Dream Catchin' on a Southwind!

DECEMBER 2007.........LESSONS LEARNED!

WOW!  We've come to the end of another year....2007.  And what an awesome year it has been! 

We got so use to the Journey that settling back in was somewhat of a challenge.

But then we always expect too much of December.  I suppose it's similar to all the other months.  We're subject to the same aches, pains, "bugs", bronchitis, colds, allergies, bum knees, out-of-whack backs, traffic, stress, strain....but somehow we expect MORE/BETTER in December.  We try to cram too much into the same amount of time and our rigid expectations soar beyond reality....Add to that, the loss of a dear friend,  a much loved one, and instead of celebration and joy......our spirits miss The Spirit and we spiral downward.   This Holiday Season started out no differently than all the rest....we got the "bugs", the aches, the pains, the traffic was awful, the list of expectations dictated by "tradition" started the tension mounting.....I mourned the loss of my friend and Christmases Past.  There were moments when I wallowed in self pity and longed for my "house".  I resisted being flexible enough to embrace the here and now and to open myself to new experiences, new ways to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.  How could such an awesome year end on such a pitiful note?        It didn't!

There were low moments for sure, but we experienced the love of family and friends in non-traditional ways and discovered a sustaining joy ..... a lasting Christmas Spirit! 

Early in the year, Jud, Tommy, Ray, Terrie and I decided we would gift ourselves and each other with a trip to Mexico Beach, FL, the second week in December.  What a week it was!  Since Jud and I were committed to provide "gran-care" for Grace, she had no choice but to join us.  She certainly didn't mind!!!  Her excitement was infectious!  We headed for Florida taking two days to get there and every few miles she wanted to know if we were at the Beach yet?  It was glorious....if you love the beach you understand, if you're not a beach person....all you'd have to do is see it through Grace's eyes.....such joyous abandon!!!!!   

Cousins, Cheri and Amelia, joined us....Cheri had to leave before this photo was made.  We hated to see her go and were very concerned about her...rightfully so.  Thank God, she is feeling much better now!

  Despite our concerns, it was a great time with precious family and a rare opportunity....brought back lots of growing up memories.  Hope we do this again!!!

We had music with "Uncle Sally" (i.e. Aunt Terrie) and Uncle Ray! With all the Christmas Music, plus!

Papa Jud made Grace a tin-can dulcimer, so she had her own "instrument".....Perhaps a "rock star" was born????  (The Coke box was her own creative addition!)

"Aunt" Amelia (really a cousin) has ocean water in her veins and beach sand in her shoes....always!  She's also a 5th grade science teacher...who loves her job and her students.....so she taught us things we didn't know about the beach.....like the holes we see in the sand are made by tiny little sand pipers (not crabs).....and we learned all about sea turtles!

The giant mama turtle crawls out of the sea, digs a big hole with her flippers, moves into her hole....

patiently lays her eggs, then gently covers them with sand...packing it with her body, and crawls back into the sea.

Rustic Sands Campground was fully decorated, lights everywhere....Grace was "impressed" (her words) especially with the "blowups"....the child cannot fathom a Christmas without "blowups"....she loves them....... and now so do I!
Imagine that!
We returned in time for the Preshcoolers' Christmas Program!  A sparkling performance by 3-year olds.  (The others did a fine job too)....I thought about Mother....she would have loved this Kindergarten program!!!!  Music, Lights, beautiful elaborate Sets, proud Parents and unpredictable Children doing their thing.  It was something!  Grace and her friend, Emma Grace, in the center were quite the hams!  What joy!  What spirit!

We traveled to Warner Robins for the celebration of the life of our dear friend and to mourn his passing. In the midst of sadness, Carol Archer (a cancer victim herself and a wonderful spirit) pulled us all together for coffee and cookies at her house afterward.  We were warmed by the love of friends and the sharing of that special bond we have with one another...about 10 families of us, who have loved and nurtured one another through the years.  It felt good to be together.  Thanks Carol and Dan!

Meanwhile the achy knees, the whacked backs, the coughs and sneezes continued....yuk!  We had to postpone our visit in Macon with our precious longtime friends, Mary and Jim...."but we've never missed celebrating Christmas with them," I wailed......We felt like a pair of old shoes....and still the shopping and wrapping.....and cooking?  Did I dare?  Would it be Christmas if I didn't?  What about everybody's "favorites"?  How could we get around to seeing everybody?  And besides....they certainly didn't need our germs...Oh Woe! 
And then there was the problem of "all being together"....preferably at "my house"....only my "house" is so small....

