tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24638572666757434022024-02-20T08:14:51.882-08:00On the RoanLinda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-28411445637009386722017-02-25T11:48:00.000-08:002017-03-03T05:59:46.644-08:00The Comeuppance<div>
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If there is one thing my Tony and I have accomplished since living up here in our old log cabin in the foothills of Roan Mountain, Tennessee it's finding where the best food is served up. Ferreting out the 'Mom and Pop' eateries has expanded our geographical boundaries as well as our waistlines. The result of our culinary forays is the discovery there is no better country cooking in this neck of the woods than you will find in Carter County.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of our favorite eateries is Laurel Fork Restaurant in Hampton, Tennessee. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It just so happens it was also there I had a once-in-a-lifetime memorable experience.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">One day at lunch while sitting in a booth savoring the restaurant's daily special, their to-die-for baked chicken breast, my two chosen sides of homemade mashed potatoes with brown gravy, green beans and a hot hoe cake, the door opened, and an elderly couple shuffled in.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As they made their way to a table near me, they reminded me of my Grandma Minnie and Papa Hunter, in particular, because of the swaddling of excess clothing, overkill for the unseasonably warm day outside. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I smiled as they passed but there was no response.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">When the waitress approached with menus, the old gentleman waved them away as if he had ordered this meal many times before. He wanted iced water for two, one grilled cheese sandwich sliced in half, one house salad, two ranch dressings and an extra plate. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was trying my best not to be nosy, but I was struck by the meal they had ordered. The austerity of the couple's clothing was another reason I had thought of my grandparents. Was this all they could afford?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">When their meal came, the gentleman took half of the sandwich and placed it on the extra plate, split the salad and dressing and then slid the plate across to the woman I assumed was his wife.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My heart cracked a bit.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Had they eaten breakfast? Would this be their only meal of the day? Would I be out of line to approach and ask if I could have the honor of having a meal prepared for them to take home? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My better half has always told me I should mind my own business; one day, he has said repeatedly, you will get your comeuppance. Still, I could not help but fret over them.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then the man began to eat. I noted though the woman just stared down at her plate. I thought she might be saying a silent blessing, yet she continued to either gaze at her plate or look up occasionally at the man. There had not been one word spoken between them since they arrived. Why wasn't she eating? For the next few minutes, I discreetly glanced at them as I tried to swallow my lunch over the lump in my throat.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I could not endure the situation anymore. Brushing aside my husband's admonitions, I got up and walked over to the couple and kneeled down beside the little lady's chair.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">"Are you okay?" I gently asked. "I couldn't help but notice you are not eating your food and it is getting cold. What are you waiting for ma'am"?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Looking me square in the eye and with a sharp tone she replied, "His teeth."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WeQpySI9bCLHEcmdmfQV5FSdHEivUD4Val0pfAi7MM5wT1Jl5Wm3Ehj3TeiFfn19MJyMJpIK3njw2AMEJuWP5CMZDlSBGjPl-RD9CVzQQgUJkSPbS4t6oFAlv0XlOEoUG1RPcs-Ik0w/s1600/ivy+strand+cropped.PNG" /> </div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Folks, if you are ever over in Carter County, you may want to stop at Laurel Fork Restaurant located at 201 Highway 321, Hampton, Tennessee. 37658 (423-725-2091.) When you feel the hankering for a wonderful home cooked meal, take Hwy. 19E from Elizabethton toward Roan Mountain, TN. When you get to the intersection in Hampton take a left at the light onto Hwy. 321 and Laurel is located up on the left.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8f4p6LR9gM1QywwYVzSI9jtfGCz61RcenwdRZqttT3FrjYw1A6sJ214EeL56DEsxVP6Sm9e6EozglKfwRyxXN3t8jz-77GhLi7kwUmIvGxu4AW0c5nRkT7J9fUnbnZ9Vt8IwCdpK09U/s1600/IMG_4186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8f4p6LR9gM1QywwYVzSI9jtfGCz61RcenwdRZqttT3FrjYw1A6sJ214EeL56DEsxVP6Sm9e6EozglKfwRyxXN3t8jz-77GhLi7kwUmIvGxu4AW0c5nRkT7J9fUnbnZ9Vt8IwCdpK09U/s400/IMG_4186.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Owner Lisa Qualls and her excellent staff will greet you like family, and the service is outstanding. The most surprising detail is the menu prices that are more than reasonable. You can buy a plate lunch at the restaurant for about the same amount as a meal at McDonald's.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Laurel Fork is homey and comfortable. Heck, I have gone there straight from the barn dressed in cut-off jeans, an old tee shirt, and cowboy boots and even once wore my pajama bottoms with a sweatshirt. The restaurant is open seven days a week with a special plate lunch served daily. You can also order from the menu chock full of tasty stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMs227KFCmb0Az3WnzDJXMygohWDKWIFjPQRAFdKuBmvoiH9z8sWX8bIhEwJNWlWjuMGgGgajvyfJi-7YA-EKPe7AgyxkaNT7OzmHRqjbpS0eY0G3dmcIlLRHAKxR9sYY2oBppv7WV24/s1600/IMG_4179.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMs227KFCmb0Az3WnzDJXMygohWDKWIFjPQRAFdKuBmvoiH9z8sWX8bIhEwJNWlWjuMGgGgajvyfJi-7YA-EKPe7AgyxkaNT7OzmHRqjbpS0eY0G3dmcIlLRHAKxR9sYY2oBppv7WV24/s400/IMG_4179.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lisa considers her customers part of her family. Tony and I adore her.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">My hubby and I eat breakfast there often, and the homemade biscuits and gravy are described by Tony, who happens to be an expert in this field, declaring between bites, "Awe man, this can't get any better, Linda." When not ordering the B & G, I routinely order an omelet. Why? Simple. Because the omelets there are the best I have ever eaten anywhere in my lifetime. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday's Lisa always serves up her famous Chicken and Dumplings Dinner. I have always wondered if the preachers in the area have time to get through the altar call before the stampede begins toward Laurel Fork Restaurant. If you don't get there early, you may not get a serving of this coveted entrée.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOluSzS8ewlEiuvbIVyV29Imnjj1IiBagdCMEFNRGwxYdJo2M70g7CqyhmaWyCJBbrfdUCBfVxAjN_JP62MLoR7B1Tk7KuDrEe3hLs1y6W_klnaaaRgNhv4eJOzvoZwSnkFTKqeUyYLQc/s1600/IMG_4168.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOluSzS8ewlEiuvbIVyV29Imnjj1IiBagdCMEFNRGwxYdJo2M70g7CqyhmaWyCJBbrfdUCBfVxAjN_JP62MLoR7B1Tk7KuDrEe3hLs1y6W_klnaaaRgNhv4eJOzvoZwSnkFTKqeUyYLQc/s400/IMG_4168.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, stopping in at Laurel Fork is an experience that takes Tony and me back to the days when life was slower and kinder and when family and friends gathered 'round, enjoyed a home cooked meal, and all was right with the world. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope ya'll get a chance to stop by there when in the area.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Until next time may God bless each and every one of ya.</span></div>
<div>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oQ8TQveFjul-cuDNpfeQXBL4CWD1CSzyiNgcEGWNbuMoLYJnpnYUFwcbEBmlsukl6UjxzsUMGqNxF_pHd0ToxxujueNNg6VvIThhDDtFKmhxguQcTSLLc8DPFC0lpG0uK19ObZH2jdk/s640/ivy+strand+cropped.PNG" /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-35061405992814389902016-08-24T13:43:00.004-07:002017-02-26T02:26:48.533-08:00You Surely Reap What You Sew<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My neighbor planted a garden along her fence row,</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the utmost of care, she did till and sow,</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I too sowed a garden atop my fence, not low,</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Where my lovely feathered friends could live and grow.</span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OAQNhZTrbkI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OAQNhZTrbkI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I so enjoy providing shelters for my feathery buddies living with me up here in the foothills of Roan Mountain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love watching the tiny hummingbirds</span>,<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and delight at their shenanigans. On the other hand, the oh-so-small Warbling Vireos who live among us bring out my mother instinct in part because of their mating commitments. Though larger than the hummingbirds, the warblers don’t have the cocky confidence of the hummers. I spend much time in the rocker on the front porch marveling at ‘the least of these.'</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This past spring was spent watching a mommy and daddy Vireo as they worked in harmony building their nest in one of the birdhouses designed primarily for their species. The soon-to-be-mommy would land on the little stoop with a small scrap of moss or tiny twig and wait patiently for her husband to come out of the home’s hole door. As he flew off to gather his next contribution to the impending miracle, she entered to stuff the mattress in her birthing bed as we expectant mommies are prone to do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After their work was finished and her nest ready, she entered her home and did not come back out for a season. Her husband stayed close. She labored in love, and her eggs were finally laid to rest. She and her husband both then settled down to co-nurture them to birth, a strong trait of the Vireos. Incubation is by both parents, anywhere from 12-14 days, and the male frequently sings from the nest while incubating.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then one day when it was the mama's turn to sit on the nest, I noted the daddy flew off but he, uncharacteristically, never returned. I felt sad for the abandoned mommy and her future children.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yet, she remained stoic and lovingly cared for those babies when they hatched. As hungry gaping mouths constantly demanded to be fed, she became a frequent flyer in search of bugs and grubs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When my grandbabes</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> came up to visit their Nana, I cautioned them not to go near the little cabin and frighten the new mommy. I was pleased to see how very careful my puppies were when they learned the mother bird would abandon her little ones if they pestered her. I believe the word ‘abandon’ frightens children the world ‘round as it has been said that being abandoned is the most destructive emotion we can inflict upon another human being. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thankfully, the mother was faithful, and finally, her brood was ready to leave her nest, and they did; all flew safely into the sanctuary of the forest that surrounds us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Having witnessed the plight of this one pitiful mommy and her little ones who were suddenly abandoned started me thinking though about the four little bird cabins now empty. I knew the coming spring would be bringing forth new families and I realized something needed to be done now to prepare for them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I sat down and penned four tiny manuscripts and rolled each into a scroll. I tied a pretty ribbon around each and placed it in each cabin as a welcome gesture. I hope these will be a source of inspiration if needed and the families will find bits ’o wisdom, maybe even a note of levity. Who knows, some of the powerful words may give one of the little birds the courage to soar like an eagle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In addition to the scrolls, I have also decided to go a step further. I am going to invite each Vireo family to come join me on the back porch for brunch every morning. I will put out small bowls of savory seeds, bits of fruit, sliced caterpillar-a favorite of the species- and water; I will have my usual poppy seed bagels and cream cheese. Hey! I just had another idea! Those little sweet peas fly up this path to the back porch so after they eat and start back down to their cabins, I think I will put a birdbath right beside this walkway so they can also take their morning baths! Yes, that is a must do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTW9-KhtpkkzGESgL900ZgGp_dxo-jGvS_e1hOD0CpyZvTpTUJcXnZh0LHIpuSzJBM5aVvFBLx-6dMrqHz1BZIWIBAC0fF6eizcgYNPEVWyk3De2FEnSiJB4-k0aIsrv-zDy7CZDKhyxY/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTW9-KhtpkkzGESgL900ZgGp_dxo-jGvS_e1hOD0CpyZvTpTUJcXnZh0LHIpuSzJBM5aVvFBLx-6dMrqHz1BZIWIBAC0fF6eizcgYNPEVWyk3De2FEnSiJB4-k0aIsrv-zDy7CZDKhyxY/s400/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="287" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the meantime I thought I would share with you, my faithful friends and readers, what I wrote in those scrolls to each of my future feathery friends... </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJ-ezmvU1hins4x9_1009hn9MQlrYnHWd9jAgU8BeWjJHo8v6Dv3asMgjKIZSpDx89mei1s_H9-Zj82EJ3sZiXYEADEbMpqR0EOOiLuiLsVFMqlORFRmfL1AWy5xxnt1f7f8eOChJick/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJ-ezmvU1hins4x9_1009hn9MQlrYnHWd9jAgU8BeWjJHo8v6Dv3asMgjKIZSpDx89mei1s_H9-Zj82EJ3sZiXYEADEbMpqR0EOOiLuiLsVFMqlORFRmfL1AWy5xxnt1f7f8eOChJick/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Hello, my graceful beauty and new neighbor. Welcome to Misty Hollow. My name is Auntie Linda, and I live in the old log cabin right in front of you. I want you to know my heart and home are open to you at all times; just fly to my window, and I will drop everything and be at your peck </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and call. In this scroll are some words of wisdom others have shared with me in times of trouble. I want to pass them on to you, my friend, in the hopes these truths may one day encourage you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always remember, we might not know what the future holds but we sure know Who holds it, don’t we honey? Again, welcome to the hollow and may God bless your stay as you and your husband busy yourselves with nesting and birthin’ your babies. Oh! I almost forgot. We have a huge Easter Egg Roll on the grounds planned in a few weeks, and I hope you and the kids will be able to join us!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm. -Abraham Lincoln</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. -Saint Francis de Sales</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I knew </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart. –Jeremiah 1:5</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A happy family is but an earlier heaven. -George Bernard Shaw</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHLideFcVFqpyHxTUL9tj6_hE2o99km3ehLjxISOcsSWPU3gow62KRuGa1ADQEODUG2mZgKwpfCC-F4iNjAdhnogFSlkF6m7Zf3dP7O8RSt9NdjSaWdPmXQmTkYvkSMONHUyUfP7LZh8/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHLideFcVFqpyHxTUL9tj6_hE2o99km3ehLjxISOcsSWPU3gow62KRuGa1ADQEODUG2mZgKwpfCC-F4iNjAdhnogFSlkF6m7Zf3dP7O8RSt9NdjSaWdPmXQmTkYvkSMONHUyUfP7LZh8/s400/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" width="335" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"As you read this scroll you precious little lovely</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, consider this my hearty welcome to you and your husband; I trust you’ve found your cabin to your liking.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I live in that old log cabin looming right outside your front door. Please know that my door will always be open to you. Just fly over and peck on the window and I'll be there for you, come hell or high water. I hope the pearls of wisdom found in this scroll can be of use to you somehow, someday. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is a hodgepodge of soothing and helpful truths I have used as a salve for my past wounds, so I wrote them here for you should you ever need them. May God’s richest blessings rest upon you and your husband as you begin your quest to get pregnant, build your nest, lay and share the sitting on those eggs, and as they crack open. Welcome to Misty Hollow!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. -Desmond Tutu</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My peace I give unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-John 14:27</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Permanence, perseverance, persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">distinguish the strong soul from the weak. -Thomas Carlyle</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is no such thing as a "broken family." </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Family is family</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and is not determined by marriage certificates, divorce papers, and adoption documents. Families are made in the heart. The only time family becomes null is when those ties in the heart are cut. If you cut those ties, those people are not your family. If you make those ties, those people are your family. And if you hate those ties, those people will still be your family because whatever you hate will always be with you. - C. Joy Bell</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimX4BLEpjzzPtkk-vqu8e4xAUOy7SlwAAvS97PGs4swC1eohWnHmjvvxSERHR4CsoV9uM8ngy2HSmDXQwh14yuaCM7j1Gl7d-7bBAz1pm-1LCl7XgBTz_rPFSeIQAFAepkBZtD2YfgG6Y/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimX4BLEpjzzPtkk-vqu8e4xAUOy7SlwAAvS97PGs4swC1eohWnHmjvvxSERHR4CsoV9uM8ngy2HSmDXQwh14yuaCM7j1Gl7d-7bBAz1pm-1LCl7XgBTz_rPFSeIQAFAepkBZtD2YfgG6Y/s400/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Hey there, you adorable tiny tot you. I see you are reading the scroll I put here anticipating this move into your cabin. Let me introduce myself. I hope you will call me Auntie Linda and I live in that log cabin right out your front door and slightly to the right; that's right, the one with the blue shutters. I hope you are getting settled in and are excited about living here with us in Misty Hollow. I know you</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and your husband have</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> much work to accomplish before you can finally crack open your babies and start cuddling. I know...I have myself nested </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">four times</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and it can wear your skin thin!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This scroll contains a lit'l tidbits of</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> wisdom contained within and has been such a source of comfort to me in my times of need. I wanted you to have it should you ever have a need. May God's richest blessings be upon you in this, your new home, you itsy bitsy baby doll. Oh, by the way...if you ever have a need, come and peck on my window, sweetheart." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tongue has no bones, but it is strong enough to break a heart. Please be careful with your words and sticking your tongue out is mean too. –Anonymous</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A truly strong</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep. -Vernon Howard</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My peace I give unto you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. -David Ogden Stiers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I myself prefer to laugh</span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. -Kurt Vonnegut</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart. -Helen Keller</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIMc6vyAlbAT0czse886m4t5xzznKEUI29VV_xxT6Ut_rrnZeEQhP8ss4bdwt9H9U_sO0T5zvohJgwyqHj_c2VjedvLOblOSu8Pl3udKJVUk1i5f5_a3OphGxFG9fxx8kFQ99YYvCXCk/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIMc6vyAlbAT0czse886m4t5xzznKEUI29VV_xxT6Ut_rrnZeEQhP8ss4bdwt9H9U_sO0T5zvohJgwyqHj_c2VjedvLOblOSu8Pl3udKJVUk1i5f5_a3OphGxFG9fxx8kFQ99YYvCXCk/s400/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" width="362" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Hello. I am happy you are reading this scroll I left for you, my dear</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> feathered gal pal. I am also delighted to see you and your husband chose the biggest home on the birdie block! You both must be planning on having a huge family. I love watching all the new chick-a-dees in the neighborhood stretching out their tiny wings for the first time while tumbling ‘round in the yard trying to peck each other. My husband and I had four little ones ourselves. I wanted more</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, but God wisely chose not. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I do so hope your family will love living here at Misty Hollow. How far did you have to travel to find our paradise here on earth? I cannot wait to sit down with you and hear your story. Your water wheel is not only a wonderful way to deliver power to your home by using the creek behind you, but the cool breeze generated by the rolling wheel is delightful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, this scroll contains insightful quotes from various authors that meant a lot to me in troublesome times in my past. I so hope you glean bits of wisdom that speak to you if you ever get to your wit’s end. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And please make note, be sure and peck on my window should you need for anything, honey. I always keep my larder well stocked; shoot, I even keep a good supply of worms on hand. There’s a carton in my fridge in the laundry room right now. Would you believe I left a container out there once and when I went to get a needed worm, all I found was black dirt! That’s the truth, honey! Well, that’s why the Good Lord says ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ in the Good Book. If anybody doubts that truth, just let ‘em buy a can of worms. Anyways, please call me Auntie Linda, sweet girl. I will be praying for God's wisdom, guidance and a heapin' helpin' of love for your future family."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will not forget you. I have carved you on the palm of my hand. Isaiah 49:15</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> -Jeremiah 29:11</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. -Robert Louis Stevenson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Men </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">marry women</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">with the hope they will never change. Women </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> marry men</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> with the hope they will change. Invariably they are both disappointed. - Albert Einstein</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lastly, always remember...life can be cruel at times. You may shed tears, but none will see your pain; your wing becomes crippled, and all look away. You are cowering in fear, yet that too goes unnoticed. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But if you accidentally expel a little gas... </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">The Tale End</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-79750475343429390082016-07-18T09:48:00.000-07:002017-02-25T05:44:28.495-08:00A Man of Men Roams These Mountains Part 2<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">For Part One of This Story Please Continue Scrolling Down</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Welcome back to Part Two of the life and times of my friend, Robert Lane Street. I am always honored and blessed when you choose to 'read my voice.' </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Referring back to the earlier note of R. L.'s daily target practice, I came to learn what a sharp shooter my buddy really is. As I have said in this space before, I am acutely aware that every family who lives up here in these hollows has weapons in their homes, fully loaded, Tony and I included. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Honestly, though, R. L. brings owning and firing his firearms to a whole new level. A sizable portion of his back acreage is dedicated to his passion. There is a long range shooting range, a pistol range, and a skeet range.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Long range rifle shooting is my bud's forte. He has eight by eight-inch targets pinned on his office wall (for his eyes only- his competition is against himself) showing shots taken from 150 yards away, and the bull’s eyes have shots in them with double shots right on top of the original shot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am always amazed as I watch him in action. He makes me think of those old Western TV shows starring men like James Arness, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood. Those heroes in their TV roles were deadly accurate with their weapons and determination to right wrongs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A few days ago R. L.’s brother Larry who also lives in his own hollow down the road, my friend Berta and I trekked up to the ridge for some target practice. R. L. had recently purchased a Browning A-Bolt .280 rifle, and I had been hounding him to let me shoot it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My buddy balked. I could not figure out why R. L. was uncharacteristically giving me push back. If this was a straw man debate, I intended to win. His new rifle was too heavy he said, it would be too loud for me and the kick, if the butt was not secure on my shoulder, could possibly black my eye. Hogwash.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well, all of my assumptions for why he didn't want me to shoot his rifle were finally put to rest when he let it be known he simply did not want his friend to get hurt. He is, and I do not find this at all offensive, a gentleman from the old school of thinking in matters such as this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I finally soft-soaped him into letting me take aim, though, and I was pumped. A target was set up at the 80-yard mark for both of us though Jerry, Berta and I also noted a tiny white dot up at the 150 mark.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is a video that was taken of R.L. as he is preparing to fire his rifle. Note his humble comment wondering if he can hit his target. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Dl8RSeUGnbU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dl8RSeUGnbU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With that shot that son-of-a-gun hit that white dot 150 yards away! R. L. told us it was a small plastic bottle filled with water. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His audience was thrilled to see the result of his talent. R. L., disregarding our compliments, solemnly let us know that is what happens to the body of a human or an animal when hit with a rifle like that. His message? While guns should be enjoyed, they are nothing to fool around with. Period. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is a slow motion video of the two of us firing our pistols on his pistol range... </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2ZcEpXRi68g/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ZcEpXRi68g?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, if anyone is interested, here is the video of this gal, wearing the ‘R.L. required’ shoulder pad and taking aim with ‘The Rifle.'</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Si4-DBbt840/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Si4-DBbt840?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And here is the target I shot from that distance of 80 yards. I was so thrilled with my accomplishment, I had Berta, Jerry, and my dear ole buddy R. L. all sign and date it on the back. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRxlGQRwR9uCCAKUyEFuF7t6C9LEyCRezmh9E-42QF7YkZF99YH9tZp89ei3-rYuDVMXq6SYhHWmPxwijIsYGfXnyPEJVHEcgxq0qu_jR9oo2JNtBIIyRootkkAOZZSaZxYSq9G-jZzM/s1600/R.L%252C+Blog+%25235+Linda%2527s+target.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRxlGQRwR9uCCAKUyEFuF7t6C9LEyCRezmh9E-42QF7YkZF99YH9tZp89ei3-rYuDVMXq6SYhHWmPxwijIsYGfXnyPEJVHEcgxq0qu_jR9oo2JNtBIIyRootkkAOZZSaZxYSq9G-jZzM/s1600/R.L%252C+Blog+%25235+Linda%2527s+target.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well folks, that pretty much scratches the surface of the life of someone who roams up here in these mountains where we live. There’s so much more I could share wit... “Robert Lane! You nitwit! I am going to choke you!” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just as I am putting the wraps on this post, I hear R.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> L.'s soft, unassuming Southern drawl, “Hey, did I tell you I made the finals playing tennis in the Tennessee Senior Olympics four or five years ago?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Yeah, I came within a hair of winnin’ the state championship in my age group. I'd never played my whole life</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">, but I thought it looked like fun, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">so I started watchin' tennis a lot on TV. Then I got some manuals and started readin' up on it and bought a racquet and went to a tennis court and started hittin' some balls. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">From there I started playin' with some people and then ended up in the Tennessee Olympics. But I got beat out at the very end by a tennis coach...he deserved to win, he was a great opponent." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And then my buddy shyly showed me his tennis racquets and medallion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7kVIMv00g_C9R3eSCfi0lSAgzr2c7D7Ewo2OqhyphenhyphenRkeVWV-9BTjRBl6c4_2gBc_lKm8avV2arR_oPY9-Uq1Fsg6NrFY11KbOAAS5VjAmSDN3du7belfaK163EAS8JCaQkc3wDOEyUm78/s1600/R.L.+Blog+%25237+Olympic+Medal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7kVIMv00g_C9R3eSCfi0lSAgzr2c7D7Ewo2OqhyphenhyphenRkeVWV-9BTjRBl6c4_2gBc_lKm8avV2arR_oPY9-Uq1Fsg6NrFY11KbOAAS5VjAmSDN3du7belfaK163EAS8JCaQkc3wDOEyUm78/s1600/R.L.+Blog+%25237+Olympic+Medal.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-attachment: inherit !important; background-clip: inherit !important; background-color: #f5f6f5; background-image: inherit !important; background-origin: inherit !important; background-position: inherit !important; background-repeat: inherit !important; background-size: inherit !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "Diaria Light Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-attachment: inherit !important; background-clip: inherit !important; background-color: #f5f6f5; background-image: inherit !important; background-origin: inherit !important; background-position: inherit !important; background-repeat: inherit !important; background-size: inherit !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "Diaria Light Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="background: inherit !important; box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="background: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: inherit !important; box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="background: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Someone once said, "life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." That, my friends, is what life has been like since I have been blessed to know Robert Lane Street. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">DEDICATION</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lane, my brother in Christ, I told you this story would be about you, but I also told you I would dedicate it to you. I struggled to find the words. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A trip to the barn recently gave me my dedication as it hung below Trig's stall. It seemed to embody the essence of you, my friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHFCm8Rxlw7sI0FkLcYUyR5MmpJwL-nBua_c9MGChB8JgpeSh6YEa27nd5pAgBcYDdDhIMEMnT8NAThoSM7MuAjmZtA9CEljTkQO9d13tN1bi2UvDtmthAIcMSZAdBdmX0jxskSkQANM/s1600/R.+L.+Blog++DEDICATION+Soldier+Sign+in+Barn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHFCm8Rxlw7sI0FkLcYUyR5MmpJwL-nBua_c9MGChB8JgpeSh6YEa27nd5pAgBcYDdDhIMEMnT8NAThoSM7MuAjmZtA9CEljTkQO9d13tN1bi2UvDtmthAIcMSZAdBdmX0jxskSkQANM/s1600/R.+L.+Blog++DEDICATION+Soldier+Sign+in+Barn.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Below is a story R.L. wrote after arriving back from Vietnam. I photographed the paper where he typed it on an old Remington typewriter. The story follows, unedited.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrCIOXghLN5fe52sdKlQa6fqKQxIzSgFD_lm7rHMeButKiojyMTdoErAwoi7gFY-eSPljjNilr0BvUTaL0Jesqf124jAJphcVntC7bKy56KxabRNbD6sbDBiA9eEILt-V-H3FlrFLLDw/s1600/IMG_3698.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrCIOXghLN5fe52sdKlQa6fqKQxIzSgFD_lm7rHMeButKiojyMTdoErAwoi7gFY-eSPljjNilr0BvUTaL0Jesqf124jAJphcVntC7bKy56KxabRNbD6sbDBiA9eEILt-V-H3FlrFLLDw/s1600/IMG_3698.JPG" /></a>+</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPjDcgkZEDoQ1yPQ5WROEKgRRa3m9dpNhVEPsOdGmBA9pbMS5sShkjdqg3LNc8osBQwg2oK087phrIvNSxNw6vDrzKByW7F0eNdR2pSrHpQxHhsnwj6pxC0B4S2XtFYbptAMea8BEX_A/s1600/IMG_3700.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPjDcgkZEDoQ1yPQ5WROEKgRRa3m9dpNhVEPsOdGmBA9pbMS5sShkjdqg3LNc8osBQwg2oK087phrIvNSxNw6vDrzKByW7F0eNdR2pSrHpQxHhsnwj6pxC0B4S2XtFYbptAMea8BEX_A/s1600/IMG_3700.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">YOU DIE ONLY ONCE</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">November 18, 1965, dawned clear and hot as had every other day during the past three months.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I, along with specialist, Joe Campbell, had been attached</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">to </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">the 21</span><sup style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">st</sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> artillery, 1</span><sup style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">st</sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> bn.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Cavalry Division, South Vietnam.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our job on this mission was to supply the 21</span><sup style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">st</sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> artillery with Balistic Metrological Data.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The 21<sup>st</sup> was bivouacked a few miles south of Ira Durang Valley with orders to standby and support the 1st and 5th battalions which had been sent out into the jungle in search of the Viet Cong. It must have been approximately 3 or 3;30 P.M. when a Mayday call from the Fifth came in over the radio. They had made contact with and were pinned down by an overwhelming number of Viet Cong Regulars, and needed help fast. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> My outfit was immediately loaded aboard helicopters and flown into the battle area. We had landed and were preparing to launch an attach on the Viet Cong, when we were attacked from the rear by a large contingent of enemy soldiers. (Reports later show we were outnumbered by a ratio of three to one.) Apparently the Viet Cong unit that attacked us had been on their way to re-enforce their comrades when they spotted us. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We were soon trapped between these soldiers and elements from the regulars who had by now, overrun the other company. (Artillery and air strikes from supporting units finaly drove the Viet Cong away after a fierce fifteen hour battle.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I don’t remember the exact time when I was hit by shrapnel from an emeney mortar round, but it was dark when I regained consciouness. Sometime during the night, Joe who also had been slightly wounded reached me and dragged me to the shelter of an aid station that had been set up by the medics.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> By the time I had fully regained control of my thoughts, a nauseating fear began to creep into my guts. I could only lie there helpless and listen to the whine of machine gun bullets overhead, and hear the “whump’ of enemy mortar rounds exploding close by. A cold chill ran down my spine as I wondered where the next round would strike. It was then that I noticed a medic walking erect among the wounded, undaunted by the bullets screaming past him. I watched him and thought, “My God this man is out of his mind.” I could see him talking to the wounded soilders, as he stopped here and there to administer first aid to one. He started walking toward me, and I shouted, “Get down, man, or you will surely get hit”. A little grin wrinkled his war-strained face, as he replied in a calm southern drawl: “What the Hell? You only die once.” He then turned and walked away, and I saw that he too was wounded. I must have passed out then because I don’t remember anymore. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In the hospital, a few days later, I learned that a medic had been killed while giving first aid to a fallen comrade. He had been wounded three times, and could have saved himself, He instead had sacrificed his own life for another. I’ll never know for sure whether or not this was the same medic I had talked with that night. But I will always believe it was. I do know that whenever I feel the fangs of fear, I remember that night, and the medic who said; “What the Hell? You only die once”. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
