I had a GREAT weekend !! The weather was perfect for outdoor work, and I love climbing all over these hills, so that's what I did. Plus, I did my other favorite outdoor activity, I transplanted trees. I have even been known to enlist my best friends in my tree planting fun,, Right Laverne? Actually Laverne, many of the trees you and I planted are doing very well, and I think of you when I see them. My motto. 'Plant a Tree, Live Forever! '
Anyway, I have many small Frasier Furs and White Pines that I planted years ago that have not done well where they were planted. Now that I understand the property and know what look I want, I have transplanted alot of them to better spots. The tree looses about a 1-2 years of growth after being re-planted, but I figure that since I am doing this for the future it doesn't matter. I believe that a piece of property like we have needs to be managed. We can have our wild areas, but an easy to mow and weed area is essential to us getting older and still being able to enjoy this place. Also, I am sure in the next several years that the old barn and house on the property above us will eventually fall down and so a line of evergreens there will help with the view. Always thinking ahead, I am not one to let 'things' happen to me, I will try to skew the outcome if I can...even against Mother Nature, a recurring and popular character here in my blogs.
The title of my Blog today was Big Sky. While I am carrying and climbing and digging all over the place ...the sky was vivid blue and the clouds wispy. I can not help but take in the vastness of the open sky above me, something that one never sees in a city or a neighborhood. It seems to go on forever and I marvel at the jet plumes that crisscross the sky. Almost like a patchwork quilt, or a grid, they are perfectly spaced, following each other in a timed manner, always on the same track. I think that the jets coming from the southwest, are from Atlanta heading for DC or NYC, and then there are those that are heading back to Atlanta on a slightly altered course. Some come from the northwest, Chicago maybe ? heading East... then there is one, exceptionally high above all the others going straight West..hummmmmm? I decide to lay back on the grass and let the Fall sun warm my face as I wonder where all those people are going.. Do they look down and wonder what the people on the ground below them are doing? We are all living our lives... one day at a time..the best we can.
I winterized my beloved front porch today, I brought in the rug and plants, the lanterns, and hummingbird feeder. All that stuff, along with the beloved family and friends who have visited, have added to my pleasurable front porch experience this year. I am already counting the days to the Spring when I can again drink my morning coffee while enjoying the antics of the Barn Swallows, and in the evening a glass of wine, ending the day as the setting sun spreads it's golden glow over our little piece of Heaven here in the Appalachian Mountains. If you have not experienced the Front Porch, please consider it, it's open for everyone.
I did say in my last Blog that I would be telling you about my quilts, I have not forgotten, It's just that this weekend was so wonderful, I had to be outside enjoying it, and not inside taking pictures of my quilts, But as in all life, most things come to past, we just have to wait for some of it. I love you . Please be careful . You are unique and precious to me. Sandi
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Grandfather Mountain
Hi everyone !!
It has been a while and my adoring fans have requested more Blogs...You must be out of your minds, or at least very bored ?!!! But i will try to accommodate your sick desires...
Where did October go ? It was here one minute, and then blew out the next ... The gusts here on the farm were at least 35mph and I know that the winds at Grandfather Mountain probably closed the swinging bridge. They don't need to lose any more unsuspecting tourists to the sudden gusts a mile up. There are alot of times during the winter that the sustained winds at Grandfather are Hurricane force. !! Hand gliding anyone !
The beautiful colored leaves that bedecked the farm trees, are essentially gone, the few that remain cling to the branches like lost lovers. It is sad when the once bountiful green trees are sparse and bare, but in uncovering the branches, a new stark beauty contrasts against the gray sky, signaling the coming of winter.
The white swans gather on the small dark pond, they stay close in a group, finding the place on the pond that gives them the most protection from the wind. They must remain on the water during the night, but they tire of the constant need to paddle. Their long necks tucked into their wings, trying to rest, they are at the mercy of the wind. But never fear, these swans are the lucky ones. Their needs are met by the two slaves who attend them morning, noon, and night. The two legged servants make sure their pond water is clean, their food abundant and safe from predators and their snacks,(bread) are delivered on time. Oh, to be a Swan on the Carter Farm!!
NEW !!! Be on the look out for a SWAN WEBSITE starting in January !!!!! NEW
Dudley and just returned from Allison's birthday celebration in Arkansas. We sure miss seeing her as often as we would like , but understand that her education is important to her. She is 26. It is very hard to believe that that many years has gone by since our beautiful little girl was born. She was suppose to be a boy you know, we had been told,,, well, as I have said before, you can't fool Mother Nature. ( Is Mother Nature God's Wife ?) What a huge gift to the World and to us Allison has been and will continue to be....Watch out ! She is coming !! While visiting, Allison and I single handily helped with the economic stimulus package by hitting the Mall in Fayetteville. Obama should write us a thank you note , but i doubt he will have time , with his datenights to Broadway and such. don't get me started about our President !!!
