Eli Fly's Hat

No one is perfect - not even Autumn Fern. It was a warm spring day when Main House First Lady Mom saw Pastor Eli Hemlock's hat on the ground. She asked Fern to simply pick it up for her. Everything was going well as Fern quickly responded to Mom's plea. Then, all of a sudden, from nowhere, a fly landed on the little blue hat. Fern found this terribly upsetting. She stood in her tracks stunned. Mom told her to not worry and to get the hat. Upon several attempts, Fern could move her legs to a certain point, not any closer. She turned around in tears, finally giving up. Fortunately, Main House President Dad called at just the right moment to prompt Fern to get the pastor's hat. Alas, Fern needed more than gentle prodding from Dad. She needs to overcome her fear - like many of us.

A More Complete Picture

For w-a-y too long, the Acorn Hill citizens' portrait on the profiles page has lacked a vital element -- Pastor Eli Hemlock. No more. Citizens had new portrait taken yesterday while participating in "A Day at the Fort," a historic celebration at Fort Hollingsworth, with the 1860s Civilian Society of Georgia. And, yes, that is the good pastor in the dress and bonnet, in the arms of Main House First Lady Mom. Friends of Acorn Hill who are knowledgeable about the 1860s assure citizens that this was the norm for his age during that time period. Main House President Dad and Nathaniel Barn Loft played a short dulcimer set on stage as part of the days festivities.

Seeing Niagara Falls

Dad and I had just gotten back from fishing Lake Erie. It was about 3:00, and we were sitting in our hotel room, wondering whether to go to Niagara Falls or not. With it being only about 5 miles away, it seemed like we should go. But we were hungry and tired so we decided not to go. The next day we fished on the lower Niagara river until about 12:00. Then we went to eat, and we were going to go home, but we decided we were too close to the falls to not go. So we went there, and we're glad we did, and glad we didn't go the first day because we wouldn't have been able to have enjoyed it as much. It was really amazing!

-Nathaniel

Fern Expresses Herself

Acorn Hill is the home of pressed-flower artist Sarah Daffodil, musician Nathaniel Barn Loft and recently discovered artist, Autumn Fern.

Fern's main medium is an unknown for now. Main House President Dad and First Lady Mom are ever watchful, providing the resources that are in highest demand. "Paint, paint, paint," said Fern today.

Dad and Mom have noticed that she notices small details like when a seat belt is unbuckled and when shoes aren't tied. She knows her colors well, and the icing on the cake is that she is left handed.

Fern helped herself to paint, a paintbrush and cardboard one day. Sarah Daffodil didn't know what to do. "Dad," she said, "Autumn didn't ask." Dad said to not worry. She also helped herself to markers on another occasion.

Daffodil is Relieved

Corrie Ten Boom, Squanto, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and others are a great help to Sarah Daffodil when she creates her pressed-flower pictures. To Daffodil's dismay, these voices were silenced.

Daffodil is set up in the Main House to make pictures. As she does, she listens to stories on CD. Her CD player died. She brainstormed. Mom said, "When you have a lemon, make lemonade. Be resourceful like George Washington Carver."

Then she remembered the perfectly functioning stereo/CD player in the Main House basement. Main House President Dad with the help of Nathaniel Barn Loft brought it upstairs. Daffodil cleaned it and Dad set it up. "We should have done this five years ago, " said Dad.

Daffodil is relieved to hear the voices of familiar friends again as she works.

Pizza Delivery Via Alaska

What was this strange pizza delivery man up to? Nathaniel Barn Loft hadn't a clue when the guy put his hand out to him for money.

Barn Loft was greatly relieved when he learned that he didn't have to pay, that he had pizza for dinner and that the delivery man was a friend of ours from long ago- Michael. "I think what really threw him off was the Pizza Hut pin," said Main House First Lady Mom.

Our friends, Michael and Julie, brought two more little friends, Micah and Amy. They came all the way from Alaska.

Micah hasn't seen much rain therefore he enjoyed a very rainy day at the Main House. Michael tutored Sarah Daffodil on the computer. Now she is able to make movies from video clips. Mom got some promising recipes for her carrot pulp. Aside from all of this, the citizens were simply glad to be with their friends.

Radio Days

"You play for the Hooks, right?" a radio announcer confirmed as Nathaniel Barn Loft took his seat in the WCON radio studio. Barn Loft was at the station to play his dulcimer for a radio promo for the Mountain Laurel Festival, where he will join some bluegrass pickers for an afternoon. It was the third time in a week the station announcers had seen Barn Loft, though, as the station had broadcast two of Barn Loft's baseball games the previous weekend. The announcers most likely recognized Barn Loft because of his Hooks hat, which he often wears. However, they had said his name quite a bit during the second of the two broadcast games because Barn Loft pitched that entire game from the hooks and he struck out nine batters in an 11-1 win.

Mom Crosses the Line

(A sticker appeared on Pastor Eli Hemlocks head and Mom didn't want to pull his hair out).

Main House First Lady Mom ran through the finish line earning first place in her age division at the Light in the Mountains 5K Road Race in Tallulah. The race was held at the campus of Tallulah Falls School. The course was 3.2 miles and had several hills. But Mom said, "If you have to run up a hill you know you get to run back down it." Mom was the only one who went up to receive her prize while holding a baby. She was probably also the only there who had delivered a baby 6 months before.