Well, we weren't! (all together or at my house!)

And somehow it all turned out to be both beautiful and meaningful!

Tommy graciously invited us to visit with him on Christmas Eve.  We attended a beautiful Christmas Eve Service at his church....our hearts were warmed and The Spirit made His presence known as we joined

others in holy worship.... The Christmas Story, the Chrismon Tree, the Traditional Carols and Christmas Anthems.....lovely!

Afterward, we did something I've never done before....we had Christmas Eve Dinner at a local Atlanta Restaurant, famous for their catfish!  The restaurant, Six Feet Under, is across the street from the historic Oakland Cemetery.  The food and service were certainly non-traditional, but deliciously outstanding!  We had a memorable Christmas Eve with my dear brother, Tommy, and may have started a NEW tradition!

This year was the Hodges' turn to have Amy, Andy and the kids on Christmas Day....so Jud, Joel, and I planned to spend the day together.  What a neat day it turned out to be.....totally relaxed!  Amy and Andy generously offered us their home....fully decorated.....and we spread out and enjoyed every inch of all that lovely space!  Amy also has mastered (and improved) my Fruit Cake recipe and left us half a cake, that she made!  And I made a few "favorites" to go with the Honey Baked Ham!!!

Joel was there by 9:00 AM....we ate, visited, laughed, ate, talked, watched TV, ate, exchanged gifts, ate, napped.....and then started all over again....no china plates or fancy linens....we even decided not to sit at the table (very non-traditional)....in fact we agreed that we didn't even want our pictures made....this was our view....beautiful fire, tree, and TV! 

What an incredible day and evening...totally laid back.  Joel spent the night and we had the pleasure of his company the next morning.  A very special day with our son!  Awesome!

We transitioned again Wed afternoon....

Christmas doesn't belong just to little children but when you experience it with them, you can't help but catch their spirit....We experienced it all!

.....The Anticipation!

....The Pleasure!

....The Love!

The joy of Giving.....

The Delight and Satisfaction of gifts well chosen and well received......

 

The Bike.....                                                  The Guitar Hero.....

 

And the aftermath.....

Cole was in his room, "practicing" his guitar...part of his Christmas was a promissory note for a real guitar and lessons, when he is ready.  He thinks he will be soon.

AND....we will spend New Year's Eve tonight with our dear friends, Mary and Jim!!!!  We are looking forward to ringing in another new year with them!

I remember my Grandmother saying...."I'll take them as I can get them!"  She was a wonderfully, wise lady and I wanted to be just like her when I grew up....perhaps age CAN bring flexibility, a willingness to break with "tradition", and the treasures that go with it.

Lessons Learned:  Certainly  there is merit in being able to find gems of peace, beauty, joy, Holy Spirit - in among and around the junk stones we carry around.   December comes once a year....but we really can experience Christmas every day, if we will just open ourselves up, lower our expectations, be watchful and "take them as [we] get them"!  (sort of like looking for sea glass!)

We must remember to BE as a little child!  This one is a good example!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY....... AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.....all 365 days of it!!!

WE GIVE THANKS!

HOME COMING....

Thanksgiving, 2007

As our 10 year old grandson, put it...we've been "all over the world".....but nowhere was prettier than right here in Georgia!  The color is rich, vibrant despite the drought.  The kids and I have a beautiful collection of "painted leaves."
It's good to be "home" with family and friends.  We said we'd be back by Thanksgiving, actually we got back a little sooner.  Once we started in this direction....it was like "heading for the barn"!  Our kids "needed" us to provide "Gran-care" so that Amy could go back to work temporarily and part-time.  What fun!  What a challenge!!!  We arrived, 9 Nov, spent two nights in Amy and Andy's backyard in our Dreamcatcher....then moved to Fort Yargo, near Winder GA....not too far from their house.  Fort Yargo, a Ga State Park, is one of our favorite places to call "home"....quiet, beautiful woods, full of deer, chipmunks and squirrels.....sunsets over the lake.  We highly recommend it!

We were eager to see the kids.  Started right in with our duties as assigned.  One-on-one time with some of our favorite folks....

               

Our little "Tom-girl" at the park!  She doesn't hesitate to try new things!!  Loves life and is going to experience as much of  it as she can.

               

"Cole-Man" and Papa Jud try whittling....lots of shavings!!!!  Our boy  carved a really neat rocket and Papa fashioned a fish!  We were proud of their efforts....really good!!

