Oh What a Beautiful Week

 I'll tell you what, I hardly know where to start, which truthfully is not that uncommon, however, I really mean it this time!! Shall we start with the pickleball tournament that I photographed a week ago Saturday? Or our road trips to see leaves? Let's do the tournament because who doesn't like to see a bunch of playful seniors out in the bright sunshine and chilly temperature?

Our friend Linda organized it to support children who have need for physical therapy and our group delivered, raising $1,200 for the cause. Because of the sun's location, there really was no good spot to do a group shot so I started with a test shot of Linda to begin with.

Satisfied that it was the best that I could do, we gathered the troops and after five or so shots, I got one that had the most people looking my way.These are some of the ladies I play with, Kim, Nancy, Linda and Terry. Each and every one of them is better than I am. (boo hoo)

So unlike the last tournament when I thought I would faint with the heat, this time it was more than a little chilly, however, I'm all for it if I have to choose one or the other! Below this is Jack, the best player in our group and of all things, he is from Orlando! 

Both coasts of Florida are well represented here in Murphy, but it is rare to find another Orlandoan. Not only is Jack an exceptional player, he's a nice guy as well, a winning combination.

Lastly, as far as the tournament goes, our friend Curt who has been struggling for nearly two years with a spinal cord leak, came out to play and surprised himself with his energy. His determination is remarkable.

Curt is wearing the gray shirt and you may remember him for his home pickleball court with the incredible mountain views that we have had the privilege to visit often. 

Most of the week has been spent in leaf peeping in one place or another. After church on Sunday we visited the pizza place we like in downtown, where the owner does most of the cooking. Their pizza oven is quite impressive to me.

Yup, wood-fired.

Shoot, before I finish that day, I've been meaning to show you the number of starlings that have been providing us with quite the show lately, a mini murmuration if you will.

It is so fun to watch them fly in a formation of sorts. 

Okay, back to Sunday afternoon when we began our leaf peeping week. Right in the town of Andrews I spotted this tree that I am calling the Taco Bell Imposter because it is so similar to the one Karen showed us in front of Taco Bell on our first visit here. Sadly that tree is no longer there, but this one does a pretty good imitation. That said, I just looked up that blog post and I may have to retract that statement after seeing it again. Make sure to click on the link! 

We went to the little downtown park with the walk along the river. A playground is being constructed with, I believe donations both in labor and money.

As you can see we pretty much have the park to ourselves. The leaves were beginning to change, and the river was lovely in the afternoon light.

While in Andrews we went to their pumpkin patch adjacent to the depot for the rail/bike tour, something we've yet to do but I've heard is fun.

You know me, I love that valley and we saw it from the other side because rather than using the highway, we used a two lane road that was there before the "four lane" as locals call it.

I love how at this time of year the contours of the mountains are so prominent. While we were on Airport Road, we took the time to look at the completed Core Scientific AI facility, a source of growing contention in Cherokee County, as well as nation-wide. No one wants them. Whether they use up too much water, or electricity, I have no idea, but there are plenty around here who are up in arms because nothing can be done about this one, however, other companies are wanting to build here. I will keep you posted. One thing I can say is it sure looks out of place.

A very foggy start to the morning on Monday, when we arrived at the courts; I decided, after one miserable game when I was "pickled" to take my camera out for a walk.

The playground trees were showing off big time. The wildflowers were out in full force.

The abandoned railroad bridge could be made out in the fog. but don't you think it sure makes it look mysterious,?

Spider webs!! Just in time for Halloween, which is two days away. Randy brought over a stash of candy, so between his, ours, and the Libers, we hope we won't run out during trunk or treat. It is very expensive these days.

I will admit that I have taken a LOT of photographs this week because we are in the midst of a color surge or that's what I'm calling it. Every day more trees show off their true colors. (note the almost full moon!)

The senior center, the library, and the water and electric office are all located along Alpine. Springdale is the next street over from Campbell. Some folks say it must be nice living in town and of course we say, "you've got that right!" We actually can see the mountains from our living room and front porch. It's the best of both worlds in our opinion. 

