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1953. “We spent our week ends and holidays building our new home,” he said. Their two sons were also involved in the lengthy project.
They bought and read books on house construction and planned the house around the furnishings they had. He said they bought 12 bags of “Sacrete” each week and worked until they had laid the 12 bags worth of concrete block. The core of the house is concrete block with two frame wings.
They moved into the house in 1976 while the building was still under construction.
When raising cattle and keeping apple trees pruned and sprayed proved to be to much “we retrenched and tried something different,” he said. They had a successful honeybee operation going, selling honey from “The Happy Bees of Greenoch Farm” in Alexandria until the bears from the neighboring Shenandoah National Park started raiding the hives. They tried keeping the bears away with lights and rock and roll music. It worked on the bears, but it also “drove the bees crazy,” he said. They sold the honey producing operation to friends.
That is when they switched to the flower garden.
A bout with Lyme’s disease caused a heart infection. Antibiotics to combat that destroyed the nerves in his inner ears. This has left him suffereng from vertigo and dependent on a cane. But he continues to lead an active life full of optimism and plans for the future.
He said, “This has all been done because Jane and I work together well. She’s so patient. She accepts me.” He noted that they dated for seven years before getting married, “so we have been going together for 65 years,” he said.
It is apparent he does not regret walking away from his life in the city. He has eryoyed the “peace and tranquility” of Rappahannock after his many years in the city. But it is apparent he enjoyed the years in the city also.
Maurice Herndon has enjoyed his life and continues to do so. His advice to others Is plan for the future, “don’t fear retirement. Look forward to it as another phase of your life.”
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