*************************</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-15467658527863470982016-07-15T16:31:00.003-07:002017-02-24T17:26:36.754-08:00A Man of Men Roams These Mountains Part 1<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“I guess I'm pretty much of a lone wolf. I don't say I don't like people at all but, to tell you the truth I only like it then if I have a chance to look deep into their hearts and their minds.” </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">― Bela Lugosi</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">How do I write a mere blog post about a man who lives in the shadows among us up here on Roan Mountain whose life is deserving of a book? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">A man knitted with complexity yet with a wisdom cloaked in simplicity; one with demanding loyalty to his reclusive lifestyle yet tightly embracive of those he does let into his world; he who comes across with the fierce call of the wild until he privately picks up his pen when beautiful words flow... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My friends, I would like to introduce to you my neighbor and dear friend, Robert Lane Street.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuACwefKSWWgr4vQGs2RrFflXEmW8DAN5-p0tD5XpM_vqOZ2X0zgNYljFpmQudNfHsL_mqYjZSUoK9kXdTbNYFSv6wWkbkRzc4MvJhMiO_imc3Br94sYuqNrzRNsEZYG5K7g1iGe_rcA/s1600/R.L.+Blog+%2523+1+Front+Porch+with+gun+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuACwefKSWWgr4vQGs2RrFflXEmW8DAN5-p0tD5XpM_vqOZ2X0zgNYljFpmQudNfHsL_mqYjZSUoK9kXdTbNYFSv6wWkbkRzc4MvJhMiO_imc3Br94sYuqNrzRNsEZYG5K7g1iGe_rcA/s400/R.L.+Blog+%2523+1+Front+Porch+with+gun+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-size: 21px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will never forget the day I met R.L. as he is known in these parts. Tony and I had settled up here in Misty Hollow, one of many hollows that branch off of the (often) one lane road winding up into these mountains we folks up here call home. R.L. and his home and acreage are located off that main artery, and his gravel road leads up into his hollow.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Since moving, I had been busy meeting my new neighbors and had already picked up a few tidbits about R.L. I knew he was a loner who lived up at the top of the ridge. I knew he had hunting dogs and was an avid hunter. I was told he was shy. I did not have to be told he practiced daily on his shooting techniques as the somehow comforting sounds of his various guns ricocheted throughout the valley.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So realizing R.L. was the only neighbor I had not met, I figured it was time to take the bull by the horns. I jumped in my car one day, drove down the mountain and started the climb to his place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As I reached my destination and was parking, R.L. came out onto his small front porch and stood warily watching me; he looked nothing like the one man welcoming committee I had hoped for. I stepped from the car, flashed him a huge grin and started up the steps to his porch. The first thing I noted was this...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFqav7zpw0-gkVuLkPjqtukdKPJHS34fjnAkmUwCRgx6pkRzMJlEjMWUkIkn74mhXPWNVasQvBUYp_iMtcQ2eWV02UA80F4qpdhNXN9pOY-PfdibZLUWOijQG-MnaJEK_ountN3v1J0Q/s1600/R.L.+Blog+%2523+2+Sign+on+front+porch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFqav7zpw0-gkVuLkPjqtukdKPJHS34fjnAkmUwCRgx6pkRzMJlEjMWUkIkn74mhXPWNVasQvBUYp_iMtcQ2eWV02UA80F4qpdhNXN9pOY-PfdibZLUWOijQG-MnaJEK_ountN3v1J0Q/s400/R.L.+Blog+%2523+2+Sign+on+front+porch.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">…and then I saw the 357 Magnum lying on the railing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Extending my hand, I blurted out I was Linda, his new neighbor who lived up in Misty Hollow and I thought it was high time we met.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Quickly sizing him up, this crusty fellow looked to be in his mid-seventies and he had a lean athletic build with piercing eyes set in a face whose deep etches announced he had witnessed more than his share of trouble, fear, and heartache. His demeanor alerted he'd be damned if he intended to take on any more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">A fascinating hour and two cups of coffee later I was leaving with a promise I would be back based on his slightly gruff but kind invitation to visit again. After some gentle probing that day, R. L. had mesmerized me with a little about his incredible life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">With a cock-eyed grin, he later told me I had this peculiar way of pulling stuff out of people that had long been buried. I smiled and said I was honored he felt safe to share with me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">That day, my friends, was the root of a great friendship. Early on I asked my bud if I could call him Lane as I had a son named Lane. He reckoned it was okay; he had a grandson named Lane.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">With time I have learned in our friendship when I can push. Mostly though I’ve discovered by a slight raising of those eyebrows when I’ve crossed a line. Through the telling of his stories, I’ve also learned of the many and varied branches of life my friend has laid under. The more I was able to draw him out the more I realized his life and ways should be shared, and I was thrilled he shyly agreed to let me do the telling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">As a young boy of seven, R. L. said he would go off into the mountains with his grandpa to hunt. Though he was not allowed to shoot, that is when he began to fall in love with the beauty and peace of God’s creation. He shared that spending time with older family members who spent time with him in this way was what he felt kept him out of the typical trouble of most youth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Loving horses from an early age, R. L. at age twelve milked cows early morning and evening, and by selling the milk and butter, he was able to buy his first horse. That sparked a lifetime of owning, riding and breaking horses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">At age sixteen his father bought thirty acres out on Gap Creek Road in Elizabethton, TN. That young boy loved the acreage and wanted it so much he approached his dad. R. L.’s father told him if he would work in the family mercantile store from age sixteen to the day he turned twenty-one and not join the armed services, the property would be deeded to him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The boy agreed and did keep up his end of the bargain, and his dad did likewise. Unfortunately, the reality of the draft was the law of the land so the day R. L. celebrated his twenty-first birthday he became both the owner of the thirty acres and the United States Army became the owner of him. Realizing he was preparing to be to be drafted, he did join that birthday of January 22, 1964.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8GNmxZKuep92bmBCxaw2BpHbPD0Yy19Sx4xVrWoFtxeG_2OJcyNw3RNDYFH5NaXiJ9anvpGB3HanR8EwO1GOTMflU9JkSouqrL-EStrVOT1unHwtHhZwR7B1o7QthH77ziJr98tmCOM/s1600/R.L.+Blog+%25236+Army+Photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8GNmxZKuep92bmBCxaw2BpHbPD0Yy19Sx4xVrWoFtxeG_2OJcyNw3RNDYFH5NaXiJ9anvpGB3HanR8EwO1GOTMflU9JkSouqrL-EStrVOT1unHwtHhZwR7B1o7QthH77ziJr98tmCOM/s400/R.L.+Blog+%25236+Army+Photo.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">R. L.’s tour of duty in ‘Nam began September 15, 1965, and he found himself in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and worse…in the thick of the first major battle of the war on November 14, 1965, the Battle of la Drang. Serving in the Division Artillery of Headquarters Battery, his assignment was to support his infantry with artillery as well as give visual coordinates as they engaged with the North Vietnamese. His given creed was held close, just a heartbeat away...I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight-wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And then that terrifying night came when his body was simultaneously riddled with shrapnel from an enemy mortar round as well as a piercing bullet into the back of his skull. The pain in his head exploded, then nothingness. He dropped.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">R.L. regained consciousness where he learned his fellow comrade Joe Campbell, who had also been wounded, had dragged him to an aid station still frighteningly close to the fighting. He eventually learned he had taken nine hits. Mercifully, a medivac helicopter extracted R.L. and flew him to a safer field hospital. To this day he has a bullet fragment in his head and shrapnel fragments in his leg.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">While still swathed in head bandages and on crutches, the U.S Army was preparing to send him home. He pleaded with them to not discharge him; he did not want to leave his fellow comrades behind. Convincing them he could still function in other ways other than battle they relented and he was allowed to complete his full two years of service.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Finally, the day came when Uncle Sam broke his plate and sent him on his way. They flew R. L. into California and left him on his own to get back home to the East Tennessee peace he so longed for. The Purple Heart he had earned, though appreciated, was not as healing at gut level as the purple Catawba Rhododendron growing wild back in his neck of the woods.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">He had a deep need to spend that first summer riding a motorbike through the mountains of Carter County. He recklessly rode in places that one wrong move would have sent him careening over high bluffs into deep crevices below where He would have laid until only God knew when. “Just like in Vietnam, and the many times of dangerous situations I had faced before, God still had me wrapped in His big hands.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I gently asked my buddy what he thought about the time he spent in Vietnam and he, with a far-away look softly muttered, “The looks in the eyes of the children, the people, made me feel that was the reason I should be there.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">A front page article was written January 27, 1966, in the Elizabethton Star regarding their returning hero and quoted Street as saying, “Seeing the children and the way they have to live keeps the soldiers from really minding the hardships over there.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">R. L. felt his final closure on that tragic war of so long ago came when Elizabethton High School invited a keynote speaker a few years ago and local Veterans were asked to attend. The guest's name was Bruce Crandel, and he was a highly decorated Army medivac helicopter pilot from the Vietnam War.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">My friend sat up front in the roped off section. As soon as the program was over, R. L. quickly made his way to shake hands with the man who, risking his own life, had picked his shattered body up and flew him out of that battle hellhole with his angel wings to an army hospital in a safer place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">On a side note, the much acclaimed 2002 war film, 'We Were Soldiers' starring Mel Gibson and based on the 1992 book 'We Were Soldiers Once…And Young' by U.S. Army Lieutenant General Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and war journalist Joseph L. Galloway (both in that battle) focuses on that deadly day at la Drang. A 'must see and read' in my book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">R.L. did pick up the pieces of his life and marched on. He eventually met and married his Jane (now deceased), and they built and settled down on those thirty acres he so loved. They even opened a western store, and life was good. Jane blessed him with his three (now) grown children.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">All three of those children, two sons, and a daughter, have gifted him with his six grandchildren. All of these, cherished in his life, are according to R. L. a gift from God. I personally consider Jerry, one of R. L.’s sons, to be a Godsend as well. He is my farrier and takes excellent care of my Tennessee Walker, Trig. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Years passed and with Jane gone and his children grown life for this man, still slightly bent but not broken, eventually settled down into the rhymes and rhythms of his life up on the ridge in his hollow. An avid hunter, he began to spend time hunting out West in Kansas and Colorado. His time in Kansas, in particular, gave him solace and he spent much time there in solitude. The love of that place is what drove R. L. to purchase a farm there. He still strikes off and spends weeks on end there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">As a hunter, R. L. has always carried a lifetime "code of the hills." He also carefully taught his children (and now grandchildren) this same ethos. "Don't kill it unless you are going to eat it unless it's going to kill you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The living room wall around this hunter's home on the ridge is lined with the heads of the game he has killed from years past. That first time I barged in on R. L. I questioned him about the mounted heads and he, with not one iota of care for political correctness, proudly shared the stories of a couple of those heads.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">He also let me know those heads hanging there was just a drop in the bucket but those particular ones each had an unusually funny, sentimental or freighting story that stood out for him, thus their </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">placement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKgiAPZreg8_MGXcWkauUEMr3LlPC-8Mi65RDBttKN1gPuYWNtLP9HDSus_2nD-uEyahN8XTf-ca3RdB2rOT7nZFQanUpGtLM_6bdEFA09A0OhjGs0TkBfcVcMP8TsJaqephC-Socc9k/s1600/R.L.+Blog+%2523+4+Photo+of+antelope.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKgiAPZreg8_MGXcWkauUEMr3LlPC-8Mi65RDBttKN1gPuYWNtLP9HDSus_2nD-uEyahN8XTf-ca3RdB2rOT7nZFQanUpGtLM_6bdEFA09A0OhjGs0TkBfcVcMP8TsJaqephC-Socc9k/s400/R.L.+Blog+%2523+4+Photo+of+antelope.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XPGoJ_PY4Tgrml9YnkFyyuugDhrO-GKrBbXoTTmn0jKvsneVlGPs8ycieGr9xg9I4TQa8M0FwmmBC8zyLBJJ6zXdkKdHeRNCoJCTEnLiEALMjrBi07uOPMTJY7P3fje_MEIMJ6GTAIg/s1600/R.L.+Blog+%2523+3+Photo+of+wild+boar.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XPGoJ_PY4Tgrml9YnkFyyuugDhrO-GKrBbXoTTmn0jKvsneVlGPs8ycieGr9xg9I4TQa8M0FwmmBC8zyLBJJ6zXdkKdHeRNCoJCTEnLiEALMjrBi07uOPMTJY7P3fje_MEIMJ6GTAIg/s400/R.L.+Blog+%2523+3+Photo+of+wild+boar.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">It was important for my friend to let me know he will never drop an animal that he does not immediately gut, skin, quarter and ice to bring back home to his own family members, someone up here in the hollow, or food banks that depend on his much-needed donations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I remember so well a day I pulled out of Misty Hollow and started down the mountain passing my neighbors Berta and Barney's house. There they both stood with large chunks of deer meat splayed out in the back of Barney's pick-up truck. They were processing it into smaller roasts for their freezer.They told me it was given to them by R. L. It was killed in South Carolina and had been marked for them and they were grateful for the winter meat. It’s thought of like the circle of life up here in this beautiful place we live.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Very fiscally wise, R. L. has his office set up in a back bedroom where he methodically fills and refills his own cartridges. Some of those brass cartridges have already been used several times. I find it fascinating to watch this tedious procedure, but he says it’s the only way to go if you do as much shooting as he does.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnex1TYVZRVhI5uf7mW2ewyw0ivYiRoUGeqbwfDNIwZXpZVsZUgGs2lOB-2lJ43zvxJ6VQbzmRCjeL9Ybt1g4mqXLc0SigBym9wJchTJJWMZ9tDRWn_7Qkvs2S2ftG2rCeY26yrbiOL14/s1600/R.L.%2527s+Blog+%25236+Office+photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnex1TYVZRVhI5uf7mW2ewyw0ivYiRoUGeqbwfDNIwZXpZVsZUgGs2lOB-2lJ43zvxJ6VQbzmRCjeL9Ybt1g4mqXLc0SigBym9wJchTJJWMZ9tDRWn_7Qkvs2S2ftG2rCeY26yrbiOL14/s400/R.L.%2527s+Blog+%25236+Office+photo.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Never leaving anything to chance, R. L. has weapons strategically placed around his home. Curious, I asked him if he had guns in every room and he said, "No, not in my bathroom." To be honest, I have to be very wary as my friend has a subtle sense of humor and oft times I don’t know if he’s pulling my leg or not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">(This concludes Part I of 'A Man of Men Roams These Mountains'</span></span></div>
</div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-79546216472801031862016-06-03T18:28:00.002-07:002017-03-03T07:16:51.332-08:00I Ain't Much But I'm All He's Got <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My happy regards to each of you, my faithful readers!</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once again it is an honor to have you join me as I share my thoughts while living to the fullest up here in Misty Hollow in the foothills of Roan Mountain, Tennessee.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sunshine and summer weather have crept across the dense forest floor, and we are finally flush with flora and fauna. Everywhere I look I see draperies of bright green. The various bird's nests in the nooks and crannies around both cabins are full of gaping hungry mouths.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My favorite wildlife right now is the turkey hens as they each strut proudly around the grounds with up to ten chicks stumbling, rolling then quickly recouping to hasten behind their moms. It won't be long before the does have their polka dotted fawns following their moms as she stealthily moves among the trees in high protective mode. Life here is so amazing my Tony, and I often hold hands and thank God for the privilege of living here. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now speaking of my main squeeze, have you guys noticed you have never seen a photo of him on this blog, and have rarely heard about him? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, there's a reason. Tony is camera shy and has said, "Honey, I am so happy you love blogging, and I enjoy reading what you write. But, you blog....I'll read and we'll leave it at that."</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wondered though if I could talk him into loosening up a bit. He and I were sitting down to a romantic dinner and, sensing he was in a mellow mood, I told him I would love to write a blog post about how he and I met. </span><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It really was our 'Pretty Woman' story, and I asked if he still remembered when the romantic comedy starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts came out in 1990. Did he remember how I cried several times throughout that movie? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Well, that is basically us, Tony, and our story begs to be told." His retort? "Linda, you were not a hooker when we met, and I sure did not look like Richard Gere but if you want to write it, go ahead honey." YES! "Smile, sweetheart, I need to take your picture."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUywLEwKNBjZTS1FDu9bc_tqa9lnbU7E1J1OLVrsOr9tcF45EG9Q-z7Su6rLLCiLz742gm4C8nQGOi3XSx2MR3d_lE-LP71SQ7maW4EBBZgvdUjTR4xnmrvWMKiJvI61Cn0tDYeF46ypE/s1600/Tony+Blog+Dinner+Photo+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUywLEwKNBjZTS1FDu9bc_tqa9lnbU7E1J1OLVrsOr9tcF45EG9Q-z7Su6rLLCiLz742gm4C8nQGOi3XSx2MR3d_lE-LP71SQ7maW4EBBZgvdUjTR4xnmrvWMKiJvI61Cn0tDYeF46ypE/s400/Tony+Blog+Dinner+Photo+%25281%2529.jpg" width="332" /></span></a></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So let's hitch our horses together and see if we can ride this one out. When I think back and recall all that happened, I still find it difficult to believe myself.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The year was 1968, and I was a junior at Tennessee High School in Bristol, Tennessee. I had met and was 'running around' with a new friend named Brenda Nickels. I don't remember how we met nor why she chose to befriend me; we lived in entirely different worlds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I owned two pairs of shoes. Brenda's bedroom housed a custom built shoe closet showcasing enough leather to cover a large sofa and matching recliner. In all fairness, though, her parents did own Nettie Lee Shoes in downtown Bristol.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I lived in a two bedroom home on the wrong side of the tracks that managed to squeeze in my parents and five kids. Brenda, an only child, lived in a lovely, spacious home in a beautiful neighbor. Her parents were always so kind and accepting of me. It was evident they never seemed to care their daughter was friends with someone of much lesser means. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Brenda had invited me to stop by her home one Sunday after church so I could run an errand with her. Sure. I was so impressed Brenda had her own nifty car, and we were able to hop in and take off at will. When we arrived at her cousin's, we were met in the living room by three men, all in a disheveled state of dress and looking pretty haggard. All were nursing what I learned later were Bloody Mary's.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That man's name was Tony. I thought he was obnoxious and could not wait to leave that house. I learned that day he was twenty-two years old and his two friends, Bruce Hawks and Raymond Siler, were both preparing to graduate from East Tennessee State University. Tony was already employed at Trammell Construction. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />I had no way of knowing then that Sunday would catapult me on the ride of a lifetime.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Soon Brenda began to invite me to her home quite often. Tony always seemed to be there to visit his Aunt Juanita and Uncle Harry, Brenda's parents. He was flirty and teased me incessantly. I learned much later it had been confided to the Nickels' family he had a crush on me. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tony told them he had never met a girl quite like me....shy but sassy, innocent yet mature, and attractive while not seeming to realize it. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He also later told me his Aunt Juanita wagged her finger in his face and told him if he so much as laid a finger on me she would "detach his gonads." </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Juanita and Harry were very fond of Tony and had cookouts and dinners for him and his friends Bruce and Raymond, me and anyone else who cared to drop by. They were such a lovely couple who delighted in entertaining while assuring all felt welcome at their table.</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I could not help but note Tony was an incredibly sharp dresser. Every time I saw him, he looked like he had just stepped out of some men's fashion magazine. That was very intimidating to me. I shyly commented once on his dress and asked if he ordered his clothes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He laughed and told me he shopped at Blakley-Mitchell in Bristol and Soble's in Kingsport. Why he asked, do you like how I dress? I felt my face flush and, tweaking my cheek, he told me he thought the fine art of blushing was long lost.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My mom and dad were beginning to wonder why I was spending so much time at Brenda's all of a sudden. Who was at Brenda's house, my father wanted to know. Lying to them was something I'd never felt comfortable with, but all I could think to say with pounding heart was, "Brenda's little red-headed cousin will be there, but I am not sure who else."<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My conscious was eating me alive. I had grown to really care for Tony so after about a month of meeting at Brenda's I told him he had to come to my home and meet my parents. "Absolutely, I'd love to meet them. I did not want to push you, but I am more than ready". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Seriously, I did not intend to be difficult, but he did need to be reminded I was sixteen years old and he was twenty-two with a receding hairline and a bald spot on top of his head making him look at least thirty. He laughed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"It will be okay, Linda. I promise."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I told my parents Tony from Brenda's had asked me out, but he wanted to come to the house to meet them first and get their approval. I had at that point only dated one guy in my lifetime, and I had to be in by ten o'clock on school nights and eleven on weekends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The night Tony came to my home, that firm knock rapped, and my knees knocked as well as I opened the door. There he stood in a gorgeous suit that even more accentuated the fact he was a grown man.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I could hear my parents making their way from the den as Tony stood perfectly at ease in our small living room. It was surreal to see the looks on their faces as they stood there gaping when they saw him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"So this is Brenda's little red-headed cousin?", my dad managed to gasp.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Within thirty minutes my parents thought my boyfriend was the most wonderful person in the world. He was straightforward, we filled in the gaps of how we met, he told them about his employment at the offices of Trammell Construction and then shared his life plan. Tony thanked them for the time he had spent with me while letting my parents know the characteristics that drew him to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Lastly, Tony assured them if allowed to date me he would always treat me with respect and take excellent care of me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Y</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">es, my father said, Tony could date his daughter, but he must have her in that door by ten o'clock on school nights and eleven on weekends. I really wasn't sure what Dad would do to Tony if he failed to obey that order (though he did); that train seemed to have left the station once Dad told a twenty-two-year-old man he could date his daughter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Three months from when I met him, I married my Tony on Saturday, January 25, 1969. Sixteen-year-old kids were not allowed to marry in the State of Tennessee, so our marriage license was obtained in Virginia with parental permission. My father refused to sign for me although he thought the world of Tony; he firmly believed I was too young to marry. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My mother, ever the opportunist, saw a stable future for her daughter and did not hesitate to sign on the dotted line. My desire was to marry at Fellowship Chapel where I had attended church for years and had been a part of the youth group. Reverend Lester McKinnon who knew me well did the honors.</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My wedding gown came from a small bridal boutique and cost $35, and my veil was borrowed. There were not that many people in attendance. Tony's entire family was there of course, and all were so kind and supportive. I had met them and agonized inwardly what they must think of Tony's choice of a wife. I was a skinny, long drink of water and pathetic piece of insecurity who wondered, too, what Tony saw in me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My fiance's sister Peggy had married one of Kingsport, Tennessee's most prominent sons complete with a large, lovely wedding in Church Circle with the full compliment of bridal showers and teas. To me, though, my nuptials was simplistically beautiful. Our photos were taken with a Polaroid camera, and I still cherish them today.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7NYGmG_lE391s7DYbvz8n9OdCJc9hHw8BYOEhSbNTZt6wCIIbh8BMR-zp70wZuutuDUsyG7FYHtNmkDmlZ_JawmSF-FADwGhqvH_jDWgqEwiT0nkl5r25Ck8KbLeFx6OZWj5LPSQj4Y/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252818%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7NYGmG_lE391s7DYbvz8n9OdCJc9hHw8BYOEhSbNTZt6wCIIbh8BMR-zp70wZuutuDUsyG7FYHtNmkDmlZ_JawmSF-FADwGhqvH_jDWgqEwiT0nkl5r25Ck8KbLeFx6OZWj5LPSQj4Y/s400/FullSizeRender+%252818%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tony had picked Atlanta, Georgia for our honeymoon. I had no idea where to go as I'd hardly been anywhere. I had carefully washed and ironed my best outfits and laid them carefully in a suitcase. My smaller bag carried my underwear, my gown Mama had picked for my wedding night and my makeup bag and toiletries that I'd carried into the church for my sister to help with my makeup and hair.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">We left immediately after the wedding in a rush to start our honeymoon. I ended up at our hotel that evening with the smaller bag, but the larger suitcase was still in the back of my parent's car. Humiliated, I burst into tears. Tony gathered me in his arms and told me he had a quick fix for that little problem, and I was not to worry. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Here I am below on my wedding night...a woman child donned out in her chartreuse wedding gown with white daisy accents. I am playing with my Mr. Big Ears mouse and the Raggedy Ann doll my new husband bought me when I fell in love with them at a gas station coming across the mountains. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jeez, you can't make this stuff up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbjH_fZSZjZ5fStGFJes9M8-hwmUDzgL-X3-PX46KY7qrT6uDW9HL00CWYxGgwQlOmcfaFQeOIB8oUE8-ie8LsijuAgraP6xwHlhTtERrqOIJ-2G-DwAjw-epqzSUmRuPCPNhogtKQlM/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252815%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbjH_fZSZjZ5fStGFJes9M8-hwmUDzgL-X3-PX46KY7qrT6uDW9HL00CWYxGgwQlOmcfaFQeOIB8oUE8-ie8LsijuAgraP6xwHlhTtERrqOIJ-2G-DwAjw-epqzSUmRuPCPNhogtKQlM/s400/FullSizeRender+%252815%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I woke up the next morning realizing I was not in Kansas anymore. Tony was in the shower, so I quickly made up the bed, finishing just as he walked out of the bathroom. He smiled and gently told me I did not need to make up the bed every morning; maids would be coming in and cleaning the room. Once again I felt my face flush with embarrassment. How was I to have known that?</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tony told me the first day of our new life together would be awesome. We were going to downtown Atlanta to have lunch on Peachtree. Arriving there was a breathtaking experience for me. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had never been in a metropolitan area before, and Tony had to hold my hand as we walked along or I would have fallen down while gaping up at the tall skyscrapers all around us. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Peachtree was a long avenue with storefronts filled with incredible items beautifully displayed and designed to lure even the most discriminating buyer. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finally, we stopped in front of a luxurious clothing store. The Fashion Shop back in my hometown was considered our very finest. I always nurtured a dream when a young child that someday I would walk in there and shop 'till my heart's content. Yet, even it paled in comparison to this stunning place before us. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Come on, we need to buy you some clothes, Mrs. Blevins." Oh my gosh! First I was stunned to hear him call me by that name! It was the first time I'd heard myself called that! It sounded...well, strange to me; that was his mother's name. Next, I anguished realizing I had not been married to Tony a full twenty-four hours and I was already a financial burden to him.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had on the same outfit I had worn to the church the day before with Mom and Dad, carrying my bridal gown. Then I rode to Atlanta in it....it was all I had. I felt very ill at ease beside my new husband as he was, as always, dressed perfectly. This man I adored took my arm and walked me through the door of the clothing salon. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It would be impossible to express how shy and overwhelmed I felt as two sales women headed our way. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Asking if they could be of assistance, Tony said he was buying a wardrobe for his new bride; could they please help select what she wants. The slightly raised eyebrows and a quick scan of my body resulted in one question, "You look like you are about a size six, dear. Yes?" Mortified, I could not utter a word. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tony spied a grouping of chairs toward the back with a three-way mirror, so he decided he had better take charge. "Ladies, let's all go back there. My wife and I will have a seat, and you can bring things for her to look at and then we can make some decisions."