Where the moss grows

The rocks in the woods of North Carolina support the green life which also grows throughout the winter in Connecticut.  The same oak leaves cover the ground, though they may be 500 miles apart.  Only in NC however, will the Rhododendrons capture the sunlight as well.

Hello my familiar lake

Just as ducks and geese find this lovely setting, so I shall fly over nearby and again come home!
Visiting away is wonderful fun, but so is coming back where comfort is in the shape my shape is in.

Out into the woods again

My middle son and I went for a nice walk today...a few hundred miles from Black Mountain.  This son lives in Connecticut.  We haven't been away from the celebrations of the season much...which have all been held indoors so far.  It was in the 50s and sunny today, so we took a break.

Heublein Tower (I've always said High-bline) is on the side of a ridge overlooking the Farmington River Valley in Western Connecticut.  Go here for more info.  


The Talbot State Park has great trails that lead up from the highway to the tower.  A major parking challenge since there wasn't a parking lot open.

But I couldn't quite make it up to the Tower this trip. 

It was hard enough getting up the drive to the entrance, then the hill became steep.  We slowly climbed as younger people passed us by.

 But I was pleased to reach the ridge and walk along it for quite a ways.  It was fun, but I decided not to go the whole way this trip.

My altimeter on my iPhone said the ridge was at 850 feet, and the river level was around 250.  Of course the car drove up the mountain about 200 feet of height of that difference, so we probably hoofed it the rest of the 300 feet...and it sure felt like it.


I came home and took a nap!

Happy holidays

At my locally owned grocery (Ingles) I was greeted by the beauty of fresh flowers and produce from around the world.

I smiled at what a beautiful picture these folks provided as welcome to me and all their customers.

And I share this as my last picture for a while, since I'm again traveling out of town for a while.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas.  See you by the end of the year (I hope!)  

Quote for today:

Life is an opportunity given to satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul.

Pir-O-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan
Bowl of Saki

Long shadow day

This was taken at 2 pm, looking north on Flat Creek, in Montreat NC

The solstice means our earth is tilted at it's most severe angle from the sun, and it will give the illusion that it stops as it starts its tilt back the other direction.  That moment, when the earth stands still, is a miraculous time, I think.  If it isn't, it should be.

December Solstice in Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.A. is on
Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 6:03 PM EST

Twice a year our huge Gaia is oriented differently from the sun.  And this time is the longest night of the year, for Winter Solstice.  Pleasant dreams everyone!

Quote for today:

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Blessed Mother Teresa

Driving 'round the neighborhood

I have more of these blurry photos which prove my iPhone has limitations.  I'll try again if I feel like it with the Nikon.  Just caught a cold so am trying to minimize what I add to my necessary tasks.

Quote for today:

For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is to let it rain.   Henry Wadsworth Longfellow