I love trains and it has been a long time since I was

on one, so I chose to take the train from OKC to my

destination of West Virginia.  Mesmerized by the

beautiful scenery along the way, I was distracted but

I did manage a little research about where I was

headed by talking to some of the other passengers. 

I found out that West Virginia is the only state in

the nation located entirely within the Appalachian

Mountain range. I found it fascinating as I continued

listening, about the many ancient man-made earthen

mounds from various mound builder cultures that have

survived although little is known about these

civilizations.  This is definitely a place I will want

to come back to and do a little exploring! 

Note to self: Plan a trip to come back so Mouse and I

can go on a week long exploration, do the Indiana

Jones thing.  That would be fun.

Time goes by fast and I arrive in North Central, West

Virginia. It is as beautiful as I had imagined! Fall is

setting in, the leaves of the woodlands are turning

and the air is crisp.  I'm already loving it here.

Mouse knows what I look like from the pictures she has

seen so I'm sure she will recognize me, at least I am

hoping since I have no idea what she looks like.

As I'm looking around the depot, I notice a lot of

banners going up on the city street.  Now I see a

woman waving at me. Either the people here are very

friendly or that must be Mouse.  Yes, it's Mouse,

hmmm...she doesn't look like a mouse, wonder where she

got that nickname from? 

After a hug and our "hello's," I ask her about the

banners I saw...

Mouse: "This is a very busy time here in town. In just

3 short weeks we will be hosting the 71st annual Mt.

State Forest Festival. We have a weeks worth of

activities- ranging from the Queens Coronation, 2 

Parades, Arts & Crafts, Talent, and many other

interests pertaining to our area.  This is one of West

Virginia's most prominent Fall Festivals. Most

everyone, residents and businesses alike, all decorate

for the Fall season. The mascot of the festival is

Woodley the Elf."   

Dragonflower: "Woodley the Elf?  

Mouse: " He is the one who is said to paint all the

colors on the Fall leaves." 

Then Mouse tells me she's got a plan and directs me to

her car. We get into the car and then she tells that

the first stop is by her apartment so I can meet

Bandit and then we will take a scenic drive out to the

Cheat River Inn for lunch. After months of talking

about how fun it would be to go "do lunch," here we

are getting ready to head out to a famous restaurant! 

We arrive at her condo and I'm greeted at the front

door by a scarecrow and I see Bandit peeking out

through the window.

Dragonflower:  "Who is your friend here Mouse?

(referring to the scarecrow that is guarding the front

entrance)

Mouse: "Her name is Gertie. In years past, I have also

had cornstalks and straw bales also as outdoor

decorations. I do a lot of floral design, wreaths

mostly - for the different holidays, for myself, and

for family and friends."

We walk inside and Bandit leaps from the window and

lands right at my feet. She's a big, fluffy cat with

beautiful eyes and she is very friendly. 

Dragonflower: "I love the way you have decorated your

condo, and the view from here is just amazing!"

Mouse: "You know what I like most about my condo?

Here, let me show you." 

"See that empty field out back at the bottom of that

wooded hill? Here on my deck I can view what I call

the 'Wildlife Preserve'. I have had many animals at my

back door. Raccoons, Ground Hogs, a Ring-necked

Pheasant, Skunks, Deer, a Red Tailed Hawk, Squirrels

and recently, a pair of Chipmunks have been regulars.

I can sit out there for hours and watch the seasons

change and enjoy my own little spot of Nature."

Dragonflower:  "It's beautiful Mouse, so peaceful. 

You are so lucky.  In the city where I live, you have

drive for what seems forever sometimes to see anything

like this, and here you have it, right in front of

you."

Mouse: "We better get going, where I want to take you

is a bit of a drive."

As we head out to our destination, Mouse explains what

I am seeing.

Mouse: "We are about to come up on the Bowden Fish

Hatchery which supplies several kinds of trout to our

state streams and rivers. Also, we will be going by

the entrance to the Monongahela National Forest and

Recreation Area. It's a beautiful drive in the Fall

with all the foliage turning colors along a 2 lane

winding road." 

