On the First Day of Autumn...

....it rained like crazy. Thanks be to God as it has been dry for far too long, or at least as far as I am concerned. 

Good news on two fronts: 

1. Everything is getting a great soaking as it has been raining for two hours straight.  

2. It means a cold front is behind all of this rain!!! Not a moment too soon my friends as it has been hot as, in the words of my late mother, blue blazes!

There are many things people appreciate about living in the mountains such as the beautiful trees, both green and in autumn, that blanket the slopes. Fog in the mountains for another. One of my favorite things is the sound of thunder booming and echoing in it's wake. There is just something about it feeling so solid which brings me happiness. 

 None of which I could have imagined when this happened in May of 2023. Re-reading that post, it would have been hard to believe the adventures that awaited us. And to think we bought a house!!

A house and grounds that are full of beauty and wonder daily. Discovering all that was in the gardens when we arrived and now flowers and vegetables, little mammals, birds, it's all been so thrilling. As I type, several sets of friends are discovering new places around the world, but this couple is still discovering what it is like to live in another state and environment so different than what we knew. Although we have plenty of squirrels where we come from,

I had never before seen a White Breasted Nuthatch in my life, let alone on our feeder.

In time all of these differences may not thrill me like they do now, but 3 1/2 years in, my enthusiasm is unabated!

Nasturtiams--just look at them!!

Zinnias, still blooming in spite of their coat of powdery mildew. Does this mean that there is still value in us old folks despite our changed appearance? I would say yes indeed.

Talk about a very hungry caterpillar!  In the link there is a great interview with Eric Carle should you be interested. Parents around the world have read that book to their children for decades, including this parent.

Our caterpillar above is not nearly as colorful as the one in the book, but just think of the possibility it presents!

Okra, one of those plants that is really a flower botanically, however, most eaten as a vegetable, which is how we do things around here. For decades I did not recognize its' value, however I most certainly have learned the error of my ways. Plus, look at the simplicity of this delicate flower and try to imagine how it turns into an okra pod. Astonishing! And again I say astonishing.

Oh, let's talk about cutting back plants again. A practice I cannot recommend often enough. These prolific blooms are the result of a severe trimming of my petunias about a month ago. I know how hard it is to cut off perfectly good flowers and foliage, but trust me on this, it pays big future dividends. 

Winding up the plant portion of this post, very early on in my photography obsession, I photographed a bee on a rose at the gardens on the campus of Rollins College in Winter Park where Bill and David earned their economic degrees. Volunteering at the Albin Polasek museum just down the street, I would often stop at Rollins on my way home from there. I was SO proud of that photo. I mean seriously I thought it was remarkable as did Bruce who has always been my biggest cheerleader;  but you knew that already didn't you? Using my first digital camera, one that fit in my pocket, I could not get enough of taking photographs. Oh wait, that is still happening isn't it? 

Back then, however, I was one of the few people that carried a camera everywhere I went, photographing anything that interested me because it was free!! In 2026, bee flowers are a dime a dozen because EVERYONE has a camera in their pocket.  Yet, here I am still photographing bees and am thrilled each and every time one turns out well.

Bruce is upstairs preparing to visit Grayson at the middle school. After a bit of an uneven summer, things are clicking again. No longer on the soccer team, he joined the JV football team which means we like to support him in his efforts by attending his games. Honestly, sitting in the HOT sun is never my preference and let me tell you it was hot. So hot, that the game was moved to an hour later. 

Your favorite blogger convinced her better half to sit on the visitors side until such time that the sun went down. Our view of the Murphy crowd.

Sitting amongst the visitors, I was very impressed with their turnout because they were from Burnsville, a town three HOURS away!! The game began at 7 PM, so while it was great for being cooler, by the time the game finished at 9pm, well you can do the math.

I am trying to understand if these are the modern version of what we called "hot pants"? 

You know how we like to sit near the cheerleaders allowing us to applaud their efforts.

Football is a way of life here and Murphy has had their share of successes over the years.

This game was no exception because Murphy continued putting up points whereas the other team that had a great start ended up being smothered by the Bulldogs. Grayson went in late in the game, which was great seeing as how he is a new member of the team. 

Not only did Murphy win, but there were beautiful sunset clouds as a bonus.

