How Not To Give In To Unrealistic Fear or Rearranging Furniture for Realistic and Unrealistic Reasons

The evening, dark. The threat of rain imminent. The quiet welcomed as it helped me ease into the evening. It was a continuation of Sabbatical Sunday since I was firmly ensconced at home, so choir practice wasn't in the plan of sabbatical. A book and a cup of hot tea beckoned me to the couch when my sabbatical and silence interrupted by an alert on my iPhone. No details yet but there has been reported a large police presence about four miles away at a major intersection nearby...what! No details? As one tends to do, I began Googling and keeping a close tab on Twitter for those waiting developments to the story. Nothing! In the search for information I came across our community watch group page and found out much to my surprise our little community store where we get our gas station pizza had been robbed on October 17 and the thief fled on foot toward a major road nearby. OK, this bit of news did nothing but flame the fires of fear. Yet no updates on the major police presence. At this point I am so thankful that I didn't go to choir practice because this po po presence was happening nearby. So I did what we should all do in times of fear, I prayed for the po po and for our community but especially for all who happened to be at church. Since I am wont to imagine situations that will never happen, here's an example, Peggy and I always joked that we would like to follow news stories and be present when the reporter begins interviewing those in the crowd. We would have our hair in rollers or a hairnet, wear old housecoats and apply makeup to be totally bizarre because we all know those are the people that get interviewed for those stories of a neighbor gone bad. So to occupy myself because clearly I haven't prayed enough or believed enough, I rehearse the scenario of being interviewed and I will be complete with dirty hair, very little makeup yet wearing my Baylor sweatshirt, cause you gots to fling your green and gold, when telling the story of skipping church and choir practice...but all this imagining going on and I have no clue why there is a police presence, a large police presence, in our community. Then another alert; the police are chasing three, then it became five and now the number is four, suspects in a red minivan...I kid you not...a minivan. They believed these suspects had robbed the Jared Gallery of Jewelry in Asheville earlier that evening. Being reported too was the news they did not think the suspects were from the area. I deduce they came up with that because you have to know these back roads to be effective. Too many end abruptly and right into a road or driveway that says private property or no turn arounds. The fate of the suspects could be more dismal than capture by the po po and the excuse of I was just looking for the home of an aunt that I visited in childhood wouldn't fit the situation of being chased in the dark of night...which means 6:00 pm off of daylight savings time. The red minivan disabled by stop sticks, I don't know what those are but they probably related to road spikes used in all the chase scenarios in Houston,  Anyway, the suspects fled on foot and they were able to apprehend one of them and still searching the area for the others. Oh my goodness! Now every noise in the house becomes suspicious noise so I begin closing window treatments, drapes, and wishing I now had some on the bay window. To occupy my sense of fear, several conversations on the phone should do the trick. Nope, still suspects on the loose and I am making plans to have spotlights installed for our front yard and driveway. Nothing says I am trying to act normal than to move furniture. Because it is now in the cooler temps we rarely use our door off the back deck. What better way to open up a room but to move a huge chair to be partially in front of that back door as the second backup because the rug inhibits the door being opened very wide or wide enough for a suspected jewelry thief to get into the house. News comes in that two more have been apprehended with one still on the loose. I must confess the likelihood of a suspect making it this far is nearly impossible. Since we are told they are not from the area, all these hills and mountains, wooded forests that contain a bear or two, pastures with electric fences, and maybe Bubba and Bubba Jr practicing night time hunting by shooting cans off a rock make it so unlikely that anyone of these suspects could make it this far. I am comforted by that fact but still the thought remains when they report not from the area does that mean they are from Waynesville or Burnsville or Weaverville or any of the other villes located nearby? Reluctantly, I head upstairs after moving the chair and for good measure moving a desk, but it went against a wall so it doesn't count as fortification. I moved it more for room as I am one of the host homes for dinner for our women's ministry progressive Christmas dinner and I am trying to determine how many can fit here comfortably.

This morning the good news is that they have apprehended three of the suspects, they are from Detroit, so no mad mountain man skills to traverse hill and dale and they think the fourth suspect is long gone from our area. How do they know that?  It is a rainy and overcast morning so traversing hill and dale would be even more difficult. So Buddy and I have enjoyed this morning easing into the day, don't have any plans and don't have to be away from the house. I have plenty to occupy me but first thing is finishing up that third cup of coffee and letting Buddy nap a little longer on my lap. In the morning light I like where the chair is located and moving the desk has opened up the room. although my view isn't as inspiring while sitting here but all I have to do is turn around.

It Was the Eighth of November....

It has been a fun weekend with the arrival of my niece Erin and her friend and her roommate Katherine. They got here Friday a little after noon and we were out hitting the roads soon after bringing in their bags. They were so much fun. We tried to do a highlight trip for them so that when they come back they know some options of places to hike and scenery just waiting to be photographed. Erin and Katherine left this morning because they needed to get back to college to write research papers and prepare for a presentation.

Since I didn't know when they would be leaving today, I already had it in mind that I would miss church. So, I took a rare sabbatical Sunday. I made a quick trip to the grocery store and then came back home to watch the choir and orchestra on the webcast of the 11:00 service at Houston's First Baptist. The internet connection was not cooperating and I had to reboot it several times but finally I was able to connect and came in the middle of Lisa P's song.

It was astonishing how much NC 215 toward the Blue Ridge Parkway had changed from Tuesday to Friday. Most trees had lost all their leaves but it was still a beautiful drive. Katherine is a wonderful photographer and she took a lot of pics that I will be anxious to see. We made a stop at one of the bigger waterfalls and a man was there taking pictures of it too. When he saw the Baylor sticker on the back of the truck he asked us about the Baylor game the previous night. He is from Maryland and is a HUGE Baylor fan, he tries never to miss the games but the hotel he was at didn't carry the channel they were on. I was happy to tell him they won but not with such a wide margin. Ah flinging our green and gold. Unfortunately, the LSU game didn't have a great report and I wisely decided not to watch the second half and instead went to bed and hoped for the best. I woke up at 3:00 am to check the score and was able to turn back over and go to sleep.

Four years ago today my mom passed away. I have missed her so much. I know she would be so happy for Roy and me. I kind of kept an eye out for a cardinal today, but none showed. But, there were all kinds of new birds and some types I had not seen since spring. So it was enjoyable to eat lunch and watch them dart in and out picking up seed and chasing one another off. The black one eyed cat didn't come by, so all those birds were safe once again to come and go to eat as they please.

I am so thankful today. There are many people and things to certainly give thanks for. God has certainly blessed me and in turn I hope to be a blessing right back.

Tuesday and Wednesday...It Looks Like Fall but Feels Like Spring

Today I experienced the all too famous quickly changing weather scenario on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Judy and I were driving up 215 to the Parkway. It is a wonderful and beautiful drive and I must have told Doug fifty times I was going to come back to this road while we were on it when he was here. On a Tuesday there wasn't much traffic and we were able to amble at our own pace. I had sworn Judy to secrecy and to never divulge anything about my poor decision on a one lane road and how Miss Dyslexic even with a backup camera came back down the hill. But here I am telling you something about that. It all happened at Camp Logan and what happens at Camp Logan stays at Camp Logan except for the extra mud on my truck. Anyway, such a beautiful drive and we came upon the Parkway and we were headed for Graveyard Fields. Except we encountered fog of the worst kind...really bad. In fact, we drove past Devil's Courthouse and I made a mental note to stop at the overlook on our way back to take a picture of all the water coming out of the rock. Only thing all the fog had rolled in and the rock wasn't even visible. Nothing much was visible. It seemed like one could take a step into the mist and be in heaven but we knew better than that and pretty much stuck around the car. We came back down 215 in order to stop and take some pictures of waterfalls and trees. Then we drove over the back way to Waynesville for lunch. We had a great day and hope another trip is in our future or lunch.

Now it is Wednesday. I should have worked more on my blog last night but I sat around and read too long into the evening. Everything is pretty much ready for our guests this weekend, but there are always the last minute things that need to be done. Hopefully, I can knock a few of those off the list this evening and finish up tomorrow.

This time last year Dena and I were staying at the Inn on the Biltmore Estate and got up early to take the first shuttle over to the house because it was the day they were bringing in the huge Christmas tree to be arranged in the banquet hall and decorated. It was very exciting and such a fun thing to do. Today, I was in the area, over in Biltmore Village but not on the estate to see all the happenings. I did see all the traffic as cars were lined up in so many lanes of traffic trying to get onto the estate. I took the left and found a parking place. I had breakfast at the Corner Kitchen and then I did some walking around the village browsing through shops. Only at Williams Sonoma did I buy something and only some holiday tea and holiday swizzle sticks for hot chocky. My hair appointment was at noon and since Christine had just been to NYC and had learned a new technique with having a razor cut, that's what she did. She always takes the opportunity to help her interns or lower level stylists learn, so Kelly was there watching it all happen. As Christine described me I liked how after tall she said and Nancy...ok, she is scrambling for another word for fat or big...has a presence when she enters a room. Now that was right nice of her to say that...time for a bunny trail...On a drive home from being up here Roy and I were having great conversations and we were there in Jackson Mississippi going onto I 55 when he says, everybody deals with their looks. The handsome and beautiful deal with their looks as they age and might not keep the outstanding looks they have possessed for most of their lives and then he said, there are the others like us, who dealt with our looks when we were younger...we knew we weren't a part of the pretty crowd, so you deal with it and hope for the best as the years go by. He is very insightful, that Roy. I like how Christine said presence because I thought about someone who said something once to me that really was a farce. This person, who wants to be the benevolent dictator says to me one day at church out of the blue, Nancy, do you know you're pretty? Now she was not saying this because I was but she thought if she said that to me, she was giving me some confidence that would be attributed to her and her insight but not power...this person never wants to give anyone power. So I responded, yea, all the time! Heard it all my life...gee, what made you say that? I can still remember how she looked so self satisfied as if she had given me a gift and I knew the deal was sealed in her mind, when the head tilt came. But then came the look of shock at my response. Well, that hadn't gone the way she had planned. Anyway, bunny trail and all, I like my haircut. It is getting less and less complicated and on my next visit...we are going to add back highlights. She is thinking in a coppery tone since my hair tends to the warm side. I don't know...I have gone that way before and I end up looking like this cranky lady that used to go to First Baptist. At least now I look like a younger Harper Lee and I am good with that.

