PRIMLAND - Meadows of Dan VA

Did everyone just love Ruthie's most recent blog addition!!!So cute... I can't even imagine what kind of technology my grandchildren will be teaching me to use if I am lucky enough to still be here at age 86.... I think one of the reasons for Ruthie's sharpness is her commitment to exercise decades ago. I remember when fitness and exercise were not in vogue and Ruth was exercising to Jack LaLane. He was way before Richard Simmons... and you do remember him ??? What an active life - brdige, good books, a backyard swimming pool ( I have always wanted one of those!!) and still in love with Bill!!!

Okay - I have not contributed much because I took a job May 17! Director of Sales & Marketing at Primland, just down the road from Galax; on top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was one of those things that when a door opens there must be a reason and  a was wondering should I or shouldn't I turn my back on it;  I decided to take a leap of faith and see what walking through the door brings. I was so enjoying my retirement, no more travel, except when we wanted to visit Asheville or Singapore, finishing small and large projects around the house in Lewisburg, exercising everyday and not wanting to miss that for anything and.... a headhunter calls me out of the blue asking if I had any interest in a job at Primland. I knew of the resort but not too much....one thing led to another, several trips over here ,and a job offer came my way.Does that mean the good Lord had other plans for me??? A bit strange wouldn't you agree?

Anyway I started 6 weeks ago and have been swimming really fast so I won't drown.... the resort is fabulous, the #2 golf course in the Sate of VA, just behind the Cascades; and the Highland Course at Primland has a chance to one day knock the Cascades course off that #1 position. There's a spa, just incredible; horseback riding, atv rides, fly fishing,gun club with shooting sports and seasonal hunting, mountain biking, oh and an observatory to see 25 million light years beyond our Milky Way! All on 12,000 acres of pristine undeveloped land. We have a new 26 room lodge that was built by very conscientous owners who are respectful of our environment and want to ensure that the serenity of Primland continues. All natural materials , wood and stone etc, were used to follow the guidelines to earn a Leeds designation. And I haven't even written about our culinary program, fresh local ingredients, we have our own gardens and orchards.

Right now I have a little cottage on property called Chipmunk that I am living in...not permanent but for a while until I get established. Al still is in Lewisburg most of the time as there is not a lot to keep one busy over here... Unless he starts to play golf..OR I was thinking of buying a big old house and he could be a B&B owner!!!

Jones is doing great and so cute. He just giggles all the time now! and Mary Ingles, Jack, Ryan and John will be home the first of August for two weeks...can't wait to see them.lots of photos to come when they are home.

ruth rippetoe green

Ithink everyone should know a little bit about Ruth Anna Rippetoe Green! Born in Richwood, W.Va. with twin brother Curtis Jan. 25 1924. Nana was known as the lady sitting down the stairs in her late pregnancy. Richwood was known for their clothespin factory and horrible odor from it. Moved several times to Charleston, W. Va. (don't remember some) but loved Virginia Ave home. had a stairway and Lala and Nan were having a "discussion" and Lala told me to yell down and tell her "it is a free country" Guess who got the punishment? had fun in; the summer time and always spent a week in Madison, W.Va. with Annie Rippetoe (Aunt Bertha and Uncle Willo)We played with paper dolls, Barbie,smokedcorn silks and giggled cause we shouldn't.went often to movie for 10cents,and walking home in evening we would sing "God Will take care of you" (Still a good hymn) Started a new life in Jr. Hi...met my best friends that lasted to the end.I did develope a trait of being boy crazy. ride bikes by boys house hoping they would notice. We girls formed a club and called it the "QT'S" Betty Hallanan had a chauffer and we were not old enough to drive so we had him drive us to "the chain"the meeting place in Louden Hgts. where the older ones met . We called it necking then...wonder what they call it now? We giggled and rode back to Hallanan.s. Learned to play bridge in Hi school, Judy Wnter Crichton was first one to drive a car and AND TAUGHT ME TO SMOKE!! Her mother knew but Nana would have taked to her bed if she did.I hate I deceived her so. When I went home after a date, my faavorite comment Whew, everyone's smoke makes me smell awful!. I was called Rip from then on. We dated different boys and at one time we 3 Rippetoe girls had a date with the 3 Crichton boys the saame night.My mad love was Tut Callahan BUT we never went Steady. He went off to Univ of Va and then the war and I went to Mary Washington in Va. I worked every summer somewhere...first money maker was baby sitting. then fooled everyone I could be a secretary, took dictation on a megaphone for Phil Bonds family ,helped out in Henderson Peebles office when sec.took vacation. He sent me out to Woolworth's to get different color nail polish . that's good because he taught me lots of office ediquette. 1/8 th on edge when stamping a letterI worked at Carbide in billing dept and saved to help go to college. went to Univ of Texas to help Sessy with 2 children when Jarfly went overseas. Jo B.met on bus going to class and we became best friends. Her Aunt Elibabeth had a big Cadilac and we did have fun. Flirt, flirt, flirt.. Fafa came down to drive us back to Chas. and I worked in FafA/S OFFICE AT THE STATE house. Met Bill at Flournoy's dinner dance at Edgewood and it was his second day home from 3 yrs in Europe. needless to say he was celebrating at the bar when God sent me over to meet him. That was the beginning and I never looked at a boy again. thaank goodness sister Ginny remembered who he was dancing with because he had to ask. Boy, he looked so handsome in those tails. we met last of Dec and married in Aug. went back to Morgantown to finish school. He was in Law school and changed over to business. had a baby, Bill, aand life began. moved to Oakmont Rd and finnally had a daughter, Lynn. 5 yrs apart.before I quit, I have to tell you what's inside of ruthrippetoegreen. I Love people..I had a firm religious background and believe in God ..believe in prayer..have worked with older people most of my life. those in their homes or nursing homes. Bill and I delivered meals for 35 yrs. I have lots of energy and sometimes feel guilty for that. I read alot. mysteries and love stories and real people! love Italian food and firm believer in exercising. now have friends who come 3 times a wk and exercise in the pool.for an hour. 20 times ea. I play alot of bridge and since so many friends have passed on we have gotten Bill as our 4th and we are known to play 3 and 4 times a week. I make it my weekly plan to do somethiong for someone in need. I lost my hearing in one ear in 1992 and thank goodness for granddaughter, Katherine, who gave us this computer. It has brought a new world to this old(er) lady!!!Now if I just knew how to do paragraphs and corrections etc... I see one now. I used a dictaphone NOT a megaphone. Hope all the Rippetoe related will get together and lets communicate. Hokey, where are you!!! I love every single one of you to pieces. Ruthie