It's Been a Minute

Walking down the stairs this morning I asked Bruce, have you ever thought how hard it was for the Pilgrims? I don't mean that it is now considered really bad form to displace the locals, I totally get that. In fact, on the pickleball court the other day, a friend got in a heated argument with a woman who yelled loudly, "I am from Murphy" meaning she can do what she wants. But, that's a story for another day. What I meant is like the whole boat trip, arriving on land that is so foreign, knowing almost nothing about how you will eat, have shelter, or care for your family. Elementary school children are taught a version of the story but after those years most of us never think much of it again.

To me it is unimaginable. How about you? 

Okey dokey then, let's talk about that title Gail. I think it is a  Georgia thing because three people I know who lived there a long time use it with frequency. Is it new to you? 

Certainly it is appropriate after this blog has sat fallow for nearly another two weeks. It is a good thing and a bad thing because while it means we have been busy, it also means I am not holding up my end of the bargain and that is to publish once a week. It must be an age thing, or at least that is a good excuse! My apologies.

And yes, we have been busy in spite of the heat which everyone knows I hate. Frequently I remind myself that it is far worse in Orlando and having hot temperatures and abundant sunshine helps all my flowers and plants to grow, and grow they have! The roses are growing, not blooming much yet, but I think that is to be expected as they acclimate. Seven tomatoes of various sizes are on one plant, while the other has about five. The cucumbers seem to have run out of steam, although I am not counting them out just yet. And the flowers, gosh it has been fun.

The spider lilies popped out of the ground last week, and of all things my hydrangeas are on their second round of blooming.  You don't have to take my word for it, here are said tomatoes.

The peppers were mostly a bust, but here are some fresh picked cucumbers to back up my claims.

Next year if you come across a "balloon plant" I suggest you purchase one because not only is the color wonderful, but those buds are so cool! Furthermore, when they are spent they feel like a balloon.

In house news, we are getting a shower in the downstairs bathroom. After 100 years it is happening, or nearly so.

You may be meeting Danny in this space in the next week or so. Visiting early one morning, he and Bruce conferred about how best to go about it. At $140/ hour, Bruce is cutting the plaster himself, and it is not really only about the expense, it is who is most qualified to cut into the wall!

In the photo above he is planning the special waterproof board that is to be installed there and then painted. Note the round hole where the handle will be. I have mixed feelings about this but he does not, so since he's doing the work, what can I say? He took me to the plumbers early Friday morning. It's been there, well it's been a minute! It is probably at least as old as our home.

Returning to Campbell Street, I've got a tip for you! My 80 year old friend Dottie mentioned, when we were talking about hard boiled eggs, that she shakes them in the pan once they are cooled. Good grief, it is magic!!

Perfection, right?

One day we went to look at a couple of campgrounds near the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Two of them were quite nice. Below, Mr. Bruce is taking note of the site numbers.

Most of three days were taken up with quilt making. In this instance, a baby quilt marked for the beginning quilting lines. I had that piece of alphabet fabric and did not want to cut it apart, thus the design.

I am obsessed with this view of the cornfields and mountains and can you blame me? 

Every single time we head towards Andrews I can't help taking a photo no matter the time of year. We were on our way to the Libers again, this time for a sleepover. David knew of a nearby fishing lake so because of the distance, it only made sense because they wanted to fish in the evening, and then again in  the early morning. 

And just when you thought it could not get any better out there, it did!

Before leaving the house though, Matthew called via FaceTime to wish us a happy anniversary and happy it was. 52 years and counting!! He told me that flowers were forthcoming and we are so glad that he mentioned it because, of course, we were on our way to our sleepover.  Immediately I called them and she agreed to postpone the delivery. Once home the next day, I called and she brought them over and oh my word, another winner! For a small town, our florist rocks!

The above turned out to be a perfect spot for them because that basket leaks a bit. With marble on the hearth, it works perfectly!

Firstly, the Liber's garden. Have I mentioned before  that it is like a Southern Living magazine come to life? It totally is.

While there are still butterflies, see previous post,  they are not nearly as plentiful, so let's look at waterfalls instead!!

While the fellas went out fishing, we walked along the river with their dog Ranger.

The music of a waterfall is magic, don't you think?

My goodness it is a heron and while we were watching it I thought it was a molting Great Blue Heron, turns out I was wrong and it is a Grey Heron, a bird I have never before seen!

Look who joined our party! I do so love coming across butterflies in the pure wild, enjoying the natural plants!Following our waterfall walk, we returned to their home and made a delicious lasagna and salad for our anniversary dinner in their spacious kitchen. Picture taking in very dim light rarely works and this night was no exception, however I did manage to get a shot of the wonderful lemon icebox pie she made especially for us using her Mom's recipe.

Just before sunrise, which by the way, are you noticing how much the light is changing? Anyway, they took off while we slept in a bit. Once we were up and about she suggested we go to Wayah Bald because I had never before been. I am including a link because there are photos on that site as well as more details. The day they took those photos was a wee bit clearer!

Nonetheless, I think you will enjoy mine as well because it shows it in a whole different light!  But first we had to get there and for sure it is a winding road, followed by a four mile gravel road to the top. And what is a bald you wonder? I did too! Turns out it is a summit unexpectedly devoid of trees. Now you know, let's go! Lake Nantahala along the way, the very same one we went boating on.

Before too much longer the TVA will lower the lake and it will look entirely different until the Spring. 

Into the forest we go, round and round.

My goodness, a structure!! 

 

Wilson Lick Ranger station, the first of its kind in the Nantahala forest. D'Anna has been coming to the area for years before moving here full time so she is quite familiar with the roads and landmarks, the above is one such landmark that tells you that the gravel road to the bald is nearing.

One minute it is wildflowers alongside the road,

and the next photo I took is of the weird trees and the summit in the distance.

I really could not get enough of the bald trees!

D'Anna is looking down 5,324 feet!

We stayed for a bit however, the clouds showed no sign of parting any time soon, thus our views to Georgia and Tennessee remained veiled.

More bald trees and by bald I mean bald; really smooth bark!

That is in contrast to our drive down the mountain

Are you, like me, trying to imagine this both in the fall and winter? 

This time I got a nice photo of the full breakfast we feasted on after our excursions. Bruce caught and released two fish for the first time in several years! David caught a couple as well.

Back on Campbell Street, you favorite blogger is asking everyone she knows to voice an opinion about a new color for the screen door, including the florist who delivered the flowers herself because her driver did not show up. 

Perhaps you have noticed that as the cooler weather approaches, projects are heating up in our sweet house. 

Three holes on this side of the wall and two on the bathroom side, all so perfect and let me tell you that is not easy through plaster. And now you understand why a man with a carpenter background would want to be the one with the saw in his hands! this area is all tidy now after nearly ten hours of work. Plumber up next!

The gold bowl in the late afternoon light! Remember the 50th anniversary present from Matt and Tom? Of course you don't!!

I am constantly taking photos of the light here because it just pleases me so.

Lastly,  we did an experiment recently to see if we could get used to something in the middle of the kitchen that we might use primarily as a landing pad. Although this was small, I could see something small in our future.

Of course that would mean more work for Bruce and is he up for so many projects you ask? Time will tell as it always does but if the past is any indicator, the answer is probably a yes! 

Hopefully it wont be a minute until we meet again!!

your friend,

Gail