations. She enjoyed the warm weather and the nice conversations. She also made a lot of sales.

Main House President Dad and Nathaniel Barn Loft played Christmas music on the porch. It was a big day for Dad since he didn't need to use a music stand.

Fall Breaks

After hours of continuing education and some hard work at the Main House, Acorn Hill citizens fished and swam with a background of fall colors.

It was Nathaniel Barn Loft's idea to take Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Autumn Fern to Misty. He was ready to help with the lines. Help wasn't needed, though, since the fish weren't biting. This didn't stop the thrill of the fall break.

Barn Loft took the mayor and Fern for a boat ride around the lake. The excitement didn't end here. All three citizens ended up swimming.

Twice this fall citizens thought it was summer.

Open House at the Homestead House

Residents of The Main House will be at the open house at the Homestead House. On November 1, you can catch Nathaniel Barn Loft and Main House President Dad playing their dulcimers on the porch of the Homestead House.
Sarah Daffodil will make and sell cornhusk dolls. She will be in the company of other artists.

Mayor's First Five Years

Can you imagine a pumpkin without its orange or a milkshake without ice cream? Residents of Acorn Hill could not imagine Acorn Hill without its mayor- Mayor Asher Ply Wood.

For five years Ply Wood has really gotten to know the citizens and the citizens have gotten to know him. "Mayor Ply Wood gives me a lot of joy," said Main House First Lady Mom, "and to think we almost didn't want a mayor."

Ply Wood was celebrated on his birthday on October 22. His cake was covered with blue icing and cars.

Nice Autumn Day

Plans recently changed from Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Autumn Fern celebrating their birthdays on the same day to each getting a separate celebration.

When we reminded Fern that her birthday was "today," she wanted to know where the cake was. This threw Acorn Hill citizens in a whirlwind of activity in preparation of the blessed day. Main House First Lady Mom was out of town most of the day. Sarah Daffodil made two chicken pot pies and two birthday cakes. Fern got a chocolate cake with blue frosting and pink poka-dots. Mom got a peanut butter cake. Although it was not Mom's birthday yet, Main House President Dad said that she could enjoy it through the season.

Fern received many nice gifts.

Tis the Season to be Muddy

So far this fall leaves and rain have steadily fallen. The ground has not had much of a chance to completely dry.

Although residents are thankful for and really enjoy the rain, it has cut down on the time they have gotten to spend outside. "They really like it outside. I've allowed them to go out despite the fact that the ground hasn't dried," said Main House First Lady Mom.

Mom has followed a trail of mud and dirt for weeks.

Residents Honor Dad

What could be better after a long drive home than a private concert and pumpkin spice cake?

Main House President Dad rested his weary self in the new amphitheater in Acorn Hill while residents sang and played instruments for him. Mayor Asher Ply Wood played his first solo on his his dulcimer. This was one of many highlights. Dad won the door prize, The Gospel Road DVD.

Dinner, a picture show, then pumpkin spice cake followed inside the Main House. The evening ended with everyone watching The Gospel Road.

Cake, Cake, Cake

Cake season has finally arrived at Acorn Hill. Main House Presdient Dad always kicks it off as we celebrate his birthday on October 5th.

Dad's pineapple upside down cake was made by Sarah Daffodil. Four candles, each representing four decades and change, adorned the top. They were lit by Nathaniel Barn Loft. Dad was not able to blow out all four candles at once. "The candles were placed too far apart," said Barn Loft. Dad received a gift of Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls.

Residents celebrated early since Dad will be traveling on his birthday. On October 11th he will have his "real" party. There just might be more cake.

No Such Luck

Almost every day this summer Mayor Asher Ply Wood dressed in his baseball pants. Unfortunately, all good pants must wear out.

Main House First Lady Mom does laundry every day. Every day she washed Ply Wood's pants. Although they were clean they didn't look like it. As a representative of Acorn Hill, Ply Wood wasn't allowed to go anywhere outside of Acorn Hill wearing them. Then a hole started to appear. It grew. Ply Wood put in a request for new baseball pants.

When Grandpa and Grandma Mary visited recently, they had a bag of clothes. Three pairs of baseball pants were on top, two gray and one blue. No one from Acorn Hill had contacted them about Ply Wood's request. Those present stood amazed.

Was it Ply Wood's "lucky day"? No. Citizens of Acorn Hill know that Ply Wood's request went to the ears of the Most High.

Sunset on a Rainy Day

Fall leaves are a treat we look forward to. They are just starting to show themselves and they are all over Sarah Daffodil's work table.

"This year we need to get more red leaves," said Main House First Lady Mom. Daffodil agreed. Sunsets are among many things Daffodil creates with fall leaves. Dogwood leaves are some of the best since they have the right color transition.

Daffodil got an extra treat while working with her sunset- it was her favorite sort of day, a rainy one.

If you would like to see Daffodil's finished picture click here.

Plywood, Fern Get Hunts Started

Mayor Asher Plywood and Autumn fern learned something new they can do with Queen Esther Hunts. They were told to stop since Hunts couldn't.

Scaredy-Cat Dog

Is it a balloon? Is someone playing Peek-a-Boo with her? With someone else? Did someone jump? Is there a shadow lurking? It is often perplexing as to why Queen Esther Hunts shivers, slumps over then crawls in a corner.

Hunts is good about coming when she is called. She is good with children. She is the color of a perfect pancake, and she is affectionate. She is not soft. Hunts is not a good guard dog because, like Charlie Brown, she has panaphobia - the fear of everything.