A few days earlier Hank came over for dinner and although I had no cake because it was somewhat impromptu, we did wish him a happy 85th birthday! 

One of the facts that I am recording in my notebook, aside from the daily temperature and bird calls ,has been the times of the sunrise/sunset.  Never before in my life have I paid much attention to that sort of thing, but now I am, and I have been wondering how close those two times would be on the Autumn Equinox.  Here's the answer:  Sunrise: 7:24AM, Sunset: 7:32 PM. I will let you know when and if they become even closer together. Citizen science folks. 😉

On Friday we took a little trip to Dahlonega, a town in Georgia about sixty miles away although it takes more than an hour to get there due to the winding roads. Actually, picking the straightest route, it took a little longer but was more palatable, and it turned out to be very scenic!! Along the way we stopped at Amicalola Falls State Park. Talk about dreams, I had to take this photo of Bruce because he once dreamed of walking the AT. 

We had a choice of walking to see the falls or driving above the falls. We chose the latter. 

Presented with another choice, we declined. And what would that be you ask? Walk down 432 steps to the bottom of the falls only to have to retrace your steps. No thanks!! 

Actually two brave souls told us as they were recovering from their climb back up, that about 212 steps down is a great view. Maybe next time? 

We had lunch in the town and did a small amount of roaming and I mean small. We did the general store where Bruce shook hands with Uncle Sam.

He popped upstairs to see the handmade guitars,

because our son Bill has recently been so involved with designing guitars. There was far more to see, however we had promised to meet up with Jessie and Michelle so back to Murphy we went, driving through Ellijay and Blue Ridge on our return journey. No leaves changing yet, but it won't be long now. Along that route there are many apple farms with roadside stores, as well as an amazing pumpkin patch that we did not have time to visit so hopefully that sort of trip will be in our future plans. 

Lastly, I am still seeing hummingbirds and I lost my credit card for the first time in my life. 

As one would expect, I will be glad to get my new card, and sad to not see any hummingbirds for months and months!

This view will be our barometer as the days shorten and the green turns to gold. And yes, we are grateful for the encouragement from our family and the beauty that surrounds us as we learn the ways of living with seasons.

your friend,

Gail

Not Enough Superlatives in My Vocabulary

I'm here to tell you that, for once, I'm nearly speechless when it comes to describing the past six days. Amazing, surreal, fantastic, wonderful, humbling, awe struck....and the list goes on. As is my custom, I'll do my best to take you along for the ride.

Leaving the house Wednesday morning at 5:30, we were both excited and anxious for our upcoming adventure. Thankfully we did not have to wait long as we'd booked a non stop flight on Southwest that put us into Nashville at 8:45CT in the morning. It was raining pretty hard, prompting all the nice folks at the airport to wish us safe travels. We needed it!

I never could get the photo I wanted along the drive, but the clouds were seriously fantastic; it was a big sky kind of day. The trip to Paducah, our destination is about 130 miles but, of course, that distance always feels much longer in pouring rain. Bruce was a trooper, stopping at the Kentucky line so I could get a photograph. Mistake on my part because my hair did not look its best for meeting folks after getting wet!

Eventually, the rain stopped, and not a moment too soon for our liking. Crossing the Tennessee River, it began to dry out.

One thing in our favor was the absence of significant traffic. Then too, the roads are good--another plus. By now I was getting texts from Hilary, our long lost cousin, asking where we were and hurry up and get there! As a side note, we did stop for Bruce to stretch his legs, and of all places, we pulled into a little shopping plaza with a sewing shop! I bought some fat quarters (quilting lingo) to never forget our trip. Don't know what I'll make just yet, but the pieces are seriously cute. I guess it was during our stop that Hilary called again, this time giving us, well Bruce, specific instructions on how to get to their home. Pulling into the driveway thirty minutes later, they met us at the door with hugs and warm greetings.

Not for a moment did they make us feel like interlopers! In fact, after much excitement and sharing of photographs, Ginnie served us lunch--homemade cream of potato soup, Kentucky bar-b-que ham sandwiches, home grown tomatoes, and topping it off, a homemade coconut cream pie! Delicious does not describe it adequately!

Did I mention their humongous house looks like it is straight out of Southern Living? Yup, it does.