I still love my Kindergarten kids. Even if they gave me a germ. Yes, I got a cold, even tho I swath my hands in sanitizer every half hour at school. Why is it that kids don't seem to suffer as much as adults do when we are sick ??? I apologise to anyone that I gave my germ to. Allison and Dudley have already succumbed. But remember that I only give my BEST to the ones I love !!!
Halloween was uneventful here on the Farm. No Trick-or Treaters. Maybe the long dark driveway was alittle imposing ?? Or, maybe it was the sound of gunshots that Dudley delivered to the raccoon in the swan feeder, I held the light, and he aimed. I never thought in my life I would aid and abeit killing, but it seems to be a necessary consequence of farm life. Can we eliminate all the raccoons in the Appalachian Mountains ? Can we try ? Life choices.
My next few posts will be about my quilts. I hope to have a few pictures and stories about each one, I am only a beginner quilter, but the peace and satisfaction I have gained from this old past time greatly enriches my life. I hope to share with you so you will understand my new passion. Thanks for reading. None of this would be possible or important without YOU!! Sandi
It has been a while and my adoring fans have requested more Blogs...You must be out of your minds, or at least very bored ?!!! But i will try to accommodate your sick desires...
Where did October go ? It was here one minute, and then blew out the next ... The gusts here on the farm were at least 35mph and I know that the winds at Grandfather Mountain probably closed the swinging bridge. They don't need to lose any more unsuspecting tourists to the sudden gusts a mile up. There are alot of times during the winter that the sustained winds at Grandfather are Hurricane force. !! Hand gliding anyone !
The beautiful colored leaves that bedecked the farm trees, are essentially gone, the few that remain cling to the branches like lost lovers. It is sad when the once bountiful green trees are sparse and bare, but in uncovering the branches, a new stark beauty contrasts against the gray sky, signaling the coming of winter.
The white swans gather on the small dark pond, they stay close in a group, finding the place on the pond that gives them the most protection from the wind. They must remain on the water during the night, but they tire of the constant need to paddle. Their long necks tucked into their wings, trying to rest, they are at the mercy of the wind. But never fear, these swans are the lucky ones. Their needs are met by the two slaves who attend them morning, noon, and night. The two legged servants make sure their pond water is clean, their food abundant and safe from predators and their snacks,(bread) are delivered on time. Oh, to be a Swan on the Carter Farm!!
NEW !!! Be on the look out for a SWAN WEBSITE starting in January !!!!! NEW
Dudley and just returned from Allison's birthday celebration in Arkansas. We sure miss seeing her as often as we would like , but understand that her education is important to her. She is 26. It is very hard to believe that that many years has gone by since our beautiful little girl was born. She was suppose to be a boy you know, we had been told,,, well, as I have said before, you can't fool Mother Nature. ( Is Mother Nature God's Wife ?) What a huge gift to the World and to us Allison has been and will continue to be....Watch out ! She is coming !! While visiting, Allison and I single handily helped with the economic stimulus package by hitting the Mall in Fayetteville. Obama should write us a thank you note , but i doubt he will have time , with his datenights to Broadway and such. don't get me started about our President !!!
I still love my Kindergarten kids. Even if they gave me a germ. Yes, I got a cold, even tho I swath my hands in sanitizer every half hour at school. Why is it that kids don't seem to suffer as much as adults do when we are sick ??? I apologise to anyone that I gave my germ to. Allison and Dudley have already succumbed. But remember that I only give my BEST to the ones I love !!!
Halloween was uneventful here on the Farm. No Trick-or Treaters. Maybe the long dark driveway was alittle imposing ?? Or, maybe it was the sound of gunshots that Dudley delivered to the raccoon in the swan feeder, I held the light, and he aimed. I never thought in my life I would aid and abeit killing, but it seems to be a necessary consequence of farm life. Can we eliminate all the raccoons in the Appalachian Mountains ? Can we try ? Life choices.
My next few posts will be about my quilts. I hope to have a few pictures and stories about each one, I am only a beginner quilter, but the peace and satisfaction I have gained from this old past time greatly enriches my life. I hope to share with you so you will understand my new passion. Thanks for reading. None of this would be possible or important without YOU!! Sandi
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