I knew the crowd would have dissipated at the Biltmore, so I went over to take advantage of pass holder appreciation. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful drive. Still so much color to observe and commit to memory. I remembered that I 26 coming home was down to one lane, so I took an alternate route. Off the main highway I got behind a school bus which was delivering elementary kids home from school. The kids almost to each one would run to meet whoever was meeting them at the stop. Another thing, if they had to cross the street in front of the bus, they lined up and waited for the signal from the bus driver to go across the street. One stop along the way was a trailer park full of single wide trailers. A group of rag tag kiddos got off the bus but no one was there to meet them. The driver stayed longer at that stop watching each one reach a door. It was a sad looking trailer park and I have never noticed it before. The next stop was at another trailer house, that has tons of trash outside of it. The windows and what little curtains that were there just screamed hopelessness. The next stop was a latch key kid at a small home and he was very aware and trying not to forecast he had to pull a key out of his pocket to get inside the house. The irony of just being at the world's largest private home and then watching these little kiddos probably living below the poverty line and who knows what else exiting a school bus.

Rain, Fog, and A Hope

It was a dark, rainy and foggy night. It was my first experience of driving in the dark to church because there have been plenty of times I've driven home in the dark from choir practice. As with any road you begin to mark your signposts of recognition. There are two curves that kind of sneak up on me in the dark and I am more aware of where they are and once I have passed the signs on the top of the hill informing the driver of a church entrance I know my next turn will be rather immediate. So looking at the road in the dark from the opposite direction will take some practice of finding the signposts that mark the journey. Thankfully it is just about four miles to and from church but in the dark, misty, foggy and rainy night...it seems a lot longer.

With all the fog last night I anticipated the morning to have its fill of fog but it proved to be rather clear and only the shrouds of fog laying or lying...I don't remember the correct usage...in the valleys. The fall foliage is still bright and wonderful around here with the higher elevations now past their peak or so say the experts. On FB and in an email on Sunday the official end of the fall foliage report was listed over for 2015 and informed the immediate closings on the Parkway and those that will be closing in several days. Wow, it kind of felt somewhat like the holidays some years...lots and lots of build up, boom Christmas morning...and then what? It's over. In Houston Roy and I would drive around just to watch people trying to find someplace that was open...to get away from all the family or just trying to do something. One year the Walgreen's parking lot was jam packed with people needing something to do. So here this October, the crowds at restaurants have cause quite a wait for a table and there have been no rooms at the inn or hotel or motel. Then boom, November 1st...boom...officially fall foliage is over. I think I will continue to celebrate the autumnal colors for a little longer. This time last year the area had already had the first snow and this year we will have temps closer to the 70's by the end of the week. All in all my first October in the mountains was a fabulous one. Loved that I actually got to experience fall, oh autumn...it was great!

I had a bit of a crisis on Saturday afternoon and it all had to do with a dryer. It is no secret that I don't really care for the washer and dryer that came with the house. They are old, non energy efficient and I miss the steam feature on a dryer because with it, no ironing happened. It is not happening now either because I don't have an iron here...accept me wrinkled or don't. Thus I love flannel and jeans cause neither one needs to be ironed. But I have gone down a bunny trail...anyway, I felt that the dryer was no longer drying clothes. The time needed to get things dry was way too long. So first thing, I went outside with the lint brush to clean out the dryer vent. Yes, little Miss Safety climbed up on an outdoor chair but it wasn't high enough to do a good job. So, out came the ladder but I was afraid I would splatter if I climbed too high. I was good for about two rungs and then my sense of balance that no longer lives with me on a full time basis exited and I knew I could not go up any higher. I did remove a more lint. Because I was unhappy with the prospect of no dryer I did the only thing a rational woman would do, I told Roy that I was going to Lowe's and getting a new washer and dryer...even though on my insides I was saying...uh, you just got a new heat pump, propane tank and generator...taxes will be due soon...don't like credit card debt...this is such an empty threat. Roy suggested I ask around about repairmen that could look at the thing and be strong enough to clean out the dryer hose because the heating element still worked. Yea, well...ok. Then I took several things out of the dryer and in true you do what you have to do form, hung clothes over the railings on the stairs, over the backs of chairs and across the iron foot boards of the twin beds upstairs. Can I get a yehaw?! I now own some duct tape and I wasn't too far from using it to hang up clothes but I resisted that thought, thankfully. I then started drying a smaller amount of clothes and it was a miracle! The dryer worked! Note to self flannel, sweatshirts and jeans are not a good combination in a dryer and maybe a smaller load would also be advisable.

The misty rain is starting again. My cup of coffee and a good book or maybe I should start out by reading the Good Book...are beckoning and I must respond. It is one of those days I really like...overcast with rain...with no place I have to be and no one officially here doing some kind of work.

Off Of Daylight Saving Time and Into The New Normal...For a Couple of Months

Off of Daylight Savings Time and the new normal is dark at 5:35 pm. I got the garbage bin down to the road while there was still light. The rain and mist on the mountains and in the valleys have made for too many photo ops that I didn't take. Really, I mean I was driving to church and then running errands afterwards.  and could stop every few feet for a picture. The cows were close by our road and someone this week lost a load of pine straw or as we call it in Texas pine needles. The day after fall festival day and the fragrance of Christmas which was nice to dispel the aroma of the past, our garbage can.

Even with the extra hour last night, I could have used another one as well. I went to bed early and slept till it was time to get up and get ready for church. I was rather groggy for about twenty minutes but I was finally able to pull myself out of the bed. Last night our church did a Fall Festival for our community. I have participated in years past at our church in Houston but this fall festival opened my eyes to see many things differently. I volunteered for the trunk or treat. So I decorated Sequishshaun all fallish like with the addition of white twinkling Christmas lights. Lots of princesses, cowboys, nerds and Super Mario but there were so many faces of death masks and devil masks...guess we didn't see this in Houston because the postcard or email that went out said no scary or Halloween costumes. You saw it all last night. Kids carrying little bitty pumpkins for candy all the way up to pillow cases. Most kids were with parents or other family and they were all so polite and thanked you for the candy without much prompting from parents. The costume I liked a lot was the kid dressed as a jellyfish. He used an umbrella and made tentacles and used pink lights on the frame. It was really rather cute. I could not help but notice that many here look much older than they are and I am talking about parents or family members. The other day at CVS the man at the counter gave his birth date to pick up his prescription and he was only two years older than me but his face and the way he walked, I would have guessed at least ten years older than me. I saw something that kind of shocked me but not really. This mama was yelling at the kids to only take two pieces of candy at the truck next to mine and then after the kids had gotten their two pieces like they were instructed, that mamma went to town stuffing her sweatshirt with candy from the cooler. That certainly is a mixed message to kids. Life is difficult whether you live in the fourth largest city in the United States or in a small community north of Asheville and it is unbearable without Jesus. Many of those families enjoying the evening in our church parking lot need to know a greater joy than free hot dogs, chili, cake walks and hayrides...oh and free candy... There was the challenge presented to us this morning, we need to be out in the community sharing the Good News and living lives that reflect what we say we have found. So that makes it an uncomfortable foray and meeting people where they are. Lot to think, pray and act on just from handing out candy...

This morning before church I got a text from Lisa P letting me know it was NaBloPoMo month...National Blog Posting Month. So maybe I will be a little more consistent in posting. It isn't that I don't have a lot to think and write about...I do...but a lot of that is just things I'm writing about but not blogging about...at least not right now.

I went to the grocery store after church and it was a happening scene. I got in and out and headed over to the Mexican restaurant for lunch. I love me some of their house specialty guacamole salad. I also got two soft chicken tacos. Very good! I came home and put up things, did a few to do things and then took a thirty minute nap. It could have been much longer but you know the whole it gets dark earlier now thing. In Houston the first week of going off Daylight time just means horrible...more horrible than usual traffic. No one wants to work late when it is night time and all head home.

Just Another Day in Autumnal Bliss

While I keep an eye on Texas weather, we have a breezy and cool start to the day. It is overcast and I can hear the sound of rifle shots in a distant pasture or forest. The huge leaves from our red bud tree are falling with more leaves on the deck and ground than in the tree. The wind picks one up every so often and I find myself watching to see if the underground deck railroad is back in business. I am so thankful it is merely leaves in the breeze. The one eyed kitty cat came around this morning to say hello but probably more to be on the hunt for birds...who have already been here for their breakfast. So far the cat has caught a lot of big rocks. It must be hard for a one eyed cat. He doesn't jump much and that is probably again due to his handicap. I left him a few cat treats out by the garage but I let him know he doesn't need to bring his catch of the day to me as a gift.

I took a Goode Company pecan pie over to my neighbor on Wednesday because she let several use her parking area on Tuesday night when my Sunday School class was here. She is about 80 years old, has new hearing aids and you will see her outside pushing her mower...not gasoline or electric powered, around a few places that she feels Mike the mower man might have missed. Her hair is white curls that come out of a Toni box or whatever permanents are sold today. She invited me into her home and when I crossed the threshold I stepped back in time, not just to another time but for me to another place. There in that small, well kept home were things that reminded me of my grandmother's home where I spent many a summer. The beautiful tongue and groove hardwood floors covered by rugs both great and small. Her tiny kitchen, although not anything in appearance like my grandmothers, but it had that welcoming feel. There was something boiling on the stove...which she paid little attention to until she noticed me staring at it. She was excited that her electric lines were going to be fixed on Thursday and that her front porch would be more inviting without all those wires around. Her home absorbed a huge lighting strike this summer and many of her appliances were damaged and unusable. I remembered seeing an old microwave oven on her side porch. Slowly but surely she has been having things repaired and replacing those things damaged by the storm. She still watches her afternoon "stories" and she reads a lot. I loved being a guest in her home for those fleeting minutes because it flooded me with good memories and summers that went by too fast for the rest of the evening.