"We have an abundance of deer so watch the sides as

they are everywhere along this stretch of road. Here

'Buck Season' is a very big event. Thanksgiving week

begins Buck hunting season and hunters come from all

states to camp and hunt here in this area."

I change the subject because I am having visions of

cute little deer running for their lives...

Dragonflower: "So tell me about the place we are

having lunch."

Mouse: "The Cheat River Inn was originally established

as a tavern in the 1940s.  The Inn now boasts really

elegant riverside dining, including an outdoor deck

and bar, but it still retains a casual Tavern

atmosphere.

Dragonflower: "It sounds wonderful, am I dressed OK?"

Mouse: "Sure you are, we're going to be sitting out on

the deck so what you have on is perfect, it might get

a little cool."

We arrived and it was a good thing Mouse called ahead,

the place was packed.

We sat on the deck and after a few minutes, we

ordered. I ordered the Rainbow Trout, coated in oats,

sautéed golden brown with a roasted shallot cream

sauce. Mouse decided on the New York Strip, smothered

in sherried onions and mushrooms, of which the Cheat

River Inn is famous for, (I saw that written in the

menu) and a baked potato. 

Mouse: " Remind me to ask for a "kitty bag" so I can

take a treat home for Bandit."  

We didn't have too long of a wait before the food

arrived which was surprising considering how crowded

it was.  

Dragonflower: "There's no way I'll be able to finish

all this so be sure to take Bandit home some fish

too."

We ate and got to talking, girl stuff and all that

sort of thing, and then I got out my tape recorder and

started the interview while were served a delicious

Chocolate Amaretto brownie and coffee...

Dragonflower: "Let's talk about Blogstream for a

minute...Is there anything in your real life that is a

direct result of your time on Blogstream?"

Mouse: "Yes, in a sense, I learned that I can smile

again."

Dragonflower: "What was the most fun you ever had on

Blogstream?"

Mouse: "There was a blog called 'The Blogstream Secret

Police', it's no longer here. But at the time, I knew

who it belonged to and the story line was done all in

fun. It was just a Fun afternoon to banter back and

forth, and just be silly - with responses and images. 

 Some good laughs were had that day."

Dragonflower: "Before I go on with more questions

about Blogstream, how about telling me a little about

who Mouse is.... Do you have a favorite alcoholic

beverage?"

Mouse: "Well, I never have been much of a drinker. I

can sit with one can of beer in my hand all night. But

I do like the taste of a liquor called Grand Mariner.

And I remember having had some fun nights

....enjoying long island ice teas.    ; )

Dragonflower: "What is your favorite food and can we

have the recipe?"

Mouse: "Probably Mexican, and it is kind of hard to

come by here in WV."

"I have a recipe for Sour cream Enchiladas that I can

share."

    SOUR CREAM ENCHILADAS ~

You can add beef, pork or chicken to this versatile

enchilada recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

    * 1 package flour tortillas, the medium sized ones

    * 1 4-ounce can diced green Chiles (undrained)

    * 1 4-ounce can black olives sliced (drained) 

'optional'

    * 1 8-ounce package shredded sharp cheddar cheese

    * A 10-ounce can of cream of (something chicken...

Celery... Mushroom... Etc. Depends on your taste)

    * 1 16-ounce tub of sour cream

    * Meat of your choice, already browned and diced

(chicken, beef etc...) 

PREPARATION:

You can add any other veggie you like pretty much...

This recipe is so flexible.

Mix all the ingredients except for the cheese and the

tortillas.

Spoon the mixture into the middle of the tortillas and

lay them rolled up (closed on one end or both depends

on preference less messy if both) in a greased or

sprayed baking pan.

Sprinkle the cheddar over the tops. Bake them at 350

for 20 to 30 minutes in a preheated oven or until they

are golden and the cheese is melted.

Dragonflower: "I'll be saving that recipe because

Mexican food is my favorite too!"

Dragonflower: "What is your nationality or ethnic

background?"

Mouse: "I'm French, German, and Irish"

 Dragonflower: "Do you have any family traditions that

you celebrate every year because you're French, German

and Irish?"