First chance we headed for my brother's.  I could hardly wait to see Tommy.  We had communicated often, but I really missed him!  We loaded up the grands and headed for his house.

                        

Together they built an Inuk in Tommy's backyard, using stones we brought back from Cape Enrage, New Brunswick.  (Inuks mark a good place....and this place really is a good spot to be in!  We love being at Tommy's!)

                     

We had the kids overnight in the Dreamcatcher, Sun evening, and A&A joined us Mon evening for a campfire, with hotdogs, marshmallows, the works!

Tues and Thurs are our "days off".  So,Thurs, we took a road trip to Unicoi for the Annual Dulcimer Festival.  The group that was to play at noon were late arriving so the performance was canceled (aw-w-w-w!)  But we talked with lots of folks and new friends, Flora and Harry, were there....lots of dulcimers and dulcimer "stuff".  Beautiful instruments!  After much deliberation, I found the right one!

                                        

A "Sweet Strings" Dulcimer built by Jon Harris, 28 Jun 2006.  Beautiful poplar wood with a smooth full sound!  And here's Jon!  Jud came home and immediately re-strung my card board dulcimer to be a "leftie" so he could learn to play too.  He really wants to learn to build them!  Meanwhile, I love my #445...."Sadie".....and hope to be able to do her justice some day.  She is a beauty!

Thanksgiving Day dawned....we enjoyed the breaking of day as we woke up in the "Tree House"...what a pleasant experience.  (The "Tree House" as we affectionately refer to it is Brother Tommy's beautiful backyard "shed" that defies tradition and is a work of art!  It is WOW!)  Perfect for family gatherings...he's generous to share!

 

           This is actually last year's photo and doesn't do the Tree House justice....Tommy continues to make improvements and has added a rail/wall along the deck.  Looks terrific and is so functional!!  Folks started arriving.  Joel and friend, Rollee got there first, bearing pineapples....for the first time ever, we had enough fresh pineapple to satisfy all of us!  Thanks, Rollee!  Then Amy and Andy and the grand chillun'.  Finally Michael rolled in from Charlotte.  It was a house full and we enjoyed every minute.  Food was delicious!  Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes & gravy, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry relish, huge fresh salad, pistachio salad, rolls, apple pie and chocolate cake!    It felt good to be together!

                                     

The three "Musketeers", Michael, C, and G .....Joel was content to sit back with a big grin and watch Michael entertain his cousins!  He remembered all too well when he was the "entertainer" and Michael was the "entertainee."

random shots of a fun, relaxed day....so relaxed I failed to get any pics before Joel and Rollee left!  But then I scrambled to get a few.....      Father and son pulling the pulley bone!

Sharing.....her most prized possession, her blanket, with her "Lucy-Dog"!

We have much to be thankful for....family (including those in Bradenton...Ray, Terrie, Dee, Sophie, Hannah, Tank and ChiChi....we missed them) friends, plenty, health, joy in living!  Certainly Jud and I are thankful for our journey the past year and the wonders we've been privileged to experience, but it's good to come home to open arms and feelings of belonging.  Thank you, Lord for all these blessings!

On Sat after Thanksgiving, A&A started decorating for Christmas!!!  They let us join in!

Andy loves the lights and he does a terrific job...looks like Santa's workshop when he gets through....and off we went to Jack's Tree Farm to find "the perfect tree".  Our "Cole-man"`made the first cut....

and we hauled it back to the pay station in the truck.....

"Excitement" and "Satisfaction"!

What a terrific holiday weekend!  We Give Thanks!

"PLOUGH THE WAVES"....REMEMBERING PEI

Remembering.....PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND (PEI)

27-31 Aug 2007

Prince Edward Island, Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, and the NC Appalachian Mountain regions all remind me of one another....the common denominator has to be the plow/plough.  All are farming communities, with strong anchors of Faith, Family and Love of the Land.  All three help me reach deep and touch my own roots.

Jud can remember his daddy plowing with a mule.  I just remember the stories....embellished perhaps and no doubt romanticized in my own mind, but clearly a part of who I am.

Three distinctly different cultures.....with many distinctive similarities.  All boasting a simple life, an independent and self reliant spirit and a resistance to encroaching media, commercialization, the "Super Store" and "made in China". Well, maybe not always...many in PEI found themselves "owing their souls to the Company Store"...most were very dependent on the Fish Company Stores until the Cooperatives began to emerge.  All three cultures encourage and appreciate beautifully made handcrafted items, a strong work ethic, and joy in midst of hardship, a strong survival instinct....music is an important element, at least in PEI and Appalachia!