</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And we did. The ladies were very gracious and helpful, and I felt like Cinderella. Of the lovely things we bought that day one outfit was my favorite; it was a cream colored sailor dress with navy accents. While trying it on I had peeked at the price tag, and it said $100! I was shocked to the core! That one item was more than the cost of my entire wardrobe, including shoes, back home! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I whispered, telling Tony I had decided against taking the sailor dress all the while wishing I had looked at the prices of the other things I had tried on. My husband asked why...he loved that dress on me. I asked him if he had noted how much it cost? He laughed and gave me a quick hug and told the sales ladies to wrap everything up.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Years later as I watched the scene in Pretty Woman and the character Vivian walked into that exclusive clothing boutique with money Edward had given her to buy some things, my heart ached for her knowing how she must have felt. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I can't help but believe if Tony had not been with me that day and I had been alone, those ladies would not have been remotely interested in waiting on me. An ugly truth, but reality can be such at times. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The rest of our honeymoon was spent doing things that left me breathless one moment or feeling way out of my league the next. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Going to my first nightclub caused me to come unglued. Tony took me to a famous club called The Sans Souci Lounge. Right off the bat, I was sure my being there was breaking the law and firmly told my husband as much. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After we had been seated, the waiter came and asked for our drink order. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I was just preparing to tell him I was sixteen and not old enough to drink when Tony ordered himself a bourbon and water and me some fruity drink with a darling little umbrella. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I then informed my ignorant husband there were probably people somewhere around watching for illegal activity and they would spot me and arrest me for underage drinking! That man of mine just roared with laughter and told me to calm down....my being married changed everything. I could legally have cocktails with him, so that was the end of that. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A couple of days later we visited a place called Underground Atlanta- the city beneath the streets- that had just opened that year. It was another world revealed to me, especially when we saw a beautiful, scantily clad woman with a tiger on a leash stroll by not three feet from us. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My personal favorite on our honeymoon? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our visit to Grant Park Zoo which housed a black bear, jaguar, a hyena, a gazelle, a Mexican hog, lionesses, monkeys, and two camels. Most of all this outdoor trip allowed me the opportunity to wear my new sailor dress and matching handbag and shoes and suede coat with fur collar. Seeing I was dressing totally inappropriate for the zoo, my precious husband told me long afterward he put on a suit that day so as not to embarrass his slightly off-key, wacky wife. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj04KksYTVVbUKwtcRGBNtvywW9uUrJIkW-F47DVX1eeoROy7Ik0bZx_HhvRWQau6Kl_YFOpa2-1a1a0_32DQ2jR_1t4T0N5Vcc6JZMwIRVFHBeXvvak9g6vigH5FsnUE5dMfYFYy1a_c/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252819%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj04KksYTVVbUKwtcRGBNtvywW9uUrJIkW-F47DVX1eeoROy7Ik0bZx_HhvRWQau6Kl_YFOpa2-1a1a0_32DQ2jR_1t4T0N5Vcc6JZMwIRVFHBeXvvak9g6vigH5FsnUE5dMfYFYy1a_c/s400/FullSizeRender+%252819%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gA2r5tBaEvUCxwGntSA-8ZgCHPs9pJ3JetT3f5LXSFxQ-clnacS_ExVG0ektY9_E17JnpmtX1W2wbZEHkc5XdjZN-fdal-Tx7ClGKms73mBT2JHx9qgsGe4PhxjatcchvkMUPswydC8/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gA2r5tBaEvUCxwGntSA-8ZgCHPs9pJ3JetT3f5LXSFxQ-clnacS_ExVG0ektY9_E17JnpmtX1W2wbZEHkc5XdjZN-fdal-Tx7ClGKms73mBT2JHx9qgsGe4PhxjatcchvkMUPswydC8/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On the drive back to Bristol, reality hit and real life together stretched before us. Tony felt the need to discuss some critical issues with me. First, he told me it would be foolhardy for us to become parents until we enjoyed several years of marriage to mature in our relationship, travel, and focus on saving for our future. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tony said he would like for me to contact a GYN-OB (What's that, I asked?) when we get home and get on birth control pills. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Next, I needed to withdraw from Tennessee High School as he said he had been looking at a place on the river in Bluff City for us to lease for a while. Oh my goodness, I thought. I hated leaving the school system I had grown up in since I started at Central Elementary in first grade. I realized then I would be starting my second semester of my junior year at East High School. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He also wanted me to know "WAIT! STOP THE CAR!!" During our short courtship, 'our' song, <i>When a Man Loves a Woman </i>by Percy Sledge came on, wherever we were, and whatever we were doing, I wanted to stop and slow dance. My sweet guy agreed to my lovesick teenage request, so we had danced in restaurants and on street sidewalks with the car radio blaring. Now we were driving across Sam's Gap, so he was pulling over for us to hold each other close to 'our song.' </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Back in the car, my Tony also wanted me to know how much he loved me, what an awesome time he had on our honeymoon and how excited he was about our future. I told him I had never been happier in my life.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We did move to that charming little place on the Bluff City river and life there was so precious. My other half would rush in from work, grab us a couple of fishing rods and we would step down to water's edge; that is where I learned to fish.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Transitioning into the East High School family as a married 'woman' was easy. Staff members were very kind, and the other students quite friendly. I got my driver's license, Tony bought me my first car, gave me<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><u>one dollar a day for lunch</u><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and I felt like the most blessed and cared for wife in the whole wide world.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For the first time in my young life, I never felt hungry. East High had been built a year prior and boasted the most amazing cafeteria imaginable. I would get my tray, and for that dollar, I could load up with a large serving of meat, several vegetables, rolls, a dessert, and milk! Slowly, ever so slowly, my thin frame began to fill out along with my self-esteem.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime, I was introduced to the Trammell Construction family. I was still quite shy and intimidated at the smallest of things and meeting that group Tony worked with daily was no small thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">First, there was Mack Trammell and his gracious and beautiful wife, Frankie. Then came Dewey Pendley and his vivacious Nancy, a real go-getter who did not seem to understand the words 'no' or 'it can't be done.' Don Moneyhun was the financial guru of the firm, and he was married to the lovely and gentle Betty. These three couples embraced this young bride from the get-go as if I had always been a part of their group. Obviously, if Tony loved me then so would they.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Frankie, Nancy and Betty, and their husbands were all at the very top of Bristol's social structure. These precious women took me under their wings as if I was their personal pet project. All I could feel was intense gratitude they were determined to turn this sow's ear into a silk purse. I frantically felt the need to feel more secure about not embarrassing them.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My incredible life with Tony was filled with so much joy and excitement yet simultaneously exposed to twists and turns I never knew were possible for someone like me. The summer between my junior and senior year of high school was like a dream as I languished poolside at the Howard Johnson's Motel, owned by Mack Trammell. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Trammell contacted Howard Smith, his hotel manager, and told him to permanently secure the room nearest the pool so Linda, Tony's wife, could enjoy the pool and have a place to change or relax in. Also, my meals at the restaurant were to be complimentary. Can you imagine how this touched and overwhelmed me?</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A few months after that Tony and I were asked by Mack if we would like to move-gratis-into a darling home he owned in Blue Ridge Subdivision in Bristol. Mack let it be known he believed in my Tony and saw a bright future for him in his chosen field. That was not surprising to me; printed under Tony's senior photo in his high school yearbook was his stated dream...<i>To own my own construction company. </i></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We enjoyed living there and from there bought a newly constructed Spanish-style home in Mount Area Estates. Then came the purchase and move to a lovely new home in Lowry Hills in Bristol, Virginia (where we had out first child, Tara) and finally to the stately Georgian Court on Shirley Drive...the home we lived in for the next twenty-three years while rearing our children. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Please note the timeframe from the move into the Trammell home in Blue Ridge to the move on Shirley Drive was a little over seven years! My husband did not mind buying and selling...as long as he turned a profit; finding the perfect permanent home for us to rear children was paramount! Shirley Drive was that home in a neighborhood with great parents with lots of nice kids who all grew up with ours.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My senior year of high school was definitely out of the norm. I was doing very well academically, but when it was necessary for me to miss a day or two from school with my husband, I still did so with a nervous stomach. I remember like it was yesterday carrying excuse notes written by Tony for my needed absences and handing them to my principal, Kenneth Carrier.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Mr. Carrier, please excuse Linda for being absent this past Thursday and Friday. We flew to Hilton Head for a business associate's wedding. Thank you for your kind understanding."</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Mr. Carrier, please excuse Linda for being absent Monday and Tuesday. She needed to travel with me on a business trip. We appreciate your patience with us."</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When reading these notes, Mr. Carrier would laugh nervously. I could tell he was not sure just exactly how to handle my situation, but he always excused me.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tony and I kept our personal commitment to not start a family prematurely. Our firstborn, Tara Lane, was born in May 1975, our Amanda Leigh, September 1978. Lane Hunter, our first son, was born March 25, 1982, and our last dumpling, Ethan Nathaniel, came exactly three years later on March 25, 1985.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And remember that guy named Bruce Hawks who was with Tony that first day I met him? They were then and have remained best friends throughout all these years. Bruce graduated with a degree in accounting and Tony's dream of owning his own construction company meshed together, and twenty years ago with his co-owner Bruce managing the financial end T & B Contractors, Inc. was established and is a thriving business today. Their expertise is in building water and wastewater treatment plants.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It has been said 'When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.' As a sixteen-year-old kid, I did not understand that. On this side of our love, I fully grasp it now.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I do hope you enjoyed reading about the joys, insecurities, delights and trials of this child bride who married a real man (not a lot of 'em left anymore) so long ago. </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My Tony and I were able to carry off a relationship such as ours due solely to the wisdom, maturity and fully committed love of this man I married and the fact this was nearly fifty years ago. It goes without saying Tony and I certainly do not condone relationships like ours in today's modern culture.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I love him today with a love so profound and rich and vibrant that oft times it overwhelms me. To avoid confusion, when I started this blog post I was back at our cabin in Misty Hollow, but Tony and I left for Hilton Head, so the following video was obviously not taken on our mountain.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now, I am so proud to introduce you to this incredible but still shy, man I adore...</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HH8ERiVitxY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HH8ERiVitxY?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: right; float: right;" width="320"></iframe><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-60615030177180211152016-04-21T16:41:00.001-07:002017-03-11T02:50:32.175-08:00Ye Gads, My Doctor Found a Snake in My Body!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A hearty hello to each of you, my dear friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I welcome you again to the serving up of my words; I am greatly honored you are here. I hope you are able to find something that whets your appetite as you graze from my table.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ve grabbed a cup of coffee and pulled a rocker close to the fire to knock off the chill. You guys get comfortable wherever you may find yourself on</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> the web worldwide. I have learned from my Blog Meister I am getting hits on my blog from Asia, Africa, and South America, as well as several countries in</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Europe. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She is not sure if this is from people reading or landing there by accident, probably some of both she said. Regardless, bless each and every one of you for joining me.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, if you’re settled in I am going to tell you a tale</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and I’m tellin’ you right up front I’m not proud of what I’m goin’ to share. You will learn how I, your (now) humbled correspondent, can be a low-down, pathetic, self-absorbed, whining and disgusting cup of pond scum on</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">occasion.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> **********</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So let’s back up seven months when this whole darn mess began.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had left Misty Hollow to spend the night down in town with my sister, Debby. I opened my eyes the next morning anticipating a fun day of shopping and stopping by our favorite eatery.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I placed my feet on the floor and stood to rise and found my body bent over at the waist, unable to rise further. I stood stuck there wavering, as thunderbolts of pain struck the right side of my lower back. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Howling like a banshee, my sister heard my agony and came running from her bedroom, shaken from a deep sleep.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">HELP ME! HELP ME!", I hollered. Debbie, also my best friend, came running to my side and, after seeing my contorted body, leaped </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">into action. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
First, she urged me to lie back down on the bed. "NO! NO!" I actually thought if I did lie flat, my legs would stick straight up in the air and the pain would be even more<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> excruciating. I was reassured not and, as always, Debbie was right.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">An icy compress slid under my back, and two anti-inflammatory aspirin were dispensed in short order. Deb was telling me she had experienced something akin to this herself and it could be what her doctor called sciatica, a malady usually caused when a herniated disk or bone spur in the spine presses on the sciatic nerve.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">**********</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, that infamous day eventually took me over the next several months from swinging my world by the tail to my tail finally dragging<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> me around like an old broken down virago. Chronic pain has a way of doing that to a human being, as many of you may know.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My life continued to stumble on. The pain was consistently low grade but sharp pains presented with seemingly simple twists of my body; time refused to be my friend though as the situation began getting worse. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I eventually found myself altering my actions and walk to adjust to and even avoid the pain</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and I was rewarded with a huge corn on my right foot that had to be treated</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> daily.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I dug my heels in though and began dealing with the problem by constantly rotating self-remedies of four 500 milligrams of Extra-Strength Tylenol a lick (is my liver still alive, I would wonder) to spending copious amounts of time in our 104-degree hot tub outside. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After eating through jars of Blue-Emu, I found myself also applying those huge Icy Hot Patches...the gift that kept on giving...then taking thin layers of skin as I would rip them off; peeling them off slowly prolonged the agony.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Also, an unused prescription of heavy duty pain pills barely used from surgery last year became a life saver. I would take one when absolutely essential. Easter Sunday up here at Bear Cabin as we entertained 30 + guests was an incredibly awesome but two pills kinda day.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> *********</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But ya know what bothered me most, guys? The not-so-subtle changes in my temperament and personality as I began to lose hope of the pain going away. I was becoming bitter and angrier at my lot in life. The things I had once enjoyed so much began to fall by the wayside. I no longer enjoyed card games with my Tony and keeping up with my buds on Facebook became a low priority. Having the grandkids up for the weekend was too daunting and the upcoming family vacation, a favorite time of my year, was dreaded.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I tried to hide it when talking with the kids and grandkids, but my dear husband was getting the brunt of my malady. Daily we would hold hands, and this man of mine would plead with God to please help me with my back situation. Our Father was listening to his every word, believe me.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He was only waiting for me to hear Him.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> **********</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After nearly six months into the vice grip, Tony began to go to a chiropractor in Bristol for some problems he was having. I was too self-absorbed to be much help to him. After his fourth adjustment, he began to report impressive results. Not only did a flare up of lower back pain from a 45-year-old former back surgery retreat but his chronic sinus problems cleared up as well.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then is when I finally decided to secure this miracle worker's manipulations for myself. I was way beyond the point I could adequately care for my Tennessee Walker, Trig. I was selfishly leaving the evening feedings and stall mucking to Tony.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I called Tony's chiropractor.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> ***********</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The day of that chiropractic appointment came, and I walked back to the good doctor's examination room when called. When he entered the room, I stood up and stuck my finger in his chest. With a big grin, I said with much gusto, "I have great news for you, my friend. I am a simple woman with a simple problem. I have sciatica on my right side because that is where my pain is radiating, and I have done my research. You should be able to give me four adjustments then I will be out of your hair and hands!" He broke out laughing, and I knew then we were going to have a great patient/doc relationship.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"You know,” he said, “you could be right on the money, but you do realize as a new patient I need to do a basic X-ray workup?"</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He did and then asked me to step in for the review. As he was hanging my films on the back-lit wall, he was informing me sciatica was not my problem. As I stared at what was before me, instead of seeing what I expected to see...a straight spine, I saw a lazy ‘S’ on that film.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> ***********</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember blurting, "What the heck is that snake doing in my back?”</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Linda, did you not know you have scoliosis of the spine?”</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Uh, no."</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"How in the world can you be sixty-three years old and not be aware of this? Did no one ever catch it?"</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then he asked, “Have you been in a serious car accident?" Not that a car wreck can cause scoliosis; he inquired for another reason.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a nanosecond my mind flashed through the years of falls from my horses, breaking bones from the impacts.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I recalled my most recent crash several months prior when before Trig's morning feed he had wandered from his barn down to the front of the cabin where I sat on the front porch having coffee.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was still in my jammies, but I grabbed a treat and ran down the cabin steps. Then I looked up at that big, broad, black back and got a wild hair. I figured a quick little bareback ride in the bottom pasture would be enjoyable for both of us.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grasping a handful of mane, I managed to climb aboard his 16-hands height, and when settled, I gave the cues to turn him down the lane. Trig has always 'listened' to my legs, and he turned as I cued him up to a fast walk with the intentions of leading him into a slow canter.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It never happened.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just about the time the canter cue was coming</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> my Trig did an abrupt ninety degree left turn toward his water bucket. I immediately rolled over and off his right shoulder and hit the gravel road beneath, landing flat on my back.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The physical shock was overwhelming! My first thought? I have broken my back! My second? I am up here in the total privacy of all this acreage...by myself. I lay there stunned.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next moment I opened my eyes to see my Trig's massive head hanging over me and then felt his tongue frantically licking my face. He has always been overwhelmingly protective of me (he has already attacked a donkey he thought was a threat to me and gone after a large dog as well.)</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I could just hear him saying, "MOM, MOM, are you okay? I just wanted to suck up some liquid before we rode. My bad, my bad!"</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fact I was able to laugh at his sincere concern told me I was going to live, so I thanked God, scraped myself up and hobbled into the cabin. The next three days of agony assured me though I would never pull that stunt again.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*********</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Nope, no car wrecks</span>”,<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I replied.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Well, it appears on your x-ray down here near the lumbar vertebrae there is a problem with two discs. My first recommendation Linda is you go to an orthopedic surgeon so they can take a better look at this and also establish a benchmark to monitor possible deterioration of your spine due to scoliosis .”</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Knowing then an MRI had to be in my future, and a quick, easy fix at the chiropractor’s office was not to be, I burst into tears. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Feeling like an idiot, I was embarrassed after I realized the folly of walking into</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that facility and thinking I would get a quick fix. Yet, I could not help but think of the coming summer and h</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ikes and water balloon fights, boating on Lake Watauga and more in-depth study of the Cherokee Indians to culminate in a trip to see 'The Trail of Tears' in Cherokee, N.C. I needed to get a move on!</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, I would discover this would not be the last death of a dream regarding this mess I found myself in.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> *********</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once the appointment with the orthopedic surgeon was scheduled, I had a month to wait and agonize and grow more petulant. The pain had begun radiating across my entire lower back. DANG IT!</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally, the big day came, and I must say I was both excited and anxious to make that 10:00 a.m. appointment. My Tony went with me, and when we were called back, I believed this was finally the beginning of the end to my anguish.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The surgeon’s associate pulled his chair close to mine- almost knees-to-knees and he looked intently in my face and asked, "Why are you here?"</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Attesting to my cracked nerves, I wanted to reach out and smite his face. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My mind screamed WHAT THE HECK DO YOU MEAN WHY AM I HERE? I HAVE ALREADY FILLED OUT AN ENTIRE TREE LIMB OF PAPERWORK DESCRIBING IN DETAIL WHY, YOU NITWIT! I AM ONE HAIRLINE CRACK FROM BECOMING TOTALLY FISSURED, SO WHY ARE YOU STRESSING ME FURTHER BY ASKING ME THAT?</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He still continued staring at me so with every fiber of my being I, in a deadly hushed tone, replied, "I have been told by this office my MRI revealed I have a bulging disc.”</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Yes, a few," he corrected, "But go ahead and start at the beginning and tell me when this problem began and what you have done about it to date."</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I became fixated on those words "yes, a few" so Tony helped me get my story out in a rational manner. Then swooping up his model of a human spine as if he was a virtuoso and that spine was his baby grand piano Doc began to glide his fingers up and down the ivory column of vertebrae, nerves, and discs, showcasing my offending problems.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was grateful my husband was with me to help me absorb the information. All I retained from his refrain was my most aggravated bulging disc was between vertebrae 5 and </span>6<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, but I had other smaller bulging discs as well. Also, yes I did have scoliosis and spinal arthritis, and the arthritis was exacerbating the pain apart from the bulges.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And then I heard this crazed man say that surgery was out of the question.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stricken, I felt a wave of shock followed by a stab of disbelief.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This highly skilled professional indeed could not jerk the snake from my body; he did not, however, have the nerve to veto my second quick fix.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> *********</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had already envisioned this brilliant wielder of the knife, feeling sad for me, telling me my major bulging disc had bothered me long enough, so he was going to put me out of my misery. He was going to perform laser surgery. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First thing in the morning he would be admitting me to Bristol Regional, cutting a one-inch slit in my lumbar region, repairing the disc that was causing me the immense pain and then placing the Band-Aid on... just like they did in the Laser Spine Institute commercials on TV. Then he could do whatever to the other smaller problems and I could be discharged later that day.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> *********</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Crushed and believing this simpleton had not grasped something had to be done to help me I, angrily, cut loose! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I felt compelled to educate him in the hopes a quick laser surgery would be put back on the table.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Please listen to me Sir," I wailed. “You don’t know anything about me and the lifestyle I have always lived." </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"You do not realize how active I have been my whole life, do you? I have snow skied, and water skied and still own a horse I ride at full gallop. I was solo camping well into my fifties. I traveled to Hawaii by myself when I was fifty-three and rented a motorcycle and rode up into the mouth of a volcano and parasailed. Not into the volcano but from the back of a boat."</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That simpleton just sat there staring at me. I did not dare look over at Tony.</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Taking in another deep breath, I blathered on.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Also, in my early fifties, I picked up racquetball for an hour, five mornings a week at 5:00 a.m. at the Wellness Center. How many women do you know who were that active in their fifties?"</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Are you aware I was fifty-three and started training on my bike ten miles every morning, seven days a week, including climbing up sides of mountains? No, you're not. I rode in bike marathons and hid a grin as I passed young guys more than half my age."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This doctor did not stop staring at me, with eyes slightly wider by this time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I also started golfing in my fifties and am still taking week-long golfing trips every year. I so need to be able to continue that! Help me do that!" </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Feeling a little light headed but unable to regain control I let it be known then I had taken up the sport of kayaking when I was fifty-three and would speed stroke daily up and down Lake Watauga, always trying to beat my personal best. My kayak was waiting for me at the lake! </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally, out of desperation and for good measure I blurted out I had also had natural childbirth with my children, and I knew what pain was! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I stopped. Exhausted.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> **********</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By this point, I felt like a deranged fool. The knees-to-knees contact now was almost unbearable as t</span><span style="background-color: #f5f6f5; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he looming face of that man confirmed what I felt.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In my zeal to make him realize my back problem was emotionally paralyzing me, he was, I'm sure, mulling over an additional referral to a psychiatrist. </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Apparently, my rant did not impress or move his dial one iota. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He, never taking his eyes off me, stood up and said, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Well you are no longer in your fifties, Linda; you are sixty-three now.”</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BAM!</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He then told me he would be having a consultation with his colleague and left the room. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I then looked over at Tony who sat there staring straight ahead.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon the neurosurgeon returned. He started with a pep talk, then handed me a regimen of steroids, a prescription for arthritis pills, a booklet of back exercises and a follow-up appointment. Then he summarily dismissed me.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With a tear-streaked face, I left that office, completely defeated. As we walked back to our car, I, finally broken, uttered, “Tony, I am going to have to let this go and let God.”</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i> <i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">EUREKA</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">! That 'God moment' hit me like a lightning bolt.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I realized right then right there is where God had been trying to gently get me for months. I had finally reached that simple but oh, so profound truth. For months I had struggled, whined, complained and grown bitter over my situation.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> **********</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ya see, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a dear friend of mine, and I had been chatting back and forth over a grievous</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> situation she was anguishing over in her life. All I knew to do was keep telling her she needed to ‘let go and let God.'</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> We both, years ago, had learned the Biblical Scriptures that simple</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> phrase was anchored upon and we knew the power and release it offered God's kids.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alas, what a hypocrite I had been.