On Tuesday evening, and I know I have written about this, about twenty or so ladies came over for a potluck dinner. We are the JOY class and the name fits the class. And we could be called
Cooks Class because at every party, these ladies blow me away with their culinary skills. Maybe their skills will rub of on me. I think that is Roy's prayer. I have heard from several by phone and by cards how much fun they had, Many have expressed they enjoyed how we have decorated our home. I don't know about that but I want it to be a warm and inviting home.

Today the generator has finally been hooked up and we did the test run on it powering the house. Hallelujah! It all works well. No more worries about the pump to the well, not being able to open the garage door around keeping my phone charged up at all times. Just installing this will ensure a mild winter in our area and now those pesky summer storms with loss of power will hopefully just be a blip on the screen.

Tonight our church is having Fall Festival for our community. I am doing the trunk or treat part and I have finally came up with a solution for adequate lighting. I bought some battery operated Christmas lights and put them on a trellis as well as buying two lanterns run by battery power. Nice touches but not enough light. Then I remembered the flashlights I had bought at Tractor Supply with magnets on the bottom of them...so a quick trip there yesterday evening was made and now I have several of those lights to put on the side of the truck to provide light to see into the candy basket.

Right Place, Right Time

Life is tough living out here in the country. The WI-Fi isn't strong and one has to reboot too often to count. Just made the trip upstairs to take care of that. Roy fixed it where it is much easier to do than how we had it before. For this I am thankful. I only needed some duct tape last night to be a to repair a light to be totally redneck in my approach to making the thing work. Aluminum foil did the trick, at least for last night. We will see if the light works tonight. I love the country life! But I love having all the comforts of city life close by. I haven't totally gone back to the land.

The gas man is here hooking up the line to the generator. This has been a much longer process than anticipated. They must have filled the tank one day when I wasn't here because it is 70 percent full and I learned this morning they fill to 80-85 percent on refills. The tank still needs to be painted but the guy said that with the weather we've had lately they are running a few weeks behind. I had a feeling that things would be in the works today and I cancelled plans. This waking up early in case someone comes to work on the thing is for the birds.

I do feel like I am back to the land of the living. On Tuesday I stopped in at CVS to pick up a prescription and while there I also got a flu shot. I tried to get a shot a couple of weeks ago but the grocery store pharmacy doesn't have a contract with our insurance. I figured with CVS being a national chain, it would be an easier process. The nurse was great and the shot painless but this is the first time I have felt bad after getting a flu shot. I woke up at 3:00 am feeling bad and never really went back to sleep. I stayed around home and tried to stay warm. Thus is was a soup and hot tea day for me. It also gave the opportunity to finish up a novel and start a nonfiction read, South Toward Home. It is a look at southern authors and how their home and sense of place shaped their writing. The author covers several authors I enjoy and others that I am familiar with but enjoy reading. Eudora Whelty would be one, not a fan of her fiction but have enjoyed her nonfiction. To misquote a quote from her, is that we need to know one place completely so that we can understand every place else. Basically, this ties in with what I have been working on this fall. Once again I feel like the disjointed is becoming understood.

Again, it comes back to the much simpler pace of life here. I attended another funeral on Tuesday. There is no marching in of the family...they are up front to greet those who have come to support them in the loss of their loved one. Then at the appointed time, the service begins. I did not know the woman who died, but I know two of her children. Ms Kathleen was 96 and when I saw her at church she was feeble and frail but I loved hearing the stories of her dynamic faith and love to her family and her church in her younger years. She kept that dynamic spirit about her until she took those last breaths on earth. We heard such loving words from two of her grandsons and her son played Beulah Land on the trumpet. Wow! God gave him the strength to play because it is difficult not to tear up when speaking but I can't even imagine what it would be like playing a trumpet. What a life honoring service and again I went away with a greater appreciation of the simple, without performance honoring of a loved one.

Once the gas man left I was free to roam about and run errands. I think I have everything ready for Trunk or Treat. I made the Walmart dash and have the ingredients to make sugar free Russian tea.

Each day the colors change and now the brightness of the fall is turning into a more muted overtone. It is all beautiful though. Not unlike the changes we all go through. Sometimes we get stuck and refuse to continue on the appointed course of things and other times we are ahead of the timing and all chaos ensues. Right now, I'm at the right place and the right time.

Catching Up in The Mountains

Ah, the morning after a great party. And when I came downstairs this morning all I need to do is put up the six foot table. My friends did the dishes and put everything up which is a challenge because my kitchen is not fully equipped like our kitchen in Texas. Before the fall colors find the ground and become compost, I wanted to have my Sunday School class over for a pot luck. I knew it would be tight but we managed and all the while had tremendous fun. I think there were twenty here maybe a few more and we counted this party as outreach because we want Vivian to join our class. Vivian even came a little early to help me with last minute things but where she really helped me is taking command over the kitchen and where to place everything. Afterwards she and Judy W did cleanup. She is so generous like that because she told me, you needed to be just where you were and getting to know everyone better. I also introduced the ladies to beef brisket. I had asked for it to be sliced but it was a combination of sliced and chopped. Of course if one is going to introduce brisket, Goode Company BBQ sauce is the go to sauce for me, so I ordered some. It was the best of both worlds for me, Goode Company sauce and brisket in the mountains of North Carolina. I believe it has been said before, nothing could be finer....

There are a lot of things I could have done better and sometimes the better gets lost to the what's important. My desire is to have a warm, inviting home and the breakdown comes into what needs to be done. I get lost and overwhelmed by the vast expanse of it all. I hope this is just the first of many get togethers in our home and with that, I will become accustomed to what needs to be done, the better, and still have fun yet not being overwhelmed.

This past weekend my brother Doug came to visit. We had a fabulous time and covered a good distance of fall color both north and south of where we live. We ate some good meals and stayed up way too late talking...yep, that pretty much defines fabulous time and when you throw in the fact that we solved the worlds problems...that is a bonus. He also brought with him more of the plates that my mom wanted me to have. I am so thankful to him for bringing them. He also brought the things I had ordered from Joss and Main that had accidentally been sent to his home when I didn't change back to our address after sending him something. It was my joy to introduce him to apple cider donuts. Erin and her college roommate will be coming in a week and a half and I am looking forward to their visit.

The past few days we have experienced the remainder of Hurricane Patricia and thankfully it has been light rain and nothing torrential. Of course it is a different story in Charleston. Our yard is looking green again without the yellow patches of grass. Our trees are brilliant in color and soon the dormancy of winter will overtake the landscape. It will all be beautiful. This past week the trees across the way are turning a radiant yellow and orange. October is beautiful in the mountains and it is my first October to experience this wonderment of change.

All Warm and Cozy

I am awake and moving earlier than usual on a Monday morning. The A/C heat pump guys are coming today to replace the upstairs unit. No call on estimated time of arrival so I went with the "they could be here at 8:00 am" kind of thinking. It is 30 degrees this morning, frost on the ground and plants and the water in the bird bath is frozen. The sunrise had the pink hue to it and the clouds hung low in the valleys across the way. I am grateful and thankful to be here and to be able to experience this autumnal October morning.

We might have solved the mystery of the disappearing picture on the TV. First we thought it was the Samsung brand because of internet articles, then Roy determined it was more a cable provider problem and with that thought, a call to Dish might be in order to go with them and then on Saturday Roy called Charter. He never got a person but he told me to call and have a ping sent to our modem. So, I did just that, followed all the instructions but came to a halt when instructed to say continue when the date comes up on the front of the modem. Uh, ours doesn't do that. Since it was taking forever for me to respond, they sent me directly to a human being. They sent the ping and I didn't have nary a problem all Saturday afternoon and evening. I wanted to watch the Florida/LSU game without an interruption. The things we learn...ping to me always went with pong but not anymore.

They guys are here to install the new heat pump. It is a chilly morning to be working outside. Since Buddy has determined there is a difference in temps between the first and second floor, she has been spending a lot more time downstairs in the mornings. She finds the sunshine and naps accordingly. My friend told me last night at choir she refuses to turn on the heater in October. I told her I had no choice or Buddy would be attached to me all day and all night trying to keep her little paw pads warm.

I have gone back to re-reading Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer. There are only so many color pens to underline all the really good parts. I keep coming back to the chapter on  prayerfulness and playfulness. That there has to be an element of play in our work, serving and really everyday life and if we lack that playfulness, we begin to invent more rules for ourselves and instead of enjoying leisure time, we become work alcoholics or just come home after work and veg on the couch...Funny, it seems to me more people disdain the theme of playfulness as they age. Here he inserts that we do not dance to get somewhere, unless it is Dancing With the Stars..my take, when we dance, we dance round and round across the floor. The author suggests to know that God has added playfulness into His creations, the author directs us to just look at the birds. Hmm..I think Jesus made the same comparison....Birds bring joy, they are fun to watch and really, they don't have a 'job' other than to sing their hearts out. This morning I am watching birds out at the feeder. The feeder is shaped like a porch swing and gives a lot of room. Sometimes the little birds and the doves use that feeder truly as a couch. They sit there, eat, swing and observe. Big ol' blue jays are in the mix now, so it is not always as peaceful as it once was in the spring. Work and play...opposites but we need to have play in our work...for purpose. It is not fiddling around, yet it is the most efficient way to accomplish work. When our purposeful work also is meaningful we will have a good time in the midst of it. You might be thinking, hey, Nancy doesn't have a job! Why is she talking about work? We all have work to do, some of it is livelihood and compensated monetarily but our other work is unto the Lord and for the Kingdom of God. No earthly compensation but heavenly. We have seen both types in church, those who are doing something because they think that is what is supposed to be done and those who serve joyfully, infecting others with that joy and strength.  I think I have been thinking about this because I realized when Lisa P visited, we approached everything with such a playful joy and attitude. We sing together, I get the most benefit out that joy, we laugh, talk in funny voices, make up stories about rivers and roads and in that playfulness comes our serious and meaningful discussions and conversations. She is probably my most playful friend.

