The old toll house: Loie's new home

Circa 1840, the original Toll House in Shepherdstown, an historic landmark

When I first saw that this little house was for rent, it literally called my name -- or rather my sister's name. It wanted LoPo to come and take up residence there, close enough to see me whenever she wants but within walking distance of everything that's magical about this little town.

At first inquiry, I found out that the owner wanted no pets (But Loo-Boo's not really a dog, exactly, I thought), a year's lease and $1200 a month.

No can do. Put the dream away. But it has stayed empty in a dead real estate market that will be even less active in the summer as the students leave town. There it was, waiting for my sister, all lonely and empty......until I encouraged her to make any reasonable offer, to see if the owner wouldn't rather have some income to offset his extensive renovations rather than none at all.

And what do you know? When asked, he agreed to a three-month lease, with a dog, at a reduced cost!

Our secret dream has come true! Loie will get to live in Shepherdstown for three months this summer, and, oh, we will do such wondrous things together! Tonight, I am singing the praises of how God works in wondrous and unexpected ways and how sometimes, when you're very blessed, some wonderful gift is given to you, just for the asking.

See you soon, Loie. You'll have your little hideaway where the train goes by and rattles your windows, you can walk all over town with Louie, visit me, read and paint and have a wonderful vacation. We can go to the free Appalachian music sessions across the street from you every Thursday night at O'Hurley's General Store, the Sunday morning farm market, my church, the darling public library, the Lost Dog Cafe, the C&O to walk our doggies. And you'll see a lot of my happy face at your little back door.