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The whole time I was sharing with my friend, I was not ‘letting go and letting God’ when it came to my own physical problems. I had made a conscious decision months before I could handle it myself. Sadly, I could sure preach but not breach that invaluable truth myself.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As it is in our relationship and fellowship with our Heavenly Father, He will respect our free will even if it means He has to wait patiently for us to reach the point when carrying our own burdens overwhelms us. When we finally reach the end of our rope and turn our cares over to Him, He is ever ready to take our load on His own precious back.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once I laid down my ‘self’ and turned it over to my Poppa God, it has been amazing the turn I have made physically, spiritually and emotionally. The steroids the doctor put me on began to produce positive effects within the first few days as the inflammation and pain of the bulging discs began to recede. That, working in tandem with the arthritic medication, has been miraculous. An inversion machine provided by my sister is significantly </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">strengthening and stretching my lower back muscles and spine.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 30.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1eyIEkNaqypV6VFZ5ufl9S3EimsnRXt7XaBTaVW1k9K6VVFq562nQxJjUjY8eC9ZdDrf2SCkZRDho0u6vwQLKR5Rm2Y_w87zkoVg28qDo_T3Ls2NSeOv3Fw1a898z-xnd_IyKkKAm_c/s1600/Back+problems+Blog+%25234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1eyIEkNaqypV6VFZ5ufl9S3EimsnRXt7XaBTaVW1k9K6VVFq562nQxJjUjY8eC9ZdDrf2SCkZRDho0u6vwQLKR5Rm2Y_w87zkoVg28qDo_T3Ls2NSeOv3Fw1a898z-xnd_IyKkKAm_c/s400/Back+problems+Blog+%25234.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 30.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I anticipate being back on Trig in a few weeks. Savannah, Ryleigh, and Emmett are already on the schedule to come spend time with their Nana and Papaw up here in the shadows of the Roan, and I cannot wait for the family vacation coming up. </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hope springs eternal now, and I have a new spring in my step.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God bless you my friends for spending this time with me, and I thank each of you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck for dining with me today.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KDia0fBwY81NE0oyq3vVsqQHW-w-v_q9YyloFqhQsJ7nIZEjtjW8lLRJTJL2Ev6ruXjLuaK-wTsUbSI76dw10A35vk6K4N6TsirpBoihb4SZO00yxQoyLZ0R5H7h_GE14UYCa6-7fPQ/s1600/about+me+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KDia0fBwY81NE0oyq3vVsqQHW-w-v_q9YyloFqhQsJ7nIZEjtjW8lLRJTJL2Ev6ruXjLuaK-wTsUbSI76dw10A35vk6K4N6TsirpBoihb4SZO00yxQoyLZ0R5H7h_GE14UYCa6-7fPQ/s320/about+me+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 30.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 30.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<br /></div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-4489323764793771322016-03-30T14:51:00.003-07:002017-03-11T03:38:38.072-08:00Raisin’ Kids is like Being Plucked to Death by Chickens <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Welcome, all!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Bear Cabin was cracked open Easter Sunday after a long winter’s sleep. My husband and I let the Son shine in.</span><b><i><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Along with the wonderful message of our Risen Savior, we welcomed over thirty adults and five little people up on the Roan for a wonderful celebration; it was so good to see family members, neighbors and friends join together for a day of fellowship, fun, and laughter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tony and I had let our two decorators, Hope Hall and Patti Mullins of </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Plumberry Hollow</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> -see </span><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2463857266675743402#editor/target=post;postID=3785151561344145425;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=2;src=postname"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Does This Bathroom Make My Butt Look Big?</span></a></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">- give the front porch of the cabin a new facelift while leaving the back porch rustic with bear rugs and Indian motif. That way we knew we would please everyone’s idea of what an old cabin nestled in the woods should look like.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjff5B8cOs5AsKHBlN-FqTJaoCupbbeouSRJbXRoPw406biUkTi9gP8eHz5nndRlnMeKXkFGrStXX2trsmGC_9Frdla-hb5NkwyMDVS7wL6PaqBWfoa-RLo8fwshLSKMj1LSB4NBJzOyrU/s400/%252331+Easter+of+2016.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kjBpNvk7H5X6at5o80oewizHj5CmbWYLbTbcRwae6zd_I7aKXBSlMyeYGiLlCovNnpS5rLv8UMJJL60iIUpW4lkZlQVkTWbRbQtntnAY7EhUDZIcbjLQtlTl5KLkUhOmZ0VOpSF412Q/s1600/%252336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kjBpNvk7H5X6at5o80oewizHj5CmbWYLbTbcRwae6zd_I7aKXBSlMyeYGiLlCovNnpS5rLv8UMJJL60iIUpW4lkZlQVkTWbRbQtntnAY7EhUDZIcbjLQtlTl5KLkUhOmZ0VOpSF412Q/s400/%252336.jpg" width="357" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">The Easter Bush had been decorated with colored eggs, and Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit and their three little ones were standing beside it ready to greet our guests as they walked up the lane to the cabin. Though the Bush was stark naked this year, not even wearing a bud, she still looked festive and held within her the promise of beauty that would eventually bloom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1GpiaYCHMYOPzdvflZRMAlYtrBBYJm8nRx0iStGPCQCvd9sYlt30XRABsG27fhoTgfvswsyesRR4au6XsxvHEa3hb3cDn0qDkNKixxdvmb5tX8NXKydJqMT8K35at2icOxprhYZlMzs/s1600/%252335+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1GpiaYCHMYOPzdvflZRMAlYtrBBYJm8nRx0iStGPCQCvd9sYlt30XRABsG27fhoTgfvswsyesRR4au6XsxvHEa3hb3cDn0qDkNKixxdvmb5tX8NXKydJqMT8K35at2icOxprhYZlMzs/s400/%252335+Easter+of+2016.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">As everyone arrived and spilled throughout the cabin and onto the porches, the excitement of seeing one another grew louder, and peals of laughter started ringing throughout Misty Hollow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">One of the first things to be done was to show everyone a huge Easter basket filled with goodies and a quart-sized jar of jelly beans. The one who guessed how many beans were in the jar without going over would win the basket. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Laughing hysterically, I was amazed how many of the guys started pulling out their smartphones trying to figure out how much dry goods a quart jar could hold, the area of a quart jar vs. the size of a jelly bean and other such 'scientific angles.' They were all over the map with their answers. The women all simply picked up the jar, turned it around a couple of times and wrote down their answers. The children? Bless their Lil’ hearts. They each guessed fervently but innocently…and way, way low. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8J7_S6cmCTQ63chw1G3E-gf75KOM8qVjYk7b2PY97KY_U3Wa0Le_5btALd5I9T3BS_UylIL08ENMlb-14v_UD6JkBJeKgCgbD5uQmqiUFTNFkcSVJbg9TFvFcDRtrPJs5EjxY1y4gco/s1600/%25237+Easter+if+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8J7_S6cmCTQ63chw1G3E-gf75KOM8qVjYk7b2PY97KY_U3Wa0Le_5btALd5I9T3BS_UylIL08ENMlb-14v_UD6JkBJeKgCgbD5uQmqiUFTNFkcSVJbg9TFvFcDRtrPJs5EjxY1y4gco/s400/%25237+Easter+if+2016.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">We had so many other wonderful plans for the day. The hot tub had been drained and cleaned for spring, and it was waiting at the perfect temperature; the miniature donkeys that had new babies were anxious to nuzzle the guests and be brushed, and the four-wheeler was finely tuned for spins around the perimeter of the property. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">And it goes without saying Trig, my Tennessee Walker, was chomping at the bit to join in the fray and receive his pre-packaged bags of treats (to avoid colic) handed out to all who wanted to become his best buddy. Trig is so gentle with the little folk, and he even took a bit of carrot out of his mom’s lips to the delight of on watchers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfJkav6DXJdusU4C6R0MJUPhaw6hx1i-rYRRVeqPcvkr1pumD6GqNQczcNuOnZpIWAfGNm6EkF3ZSM0q8Q7Q8TOuMO_Dv9UopmrVK7owS68wPHIHBEsSIHURDqtJQJRhGmNP_7MqaLns/s1600/%252316+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9FqZn2A9J1ZDFFHORFq96JjAA1PUSVIVn7vnYbAaQtsYP0cy4wwTSdySzDuxzsdWa8mr3A48JjBJVfqmsDERRwEyCeUuxbXbhig3Aa1ZX6qzlsoA2joON4PymLf_6aAyWUogNo3qwOk/s1600/%252329+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9FqZn2A9J1ZDFFHORFq96JjAA1PUSVIVn7vnYbAaQtsYP0cy4wwTSdySzDuxzsdWa8mr3A48JjBJVfqmsDERRwEyCeUuxbXbhig3Aa1ZX6qzlsoA2joON4PymLf_6aAyWUogNo3qwOk/s320/%252329+Easter+of+2016.jpg" width="316" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfJkav6DXJdusU4C6R0MJUPhaw6hx1i-rYRRVeqPcvkr1pumD6GqNQczcNuOnZpIWAfGNm6EkF3ZSM0q8Q7Q8TOuMO_Dv9UopmrVK7owS68wPHIHBEsSIHURDqtJQJRhGmNP_7MqaLns/s1600/%252316+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfJkav6DXJdusU4C6R0MJUPhaw6hx1i-rYRRVeqPcvkr1pumD6GqNQczcNuOnZpIWAfGNm6EkF3ZSM0q8Q7Q8TOuMO_Dv9UopmrVK7owS68wPHIHBEsSIHURDqtJQJRhGmNP_7MqaLns/s400/%252316+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">It took no time at all before three of our younger grandchildren, Savannah, Ryleigh, and Emmett had donned wading boots and left to venture up the creek to explore for treasures, one of their favorite things to do while at Nana’s and Poppas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDGMQXMGnegU2vhMGPWdQ8QpYGkcMQeGKUc3E1CQ6_87hjAS_Q5PTizwJJ6RpiqaPMsAXWff5HNsIMnfvwMlDv9dLqG3vswrVOVvk-mCUfLoaoyuqQ27AYICsS5InK52ystQcfxzJ-oE/s1600/%252325+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDGMQXMGnegU2vhMGPWdQ8QpYGkcMQeGKUc3E1CQ6_87hjAS_Q5PTizwJJ6RpiqaPMsAXWff5HNsIMnfvwMlDv9dLqG3vswrVOVvk-mCUfLoaoyuqQ27AYICsS5InK52ystQcfxzJ-oE/s1600/%252325+Easter+of+2016.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">When the dinner bell rang loud and clear… the blessing of the food was given by my sweetheart, and it was time to fill an Easter plate and find a place at a picnic table.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cVw9TNkCiCc1WjKKXcWwj969dsKt421IHxzubqTBHKkezxOF0iXvPZgCqvyH83X90geagkMncLddAOmUtdQvFpqh4feNzp7h1ffD9SZKWpwmw0kTnZZtQKS7UXGoHaCd4lH_bJl9heA/s1600/%252324+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cVw9TNkCiCc1WjKKXcWwj969dsKt421IHxzubqTBHKkezxOF0iXvPZgCqvyH83X90geagkMncLddAOmUtdQvFpqh4feNzp7h1ffD9SZKWpwmw0kTnZZtQKS7UXGoHaCd4lH_bJl9heA/s400/%252324+Easter+of+2016.jpg" width="385" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t0zduVumwJbOdJdtIYfkEYImQI3DADkrJv-GNKPjk8orhDNz1chgEiM67Z2cWusY6bitx-PJ8uvmM6g4NVa-k2WGBgCja57Ke1IIVQ234uYiYNpIo3-3YEo3MgXstGZYTrGrD11oFlQ/s1600/%252322+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t0zduVumwJbOdJdtIYfkEYImQI3DADkrJv-GNKPjk8orhDNz1chgEiM67Z2cWusY6bitx-PJ8uvmM6g4NVa-k2WGBgCja57Ke1IIVQ234uYiYNpIo3-3YEo3MgXstGZYTrGrD11oFlQ/s400/%252322+Easter+of+2016.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">This lovely bowl of potato salad was made and brought to the picnic by my awesome sister, Debby. She is renowned for her home-style cooking. Just to help you put amounts in perspective…this bowl holds two gallons! The two matching bowls each held two gallons of cole slaw and baked beans. Also, there were one hundred pieces of chicken served. We were determined no one would leave our home hungry!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">A real highlight of the meal came when dessert was announced. We had ole-fashioned banana splits with all the trimmings, compliments of Aunt Peggy, Uncle Edd, and Grandfather Don! What a treat! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">As everyone began to gather ‘round the table laden with gallons of ice cream, fresh bananas, and arrays of toppings and whip cream you could hear the oohs and ahhs. As I put that first bite in my mouth, I recalled the first time as a young child I had my first banana split. I guess it will always be at the top of my list of favorite desserts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-eMdos8W9sc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-eMdos8W9sc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Soon it was time for the big Easter Egg Hunt. The older kids took off to the front of the cabin to hide the dozens of eggs that were meant for the grade school kid’s baskets. One-year-old Bowie had his own special eggs to find.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC7u453m22PBCsFk285WeAPogU8OW454RCAILqXK1QcD3poLV1-ztn6QrWznFnDj6BxaxjOIi5hORz1LEBR4Kt3ENwqRHhdBmcGDszcIvyjtQmBT8InGWGOb0vx73GROtGHjQKfgqyVc/s1600/%252315+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC7u453m22PBCsFk285WeAPogU8OW454RCAILqXK1QcD3poLV1-ztn6QrWznFnDj6BxaxjOIi5hORz1LEBR4Kt3ENwqRHhdBmcGDszcIvyjtQmBT8InGWGOb0vx73GROtGHjQKfgqyVc/s400/%252315+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4c0V2a3l1g700UqrAX73iqE1E-ybYY7vI0fVdTgWKp383dTRkgAbNFB80w-5fAX01w1luNX8cl_jqEhhT2819kKvUdkmR9jBxxVLjKu4ruwtUsp7-NFyKgRVBoRvCJ8iLJOploJ4qaH4/s1600/%252334+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4c0V2a3l1g700UqrAX73iqE1E-ybYY7vI0fVdTgWKp383dTRkgAbNFB80w-5fAX01w1luNX8cl_jqEhhT2819kKvUdkmR9jBxxVLjKu4ruwtUsp7-NFyKgRVBoRvCJ8iLJOploJ4qaH4/s400/%252334+Easter+of+2016.jpg" width="280" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC7u453m22PBCsFk285WeAPogU8OW454RCAILqXK1QcD3poLV1-ztn6QrWznFnDj6BxaxjOIi5hORz1LEBR4Kt3ENwqRHhdBmcGDszcIvyjtQmBT8InGWGOb0vx73GROtGHjQKfgqyVc/s1600/%252315+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RmnkLL_5OI4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RmnkLL_5OI4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">We even found one pretty pink Easter egg over in the field by itself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt_f6CRIYt_Di6JaX57t4ejKhGZvhgaRLSq9VTHH_IEFpZPbngm_Z924SbK9EOx-PP4J1rGjN1DdLoI_5sd9xlVd_C_AuCIdyvy7HIGNWqhwm-Z7sNt0-5vE-lzyI4HkmtDRcttVLxis/s400/%252319+Easter+of+2016.jpg" width="277" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Throughout the day up here in our hollow, love was vibrant and precious. The love of Christ and His sacrifice for us was ever near; young love was in bloom that brought back memories of Tony and me at that tender age so long ago.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yll508yGVs1lTjun3Cxsncsfd0go4wl9dlBrDdqVo0-juhlUhMiYvhjAxu3ZZGyNeZoS3VbGF36npTR4kWQBtDAN_lav_C6ZbyWxWOXj7WzcWpNGiAU-iDJDljXN1vUHODwp_BJan5A/s1600/%252337+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMAv2jvrS8xJ17BGrqUwUB1JEEM5mtbQjPQb5Mb0CaHH4SuNyP1vC_pf6yCGR74Mqw_ImqI9bwqmRxbIfMHI-nZ5g2UWKKm0-i4RfKBjUqkSWopmbKo8N3K5qeXd3U0xNKjPsaVCCweA/s1600/%252310+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMAv2jvrS8xJ17BGrqUwUB1JEEM5mtbQjPQb5Mb0CaHH4SuNyP1vC_pf6yCGR74Mqw_ImqI9bwqmRxbIfMHI-nZ5g2UWKKm0-i4RfKBjUqkSWopmbKo8N3K5qeXd3U0xNKjPsaVCCweA/s400/%252310+Easter+of+2016.jpg" width="225" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yll508yGVs1lTjun3Cxsncsfd0go4wl9dlBrDdqVo0-juhlUhMiYvhjAxu3ZZGyNeZoS3VbGF36npTR4kWQBtDAN_lav_C6ZbyWxWOXj7WzcWpNGiAU-iDJDljXN1vUHODwp_BJan5A/s1600/%252337+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yll508yGVs1lTjun3Cxsncsfd0go4wl9dlBrDdqVo0-juhlUhMiYvhjAxu3ZZGyNeZoS3VbGF36npTR4kWQBtDAN_lav_C6ZbyWxWOXj7WzcWpNGiAU-iDJDljXN1vUHODwp_BJan5A/s400/%252337+Easter+of+2016.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">It was also touching throughout the day to see such moments as the bond of love between a father and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">daughter and a favored uncle and adoring niece.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2AZ7vmbLWkw5i30OPcPS9xyPMURcpMG8lQerJo3BqFHApHc_jIvlLGG7sA8I_vefJVwGbbcTUmht9ibulSuVaOxqItC1YrY1b8HgeG7ZAUENlECZYP_JKoy6MLl83VVOKU44xstvUhk/s1600/%252339.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2AZ7vmbLWkw5i30OPcPS9xyPMURcpMG8lQerJo3BqFHApHc_jIvlLGG7sA8I_vefJVwGbbcTUmht9ibulSuVaOxqItC1YrY1b8HgeG7ZAUENlECZYP_JKoy6MLl83VVOKU44xstvUhk/s1600/%252339.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VB_q5v1rxhDdtYS3F6ZxHjKzCq-c33vmZln7FAYSqWt03Ow7df_51IgyS8CVGR_JGIAGiynsDHKdG0C9AIK3h50LqgCU8P_jjilxObrl9__u15xKvDMGQEuk0rgYDk6DFsq1ClaET4w/s1600/%252338+Easter+in+2016.jpg" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Laughter and shouts of children playing indicated all were having a great time. The hilarity when the winner of the Easter basket was announced was priceless. Angela, Tony’s sister, won! She was one of the women who gave a casual glance at the jar and wrote her number down.The angst of the men when not one of them came in second, third, fourth or fifth place in the contest was savored. Sometimes ya just need to observe the female folk and glean from their wisdom of keeping life simple.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">As all were starting down the lane leaving the cabin on Sunday, I stood on the porch and sadly watched each go. My own adult children walked closely with their children as others walked with theirs; the day was over, but it had been wonderful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Yep, I thought as I headed toward a hot bath, raisin’ kids is as has been said 'like being plucked to death by chickens.' That sentiment is surely based on the times of sorrow that come with the job. The heartaches of broken bones and wounded hearts, of training up a child and the inevitable rebellion and consequences that came with it. The disappointments that hurt us as parents as much as our kids. Those times of tears over wounds we knew would heal one day, but each child felt never would; when our tears flowed as freely as theirs. I know these heartaches seemed endless with my four children.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Nevertheless, as I watched mine leave Sunday, I realized there have been countless days before Sunday that blessed and reminded me how much it was all worth it. My prayer now is that those same chickens don’t come home to roost</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> as my children are rearin’ theirs... my precious grandchildren.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">I hope your Easter was as blessed as ours, my friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Bb9aALz8F9wncPdUNrUQzAx5M4MvqiAYxi0ISh2Hdgol39gNxf36OTY8RPwrvc1trv6aHvvIeFBMyqOWJf8LMwg8H7-1evK9LViBPWMhm5J48gcykP8leVHyoFmMf7b4YHGqbzfFnxo/s1600/%252339+Easter+if+2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Bb9aALz8F9wncPdUNrUQzAx5M4MvqiAYxi0ISh2Hdgol39gNxf36OTY8RPwrvc1trv6aHvvIeFBMyqOWJf8LMwg8H7-1evK9LViBPWMhm5J48gcykP8leVHyoFmMf7b4YHGqbzfFnxo/s320/%252339+Easter+if+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-58480546685870206452016-02-13T17:02:00.000-08:002017-03-11T09:06:42.276-08:00Love Came to the Rescue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbxTJlX5f5XQ8G5VKai5jVcL1tGqEDd-CGrsgDgwfGXFS6ecp0cEzUBHwfPtmtXb7h8vIK19KUCiBqiSIUEIx07jkuQI1Bh1152qQEWpaUmLcM7oQljn4KyLLEKY9_k6Xk6nI7VpVR-M/s1600/Ryleigh%2527s+yellow+roses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbxTJlX5f5XQ8G5VKai5jVcL1tGqEDd-CGrsgDgwfGXFS6ecp0cEzUBHwfPtmtXb7h8vIK19KUCiBqiSIUEIx07jkuQI1Bh1152qQEWpaUmLcM7oQljn4KyLLEKY9_k6Xk6nI7VpVR-M/s320/Ryleigh%2527s+yellow+roses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "script mt bold"; line-height: 14.72px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span><b style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><i><span style="color: blue;">This story is dedicated to all women who have had to make a choice. Faced with a crisis pregnancy and knowing you could not care for your baby…you made the most difficult, yet noble, decision any mommy could make. You placed your child into the arms of another mother. </span></i></span></b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Halfway across the world in South Korea, a young woman was distraught when she discovered she was going to have a baby. Her boyfriend was ill-equipped to be a father and keeping the child seemed impossible. </span></b><br />
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">This girl’s mother was very supportive and assisted her daughter in the decision to give the child she carried up for adoption. The baby was brought to term and was born on 07/07/07. Isn’t seven God’s number of completeness and perfection? </span></b><br />
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">As you follow this story, it may seem so in the lives of those involved in this birth.</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">When the child was born, this mother held her little girl close to her heart and named her Sarang, meaning Love. </span></b><br />
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Then this incredible woman did one of the noblest things anyone can do. She placed her child in the arms of another with her only comfort being she was giving her baby a chance at a better life, one she could never provide. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Then walking away, she knew she would have that little one forever in her heart. </span></b></span><br />
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Sarang</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> was then placed in a nurturing foster home in Seoul with a mother and father who had children of their own.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6htpmLdh1vLEtA10B-C2XJGdTkm_OWqgYpnQ7u4o1AOj70lUhKei_PcjntKf0Yt3CBJAmqlnMMZFo3ia8qYUTUpMXZqMT9ia4IiJtMLEw043Smk5-gj8uda1xIr32MWz-jPOWxHngFk/s1600/braxlee1+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6htpmLdh1vLEtA10B-C2XJGdTkm_OWqgYpnQ7u4o1AOj70lUhKei_PcjntKf0Yt3CBJAmqlnMMZFo3ia8qYUTUpMXZqMT9ia4IiJtMLEw043Smk5-gj8uda1xIr32MWz-jPOWxHngFk/s400/braxlee1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="275" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjbQ21UTtrfyVKinZYba7t4pMhDFkFr7oqjYGv6In4HvVicW-PLh82o_fwVd8uO1qCC_b2odxb6SUK8gtRcjRjqkj2Ad5Vpz80OroQkmLxUMDpA3wJZpKeiArQZKZWTJe48esmZfL2uY/s1600/0a90ea62-45c2-48a9-a0f7-e1ccb6164e53+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjbQ21UTtrfyVKinZYba7t4pMhDFkFr7oqjYGv6In4HvVicW-PLh82o_fwVd8uO1qCC_b2odxb6SUK8gtRcjRjqkj2Ad5Vpz80OroQkmLxUMDpA3wJZpKeiArQZKZWTJe48esmZfL2uY/s400/0a90ea62-45c2-48a9-a0f7-e1ccb6164e53+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Now on the opposite side of this earth in the town of Hendersonville, a bedroom community of Nashville, Tennessee, lived a handsome couple named Tara and Ken Tolbert who had a young son, Chandler. My husband and I are so proud to know and love Tara as our daughter, Ken, our son-in-law, and Chandler, our first born grandchild. </span></b></div>
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">This little family was very happy and spent their days filled to the brim with their son who, since pre-kindergarten, loved soccer. Tara and Ken spent many long hours supporting and encouraging Chandler on the soccer fields in addition to the other interests he pursued. Their lives were full and content. </span></b></div>
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9P3CEokoo8t8si3tQyX3tAc3PzUIFm0aijwCjgq_9R3NhJn7nKfOunxZmb8rp0bDSPj8VAV_8S-F7QxS7bcU-bMHimuZQ-uwWzW3Oi3_tXE6cwAJcTdl9K9yK89_NYvT5hLqW-NzeQk/s1600/MANDY%2526IRA10-15-05+018+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"></span></b></a><b style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3TE0VdJSlOhUjJUwGAyPRBNLN_HeZ-TZQTi6C_XHUif5TxWQQl9lcK8Nxg60LVAOgoSG4dTqMkJSh08Hx18IkVONsy-zXFFvTnOD2xnxFPRwlLlOx6FNsFsrThr_4xkdLb4HMkDgIqs/s1600/Highres+%25283%2529.jpg"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3TE0VdJSlOhUjJUwGAyPRBNLN_HeZ-TZQTi6C_XHUif5TxWQQl9lcK8Nxg60LVAOgoSG4dTqMkJSh08Hx18IkVONsy-zXFFvTnOD2xnxFPRwlLlOx6FNsFsrThr_4xkdLb4HMkDgIqs/s400/Highres+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;">
<b style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Eventually, though, all three began to yearn for an addition to their family. Much reflection resulted in the realization they wanted to adopt a child from another country. Chandler wanted a brother or a sister. As a family who had already experienced the rich rewards and blessings of having adoptees from abroad, Tara and Ken also wanted to go in the direction of their aunt and uncle.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">My husband's sister, Peggy Blevins Baldock and her husband, Edd, had adopted two beautiful babies, Mary and Victoria, </span><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">from</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> China years prior.</span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></span></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6LPsqqd5s5NHeKsj240wqwg6haZivqHbg3flokKRxKlsZMMwb69NAC5peMucFWp5mqp775b99S3sjqLm1nOlRNR_f9NQ080kbYyQw4aE6s4nHLPNwkc5n0SPdf6AMBhY-Jm0bwrVSv8/s1600/mary+and+tori+grown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6LPsqqd5s5NHeKsj240wqwg6haZivqHbg3flokKRxKlsZMMwb69NAC5peMucFWp5mqp775b99S3sjqLm1nOlRNR_f9NQ080kbYyQw4aE6s4nHLPNwkc5n0SPdf6AMBhY-Jm0bwrVSv8/s640/mary+and+tori+grown.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></span></span></b> <b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Plus, Tara and Ken recalled having International </span><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">students living in their home had been an excellent experience.</span></span></span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Thus the arduous task of the adoption process began.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">It took over a year but finally, the endless piles of paperwork and office and home interviews were complete, and the wait began. Now all they could do was pray that God would bring to them the child who was a perfect match for their family. They also wanted to be a perfect match for the child who had needs they could meet.</span></b></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Time seemed to crawl.</span></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Then one day the call came that there was a baby girl in South Korea who was four months old and needed a forever family. The agency shared some details, and an appointment was scheduled to review her file the following day. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">On Halloween 2006, there was the final signing of the papers and details were set in motion for Sarang to become their child! Over the next five months, </span></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">more information about her first months of life with the foster family was made available, and a complete health history was laid bare along with the brief biography of the child's parents.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Not only were Tara, Ken, and Chandler thrilled, but our entire extended family were beside themselves with excitement and could not wait for Sarang's arrival.</span></b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">The soon-to-be parents immediately began the preparations for The Homecoming. Tara</span></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> launched a study of everything she could find regarding the Korean culture. In honor of the new baby’s arrival, a shower was a must. Deciding </span></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">that Sarang should have a new name more conducive to her life in America, the fun began to choose one that Ken, Tara, and Chandler all agreed on. </span></b><br />
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">They finally fell in love with Ryleigh Emerson Tolbert. This name won out for many reasons, but the best was because the first, middle and last names all had seven letters; that number seven seemed such a perfect number.</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pJX9N4RCYyY3iv-KANjAVkuKy2P7UKrGYQfhljxkhrIcCCub0zQaapJSAe-w4XmGr5fDXQRsPewV3kDrlKCFcAJwjaOU2M_7pK36Op-4JNz0-HbbmQr8WivYIAAX9WyCroRhoFSPJKQ/s1600/2brhhq8xeo9u+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pJX9N4RCYyY3iv-KANjAVkuKy2P7UKrGYQfhljxkhrIcCCub0zQaapJSAe-w4XmGr5fDXQRsPewV3kDrlKCFcAJwjaOU2M_7pK36Op-4JNz0-HbbmQr8WivYIAAX9WyCroRhoFSPJKQ/s400/2brhhq8xeo9u+%25281%2529.jpg" width="396" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HM0zpmwHW2nhzDmpd4Wq1wD-YqVo-j8y0SmrLGTukglpFeV4Vt3IWuu1KH3CItNyjJmSKgUb-Fn2iTIQx6ZVXwxrfQ7ZUt4vSzZITBIxHRXSHr4OHoe9QuFVFx2oVV72r3gtoRi31yA/s1600/18lr468c66qh6+%25284%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HM0zpmwHW2nhzDmpd4Wq1wD-YqVo-j8y0SmrLGTukglpFeV4Vt3IWuu1KH3CItNyjJmSKgUb-Fn2iTIQx6ZVXwxrfQ7ZUt4vSzZITBIxHRXSHr4OHoe9QuFVFx2oVV72r3gtoRi31yA/s400/18lr468c66qh6+%25284%2529.jpg" width="397" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">After what seemed like forever, the BIG DAY finally arrived! Tara and Ken flew to Detroit, Michigan where a private escort brought Ryleigh from South Korea and placed her in the arms of her new mommy and daddy. Then a flight back to the Nashville airport was made where Granddaddy Tony and Nana Linda were there with Chandler, waiting eagerly to meet them. </span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">While waiting for the plane to land, the new big brother, then eleven years old, proudly held up his sign for his sister so she could see it when she came through the door. Those passing were stopping and asking the young boy about his sign. Chandler did not hesitate to tell them who was flying in to meet him. With pride, I held my sign high as well.</span></b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJabZOhasFiFckUTaNwyW4vvQ3GdxnMmlS2Rxn5UQI-IU3txO2aUg9XioOcL0u1CoGizqOfda50UcDVWW4ZBfiRyhQ-XL3XXQmCxiJKU0XXUOf79eoR2-T0z2hTAzExgHAYao1O6pUQg/s1600/b9eb1658-8617-4aed-9e1b-d5f20fec5933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJabZOhasFiFckUTaNwyW4vvQ3GdxnMmlS2Rxn5UQI-IU3txO2aUg9XioOcL0u1CoGizqOfda50UcDVWW4ZBfiRyhQ-XL3XXQmCxiJKU0XXUOf79eoR2-T0z2hTAzExgHAYao1O6pUQg/s400/b9eb1658-8617-4aed-9e1b-d5f20fec5933.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> <b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOD29C0KVUAHAtRnEfcl6Dtuz4dwZIdoCbUgPisrmRpt_iCtJv1pe_hV_P2YCRYznWSl1iR_2lTvW-T1WPSo3MyTIajPk1BkJCMYIWU6-5S-DmkDx4vX1nBfUY_AR_cuAnY834Ok6IRE/s1600/Chandler%2527s+sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOD29C0KVUAHAtRnEfcl6Dtuz4dwZIdoCbUgPisrmRpt_iCtJv1pe_hV_P2YCRYznWSl1iR_2lTvW-T1WPSo3MyTIajPk1BkJCMYIWU6-5S-DmkDx4vX1nBfUY_AR_cuAnY834Ok6IRE/s400/Chandler%2527s+sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">The overwhelming joy when Tara and Ken walked through that airport door with Ryleigh in their arms was indescribable. That little tyke, as she approached, was flashing a smile so dazzling it lit up her entire face. Ryleigh also threw that smile to everyone passing by as her new family members stood oohing and ahhing over her. Her raven black hair, coal black eyes and skin tone were shockingly beautiful; she also boasted such a beautiful bone structure.</span></b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Our family quickly returned to Hendersonville to introduce this precious baby to her new home and the welcome party awaiting her. When this precious baby saw the decorated living room, that smile never left her face as her eyes gazed at the balloons, signs, and flowers.</span></b></span><br />
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlN8zBTrP9poAi4SEu2or0zBYcp03_RPutjwwlyN7Sj7r-vdqh0IOPtdHxVFrU4z1LCccgicFR4KHaHEfk2-f8NXCmMepfVlCgzlR0ME0c4zgSm_6b_-otSQbnPbZTP3cTOzsEs6Jv30/s1600/Ryleigh%2527s+welcome+home+party+%25282%2529.jpg"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlN8zBTrP9poAi4SEu2or0zBYcp03_RPutjwwlyN7Sj7r-vdqh0IOPtdHxVFrU4z1LCccgicFR4KHaHEfk2-f8NXCmMepfVlCgzlR0ME0c4zgSm_6b_-otSQbnPbZTP3cTOzsEs6Jv30/s400/Ryleigh%2527s+welcome+home+party+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">And then Mommy, Daddy, and big brother were able, after what seemed a lifetime, to start that first day of loving and living with the answer to their prayers. They even blessed Nana and Papaw by letting us share in their love.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdAVPEho32EKjfJvR0S7hOw67PZG613Ir8FKMJWSglWw1Roe0qhzQpEwrIJyohgFiP4wNjOTnmuMEm-h74hxMuiMJPPh7hhdSri4xXKXc4WyI4oI5BZFm2Qs28wcIn487PJUFJO-xhU0/s1600/IMG_1034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdAVPEho32EKjfJvR0S7hOw67PZG613Ir8FKMJWSglWw1Roe0qhzQpEwrIJyohgFiP4wNjOTnmuMEm-h74hxMuiMJPPh7hhdSri4xXKXc4WyI4oI5BZFm2Qs28wcIn487PJUFJO-xhU0/s400/IMG_1034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPILIpvyjcge9_zqePMOMQIxLMmgoRglnWjMwn-yZGxYf2WvsPUKFeOoHtr7gRmwJOV7zQu5NujiuIjd1WGp0czA6Nubu6KCto15ZNOzYFary4IcnJYj13W5m8A4hraG2-X90JeFNle0/s1600/IMG_1032+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPILIpvyjcge9_zqePMOMQIxLMmgoRglnWjMwn-yZGxYf2WvsPUKFeOoHtr7gRmwJOV7zQu5NujiuIjd1WGp0czA6Nubu6KCto15ZNOzYFary4IcnJYj13W5m8A4hraG2-X90JeFNle0/s400/IMG_1032+%25281%2529.jpg" width="367" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxKh7wLYbRWnyopdGIHBCHaSx39Qvksd23J67ZAts6WGX4FvwcK28C3DG79MKGIrcDjCg6bjzpRbqhMKJr_18HZwPaf0uExx75sjE-i8PNhpIEh5XxSZX2VgSi_0t8XzpMGMj6G_zjgY/s1600/Chandler+with+Ry+first+day.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxKh7wLYbRWnyopdGIHBCHaSx39Qvksd23J67ZAts6WGX4FvwcK28C3DG79MKGIrcDjCg6bjzpRbqhMKJr_18HZwPaf0uExx75sjE-i8PNhpIEh5XxSZX2VgSi_0t8XzpMGMj6G_zjgY/s400/Chandler+with+Ry+first+day.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g4tQ8p2VqFPhA4qLzdjf8r38-xnFsmIRSp9_PIAR4SljN8yZrGk6Atz36kJJcWNL5-9ttcl-JyLxLlSKtnW_k0AM6Jcsz9V3_eYZtz9KkXPgn4NvKJLW2TjFpGtCzWcJlXzWE-x6JjI/s1600/e+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g4tQ8p2VqFPhA4qLzdjf8r38-xnFsmIRSp9_PIAR4SljN8yZrGk6Atz36kJJcWNL5-9ttcl-JyLxLlSKtnW_k0AM6Jcsz9V3_eYZtz9KkXPgn4NvKJLW2TjFpGtCzWcJlXzWE-x6JjI/s400/e+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Our precious Ryleigh comfortably settled in and immediately began to thrive.</span></b></span><br />
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEAD3-KRT-AT3baxYHtcjzcq2mdwgL2o5RjybVQQ7Sgeh6I574Wv9Bag6YTG3Er8C7YFKPq0vdUdl70IJDzfyGDNVjFVW-_Km9SKQ7Ba8mtSU9SMVzroSbY9d2A1sW4v-9L2lih6FtsQ/s1600/ryleigh+smiling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEAD3-KRT-AT3baxYHtcjzcq2mdwgL2o5RjybVQQ7Sgeh6I574Wv9Bag6YTG3Er8C7YFKPq0vdUdl70IJDzfyGDNVjFVW-_Km9SKQ7Ba8mtSU9SMVzroSbY9d2A1sW4v-9L2lih6FtsQ/s400/ryleigh+smiling.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJlswRYci8gt-wS-LYqIOlEfwdERZ6suljdXjWmSPTJsZ5ZRSxuZ7vEGqypc_XjdL99RjOxvDabUi6S8HKRyys9XTDjqKazUdeS5PrDvy30W_PgFCguikpeuh8YsHm_CS-vdQPp0ClA0/s1600/IMG_1501_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJlswRYci8gt-wS-LYqIOlEfwdERZ6suljdXjWmSPTJsZ5ZRSxuZ7vEGqypc_XjdL99RjOxvDabUi6S8HKRyys9XTDjqKazUdeS5PrDvy30W_PgFCguikpeuh8YsHm_CS-vdQPp0ClA0/s400/IMG_1501_edited.jpg" width="386" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Nlo_4bfXFBo0YSB55cQ1BQcO-CMk9CVVKf5zxqjG7JGf-jlutYySG1JU2Oy_qGPSqwRaNeo_LnGHJXd60d15KwW2NBzx_U7YSxTaII-KjLHkhpj0pQT4GgV6saouzzb2NoIGIz0eZKQ/s1600/ryleigh+smiling+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Nlo_4bfXFBo0YSB55cQ1BQcO-CMk9CVVKf5zxqjG7JGf-jlutYySG1JU2Oy_qGPSqwRaNeo_LnGHJXd60d15KwW2NBzx_U7YSxTaII-KjLHkhpj0pQT4GgV6saouzzb2NoIGIz0eZKQ/s400/ryleigh+smiling+1.jpg" width="376" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Nlo_4bfXFBo0YSB55cQ1BQcO-CMk9CVVKf5zxqjG7JGf-jlutYySG1JU2Oy_qGPSqwRaNeo_LnGHJXd60d15KwW2NBzx_U7YSxTaII-KjLHkhpj0pQT4GgV6saouzzb2NoIGIz0eZKQ/s1600/ryleigh+smiling+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqbh-T-xIzgLK7as8iLToabysBljr7dhh2M3DK1EdepVAbS2BDylWqPCYOKtwfmuS8mBE28uut-mLjVWvEh7Y9ZQpfs42daJEQbQWK8bd7yK4aTIo7l8J9Wl6-fleeHPGyn06zsfRojI/s1600/ryleigh+3.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqbh-T-xIzgLK7as8iLToabysBljr7dhh2M3DK1EdepVAbS2BDylWqPCYOKtwfmuS8mBE28uut-mLjVWvEh7Y9ZQpfs42daJEQbQWK8bd7yK4aTIo7l8J9Wl6-fleeHPGyn06zsfRojI/s400/ryleigh+3.jpg" width="351" /></a></span></div>
<b style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">And she grew by leaps and bounds.</span></b></span><br />