During our lunch, Hilary narrated family history, both good and bad. People have asked why in the world would we go there and the answer is, I felt driven to learn more about, as Bruce and Hilary describe it, "my people." Well, they are Pat and Maureen, Lisa, Nancy and Carol's people too so now I can share what I learned during our time with Hilary. I believe I linked, in my last post, to the article about Hilary's gardening prowess and here is just a part of his garden below.

Every single plant is encased in netting to keep out feathered friends, or in this case, enemies. He grows a purple bean that once cooked becomes green. Here he is after showing it to Bruce.

I sure hope we are as vigorous as Hilary when we are 82! Over the phone I thought he sounded spry, and now I know my hunch was more than true. As to the garden, he has the one behind his home, as well as another 3/4 acre lot adjacent to his home for growing all those vegetables. Tomatoes are his first love; he cans 200 pints every year so as to be able to eat one every day for lunch all winter long! Plus he drinks tomato juice every morning. His secret for good health? Maybe.

Following lunch and more show and tell, we piled into Ginnie's car for a tour of the area. Hardly a street we went on did not have a building built by Hilary's son Kenny. I believe he'd be my second cousin once removed? Down Broadway to the river front, we saw the amazing murals on the flood walls depicting the history of Paducah.

Honestly, they are so well done, I wish I'd taken more shots of them. The river you see is the Ohio just after the junction of both the Ohio and Tennessee rivers which you'll see more of in my next post. The sunlight made it all look very dramatic. Yup, the sun finally came out.

The flood walls were put in place following the devastating flood in 1937 pictured in this link. I read that at the time it was the largest natural disaster in America. Downtown there are still reminders of that fateful event.

Downtown Paducah also has an area where artists both work and reside in homes purchased from the city for $1. You read that right--one dollar! Here's a story from NPR on the subject. Following the downtown tour we headed to the "mall" area where we saw mostly the same stores as we find at home. A park has this interesting sculpture made from a log.

It is really remarkable--here's the explanation:

Somehow during our conversation Ginnie asked me about what I do, and before long I mentioned that I was fortunate enough to have an art publisher...one thing led to another and we were all marching into Hobby Lobby in order for them to see my stuff. Can you say weird?

Another of Hilary's sons is an orthopedic surgeon, following in his Dad's footsteps. Here is his barn from afar.

As well we saw Ginnie's daughter Melissa's beautiful home. Here's the scoop....Hilary married Ginnie's sister back in the 50's when he was in his early twenties. They lived happily ever after, producing five children, until such time as she had ovarian cancer, dying at around 60 years old. Coming from a family of seven or eight children, she had sisters, and plenty of them, one of whom is Ginnie, a recently divorced mother of three children. The rest is history and they have been together for the last 22 years. To say she is a gem is an understatement.

It gets dark mighty early in Western Kentucky, as in around 4:30 in the afternoon. Once back at their home, we shared some stories and wine, then B and I decided we might just better find our bed & breakfast in downtown Paducah before returning to meet them for dinner at their country club. It gets dark early, and is it ever DARK. That may sound like an exaggeration, but trust me, it is not. The Paducah Bed and Breakfast needs a much more lit sign for those trying to find it!

We put our bags away, met the family, three of whom were wearing Ted Cruz buttons which seemed a little premature, but I later learned they are quite passionate in their beliefs. Back to our cousin's home, on to the country club, where everyone seems to know everyone, we shared a nice meal together. While we were eating a fellow stopped at the table and Hilary introduced us, saying I was his long lost cousin, and in fact, I also was related to said gentleman standing beside our table. I think in a round about way I may very well be related to Ginnie as well. Growing up we thought we had no relatives, however, turns out, that was anything but the truth!

Returning to their home, we were in for quite a treat. Throughout the day we learned that Hilary, growing up poor, learned to do just about anything to survive. This includes, but is not limited to, making a quilt top when he was 11, which Ginnie put on display.

Then, back to the family room where Hilary entertained us with both the harmonica,

train songs, and poetry. In fact he recited a poem with about 40 stanzas. As you can imagine, we were pretty much speechless! He gave me a book on the history of Fancy Farm, and two old photographs showing both my great grandparents, and my grandmother as a child and a teenager. Astonishing! I can't remember if it was that night or the next that we watched some old movies, where I once again, saw my great grandmother.