As we departed the Ferry from Nova Scotia and found the Visitor's Center, we encountered the sign above.....I wondered what it meant.  We found out....but not right at first.  We had four days, Jud was convinced that PEI would be the highlight of our trip....I have to admit, I knew almost nothing about this part of the world.  We made Holiday Heaven our new "home", a beautiful park right on the bank of the West River.

The next morning, Jud captured our first and only SUNRISE right out our front windows...(we're SUNSET people and don't have much early morning experience....at least not since we retired!)

                                          

But this was awesome!  And later we enjoyed our coffee as we watched the loons, enjoy their breakfast, on that same river!

Immediately we set out to see all the regions....King, Queen and Prince.  We were on a quest to find that special something that makes Prince Edward Island, the "Gentle Island", a memory maker!  What?...we didn't know.  We rode and rode and rode....put 750 miles on the "Toad."  We saw some really neat places....but we couldn't quite figure it out....we were somehow missing the point....and a little Disapointedpointed.

Finally, two days before we left, we found what we'd been looking for at the Farmer and the Fisherman...

 

a small restaurant frequented by Locals in Charlottetown, excellent food, well prepared, very reasonably priced.....but the real treasure was the black and white photos covering the walls.  We were intrigued ..these photos came from a photo album published as Pride in Small Places, A Photographic Remembrance of Rural Prince Edward Island 1900-1960. This incredible pictorial was compiled and documented by David Weale to record and preserve the rich heritage of the Island.  I needed a copy.

If ever you go (or go back) to PEI, you must read this book and see these photos....if you can't find a copy, you can borrow mine....IF you give it back.  I just love it!  It clarified everything!  Suddenly we understood the places we had seen, the photos we had taken....    

Beautiful pastures, sheep....and the Sea!

Wooden fishing boats,  the lobster industry, herring, cod....and always the Sea!

Every square inch cultivated..... strong presence of the Churches in each hamlet....mostly Catholic, Unitarian, "United" Churches....

Picturesque Dairy Farms....with the Sea just behind the trees!

The most magnificent horses I'd ever seen....gorgeous work horses....and the Sea!

Bales and bales of Hay, number one export....with the Sea in the background!

Red clay roads, like those in middle Georgia, only these lead off through cultivated fields....to the Sea!

Light Houses, this one is West Point Lighthouse, with red sand beaches....where folks on holiday leave inuks, made from red rocks found on the beach, signaling this is "a good place"....

                      

Potatoes, potatoes, potatoes....in bloom!  You could smell them growing!

                        

Road side stands and signs along the highway made them readily available.  We took them at their word....rode right up to the barn, found the bags, picked out a bag, put our $3 in the jar with the lid, and left.....without ever seeing a soul!  Best potatoes I ever ate!  These little yellow skins were amazingly delicious, crisp, fresh....the beginnings of wonderful potato salad, soup, and stew!

There is a strong French Acadien presence, which greatly appealed to me...... and equally strong Irish, English and Scottish cultures....all love music and delight in "music made by hand." 

The Ceilidh's, casual gatherings, and an integral part of family life, are the epitome of musical expression...we were fascinated by them and privileged to attend two....what a good time!

In the summer, they have them every night....somewhere!

         

At the second Ceilidh, 72 year old Tom in the center, above left, delighted us with his humor, his Irish brogue and his musical ability!  The younger man, Mike, at right, was funny.....very good looking.....very talented.....very French....Oui! Oui! Oui!  An incredible musician.....accordion, guitar, piano, drum.  I know now where Jay gets his "foot-stompin'"   

                           

Kate, beautiful Kate, played a "wicked" fiddle, and harp, and step danced while she played the fiddle....she sang too and her voice was enchanting! An exchange student from Scotland, she is studying in British Columbia and spent the summer on PEI.  Sensational Fun!  These people (young and old) have an infectious love of music, humor, and social gatherings....they are so incredibly gifted, playing multiple instruments......moving effortlessly from one instrument to another....singing and dancing and encouraging us all to join in!  We fell right in and begged for more!!!

Photos above were from the second Ceilidh we attended.