As can happen on the good ol' Monablog, Monday has now become Tuesday. The heat pump installed yesterday is doing a wonderful job heating the upstairs. First night in a while I got to sleep how I wanted to because Buddy wasn't clinging to me for warmth. The work wrapped up in time for me to attend the Embrace meeting. Oh my, love those women and their hearts for God, others and service. In the midst of discussion for this the Christmas party, I found myself volunteering and offering my home for dinner...for about twelve women. You can cook or cater..I know you all know which way I am going on that. We will see how Tuesday night goes and if I can handle a few more. We have such limited driveway parking but the men of the church volunteer to drive the church vans and buses to take the ladies to the different homes. It is a progressive dinner with stops for  appetizers and dinner, then back to the church fellowship hall for dessert. When they asked where I lived, I said Waynesville and some kind of freaked...but then I told them the truth that I am about five miles from the church. Then I got to share how God redeemed us from Waynesville and making a horrible mistake. I got home later than I thought but the enchiladas leftover from Saturday, hit the spot.

Today I am running errands and taking care of a few things on the to do list. My brother is coming this weekend for a visit. I'm pretty much ready but need these next few days to do things that require electricity. When the gas and generator people are here on Thursday, I don't know how long it will need to be off.

The coffee maker got some grounds in the flow line and caused it to overflow. I caught it before it started down to the floor. So after all the clean up before having coffee, I only made enough for one cup. I am kind of easing into the day but not fully.

Yet Another Post on The Bad Seed

The first time I saw The Bad Seed was in college. Come gather little childrens and listen to how horrid it was back in the day...no one had access to a TV other than what was in the lobby or large room on another floor in our dorm. But, one of our hall mates had a boyfriend that gave her a TV for Christmas. There were many a night we all huddled up in that room to watch a show. Only one night remains in my memory, the night we all crammed ourselves onto those twin beds to watch The Bad Seed. It started as a lark because the movie is filmed just like the stage play that developed from the book. So there is great overacting, if it is a movie. At some point we all became interested in the movie for the story of a little girl who killed without remorse to get things she wanted. The deeper story is watching the mother of the girl come to grips with her own unknown past being revealed and watching her daughter be the same kind of person that her mother, Bessie Danker, had been. The father has been called away to Washington DC, he is in the military, and the mother, Christine all alone except for her bossy and nosy neighbor and landlord, Monica. Without the dramatic overacting, the movie was really ahead of its time. Even while I was in college, the belief still held strongly it was environment not DNA that caused people to do unacceptable things.

Years went by and from time to time I would just happen to catch the movie on TV and as I am wont to do, I introduced the movie to friends...mainly once again for the dramatic overacting and the staged curtain call at the end that was tacked on because in 1956 and really the whole ending of the movie, unlike the book, the child had to pay and not get away with murder, for the audience sake. The fear was the audience wouldn't be able to determine movie verses reality.

This was the status quo for watching the movie until I introduced it to Lisa P. We began watching the movie on a different level and taking apart the dialogue and seeing what is really happening to Christine and her descent into despair of knowing her lovely daughter is a cold hearted murderer. We have discussed the power Miss Fern, who was a cowardly nerd, held over Rhoda...the child didn't ever want her mom to call Miss Fern who with her sisters owned the private school that Rhoda went to. All the characters in the movie, except for LeRoy, just see a lovely, polite and almost perfect little girl. LeRoy knows there is more to the girl but he is looked down upon since he is the janitor of the apartment house where Rhoda and her family live.

I didn't even know the movie was on last night until Lisa P texted me. Then I let Peggy and Dena know. Dena likes the movie and Peggy...well, let's just say what Sports Center is to me what The Bad Seed is to her. We'd both would rather be doing other things when those shows are on. So last night Lisa and I texted throughout the whole movie and we both noticed new things as we viewed. We laughed about the classic lines we have all come to love and quote.

In the midst of our texting and watching Roy called to let me know that Beth Moore was on TBN. I told him I was watching The Bad Seed and he asked, you would rather watch that than Beth Moore? Uh, tonight, yes I would.  Then I filled him in that she is going to have a TV show...and then went right back to texting with Lisa. At least Lisa had the TBN show recording. I don't have that capability and really don't need it because I don't watch all that much TV,

This morning while looking at FB I realized my college roommate Sherry, had commented about watching the Bad Seed together in college. I asked her to remind me of what she remembered and I am laughing this morning at the forgotten memory after the movie. We did a reenactment for a timid hall mate and as the story of The Bad Seed was told, several were in the closet ready to jump out at the most intense part of the story...they did...Eva scarred ran out of the room.  Sherry, who was barefoot came back into the dorm room and asked why there was water on the floor...Eva, who had returned said, she had wet her pants.  And there was poor Sherry standing in the midst of it. I have been laughing so hard this morning at that memory. How could I have forgotten that part of the story? Ya got to love FB and how it helps you reconnect.

I know I have written about The Bad Seed before and this probably won't be the last time. There are references throughout the movie of church attendance and Sunday School...mainly by the little bad seed herself. Christine doesn't ever call on the Lord or pray, she is influenced by her Freud loving, association by word, science and physiology loving friend Monica. Like I said, the movie was ahead of its time. None of this sadly would shock anyone in this day and time. Rhoda's weapons of choice were shoes with metal heel covers and pushing an old lady down five flights of stairs.

A side note, there are a few references about Monica dying soon in the movie..LeRoy says she is not long for this world and the impending information of Rhoda and Monica sunbathing on top of the building..Monica had love birds that little missy was interested in. Sadly, in real life, the actress that played Monica did die  in 1958 at the age of 65.  OK, so now I am thinking I am more the age of Monica. Ugh! Thankfully, we don't have to dress like older women did back in the day. All that dress wearing would have not been  something I would have liked to do.

Happy Friday!

I'm feeling really good about my Academy trip yesterday. Now it takes a little more planning than just driving a couple of miles in most directions and coming upon an Academy. The closest one is in Johnson City and it is relatively new. I stocked up on some cool weather supplies because really one can never have enough light jackets and warm gloves. I seem to loose both of those types of clothing more than anything else. The area is under a freeze watch for the weekend with temps dipping into the 30's tonight and below freezing tomorrow and Sunday. Thankfully, we warm up a bit but on Monday the new heat pump for upstairs will be installed and things will warm up a bit upstairs. I have already put the down comforter on the bed and it makes for some warm slumber. Buddy seems appreciative of it too.

With cooler temps I put out a bird feeder this morning and the birds have returned. Now we are visited by blue jays, which are just mean but at least they come over, get something and take it back toward Jennifer's fence. This weekend should be the first official frost which signals growing season is over. The produce stands are beginning to close up shop. There are few more varieties of apples to be harvested and then everything begins to take the long winter nap. With El Nino playing a part this year, our area has a 50/50 chance of it being colder and wetter. I have a good feeling that once we have this generator installed, it will be the warmest winter on record...because that is how these things work.

Anyway, I went to Johnson City yesterday and only stopped at the Barnes and Noble after Academy. I was feeling like I might eat lunch at the nearby Chili's but decided to head back toward home and maybe grab something to eat in Weaverville. Before crossing the NC state line, I stopped at Erwin to top off my tank with cheap gasoline and what better way to top off a lunch tank than with cheap Taco Bell. I got tacos and headed on down the road. The trees and the mountains put on a spectacular show of vivid reds, oranges and yellows. I thought of those who hunt for ginseng in the mountains. They are probably busy digging up the last haul because once the frost hits, that season is over. One stop here at Lowe's to get bird seed and I was on my way home. I had used everything up from the summer.

 I got on Goode Company BBQ site last night to order BBQ and some pecan pies. I thought about ordering a brisket and some sausage but the shipping was more than the cost of the food, so I am going to order a brisket from Hays Smokehouse. My Sunday School class is coming over for a pot luck supper one evening of the last week of October.

So, it was off to the grocery store and a dreaded Walmart trip. Got what I needed and Walmart had the Velveeta cheese shreds, so I think I am going to attempt enchiladas again tomorrow. For now the Amy's burrito is going to have to do the trick. I think I always associate Mexican food with cool temps and that's why I am going bonkers for it.

Simple Life Reflections

Moving to NC, in a rural area has been a soul restoring change. Life is simpler, the pace not as hectic, the daily canvass of absolute beauty, treasured. Really, I have already worn flannel and sweatshirts and I write this knowing many of you avoid wearing this type of clothing with a passion. I'm in autumnal heaven. It was 41 degrees when I awoke this morning and the afternoons are pleasant being in the 60's and 70's. Hearing, notice I said hearing not doing, about canning and putting up veggies gave me the umph to get a special, pre-programmed canning cooker type thing, since it was on sale and free shipping, for next summer. I'll be putting up salsa y'all. You still hear many grandparents being called ma-maw and pa-paw. Church is simpler but seems more powerful. Women's ministry events are simple and helpful and to experience them, delightful. Events aren't termed successful by numbers or how many tears were shed, but successful when hearts are changed and needs met. As much as I love living here and being so thankful for friends and finding a good church, as much as I love the simple and less hectic pace I saw something yesterday morning that hopefully will never leave me.

Vivian and I were on our way to the Cataloochee area when we came upon an emergency vehicle with lights flashing and a man in an orange vest directing traffic. You see a lot of cars being pulled out of ditches or up a long embankment, but the ditches on the side of the road might have only been about a foot deep. When driving past an accident, I rarely look but I did yesterday. There in the ditch laid a brown and white dog...dead or near death.  Standing over the dog was a black and white dog licking it as if to make it feel better or maybe saying goodbye. There were cows lined along the fence taking in the whole scene and it even looked as if they were honoring those two dogs having a moment there in a shallow ditch, along the side of a busy road.  And there, those two men had positioned their emergency vehicle to shield the dogs and to give the dogs time. Wow, that might not happen in a busy city or town. It would be quick to accomplish the task and keep traffic moving. I could feel tears welling and my heart moved by the love and concern of a dog for its friend and the compassion and patience of two men to let the moment happen yet keep traffic moving.