Most days have started in the 40's, but with abundant sunshine the temperature is very comfortable.  Because we have both front and back screen doors, we can leave them open during the afternoon. Truthfully, it is glorious! 

As most of you know, Grayson, Bruce's little brother, has moved to Franklin, leaving a free day for us on Tuesday so we made the most of it and drove out to Fields of the Wood, described in this link as a Biblical theme park. The property is large and there is a drive behind the hill with the Ten Commandments on it, providing a beautiful view of the area.

The drive there was lovely with colorful trees lining the road.

While out that way, we drove to Hiwassee Dam, a place we visited in our first months here. You may recall we checked all of the local dams out during those early days.

There is a beautiful ramp allowing boaters access to that part of the river.

Somehow I've made time for a few walks along the river in town .

Along with our neighborhood which is awash in color! 

Daniel and Chastity's house,

And Sandy's tree keeps glowing in the light,

 and dropping leaves like mad. 

I love my Keds. I recently read an article about the first woman to solo hike the entire Appalachian Trail while wearing Keds. Amazing!

Big tree=loads of leaves.This is a wonderful time of the year here in Western North Carolina and it's a good thing because it won't be long until it is cold and the days are exceptionally short, and some might say not so much fun, especially in January and February. But we are not going to worry about that now, we just live each day with great expectations and joy.

Our town merchants do a good job of decorating and making things interesting for the flood of tourists who come to view the glorious spectacle  of Autumn. 

Fairies live here in front of Fairy Cross or so says the sign. What will Jenn think of next? I would show you more but then you would never be rid of me!

your friend,

Gail

Building Beds, Birds, and A New Piece of Furniture

 Dear Camera Crazy readers, we have got a lot to cover so let's get right to it but not before I thank you for your devotion to this space on the World Wide Web that is nearing it's 20th anniversary!! Perhaps I don't know when to quit ,or better yet, I still have lots to say?

Bluebirds....

Is there anyone who does not like bluebirds, one has to wonder? My guess is they are nearly as beloved as Northern Cardinals, wouldn't you think? Bruce and I were taking a Sunday afternoon walk in the glorious weather and I spotted this little one on a branch down below. With the aid of a zoom lens I was able to bring him quite close and I'm thinking he is young? So delicate looking and cooperative I might add.

The truth is, finding birds of late has been somewhat difficult, but if this is any indication of what comes next. I am in for some birding fun. Blue Jays, while prevalent are hard to photograph which is why I was delighted to spot this one out in the open.

I cannot resist birds on a feeder, however, it does feel pretty darn good to find them unexpectedly which is how I felt when I photographed this adorable bird while walking on the riverwalk.

It was a foggy walk, with little light ,so getting any shot was a win, but getting my first shot ever, actually first glimpse ever of a Scarlet Tanager, was so exciting. Before you go what the heck, this bird is not scarlet in anyone's imagination and that is because it is a female. Commonly, females look nothing like their male counterparts, as is the case with a host of other birds. One day I will get the male, or so I hope! 

I was in front of Sandy's house and I heard the familiar call of a hawk. Turning around to begin my search, it landed in a tree across the street. See if you can spot the friend in the tree. Actually, that bird was probably trying to shoo the hawk away as is also a common characteristic of birds.

This would be a red-tailed hawk unlike the red-shouldered hawks that I am more familiar with.

Wasn't that fun to get back to birds? Perhaps you do not share my enthusiasm which is why I had success as a photographer because I specialize in nothing. In part, because I can, but mostly because I like most everything. I'm pretty sure when I began taking photographs, flowers were a favorite because they usually  don't move, as well as being beautiful and varied. Lots of women for sure love flowers, so over the years, I have sold hundreds of shots of flowers. These days, of course, I take a different approach in that I never think twice about anything. Before I would wonder, is this something someone would buy? Now, it's what the heck....let's go!