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3ZgufGTQjCxljVZlueOvmayv47D7fJkvC2arCtFbPJyWz2u9ln4Ol4IL4Os_h9vahVy9-T2W3CMth1kefk-mmqa8iVNDGOdsBMqkQ9ttZ1awA-1vuNdhl82wHibHblWfWmABgPhYYhM/s1600/A+true+Angel%2521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3ZgufGTQjCxljVZlueOvmayv47D7fJkvC2arCtFbPJyWz2u9ln4Ol4IL4Os_h9vahVy9-T2W3CMth1kefk-mmqa8iVNDGOdsBMqkQ9ttZ1awA-1vuNdhl82wHibHblWfWmABgPhYYhM/s400/A+true+Angel%2521.jpg" width="297" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczvN91dKLohc_ySpDVkr95_oY24PFMkOiSapiSn1bd2GTJLwvdRO28h821PK_uPVNi7hiXYhoYF6rfPwDEn8_QiKVjh6KjDmJDuoDZCDOXBELTy2wZ6LgdU70UwOAmAsDOJQkC1nxv68/s1600/Love+the+hat%2521.jpg"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczvN91dKLohc_ySpDVkr95_oY24PFMkOiSapiSn1bd2GTJLwvdRO28h821PK_uPVNi7hiXYhoYF6rfPwDEn8_QiKVjh6KjDmJDuoDZCDOXBELTy2wZ6LgdU70UwOAmAsDOJQkC1nxv68/s400/Love+the+hat%2521.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyKHmLUiD_lTHxm7YCJWWUjTQXkGtlgVDB8DaduEtMSShH8Q9tDXQLT9k8YJiwMp5DfAGsD_ZEpEDVYm9yDsUq3qgzt0A2DDV4nZshwPFPpuy9xWV7V19vwPKtxXhKkuUVyvSzzlif2w/s1600/My+model%2521.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyKHmLUiD_lTHxm7YCJWWUjTQXkGtlgVDB8DaduEtMSShH8Q9tDXQLT9k8YJiwMp5DfAGsD_ZEpEDVYm9yDsUq3qgzt0A2DDV4nZshwPFPpuy9xWV7V19vwPKtxXhKkuUVyvSzzlif2w/s400/My+model%2521.jpg" width="267" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-Ibp3Z9ilEwlOjVP1IGcjeb5fyObR3XMFeB-d65f6FmzrEhdndi4siF3uTfR1Oo9XcMOOfqPqoU95_PWkOC_1EKB7ivWRJ3ut1NWY6psksrYBczlOSGoSoencOsVDk14oZLNBRbUgRU/s1600/Ladybug+Ryleigh.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-Ibp3Z9ilEwlOjVP1IGcjeb5fyObR3XMFeB-d65f6FmzrEhdndi4siF3uTfR1Oo9XcMOOfqPqoU95_PWkOC_1EKB7ivWRJ3ut1NWY6psksrYBczlOSGoSoencOsVDk14oZLNBRbUgRU/s400/Ladybug+Ryleigh.jpg" width="297" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050;">
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">As she grew physically, we began to see more of her other delightful traits.</span></b></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050;">
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTz8VHBG-rtU_6Z_3FrmPBfwG_xu9TFUim82se2ThQQHuNsQSTx3cAer9dB0qD-YROz5hT-CEiA8-YYnHeEM0ClS9pezq7VHe27NbU2uA6EZV1mZcm5RF7uCFboVRCMQBVIiQRUpblIQ0/s1600/Ryleigh+Age+8%252C+Summer+of+2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTz8VHBG-rtU_6Z_3FrmPBfwG_xu9TFUim82se2ThQQHuNsQSTx3cAer9dB0qD-YROz5hT-CEiA8-YYnHeEM0ClS9pezq7VHe27NbU2uA6EZV1mZcm5RF7uCFboVRCMQBVIiQRUpblIQ0/s400/Ryleigh+Age+8%252C+Summer+of+2015.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphQv5eZ9zQUHjge22ggBCNmxeI7ouskCofvFygqV8Wj62R9a-MLMzpvT0ubmABPnoTL5mKsyndY1LGCyiOXjXU-YIKncdy29yXenPiu7kNyOiNEZhHfPOm3c5ltpr5VJpvDYk6ufIulM/s1600/Ryleigh+growing+up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphQv5eZ9zQUHjge22ggBCNmxeI7ouskCofvFygqV8Wj62R9a-MLMzpvT0ubmABPnoTL5mKsyndY1LGCyiOXjXU-YIKncdy29yXenPiu7kNyOiNEZhHfPOm3c5ltpr5VJpvDYk6ufIulM/s400/Ryleigh+growing+up.jpg" width="190" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOQmoH2Q9yiXVAiOtnWjsa8uGP7yt_MwKNOfmnjqa1sEA_pY7xoRYc3EBAtxLYxKcPezkFrRH0iK3TgatYmU8L1I0Oa9RDQL4ULRR79faX_6jI1PR1ahnrG-hAwHYhQAWkg7HZF4-9HY/s1600/ryleigh+grown.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOQmoH2Q9yiXVAiOtnWjsa8uGP7yt_MwKNOfmnjqa1sEA_pY7xoRYc3EBAtxLYxKcPezkFrRH0iK3TgatYmU8L1I0Oa9RDQL4ULRR79faX_6jI1PR1ahnrG-hAwHYhQAWkg7HZF4-9HY/s400/ryleigh+grown.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcrEEk4xMVdZhJoVH9scgfzNRM1tQaNqVWTp3788LPUX7a7B3bSFWLS3VCCf80ZYTVXKF5cTuL8cUrlQj_CueFUUfI5jqP5XkKol0SgXNyKb-0EufBIK8_lnFgiR1TWbjmQpccLDI_14/s1600/ryleigh+snow.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcrEEk4xMVdZhJoVH9scgfzNRM1tQaNqVWTp3788LPUX7a7B3bSFWLS3VCCf80ZYTVXKF5cTuL8cUrlQj_CueFUUfI5jqP5XkKol0SgXNyKb-0EufBIK8_lnFgiR1TWbjmQpccLDI_14/s400/ryleigh+snow.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7XXHNPwZjYblkKDPGynJ5M5RW4DEXqKHTLfXqRhFINslgSJznkcWQOBdT1GB9ye0yatYcCy-J9YVwMWiL_q_tupWoyhykorbVod2PhCz_z3D0SoVkYoDO2lXjs67yH53MHTz3mnvvsk/s1600/ryleigh+santa.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7XXHNPwZjYblkKDPGynJ5M5RW4DEXqKHTLfXqRhFINslgSJznkcWQOBdT1GB9ye0yatYcCy-J9YVwMWiL_q_tupWoyhykorbVod2PhCz_z3D0SoVkYoDO2lXjs67yH53MHTz3mnvvsk/s400/ryleigh+santa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Ryleigh rapidly became a treasure and delight to both her parents, her brother and her extended family who understood how blessed we were she had been woven into our tapestry of life.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yV94sdbG0WEz_h42hD3Ykbux8fYQCyZiC03nz15h8O56Y8SYJ_oTYB4c9OXkcHPxhEMmZaUIMa_AMfKSRvLi12wszt6B0cDwwJC8XDn05OKX40h43mbxCoRbmI5NSk8PJH99NmRf_vs/s1600/10805671_10203382341415375_4485432386219716470_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yV94sdbG0WEz_h42hD3Ykbux8fYQCyZiC03nz15h8O56Y8SYJ_oTYB4c9OXkcHPxhEMmZaUIMa_AMfKSRvLi12wszt6B0cDwwJC8XDn05OKX40h43mbxCoRbmI5NSk8PJH99NmRf_vs/s640/10805671_10203382341415375_4485432386219716470_n.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></div>
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Ryleigh today has a charming personality and early on showed she was a very affectionate child. She is now eight-years-old and has two favorite toys, her two cousins, Savannah, age seven and Emmett, nine, and the three are </span><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">inseparable</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">. The parents of these two cousins are always more at ease when their kids are under the 'protective' </span><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">oversight</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> of Ryleigh. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">It is because Ry is known to be more cautious by nature, levelheaded and she instinctively draws respect from both of her buds. It is also well established that this child has been known to pull the other two back from the brink when they devise a wild scheme. </span></b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8p42hFO5mbzQd6jy63CQr8sHo6ls5x1-jQ0BUPY6x9_4L9viJqXNgLbI1BaCBbj9TbElmvBgKyw57zzvC8JouQMUNrUJ91bcyRZLO890SpG-IEEbXNN49k2inr3CKHUhDTHBerM07o8/s1600/the+trio+young.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8p42hFO5mbzQd6jy63CQr8sHo6ls5x1-jQ0BUPY6x9_4L9viJqXNgLbI1BaCBbj9TbElmvBgKyw57zzvC8JouQMUNrUJ91bcyRZLO890SpG-IEEbXNN49k2inr3CKHUhDTHBerM07o8/s400/the+trio+young.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGo1vN7HkvUgxCBKxXIrG9IebqFEcot4Pj4EHIf_xfV9mEAW3Hmgg-fGS7at0b_DSYBCRg5hx8kZi4jwmOWabvJHrllVEj03GlQy1wTrwsdcFKqOEVTUlUNn7XqnGGLx1VV_H8xxDd78/s1600/Doda+and+the+babes%2521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGo1vN7HkvUgxCBKxXIrG9IebqFEcot4Pj4EHIf_xfV9mEAW3Hmgg-fGS7at0b_DSYBCRg5hx8kZi4jwmOWabvJHrllVEj03GlQy1wTrwsdcFKqOEVTUlUNn7XqnGGLx1VV_H8xxDd78/s400/Doda+and+the+babes%2521.jpg" width="366" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECwAYnywxE8-Q8LwIseJ7h_W3A1qe5nfR83ytXVCiJQgrvGmPmjQt_gZXQHSnJYGhogqlulyzjna4w5vEOvG_Y7xam5K4jF-VHWFhezdy_0uh3p9TAtMM6_MnOuF8gCDS975t9T6v8R4/s1600/10426680_10208803512591552_645276398733803769_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECwAYnywxE8-Q8LwIseJ7h_W3A1qe5nfR83ytXVCiJQgrvGmPmjQt_gZXQHSnJYGhogqlulyzjna4w5vEOvG_Y7xam5K4jF-VHWFhezdy_0uh3p9TAtMM6_MnOuF8gCDS975t9T6v8R4/s400/10426680_10208803512591552_645276398733803769_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr6pGRXpXFy50VIawe14H6YwjYtI0nftCTGEJ4vF2uH45iUc3oyA3mBcVPr0eOZxLeqorihd9MFWsR4md0WDMcJ0-SStIxTdtKtZJffyqPzd0hLu5BBkmnNr-g4UTcu8kQsWa-XzwnDc/s1600/trio+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr6pGRXpXFy50VIawe14H6YwjYtI0nftCTGEJ4vF2uH45iUc3oyA3mBcVPr0eOZxLeqorihd9MFWsR4md0WDMcJ0-SStIxTdtKtZJffyqPzd0hLu5BBkmnNr-g4UTcu8kQsWa-XzwnDc/s400/trio+7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTPFhNiLU_kFYU0lHV0NMLuNjwuD__h4MSGHPKFYEBA-nBw_CEIudjfS5d0QMffCsBfxGcrVYXElQ5NXpvfExEBFQjhpkSyVmsEtFwhuPbQXIliC6H65pZr-kAY_8f1xQH8ehsG9BBOw/s1600/Emmett%252C+Ry+and+Savannah+at+Grandfather+Mt.+Fall+of+2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTPFhNiLU_kFYU0lHV0NMLuNjwuD__h4MSGHPKFYEBA-nBw_CEIudjfS5d0QMffCsBfxGcrVYXElQ5NXpvfExEBFQjhpkSyVmsEtFwhuPbQXIliC6H65pZr-kAY_8f1xQH8ehsG9BBOw/s400/Emmett%252C+Ry+and+Savannah+at+Grandfather+Mt.+Fall+of+2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlCnVS9z1jKerrWr-smZK82t4aOTIN7VTgjLkBtHvdKMR7S_8Rz8Q5oXYqd174Z13_4DpFfzVJ3w5sTopmxyEGd3AP-SF-7x1WKoi-zl6oGKpxHt6aHbD5MRRJ3S3eSeXRb_cYhyphenhyphenSXDw/s1600/trio+6.jpg"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlCnVS9z1jKerrWr-smZK82t4aOTIN7VTgjLkBtHvdKMR7S_8Rz8Q5oXYqd174Z13_4DpFfzVJ3w5sTopmxyEGd3AP-SF-7x1WKoi-zl6oGKpxHt6aHbD5MRRJ3S3eSeXRb_cYhyphenhyphenSXDw/s400/trio+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> <br />
<br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BvY_zPwm4GELNqzC1Wz7xaiq4MO9PzV40Mzgy0eMnEkAHeX8e98i4bqkESgxDVmx7uOkZVw-wxKR3JXlYoPGejH6dr9VLi6aznWYN3H6Bsp5Z8bSST1e4T7XxIF5EUnRP_Teu3ESdEI/s1600/Savannah%252C+Ryleigh+and+Emmett+fishing+at+Steele%2527s+Creek+July+2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BvY_zPwm4GELNqzC1Wz7xaiq4MO9PzV40Mzgy0eMnEkAHeX8e98i4bqkESgxDVmx7uOkZVw-wxKR3JXlYoPGejH6dr9VLi6aznWYN3H6Bsp5Z8bSST1e4T7XxIF5EUnRP_Teu3ESdEI/s400/Savannah%252C+Ryleigh+and+Emmett+fishing+at+Steele%2527s+Creek+July+2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> <br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq6QYYRaBlorGkJR-q2m2z9nbNVVJWIbqDSC4e7nSF4FiL_NVIikfDcT1jALoz6iJS89q6NJSsZgwdviNS502obCPvc0EZt7P79NrTkfWs9hflc3FKdpDUP4RtcbqOzda_NZbxjs_OqM/s1600/stump+pic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq6QYYRaBlorGkJR-q2m2z9nbNVVJWIbqDSC4e7nSF4FiL_NVIikfDcT1jALoz6iJS89q6NJSsZgwdviNS502obCPvc0EZt7P79NrTkfWs9hflc3FKdpDUP4RtcbqOzda_NZbxjs_OqM/s400/stump+pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> <br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">Never shy, kindergarten and each subsequent grade have been easy for this young breath of fresh air, and Tara and Ken have shared that making friends comes as natural to her as breathing. Tara observed this stems from Ryleigh's big smile, confidence and her love for all. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn2KfNVI9-9qOWpG8NtdGkXAOuiIeWZU0v2VEIucwTejsdR93sbfe_M3rQ8H6loiUI_lvlcPtCWUaqHXvfDe-AvNDMIskxmzD3Z_MeDPQqwxE_eZdh9RFfS6CCmmsiQ8IikafBsYFAzI/s1600/Girlscout+Ryleigh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn2KfNVI9-9qOWpG8NtdGkXAOuiIeWZU0v2VEIucwTejsdR93sbfe_M3rQ8H6loiUI_lvlcPtCWUaqHXvfDe-AvNDMIskxmzD3Z_MeDPQqwxE_eZdh9RFfS6CCmmsiQ8IikafBsYFAzI/s400/Girlscout+Ryleigh.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hQRXz_rk5ZjVJpkp6pc4_tNdzSnBwoGPyGd_tjUcReyu9Y3qesr_KT9STtOPpaEtfjl6XSwHfq4O82psw-hW0IjbN6uD8qkmp3XlaawA1MKS6X68J-tLvisE5z8i_ejJ9L85KmhPjkQ/s1600/Friends+are+neat%2521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hQRXz_rk5ZjVJpkp6pc4_tNdzSnBwoGPyGd_tjUcReyu9Y3qesr_KT9STtOPpaEtfjl6XSwHfq4O82psw-hW0IjbN6uD8qkmp3XlaawA1MKS6X68J-tLvisE5z8i_ejJ9L85KmhPjkQ/s400/Friends+are+neat%2521.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgvX843RdrJoob1VU8KC4pZPSk-Gkhvxcmetgh9FQFClo18IaEFfxPLts6nUNe3ktcK4X86MJBsFcjBStqnPu31JdpnUVYDLcM1smJCVvBFX0l6-AnIF2Ym3UlRhjV0Xo0l7lJt6n63w/s1600/ryleigh+and+sloan.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgvX843RdrJoob1VU8KC4pZPSk-Gkhvxcmetgh9FQFClo18IaEFfxPLts6nUNe3ktcK4X86MJBsFcjBStqnPu31JdpnUVYDLcM1smJCVvBFX0l6-AnIF2Ym3UlRhjV0Xo0l7lJt6n63w/s400/ryleigh+and+sloan.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1aCGtig4BLS_9rKmxzfAvwfWu99EgEMjYCYtZzR7kwNjYayakyyptWmrzFXTChlL_c1JYHz-H7kfoZLdwzBNOWVCQUtqImkB8JJAsnUDpcwRnfmOoXUGoi8YqNIZfl-8jOK8iJHyMVY/s1600/ryleigh+and+friends.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1aCGtig4BLS_9rKmxzfAvwfWu99EgEMjYCYtZzR7kwNjYayakyyptWmrzFXTChlL_c1JYHz-H7kfoZLdwzBNOWVCQUtqImkB8JJAsnUDpcwRnfmOoXUGoi8YqNIZfl-8jOK8iJHyMVY/s400/ryleigh+and+friends.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span> <span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zMQGkGfstjW8cECxPzfOpSY3goE5xWA2L8KBEb_SbzATJzhw3nUQ7MFxxrtrS1w4SNyBOKtSSQqudLCaTyVNT6M54an0TnUjXxnxMQhoSzyuXmxNZLBVyHRnhBPeuSX6JwqyNyiUiRo/s1600/ryleigh+and+riley.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zMQGkGfstjW8cECxPzfOpSY3goE5xWA2L8KBEb_SbzATJzhw3nUQ7MFxxrtrS1w4SNyBOKtSSQqudLCaTyVNT6M54an0TnUjXxnxMQhoSzyuXmxNZLBVyHRnhBPeuSX6JwqyNyiUiRo/s400/ryleigh+and+riley.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFG1eQ94bCUWqzMtGm3lRZcG98n56gp1Jj3-vDts1v9LKE7Riatgy63s9pLBMZDFve0CLBf65w_N8O6F2JDQuo7X1H5mhhwqknGOB3fNmhBMK_e7O1VbwuzLbEnyN4CCHIpwrLdbDFZI/s1600/ryleigh+and+kaley.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFG1eQ94bCUWqzMtGm3lRZcG98n56gp1Jj3-vDts1v9LKE7Riatgy63s9pLBMZDFve0CLBf65w_N8O6F2JDQuo7X1H5mhhwqknGOB3fNmhBMK_e7O1VbwuzLbEnyN4CCHIpwrLdbDFZI/s400/ryleigh+and+kaley.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlV9Qo98Y0GsRkx7ZGMrqYnArO_WgLsuShwPWt8K1GKpZZrhpF1rNRz73woFfSMSJQdae941R281g6HEf1OBq4l0mjF6oHF2MNMpIOJR4fldcYjVrHyqgsP_zkQQY4p5vLpq0xcwyicM/s1600/ryleigh+addison.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlV9Qo98Y0GsRkx7ZGMrqYnArO_WgLsuShwPWt8K1GKpZZrhpF1rNRz73woFfSMSJQdae941R281g6HEf1OBq4l0mjF6oHF2MNMpIOJR4fldcYjVrHyqgsP_zkQQY4p5vLpq0xcwyicM/s400/ryleigh+addison.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6TeIVUCRsc1uCmFM8liCfKHufEEqOvtyYkVw8KXdLjNvBTwbJQ2OpcbxmZRPvdMKJcFYYuvyxuWjlKA-gVJJHOrauA_ITtAGcEirx7QLHDL82_Use2mS5Jqtd2FIADNOVjpF8H6tFyc/s1600/ryleigh+lexi.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6TeIVUCRsc1uCmFM8liCfKHufEEqOvtyYkVw8KXdLjNvBTwbJQ2OpcbxmZRPvdMKJcFYYuvyxuWjlKA-gVJJHOrauA_ITtAGcEirx7QLHDL82_Use2mS5Jqtd2FIADNOVjpF8H6tFyc/s400/ryleigh+lexi.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYChD2tkLl9T9sVpPMLREbNcALG7smKxx0R6AAGq2mXsRniOed5YtUu88RlwG_wZzQMRJUIBNiE8rb-R4pKN-z4xtvq70oFRwHm_O-OzK4BL4CzGZUXPakKwiE0jZsuR3gAuWPaT_fDOo/s1600/friends%2521%2521%2521.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYChD2tkLl9T9sVpPMLREbNcALG7smKxx0R6AAGq2mXsRniOed5YtUu88RlwG_wZzQMRJUIBNiE8rb-R4pKN-z4xtvq70oFRwHm_O-OzK4BL4CzGZUXPakKwiE0jZsuR3gAuWPaT_fDOo/s400/friends%2521%2521%2521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02gEUStpNVW3srAuaB3pNGlRjBOGfHOQPZiOg5kk7kQbsmdWNtpyr4oXvqFuJMI2i-2Hh-ufZqla-zFVI13-eBxfoSUZ10XhhMw_gBomI0Qv5zNd7piVbOlSeJEk0fZputQDUbc1sBPA/s1600/ryleigh+and+friends+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02gEUStpNVW3srAuaB3pNGlRjBOGfHOQPZiOg5kk7kQbsmdWNtpyr4oXvqFuJMI2i-2Hh-ufZqla-zFVI13-eBxfoSUZ10XhhMw_gBomI0Qv5zNd7piVbOlSeJEk0fZputQDUbc1sBPA/s400/ryleigh+and+friends+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">Showing love for cute clothes from an early age, dressing up and striking poses delighted this kid! The time finally came when her mom asked if she had an interest in modeling. Ohhhhh yes! So an agent was secured, and doors have been opened for modeling and commercials through her agent and other venues. Each audition, whether she lands the gig or not, brings great life lessons in which her parents feel far exceeds any role. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4jXBMSZrIyWNUlKP5o9f5d5KYb1ljsoHd_BOafPp4JjXCK6FRDyOALMWCo1z95uXEJPioo043txVm5DqLiODKEMGPPg2wcqhtMVLN6zweiK_dRUe0rrRC32qUwKZYnrIkbs-oCy6I_I/s1600/Ryleigh+modeling+%25232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4jXBMSZrIyWNUlKP5o9f5d5KYb1ljsoHd_BOafPp4JjXCK6FRDyOALMWCo1z95uXEJPioo043txVm5DqLiODKEMGPPg2wcqhtMVLN6zweiK_dRUe0rrRC32qUwKZYnrIkbs-oCy6I_I/s320/Ryleigh+modeling+%25232.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2Tpn2d30ucRx4gJ3BJxM0Z0pI1l7oxf_iEBLf4d4oAqGbaNdpO2gR8lZ0OcfJfPDeoO9NJYZfFSTm6Rhjr_3OQDWe5r_yARg7S9eqqKTRvV1P03PODkkQcLufbQOiUnB0D4d1GzmkhU/s1600/Ryleigh+modeling+%25231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2Tpn2d30ucRx4gJ3BJxM0Z0pI1l7oxf_iEBLf4d4oAqGbaNdpO2gR8lZ0OcfJfPDeoO9NJYZfFSTm6Rhjr_3OQDWe5r_yARg7S9eqqKTRvV1P03PODkkQcLufbQOiUnB0D4d1GzmkhU/s640/Ryleigh+modeling+%25231.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VPCL1Gy1IYD3b9PyuaAIscHC1fmNeBPWCgvnsrQLDAxB7PxfFjpMrU63doekbaRuDBJOHWFglP2AQ90-T3zYxdlwHd6TZlGm4uJLUXzZ_8m4dW0Vz7-sIEOSJDt2oSG5DiNIPsz_ihU/s1600/What+a+beauty%2521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VPCL1Gy1IYD3b9PyuaAIscHC1fmNeBPWCgvnsrQLDAxB7PxfFjpMrU63doekbaRuDBJOHWFglP2AQ90-T3zYxdlwHd6TZlGm4uJLUXzZ_8m4dW0Vz7-sIEOSJDt2oSG5DiNIPsz_ihU/s320/What+a+beauty%2521.jpg" width="194" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iDYMVauHLq-cc-n-Nk3TeVn9n9i3QpnG_hQE1Z8tLC4fuaPqar8muu3C0VpE3TT8-EBi8VJTc0qatBel6_IPX5wTNK3X639sR9zKjI-mYl3rQ8R90tQ-N4JPkEUQT_972TgXvliJ48M/s1600/Ryleigh+is+a+true+model%2521+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iDYMVauHLq-cc-n-Nk3TeVn9n9i3QpnG_hQE1Z8tLC4fuaPqar8muu3C0VpE3TT8-EBi8VJTc0qatBel6_IPX5wTNK3X639sR9zKjI-mYl3rQ8R90tQ-N4JPkEUQT_972TgXvliJ48M/s320/Ryleigh+is+a+true+model%2521+3.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85aU9fdBuAy4UOR6p89kF-Ig-28uJ-BaDMeAUu1U6-A1q1UmubAjH2bPVDoy-owMdELdCW16_3j4QDqaRe-xTuPIKjpA8O3hYUBVImYu9pOIQUY291A4_9wVGUEacNVPGennMVcKPh_8/s1600/IMG_1501_edited.jpg"></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> <br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">Has this hobby turned my granddaughter into a prima donna? Not hardly. Ryleigh also enjoys coming up to Misty Hollow and wearing mud with her Nana.</span></b></span><br />
<div style="color: #500050;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #500050; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznlKBKx7P0_K2aBFHqeF9jwwwQkJW6KhlssIrNjo57hZEINPaQPgyXgrDRagfxvTTKCyOOp6PNVmLIXwyu8SHoFzeF2KsIwgO6ZeREMVPNwrewXokVPTEEZNWmijClUaEx_0v0jbQv30/s1600/ry+and+me+mud.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznlKBKx7P0_K2aBFHqeF9jwwwQkJW6KhlssIrNjo57hZEINPaQPgyXgrDRagfxvTTKCyOOp6PNVmLIXwyu8SHoFzeF2KsIwgO6ZeREMVPNwrewXokVPTEEZNWmijClUaEx_0v0jbQv30/s320/ry+and+me+mud.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="color: #500050;">
<span class="im" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
</div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050;">
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050;">
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">From an early age, dancing and singing have been a delight to that young soul of hers. As always, her mom and dad want her to at least have the opportunity to try in any appropriate endeavor she chooses. If she fails, she will learn from it. If she doesn't, she will learn from that as well. That had been Tara, and Ken's creed with Chandler and the same applies to their daughter.</span></b></span></div>
<span class="im" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"></span></b><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">Getting to dance with the Nashville Ballet in their rendition of 'The Nutcracker' at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center was thrilling for the entire family when the notification came that our dancer made the final cut. The Blevins' clan all drove to Nashville to see her in her performance, another great life experience. </span></b></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GIUp7zRtkRvCzHT4t0Y4T_FFDuTjtwInj7iHshjxici4C_B8DvxdedrXp_pRHo0rQSGfSnvV1nY2K5jyctfuju_l5YODinWEqmV-isE-IoWnont6htb97KP3xO0zihIZR610JGELpq4/s1600/nashville+ballet+tryouts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GIUp7zRtkRvCzHT4t0Y4T_FFDuTjtwInj7iHshjxici4C_B8DvxdedrXp_pRHo0rQSGfSnvV1nY2K5jyctfuju_l5YODinWEqmV-isE-IoWnont6htb97KP3xO0zihIZR610JGELpq4/s400/nashville+ballet+tryouts.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EDeRT7jDEbX2xXiKImT0AScoCMuW1qf4FNSIIbfsLJYWw6Tny_7EMOLzhuRD5iVbJW25bv75ZgfY7oYU5RNUp7GEeiuLCzTVLbAGJyX6ze2IWnTrVTD1pcCOvHakTKYO41E0Z8isjFM/s1600/Blog+photo+lamb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EDeRT7jDEbX2xXiKImT0AScoCMuW1qf4FNSIIbfsLJYWw6Tny_7EMOLzhuRD5iVbJW25bv75ZgfY7oYU5RNUp7GEeiuLCzTVLbAGJyX6ze2IWnTrVTD1pcCOvHakTKYO41E0Z8isjFM/s400/Blog+photo+lamb.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqP3idVJ3azadiIJIvRZIiuW9HwaJHF-s3G8YmfmXVYWfeEQXp-tfGsqRq46fXeimmsXnWK4vIwIS788r3j0ZvVHE1Zqw3-V2BH2lAz1cQ_6UfyVlHswKYqePWLDx8UxJfrD11tjTyEU/s1600/Ryleigh+Nutcracker.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqP3idVJ3azadiIJIvRZIiuW9HwaJHF-s3G8YmfmXVYWfeEQXp-tfGsqRq46fXeimmsXnWK4vIwIS788r3j0ZvVHE1Zqw3-V2BH2lAz1cQ_6UfyVlHswKYqePWLDx8UxJfrD11tjTyEU/s400/Ryleigh+Nutcracker.png" width="198" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 12.8px;"> <b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> </span></b><br />
<br /> <b style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">As an eight-year-old, this kid's favorite shows are Cupcake Wars and anything on HGTV. She loves to go in the kitchen and pull out all her mother's cooking utensils and </span><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">ingredients</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> and concoct something delicious. Ryleigh loves to work on various home projects as well.</span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGesjMpOwwwJ7yk93Yqw5-e2OT0BDji29rvOzRDpJMxZmK4pK9G-mkPjZQalgC8Gc18Vi8hqGwAis2_zVUHx_PTWix3Mykw6xV-qFeNyH8QPbpIQLbRbtf3BB_o28Sh_tgmX4JM25qN6Y/s1600/ryleigh+cooking.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGesjMpOwwwJ7yk93Yqw5-e2OT0BDji29rvOzRDpJMxZmK4pK9G-mkPjZQalgC8Gc18Vi8hqGwAis2_zVUHx_PTWix3Mykw6xV-qFeNyH8QPbpIQLbRbtf3BB_o28Sh_tgmX4JM25qN6Y/s400/ryleigh+cooking.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi456tjC1AAFxjXm9V_TQeCTuZIGphs572oLTt9ZHb4uj93rYQo4dF3Ad1US77Iqb2E19hGydx03yBlJ3XgKzFIfIhRQ2joAe4SP8HbpanOs2omJlhPe_FSAjuACYixSehHwExB5Oq1DJE/s1600/ryleigh+painting.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi456tjC1AAFxjXm9V_TQeCTuZIGphs572oLTt9ZHb4uj93rYQo4dF3Ad1US77Iqb2E19hGydx03yBlJ3XgKzFIfIhRQ2joAe4SP8HbpanOs2omJlhPe_FSAjuACYixSehHwExB5Oq1DJE/s400/ryleigh+painting.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hn7c5486Tl8gaed0HWVzjuSas1UgBLaHTCgt2pHN-ctQqpEdl4quZgj3LWavF-0sy7x6Ok7yp3mnCIBwbvSpu0jPePd8C6QdYuzjNkURRjiUFnSAdd90fN-RTaDKw_rseoBwvvH0Gbo/s1600/ryleigh+painting+2.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hn7c5486Tl8gaed0HWVzjuSas1UgBLaHTCgt2pHN-ctQqpEdl4quZgj3LWavF-0sy7x6Ok7yp3mnCIBwbvSpu0jPePd8C6QdYuzjNkURRjiUFnSAdd90fN-RTaDKw_rseoBwvvH0Gbo/s400/ryleigh+painting+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "script mt bold"; line-height: 14.72px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">And recently our little </span><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px;">go-getter</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> decided she would like to pursue theater and she joined a company a few weeks ago. Ryleigh just learned she would have a solo in an upcoming production. </span></b><b> </b></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "script mt bold"; line-height: 14.72px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span> <span style="font-family: "script mt bold"; line-height: 14.72px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">My goodness, this child has showered a lot of happiness upon our family, and we are all blessed as a result of her being a part of us. It is a miracle to see Tara, Ken, and Chandler and their lives with Ryleigh and her's with them.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Now. You may have wondered why I let you take a peek into the two different worlds of the two families I have laid before you today. The story of each is true; the heartbreak and joy are both real as well.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b style="font-family: "Diaria Light Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">But please listen, my friends. I would have failed miserably in my writing if you were unable to grasp there are no babies in this world who are unwanted. </span></span></span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: "Diaria Light Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></span></span></b>
<b style="font-family: "Diaria Light Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Millions of mommies and daddies are out there somewhere praying for </span><span style="line-height: 27.6px;">Ryleigh's</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"> and Raylan's, Victoria's and Mary's. It just takes courage for the women in that crisis pregnancy who realizes she cannot keep her child to open her heart, reach out and let go, just like that precious young woman in South Korea. </span></span></span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: "Diaria Light Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></span></span></b>
<b style="font-family: "Diaria Light Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">Without her, our baby would not now be </span></span></span></b><b style="font-family: "Diaria Light Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;">in the arms of this forever grateful mommy.</span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<div style="color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eMvFvzF9_U8GvrXSPqPXvleOAS5Ocso2Dvc30ConE-y_rxGmLvCluULkft408YStwRnLdLF_v4EdYxGURbqmSaoSi6cf_ZMqJSoSJkxvON4qMQudyOvk_JaeWS6j92l4P7OQQ6iA8tc/s1600/Ryleigh+and+her+Mommy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eMvFvzF9_U8GvrXSPqPXvleOAS5Ocso2Dvc30ConE-y_rxGmLvCluULkft408YStwRnLdLF_v4EdYxGURbqmSaoSi6cf_ZMqJSoSJkxvON4qMQudyOvk_JaeWS6j92l4P7OQQ6iA8tc/s640/Ryleigh+and+her+Mommy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "script mt bold"; line-height: 14.72px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "script mt bold"; line-height: 14.72px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VPCL1Gy1IYD3b9PyuaAIscHC1fmNeBPWCgvnsrQLDAxB7PxfFjpMrU63doekbaRuDBJOHWFglP2AQ90-T3zYxdlwHd6TZlGm4uJLUXzZ_8m4dW0Vz7-sIEOSJDt2oSG5DiNIPsz_ihU/s1600/What+a+beauty%2521.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4jXBMSZrIyWNUlKP5o9f5d5KYb1ljsoHd_BOafPp4JjXCK6FRDyOALMWCo1z95uXEJPioo043txVm5DqLiODKEMGPPg2wcqhtMVLN6zweiK_dRUe0rrRC32qUwKZYnrIkbs-oCy6I_I/s1600/Ryleigh+modeling+%25232.jpg"></a><br /></div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-37851515613441454252016-01-24T13:37:00.001-08:002016-02-02T08:09:08.525-08:00Does this Bathroom make my Butt look Big? <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We finally witnessed the birth of a new bathroom addition up here at Misty Hollow on the Roan. The pregnancy seemed forever long, the labor quiet difficult but now that she is finally born…it is impossible to tell you how much I love and enjoy her!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The father? My awesome husband who came to me months ago because he knew how I loved soaking in a hot tub. He said he wanted to add an additional bathroom to Bear cabin as it had nothing but showers to offer.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Honey, I know how you feel about altering the architectural lines of this old cabin and I agree so I have an alternative plan. We can add your bathroom by enclosing the side porch. We can move the side stairwell to the front of the cabin. But you make a decision first. That would mean your bathroom dimensions would be six feet wide by sixteen feet long. Can you do something with a room that size?”</span> </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">That's when I became the mother of the project but by golly I also knew I was in over my head and needed help. Thank God, I knew two excellent 'midwives' to assist in this major birth. I immediately called </span><b><i><span style="color: #741b47;">Plumberry Hollow</span></i></b><span style="color: black;"> and chatted with the owners, Hope Collins Hall and Patti Mullins, both designers extraordinaire. I want you to meet them.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNycRFMw8ZF8pwvE0rJl9sTN8Tcu_XViZLw74koX7HUFyiyIBExvn_NKiGtJaAvwl5tvtVV48wZhp8xlK6HyHdQUFOKUagid3lZfIkAeHX4kA65JFRw6fMKdwHA1e9cqgZAcjtO9EMwko/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNycRFMw8ZF8pwvE0rJl9sTN8Tcu_XViZLw74koX7HUFyiyIBExvn_NKiGtJaAvwl5tvtVV48wZhp8xlK6HyHdQUFOKUagid3lZfIkAeHX4kA65JFRw6fMKdwHA1e9cqgZAcjtO9EMwko/s320/Bear+Bathroom+13.JPG" width="243" /></span></a></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pictured above, Hope and Patti, from left to right</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I knew Hope and Patti from the beauty and charm of the work they had completed for me in the past and if anyone could pull off bringing such a peculiar shaped bathroom to life, these two could. In addition, this project was going to be time consuming and I already knew these girls were a blast to work with. Both were pumped positive and such fun; the word 'impossible' was not in their vernacular; there’s no such thing as difficulty to them, just a divinely sent challenge. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Furthermore, listening to their clients and getting a grasp on ‘the vision’ is important to them yet they know how to gently redirect a client if an errant decision is in the making. I know this personally by working with them and was so grateful they saved me from myself a couple of times. In addition, I admired their cute motto…'Junk to Funk'. Hope and Patti can find items others would toss and turn them into incredible works of art. Stay tuned for the coming photos and I will show you what I mean... </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I met with Patti and Hope things became real simple for me. I shared with them my vision for the bathroom. Number one…once built, it had to look like it had always been there so it needed to look aged from the day it was finished. Number two, it needed to coordinate with our master bedroom as the newly installed door was going to connect these two rooms. Number three, I wanted the interior to look like they had picked up the beauty of the surrounding woods and installed it into our home. </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now that's a pretty tall order; I knew I couldn't handle it.</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did not give the girls a budget. A knew from past work their designed pieces were reasonable and they wouldn't take advantage of me. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, with a sigh of relief, I turned the entire project over to them and told them they did not need to consult me, just bring the finished furniture items up to the Roan, working in tandem with the project supervisor. That is called raw unbridled trust, my friends. Hope and Patti had earned that trust. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the meantime there were many calls, e-mails and texts between the cabin and their workshop as I would not make one decision concerning my bathroom that I did follow their advice or run by them.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We decided that real tree bark on the walls would be a deeply rich and different texture and would definitely bring the outdoors inside. Regarding flooring, the girls suggested ‘wood tile’. I had never heard of it. It’s down, it’s perfect and Tony and I love it and are getting ready to put it down in another bathroom. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The bathroom does show off its eclectic beauty, my favorite decorating style, and it brings out my finical love of music. In the short time my bathroom has been opened for business and while soaking in my tub, I have relaxed to my favorite operatic tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, may he forever RIP. Then while I lay swaddled in bubbles one night, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and I let go with <em>Islands in the Stream</em>. I have also cut loose to the <em>Best of the 60's</em> while looking forward to my girls-only time with Adele and <em>'River Lea', </em> drowning me in my past. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The antique door separating the bathroom and master bedroom was bought in really bad shape and needed total refurbishing. The missing old glass door knob of that era sent my talented and dedicated buddies on a lengthy wild goose chase; yet, in their case, they found their prize eventually! </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And ya know what was also neat? From the first time Patti and Hope came to Misty Hollow and started working with me, my horse Trig, a member of our family, fell in love with them and they him. When the girls drove up the lane to Bear Cabin, here he would come…hoping for some lovin' and a treat. Below is a photo of Trig pilfering a cup of sweet tea from Hope’s vehicle on their first visit at Misty Hollow while we girls sat on the porch chatting. The result? A bloody mess. Both girls jumped to grab their cellphones to get photos of Trig's theft to put on their <strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Plumberry Hollow</span></em></strong> website.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVD6vDSn96jeTlq4YyErDTGUitm6fvudrDZ2is-lOpLK2MxbewO65F8gFqdgkPeD-FPTcZwOurf6bUP2Ks7AINxIo5AeoFE8ktIcRhHKYMKX4ZdRjpgFPC1KZ-kv6aGO7O6JL5jz9G_4/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVD6vDSn96jeTlq4YyErDTGUitm6fvudrDZ2is-lOpLK2MxbewO65F8gFqdgkPeD-FPTcZwOurf6bUP2Ks7AINxIo5AeoFE8ktIcRhHKYMKX4ZdRjpgFPC1KZ-kv6aGO7O6JL5jz9G_4/s400/Bear+Bathroom+14.JPG" width="225" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Ya know, it is a fact a picture is worth a thousand words so here is the latest addition to our family and the work of these two sharp women...<span style="color: red;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"> <wbr></wbr> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: black;"> Click on each photo to enlarge</span></span><span style="color: black;">.</span> <wbr></wbr> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pLqtkvpjYw0NGiKTVksPWIkzUdrGoGnzmZLL9qBNyHNaF6_naHbeIkX7HCE20stcX7kId6iQFPUCkV6PsIWRvSv-ElOG2JW2vbIIzo1K1RN9C06b198JVz6cGEO2mY6jBsWYIW2R1jA/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pLqtkvpjYw0NGiKTVksPWIkzUdrGoGnzmZLL9qBNyHNaF6_naHbeIkX7HCE20stcX7kId6iQFPUCkV6PsIWRvSv-ElOG2JW2vbIIzo1K1RN9C06b198JVz6cGEO2mY6jBsWYIW2R1jA/s320/Bear+Bathroom+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci5L3Wc3sZnFK5RxLV8OO_3fx0pZ3iWpGvnqLBIXer_7uUMQElk5u19I_PS4oUA2R62StLyFdqGGUy5nNCq1P9PFplKZxg0XTwfwIWQncrGw137sgu6Ctxg6EqPtd1Fij3-9MQylGnBc/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci5L3Wc3sZnFK5RxLV8OO_3fx0pZ3iWpGvnqLBIXer_7uUMQElk5u19I_PS4oUA2R62StLyFdqGGUy5nNCq1P9PFplKZxg0XTwfwIWQncrGw137sgu6Ctxg6EqPtd1Fij3-9MQylGnBc/s320/Bear+Bathroom+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelHyxoWAVGeOpjGdal2O3bKvh7a3YKxeTvti3hiSE3nvlaK8c2Nx-TwGuN0OOuiUvAsWvuoGAakxzV4R7sOJDKQpf3KwRbZB7yoUbJYhblUi9uRWZ6ASRO_L60t-VMA056arOROUyeig/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelHyxoWAVGeOpjGdal2O3bKvh7a3YKxeTvti3hiSE3nvlaK8c2Nx-TwGuN0OOuiUvAsWvuoGAakxzV4R7sOJDKQpf3KwRbZB7yoUbJYhblUi9uRWZ6ASRO_L60t-VMA056arOROUyeig/s320/Bear+Bathroom+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsoVoszaI_Yvtw0Ggzl6P6pB_EmDKlA4Y3DEhRBnXO6X0Ql4O7HoPmz8ih3sfJg7bA31E3n-thI_nwaTIGMu012oNz-PJdSZuExfPfJWQQ31220Qikx7QYSZMVA-x3VzCz-YBAc1U9NM/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsoVoszaI_Yvtw0Ggzl6P6pB_EmDKlA4Y3DEhRBnXO6X0Ql4O7HoPmz8ih3sfJg7bA31E3n-thI_nwaTIGMu012oNz-PJdSZuExfPfJWQQ31220Qikx7QYSZMVA-x3VzCz-YBAc1U9NM/s320/Bear+Bathroom+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEzzgGKbCS0jdn4fFvKlxVY5CT0aeGEF8LG5TaeuJdn7tK7ZqKTnjkYRrlXf8tlTvQEYMyKHmYWJCMdJd2jV1UfDHi3InDalG5P8JZMXyGBLyA7-ykjAYEYcIAOdkzeqDktMNDhHCGmM/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEzzgGKbCS0jdn4fFvKlxVY5CT0aeGEF8LG5TaeuJdn7tK7ZqKTnjkYRrlXf8tlTvQEYMyKHmYWJCMdJd2jV1UfDHi3InDalG5P8JZMXyGBLyA7-ykjAYEYcIAOdkzeqDktMNDhHCGmM/s320/Bear+Bathroom+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGV0Tgx_GNC7fl4OupwCz7Kl-1Z8Q07IJTUMhheWQKdsJDNuTcY3L8M3OTnSZDMrrr1wJ6CrBq-FZNChCmWFv79ARKbspn8u8rp7vEIUn_bHYSqdlSKt5ZWwrFVZbqYAJDQUyS9C-wHk/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGV0Tgx_GNC7fl4OupwCz7Kl-1Z8Q07IJTUMhheWQKdsJDNuTcY3L8M3OTnSZDMrrr1wJ6CrBq-FZNChCmWFv79ARKbspn8u8rp7vEIUn_bHYSqdlSKt5ZWwrFVZbqYAJDQUyS9C-wHk/s320/Bear+Bathroom+6.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Pf1_idjcolO-1pJ73U5xHALsovn0AEkj-a3v9GaZvs44SMaULvKsHaiNG9RPTGi6ufdqv15snpyRf27F89OJDjNtck-4CgSjgxClknQlJymszfV8hEMPj7-NgUDSadfMdwOcF0Ishgs/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Pf1_idjcolO-1pJ73U5xHALsovn0AEkj-a3v9GaZvs44SMaULvKsHaiNG9RPTGi6ufdqv15snpyRf27F89OJDjNtck-4CgSjgxClknQlJymszfV8hEMPj7-NgUDSadfMdwOcF0Ishgs/s320/Bear+Bathroom+7.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd786ZZxSouty4lMfOLkn1U9EJtKtRqNPUGkHEVbMWfT0IArSczL6dBY31qhXnysKXqxhp0bIsNC7ndWmSNZhmT0zEVyT_jTkS84M7Vm7GvWfptF1ptXWS-sPX9bhtxqpXivCl8L6hno/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd786ZZxSouty4lMfOLkn1U9EJtKtRqNPUGkHEVbMWfT0IArSczL6dBY31qhXnysKXqxhp0bIsNC7ndWmSNZhmT0zEVyT_jTkS84M7Vm7GvWfptF1ptXWS-sPX9bhtxqpXivCl8L6hno/s320/Bear+Bathroom+8.