Mouse: "No can't think of any."

Dragonflower:  "Mouse, would you mind telling me about

the most embarrassing thing (that you're willing to

tell) that has happened to you?"

Mouse: "uummmm...really can't think of anything....

Well there was that time...

Dragonflower:  "What time Mouse?"

Mouse: “OK, I'll tell you... When I was working in a

Max Juvenile Institution while trying to restrain a

resident who was assaulting another resident...I

grabbed on to the waistband of his pants and pulled

backwards. We both ended up on our butts in the floor

and I had quite the audience by the time it was over."

"This kid was 6ft tall and 195 lbs and here I was

at 5'2 and 120 pounds!  It did however stop the fight

though!" (laughing)

Dragonflower:  " I bet that was embarrassing but hey,

it ended up turning the whole situation around and no

one got hurt in the process!"

Mouse: "It did that for sure but I got teased about it

for a long time."

Dragonflower: "How about telling me your middle name?

Mouse: "Oh we WON"T even go there....

Dragonflower: "Come on Mouse, it can't be that bad!"

Mouse: "Well...my parents evidently didn't like me

much when they named me. (frowning) My middle name is

my Grandmothers maiden name. And I don't EVER use it.

It was what I was called as a child, I didn't like it

then, and I don't like it now."

Dragonflower: "OK, that's cool, I won't pry.  Let's go

on to something else...how about the last book you

read, what was it?"    

Mouse: "I just re-read part of "From Beginning to End-

the Rituals of Our Lives," by Robert Fulghum. He is

one of my favorite authors, also having written, "All

I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”

Dragonflower: "I haven't read that book but the title

sounds like it would be interesting, I'll check it

out."

Dragonflower: "What would you say was the best book

you ever read?"

Mouse: "I have a few favorites like the Notebook, by

Nicholas Sparks, The Green Mile, by Stephen King and

Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls.

Dragonflower:  "I didn't read the book, but I really

liked the movie, The Green Mile."

Dragonflower: "Do you have a favorite word?

Mouse: "It's not my favorite word, I can't really

think of a favorite. I do like the word Perspective (a

       point of view, the proper relative position of

objects or phenomena one perceives)."

Dragonflower: "What is your favorite quote?"

Mouse: “That all endings are beginnings, we just

don't know it at the Time," from the book, the Five

People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom."

Dragonflower: "My husband has read the book and we

both saw the movie.  I thought the movie was one of

the best metaphysical movies ever made."

Dragonflower: "What is your least favorite word?"

Mouse: "uummm...I'll keep that one to myself, I really

don't want to say it." 

Dragonflower: Ok, then how about you tell me what

turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?"

Mouse: "That would be music, nature, words and

simplicity" 

Dragonflower: "What turns you off?"

Mouse: "Ignorance and arrogance."

Dragonflower: "What's your favorite curse word?"

Mouse: "I use the 'F' word way too much, all those

years spent in a correctional environment, maybe? 

"Bad girl", I know"

Dragonflower: "It probably does come with the

environment.  I have a friend who is a police

dispatcher and she is the same way."

Dragonflower: "OK, let's talk about sounds you love,

do have any?"

Mouse: "The sound my cat makes when she gives me

kisses on my ear when I come home from work, and wind

chimes in a breeze.

Dragonflower: “I love wind chimes too, I often wonder

if my neighbors ever get annoyed with mine since I

have quite a few.  You wouldn't have to worry about

that around your place though.  You could run naked

and bark at the moon with a wind chime and no one

would know or care. I'm so jealous!" (laughing)

Dragonflower: "What sound or noise do you hate?"

LOL. Mouse: "Right now, it's the sound of a running toilet,

But I also don't like the sound of a ambulance or

fire siren, it always means someone is in trouble."

Dragonflower: " I bet you don't hear many sirens so I

would imagine that if you did hear one that would sure

put you on alert that something bad happened.  I think

in the city we tend to block out the noise of sirens

since they are so common place."  

Dragonflower: "Do you have a favorite smell?"