This is exciting because it is the largest rose I've had on this new bush, very fragrant ,and likely the last of the season. 

So let us check in on our showstopper of a tree. Not much to see yet, but just you wait.

While we are still visiting Campbell Street, unexpectedly, Monday morning it was very cold so I said no to pickleball and yes to some work around the house. One task was gathering things to take to the thrift store; we still had a few things from the Vespasians that, while lovely, were not needed, so when Bruce returned from pickleball, we loaded up the goods and took them to Reach, a thrift store for battered and abused women. We have had some luck there with our needs, but on that day we left empty-handed. Along that same highway there are about four thrift stores so we pick and choose. Bruce decided to stop at the one for the homeless shelter although the two of us agreed our treasures from there have been few and far between. And that is what we were finding on that day until we ran into some friends and while talking I spotted something I thought would be a good fit for us. Not priced yet, the clerk came over and said we could have it for $30. SOLD! Fortunately Samantha and Robert were still there and helped get it into the Subaru. It was a little messy so after devising a way to get it from the car to the house, we cleaned it up a bit with soap and water on the front porch and cleaned the glass doors as well. Inside I was moving what we already had in that space.

We bought that at the downtown antique store and while it has been serviceable it has not been ideal because all of those glasses are exposed to dust! Another spot was just right for storage.

It fit perfectly and even a little better because it is narrower. What a find!

So what is this about building beds you are beginning to wonder. Will she ever get there? 

Well, yes she will! Hayesville here we come.

That view never gets old! 

Heading to the Hinton Center, this one was pretty sweet too.

 

You might note the sky is not Carolina Blue and nor was it ever during our three hours doing something we had never done before. 

The SHP on the trailer stands for sleep in heavenly peace. How great is that? 

As we arrived Bruce was asking the team leader what were the jobs that needed doing?

And that is how I ended up using a POWER TOOL for the first time in my life, albeit not a scary one! Sanding, they needed lots of people to use an electric palm sander and sand the lumber before it became a bed. It was so well organized and in the end there were plenty of volunteers of all ages.

This fellow was using the big mitre saw and I think he was showing me he had all of his fingers, but don't quote me on that.

Cobby and Diane were there.

Perhaps you are noticing folks in jackets and we wished that we were amongst them. Alas, we thought the sun was going to come out and warm us up, but this was a day when 45 felt like 45! I was wearing shorts, a short-sleeved shirt, and light jacket. You can imagine that I wished things were different. 

Something else you can probably imagine is that Bruce's talents were wasted on sanding and eventually he was moved to the big saw.

Freely admitting that I was not as enthusiastic about going as one would hope, this turned out to be one of the most rewarding volunteer projects that I can remember.

Speaking of volunteering, Grayson has moved, taking Bruce's role as a Big Brother with him. It's a long story but suffice it to say, we are sad.

On a more positive note, the drive home was so lovely. We spend so much time in town it is easy to forget how beautiful it is living here.

We stopped by the TVA recreation spot on Lake Chatuge and it was so pretty. Imagine in two weeks what this will look like!

The lake has been lowered for winter already, but it is still a wonderful place to visit.

Wouldn't you just hate to do a jigsaw puzzle of the above image ? 

Because it was so chilly we did not stay long at the roadside flowers but I thought you might enjoy seeing the setting and not just a flower with a grasshopper perched on top as was the case in my last post. 

Green beans are still producing and this batch is one that I blanched and froze for later use.

Those geraniums just keep on coming as well.

I imagine, though, for not too much longer. We were meant to have the first frost of the season and Bruce covered my garden, especially the herbs. But as is so often the case, it did not materialize in town but it was close. Good grief I nearly left out the hydrangeas that are so beautiful!! Why they waited so long to bloom is a mystery to me. I was beginning to be sad thinking they would never come, having been prolific in June typically but bloom they have and I dare to say with aplomb! 

And if you were hoping for some leaf photographs, hang on, it should not be much longer!!

your friend,

Gail