I told Roy about this scene last night and he grew quiet and he too was crying at the story of two dogs and two men and let's not forget the cows standing at attention along the side of a road.  No place is perfect and there are problems and issues in the area but the simple facts of living and dying, of respect for nature, mountains and people outnumber the problems and issues. Yes, I am aware of several homes that have all kind of old machinery in them. I'm glad to live here and serve here.

Writing of simpler times, I loved our visit to Cataloochee....kind of sounds like what Ricky Ricardo would have said if Lucy's name had been Catherine or Kate...Cataloochee, I'm home! Just an hour away, it is worlds away. Once off the interstate, you traverse winding, narrow roads with blind hairpin curves. My hands were sweating as we ascended. The light coming through the trees felt so sacred, like a cathedral made by God's own hands. There is a point where there is an overlook to stop at, probably just a place to let the sweat dry before making the rest of the climb. Vivian and a grizzled mountain man wearing several layers of flannel, yes a flannel loving girl would notice that, and they talked about hunting bears. Her brother had just killed a bear at his cabin in the Green River Gorge and she showed him a picture of it and he began to tell of his adventures bear hunting in the past few weeks. I was so drawn to his stories because his family had lived there in the Cataloochee until the park service bought all the land from the residents to make the park. Sounds like he and his family just moved over to the next mountain. We had come to see the elk but he was mad at the elk because nothing he used was keeping them out of his garden. Bear hunters use dogs to flush the bears out and these mountain men had some beautiful dogs. We continued on our way and came into the area where a church, school house, house and barn remain from that long ago community surrounded by trees bursting forth with color. A stream runs through the area, so the peaceful sound of water accompanied the view. Vivian surprised me by preparing a picnic lunch which was delicious. We had ambrosia apples as our dessert. I had never eaten an ambrosia apple and I hope to eat many more. Very good!  We spent a lovely afternoon there and only saw one elk, but boy, he was a big elk. My friend Inez goes there every August for a reunion held in the old church. She and her husband have a friend who is in his 90's that grew up there. I Googled the history of the area last night since I had lost interest in the Astros game and found out that Lisa P and my friend, Colonel Robert Love, of the Jackson Love Highway fame, had originally owned most of the land and sold it off in plots to families wishing to live there. It was a totally confined and self reliant community for many years.  Good thing cause going up and down the mountain in a wagon or a horse....well, let's say you would maybe only volunteer once to make that trip.

I had better get moving and start the day...what joy to do so because I have stone/grist mill grits from Louisiana prepared by Ms Vivian for breakfast. Try not to be too jealous.

A Little Fall Drive

On a clear day you can see forever! Someone should write a song about that... Haha! But, this is a clear morning without any traces of fog. The temps are in the balmy 50's and are only supposed to reach the high 60's this afternoon. Oops, update it is in the 40's this morning.

With these great temps and sunshine I took off to paths unknown Tuesday morning. First stop was Slick Rock Store which I had seen on FB. It did not disappoint! Lots of lovely things made by local artists...not just pottery and the like but affordable jewelry, decorative gourds, fabrics, metal art and chainsaw art. The owner and I had a great conversation and we found out that we are both from Houston. He grew up in Friendswood and he met his wife at Sam Houston State. They have been here for about ten years. Out of the conversation he told me where to find some good Tex Mex in the area...at a food truck that mainly caters to the local Hispanics that are here for apple season. He said word has gotten out throughout the community and the lines are long after work as people stop on their way home and pick up dinner. I got two tacos, one beef and one chicken. Oh my....the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. In some ways when I have complained about the lack of good Mexican food I have felt a little like the children of Israel complaining about being set free but starving and wishing for those cooking pots of meat and bread back in Egypt. Gee whiz, I have been given the opportunity to be set free from the long summer months of April-October, so I shouldn't be thinking about cheese enchiladas and the like... Not when there are apple cider donuts to be had and just discovered yesterday, pumpkin donuts...which I might like a little more than the apple cider. Along the route to the food truck are all kinds of apple orchards and stores...that is how I discovered the pumpkin donut. I passed a group of skinny girls, each with a donut in hand and I heard the now famous words I have heard on almost every visit...we can go back and get more...and the ever popular, I don't think we got enough, I am going back in a getting another dozen...you know just to be on the safe side.

I drove around and found myself on the Blue Ridge Parkway and decided it was a beautiful day to go see Graveyard Fields. There were many times I wanted to stop along the way but the goal of getting to Graveyard Fields was greater than the various turn offs and over looks. I found myself on the parkway in the latter afternoon, so sun and time were the priority. I'm glad I kept on because the views there were wonderful. So many photographers with tripods set up to catch the sunset while I and my trusty iPhone took pictures of the colorful trees bent over with the great amount of wind. I saw some of the most brilliant reds that can't be captured by a photo but I captured the color with my memory. I came home the back way taking 276 into Canton and then returned home. Even with GPS I got lost in Canton but the ride was worth the time. I probably would have explored more but my gas gauge was getting lower than I like and needed to find a station to fill up.

There is definitely more traffic now because of fall colors but it was worth the trip to see these things for myself. I also enjoyed the prayerful conversations I had with the Lord all along the way. I do believe that this area is His fall home. On that same thought the blue jays are thick in the backyard this morning and they are huge.

Fog....You Got To Love It When You Don't Have To Go Anywhere

It is 10:00 am on a Monday morning. We are socked in by morning fog that gathers so beautifully over the rolling pastures yet obscuring the long range view of the mountains...or even the barn across the way. Of course this is being written by someone who hasn't any plans to venture out this morning or even later in the day. The mysterious spider webs that cling to plants and ground cover are numerous this morning and Buddy is fast asleep in her little gray bed by the window. All is calm and all is quiet this morning in our little house in the mountains, in a valley on a hill.

This morning the weather alert is all about fog and traveling on I 26 south. There in the green river gorge so says the weather channel is copious amounts of dense fog throughout an area that isn't fun driving on a clear day. Eighteen wheelers struggle to make the climb and many have to pull off to cool engines and breaks. Yes, that is so encouraging because yo, the struggle is real.

Since the morning theme here on the blog this morning is fog, I will admit to sleeping in today and being a bit groggy and foggy most of the morning. I successfully resisted Buddy's 5:00 am morning paw. Her morning treat had to wait an unbearable couple of hours. She also cuddled up with me this morning as I read but I know it is due to the cooler temps and not so much all the love. Although, yes, I think for a cat Buddy loves me a whole lot. And it has come to this, I am writing about a cat loving me on the old blog this morning. Must be due to the fog.

The past few days I have thought about the past few weeks. What fun to share friends I love with friends I love here. Such a joy to share what I have discovered in these mountains with friends who have traveled a distance to visit. Peggy's group was non stop, grabbing pictures at every rainy opportunity. We experienced a lot those few days they were here but Lisa P and I had a more ease into the day routine. Still saw a lot but when I asked Lisa if she would like me to go turn around in order for her to take a picture, she said no....I would rather imprint the scene in my memory than as a photo. Throughout the two weeks I have been so thankful and appreciative that the energy I needed to do everything was there, although I have to remember how to expend and when to conserve energy. None of this would have been possible in Houston but then there isn't as much to go see and experience fall-wise in Houston. I have come to this conclusion; for those who visit and want a more intense exploring experience, my advice is to either do a road trip or rent a car while you are here. You can explore to your hearts content and I don't have to wait in the car. A friend gave me this eise advice before leaving, do an overview for guests, then let them explore on their own. I thought no way, I will want to go....now I see the wisdom in her advice and will proceed in this vein in the coming years.

While writing this I have been on black and white cat duty as it has perched itself underneath the butterfly bush waiting for unsuspecting birds. When I sound the alarm, the cat tries to come up on the deck to receive a morning greeting from me but I don't think it jumps like a cat with two eyes, so instead it tries to stick its head through the railings. Don't want a stuck cat. Anyway, I think I saved the lives of birds and a cat this morning. Buddy, slept through the antics and is not interested in the least.

It is almost 11:00 am and it is still rather foggy. I'm liking this. This week we should have lows in the 40's and highs in the lower 70's. My first October in the mountains and I learned last night that this is an exceptional October temp wise from a friend. She said last year's October was a rather cool one and I remember when Dena and I were on our way here last year, that the end of October had a snow fall in this area.

Oh Yeah, I Do Have a Blog

Hi! My name is Nancy and I have neglected my blog for about two weeks but I have really good reasons to not have posted. The past few weeks have been filled with visits with friends from Houston. We have been here and there and all over. On Thursday, I took Lisa P to the airport and came home, drew Buddy into my lap and sat on the couch reflecting on the past few weeks. It was busy and fun, yet especially when Lisa was here, time built in to remember, talk and laugh without being on a schedule. I have about a week before more guests and I am looking forward to the week and I am looking forward to the next visits.

In between Peggy, Debbie and Kathleen's and Lisa P's visit Roy and I traded in the Camry and bought a Tundra Truck with four wheel drive. We had ordered it in July, it arrived in September and we got it on the second day of October. Love it and still learning all the new. Sometimes I forget we have the truck now and I have a half minute of panic because I don't see Sequisha but then it comes to me, we have Sequishshawn now. A four wheel drive truck needs a boy name.

Last weekend the Carolina's received much needed rain to break the drought but SC received more rain that it needed. Our area had predictions of ten inches of rain but we did not receive that much. Lisa's plane arrived at 10:00 pm at GSP and thankfully Vivian volunteered to ride with me. It is dark in the country that is all I am going to say but we got Lisa and arrived home safe and sound.

Sunday at Newfound Baptist held such wonder and power. God's presence and His signature were all over the services. The worship was strong and the Word brought by Pastor Jeff even stronger. All morning as Lisa and I got ready for church I could hear her singing and warming up. Oh my, how I have missed hearing her sing and I was so happy to share her voice and friendship with my church and with friends. I do believe there will be a return trip and the next time she is bringing Malcolm. Can't wait!