I know I've used the word already, but it is necessary to say it again--we left there overwhelmed! As well, we needed a good night's sleep before going back in the morning for some touring. Hilary is an early riser!

Driving through the dark, the nine miles back to the bed and breakfast, we fell into bed. Marveling all the while, I might add.

Still in shock,

Gail

Drama in the Skies

Yesterday, about three in the afternoon, I ran up to Ace Hardware to pick up some salt for the pool and just when I got there, the rains came pouring down. No surprise there as it's been going on for several months now, so much so that the Sentinel ran a story about how sinkholes are possible because of our saturated ground. In fact a huge one opened in Groveland just the other day.  I decided to set my camera to the super dramatic setting, and here's what that looks like.

Pretty neat, right? There is water everywhere, including in some front yards I ride past like this one in Harbor Island.

Ours doesn't look like that, thank God, but I am anxiously awaiting the day when I can mow dry grass rather than wet! The forecast looks like that will not be anytime soon.

At least today has been dry up till now, which is most welcome. It rains when it is gray, and even sometimes when the sun is out. Here the sun was out, but I knew it would be any minute and the rain, thunder and lightening would begin.

BTW--that is not on the dramatic setting! Pretty much, days like these make you want to stay home if you are lucky enough not to have a job. I amuse myself by taking photos around the house. I've collected these feathers from our yard.

Quite a few years ago a fellow told me he was looking for an image with red and black for his bedroom. Well, he never came back, but I was lucky enough to have sold the image I made for him, multiple times. It was a red hibiscus on black and white polka dotted paper. I decided to flip the paper over for this one, and although it is a red hibiscus, it is a single, rather than the double I used before.

Although I had only just picked it from my bush it had some weary edges which I quite like. Nothing too perfect for this girl.

The other day I was riding past a big pile of sand at the corner of Pershing and Ferncreek. Months ago, I happened to be driving home when I witnessed an accident at this corner with one of the cars plowing into the wall that protects the Southern Oaks residents from the rest of us. (just kidding!) Now, months later, the wall is fixed, and I suppose the contractor did not clean up his mess. I was digging around in my art supplies for something when I came across a pack of party umbrellas Mary gave me some time ago. Perfect!! A little bit of color for the cars going through the intersection?

Unfortunately, later that day it poured and poured. Riding over to Sue's house to check on her kitchen remodel, it looked like this:

Oddly enough the green umbrella was nowhere to be found, along with a diminished sand pile. For the record, I cleaned up my mess. :) I do hope it brought a smile to someones' face.

So, how is the kitchen remodel going? Slowly. That said, the cabinets are in!

The front wall used to have hanging cabinets, and in fact it was all closed in. That's a brand new window as well. Sue is pinching herself every time she looks out through that opening!

When next you visit London, and I know some of you will, think about this when you are roaming around. The skill with which these maps are done is incredible! Speaking of WWII, I've just finished a charming book on the subject, called Crooked Heart. Here's an interview Scott Simon does with the author, Lissa Evans. Just when you think you have read every novel that could possibly be written on the subject, along comes this one. Did I say it was charming? It is. Poignant as well.

Well, what with those afternoon storms yesterday you didn't expect that the evening skies would be any less dramatic did you? Baxter and I took a stroll down to the lake and before we even got there, I was seriously impressed.

Give me some good sun rays and I'm a happy camper. You may be wondering about the spot where I go, and if so here's the scoop. When we bought this house, 20 years ago next month (!!!), one of the determining factors was the lake lot seven house down, set aside for the residents to share. Nothing fancy, but enough so that if Bruce wants to take his kayak out ,he has a handy place to do so. Of course, back then it was a canoe, but you get my drift. As we walked home, I noticed the sky coloring in the east, and sure enough, it was pretty dramatic in the back yard when we arrived. I can't remember the sunset ever reflecting in the pool before, but then again, my memory is poor. Thus, a blog to jog said memory!

It looks like it is going to be a long week again, but just when I think about whining, I remember how lucky I am. I even saw my eagle the other day. How many people do you think saw an eagle on the same day as I did? Probably not very many.

Today I soared ,and I hope you did too!

Dear God,

Around here we are most grateful for your bounty, showering us each day with water. That said, it seems as if it is time to turn your attention to California. We would be more than happy to share if you see fit.

Amen,

Gail