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw93_GFqlaOhFkUlftFAjO0V4d2AZrc7fdYiAeclgAZG3RhQEMskbl6to8CM4Hb7mcPAxWDI_LuU_3hpMBDXZ2lQOApdnwzkq5djFu9K81iPlxCRBKjK4K8jE5grOyNm0zFZ1awC91in8/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw93_GFqlaOhFkUlftFAjO0V4d2AZrc7fdYiAeclgAZG3RhQEMskbl6to8CM4Hb7mcPAxWDI_LuU_3hpMBDXZ2lQOApdnwzkq5djFu9K81iPlxCRBKjK4K8jE5grOyNm0zFZ1awC91in8/s320/Bear+Bathroom+9.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSsp6aG3jgI24nAE1Ze_rzaDYGww7hga-vHCMk_N8Cnj-36JgSsOa5wE3gh-hGdefDjpBCkCPrXYs2HNyW-C88e-AJ5mGa7zctbWFvWckpK_Rxy8nu91c-Vtezwe2AnBSmN2JByiD9Dw/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSsp6aG3jgI24nAE1Ze_rzaDYGww7hga-vHCMk_N8Cnj-36JgSsOa5wE3gh-hGdefDjpBCkCPrXYs2HNyW-C88e-AJ5mGa7zctbWFvWckpK_Rxy8nu91c-Vtezwe2AnBSmN2JByiD9Dw/s320/Bear+Bathroom+10.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbhhS8O3DFNwxQVRKVyXZ7IcmDkBplVXEIcFYGguvJMF1OhwTMX14Kkw7lwP3cJdQ2hTeZvRYEFsFbdJiFUuEVpka9Omkk6z4vQ84hCFkA3N1JhEDdr9HpNIs-9syv8YDX6gjZJSYMak/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbhhS8O3DFNwxQVRKVyXZ7IcmDkBplVXEIcFYGguvJMF1OhwTMX14Kkw7lwP3cJdQ2hTeZvRYEFsFbdJiFUuEVpka9Omkk6z4vQ84hCFkA3N1JhEDdr9HpNIs-9syv8YDX6gjZJSYMak/s320/Bear+Bathroom+11.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xuL8AkHfk9ls8sw4xEMp7w2WFH2lDZC4cA_hg_GKK0KzZPiNRfNmcYDRmTTwV7OTL5FNtzEhNsjn1ooz5smIEW6Hv86dOGNJQMacKe1z1crOc-PDZIyJDw3uaDdqNsRmy3xZ5SEesn0/s1600/Bear+Bathroom+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xuL8AkHfk9ls8sw4xEMp7w2WFH2lDZC4cA_hg_GKK0KzZPiNRfNmcYDRmTTwV7OTL5FNtzEhNsjn1ooz5smIEW6Hv86dOGNJQMacKe1z1crOc-PDZIyJDw3uaDdqNsRmy3xZ5SEesn0/s320/Bear+Bathroom+12.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"> Click on the below video for a panoramic view of the bathroom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WlSYKlk9mGQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WlSYKlk9mGQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">As you can see, one can take a side porch and create a long skinny bathroom and it be adorable. And all because I am blessed to be married to a man who is ever sensitive to fulfilling not only my needs but my wants.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This particular</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 'want' grew into a vision and I, blessed to know two creative, vivacious and git-'er-done kinda gals, was able to carry out my vision.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Thank each of you for joining me as I've opened my home to you. I hope you enjoyed it and may have picked up an idea on a future renovation you may have in mind. And remember...no room is too long and skinny; and only diet and exercise can keep my butt from getting too big!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">PostScript: If anyone would like further information regarding<span style="color: #741b47;"> Plumberry Hollow</span> and owners Hope and Patti please contact them at </span></em><em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/plumberryhollow/"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.facebook.com/plumberryhollow/</span></a> </em></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-61043620135668537922016-01-22T07:08:00.003-08:002016-01-22T14:20:30.259-08:00My Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the greatest joys I have while living on Roan Mountain is the daily interaction I have with my horse, </span><span style="font-size: small;">General 'Trig' O Nometry. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dWk6dU9IE9BElbB_yeCNlEJt-E0FlWEw3DFSqQT2EzHT0O2qv_K_CcyhseBhDBVuPB88xl4umDuJXOXtyY8e_cdp_9L6vTjeSwcdi1alKxXJJSfvdSxM9XpPzW0aAj5OsbBThGJrK18/s1600/Trig+Easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dWk6dU9IE9BElbB_yeCNlEJt-E0FlWEw3DFSqQT2EzHT0O2qv_K_CcyhseBhDBVuPB88xl4umDuJXOXtyY8e_cdp_9L6vTjeSwcdi1alKxXJJSfvdSxM9XpPzW0aAj5OsbBThGJrK18/s320/Trig+Easter.jpg" width="238" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Trig is a special horse because of his gentlemanly manners with very young children. During my years of owning horses, I've never known of a horse who loved little people more than my beloved 16 hands tall, 1400 pound, coal black Tennessee Walker. And...as strange as it may sound when I bought this handsome gelding I chose him for many incredible traits but the seller never once mentioned Trig's demeanor with children. I didn't learn of that most excellent of equine characteristics until he was bought, delivered and settled in his barn up here on the Roan; then is when the grandchildren began coming up to meet him. Chandler Logan, our first born grandchild- now a college man- fell in love with Trig from the get go.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Savannah was the youngest at that time- God had not yet gifted us with her baby brother, Bowie- and next came Ryleigh and the older of this trio, Emmett. All three adored Trig and he, them. Trig began to wipe out- and does to this day- every step these kids take when up here visiting with Nana and Papa. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">T</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">he four of them are adorable as the kids scavange around the grounds looking for arrowheads, interesting rocks, buckeyes and anything else that catches their fancy. All the while this huge, huggable horse of mine is right in the middle of the mix and he watches with curiosity their every move. </span><span style="font-size: small;">I have finally come to think of the three grand kids as Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes with Trig being Triple Crown. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s-3Oe47ys1ztJ16xKT-87IVSx4ULO7WMAK4siIFBWCS_12IcRw3GULf2TOAyrhBRvPnITmzbRZ1GL8nwJXFKUQZk4aCcjcoFwUvf69Z_8-Loysc4WNEz0rIRTlajn6zc15GsUcXlZPE/s1600/ryleigh+tolbert+horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s-3Oe47ys1ztJ16xKT-87IVSx4ULO7WMAK4siIFBWCS_12IcRw3GULf2TOAyrhBRvPnITmzbRZ1GL8nwJXFKUQZk4aCcjcoFwUvf69Z_8-Loysc4WNEz0rIRTlajn6zc15GsUcXlZPE/s320/ryleigh+tolbert+horse.jpg" width="303" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<br />
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWa0OoWKRirbAR2vXdr1rUHIZfqU6IonuU1I8yEYY0jsjUW0C99cRCvnHS0ddhwoTV4iwDJgHjT7DC3bSWxVdG_pCi6KgPITmVn-rMYfdBwSfoCHE0TJFbHZ2wVP7u8bkm5gmdpum1JE/s1600/Spring+with+Em%252C+Savannah+and+Trig+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWa0OoWKRirbAR2vXdr1rUHIZfqU6IonuU1I8yEYY0jsjUW0C99cRCvnHS0ddhwoTV4iwDJgHjT7DC3bSWxVdG_pCi6KgPITmVn-rMYfdBwSfoCHE0TJFbHZ2wVP7u8bkm5gmdpum1JE/s320/Spring+with+Em%252C+Savannah+and+Trig+2015.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I hope you enjoy this short video taken recently when Savannah and Emmett were spending the weekend with Nana and Papa at Bear Cabin. Spending time together though without Preakness (Ryleigh) is always like having a grilled cheese sandwich without the cheese. Alas, Ryleigh lives near Nashville and doesn't get to come in and join us as often as we wish. Feeling the absence of Ryleigh, Emmett and Savannah asked to join me in Trig's early morning feeding. I offer this clip to let you see how very gentle Trig is with his little buddies.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr> <span style="color: red;"> </span></span></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E0PeqOylZzI" width="560"></iframe>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-69159221112524568102015-12-24T17:44:00.003-08:002017-03-03T06:14:48.977-08:00A Christmas Blessing in These Mountains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZhSa5xyQY7KJG50SnTezad2Vf5IoDDlTMsJdBxrLqLMOQwjLBQgwGoU_nATUljEqksMuza_LoP4k7f8PgFRRcbtrLzvOWSAAJUFAlpM2jtLhyphenhyphenzF9GIlrJhcv3RV0KUsxlJRfZ1b34hI/s1600/Christmas+Story+2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZhSa5xyQY7KJG50SnTezad2Vf5IoDDlTMsJdBxrLqLMOQwjLBQgwGoU_nATUljEqksMuza_LoP4k7f8PgFRRcbtrLzvOWSAAJUFAlpM2jtLhyphenhyphenzF9GIlrJhcv3RV0KUsxlJRfZ1b34hI/s1600/Christmas+Story+2015.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:11</span></span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKeFq0BBmI3cr__Oc7hK3q4dzJIthOhHPFCd5hMEhpGWE02vygQqDaqaDQ3VhspFj5uuQo9KApmFW47lTlhjfeGHLYZlgAWM_lJQ_G0Y07Gr6RFyPjWaPtMfrbFJV514IbW33dr2hER8/s1600/Christmas+Story+2015+Babe+in+Manger.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKeFq0BBmI3cr__Oc7hK3q4dzJIthOhHPFCd5hMEhpGWE02vygQqDaqaDQ3VhspFj5uuQo9KApmFW47lTlhjfeGHLYZlgAWM_lJQ_G0Y07Gr6RFyPjWaPtMfrbFJV514IbW33dr2hER8/s320/Christmas+Story+2015+Babe+in+Manger.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I remember like it was yesterday that Thursday morning of March 8th,<sup></sup> 1984 when I embraced within my own heart this Christ Child, this Saviour Who gave me the gift of eternal life.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I love the Christmas season so much not only because of the reason we celebrate it but for the wonderful time of family and traditions, and the sharing of gifts as a way of remembering God’s Gift to us so long ago.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I have oft said how very blessed my husband and I are that God planted us up here in Misty Hollow in the foothills of Roan Mountain in Carter County, Tennessee</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">It did not come as a surprise when this Christmas season brought forth more incredible insight into the kindness of the people who are part of the fabric of our lives up here.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I have the privilege of knowing a special woman named Della Sue Davenport.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Della Sue works as a cook at Captain Jack’s, a local grocery/gas/ fast food store serving country cooking as well as a favorite gathering hole that is known for the best broasted chicken in these parts. This gal Della Sue has a heart of gold and a reputation for being the first to jump in and offer to help when there is a need, any need. She is also loath to take any credit for her labors.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Another precious woman I have come to know is Jennifer Johnson. Jennifer, also known as someone who will give you the shirt off her back, is a real mover and shaker up here in these mountains as well. She, for years, has been the engine of Create-a-Smile, a local organization that seeks out underprivileged children in Carter County to assure they are not forgotten at Christmas. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Jennifer’s annual contact with various principals in the Carter County School System provides a list of needy children, and the organization takes one school each Christmas. Create-a-Smile has served up to 158 children in one year, thanks to Jennifer and her team of dedicated volunteers.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I was unaware that Della Sue and Jennifer were united together in the Create-a-Smile project until I stopped in at Captain Jack’s about three weeks ago. Della Sue walked from behind the ‘hot bar’ where she had been serving up great food and told me she was involved with helping collect money for the project. Would I care to give? </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">She also told me she would, like always if weather permitted, be delivering the gifts to this year’s chosen school in her wagon pulled by her work horses. Would I like to pile on and help distribute the gifts? </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I was heartsick I would be out of town that particular day. Grandfather Don had graciously invited Tony and me to join him on a winter golf trip. Otherwise, I would be on that wagon with bells on.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I left Captain Jack’s that morning though and could not stop thinking of those two women, the rest of the team and the project they were working on. I was touched over how they harnessed their love and drew together in the sacrifice of giving; it was incredible how much they accomplished. I knew they all had families of their own, yet they took this particularly busy time of the year to focus on those needy kids. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">As I thought of their sacrifice, I could not help but think of the plight of our world in today’s challenging times and the selflessness of a great God who loved His earthly family so much that He sent His Son as a baby in a manger. One day that same babe so willingly hung on a cross for this helplessly lost and needy world.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">While away on my trip I still thought about Create-a-Smile and wondered how it was all coming together for the kids and their big Christmas party coming up. I would wake up in the middle of the night and, coffee in hand, slip out on the back deck of our condo. The first night there I was stunned to be met by an incredible display of shooting stars. There were more in that one night than I had seen in my lifetime. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">And I, in awe of the Creator’s light display, began to think of a favorite old Christmas carol, <i>We Three Kings<b>. </b></i>I hummed the chorus quietly into the darkness… <i>O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegEkY5zBPy9uRionsWeWyOnwN0U2mt5GDQV5youX3NrrG2iUd8_cs1999FOaP3b-PfGvaiS4O89JcQvpKidzkDEuEqlys5EYEBH94y97geuQS9oQV9qEN9J9zmJpR0XB_obNhMgjn4c8/s1600/Christmas+Story+2015+We+Three+Kings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegEkY5zBPy9uRionsWeWyOnwN0U2mt5GDQV5youX3NrrG2iUd8_cs1999FOaP3b-PfGvaiS4O89JcQvpKidzkDEuEqlys5EYEBH94y97geuQS9oQV9qEN9J9zmJpR0XB_obNhMgjn4c8/s320/Christmas+Story+2015+We+Three+Kings.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><i> </i> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I don’t think I will ever again string those tiny white lights on my Christmas tree that I don’t remember they too have a significant reason. They will remind me of the stars shining that night long ago as a backdrop to The Star I place on top of the tree, all symbolic of how those kings were guided to ‘thy perfect Light.'</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">The big day of the Christmas party for the kids finally arrived and was held right after school let out for the day. I, still on my golf trip, thought about those kids throughout the day and those blessed to help. After the party was over I called Della Sue; I wanted to hear every detail. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Della Sue said the party was a big success. The kids were served pizza from Captain Jack’s, and there was, of course, a visit from Santa. There were brown paper bags handed out filled with oranges, tangerines, apples, chewing gum and all sorts of ‘ole time candy.'</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">The children receiving help this year were thrilled and obviously grateful for the generosity of the gifts. Each child received a bicycle, helmet, and games. All were given underwear, shoes, socks, coats, and gloves. Each boy and girl had submitted a ‘wish list’of toys they really liked, and the team had been able to meet those wishes as well. To top it off, each one received a big Christmas stocking filled with toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, hand sanitizer and other goodies.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6P99oz4Qel3gmVsOLAor2RaQ5DhkvnyObGEDs3gS5RZIPJoI7gNz5bGh_arXMxBti8grWeOGltEICbS7j1XIc9OTYtEJey90L5GjmE5_Lj_VnZA3y-KzjjsewlksYufdP_UZSbSLAPsA/s1600/Christmas+Story+Christmas+stockings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6P99oz4Qel3gmVsOLAor2RaQ5DhkvnyObGEDs3gS5RZIPJoI7gNz5bGh_arXMxBti8grWeOGltEICbS7j1XIc9OTYtEJey90L5GjmE5_Lj_VnZA3y-KzjjsewlksYufdP_UZSbSLAPsA/s1600/Christmas+Story+Christmas+stockings.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">It is my understanding this is basically what is given to the children at the chosen school each year, so this fundraiser is no small task; fundraising is usually a year-long event. It speaks well of the generosity of the precious people of Carter County. What a blessing to be living among them.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">As I close, I can assure you of this, God willing. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I told Della Sue regarding next year and the Create-a-Smile Christmas project…put me in, coach! I want to work heart-to-heart with this awesome group of people with such generous spirits.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Waking up very early this Christmas morning, I slipped out on the front porch here at Bear Cabin. It was dark, but the property lights showed the fog slowly rolling in at <i>Misty Hollow</i>. I glanced upward, and through the naked trees, I saw glimpses of the sky and patches of clouds. Suddenly there was a break in the clouds and... wait! Is that an unusually large star?! The child within me wanted to believe it was the Star of Bethlehem proclaiming His birth. Regardless, my heart burst forth with a new song…</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Joy</span></i></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <b><i>to the world!</i></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">The Lord is come</span></span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Let earth receive her King</span></span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Let ev'ry heart prepare him room</span></span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">And heaven and nature sing</span></span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">And heaven and nature sing</span></span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">And heaven and nature sing!</span></span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; line-height: 115%;">I pray each of you, my dear readers, have a blessed and joyful Merry Christmas.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmFAdv5Zy0qIt7Q2P9OrlRYMimnQiHR-ywe88LD8kgz-UCBQzwzCn55nNUMzLZCqGAZeNT4yiB-BxohYL08lEza4ByFjyWMPSkf4z3AHa00wbpjlEQKIVDBrw5l73y4BmiT8KKxeexbY/s1600/Christmas+Story+2015+Poinsettia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmFAdv5Zy0qIt7Q2P9OrlRYMimnQiHR-ywe88LD8kgz-UCBQzwzCn55nNUMzLZCqGAZeNT4yiB-BxohYL08lEza4ByFjyWMPSkf4z3AHa00wbpjlEQKIVDBrw5l73y4BmiT8KKxeexbY/s320/Christmas+Story+2015+Poinsettia.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-91927464834603102892015-12-06T08:25:00.003-08:002015-12-10T04:06:13.655-08:00Up, Up and Away She Goes!<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">When life throws you curve balls every now and then, the thing is you gotta know when to swing to get far. -Unknown</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Recently my ‘better half’ and I took a much needed getaway. On his end, the </span></span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">bidding schedule at the office had been relentless for weeks. Me? I had been wrestling with the addition of a new bathroom at Bear Cabin for nearly two months. With the constant shrill of skill saws, electric nail guns, hammers, little privacy from electricians and plumbers… all the while overseeing the project as ‘straw boss’ (as Tony fondly referred to me), I was as near being put down as the wood tile on that bathroom floor. Permanently.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14https://youtu.be/2-sAUcUCwvw pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">So I found us a charming little cabin up in the woods between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, aptly named ‘Alone at Last’. Our desires for this trip were simple. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">We wanted to see Dollywood lit up at night as we had heard it was stunning during the Christmas season. It was. I also had to challenge the race tracks at Pigeon Forge to satisfy my need for speed with my personal goal of getting around each track with the racecar’s pedal to the metal without letting up. As an aside, my sweetheart does not race but says it is worth a million bucks to watch me; he says I look hilariously serious hunched over that little steering wheel. We did get that done. </span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">Most of all though, Tony and I wanted to make the gorgeous drive through the <em>Great Smoky Mountains National Park</em> over to Cherokee Village to add to the grandchildren’s growing collection of Indian paraphernalia for our to-be-continued summer study of Cherokee Indians in the 1800’s. -See </span><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://ontheroan.blogspot.com/2015/10/my-puppies-and-kind-cherokee-indians.html">My Puppies and the Kind Cherokee Indians</a></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://./">.</a> </span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">When Tony and I left the hustle-bustle of Gatlinburg the morning of the trip to Cherokee, the peace and serenity of entering <em>The Park</em> was overwhelming. The traffic was light, the weather stunning and I settled down for the first time in a long time… deeply exhaling. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">When we reached the pinnacle of the mountain where you start the long descent to our destination, Tony pulled over at a look-out and we hopped out of the car to enjoy the vista. Suddenly I heard the far-away hum of a helicopter. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Way in the distance I spotted a yellow Bird flying across the mountain tops with what must have been a chain suspended beneath it hauling what could be a cage or whatever with a…OMGoodness! </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">“Tony! Look at that! Is that a person in there! That must be a new sightseeing ride Pigeon Forge is showcasing!” I knew they had helicopters that took people up for sightseeing tours- I had been up before; this had to be a new, more daring twist. “I have to check that out when we get back to the cabin!” I’ll try anything once.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">We made it on to Cherokee but when we left a few hours later headed back toward Gatlinburg we missed a wonderful scenic photo shot and Tony had to turn around to back track in the opening of a large scenic turn-out .</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Lo and behold there sat that yellow helicopter and she did not look so tiny up close and personal. She had some men standing near her and my thought was maybe this is the place where the incredible new ride is lifting off.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Telling Tony I was going to check ‘er out I jumped out of the car and, at a fast clip, started in that direction but found quickly there was a rope with yellow flags across the entrance blocking traffic from entering. Was that for cars only? Surely.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">I stepped over the rope and started toward the helicopter that was about seventy-five yards away. One of the men broke away from the group and started walking quickly toward me. He carried with him an engaging grin so when we reached each other I extended my hand, introduced myself and asked him why in the world a helicopter was sitting on top of these mountains. Furthermore, as I had noted by then, why were there huge piles of railroad ties sitting not far from it?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Laughing, he said his name was Sergio and he was with the <em>National Park Service</em> and was part of that crew of men working on a park project. Did I want to come over and see what was going on?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Was he kidding? </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Sergio escorted me over and introduced me to the rest of his team… Tobias Miller, Trails Manager for the <em>Great Smoky Mountains National Park</em>, and Brad Gotte, the helicopter pilot.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4faQFV_BlYcJi5378P7cs7dCdImlBDYsUkbfY2MybNPa19m_g_uFI9Q-HPo2Byj-9HQZSqaDQ02g86gyuZsl5QS7x6migvpTF0RD0AMWQiyoC9wOnI-RqguTrrv7XrYgqVVEdESw8qk/s1600/helicoptor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4faQFV_BlYcJi5378P7cs7dCdImlBDYsUkbfY2MybNPa19m_g_uFI9Q-HPo2Byj-9HQZSqaDQ02g86gyuZsl5QS7x6migvpTF0RD0AMWQiyoC9wOnI-RqguTrrv7XrYgqVVEdESw8qk/s320/helicoptor.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: red; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> </div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">And what I learned then fascinated and gave me a whole new <em>Park</em> perspective.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">No, they were not there to give sightseeing rides over the Smoky Mountains- I blushed after I told them that was my first inclination and then had to endure roars of laughter. They were there to augment the work of trail teams stationed around in those mountains below. Each of those teams were expecting them at various times to air lift and slowly lower, honing in by GPS, the needed ties to carry out a pre-planned trail project!</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">That tiny brown spec of what looked from my vantage point earlier like a possible person on a sightseeing ride was actually, close range, a massive bundle of logs (nineteen per bundle to be exact!) And there were probably fifteen more of those bundles already harnessed up and ready to be picked up by that helicopter.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><strong> J<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">ust think about that.</span></span></strong></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Many of us have had the joy of visiting these awesome mountains. We have hiked and used lean-to’s and overnight cabins, clung to hand cables as we passed over trails so high and steep that without those cables we might have plunged below onto treacherous rock ledges. Also, we have, probably without realizing it, hiked trails that had earlier collapsed and were in danger of being totally erased except a trail team had spotted the damage, came in and pulled the trail back into place...oft times with wooden ties. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">We have enjoyed picnics with our loved ones, finding the perfect picnic spot after walking over sturdy bridges as we gazed at the white capped river rushing over boulders below. The list of amenities offered to make our park visit memorable is myriad. Aside from the construction of these wonderful resources, it has been said without aggressive maintenance from <em>The Park Service</em>, whole areas of the Smoky Mountains would be reclaimed by the forest. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">I’d just never given any thought regarding how all of these wonderful facilities happened to get placed there for us.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">As I was wrapping up my unsolicited but kindly welcomed visit with my newfound buddies that day, I told them about my Blog and the fact I would like to write their story if it would be okay; business cards and e-mail addresses were exchanged. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">With a grateful heart and sincere thanks, I walked back to the car knowing I would never again visit and enjoy those majestic mountains and view them through the same eyes.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">After Tony and I pulled out and ran back to snap the photo we had missed earlier, we started again down the mountain toward ‘Alone at Last’. Suddenly traffic started slowing until it was at a standstill. “TONY!”, I squealed. “I’ll bet it’s a bear and everyone’s stopping to see it!” I have memories of that happening when I was a child driving through with my family.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">I opened the car window to lean out and look. Ahead I could see a man in an orange vest holding up a ‘STOP’ sign, blocking traffic both ways. Nope, no bear. So I once again slid out of the car, grabbing my iPad, figuring we would be going nowhere fast. I quickly crossed the road to snap a photo of a small but beautiful, cascading waterfall. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Then I heard it! </span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Muffled at first but growing louder and clearer, I knew exactly why traffic had been stopped!</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> <b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">I also knew just exactly where to train my iPad for the video I hoped I would capture. </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2-sAUcUCwvw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2-sAUcUCwvw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> </div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Sure enough... UP, UP AND AWAY SHE GOES!</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span lang="EN"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;">*** With my deepest appreciation to Tobias, Brad and Sergio for your full-time dedication and nurturing of our most pristine and gorgeous <em>Great Smoky Mountains National Park</em> ***</span></span></b></div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-27278347820320148932015-11-18T14:32:00.002-08:002015-12-16T01:50:22.298-08:00Nothing Sacred In These Hills....<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will tell you a fact, my friends. There is no slack of rich gossip up here in this holler. I just heard something that would make a coon cut a shine. I was told (by someone who shall remain nameless as she would kill me if I let it be known she is a gossip) ole Harvey, two hollers over from mine, was caught in the act of doing something rather strange, even by holler standards. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Apparently, Harvey’s best friend Joon Bug was passing Harvey’s barn the other day when he sees Harvey doing a slow, sensual striptease in front of his old John Deere tractor. Shocked, Joon Bug stood motionless, fixated on what was taking place inside. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3OD7ESc7RMXyYGp690kzJUA7gB34MJoscPotTN3SScjdlOpwIzBY1N62vChqoTsmuRruFiK3yRmXYcxVAET8U2FEYA-95bCUnju_9wQtzExAM7hbHQ7iFLK0iofJmWBMS-y-_nPvQjc/s1600/john+deere+tractor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3OD7ESc7RMXyYGp690kzJUA7gB34MJoscPotTN3SScjdlOpwIzBY1N62vChqoTsmuRruFiK3yRmXYcxVAET8U2FEYA-95bCUnju_9wQtzExAM7hbHQ7iFLK0iofJmWBMS-y-_nPvQjc/s320/john+deere+tractor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Harvey was clenching his buttocks and performing a slow pirouette while gently sliding off first the right strap of his overalls, followed by the left. He then hunches his shoulders forward in a classic striptease move, lets his overalls fall down to his hips, revealing his torn and stained cotton shirt. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, clutching both sides of his shirt, he rips it apart to reveal his T-shirt underneath that looked like it had enjoyed a couple of suppers. As if he were listening to his own internal music leading up to a grand finale, Harvey then tears the T-Shirt from his body, tosses it high, and then with wild abandon hurls his hat onto a pile of winter wood.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Having seen enough and afraid of what he might see next, Joon Bug went busting into the barn and yelled, “Harvey! What in the world’re doin’ there, buddy?” </span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Harvey, obviously stunned and embarrassed, snapped back with, “Darn it, Joon Bug, you spooked the crap outta me but let me tell you what I’m adoin’. I know this may look mighty strange but me and the little woman been havin’ a few problems in the bedroom d’partment. She wanted me to see a ther’pist and made me promise I would do just exactly like he tole me to do so I am. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Now Harv. Somethin' ain't quiet right here. I want ya to think really hard. What in th’ world did he tell ya to do?</span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Well, he told me to go home and do somethin' sexy to a tracter.” </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(I so wanted to give acknowledgment to the original author of this adapted-to-the-Roan joke but it seems everyone on the Internet is taking credit for it.)</em></span></span></div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-65163791583393509072015-11-18T14:21:00.000-08:002015-11-18T14:27:51.283-08:00Political Wisdom, Wit and Warnings...<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHCWotVhgYNnIscxdJZ-QZkjVWSjh71vJAZ4uPIsXClh3V4a1_86sMbiCwC3Ajb8EtweGzzuqdOURroiUgWmnWBl8NuT8dNWh3ZQyLNz7bGUFOFdlwQ0qMwCzJB4rg1lmf05ZO5ojXM/s1600/american+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReHCWotVhgYNnIscxdJZ-QZkjVWSjh71vJAZ4uPIsXClh3V4a1_86sMbiCwC3Ajb8EtweGzzuqdOURroiUgWmnWBl8NuT8dNWh3ZQyLNz7bGUFOFdlwQ0qMwCzJB4rg1lmf05ZO5ojXM/s400/american+flag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">*</span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">** I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. <i> - </i>Charles de Gaulle</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have. - Gerald R. Ford</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them. - Adlai Stevenson</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** If our Founding Fathers wanted us to care about the rest of the world, they wouldn't have declared their independence from it. - Stephen Colbert</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; line-height: 115%;">*** </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">If we got one-tenth of what was promised to us in these State of the Union speeches, there wouldn't be any inducement to go to heaven. - Will Rogers</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. - Ronald Reagan</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I’m beginning to believe it. – Clarence Darrow</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. - Franklin D. Roosevelt</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country. – Tex Guinan</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith. - Alexis de Tocqueville</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** If God wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates. - Jay Leno</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting. - Tom Stoppard</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; line-height: 115%;">*** </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The problem with political jokes is they get elected. - Henry Cate, VII</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream -- the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order --or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on this downward path. - Ronald Reagan</span></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">*** We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. – Aesop</span></span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing. – John Stuart Mill </span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">And I will end this post, my friends, </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">with one of my personal favorites…</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*** Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other. - Oscar Ameringer</span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Make the day a great one and God bless ya! Oh! And don’t forget to pray for our nation’s leaders and the upcoming primaries.</span> </span></span></b></div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-47960157763865809582015-11-03T16:20:00.001-08:002016-08-01T04:27:20.987-07:00Grandma's Story<span lang=""><strong><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">'Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while… but our hearts forever.' -unknown</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I sat on my porch before dawn yesterday morning rocking, relaxing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">and enjoying my first cup of coffee. The woods around me clothed me in privacy and all was silent except for the sound of a slight breeze rustling the pines in symphony with the gurgling creek. I was reminded once again how blessed I am to be planted here in my hollow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">As usual, the faint light from the window behind me cast halo shadows on two very precious items that take me back to a time of innocence and pain as they churn up their memories and serve them to me in silence. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIn8gd7gBMlRwx_EdN2LCM5l39N1ySdo5-BOJ5fMnflTeU2P71q1c0QdC1GaDM5p3Aw1xO8g7KVtNP_TnnvVgGaGxW7b98CuSY-A_cYuxQot4CEG9iMF4Ysp15NnelXuitLXbgX7Ovek/s1600/Grandma+story+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIn8gd7gBMlRwx_EdN2LCM5l39N1ySdo5-BOJ5fMnflTeU2P71q1c0QdC1GaDM5p3Aw1xO8g7KVtNP_TnnvVgGaGxW7b98CuSY-A_cYuxQot4CEG9iMF4Ysp15NnelXuitLXbgX7Ovek/s400/Grandma+story+4.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">This old churn and butter mold had been handed down to my mama from her mother. I had been the one to inherit them upon my mother’s death due to the memories my sister knew I attached to them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">My mother’s mama, my Grandma Minnie Lethcoe, had a huge impact on my life as a young child; memories of her are as tendrils still clinging to smells, sights and sounds of an old country kitchen from decades ago.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I was a scrawny little blonde of nearly five when we moved our family of six into our ‘new’ home at 1314 Pennsylvania Avenue, Ext. in Bristol, TN. This older white framed house on a dead end street was a two bedroom, one bath home with a tiny kitchen, den and living room. The living room was for guests. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, in its dirt basement it also housed a terrifying metal monster with gigantic arms that reached out to every area beneath the house and it breathed fire and brimstone, leaving me no place to hide from its grasp. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">As I grew older, that monster became an even more sinister enemy. There was no way to escape the dirty light soot it spit on me and my siblings as we huddled over floor registers every morning to thaw out before school after my brothers had feed it its morning meal of coal. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">After settling into this new neighborhood and autumn rolled around, my two older brothers and sister had to register in their new school, Central Elementary. Debbie and Dennis, the twins, were now six and that meant they were starting first grade. The oldest, Jackie, would be a fourth grader. Sandy had not yet been born so I was the only kid left alone at home as kindergarten was not yet a concept.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">My dad left for work every morning but so did my mama. She cleaned homes for some of the more prominent folks in town. Where we lived in Pickel Holler prior to moving to our current address, there were a bevy of relatives who watched us kids. Alas, the problem now… what to do with me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A few of the people Mama cleaned for said it would be fine for her to bring me along while she cleaned and she did. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">It was at that tender age I was first exposed to the behavioral sciences and their various approaches.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">To this day I remember the emotions I felt about the way my mama was treated by each family she cleaned for. There were situations where I would be overwhelmed with sadness and tear-filled eyes, feeling powerless to help her in her plight as a particular ‘lady of the house’ emotionally abused her with harsh words and excessive demands such as, "I want that bathroom toilet scrubbed with this toothbrush, Mary!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Going to clean houses was but one option regarding where to leave me during the day while she worked. The other was my favorite! I would be dropped off at my Grandma Minnie’s to spend the day and when I arrived, she would wrap me in her arms, always smelling like her kitchen.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Now you need to understand, Grandma was not a "let’s start with playing jack rocks, sweetheart" kind of woman. In fact, I never remember once playing children’s games with her. Time with her was spent in a much deeper, more substantive way.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Once there, Grandma would take me by the hand and we would go to the corn crib and pull out ears of dried corn and shuck off the rough kernels to drop in the pan she brought. Then this feed would be taken down to the chicken pen to be scattered among the chickens. I so loved to stand there and watch them peck, peck, peck, laughing hysterically when they pecked each other on the head.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Next, we would get the pail with all the leftover scraps from the meals of the day before, mix that with some kind of grainy stuff and take it to the pig pen to dump in the trough. The two huge hogs wallowing there were very scary to me as they seemed to be mad all the time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Grandma told me they were to be slaughtered for food; I told her I did not care, they were mean, muddy and smelled pukey. We would not eat the bunny rabbits would we, Grandma? No, she would smile and stroke my head gently. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We would then stop for a few minutes and watch Grandpa Hunter, a kind and soft-spoken soul as well, as he plowed up the large field with Old Mader pulling the tiller in preparation for his tobacco and corn planting. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tFhbRJ27SOtWs_Xj-NU-Wd_2fSphixlHLm87RRh9iEj_ZO3RUVquYgUnVZ794xpv8EIhGgF8BVAbsQFenicEt9nbv9UOo8fmPaho-XIJ4utuxPYVeas7VOAoDEStmCZBrTQBu9eTnLg/s1600/Grandma+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tFhbRJ27SOtWs_Xj-NU-Wd_2fSphixlHLm87RRh9iEj_ZO3RUVquYgUnVZ794xpv8EIhGgF8BVAbsQFenicEt9nbv9UOo8fmPaho-XIJ4utuxPYVeas7VOAoDEStmCZBrTQBu9eTnLg/s400/Grandma+story.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Then came my favorite time of the day. Grandma and I would return to her kitchen and she would tie one of her aprons around my waist, letting it fall to my feet. She would stand me up on a chair alongside where she would be standing and the magic began. Every experience brought something different, something delicious. This particular day it was to teach me how to make her size-of-a-saucer homemade biscuits.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Her kitchen table was huge, solid wood and worn in the places where she prepared most of her food. The 'chopping' end had tiny knife pocks in the wood. The end of the table where biscuits were made was especially smooth and slightly hollowed in the shape of a large round of dough that had been beaten in with her fists on that table God only knew how many times. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8vSrATTfqrPs26Mn6x43Y3ybvUGVcQwhbwR0FRvuCmjC5Bz0cnKz4F4IeIljf4COt8NJE1F5QrkfnaP_ADvZQvCSpKCWPNPvZucpFyN4QQzsc_eaEDIjqloPa9_JSbDuC9lIf5oUOpI/s1600/Grandma%2527s+table.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8vSrATTfqrPs26Mn6x43Y3ybvUGVcQwhbwR0FRvuCmjC5Bz0cnKz4F4IeIljf4COt8NJE1F5QrkfnaP_ADvZQvCSpKCWPNPvZucpFyN4QQzsc_eaEDIjqloPa9_JSbDuC9lIf5oUOpI/s400/Grandma%2527s+table.png" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In preparation for biscuit making, first Grandma and I had to walk out to the spring house to get buttermilk, butter, strawberry jam and milk. The springhouse was near the main house and was a small building cut into the side of a hill so only the front part of the small house was exposed. A small doorway gave entrance and you had to bend over if you were big people. Once inside, it was very, very cool. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">This little house was built on top of a cold water spring and there were large smooth stones set around the cold pool of water in the middle. On these stones sat a crock of butter, cold jams and jellies, large glass containers of milk and buttermilk from the cow; bacon, sausage, hams and hocks from the pigs; and eggs from those pecking chickens. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaLCwQwtTy0mY5stIiQlLoGeERLaSpUHT8XO_Ss1MGmQODAaAgZb5npiSKYoBGocyW7z6yOEPP8GzMLZ3kyWXB5d5cWHlC9emfpMfRQRC20s5YrIGJi6JE8PAJzo89LFrt8fAZrUHVgw/s1600/Grandma+story+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaLCwQwtTy0mY5stIiQlLoGeERLaSpUHT8XO_Ss1MGmQODAaAgZb5npiSKYoBGocyW7z6yOEPP8GzMLZ3kyWXB5d5cWHlC9emfpMfRQRC20s5YrIGJi6JE8PAJzo89LFrt8fAZrUHVgw/s400/Grandma+story+2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">As I looked around with my grandma, I recognized the items I had been a part of placing there. She had taught me how to pour raw milk into her churn </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">from the cow we'd milked</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> and then we'd lift the staff and plunge it up and down, up and down, up and down. That would cause butter to rise to the top. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Then that butter would be scooped up and she helped me put it in a cloth and we would squeeze it ‘til there was no liquid left. We would then stuff it tight into that butter mold and carry it to the springhouse to turn firm. When it was done and we turned it out on a plate, it had a flower from the mold on top of it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I also helped Grandma steal the chicken’s eggs from them. I gathered apples from the ground while grandma picked from the trees so we could peel and cook them with sugar and cinnamon and then pour them into jars. We picked strawberries from her berry patch, one for me...one for the basket...another for me... and delicious jam was made.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">This day the buttermilk, butter, milk and strawberry jam were gathered, we settled back in the kitchen and the big wooden mixing bowl was set out. First, a whole bunch of flour was dumped into that bowl and then a pinch of salt, a large lump of white stuff she called lard. This was followed by a splash of melted butter. A great big wooden spoon stirred all this together and then we finally filled grandma's favorite tin cup with cold buttermilk and more mixing. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Another handful of flour went scattering out over that table top and the sticky mess was dumped in the middle. Then grandma’s hands were flying so fast over that huge ball I could hardly see them. To this day I love the sound and sight of dough 'being worked' on a floured table. After she got control of it and most of the stickiness out, she told me to grab hold; I needed to knead it, she said.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The old oven door of the wood burning stove was popped open and the pre-heated pan drawn out. A quick lard coating of that pan, the biscuit shaped dough plopped on and then back inside that roaring fire heat. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSABu5JVFF9W43his9gRUl_u_4DWJJR2Fjr5ixXyXBMfozgo5-NHgyaRFgqw8qMAoIspQUBHtJejzofch3VL5dcomGPAVJKllkqO1JjP4sKePPjOogpvdxil554xb0sACW0qJPXrHjKb8/s1600/Grandma+story+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSABu5JVFF9W43his9gRUl_u_4DWJJR2Fjr5ixXyXBMfozgo5-NHgyaRFgqw8qMAoIspQUBHtJejzofch3VL5dcomGPAVJKllkqO1JjP4sKePPjOogpvdxil554xb0sACW0qJPXrHjKb8/s320/Grandma+story+3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Then came the part Grandma and I loved best. We sat at her kitchen table with the big platter of homemade biscuits, country butter and strawberry jam between us with large glasses of cold milk. We ate and laughed and talked about things that were especially important to a really old lady and a tiny blonde kid.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Of all the giggling and telling of tales that day, there was one thing this woman I loved so much failed to share with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">She was dying. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">My mama began to stay with me during my special time with my Grandma Minnie. Then eventually my grandma took to her bed and she never rose from it again. My mama fed, bathed and continually cried over her mama while I wandered aimlessly around the farm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mama then began to bring all us kids down to grandma and grandpa's every weekend. Mama's sisters and brothers and our cousins all came as well. Grandma's adult children all gathered in grandma's room and we kids romped and played outside in the tobacco barn and scattered over the cornfields, clueless of the 'death watch' taking place inside the old weathered house where grandma lay.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I had finally turned six and would be starting first grade soon. I knew my days of staying with my grandma during the school days would then be over.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I just hadn't internalized my days with my grandma would soon be over forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">This gentle and wonderful woman died not long afterwards, after much agony from cervical cancer. She was prepared for burial and brought in her casket to our little home on Pennsylvania Avenue and set to rest in our living room used only for guests. I have no memory of crying. I do remember someone putting a tall stool beside her open casket for the kids to climb up on and sit. I did, staring at her, emotionless. And my mind is blank from then on regarding her funeral and the aftermath. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">It has been said that Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while… but our hearts forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span></i></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will always cherish our churn and butter mold, Grandma...and my memories of our time together are as slender tendrils clinging to those smells, sights and sounds of your wonderful old country kitchen from decades ago.</span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-78553272180220762182015-11-02T05:10:00.001-08:002015-12-25T02:19:52.975-08:00He Swept Me Off My Feet!<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The first time I saw him my heart skipped a beat. </span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It had been a long time since any other had this effect on me; I knew I could not let him get away from me without meeting him.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I was standing in front of the floral shop at Food City in Elizabethton waiting on an arrangement I had ordered. He had picked up his grocery cart at the front of the store and had rounded the corner, headed in my direction.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As he was strolling toward me my mind was racing. What could I do to get his attention? Should I quickly pay for my flowers and then follow him around as he shopped for his groceries until I ‘accidentally’ ran into him? I felt my face blush at the thought of that idea; I did not want him to think I was stalking him…he would probably shy away.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">By this time he and his cart were about three feet from me m</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">y anxiety of missing this once in a blue moon chance overcame me. I garnered every bit of moxy I possessed and stepped out in front of his cart causing him to bump into me. A woman on a mission, I extended my hand.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hello. My name is Linda Blevins.” </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He, too, held out his hand and in a very low, somewhat gruff voice said, “Hello ma’am. I am Mr. Lyons.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I asked him if he knew how captivating he looked and if anyone had ever been as bold as I to step out and stop him just to meet him. “Yeah, there was a woman in Jonesborough who did the same thing”, he mumbled shyly.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Well, I told him, she must have been a writer as well and she must have, as I, felt she could not live another day if she could not take a photo and write a story about him.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes ma’am, that’s right. She told me she was writing a book and was from Jonesboro. So you write stories too?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And that is how I came to meet Mr. Lyons, the Chimney Sweep.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7qg3tJ0X86Brewsike11LqPF4P0EwbacfgZ9WO6dc3zTQhv2lFxQnq8Fh0dFvbO86t_xghz9gItyf8VQZq4WgChyzX6VMz3tNNgyDrRsql8pvFdo1uSkdqA7t-CVnz38QRXQ28MoGlY/s1600/Chimney+Sweep+Mr.+Lyons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7qg3tJ0X86Brewsike11LqPF4P0EwbacfgZ9WO6dc3zTQhv2lFxQnq8Fh0dFvbO86t_xghz9gItyf8VQZq4WgChyzX6VMz3tNNgyDrRsql8pvFdo1uSkdqA7t-CVnz38QRXQ28MoGlY/s320/Chimney+Sweep+Mr.+Lyons.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That day I met him I knew what a Chimney Sweeper of the 1800’s looked like; he even wore a dapper black top hat rounding off the complete look. I must say I was fascinated. He was definitely a story waiting to be written.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He graciously gave me his phone number and I told him I would be in touch.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When I did call Mr. Lyons he agreed to come up to Misty Hollow. After all, I did have a chimney at Jakes Cabin that needed sweeping. When he arrived we started chatting like we had been friends for a hundred years. As this delightful, small statured and charming man started carrying in his equipment and setting up, he kept me in stitches with his clever and funny remarks.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">While he worked, I asked him, in the interest of writing his story, what was the most serious thing that ever happened to him during his long career of sweeping chimneys.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, that’s a easy one”, he responded quickly. “I do remember that day I was standin’ with one foot on the very top rung of a thirty foot ladder and the trick was to swing my other foot over to the roof to get to the chimney. Well, it did not work ‘cause I crashed to the ground and broke my back in two places. The next thing that happened I was in a hospital bed and learned the bad news. Now, my wife was in a hospital up in Virginia. She depended on me and here I laid with my back broke. I had to get outta there and get back to work! So I left that hospital early with a full back brace and went home and sat there in a chair, starin’ out the window for three days. Then it hit me, I gotta get up and start movin’ so first I walked just a bit around the house. Then I walked just a little bit more and then I got out and walked down the sidewalk. In seven days I was drivin’.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At this point, I was stunned. What were you thinking, I asked this sweeper of chimneys, obviously a man who also swept away sound judgment when it came to his health and well-being.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I had nobody to help me, Linda. I was in a bad need of things from the grocery store and the only way I could get there was to drive. So from that first drive, I figured that a broken back could throw me to the ground but could not keep me there.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I sat there in amazement listening to this crusty, pull-myself-up-by-the-<wbr></wbr>bootstraps man-of-men and marveled. He continued.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So, where I had been out of commission, seven days after the accident I was drivin’ and three months after that fall, I was back up on that ladder sweepin’ again.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Oh holy cow! I told him I truly knew of no one in my lifetime that could have pulled that off.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Distressed by that story, I decided to switch gears.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Mr. Lyons, do you have a light hearted story you could share? What about the funniest, or the most exciting thing that has ever happened to you in your long career.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He brought his face out from that dark scary hole going up into my chimney and flashed me a big smile. I shot one back, not wanted to laugh out loud at the black soot on his nose and forehead.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh yeah. Well, it was not funny at the time but lookin’ back on it, I do chuckle now and again. And it was definitely excitin’.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">One day I had a appointment at a house and this was a old 1800’s house. Those houses have the ole timey dampers that you have to stick your whole head up in to. The lady of the house, like you, had never seen a chimney sweepin’ so she perched on the couch to watch. After gettin’ everything ready, I laid on the floor and then reached my whole head all the way up into that damper.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I sat there on the sofa at Jakes Cabin, breathless, hanging on to every word this man was saying.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Lo and behold! I came face to face with a huge blacksnake! </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I jerked my heard out from there and gaspin’, told the lady what I had just witnessed. She thought my reaction was so darn funny she started cacklin’. She then asked me how the world we were goin’ to get that thing outta there and I told her to go get a sack. She did and when she came back I told her I was going to pull it out and she was to hold the sack open wide and catch it.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Now, I am not a mean spirited person but I am a story writer and I could not contain myself.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, Mr. Lyons! Please tell me you accidentally dropped the snake on her for laughing at you!” I mean, you have to admit that would have been an incredible ending to this story.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Nope, I didn’t. We got that six foot long bugger in the sack but by the time that job was finished, I felt like stickin’ her up that chimney!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My buddy of soot and steel left that day with an appointment to come back and sweep Bear Cabin. I cannot wait. As he drove away, he left me with the gift of knowing I had made another new friend up here in these mountains I now call home. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span> </div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-18556686326644608282015-10-25T09:46:00.001-07:002015-10-26T16:03:02.196-07:00Berta, the Queen Bee, Me, and the 'Miracle'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTngFpwZ53NdFetq0eAKP6rYhWVMfpK5kWNwJC_zSl8M42ioOwgiShheNbf3SCVS-ft58_BQvh1mTetczAqbWtGpgPvNPHCBVQY1BKnlKSXiDCwaxvEtcaP5hG-cBm4HJV0RdFtkYJEtU/s1600/berta+and+bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTngFpwZ53NdFetq0eAKP6rYhWVMfpK5kWNwJC_zSl8M42ioOwgiShheNbf3SCVS-ft58_BQvh1mTetczAqbWtGpgPvNPHCBVQY1BKnlKSXiDCwaxvEtcaP5hG-cBm4HJV0RdFtkYJEtU/s320/berta+and+bees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As my Hunk and I were driving back up the mountain to our place one day this past summer, I looked over to my left as we passed Barney and Berta’s place. If their front door is open, I, and they, always want Tony to ‘toot’ the horn to let them know we are arriving back home. We neighbors way back here in this hollow are very protective of each other; all are closely knit, all have weapons and each has the other’s back.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we went on up the mountain a short stretch, I looked to the right and I squealed, “OH MY GOSH! There stands Berta, right in the middle of her bee hives and she is naked!” </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, in my shock I said naked but what I meant was Berta had no protective bee gear on. No long pants, shirt, gloves, bee bonnet, NOTHING to keep the bees that were swarming all around her from stinging her to death! And she had a hand stuck down inside the guts of one of those hives!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I immediately grabbed my mobile and called Barney, her sweet other half, and the call went to voice mail but I managed, in my highly agitated state, to leave something like, “Have Berta call me if she’s not dead!” About an hour later my dear friend rang and I grabbed that phone and yelled into the receiver “BERTA! ARE YOU CRAZY?” </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This little gal, in her unassuming and gentle way, asked me what I was so excited about and I told what I had witnessed at her bee hives.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her simple response, “My bees don't sting me Linda, 'cause I'm not afraid of 'em.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that, to me, was a rather profound statement and I began to ponder on that. I could not help but remember a Bible verse from Genesis that says, <em>God blessed the humans by saying to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it! Be masters over the fish in the ocean, the birds that fly, and every living thing that crawls on the earth!” </em></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I supposed my dear friend had taken that verse literally and had become the master of her bees!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Berta went on to tell me she had walked up to check on her bees and she noted there was a problem. When I asked her what she meant she said there was a decrease in the activity of the bees coming and going from one hive. She said she took the lid off and took out a sash-the vertical wooden structure where the bees store the honey in the honeycomb- and noticed the queen was not laying eggs to produce new bees.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I checked her and saw she had a problem with one of her legs. I knew it and the bees knew it. An injured queen is a bad thing for any hive. Some bees had already left the hive but others had started trying to hatch a new queen but they were spittin’ in the wind ‘cause that can’t be done. What I needed to do was go buy a new queen.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was in too deep to pull out at this juncture. “Berta! Where in the heck do you buy a new queen? I mean, this is not a pet store item, I’m sure. Or is it?</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Laughing at my ignorance, Berta continued. “Nope, it's not. I had to go to a fella bee keeper on Beech Mountain, NC and I brought a new queen back. And that started the long, slow process of introducin’ her.” </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, I realized this was not going to be like a formal ‘coming out’ party for The Queen of England…but, by golly, I was not far off the mark!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The new lady was carefully carried back to our mountain in a 3 in. long by 1 ½ in. wide wooden box with mesh on the top. Two holes were drilled in each end with a tiny cork stuffed in each hole. The old queen was removed and this box was carefully laid in the hive and the tiny corks removed. Right inside the opening of the uncorked holes was a thick layer of candy-type substance. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpxnVk3eogwKuirsMdEEWDt9EExE_rfaGyfeWok54LvLVqT6vrPV6pCOx1wW4Q1a0H2W0_hs00ROcpv91OLUo-9EvslUWG-kz6rahb8o-0wlrMcOj77zRbdtrFPlLAeDIl5TAesP1B30/s1600/Bee+Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpxnVk3eogwKuirsMdEEWDt9EExE_rfaGyfeWok54LvLVqT6vrPV6pCOx1wW4Q1a0H2W0_hs00ROcpv91OLUo-9EvslUWG-kz6rahb8o-0wlrMcOj77zRbdtrFPlLAeDIl5TAesP1B30/s320/Bee+Box.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Berta continued to enthrall me with her fascinating bee knowledge. </span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She told me 'her highness' stayed in that box and the bees slowly become accustomed to her sight, smell and sound; the bees get to know her this way. To get to her and her to them, they have to eat their way through the ‘candy’. By the time three to four days have passed, the drilled holes are freed-up from the goop and the lady of the house is able to crawl out to join her new family. Then life is again good in the hood.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remembered those wonderful pearls of wisdom I’d learned from Berta when my phone rang a couple weeks ago and she told me she was going to visit her hives. This time every year, she informed me, she had to run a fall check to make sure her bees were on track in their preparations for winter. My buddy wanted to know if I wanted to come watch. Was she kidding! Not only yes, but heck yes! </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a stunning fall afternoon, warm with a light breeze playing with the brilliantly colored leaf canopy in each tree. Berta and I were to meet at her hives in thirty minutes.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I arrived, I noted that Barney had come too. He and Berta had driven up in their Mule and she was already down by the hives with Barney standing back a good distance. He said there was no way he would get anywhere near her bees; he always stood back “a far piece”.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZq91J_YlaHUzLeOH1NdUjS__LGoLNXrBVLg7W-Blv5rE0IgZBjwAJRavdqpv7s_VW7U1m08J0G54bY9fxBXYY6Xabk3-wH6c-o44XAoiTP234MV198oV8S2jKoyrKjYnT-pra9-fg7nw/s1600/Barney+and+Tracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZq91J_YlaHUzLeOH1NdUjS__LGoLNXrBVLg7W-Blv5rE0IgZBjwAJRavdqpv7s_VW7U1m08J0G54bY9fxBXYY6Xabk3-wH6c-o44XAoiTP234MV198oV8S2jKoyrKjYnT-pra9-fg7nw/s320/Barney+and+Tracker.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I walked up and stood beside Barney with my I-Pad in hand and asked if I could video the production for my posterity. Sure. Then it was a matter of the right angle and proper lighting.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then it happened.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Berta, I want to come down there and stand beside you. May I?” Now keep in mind…once again my friend did not have on any protective gear. Neither did I.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Are you sure you want to?”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes, Berta. I am not afraid of the bees. Really, I’m not.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I believe you Linda. Come on down here.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I did. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I will let the video tell the rest of the story but you need to be reassured that I, nor Berta, received a sting. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 115%;">J</span></span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-EXKzQhlP6U" width="420"></iframe>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-47804828428252707472015-10-25T08:31:00.000-07:002015-10-26T16:16:39.441-07:00Trig, Me, and the Great UT<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Owning University of Tennessee season tickets for thirty- five years running is considered worthless now to my significant other and me since we have not been to a game to sit our rears in said seats for over twenty years. Sure, we are still fans. Sure, we still follow Big Orange. But also sure is we have four kids who grew up, three married with spouses, and they also are huge fans.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I speak for all parents ‘out there’ who would take a bullet for their kids so giving up your seats for their pleasure is a ‘parent thing’. We gladly turn those tickets over every week during home games when ‘It’s football time in Tennessee!’ to always grateful family members.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHynAsJswLiBEcYzQ-ma5OVyarQy5f0yvWG__NPTs_dQOhfMAjmOROhi8O8WpY-SXbEc8p46At8eoEUexDJQs0ipOiwJCEo-E845QLThMW-N7avxtyKd2QiBHzzV7GPvmWlyNTt0eXQAI/s1600/UT+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHynAsJswLiBEcYzQ-ma5OVyarQy5f0yvWG__NPTs_dQOhfMAjmOROhi8O8WpY-SXbEc8p46At8eoEUexDJQs0ipOiwJCEo-E845QLThMW-N7avxtyKd2QiBHzzV7GPvmWlyNTt0eXQAI/s320/UT+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now don’t feel forlorn for Tony and me. We do have one big game we go to every year and it is a favored tradition. No, it’s not in Knoxville but is at the home of lifelong friends where the same bunch of UT fans come together and enjoy a wonderful fall day of eating, drinking and being merry. Aside from watching the big game, the highlight is a low country boil prepared by our host outside the door of his massive game room.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="yj6qo ajU">
<div aria-label="Hide expanded content" class="ajR" data-tooltip="Hide expanded content" id=":213" role="button" tabindex="0">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="ajT" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="adL">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKxAjzXaRso3_D6HU473WzmDtJYojUvKaulBuGc3PQITDNLtLk_2xZHW5vE8qauzNoXQ46GxE9xXIFQ_7wCOc2LH6DbcQjQnbNK6AmbvIesEoOTsSPBrjfkt8ISkTCzLbkG1OUMs4FCM/s1600/UT+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKxAjzXaRso3_D6HU473WzmDtJYojUvKaulBuGc3PQITDNLtLk_2xZHW5vE8qauzNoXQ46GxE9xXIFQ_7wCOc2LH6DbcQjQnbNK6AmbvIesEoOTsSPBrjfkt8ISkTCzLbkG1OUMs4FCM/s320/UT+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="im"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, we all gathered for the Florida-UT game and we were pumped. The colors orange and white were on full display from clothing to hats to the beautiful décor our hostess displayed. </span></span></span><span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the game started though we all settled down and the pre-game camaraderie took a backseat to the UT machine on the field. </span></span></span></span><span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, lo and behold, what looked like a ‘sure win’ for Tennessee slipped away at the very end with some fourth quarter magic from Florida bringing them from thirteen points behind. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="adL">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Geez. In ninety seconds time at the very end, all in that room went from soaring like eagles to full-fledged panic to crashing and burning. The Gators then beat us like a drum, 28-27. </span></span></span><span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we pulled back in to Misty Hollow later that day I was greeted by my awesome horse as soon as the car pulled up. My Trig can always sense when his mama is ‘down’ so he stuck his muzzle right in my face and started planting sloppy kisses. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="adL">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He then wanted to know if I wanted ‘to share’. It has been said 'all I pay my psychiatrist is the cost of feed and hay, and he’ll listen to me any ole day' so this is the exchange we had. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="adL">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me: "Trig, I’m feeling pretty down. Dad and I just watched UT lose a football game at the last minute to the Florida Gators. And by one measly point!"</span></span></span><span class="im">
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trig: "Uh, help me out here, Mom. What is a UT. And what is a gator?" </span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="adL">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Trig, for heaven’s sake…UT. U is the initial for University. T is the initial for Tennessee. That is the name of the university of the football team in Knoxville we support. Never mind what a real gator is; well, it’s like a huge lizard but for right now it’s not relevant to the discussion. Just call the other team University of Florida."</span></span></span><span class="im">
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="adL">
<span class="im">