We had a fabulous week of visiting and catching up with one another. Oh my goodness, I haven't laughed that hard in such a long time. My laugh tank is filled once again and I think there is more in the reserve. On Tuesday Gale and Vivian went with us to The Pretty Place. Gale had never been and it was such a joy to watch both Lisa and Gale experience the surpassing beauty of the sacred place. We met some ladies from SC and of all things, they were tennis friends. Wow, talk about a blast from the past...traveling with tennis friends. Just talking with them was a confirmation in my spirit that just as God had led me off the tennis court, He is still leading me in this wonderful adventure here in the mountains. We lunched at Hawg Wild...very good BBQ and hush puppies????  Hush your mouth and chew those puppies. Very good! We came back via the Blue Ridge Parkway with a stop at the Pisgah Inn. On Thursday we made the trip to the Moose Cafe and once again, the food and the servers were a hit. We also had a little bit of time to make a quick trip to The Farmers Market where we found some purple hull peas just right for the purchasing. It too felt like CourtneyS was right there with us. We called her once while we were out on the road and had a great little catch up and a few good laughs.

Friday morning was an early one because I had a hair appointment in Biltmore Village. Afterwards, I went to La Cantina and I can't believe that they charge for chips and salsa now...and you know I paid for some chips and salsa. Maybe next time I will do chips and queso for lunch. Then I headed to Target, Whole Foods and Barnes and Noble. I came home and rested cause I am trying to get rid of the cold that Peggy brought with her. Just when I think it is done, the cough due to cold returns.

Today I plan to stay around home only maybe with a possible trip to the grocery store. I had planned to sleep in but Buddy had different plans and besides a funny late night call from Roy still had me laughing this morning. Already have laundry started and a book to resume. It takes place in Birmingham, so I am able to picture the scenes a little bit easier. It should be a rainy day today. Buddy has already curled up into her bed for that early morning nap. I have some pecan pie coffee ready to roll. This next week holds for great autumnal weather with lows in the 40's.

Friends Came to Town....Part 2

Well, tomorrow came and went and so did another day but not to despair I am up early on a Saturday morning. It is still dark outside and I have to admit I usually don't see this early of mornings but I had a very good reason to get up. Now, if I could only get going.

We are on the cusp of an epic rain event. So thankful that Joaquin took a jag to the east because I don't know how much more rain our area can take. Guess, we will find out today. These past few days have been gentle rain days with nothing extremely heavy. We are so thankful that we got those trees removed whose shadows ominously draped our home.  The rain is beginning to pick up a bit from the drizzle now to a shower. Thankful we still have power when many are losing theirs. This time next month the generator will be up and functional, so I won't need to consider power loss unless we are low on propane.

Let's see, I think I last left off telling about our trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We just about got to Mt Pisgah Inn but I turned too soon into a parking area for hiking. The weather was getting worse the higher up we went. More fog and rain. Since we only had about an hour or so of daylight left I made the decision to come on down from the mountain because on our return we would be on the side of the road where one could easily drive off the edge in the dark, rain and fog. On Monday we started in Waynesville and worked our way down 276 to Brevard and onto The Pretty Place.  It is a beautiful drive but a long one but it is always worth it to see The Pretty Place.  On the way back we punted our thought of a return to the Blue Ridge Parkway and instead stopped at the Mud Dabber Pottery Shop and then onto Brevard College where we saw several white squirrels. Peggy got some great shots with her camera.  We made a return to the Moose Cafe but our friend Robin wasn't working that night. Tuesday morning we out the door and on our way to GSP for them to catch their flight. We had a great time and these wonderful friends helped me so much around the house before leaving. Not only that but they showered me with lots of gifts and lunches.

Yesterday, Roy and I traded in our Camry and brought home Sequishawn the Tundra. We were told it would take 30 minutes top to take care of paperwork.  Ha ha, it is to laugh. Roy believed them, I did not. Our NC insurance agent dropped the ball on getting paperwork to the dealership. Also, Roy did not bring the title to the car with him. I asked him about that but he said we would not need a copy with us. Ha! It is to laugh once again. Anyway, it all worked out and we celebrated by eating lunch at the Moose Cafe. We spent the rest of the afternoon working around here. Roy installed a new shower head, I helped him clean the filter for the well...I had to go back to the wheat straw area and I was very careful with the stairs and the walk. I got as close to the crawl space as I ever want to get. Two difficult light bulb change outs and a few other things as we knocked out project after project. One project we didn't think about was Sequishawn fitting into the garage. He does, but we had to rearrange things to make that happen. It was for the good cause we got some things cleaned out and rearranged.

I better go watch the rain hit my window for a bit. Since we have not had a lot of rain since moving here it is getting used to the rain noises as well.

Friends Came to Town

The mist from rain overhangs the mountains in a gray mystery. The fog doesn't encompass the usual close view of the barn, cows, trees and road. Yesterday morning the sun teased us a bit with a brief appearance, showing its rays and beams through the clouds, but it was just that, a tease, a glimmer.
We greeted the colors of the season through a filter of rain which made some lovely pictures. Nevertheless, we were not disheartened, we continued on our way with a slight adjustment here and there.

Peggy, Kathleen and Debbie arrived Thursday afternoon at GPS and they were a sight for sore eyes. I welcomed them with open arms and heart...and yes, an open back door to put away luggage. Our schedule open for discussion, time ready to be mapped out and the beautiful land of WNC to be seen and experienced. Our first stop was Sky Top Orchards. I think I was giddy with their arrival and they were still hopped up on travel because we bought way too much at Sky Top, but boy was it fun! They were able to explore the orchards for a bit and then we settled in for some apple related shopping, including one big ol' pumpkin. Since The Wrinkled Egg had also been such a hit when Vivian, Velda, Inez and I went, I felt it was the right thing to do to introduce my Houston friends to this treasure. Loved it and the store next door was open. It was closed when V, V and I went there. Girls, we need to make a return trip. All locally made jewelry, pens and other eclectic goodies. Onward to Moose Cafe where we met Robin, our server. Roy and I have had her before and he charmed her something good, cause she is a little rough around the edges. We had a great time visiting and laughing with her and when Peggy asked if she went to church, we got a comical answer that really isn't that funny when you realize she just threw out about three church words she knew in her explanation...she told us I love God and I worship the Bible. Maybe she just got the two words mixed but she went on to explain about her nephew she kept and he wasn't potty trained yet, three years old, but she was going to get there to church one day. Thankfully, Moose Cafe was a hit with the girls and we made our way back to our home in the mountains, in a valley, on a hill.

Friday was rainy Biltmore Day complete with a late lunch at the Stable Cafe. We went to Antler Hill Village where Peggy tried to persuade an off duty shuttle driver to take us all on a tour on the other side of the Estate...didn't matter that it was almost dark, but he wasn't even almost persuaded. He was a lot of fun. We visited the creamery and the shops and had a wonderful time.

Saturday, we drove out to The Farmer's Daughter, a hit, and then a quick walk through the Amish store. We then made our way to Marshall for the art fair on the island. Lots and lots of hippies but a few good finds. I know we did other stuff but I can't remember what we did or I have the days mixed up in my brain. I think we went to the Farmer's Market...and then drove around here to see some beautiful sights. We stopped at CVS to pick up a prescription for me and cold meds for Peggy and then drove across to the convenience market to pick up some chips for our dinner of Peach Salsa. On the way home Kathleen told me that a truck had been following us from the store. That happens a lot because the roads we were on are main connector roads, but when he turned off his lights to follow us for a while, we all got a little nervous. My plan was to drive to the fire station but we called Vivian and our super hero Bill and they told us to turn around and come to their house. Before we could turn around, the truck disappeared by turning off, but we went on to their house. We got the warmest welcome anyone who is frightened can receive, Bill outside with a huge spotlight and armed for the occasion. The silver lining was Debbie and Kathleen getting to meet Vivian. We had a wonderful time visiting and then we left to get home to eat our nutritious aforementioned dinner choice.  

Sunday, of course we went to SS and church. My friends loved my SS class and I think my SS class loved them right back. Our pastor is a huge fan of NASCAR and so is Debbie. Along with Inez they had some fun discussions about cars or racing or something. Church was good and then we came home changed clothes and went to Tommy's. It was wonderful and we got to meet the owner and Kathleen and Peggy charmed her with their recent visit to Greece. We stopped at Sanctuary of Stuff before going on to the Southern Art Guild Folk Art Center and our drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I will stop here and continue with part 2 tomorrow.

I think Buddy is happy to have me to herself. She has successfully ignored me since I arrived home.

Now a Word From the Halt but Not The Lame

Good morning from your halt and lame person but so happy that I feel better than I did yesterday. My fragrance choice of the weekend were essential oils mixed with a hint of Icy Hot. Mmmm....divine fragrance that can't be beat. Thankfully, it is working and that will probably be the fragrance of Monday as well. The fragrance of 2015 with the oils and the fragrance of my athletic days all rolled into one.

It is an overcast morning, kind of rare here of late. It is cooler today but the look is a primer for the days ahead of fall and winter. Two of my favorite seasons. Fall just because you get to say autumnal more than usual and winter has its own beauty when the trees and vegetation are in dormancy. The view opens wider and more specifically when you are able to see through the trees to find details you have missed in spring in summer. In winter when we see color we focus on it in contrast to the gray surroundings. I love having a more intense vision of God's creation. It seems more personal and not as overwhelming as brilliant colors in varieties of green which of course is beautiful. Can you tell I am excited that this year I get to experience four distinct seasons! I am truly grateful for Roy's generosity and sacrifice to let me have this experience.

Last night I made the decision that pushing and placing a trash bin by the side of the road did not appeal at all to the halt and lame, So, trash bag city and two bags of recyclables were put into the car and I drove down to deposit said trash. The normally busy road was rather quiet and serene, so I didn't have rush and then hold onto the mailboxes as the cars and trucks rush by. The sky was brilliant with sun streaks beaming through the clouds, so it occurred to me that a drive along roads with a sunset view seemed to be in order. Oh my, it was a Psalm 8 kind of ride where you turn down the radio and take in the majesty and glory of the Lord.

