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