Mouse: "Rain and lavender ... My current favorite

candle right now is a 'Yankee' brand and it's lavender

and sage."

Dragonflower: "What profession other than your own

would you like to attempt?"

Mouse: "I wish I'd have had the opportunity to go to

college, I'd have been something in the psychology

field, probably a therapist."

Dragonflower: "What profession would you not like to

do?"

Mouse: "A salesman or politician, I don't lie well."

Dragonflower: "Oh I know what you mean!  I have a

brother that could sell snow to the Devil! Me, I'd be

laughed at, I just couldn't pull it off."

Dragonflower: "Let's talk about music for a minute... 

You do such a fantastic post every Saturday night for

the Music Crawl so I know you are into music. What 5

CD's are currently in your player?"

Mouse: "Right now I have in: 

PinK, I'm not Dead

Jason Aldean, Jason Aldean

Billy Squirer, Absolute Hits

Zen Relaxation, from Hallmark

and Nickelback, All the Right Reasons"

Dragonflower: " Let's talk about Blogstream

again...name 5 bloggers you want to meet."

Mouse: "I would like to hang out with you again

Dragonflower, and I would like to meet Sherry,

Scratch, Soles' Denounce, Misty, Coloconnect...well

that would be 6... and my list goes on...Heather,

Bella, Dixie and Valanne just to name a few more."

 Dragonflower: “OK, what about if money was no object

and you could go anywhere you want with the bloggers

of your choice, where would you go and what would you

do?"

Mouse: "I would rent a private island where my blogger

friends and I could kick back, relax some and get to

know each other better. Then I would let each friend

pick something from one of THEIR dreams and having

rented a private jet, we would all go to each friend's

choice, and experience what ever it was that they

wanted to see or do for the day. After all, since

money is no object, we are going to use it and create

some awesome memories!"

Dragonflower: "Sounds awesome Mouse!" 

Dragonflower: "I have another question about living

out in the wilderness like you do... Have you had any

unusual experiences, maybe strange lights like the

ones people call "spook lights," maybe a UFO

encounter, or Big Foot?"

Mouse: "No, I can't say I've had any unsual

experiences here in the forest that would be

considered out of the ordinary or spooky. However,

when I was a  small child and my parents would come

back here to visit my grandparents, I would evidently

tell them about my imaginary friend 'Cotty', who lived

in the woods. Since I was originally from the

desert, (Las Vegas, Nev) I must have been totally

fascinated with the trees and green lushness of WV. So

I had a "friend" in the forest....go figure? She never

left the forest now that I think about it, strange

isn't it?"

Dragonflower: "As a believer in elves, fairies, Big

Foot and everything else that could be out here...I

don't doubt at all that you had a forest friend."

Dragonflower: "If Heaven exists, what would you like

God to say to you when you arrive?"

Mouse: "That I learned my lessons, that I touched some

lives, and I made a difference while I was here."

Dragonflower: "Mouse, I really hate to do this but if

I am going to catch that train on time, I think we

need to wrap this up.  You told the waiter to put that

fish into a "to go" container didn't you?

Mouse: "He said he would have it waiting for us at the

door, I'm sure it's there... Are you ready?"

Dragonflower: "Yep, I just need to get all this stuff

back into my purse."

We walked to the door and the waiter smiled and handed

us Bandit's evening treat.  

It was such a nice afternoon and I was beginning to

get a little sad that I didn't get to spend more time

with Mouse and the beautiful state she lives in.  But

the sun was starting to set and we had to do a little

"fast travel" to get me back to the train. 

We said "goodbye" and I sat in a seat next to the

window.  The sunset was spectacular as we rolled down

the track.  There are not many people on this train,

maybe I can get this all put together without any

distractions.

I take one more look out the window before beginning

my work on my lap top and I notice a figure dashing in

and out of the woods we are passing.

This is too cool, where's my camera? I have to get a

picture of this!

I grab my camera; I know it has to be Woodley, the elf

Mouse was talking about. And just before he dashes

back into the woods, I manage to get a shot of him! 

Wow, wait till Mouse sees this!