It is now Tuesday evening and I have upgraded my condition to halt. I did get out today where as I stayed home all day yesterday taking care of little things that need to be done before friends come on Thursday. I have a couple of big things left to do but that can wait till tomorrow. I took some big boxes to the dump, picked up the mail and the mother lode of magazines that just arrived. Stopped in at WalMart and then had a late lunch at Tommy's. Since then I have returned home, fed the birds, watered the birds and kept an eye out for the black and white cat. I have also been working in the kitchen, not cooking, but rearranging things.

I am really tired because for two mornings in a row Buddy has been bright and chipper at 4:00 am. It takes me a while to go back to sleep and this morning I toyed with the idea of just getting up but hey I didn't want to set a precedent and Buddy start believing that this strategy of hers will work. She is not a big throw up cat like most but she did leave me a little gift this morning in the hallway.  That will wake one up wet gooey food. Oh Buddy is on the lookout for falling leaves now, She totally missed the bunny and then the squirrel drinking out of the bird bath.

There is so much more that I could blog about right now but work is calling me and I don't always respond to the call...but you know company is a coming.

It Was.......

I'm kind of having a Dickensian moment this morning, feeling that it is the best of times and the worst of times. Best of times because LSU beat Auburn soundly yesterday and Ole Miss beat Alabama in the wee hours of the morning. I didn't stay up to watch all the game but I did check the score around 4:00 am when Buddy woke me up and neither one of us could get comfortable to go back to sleep. The worst of times happened last night as I was carrying some stuff out of the bonus room and tripped over the recumbent bike and I dropped, rolled, covered myself into the gray chair. Cue Carol King singing I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet.  You would think the chair would have cushioned my fall and it did somewhat. My shoulders, knees and left hip are really sore this morning. My toes and feet hurt from the fall as well. It hurts to sit for very long at a time thus I have decided not to go to church this morning. I feel like a truck ran over me and also have that hungover feeling. Sparkling water and Diet Coke were my drinks of choice last night. This week I have found myself in a catch 22 situation by feeling so much better my brain overrides my body and thinks I can do stuff like I always did...then reality hits, the ground and the chair. I do think I will make my after church Target run a little earlier than planned today. The heated seat in the car will feel oh so very good.

Friday night I wrestled with a fancy smancy heat lamp for the front porch. There was nothing at all simple about the assembly. Also the underneath part of the lamp's bottom had cracked in shipment which by the end of assembly, the sand to add weight to the lamp was all over the front porch. I am so glad I put the lamp together out there. I have a call into the manufacturer to see if I can get a replacement for the bottom of the lamp. At this point I do not want to un-assemble and ship it back.  My luck with online ordering of lamps has been abysmal thus no more ordering lamps online.

For the third day in a row I changed my original plans for the day and for three days I have been happy with those changes. Yesterday, afternoon I decided to get out for a bit and take a drive. Many times these drives are mainly to talk with the Lord about things I am puzzled with or having a lack of faith over. No, yesterday was just to get out and appreciate the beginning of the turning of the leaves. There is a fiery red hue throughout the landscape.  I took the river road to Marshall and then spent some time on the island just taking in the beauty and mountain sounds. Then, since I wasn't too sure about a back way home, I drove back on the river road over to Bear Creek road and drove to Redmon Baptist Church, took a few pictures and came back home for the second attempt at making cheese enchiladas like Tony's or Los Tios. The enchiladas were better but my chili gravy wasn't as good as my first try. So taking all that in stride, the third time has to be the charm.

The past mornings right before waking I have had two vivid dreams. They are probably all vivid but I don't remember them. But these dreams were rather close to the truth and came from the deep recesses. It's weird that long ago fears and difficult situations that haven't had a conscience thought in so long can come right back to the forefront of the mind. Both mornings someone on FB has quoted the Lamentations verse about God's mercies being new every morning. There is all kinds of junk on FB but I love how God can use anything to His glory. Both mornings that verse nipped my temptation to give more thought to the things in the dreams than they deserved. One dream was a dental dream. Ugh! The other had to do with a difficult person who has long been out of my life and no it wasn't my father. Oh my goodness, just read the verse on Twitter this morning. Guess, I need to meditate and take in all the richness of that verse.

Last week in Sunday School we talked about how God put us over the land and vegetation...to be good stewards of the land and animals. I feel like I have been living that out this week in keeping peace in the backyard. A black and white cat has showed up regularly looking for a bird in the thrill of the hunt. At first I thought maybe he was a stray but after trying to give it some food and it wasn't interested I realized it is probably a neighborhood cat doing what cats like to do. He is friendly enough to me. Comes up and greets me each time I see it outside. Sadly, he just has one eye that works. But, not thinking I am like God but my feelings toward the cat is, any chipmunk or squirrel is fair game but you must not eat of the birds. The cardinals are back with some of their young and there is also a young cardinal couple that has joined the lunch bunch here in the backyard. I just looked out the window and saw the biggest blue jay I have ever seen. Those birds are mean and maybe it has been sent for sentry duty here at the Ander House.

Another Fun Day in the Mountains

Things are quiet this morning. Buddy was a little rowdy this morning but of course now I am fully awake and she is blissfully napping in the sunny window. I woke up with a sore throat which is my immune systems way of telling me to take it easy. So, that is what I plan to do this morning which means I will try to finish up a few projects around here before even thinking about a couple of errands I need to run.

I had such a fun day with Vivian, Velda and Inez in East Flat Rock yesterday. Another great day of BBQ, shopping and apple orcharding. Last August I went to East Flat Rock to see the Carl Sandburg home but when I saw the sign leading up to the house, snakes live here...I turned around. My gimpy knee was acting worse than usual, so I didn't want to take any chances. I remember the scenery being so vibrant and all that came back to me yesterday as we pulled onto the back roads. We all agreed that it is a must re-visit and I think it will be a great place to take friends who come and visit. Only the apple orchards are open in the fall thus we wouldn't be getting any apple cider donuts, but that's okay. The Wrinkled Egg was such a fun place too. Great little shop with all kinds of things for all kinds of interests. Lots of neat jewelry, clothes, art, and of course my personal fav journals. I did buy a cute Wrinkled Egg t-shirt because I need another t-shirt. You know to go with the sweatshirt I bought last week...that I really needed.

Last evening the black and white cat was back seeking whom it could devour. He was hiding in the bushes and I thought, since noise doesn't scare him off, I will go outside and check it out. He came running to me and rubbed around my legs. I petted him and then turned to go back into the garage and he ran ahead of me. I did at least get a hold of him before he could find a hiding place in there. He let me carry him but he wasn't too happy about it. He felt so thin. I told Roy last night this might be the addition we need, an outdoor cat to keep the chipmunks at bay. If I see him again I might bring out some food but I am not going to get emotionally attached, famous last words of declaration. I think he is the neighbor's cat but I'm not too sure if he is or not. What got my attention to his presence last night was the sound of this; is what is sounds like when a dove flies...into a window.  Didn't kill it but it was rather stunned.

The Last Step is a Dozy or Dooozy

I think over the years the cartoons I watched and loved as a child, Bugs Bunny etc, have scripted many an awkward moment and yesterday was not an exception. I had gone to Lowe's to pick up a few things and wandered through the garden dept. They have lots of trees and shrubs to be planted in the fall if so desired. As I contemplated what we could put along the property line in the backyard I came across wheat straw. Just what we needed to put in the corner part of the yard where the trees make it difficult for grass to grow, so thus the wheat straw covers the red dirt and makes for a better look. It comes in bales, so I bought two. Well, my plan of cutting the twine that held it together and spreading it over the area from the deck didn't work as planned since most of the wheat straw fell in a huge clump right by the deck. I carried what I had left in my hands and started down the stairs off the deck, but since I couldn't really see the steps I misjudged. There really was still a step to go and before I knew it I was falling. Old volleyball instincts kicked in and I landed in the best position possible. First thing I thought of after checking that everything was in working condition, I remembered the old Daffy Duck line, "watch that last step, it's a dozy." I figured while I was down there on the ground to distribute the wheat straw a little better then realized I should take it easy. Thus, I still have a bale to go. I did go down to the road to pick up the garbage can. And with that chore done, I rested for a bit and tried to work on homework. I have gotten so used to Community Bible Study style in homework that I am having a little difficulty keeping focused on the questions since there is so much reading in between the questions. I may resort to my old ways of hearing the teaching time but not doing homework. My ADD kicked in big time but I will give it a go again today.

So with all the cool temps it just seemed like Taco Soup weather. I picked up all the ingredients because you know I do not keep a stocked pantry. While checking out the bagger guy asked if I was making chili. Nope, taco soup. Neither he nor the checker out lady had ever heard of taco soup. It turned out pretty good for the first taco soup of the season. Love the fragrance of it in the house when it is simmering and feeling the cool breeze through the windows...that's what it is all about on cool nights.

I finished reading The Nazi Officers Wife last week. It is kind of out of my reading genre of the south but in context with my viewing of the American Hero Channel. It is the true story of a Jewish woman's survival of the Holocaust. One thing she said has not left my mind, but she talked about the lack of kindness during those times and when a kindness was extended, it was amplified in the noticing and not ever taken for granted.  Years later she read of the leaders fears of compassion being extended toward the Jews and trying to take every opportunity or feeling away so that people would be complacent and apathetic to kindness but strong in blind unity that the government was taking care of them, thus they could excuse, in their minds, the spin and propaganda that the Jewish people were the source of the country's problem. In her experiences and as she survives, she remembers the kindness extended to her and tries to extend those kindnesses back to those who helped her. I don't know but kindness many times is in short supply these days, probably most days. It's not the "topic or theme" of the church right now...telling our stories seems to be the fad. I'm just thankful we got past the Starbucks theme of church thinking and actions. Hopefully, kindness will make a comeback and not only kindness extended to those in other cities but to those in our own congregations.

The day awaits and I am already behind. I woke up in the middle of the night and decided to scrap the original plans for the day which involved a trip into Asheville. The day may hold a return to the backyard with the remaining wheat straw or it might not. I do know the day holds doing some laundry.

