Happy Easter

This little Humpty Dumpty Jar wished some grandchildren a Happy Easter, full of jelly beans.

You probably have noticed that I'm a potter by now.  That's the Alchemy of Clay blog, which you can click on over on the right.

I post most everything I make there.

The original Goose Neck

A Canada Goose in the shallows of Lake Tomahawk

Did you know a goose neck could do that?

Yes it's all about preening

Ah, now I'm fit for my mate!

A contribution to Weekend Reflections.
 Come see the photos from all over the world!

Looking Glass Falls

Pink Thursday redbuds

The Lakeview center seen through Redbuds, 2012

This is wishful thinking for 2013 spring...since we've got colder weather this week, and no trees budding yet.  

Snow has fallen intermittently for 3 days, and only one night did it dust the car, and melted in an hour from this picture (March 26, 2013).

When the Wind Blows (second try)

Removing the wood that falls when winds are high, here on Montreat Rd. (and fortunately it didn't hurt the wires overhead!)

This got posted by mistake last week, removed by blogger, and here it is finally on second try!

"I have learned not to worry about love; but to honor its coming with all my heart."   Alice Walker

The little brown church across the road

Walk across Montreat Rd. from Beech St. to my church, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley 

Holiday Wreathes were still up when this sunbeam-blessed photo was taken.

Chimney Rock

Parking below Chimney Rock (with rennovations, it may look different this year!)

What movie used Chimney Rock as a location?

Answer: Last of the Mohicans.

Cherry Street

Holiday decorations on Cherry Street, Black Mountain, 2012

Notice everyone in shirt sleeves.  Both December and January this year had lots of warm weather, interspersed with freezing.  But no snow to speak of.

Sailing on the Lake

A model yacht on Lake Tomahawk recently.

The yachtsman enjoyed showing his skills to those watching from the shore, where he also stood with the control mechanism.

A few "oooo's" came out when he bent the yacht into the wind this far.  But it didn't sink.

I'm submitting this post to Weekend Reflections.  Come over to see other photos from around the world!

Apologies to my followers who might have found 3 postings this morning.  When I was sick a few weeks ago, I scheduled a bunch of blogs in advance.  Some of them ended up duplicated on the same date...so they are now scheduled again in the future.

Little Red Post Office

Post Office, Montreat, NC

Old yellow moon

Spring Equinox moon, 2011

It won't be full for a week, the moon, that is.  This year spring is lagging behind, while last year (2012) it was at least a week earlier, according to blossoming trees anyway.  The tilt of the earth may say it's spring, but the things growing upon her breast, they are a bit more wary this season.

Spring Equinox ducks

Pair of ducks on Spring Equinox, 2011. I used to call these Wood Ducks, but stand corrected because there is now a photo identification posted at Lake Tomahawk.  This is the Mandarin Duck!  

“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been..” ~Mark Twain

Cemetery

Veterans Cemetery, Swannanoa, NC

I know several people who have been buried here.  I like the slope with the sun always shining on it.

But it is a little dull as far as tombstones go.   If you're like me and like to look at the artistic carvings in stone.


"If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life."   Rachel Carson

Lake Lure

Lake Lure, as seen from Chimney Rock outlook

It is not a question of whether you "have what it takes," but of whether you take the gifts you have -- they are plenteous -- and share them with all the world.        Neale Donald Walsch

Just next door

Cherry Street Kids has great gift ideas but it's not a big box store

If you like fiber arts, Nice Threads is down a flight of stairs and has great one-of-a kind designer clothes...as well as classes in weaving, etc.

Everything a tourist could want, and then some.

Because store front windows reflect what's going on across the street, I'm submitting this to Weekend Reflections meme here.
 Come over to see other photos of reflections and comment on them. 

The store at Montreat

Spillway from dam at Lake Susan, next to Ten Thousand Villages store, Montreat College, flowing back into Flat Creek

Pink to not be shy about

Azaleas, taken 2009

Maybe to be forsythia (updated)

Surely early purple somethings, as well as daffodil, but what is that branch with yellow buds?  I spy forsythia!

I cut some and brought it inside to force it to bloom.

Right after cutting...

24 hours later

Ta da!  Just 48 hours inside and we have blooms!

Hospital

Black Mountain Neuro Medical Treatment Center



For those with developmental disabilities and Alzheimers Disease, a place that caring treatment is provided.  Do you know how many mentally ill people you know?  I bet it's more than your first guess.

 

Pink Macro spring

Beautiful pink blossom (can't think of the name right now, do you know it?)

"Every mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it can be recalled and perhaps remedied." Pearl S. Buck

This is my Monday Macro Monday Macro submission for this week.

Yellow Sunday

Forsythia blossoms, spring 2010

Today's Quote:

"I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues."  

 Duke Ellington

Quarry

Entrance gate to Grove Stone Quarry on Old US 70.  The Swannanoa River runs right downstream from this quarry, so I dare say local environmentalists keep an eye out for any contamination.  It sends various trucks full of gravel out into the area to help construction.  The actual mining takes place up the road a ways, on the side of one of our sweet Black Mountains.

 Quote for the Day:

"A harmonized mind produces harmony in this world of seeming discord."

Paramahansa Yogananda

VA Hospital

The Veterans Hospital of Asheville, NC

Many people know of this hospital from around the world.  When I was about to move to Black Mountain from Tampa, FL, I heard that a woman's husband had been treated here  many years ago.  People don't forget where they receive good care.


I'm submitting this to Friday Fences this week.  Come on over to see other interesting fences that are depicted.


Quote of the Day:
"May all find simplicity the joyous and practical guide."  Buddhist Text 

Greenway Black Mountain

Looking south along walking/wheeling Greenway towards town of Black Mountain...just past the evergreens you'll discover Flat Creek accompanies you the whole way.  It is only just begun, and many folks hope it's extended in both directions!

Wordless Wednesday

botanist 1794

In front of one of our favorite coffee shops in Black Mountain, is a historic marker.  I doubt that anyone ever hears about Andre' Michaux in their education other than this sign.


"Laughter is inner jogging."  Norman Cousins

White blossoms macro

Spring 2010 blossoms


Quote of the Day


“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”  John Burroughs

This post is being submitted to Macro Monday HERE.

White Sunday white water

Spring 2010 near Franklin and Highlands, NC

"To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else."  Emily Dickinson

College campus

Lake Susan at Montreat College

Congrats to the meme "mytownshootout" which just became 4 years old.  I'm sending this as my contribution, and I have only sent one other posting, so I know very little about it yet.  But it looks interesting, and I love sharing my town, Black Mountain, and the next town up the road, Montreat, NC.

 

"Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life."

Rachel Carson

An inviting gateway

Entrance gateway to Montreat, NC on Highway 9, at Christmas time.  
This post is being shared at Friday Fences.

"Not one single atom opposes us."

Zen Master Hongzhi