The first one we experienced was held at a small one room church, St Andrews.  Unfortunately we failed to get our camera settings right....none of our pictures turned out.  Artists included a young man, Aaron, (23), his mom on the piano, and several cousins.  Aaron is an amazing fiddler, plays the piano, guitar......and drums in a rock and roll band.  His cousin did an unbelievable solo on the saxophone  Amazing!  They entertained us for about two hours....then Jocelyne (McDaniel), accompanied by her Mom on the guitar and her brother gave a concert.  Jocelyne sang...we loved it!  We bought two of her CD's.  She sang one of Lyle Levitt's songs.....Later we found the perfect photo op to capture his song.                                   .

 

We kept seeing so many beautiful horses....we couldn't imagine...because we also saw heavy farm equipment....

And then we discovered Sea Weed Pie!  And more history that explained the relationship between the farmer and his/her horse....very special!  These gorgeous horses are instrumental in harvesting Irish Moss....from the Sea.  They are hitched to rakes and ridden into the surf in winter to gather the seaweed.  A family affair....everyone helps...young to old.  The Irish Moss is another cash crop....a special type of sea weed rich in carrageen, a substance used in milk, ice cream, cottage cheese...and Sea Weed Pie!  No, we didn't try it.

                              

In Summerside, we found the Piper's College and enjoyed a Mini Concert of Celtic Music and dance!

Incredible young people, studying, performing, keeping their heritage alive.

A quiet break at Victoria by the Sea....

                            

at a real Chocolatier...for a cup of coffee and slice of chocolate almond torte with homemade whip cream...on the porch!  Need I say more?

On to Avonlea and the country of Anne of Green Gables.....

                   

Yes, it is just as beautiful as Lucy Maud Montgomery depicted it ......can't you just imagine Anne peeping out these windows......her vivid imagination running wild?

We arrived late....and got to tour the grounds for free!  I read the first book and felt like I'd gotten my money's worth.

We were impressed with their plans for the Confederation Railroad and enjoyed the museum.  My Daddy was a trainman and I love everything that has to do with trains and Rail Roads!  It still gives me a thrill to stand on a train station platform and remember the excitement I felt as we waited for that big black bellowing iron monster to pull hissing and smoking into the station, early, before daylight...then boarding....then the sounds, smells, motions of the trip to my grandmother's in Alabama!

              

Daddy wore a hat similar to these.....

As a flagman, he would certainly understand the importance of these lanterns and their signals...

"The whistle, rumble and hiss of the train was first heard on Prince Edward Island in 1873; became increasingly less common after the mid-1900s; and disappeared altogether in 1989"  (Pride in Small Places)  Today, there is an effort to replace the tracks with walking and biking paths from one end of the Island to the other.

Do you see the fox?    

There was one there!  We weren't sure what it was....it was shaped like a large fox, but was black, gray and white....almost spotted...with a bushy white tip on it's tail....several folks had stopped and tried to get pictures but it was too fast.  Later we read (in Pride in Small Places) ...in the late 1800's mutant black or 'silver' foxes were bred in captivity for the fur industry....by the 1940's fashions had changed and the industry collapsed....thank goodness!  This one must have been a descendant of one of the survivors!  A beautiful creature!!!

Except for about a zillion crows, it was the only wildlife we saw on the Island....though we did catch the special perfume of many skunks!

And the breathtaking beauty of wildflowers!!!!  Fields of pink clover and Queen Ann's Lace, Poppies, daisies, bachelor buttons....and golden rod!

The Gentle Island is a lovely place....not exactly what we expected...a place where change is taking place at a rapid clip....where the small farmer and fisherman find it almost impossible to hold on and compete.  Similar to the small farmers and fisherman everywhere I suppose...We saw the evidence in deserted homes, beautiful old community churches and one room school houses no longer in use, small farms sandwiched between  much larger corporate farms.  But the spirit of the people lives on in the ceilidh's, the Piper's College, the music and the preservation of the culture, the "Lobster Suppers" and the "Kitchen Parties".  There are many who are trying to hang on....English and French, Irish and Scottish...lots of cottage industries, beautiful handmade quilts and hooked rugs for sale...a beautiful "small place" with a rich, rich heritage.  I hope they can preserve it.  I'm glad I got to see it and am very thankful for the journey....

It was time to go.  We had taken the ferry over, but we left by way of the Confederation Bridge to Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick....

                            

....a beautiful drive...but a bridge to the rest of the world...a bridge that some think may be a major contributor to the disappearing old rural order.  By the end of the century, only two out of ten small farms remain in operation and some communities have none...as one woman expressed to David Weale, "I'm still here, but it's not my Island anymore."  He understood.  I think I do too.

