Category: Stories

After all is said and done, more is said than done

That’s a sharp observation — and a timeless truth. The phrase “After all is said and done, more is said than done” cuts through the noise of talk-heavy, action-light behavior. It’s a reminder that words are cheap, but follow-through is rare and valuable.

Here’s a vintage-style take on your phrase — with the flavor of an old-fashioned proverb or sign you’d find in a cozy parlor or dusty general store:

“When all the talking’s through, seems the doing never quite caught up.”
— An old reminder from simpler times

Or a more decorative version:

️ After the words have wandered and the voices have faded,
’tis clear — more was spoken than ever was done.

(As Grandma used to say: “Talk don’t stack wood.”)

Here’s a poetic, vintage-style rendering of the phrase — something that would feel right at home in an old book of sayings or stitched on a sampler:

When silver tongues have had their say,
And echoes drift and fade away,
The promised deeds, so grandly spun,
Lie half-asleep, or left undone.

For in the end, when all is told,
It’s not the stories, but the bold—
Who quietly work, and make things right,
While talkers vanish with the night.

After all is said and done, more is said than done

June 6, 2025
The Dan Valley

The Dan Valley/Dan River Basin is not an overly large area. Actually it is comprised of about 3300 square miles. The basin is about twice the size of Yosemite National Park in California. The area is somewhat mountainous, lots of rolling hills and has an abundant water supply with many rivers and lakes. The terrain is wooded and dotted by small farms.

The valley is populated by folks of German, Irish and Scotch decent. Generally the residents are hard working, patriotic and loyal to each other.

Over the years the residents have made a living off of the land. Most have been, and a lot still are, small farmers. Farming is a tough way to make a living so as the population grows the younger folks tend to commute to the surrounding cities for jobs.

The Dan Valley lies between four large metropolitan areas of North Carolina and Virginia. In North Carolina it is the Piedmont Triad … composed of Greensboro,Winston Salem and High Point … and the Research Triangle which is composed of Raleigh,Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary. In Virginia there is the Roanoke/Salem area and the Richmond area. These metro areas have a combined population in excess of 5 million people.

In the middle of all of this is the Dan Valley/Dan River Basin with a few thousand hard working folks who would like to join their neighbors in the 21st century. Maybe you should look at this area as a place to locate your business and a place to raise your family.

Danville, Va is the largest city in the Dan Valley. Other towns are Martinsville, Va, South Boston, Va, Madison, NC, and Eden, NC. For years, the largest industries were agriculture, furniture and textiles. Today the employment situation is in transition.

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Recommended Links
The Dan River Basin
A Little History

The blizzard of 2014….Yeah, I know …This is old news now, because it is over, but It was exciting while it lasted and will be talked about for years.

It seems that Stokes County received some of the largest accumulations of snow in North Carolina. All of the ingredients fell into place at the proper time for this to happen. The result was the largest snow fall that the State of North Carolina has seen in a long time.

The roads became slick in a very short period of time. Although everyone knew that a storm was about to happen, the rapidity with which it happened caught folks in awkward situations. There were many stories of long stressful drives from work to home. I have heard folks say that the trip from Greensboro to Madison took 3 or 4 hours……. the drive home to Pine Hall from work in Winston-Salem took 4 hours….and the stories go on.

Fortunately, time was burned but I haven’t heard of anyone who suffered physical harm.

Lets all have a cup of hot chocolate and toast the Blizzard 2014

For The People

We are close to losing the America we love. Washington’s agenda seems to be determined to weaken our nation’s ability to defend and support itself. The progress made in racial relations is being destroyed through the encouragement of class division. Those who provide private sector jobs are heading toward higher taxation which equals fewer jobs created. We become more deeply indebted to foreign countries every day. Our senior citizens are having to choose between medications, food, and basic comforts because the money that should be provided to help them is being wasted on empty government buildings, lavish government functions, failing solar businesses, on and on. Coal plants which provide nearly half of our electricity are closing because they can’t afford to meet the regulations set by the government. The Keystone Pipeline would have created 1000’s of jobs but was blocked by the White House. Our soldiers are not receiving the support they need and the administration bows to foreign leaders and apologizes for America.

Use your own judgement to decide where this country is being led. I have never seen a time like this when our college children are hopeless about the future in our country. If you have not registered to vote, you still can. Please rally your eligible children, friends, and family to stand up and vote this November. We gave the President and his Democratic Senate a chance, but it’s time to hand over the reigns to the experienced Romney/Ryan team. If you won’t be available to vote on election day, plan to go to early voting or request an absentee ballot.

I beg of you – please help us take America back.

This was written by my friend C. M. Peacock 8/15/12

Update On Fracking In Stokes County

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a controversial topic that has been debated in Stokes County and across the state. Here’s an update on the current situation:

Background: In 2011, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law allowing for the exploration and production of oil and natural gas through hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the state. Stokes County, located in the western part of the state, is believed to have significant shale gas reserves, particularly in the Marcellus Shale formation.

Fracking activities in Stokes County: While there have been some exploratory drilling operations in Stokes County, no large-scale commercial fracking operations have been conducted in the county so far. However, several companies have obtained permits to drill exploratory wells and conduct seismic surveys to assess the area’s potential for shale gas production.

Environmental concerns: Fracking has raised concerns about potential environmental impacts, including:

Water pollution: Fracking requires large amounts of water, which can contaminate aquifers and surface water sources.
Air pollution: Fracking operations can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants into the air.
Traffic and noise: Increased truck traffic and noise from drilling operations can disrupt local communities.
Land use changes: Fracking can lead to land use changes, such as increased industrialization and decreased agricultural land use.

Community opposition: Many residents in Stokes County have expressed concerns about the potential impacts of fracking on their community and environment. Some have organized to protest fracking operations and push for stricter regulations.

Current status: While there are no active fracking operations in Stokes County at present, there are ongoing efforts to develop shale gas resources in the region. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is responsible for regulating fracking activities in the state.

In 2020, the DEQ proposed new rules to improve oil and gas regulations, including increased monitoring of groundwater and air quality, as well as stricter requirements for well casing and cementing. However, some critics argue that these regulations do not go far enough to address environmental concerns.

As with any industrial activity, it’s essential for residents, policymakers, and regulators to carefully weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks and take steps to minimize negative impacts on the environment and local communities.

Personal Time Feeding Wild Life

It is an early summer evening, I am sitting on the deck with my wife, enjoying the relatively cool temperature and the closeness of the trees. My wife decides to feed the local wild life some bread. The local wild life consists of squirrels and birds. Sometimes a bunny rabbit plays in the back yard but today he was not around…..only the squirrels and a variety of birds…..a humming bird, a cardinal, a very black crow and a blue bird.

They all feast on the bread that my wife dispenses and drink the water which she provides. The birds and the squirrels actually tolerate each other very well. The crows are somewhat skittish and the other wild life is leery of the crows presence…..All in all the whole menagerie behave quite well when their is food on the table.

Personal Time Feeding Wild Life

Category: Stories

After all is said and done, more is said than done

After all is said and done, more is said than done

The Dan Valley

Blizzard 2014

For The People

Update On Fracking In Stokes County

Personal Time Feeding Wild Life

Personal Time Feeding Wild Life