Happy Mother's Day!

I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.
--Mitch Albom (b.1958) author. 

appreciation

I believe that appreciation is a holy thing, that when we look for what's best in the person we happen to be with at the moment, we're doing what God does; so in appreciating our neighbor, we're participating in something truly sacred.
--Fred Rogers (1928-2003) TV personality, minister, author.


Above: Lower Higgins Creek Falls, directions here.

Mother's Day

Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends — but only one mother in the whole world. 

--Kate Douglas Wiggin (1856-1923) American educator and author.

Happy Mother's Day! Love you, Mom!

precious gift

The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.
--Thich Nhat Hanh (b.1926) Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher and author.

forward together

I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light. 
--Helen Keller (1880-1968) American Author.

Above: Beauty Spot sunset.

Remembering Sadie

What we have once enjoyed 
we can never lose;

All that we love deeply,
 becomes a part of us.
 
--Helen Keller (1880-1968) American Author and Educator. 

My thoughts and prayers are with my friend Lee who said goodbye to her precious Sadie last night. You wouldn't know it to look at her, but Sadie was rough and tumble. She never took the trail, she made her own path -- scurrying into the woods, zig-zagging her way back across the path down the ravine, back up the cliff -- she was fearless. More Jeep than Cocker Spaniel, she loved an adventure and was always wanting to explore. As she grew older, her mind still said 'let's go' long after she was physically able to continue her quests. All along she was a loving companion with a big heart -- and such a blessing to Lee, who gave her a wonderful, adventure-filled life.

when it's really needed

Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it. 
--Swedish Proverb. 

Above: Big Creek Falls, a small roadside waterfall found in Yancey County, NC near the NC/TN border. Directions here.

a true friend

A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; 
feels your fears but fortifies your faith; 
sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; 
recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.
--William Arthur Ward (1921-1994) American author, pastor and teacher

warmth and richness

Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring. 
--Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish Poet, Novelist, Dramatist and Critic.

fountain of gladness

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles. 
--Washington Irving (1783-1859) American Writer 

Above:  "Lady of the Fountain" in downtown Johnson City, TN. This is a bronze replica of the original that stood in Fountain Square for many years. Click here for more information and historic photos.

chameleons

We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us. 
--John Locke (1632-1704) English philosopher. 

Above: Another look at some early autumn colors along Watauga Lake.

hearts and home

Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.
--Oliver Wendell Holmes 

Went out for a short hike with "Blue" on the Appalachian Trail. It was as if we hiked back in time to March -- 60 degrees down below and in the 40s up on Unaka Mountain. We hiked about 3 miles roundtrip and in that short span came across ten thru-hikers on their way to Maine. It was fun talking to them about their hike so far and the beauty that lies ahead -- especially the Roan and Grayson Highlands. 

friendship

The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship. 
--William Blake (1757-1827) English Poet. 

A great blue heron in its nest near Fort Patrick Henry Dam, Kingsport, TN. This nest is one of perhaps more than a dozen that I saw in this particular area. Here's your fun fact for the day: These colonies of nests are called a "rookery".

give and take

Impart as much as you can of your spiritual being to those who are on the road with you, and accept as something precious what comes back to you from them. 
--Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) German theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician.

the greatest gift

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.
--Jim Valvano (1946-1993) American college basketball coach. 

Above: Tim and his daughter Hannah out for a stroll on the Kingsport Greenbelt. 

country life

I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world.
--Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman

Above: A farm near Hampton, TN.

brightened path

We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own.
--Ben Sweetland, author

Happy Mother's Day!

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
--Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) 16th US President.

rekindlers

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
--Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) German medical Missionary, Theologian, Musician and Philosopher. 1952 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient. 

Okay, so I like to think I'm a fairly observant person. I walk my dog on the trails in the woods surrounding my house morning, noon and night. It's probably a safe bet that I walk around my property more in a month than most people do in a year.  After living here six years (and owning a well-used macro lens, I might add) I thought I had explored and discovered  all there was on my 2+ acres of Appalachia. I was astonished today when I realized I have numerous bubby bushes in my woods. Now I know this isn't earth shattering news to anyone, but it made me smile today to realize that the place I know so well still holds secrets.

This bush has many names: Sweet Shrub, Sweet Betsy, Carolina Allspice, but most commonly around this area I hear it called Bubby Bush. It is known for its fragrant blossoms which smell like a mix of cinnamon, strawberry, and allspice.

Go out. Explore. Rekindle.  :)

burst into flame

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. 
--Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)  German humanitarian, theologian, missionary. 

A view of Rough Ridge and the Blue Ridge Parkway.