 

"SING BEHIND THE PLOW"....

9 Nov 2007
Each day a new journey begins....Today is the day!!
 

Anticipating the next phase!!  Right now we are high-tailing it down HWY 985....destination - Loganville, GA!!!

We just spent a week in Hayesville, laying the ground work for the next phase in our lives.....consulting contractors, "reasoning' with the Environmental Health folk (about septic), investigating  well digging, restructuring the plat for our lots....trying to communicate what we intend without incurring additional costs.  Fat Chance!  All that good AF training paid off though and I think we are now on our way.  We won't be plowing our selves but by the time we get back, our land should be "bush-whacked"....

Eventually this land will boast a nice gravel drive and an RV pad with a View!  Soon, I hope!

Meanwhile, we are eager to see our kids and grandkids and brother, Tommy!  Part of the plan is to take advantage of an opportunity offered to us by Amy and Andy.  We get to provide child-care for a time while Amy goes back, part-time to work in the corporate world!  She will continue her RELIV business while logging in hours and refresher training, necessary to retain her licenses.  We get three days a week to make up for all these months we've been "deprived"....I get to be the "subject" for"King Cole" and "Her Grace"!  YES!

On the way to Hayesville, we visited our nephew, Michael, in his new home

Such a good looking guy, incredibly gifted artist (it's the genes!), homeowner, well on his way with a new position that will allow him to use his creativity....his Mema would be proud!!!  Is proud, I'm sure!  We enjoyed our visit and got to see downtown Charlotte on a Sunday night....very impressive, especially the Children's Library!

But about North Carolina....and Singing Behind the Plow....

Hayesville, and the mountains.....

The color is just peaking and everything is aglow.....beautiful days, frosty nights!!!

I think that's the right combination!  We loved the brisk mornings, the cold nights and the crackling of leaves underfoot.  We decided we had seen lots of gorgeous country, but nothing more beautiful than Appalachia!

Right off we visited the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown.  Jud and I are both looking forward to taking some courses.....the hard part will be deciding which ones....so many choices......they offer everything.....preserving all the old mountain crafts and promoting creativity....along with Singing behind the Plow...

From fly-fishing..to wood carving..to black smithing..to dulcimer..to spinning..to quilting..to writing..to fiddle..to dance..to painting..to pottery.....you name it, they probably have a course for it.....and the instructors are always masters in their particular art form.  Beautiful place to visit with a gift shop of original art, and you can walk right into the classrooms to observe students at work.  Their motto, "Singing Behind the Plow," and their mission promotes the joy of a job well done...no matter the task or the medium, there is self satisfaction and pride in the excellent completion of a piece of work. 

Friday night we attended a concert at the John C. Campbell Folk School, featuring Curtis and Holly Jones....an unbelievably gifted couple!  He played mandolin and flamenco guitar and could, no doubt, hold his own with Willie and Lobo.  Amazing!....next generation perhaps?  She played guitar and sang...her voice has a sweet mellow quality, sort of a cross between Allison Kraus and our own Terrie!  Listening just makes you want more!  Sorry, no photos...regret we forgot the camera!  But we did purchase two CD's so you'll just have to hear them sometime!  The following day (Sat), we went back for the annual Black Smith's Auction....many, many treasures, all handcrafted...but we live in an RV....what we buy has to be beautiful and functional....so though we enjoyed the auctioneer, Tim Ryan, (a hoot!), we did not succumb to his highly persuasive and wily ways!

It was great to visit with these long time friends, John and Beverly Adkins.....

will be our "neighbors".  They have encouraged us from the git-go and really made us feel welcome and "at home".  We enjoyed dinner with them at their home on Lake Chatuge, last night....delicious....thanks, John and Bev!  And we met "Molly" their "Lhasa Apso/Havanese" mix...their new baby.  This is Molly...and yes, she is "a blur!"  Cute!  Cute! Busy!  Gorgeous coloring...feel good white with warm brown patches and beautiful light brown eyes and nose.  Lots of fun....she's "just a baby!" John taught Jud how to do Stained Glass, years ago when they did the windows for Chirst United Methodist Church in Warner Robins, GA.  His work is beautiful to behold!  Beverly designs and makes incredibly beautiful, prize winning quilts!  Both are gifted artists....and RV enthusiasts....we have lots of interests in common!