Barn Loft Competes in Talent Show

Little girls with big voices dominated the stage of the talent show at the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair in Clarkesville, GA. Nathaniel Barn Loft who is not so little competed with the voice of his dulcimer.

Barn Loft walked up on stage, a little nervous because of the stiff competiton. "I really didn't know if I would win, there were some well trained voices up there," said Barn Loft. He came home with an envelope and a $100 bill tucked inside. He won 1st Place.

A man from the audience jumped up and shook his hand saying, "You've got a big future with your dulcimer!"

The local radio station, WCON sponsored this event.

The Mayor's Worm Farm

Everything has its place in life - even worms. Mayor Asher Ply Wood has given several worms a new place to live in his worm farm.

"I need to protect these little worms, and big worms, and fat worms and skinny worms," Ply Wood said.

Ply Wood's worm farm is located just outside of the Main House's front door. It is about 2'x1' and has nice, rich soil for its earthworm residents. Ply Wood is considering the notion of selling his worms to Main House President Dad.

Ply Wood is eager to have people "garden" with him. Autumn Fern and Dad are among his most dedicated volunteers. "All you have to do is put the shovel in the dirt and turn it," said Dad to Main House First Lady Mom.

Fireworks Just for Us

Boom! Boom! Boom! Then pop, pop, pop...Acorn Hill citizens popped out of the house to see the fireworks that they had hoped to see all day.

Just down the road from Acorn Hill was an outdoor event that promised fireworks at the end. It was likely that Acorn Hill residents would be able to see them from Acorn Hill. This was the case.

Autumn Fern kept asking, "What is that?" She also named the colors that shot through the dark. The fireworks were a special gift and a nice way to end the night.

Rain Brains

It's not every day that it rains in the summer in the South. When it does rain, there's no keeping Acorn Hill residents in the Main House.

On any rainy day at Acorn Hill you will find Mayor Asher Ply Wood, Autumn Fern, Nathaniel Barn Loft and sometimes Sarah Daffodil outside soaking in the rain. Citizens are usually informed by Fern when she says, "It's raining!" Then everyone runs out the door. Now and then Ply Wood and Fern will have an umbrella when Main House First Lady Mom isn't aware. She says that umbrellas aren't toys and that Fern and Ply Wood want to get wet anyway. She has thrown away two umbrellas this year.

Pastor Eli Hemlock hasn't experienced the rain very much. He plans to be outside more in days to come.

Boys Will Be Boys

Not many more days of summer remain. Pastor Eli Hemlock took advantage of one of these days by playing ball outside with fellow brethren.
He started out on the driveway, but Nathaniel Barn Loft put him on the dirt instead. This dirt is where many baseball games are played. Naturally, Hemlock wanted to toss the ball around. Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Barn Loft wanted to get in on the action. The three played for a long time. "I think Eli had the best day of his life," said Barn Loft, who was very impressed by the pastor's spitball.
On the side of the Main House, Sarah Daffodil and Autumn Fern planted all sorts of bulbs. Girls will be girls.

Teaching Teachers

Let the lessons begin! Acorn Hill Citizen Nathaniel Barn Loft has had the privilege of teaching a friend, and dulcimer instructor, different techniques on the dulcimer. Miss Gwen has had a private lesson at the Main House and another at the church where the Nacoochee Strummers meet.

A member of the Nacoochee Strummers, Miss Lynn, who was most instrumental in teaching Barn Loft, has an appointment to learn Barn Loft's version of Black Mountain Rag.

That same evening he will meet a retired man and his wife who are new to the area and who would like to learn more about dulcimer playing opportunities.

"I think it's neat," said Sarah Daffodil, "It seems like a natural beginning for him to teach."

When lessons are conducted from the Main House, citizens enjoy partaking in the refreshments.

Samsel Celebration

A bonfire in the middle of August in North Georgia wasn't as absurd a setting as it sounds. Main House President Dad said, "It brought us all together in one spot so it was a nice way to end the day."

Acorn Hill residents and family from Canton, GA, celebrated Grandpa Samsel's birthday at a cabin at a resort near Tallulah Gorge. It was a full day of stomping around in the tumbling Tallulah River, hiking, eating, fishing, playing UNO and simply talking.

In the evening Main House President Dad made a bonfire that toasted several marshmallows. Autumn Fern had her first smore. Nathaniel Barn Loft played the dulcimer.

Grandpa had a yellow cake with cooked chocolate pecan frosting. It was topped with two candles.

Main House Maintenance

Residents of Acorn Hill gasped then cheered as Mayor Asher Ply Wood walked by windows of the Main House with the trash can in tow.

Ply Wood recently took on the supervisor position of keeping the grounds of the Main House in order. "He has really taken this new position to heart and is doing a great job!" said Main House First Lady Mom.

After Ply Wood put the Main House trash can back, he was found across the street wondering where to put the neighbor's trash can. Nathaniel Barn Loft promptly intervened.

Pastor on the Move!

Pastor Eli Hemlock joyously crawls around The Main House. "He gets from one room to the next faster than you'd expect," said Main House President Dad. "He goes fast," said Main House First Lady Mom. All Acorn Hill Citizens are very happy for Pastor Hemlock who really enjoys his liberation. Hemlock needs to get around because he's a busy pastor. Pictured below is Pastor Hemlock with Nathaniel Barn Loft. Is the good pastor praying for Barn Loft or resting after a hard day's crawl? Or both?!