Home Again

I have just returned from a week in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. I haven't been to the mountains very many times and never for this long. Can I say WOW?? It was absolutely wonderful. We covered pretty much all of them except for the extreme southern mountains and the northern Tennessee mountains. We spent the first two nights in Townsend, TN and went to Cades Cove on Sunday to ride horses and view the vistas of the Cove. It was absolutely beautiful. My horse wanted to lag behind everyone. During one part of the trip, the guide had to separate Mikayla's and Wesley's horses because they couldn't get along. When that happened, my reins fell and I couldn't reach them without the possibility of falling off and landing face first in the mud. Not a pleasant thought. The guide was very happy to hand me the reins!

On Monday, we went to Dollywood and had a nice time there. Mom drove like a "Hell Driver" in the Rockin' Roadway. HAHAHAHAHA Tuesday found us on a train ride from Bryson City to the Nantahala River Gorge. The scenery along the way was absolutely gorgeous. We also took a trip to the Fontana Dam. On Wednesday, we went to Cherokee and stayed there all day. It was very nice seeing how they lived in the 1700s and to see their history. Unto These Hills was very nice and I enjoyed seeing that immensely.

One of the most interesting things I learned on the trip was that the Cherokee language has no word for "good-bye." They use a phrase like "we will see each other again." There are also no curse words in their language. They never developed those words and preferred to stay in peace and harmony with those around them. Compare that to English. Who's the savage?

Thursday morning shone bright on Biltmore. What a house!!!!! We walked around the house and grounds all day long. I am pretty sure I could get used to living there! HAHAHA On Friday, we went mining for gems and visited the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis and Blowing Rock. I have several uncut gems now that I will have cut later, including topaz, emerald, tiger's eye, rubies, and tourmaline. The Mast General Store was amazing. It's over 120 years old and has everything!

As with all good things, the vacation came to a quick end on Saturday. Before we left, we visited the Ashe County Cheese Factory in West Jefferson. Of course, we had to get some cheese and butter. Both are very good!! Tomorrow will be a new work day. I am trying to fight off the depression now! HAHAHAHA

I hope everyone has a blessed day.

40

Yes, folks. It's official...I'm no longer 30-something. I have now crossed over the threshold and joined the "Over-the-hill Gang" (at least according to my co-workers). I have been thinking about turning 40 all day and have decided it's not going to be a bad thing. Now when one thinks about the number "40" in life, one thinks of 40 days and 40 nights of rain and 40 years of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. Those tend to be negative thoughts. But if you really think carefully, God's abundant blessings came after the 40 time period. The waters started receding and drying up while Noah and his family waited to repopulate the cleansed earth and the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. I believe that the best part of my life is yet to come. Yes, I will probably feel more pains and aches and not be as spry (if you could have EVER described me as "spry"!) as I used to be, but I've gained a lot in my 40 years. A lot of what, you say? A lot of knowledge, a lot of good memories, a lot of friends, a lot of love and the list can go on and on. With all that I have gained, life will only get better and better until I reach the end.

I'm not saying it will be perfect or that there won't be bumps or hurdles in the road, but God is faithful and He will see me through. For all of you out there groaning and moping about your age, quit going around acting like a mule eating briers. Life is to be enjoyed and relished, so get out there and do it!

Adapting

It's amazing to me to watch how creatures adapt to their surroundings. One example that I am currently witnessing is occurring at Lake Wheeler. During this bridge re-newing project that is being done, the workers have placed some sort of yellow, floating piece of equipment on the other side of the old bridge from where they are working. I have not been able to figure out its purpose, but then again, I don't really need to worry about it. Several times when I am crossing the lake (and depending on how late for work I am, the crossing can be at warp speed), I have noticed a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) walking, stalking, or standing on the yellow flotation device in the middle of the lake. For those that aren't familiar with a Great Blue Heron's daily life, it stands in the shallows of any body of water and quietly, slowly, and deliberately stalks his prey. This particular bird adapted to the changes in its environment and now uses the flotation device to expand it's hunting grounds. It will stand for hours on the device and is now able to reach potential prey in the middle of the lake that would otherwise be too deep for it to attempt a hunt. Who says nature is dumb? If one takes a closer look at his natural surrounding, he will see all kinds of adaptations that have occurred or are occurring in response to the changing environment. Granted, not every species is capable of adapting so quickly and sometimes suffers the consequence of its rigidity, but for the most part, creatures are very adept at changing with the times.

Some people, on the other hand, seem to lack that capability. I think of myself as very adaptable like water. Water is capable of taking on any shape depending on where it finds itself and I do pretty much the same. Other people I know are always trying to make the situations change to fit their wants, wishes, or needs. Sometimes life isn't like that at all. In order to survive with your wits and sanity intact, one must "go with the flow". That's not to say that you take everything that comes your way; one must have standards and morals, but too much rigidity cause a lot of unnecessary hardships. Maybe we should all look to the natural world for some lessons in this area of our lives.

I hope everyone has a blessed day and keeps cool!!!

Dances

Can I be any happier?? (Well, yes, I could if I was in Mexico with my best friend or eating a nice steak dinner, but you get my point.) The GARDEN is finally (well, almost) finished!!!! We still have to finish the borders, fill the paths with rocks, and set up the homemade cages around the boxes, but those are minor tasks that we must undertake when we have time. Mom and I planted the squash, cucumbers, and marigolds yesterday! We finished raking the last bed, covered it with landscaping fabric and poked the seeds in the ground. When we finished, I wanted to do the "Happy Dance," but was sweaty and needed to take a shower before we left for errands. On a nice surprise note, I did see an Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) near the garden while finishing up. He appeared suddenly when I heard him start to move away after I got too close. I hadn't noticed him before! He looked very dull so I believe he was getting ready to shed his skin.

On another garden-related note, Molly, Rolly and friends have been checking out the garden area during their daily visits this past week. They tried the Lemon Boy tomato and two of the pepper plants. I don't think there was any permanent damage. Mom's solution was to bang two pie tins outside the door. They gave her the "You-don't-scare-me-and-I-will-not-leave" look. Well, last Thursday night, they came for another fine dining experience. Mom started with the banging pans concert while on the phone with a friend! Can you imagine what the friend was thinking? LOL Dad came to her rescue. His solution was much more dramatic. He went down the steps of the deck and started jumping/dancing while waving his arms up and down and making his version of a goose honk that sounds like Donald Duck with a sore throat. I call it his "Goose Dance." At first, the geese thought he was harmless, but he persisted and they finally took off in a flurry of feathers and honking and have not returned!! I didn't actually see this Oscar-winning performance, but was in ear-shot of the racket that was made. Maybe Dad should patent his methods??? I am sure we could make millions!!

Have a blessed day!