They took us to visit Harry and Flora (John's sister).  Both are musicians and dulcimer players!!!  Harry has even built dulcimers and wonderful music stands.  Much to my delight, Flora was willing to share her gift with me and graciously gave me a lesson!!!  What fun we had!  She was so patient and gave me some very helpful tips....we worked on about 4 songs and her teaching helped significantly! Jud and I plan to go to Unicoi on Thursday to meet them for the Dulcimer.... [conference].....

Hope your Fall is as pretty and pleasant as ours....North Carolina and North Georgia are red and gold in spite of the dry weather.  We've seen beautiful color right here at home in the South! 

Well, we're almost to Loganville and will be arriving in the next ten minutes...starting our new job!  (Child-care!)  We may not be plowing (or maybe we will) with the GRANDS but until they send us back to North Carolina, we'll sure be singing!  What a wonderful opportunity for some quality one-on-one with our grandkids....sure hope we can keep up and actually be a help!  Prayers requested!

ANNIVERSARY ISSUE......One and One!

6 Nov 2007

That's right folks....one year and one week as "Full-timers"!!!
Can you believe it?  We "closed" on our house, Oct 30, 2006.  On Halloween, 2007 (scary thought), and started our journey in the Dream Catcher....

Here we are today....back in Hayesville, NC....at the Sundowner (RV park)

in "our" Appalachian Mountains....Happy to be "home", but reveling in all the adventures we've had.....what a year!!  You could say we have changed...not too much I hope, but certainly we have broadened our horizons (among a few other things) and met so many wonderful folks! 

First we changed our residency.....

  Jud became a North Carolinian in Nov....I followed in Dec....a long time dream come true.

Ever since I was in fifth grade, I dreamed of living in NC, and after Jud and I married we tried every way we could to think of a way to make the move to these mountains....the Lord had a different plan for us...but finally He granted us our hearts' desires (in His time) and here we are!!!

We had Happy Holidays in 2006, with family and friends!!  Early in the New Year, 2007 we hit the road.  Our goal was to travel  US 1, South to North....and we did!  Here's Jud at Mile Marker 1 in the Keys....

    And again at the end of the trail, Fort Kent, Maine....2209 miles!

But you have to see the other side of this sign!

Depends on the point of view.....I guess!

It took us 6 months to make it....but my what a ride!!!  On the journey we visited the Southern Most Point in the US....

.....Key West!

...and the Eastern Most Point in the US....

...Quoddy Light House in Lubec, Maine! 

We left the country for wonderful experiences in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edwards Island...even though we lost connectivity with those we loved and had a real scare when our Credit Card Company looked after our best interests and put a block on our credit card!!!(Their security picked up on out-of-country charges and automatically clamped down!!) Down to $6.00 in cash, no phone service, no email service, no gas, no place to park, no banks willing to advance us cash, only a few groceries.....it was frightening and gave us a new reality....

Lesson Learned:  Be thankful!  Don't leave home without alerting your credit card company before you go.  Always carry (or better still, KNOW) your password(s)!  Take a few traveler's checks along as back-up.

Lucy was not concerned!    She was happy to be along for the ride!  Whatever...it was ok with her!

Whether relaxing in the Dream Catcher.... 

or riding down the road in the "towd"......When the key turns and the engine fires she's ready and eager to be part of the action!!  Early on, we were concerned because while in Bradenton in the Spring, we discovered she is diabetic.  But she's doing very well!  Jud and I both have become very proficient at administering her shots...and she lets us know when it is time!  Amazing!  I'm sure it has nothing to do with treats! 

She's telling Jud in this photo that "It's time!"  A most excellent little trouper!

Lucy loved Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, Campobello Island, Maine again, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania...(so did we)...but once we started South, it was hard to hold back....we were "headed for the barn". 

Our journey was awesome though and included lots of natural beauty.....

Incredible beaches....

    From Key West up the coast to Cape Breton....

Awesome wildlife..... 

   

From Puffins to Eagles.....

Music! Music! Music!

 

Willie & Lobo in Tampa; Brother Ray in Maine, the Fiddler's Competition in Barre, Vermont, and Cousin Grady in Blairsville....but that's only a few...add to that the Ceilighs in Nova Scotia and PEI, Ray and Terrie's sweet sound with guitar and auto-harp in Bradenton and Maine, bagpipes in PEI, pickin' in North Carolina (John C. Campbell Folk School)...dulcimer lessons with Flora....music has become a wonderful part of our life!

Indescribable Beauty and Wonder....

That grabbed the attention of our camera and sent us scrambling for our field guides!

Time Honored Customs and Cultures...New to Us!

