A Little Bit Wild

A manicured life, that's what I would call all of our living before we came to the mountains.  There are very many areas in Florida that are not manicured, however, they are becoming fewer and fewer with the ensuing years. My family moved to Orlando in 1957 when I was four years old. Bruce's folks came a few years later when Bruce was six. So aside from a year in Canada, and one in California, Orlando was our stomping grounds. Having always lived in neighborhoods, most trees and plants were just that, planted.

And so, with this move, seeing wild things growing here, there, and everywhere, has been a real treat for us. While on the river walk yesterday, the wilder part, 

it struck me that along with all the other new things we are doing, we are also being exposed to much more wildness than ever before. I mean seeing ferns growing wild,

along with a super abundance of wild roses that while they are very fragrant, folks tell me they are invasive.

A constant source of change, between the clouds, trees, sky or water levels, the Valley river from the bridge near the playground. The annual wildflower show along the banks, is in full force, so I have learned to get out there when I can because it only last for a few weeks.

Florida is good and green, but buildings are replacing big swaths of nature there, whereas here, buildings are what are mostly few and far between. At this time of year it is green, green, and more green! I took the one below at the folk school gardens last week when I visited with Bill and Lisa while Bruce was with his little brother. 

Honestly, it was so pretty! There are innumerable shades of green in the scene below.

More from the folk school.

Earlier that same day we went to the local museum in order for Bill to see the "moon-eyed people", something he had seen on a television show. This article explains the mystery. 

We took an alternate route home and stumbled across a campground which is owned by a couple from our church. Ursala was kind enough to show us her pretty rooster, along with

the hens who came out from under the coop.

I still don't quite understand how a Jersey-girl ended up in Murphy, owning a campground, but they seem to be having a ball with plenty of plans for expansion. To the left of the coop are rabbits,

of which I think there were six. On Sunday, she told me that the day after our visit, one of them had eight babies! And now there are fourteen! 

We stopped by the river walk in order for me to show them what I am always raving about.  Bill is a kindred spirit in that he takes nearly as many photographs as I do!

While we were standing there a photo-op occurred roght below us that we were not expecting!!!

Speaking of their visit, on Wednesday we traveled to see the Fontana Dam, the tallest dam east of the Rockies. Since Bill and Bruce worked together in the early days of their construction careers, where concrete is involved, they are all in. Lisa was kind enough to be our chauffeur allowing us to sight see along the way. Lots of green to be sure. 

Look who's taking photographs, with a wall of green behind him!

And to think that only a month ago that wall of green was merely tree trunks! One last beautiful view.

Our next stop was for lunch at the Tapoco Lodge, reached by taking a very, very winding road along the river to get there. 102 curves or so the sign claimed. We drove by a MINI convention of sorts. Meet Bonnie, one of the only original MINIs there. 

We were quite near to the "Tail of the Dragon" a road with over 300 curves in an 11 mile stretch and these MINIs were gathered for a road rally on that. Super fun for this MINI lover.

The dam that Harrison Ford jumped off of in the film The Fugitive.

Sitting alongside the river for lunch is pretty darn special.

The food was fantastic and the grounds filled with blooming flowers, including the wild orange azaleas that are called "flame azaleas", mountain laurel and rhododendron.

We were the second stop on Bill and Lisa's road trip as they left Thursday morning to continue visiting friends along the way.

Soul Table happened the next day and the following evening we went to another art show featuring Anna Claire's terrific art work celebrating her Chinese heritage. John and Laura are so proud and rightly so.

Here's something else of note, a serious one that turned out okay! Big storms came through on Friday night, cancelling the scheduled "Spring Fling" slated for Saturday. Well, during a lull in the rain, David took the trash out. Within moments, a huge lightening bolt hit the ground about ten feet away from him; the force caused him to fall flat on his back on the wet ground. He was so stunned that it took moments before he came to, realizing he was being pelted by rain and he sought shelter in the house. The good news is that he survived to tell the tale of how that strike also knocked out their well for three days until professional help could come to their place. Can you even imagine how scary that was??? He claims he is just fine.

Last story, because time is running out. We are attending a band concert tonight where Grayson (little brother) will be playing an instrument. Bonus points because I will be meeting his grandmother who is his legal guardian.

So, last Mother's Day Matthew had three English roses sent from the North American breeder, David Austin Roses. located in Texas. Talking with him on FaceTime yesterday, we discussed how one of the roses had died last year and I mentioned that the third one was now pink when it was meant to be white.

Perhaps you saw it's neighbor in my last post? Maybe you missed it as it looks like many did. Anyway, he suggested I call for a replacement for the one that died as they are meant to have a five year warranty. Well, sure enough, the woman who answered the phone could not have been one bit nicer, and not just one, but two are slated to be coming my way in the next few weeks!! They are replacing the one you see above which actually opened today and is not only gorgeous, but smells heavenly! It has been so long since I've smelled a beautiful rose. Lots more buds so I will be in business for a while!

Isn't it so sweet and delicate unlike, and I promise this is the last photo, the peonies pictured below that I cut from Sandy's yard. Oh my word these blooms are huge, leaving me in flower heaven around here while I am awaiting my peonies to open.

Living on the "little bit wild side" is suiting us just fine.

your friend,

Gail