Thoughts on Thirty Eight

This past week we have been discussing and really laughing over our new normal and a whole nother way of thinking. It does keep the brain young. Since April we have learned so much about spring and when to plant, that what may look like weeds is really flowers, that if you have mail, the postman leaves the door to the mailbox open, so that you'll know when you drive by the box, BBQ is pork, and so many other things. We talked about celebrating our days that we celebrate and how that looks and how will that work? We decided instead of thinking on the old, routine ways, we would have to use some creativity and hopefully add the element of surprise. We aren't real sure on that one, but we know we need to celebrate forward not backward. Our conversations are more focused and really we have a new appreciation of one another and those things that attracted us to each other back in the long ago day. We make the most of our time.  Some days are easier than others. Some days the decisions we have to make are difficult but we know to be diligent and more importantly to walk in love is the new normal and with our new way of approaching life. I will say I don't feel as brain fogged as I have the past few years and having a higher energy level is so very welcomed. One thing that has not changed, his ability to completely exhaust me in Lowe's or Target...for such a logical man in 98% of life, he is totally illogical in those places and we make our way through the stores several times before finally going to the check out.

September 9th. Today is our 38th anniversary and being the loving, wonderful wife I don't mind that Roy is going to Spaghetti and Smack tonight for the fantasy football league he is in. Really, that is what love does and is. Now love called me early this morning to wish me a Happy Anniversary and woke me up. The only reason I heard the call is due to the fact I didn't silence my phone last night. Ah love, it is a wonderful thing. Now you might be asking what did you get one another for your anniversary? Well, you probably aren't asking but work with me people...to celebrate we had new tires put on Sequisha, most probably having a generator installed, buying a new truck and the thing that speaks love and what to give on one's thirty eighth anniversary, a new A/C Heat Pump system! Now if we had only been married ten years or less, I would not think these would be very romantic gifts but at the age of 61, I'm telling you these are the things that make you a cool wife or a smoking hot wife, and not in the minister referring way of hot wife...But these purchases say love all over the place to me. Roy is probably thinking more of the financial hit our budget will take but in the end like he always says to me, what blesses you is going to bless me. So for this anniversary, we celebrate apart but our hearts are knit with a tighter woven thread. I wish I could wax more poetic but seriously Roy is the more romantic hearted of us both. I think one of the best memories of just everyday life with him is when he fixed a salad and cut the tomatoes into the words I Love You.

I have written a bit of the emotional turmoil I have felt in the last month or so and I think I am beginning to understand a bit of what is behind it. It takes a lot for me to feel guilty because my guilt response was broken years ago but I think I feel a tad or maybe more than a tad guilty that I am able to pursue my purpose and calling; to live in one of the most beautiful places ever and Roy makes that all possible for me. That's a huge thing to think on and it is a huge sacrifice for him to make...for me.

So as is a usual practice, you are getting a combination of days post. We had a lovely day and talked a little more than usual but we laughed the usual amount no matter how many calls we have during the day and evening. He liked the card I gave him. On the front a photo of a grouping of rocks that are heart shaped. Many, many years ago when we could not get along and we worked together and traveled together. We were doing an audit in Connecticut on a well that was just a few miles from our home. We were having a tough time and we had driven out to one of the small beaches scattered throughout the area. As we were walking and discussing our future together we came across a heart shaped rock. I picked it up and we decided then and there that we could not divorce unless we both came back to the same beach and return that rock. Thankfully, we never have had to return it because there was a turning point right. We released our unrealistic expectations of one another and we let go of the excess baggage we had both brought into the marriage. It was not an instantaneous result but a long process with different eyes and heart. Now on this side of things...I am glad we didn't act hastily or haphazardly.

So, I wonder what the thirty ninth anniversary gift is? Probably a new roof. I am hoping we choose a metal one.

Play Time

It is a pleasant Labor Day afternoon. I decided to write on the wild side which only means I have brought out my iPad to the front porch. I'm sitting at the little red and white table, enjoying the breeze and being musically entertained by the slight movement of wind chimes...wind chimes with a very nice alto resonance to them. The only noise that can overpower the music of the wind are the cars going by on the road. Last year Roy and I found out that this part of the world takes Labor Day seriously and most all the small and interesting shops are closed. I considered a trip over to Barbers Orchard but we have plenty of apples and I would only be going for the apple cider donuts, which although are delicious, I do not need. I kept putting off going knowing if I caved mostly likely they would be sold out by the afternoon. So after a trip to pick up meds and go through Zips Car wash and a fine Labor Day lunch of hot dogs and chips, I'm ready to settle in for the rest of the day. I need to run the vacuum cleaner and do a few other things, but all that can wait. I did remember to leave a message at the A/C place for the call back tomorrow to set up an appointment. It looks like by next week the evening temps will be in the high 50's but this week is not cooperating with fall and trying to stay a little warmer than usual.

This week I have been thinking about a happening from very long ago and it must be due to the fact that we celebrate our thirty eighth wedding anniversary this week. When we were first married I still played a lot of softball and I think I was playing for two teams. Roy was out of town quite a bit when we first married traveling and auditing all over this land. He too played on a softball team, a church team. Well, he was on the team and he enjoyed it because he was on the field or dugout with his friends. Like he had done so many times for me, I sat in the bleachers cheering our church team to victory but I was especially cheering on Roy. Being athletic is not Roy's strong suite but determined, focused and tenacious are his strengths. He went to bat time after time, striking out or hitting to short stop. Then one night on the ball fields at Second Baptist the mighty Roy came to bat...it was his night because Roy hit a double only thing, he didn't run to second to make it a double. He was so used to hitting and legging out to at least try and beat the throw to first base, he just kept running straight after touching first, never looking for the ball or listening to the first base coach. His teammates were yelling at him and from those bleachers I was doing the same...go to second...go to second. He never heard any of us, he was so focused trying to get to first base. We all cheered for him but afterwards the softball player came out of me, not encouraging wife. Good thing I didn't have a pen and paper cause I would have probably diagrammed out what he should have done but knowing me I probably told him at least five or six times what he needs to do when he gets another hit. He didn't need instruction, no he needed to hear from me good job, period, not with a codicil attached to the end of the good job.  It was just a softball game. There was nothing other than fun. No one was trying out and it was not a life or death matter. The game was purely recreation, oh we always want to win in our recreation, but bottom line it was just play. Play is my One Word for the year and don't think I have forgotten about it after writing so many posts about it during the first part of this year. Now several articles by various publications are emphasizing our need for play both as children and as grown up children. It adds so much to life and it seems counter intuitive. This weekend I read a great article about the playfulness in God's creation. Since I don't tend to the rule maker side of life, being playful is a six sense but I know rule makers and those who need to control through order and regimen have a difficult time with the whole play concept. Roy used to lean heavily to that side but as the years have gone by and with my stellar influence, he leans less and less toward regimen and allotment of time for fun things because well, there is serious stuff to be done. No, he is much better at being at ease and not having life lived according to a certain time. I wouldn't be giving full due to how Roy used his non-athletic look to win lots and lots of racquetball tournaments. He did what he does best, he read about the game, of how to play and how to win and he translated his book learning to court presence. He would go into those tournaments looking as nerdy as possible and all the macho guys who saw him felt like, oh yea, this victory is in the bag. Then Roy proceeded to beat them by not trying to ramp up to their power. No, he played softball racquetball with lots of lobs and well placed shots.

We all need that sense of play, we just need to find the game or games where we have the most fun and well....just play. It does a body and a brain good.

Feeling Right at Home

The bunny rabbit is keeping Buddy on watch this morning and being on point for a bit of time has now worn Buddy out and she looks like she will be falling asleep soon. She and I did not have a good night as she was so restless and had trouble settling. In Katy, when she came to sleep on my arm, she fell asleep but here she stays awake and meows every so often and wakes me up and finally after about what seems like an hour, she falls asleep. Some evenings she finally goes to the end of the bed and sleeps on her blanket and those are the nights I sleep the best.

So with the restless night, my early morning plans were scuttled by me oversleeping. It is probably for the best because this week will be a busier than usual week and there won't be many mornings of being able to ease into the day. With all matters of appointments, the beginning of Bible study and a Saturday morning Brunch on the Porch at a friends home sounds like good things ahead. I will probably have to add an A/C appointment because the upstairs unit is not performing well...it is not even hot here, by Houston standards, and it has trouble keeping up with cooling when the temps have been in the low 80's. If there was more of a breeze and less humidity, I would just open the windows...which I tried but alas didn't do one bit of good.

Yesterday was our first Sunday in the new quarterly. We are studying Genesis with the scarlet thread of redemption in Jesus running through it. Saturday morning after a quiet time, I read the week's lesson and I have rarely even in my whole entire life ever said this, but something that was written in the quarterly about creation spoke to me...from the quarterly no less. Creation came and became out of chaos and when God created this world out of chaos, He also had plans to fill this world not just create and move on. I am making a very generalized statement of what was written but this so spoke to me. In the chaos of doing new life in a new situation and finding our ways through what works and what doesn't work, there is beauty in what God is doing and He is filling our lives with circumstances and joys that we never anticipated. In the midst of my emotional chaos that finds me every so often, I can trust that God is going to use this emotional chaos and make it into something beautiful. Cue Gaithers song...something beautiful, something good...all my confusion He understood. Which segways beautifully into the song the choir sang yesterday. It is called Greater. Fast paced, wordy but fun to sing and filled with truth. I find myself singing it to myself a lot since we began learning it. So something beautiful in chaos and the reminder that greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world leaves me filled.

After church I drove over to the Fresh Market to pick up a few things then returned home to make Tex Mex enchiladas. I thought the hardest part would be making the chili gravy but it turned out well. I used way too many onions and next time I will double the chili gravy recipe. It helped with the cravings I have had for Tony's or Molina's enchiladas. This morning the downstairs still has a fragrance about it which is better than me reeking of onions.

I saw something Saturday afternoon that made me think for a moment I was in Texas and it was February. A trail ride complete with wagons and riders came down our road and turned off onto another road. I kind of was looking for Jennifer S. Anyway, I asked about the riders in SS and one of my friends, Karon, said that she used to ride in them and they were such fun. They were camping nearby and I forgot I wanted to go by and take a few pics. Way to make this Texas girl feel right at home in NC.