 

The exciting sensory overload of New York City ....the peace and tranquility of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Our three crows stuck with us!

          

            

Ethel, Fred and George....(George is always a little rumpled!)  And sure enough, just as we got here they flew in right behind us and landed as a threesome.....

We savored Soul Searing Sunsets.... 

 

Through it all I gained a greater awareness....The seas have cradled generations, the mountains have sheltered generations....'The Earth truly is the Lord's and the fullness thereof'...we are just passing through....

'I will rejoice and be glad' in This, my time!

Thanks be to God who gave us this opportunity, and to those family and friends, old and new, who have been so supportive!

A new phase starts now....we intend to improve our property in NC, settle in a bit....(until the gypsy blood starts stirring)...perhaps a whole year!

Certainly these young ones play a part in that decision...

(not necessarily the middle one.....)

We are eager to see them....and will tomorrow!!!!  Can't wait to get my hands on them and hear all they have to tell me and see how much they have grown! 

Jud is growing up too....he turned 62, Nov 5...and is a happy man!

Here he is with his birthday favorites..... Speghetti and Pear Pie!

Whata ya think?  Is he not the "stud"!  (If you don't hear from me again, you'll know he killed me for putting this in...)

Meanwhile...We love all of you!  Thanks for hanging with us on this journey....and yes, I still have some catching up to do....I will!  I hope you'll join us for the next journey and discovery...

 

 

 

 

 

Page 2....Peace, Love, Life, Liberty ...and Chocolate!

20-25 October 2007 (continued)

PAGE 2...PEACE, LOVE, LIFE, LIBERTY....AND CHOCOLATE!!


Some things in LIFE never change....like ....
..balloons...
..chocolate
..the good feeling of sharing a laugh with long-time friends...
..surprises!...
..the enjoyment of watching children have fun all dressed up for "Trick or Treat!"
We certainly had a good time with the kids in our "neighborhood" as they moved in the dark with their treat bags, flashlights (and parents) from one campsite to the next....you could hear them before you could see them....what fun!  We were ready!!!!
  Raggedy Ann and Spider Man paid us a visit!  Another young lady (about 6) was thrilled to find we had Reese's Cups, she exclaimed "Oh boy, Reese's!!!  My favorite!!!!  Can I take one for my Dad, too?"  And from the dark we heard, "What?" , in a very distinctive Papa Bear voice!
It was all fun and most of our treats went quickly...but we had plenty!

Jud promised CHOCOLATE ...and he delivered!  Hershey, PA was a short distance from where we were staying...so naturally we had to drive over.  This quaint town obviously developed and revolved around the Hershey Industry from day one.  Even the street lights!  It was delicious!!  Beautifully manicured, with corporate offices and the Hershey Towers as the center piece....the aroma of warm chocolate was incredible...I told Jud, if I could just sleep on the lawn every night and breathe deep, I probably wouldn't need to eat so much chocolate (maybe)!  Jud agreed the smell wasn't overpowering (like it had been years ago) but still it was very evident and pleasant...like having two Hershey Kisses!  And then two more! We walked around a little.  Right outside the employee parking area was this gorgeous golf course...(Mary and Jim R., I suspect they work in a round of golf on their lunch break)....what a beautiful stress reliever...(maybe).

We rode a few blocks over to Hershey's Chocolate World.... And found what we were really looking for....The Hershey Outlet Store!  Sweet Shopping!!!!  They were glad to see us!!!  Fortunately, the huge amusement park was closed, except on weekends now, so I didn't have to ride the roller coaster!

We had not anticipated finding Valley Forge, but we did....late one afternoon:

A beautiful center, apparently very enlightening and well done, but it was closing in about 10 minutes so we didn't go in.  We rode through the park, saw the soldier's quarters, Washington's headquarters and numerous monuments.  It was thought provoking to read the markers and realize that right here our "forefathers" took a stand for LIBERTY....many made the supreme sacrifice and a new nation was born...our nation...one that allows us the freedoms we so take for granted!  I wish we had not arrived so late and could have really taken advantage of the opportunity...but we enjoyed the wildlife!  Mind you, this is right in the middle of the city of Valley Forge...several hundred acres, now a National Park.  The park is a haven for walkers, joggers, bikers.....and DEER!  We rode, right at dusk, and counted 190 (that's one hundred, ninety) deer grazing along the road sides, path ways, beside preserved Revolutionary War soldiers' quarters, and within fifteen feet of late evening joggers!!!  Incredible and Awesome!