</span><span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Mom, I sure hate knowing you are sad so help me get this straight. When the little children come up here on the mountain to our place, we get a ball and kick it back and forth and around our circle. So football must be something like that. So, your side had a ball and some gators ate it, right?"</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="adL">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Trig, good grief. Just forget it. Your lack of understanding distresses me and drags me down even further."</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="adL">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="im"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">"Mom, I hate you’re feelin’ bad but can you imagine how down those football people, uh…I think you called them your team, must feel? I mean, just think crappy. About as crappy as I felt when you fed me that bad banana and I left that disgusting pile out near the fence. Shouldn't</span></span> <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">you do something to make them feel better and that might make you feel better.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="adL">
<span class="im">
</span><span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought this over for a moment and then realized my ole buddy may have stumbled onto something. I knew then what we could do! He and I would make a fan video and send it to the UT team and let them know in spite of what happened today, they have two fans here on Roan Mountain who love them and think they will forever and always be #1! I was feeling better already.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="adL">
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me: "Trig, you are brilliant! Come on, we are going to make a UT fan video and show our support for the BIG ORANGE!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trig: "Mom, what’s an orange?"</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="im"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">
</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hPniVeOq1RA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-46211751642532582312015-10-25T08:18:00.000-07:002015-11-28T01:26:58.198-08:00"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I want to share a wonderful story written by Ginger Manley, an extremely talented woman who is the author of several books as well as a honored professor/sex therapist at Vanderbilt University. Why bother to share this story with you? Because I am a very proud mommy and this true story involves my daughter, Tara Blevins Tolbert, and an incredible incident that took place in her life this summer. Just click on the highlighted link and you will hopefully find this story warming the cockles of your heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.gingermanley.com/essays/priceless-treasure-from-goodwill" target="_blank"><b><u><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">Priceless Treasure from <span class="il">Goodwill</span></span></span></u></b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, in case you are wondering about the Benjamin Franklin quote that kicked off this post, I thought (from a mom's perspective) it may be relevant.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You see, when Tara and her sister, Amanda, were sixteen and fourteen years of age respectively and Tara began to drive, I called my two daughters in for a chat. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Knowing both wanted to earn extra spending money for various teenage necessities, I told them I had a deal for them to help out with their immediate need. I also hoped my plan would teach them something they could hold on to long-term as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not really sure what their reaction would be, I explained I would be willing to turn the household monthly food budget over to them and they could take that money and, on a weekly basis, make out the daily menus for our family of six. Keep in mind back in those days eating out at fast food restaurants was kept to a bare minimum and family meals were eaten around the family table. After the menus were decided, they could then prepare a grocery list for each week and then buy the groceries. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of the month if using the food budget wisely, and without starving us to death, they could split the difference they saved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was thrilled with the enthusiastic response from both.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I then gave them tips on clipping coupons and taking advantage of buying produce near expiration but still fresh for the next couple of days. I stressed the wisdom of finding great buys on meats which could be frozen for meals in advance<b> </b>and buying items by bulk. And finally...they could not spend the money they think they've earned until the end of each month.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tara and Mandy, chomping at the bit, took their new project very seriously and hit the ground running.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's just say this. We did eat more than enough chicken during that period of our lives. Anything fresh and green... not so much. I did have to, on occasion, drop a hint about fresh fruit and yes, milk was one part of the important basic food groups. Well... one more thing. I finally did have to let it be known they could not stuff one more ounce of frozen meat in that freezer until I cooked some of it up even if it meant their earnings fell shy of their desired goal of the month.<img alt="😀" class="CToWUd" goomoji="1f600" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f600" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Overall, on a scale of 1-10, Tony and I gave those girls of ours a TEN on the grocery project! They pocketed quiet a bit of money during that time and they made their dad and me extremely proud. They are to this day both married with their own children, both very frugal, queens of the thrift stores and the two can squeeze a dollar until it screams to let it go.</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always hoping I had a little something to do with that admirable quality in our girls, I mentioned something along these lines to my beloved man. His reassuring response? "Yeah, you probably did but even a blind hog finds an acorn on occasion, honey." <img alt="😊" class="CToWUd" goomoji="1f60a" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f60a" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-74722246979154068872015-10-25T07:48:00.000-07:002016-01-13T11:36:29.340-08:00Both Ends of the Spectrum<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It never ceases to amaze me as I learn daily of the culture and pride of the kind folk that live up here on The Roan. As it seems to be in every locale, the folks in these parts range from the very wealthy to the poorest of poor; Yet, all here seem to be one big family and from what I’ve experienced…all stand ready to reach out and help a neighbor in need. In fact, I think this part of the country is as ‘Norman Rockwell’ as she comes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have found three common threads that weave the tapestry of life up here on Roan Mountain; the stubborn pride, the pick yourself up by your bootstraps mentality and that ‘git-er-done’ work ethic.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can't help now but think of our awesome neighbors, Barney and Berta. Barney is our local and fearless Constable and Berta, his sweet and quiet 'other half' is a real work horse, my morning walking pal and precious friend. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barney and Berta live in the next house closest to us down the holler and this past spring while planting their garden, Barney told me he was upset that a huge groundhog was living under his barn, eating his young seedlings. His barn and garden are located on his additional acreage across from his house and the lane leading up to the few homes in our neck of these woods. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Barney told me he was going to take care of the blasted rodent problem though. I, unfortunately, did not focus on the word 'blasted'. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Not long ago after my chat with Barney, I am relaxing on my front porch swing and a shotgun blast rocked my world! Dear God! I jumped in my car and rushed down to Barney's place and there he is, standing on his front porch, rifle trained on his subject across the road toward his barn, firing away. He was simply 'gittin 'er done'. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f59UZyo_2li-08oELC128GMGsa4TUHv9gqU3sVmSu7x2uDBnrkLvQP7OzXntLv4NIQHbZF1JM7VZXrUfagMU7VXI1itCb8cgPdtymvFZ4Tc2s4Bfs97igohE6zbDE0EGmXgWL__NpxU/s1600/Both+ends+spectrum+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f59UZyo_2li-08oELC128GMGsa4TUHv9gqU3sVmSu7x2uDBnrkLvQP7OzXntLv4NIQHbZF1JM7VZXrUfagMU7VXI1itCb8cgPdtymvFZ4Tc2s4Bfs97igohE6zbDE0EGmXgWL__NpxU/s1600/Both+ends+spectrum+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then there’s that stubborn mountain pride.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently learned more about that deep pride when told about a couple of doctors who decided they loved exactly what drew most of us to these hills. They chose to move here from out west to start a new practice.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wanna hear how it all went down?</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Well, these two were best friends who graduated from medical school at the same t</span><span style="color: navy;">i</span><span style="color: black;">me and decided, in spite of two different specialties, they would open a practice together to share office space and personnel within the Township of Roan Mountain. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">One was a doctor by the name of Ashan and he was a psychiatrist; the other specialist's name was Dr. Fryman, a proctologist. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After enjoying a warm welcome from the area people and settling in a rustic cabin on the outskirts of town, the two doctors found the perfect office space where there was a smidgen of privacy, understandably. Then the two began the struggle with what to put on their shingle to hang outside their door. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YjC-Jj6uPVYzCSsUJ2bB-JiC8drLLSA5qQeGAN6vk9cxEdBV9oHunYp5XhjAcPUe0-ASqdPSTjuhvWP2dG0z8qFLkQ3AIcaEROOnWg5akqRGzGTgCc0Zhb0ElEmEGc-a7KIDSCNsmdU/s1600/Both+end+of+the+spectrum+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YjC-Jj6uPVYzCSsUJ2bB-JiC8drLLSA5qQeGAN6vk9cxEdBV9oHunYp5XhjAcPUe0-ASqdPSTjuhvWP2dG0z8qFLkQ3AIcaEROOnWg5akqRGzGTgCc0Zhb0ElEmEGc-a7KIDSCNsmdU/s320/Both+end+of+the+spectrum+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It became obvious pretty fast either these two moved here from too far away or they thought they has a funny sense of humor because the sign they came up with read: Dr. Ashan and Dr. Fryman: Hysterias and Posteriors. Well, that sign had not been up twenty minutes before the Town Council members began to be inundated with calls. Just exactly who did these two jokers think they were and just exactly where did they think they were! Didn't they realize there was pride in these parts?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: SimSun; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span> </div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Well, the doctors,</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: black;">not wanting to offend their future patients quickly changed the sign to read: Schizoids and Hemorrhoids.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again all hell broke loose. The ignorance of these uppity newcomers was unbelievable. Thinking quickly the docs changed it to read: Catatonics and High Colonics. This, also, was unacceptable so they regrouped. How about Manic Depressives and Anal Retentives? A no go. Next, they tried Minds and Behinds - thumbs down again. Now, the good people up here in these parts are long suffering but they still struggle to be patient. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: SimSun; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another attempt resulted in Lost Souls and Butt Holes. This one almost brought out the shotguns but the Council's Chairman finally calmed the crowd with a passionate plea, "What would Jesus do?"</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the message was given again to the two doctors; Jesus and the township <span class="il">both</span> loved them dearly but they would have to come up with a decent office name soon. Another valiant try....the doctors tried Nuts and Butts - WHAT WERE THEY THINKING! </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Freaks and Cheeks - still no good. Loons and Moons - not on your lives. Almost at their wits' ends, the doctors finally camp up with: Dr. Ashan and Dr. Fryman - Specializing Odds and Ends. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Halleluiah!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is my understanding everyone loved this one and those two doctors to this day have a thriving practice right in the middle of the township. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMawdwwk7MPsqwFEExzxQGLFcLnNnjqY-CjAV0iTP9h4jXpjU9jsOtYzQP936rCKqvErK7obNWnXGqxopGoNlMleOkXbq2eCg98qR2wFr_mRV4lpDZfOzqAM3ELfkZKSiGD4mvwiE6sg/s1600/Both+ends+of+the+spectrum+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMawdwwk7MPsqwFEExzxQGLFcLnNnjqY-CjAV0iTP9h4jXpjU9jsOtYzQP936rCKqvErK7obNWnXGqxopGoNlMleOkXbq2eCg98qR2wFr_mRV4lpDZfOzqAM3ELfkZKSiGD4mvwiE6sg/s1600/Both+ends+of+the+spectrum+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last but not least, I forgot to tell you about another couple of strong virtues of Roan Mountainians. They do have the patience of Job...and very forgiving spirits. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now half the town as well as those living in these mountains have given their business to and are patients of Dr. Ashan and Dr. Fryman whether they need it or not. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**Kudos to the original posters of this (adapted) </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">joke...MIStupid.com**</span></span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </span><br /></div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-33366615594826005652015-10-13T12:58:00.001-07:002015-10-26T16:44:02.030-07:00Jesus Belongs to Mother Josephine and She to Him<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I heard the most interesting tidbit recently about a precious nun named Mother Josephine who lives a rather austere life in the backwoods up here on the Roan. It is my understanding she will literally give you the habit off her back if need be and is renowned for driving her old beat-up car around in the hollows to find anyone who needs a helping hand, a fireside chat or a 'Come to Jesus wearing</span> out'. </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYHg2KuM_nUoE7yx6ldYALwrckSDtXLbzUvOm3C4hlTwXnSXNwVFO73cD4guUi6OBTQ9z-19UI7PJvB_z76VzdfpEdfZQO8OG_fmjZEy44MZfBRrcfcmBTmHx9bYN6KHbePjPDLVHl48/s1600/Catholic+nun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYHg2KuM_nUoE7yx6ldYALwrckSDtXLbzUvOm3C4hlTwXnSXNwVFO73cD4guUi6OBTQ9z-19UI7PJvB_z76VzdfpEdfZQO8OG_fmjZEy44MZfBRrcfcmBTmHx9bYN6KHbePjPDLVHl48/s1600/Catholic+nun.jpg" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Apparently, not long ago she came across a construction site, noticed the coarse language of the workers and, feeling heavily burdened, decided to spend more time with them to help them see the error of their ways. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">With the best of intentions, Mother Josephine was determined to take her lunch the next day and sit with the workers for a spell. Now, having spent the biggest part of my life with construction workers, I immediately became concerned when being told about this kind woman and her well-meaning strategy. She was walking into the lion's den and all hell could break loose.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was told she put her sandwich in a brown bag and with no meekness whatsoever marched onto the site at noon where the men were spread out eating.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a smile as gentle as a lily floating on a pond she walked up to the group and boldly asked, "Gentlemen, do any of you know Jesus Christ?"</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">They shook their heads and looked at each other, very confused. One of the workers looked up into the steelworks and yelled out, "Anybody up there know Jesus </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christ?"</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfZD98l8InTiumlsISKmBNbf6g0eVCISaDM_pbPxmNxYRqZJDjMZMuYkIXrq8oEizmh4aue_LHgOMDMlhfz7lEii6_4EJjholL6a1etxVTHgcaskCupraMtJ5v_lV03SU1XqtGB0vuZc/s1600/construction-workers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfZD98l8InTiumlsISKmBNbf6g0eVCISaDM_pbPxmNxYRqZJDjMZMuYkIXrq8oEizmh4aue_LHgOMDMlhfz7lEii6_4EJjholL6a1etxVTHgcaskCupraMtJ5v_lV03SU1XqtGB0vuZc/s320/construction-workers.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of the steelworkers yelled back down, "Why?" The worker yelled back, "Cause his mom's here with his lunch."</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span> </div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-39958237143141167732015-10-13T12:45:00.000-07:002015-11-28T01:44:48.497-08:00A Sage For Our Age<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His name is Daryl. As he stood over my woodpile determining how much wood would be needed for our winter supply I once again was overwhelmed with affection for this simple man of imposing height and humble ways. I asked if I could take a photo of him and tell his story to my friends; I wanted to pay him homage.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He blushed and shyly mumbled, "I reckon" as he drew his shoulders back and stood tall and proud. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix25-WoY-m4D9-U2FHYa0BxMERxlZRddyF0Uns4H2rwgOWfhXKVr9NHTUCKTKWI0v_AyjyxgSIfDTrJnrM0F2uSwCk9iKu_egopABrp2V2JvIza3UDSTkQgYyngkQZ_mkdzxrxqPO8X-I/s1600/Daryl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix25-WoY-m4D9-U2FHYa0BxMERxlZRddyF0Uns4H2rwgOWfhXKVr9NHTUCKTKWI0v_AyjyxgSIfDTrJnrM0F2uSwCk9iKu_egopABrp2V2JvIza3UDSTkQgYyngkQZ_mkdzxrxqPO8X-I/s320/Daryl.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></b> </div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You see, Daryl has every reason to be proud; at age seventy-six, he is the last of his breed around these parts. This photo does not reveal the long silver platted mane that falls down his back, a clinging remnant of his early youth. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He, long ago, was a 'bad ass' hippy motorcycle gang member from the Woodstock generation. And to hear the tales, he was the real thing. Finally settling down in the California desert, Daryl became lonely and advertised for a wife in ‘Cycle’ magazine. Melanie read the ad from Tennessee, she came and they have been together for thirty two years now. They are our neighbors who live on the sixty-four acres up behind our place and the pair fascinates us with their life stories. They sold us the two cabins and acreage we now own. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Incredibly, Daryl built these two cabins plank by plank rarely using nails but screwing everything tight. With love in every tree that was cut from the surrounding forest, many that were stripped of bark for the charming hand rails that are placed around my front and back porches, every detail a labor of love. He never, ever, intended to sell them; they were to be his pride of ownership to the day he died. We were honored they chose us to buy them; they said it was because we shared their love of their mountain and the sacredness of the animals who lived there.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I remember when my husband Tony, a contractor, came to look at these cabins for the first time in light of our possibly buying them. He was stunned. Daryl did not believe in working within the parameters of county inspectors. He didn’t need to. While they may have demanded 2' X 4’s, he would use 2' X 8’s. That is the way he quietly goes about his business in everything he still does. With flair for creativity Daryl placed a lovely tall tree right up through the living area next to the stairwell at Bear Cabin and up past the loft and into the ceiling. </span><span style="color: #222222;">The grandkids assume the tree trunk is in the dirt basement and the top of the tree is growing out the roof. Yes, Daryl is quiet the builder of awesome mountain cabins but he is so much more. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK3tSkp_fU9lIp-8aaNATBKWjfQZ-RKqNuskEIN-Eg9vmhVuaTHcwR1Wk5ZwRwYkG0fF6rl_GT0Ie_OUxIgQ8u9lBlXbl_GOGC50Zg27f-FvCmgH2uo271QgxcIPRRlaWBFNGqfYSpk0/s1600/tree+in+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK3tSkp_fU9lIp-8aaNATBKWjfQZ-RKqNuskEIN-Eg9vmhVuaTHcwR1Wk5ZwRwYkG0fF6rl_GT0Ie_OUxIgQ8u9lBlXbl_GOGC50Zg27f-FvCmgH2uo271QgxcIPRRlaWBFNGqfYSpk0/s320/tree+in+room.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
</div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">For his startling size he is gentle, unassuming and quieter than a whisper. He rarely speaks; Daryl listens and learns. He is soft hearted toward all animals, great and small. Every evening just before dusk this gentle giant goes outside and gets an old metal pail and takes it to the springhouse. There he fills it with kernels of corn and brings it to his backyard close to the woods and whistles a strange low guttural whistle and immediately deer begin to wander down from the mountain sides. My friend will slowly start walking while dropping small piles of corn over a thirty to forty yard stretch. By the time he finishes, the deer are all gathered by the edge of the woods and as soon as Daryl is walking away, feeling safe... the deer step out and graze. He fell in love with our little granddaughter, Savannah, and so taught her how to feed his deer.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<div id="fb-root">
</div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="/linda.blevins.376/videos/vb.1113712701/10202032837998529/?type=3">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/linda.blevins.376/videos/10202032837998529/">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/linda.blevins.376/videos/10202032837998529/"></a><br />
Peggy, this is one of the things we did not get to this past weekend...the evening feeding of the deer. This video is of Savannah helping Daryl feed as the deer start coming down from the surrounding mountains. The next video will show them eating.<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2463857266675743402#" role="button">Linda Blevins</a> on Tuesday, April 8, 2014</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<div id="fb-root">
</div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="/linda.blevins.376/videos/vb.1113712701/10202032843278661/?type=3">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/linda.blevins.376/videos/10202032843278661/">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/linda.blevins.376/videos/10202032843278661/"></a><br />
The feeding of the wild deer on Roan.<br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2463857266675743402#" role="button">Linda Blevins</a> on Tuesday, April 8, 2014</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This ritual began years ago and I've brought friends and family up to Melanie and Daryl's place many times to watch this awesome ritual. Every time I've wondered what the deer will do when Daryl is finally laid to rest. I've also wondered if he and his wife would mind, and if no one else wants to do it, I could lay the corn down in his honor.</span> </span></span></div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-69422650688224959782015-10-13T12:35:00.002-07:002015-12-25T02:20:02.700-08:00He Swept Me Off My Feet<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first time I saw him my heart missed a beat. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It had been a long time since any other had this effect on me and I knew I could not let him get away without meeting him.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was standing in front of the florist shop at Food City in Elizabethton waiting on a floral arrangement I had ordered. He had picked up his grocery cart at the front of the store and had rounded the corner, headed in my direction.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As he kept strolling toward me my mind was racing. What could I do to get his attention? Should I quickly pay for my flowers and then follow him around as he picked out his groceries until I ‘accidentally’ ran into him? I felt my face blush at the thought of that idea; I did not want him to think I was stalking him…he would probably shy away.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By this time he and his cart were about three feet from me and my anxiety of missing this chance meeting with him overcame me I gathered every bit of courage I had and stepped out in front of his cart and stopped him.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nervously, I extended my hand and introduced myself. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He, too, held out his hand and in a very low, somewhat gruffy voice said, “Hello ma’am. I am Mr. Lyons.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I asked him if he knew how fascinating he looked and if anyone had ever been as bold as I to step out and stop him just to meet him. “Yeah, there was a woman in Jonesborough who did the same thing”, he said.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I told him, she must have been a writer as well and she must have, as I, felt that she could not live another day if she could not take a photo and write a story about him.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes ma’am, that’s right. She told me she writes stories for a magazine in Jonesborough. So you write stories too?”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that is how I came to meet Mr. Lyons, the Chimney Sweep.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7qg3tJ0X86Brewsike11LqPF4P0EwbacfgZ9WO6dc3zTQhv2lFxQnq8Fh0dFvbO86t_xghz9gItyf8VQZq4WgChyzX6VMz3tNNgyDrRsql8pvFdo1uSkdqA7t-CVnz38QRXQ28MoGlY/s1600/Chimney+Sweep+Mr.+Lyons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7qg3tJ0X86Brewsike11LqPF4P0EwbacfgZ9WO6dc3zTQhv2lFxQnq8Fh0dFvbO86t_xghz9gItyf8VQZq4WgChyzX6VMz3tNNgyDrRsql8pvFdo1uSkdqA7t-CVnz38QRXQ28MoGlY/s320/Chimney+Sweep+Mr.+Lyons.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That day I met him he was dressed in the original clothing of a Chimney Sweeper of the 1800’s, black top hat rounding off the complete look, and I must say I was fascinated. He was definitely a story waiting to be written.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Long story short, Mr. Lyons soon afterwards came up to Misty Hollow and ‘swept’ Jake’s Cabin- and boy did that chimney need it!- for me while we chatted the entire time. This incredibly charming old man kept me in soot and stitches with his quick wit and running monologue of past experiences as a chimney sweep. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">He left that day with an appointment to come back and sweep Bear Cabin and I was left with the gift that I had made a new friend up here in these mountains I now call home. The lis</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">t of fascinating acquaintances keeps growing and I am richer for it. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="ii gt undefined" id=":3fg" style="display: none;">
<div class="a3s" id=":3ff" style="overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div class="hq gt a10" id=":3bu">
<div class="hp">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div id=":3ey">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="aQH" id=":2dw">
<span class="aZo a5r"><a class="aQy aZr e aZI" data-tooltip-align="t,c" data-tooltip-class="a1V" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=337028761c&view=att&th=15062ab9b6585d9a&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=f_ifp0q5rc0&zw" id=":3a2" role="link" tabindex="0" target="_blank"></a></span><div aria-hidden="true">
<div class="aSH">
<div class="aYv" id=":3b4" style="display: none;">
<span class="aZo a5r"><a class="aQy aZr e aZI" data-tooltip-align="t,c" data-tooltip-class="a1V" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=337028761c&view=att&th=15062ab9b6585d9a&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=f_ifp0q5rc0&zw" id=":3a2" role="link" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="aYw aZy" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif" /></span></a></span></div>
<div class="aYy" id=":3c3">
<div class="aYA">
<span class="aZo a5r"><a class="aQy aZr e aZI" data-tooltip-align="t,c" data-tooltip-class="a1V" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=337028761c&view=att&th=15062ab9b6585d9a&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=f_ifp0q5rc0&zw" id=":3a2" role="link" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="aSI">
<div class="aSJ" id=":3b3" style="border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">
<span class="aZo a5r"><a class="aQy aZr e aZI" data-tooltip-align="t,c" data-tooltip-class="a1V" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=337028761c&view=att&th=15062ab9b6585d9a&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=f_ifp0q5rc0&zw" id=":3a2" role="link" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></span><br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<span class="aZo a5r"><a class="aQy aZr e aZI" data-tooltip-align="t,c" data-tooltip-class="a1V" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=337028761c&view=att&th=15062ab9b6585d9a&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=f_ifp0q5rc0&zw" id=":3a2" role="link" tabindex="0" target="_blank">
</a></span><br />
</div>
</div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-16021858119306173212015-10-13T12:20:00.002-07:002015-12-01T10:06:01.908-08:00My Puppies and the Kind Cherokee Indians<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lazy days on the Roan are most spectacular when I have our three grandchildren, Savannah, age six, Ryleigh, seven, and Emmett, now eight, up here with me at Bear Cabin. The only thing that would make it better would be if Chandler, our oldest</span> at age 18, could be here having fun with us but he says he now prefers college life. Then there is our beautiful Baby Bowie Bruce, but he is much too small at age seven months to romp and play. He says he still prefers to be very near Mommy.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chandler no longer has no interest in our Indian play because he still remembers when he was seven years old and Grandfather Don and I (Don and I were married during this time) spent every Friday night and a half day on Saturday's for six weeks with him on a thorough study of the Cherokee Indians, culminating with a trip to the Cherokee Nation in the Smokey Mountains. We had also studied the Trail of Tears so when we took the little fella to see this live drama on the last night we were there, it was not at all surprising to Don or me to see our tender hearted grandson’s tears flowing freely. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkY1-xuXBE7O0cd4CDExuBpa905_GS4SsOvi5esqBiL6eHq_0CNZ7nM3XKgiDN0gc_XGbOiCaO683B89vAStOnIMdsEZDx6I2eguXvVDzYhcEtxLFf5APh9FSeseR8o6hHJsXp0F5gRA/s1600/Chandler+and+Indian+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkY1-xuXBE7O0cd4CDExuBpa905_GS4SsOvi5esqBiL6eHq_0CNZ7nM3XKgiDN0gc_XGbOiCaO683B89vAStOnIMdsEZDx6I2eguXvVDzYhcEtxLFf5APh9FSeseR8o6hHJsXp0F5gRA/s320/Chandler+and+Indian+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_dMIWSoJ9BZrhSJBNYPg7u_C8TAz4gA5QZYJzB3chcvOLz3TJH8Qhf1y41PJj7V5CuHNy3FF5KlCFTTH6VJwiHu7QImhutwoUk6hKIGQiR2Ha0wtI9uaVMNiRBYME8Gzlc1rYNsIhrk/s1600/Chandler+and+Indian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_dMIWSoJ9BZrhSJBNYPg7u_C8TAz4gA5QZYJzB3chcvOLz3TJH8Qhf1y41PJj7V5CuHNy3FF5KlCFTTH6VJwiHu7QImhutwoUk6hKIGQiR2Ha0wtI9uaVMNiRBYME8Gzlc1rYNsIhrk/s320/Chandler+and+Indian.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I at least did have three of my puppies with me on this beautiful sunny day... all with different personalities, temperaments and a willingness to throw themselves full-throttle into whatever hair brained idea Nana came up with. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The kids all woke up this particular day and it was decided we would play act being Cherokee Indians; After all, Nana did live in the Cherokee Mountains. So we first started with our best friend, Mr. Google, and then had a home school time of learning all we could regarding the Cherokee Indians. Next, we gathered everything I had (and there was a bunch of stuff) regarding all-things-Indian from around the cabin and out on the porches and we carried it all out into the back near the big river rock fire pit. Laying down three huge Indian blankets on the ground, we built our Cherokee home.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was followed by all sitting Indian style on the blankets and each of my puppy’s chose an authentic Cherokee name and learned the significance of that name. Each child then was given a job, equivalent to the task they would have had as a Cherokee back in the 1800’s. The two girls were delighted to hear that the women held positions of great importance within the Cherokee tribes, equal to the men; some of the women were even warriors! </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once the duties were meted out, I then made the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT. We would be sojourning over to the next mountain range and we were going to visit with the Indian tribe where I had noted smoke the morning before. We needed to see if they were friend or foe. ***Now the smoke I had seen was coming out of the chimneys of two sets of new neighbors who had built cabins over the way; one couple was from Chicago, the other from Florida. I had met all but the wife of the fellow from Florida…all lovely people. I had no idea how they would react to my approaching them with the children and I all dressed up like Indians with faces painted. But you never know until you try.***</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I told the kids we were going to put on our painted faces, no, not with war paint, but the paint we would use to show we were coming in peace. Total chaos broke out and the excitement was overwhelming! I told all to get in line and I painted each little face with bright colors of Indian symbols.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally we were ready. Each little Indian and I picked up a walking stick and off we went up the hill, past Trig's barn-with him staring at us like we were from outer space- and past the woods, crossing over Stanley Hollow and down Ruth’s Road into the little valley that would take us up the mountain to where the other ‘Indian Tribe’ was. I told them the Cherokee greeting for hello was Siyo (pronounced see-yoh) and as we approached we would greet with that word.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I guess the thing that surprised me most was how serious the kids were taking this whole thing. When curious Savannah would stop to inspect a pretty leaf or rolly bug along the route, her older cousin Emmett would bark at her. “Savannah! Stop it! This is not a trip to hunt bugs! We are going to check out the Indians who live over this way!” “Yeah”, Ryleigh would chime in, “This is important Savannah! We can hunt for nature later!” Surely these kids remembered we were play acting.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we approached the first cabin where the couple from Florida lived, I was a little apprehensive to see Jim standing out on his front porch with a cup of coffee ? in his hand. The kids all shyly fell in behind me as I walked into his front yard and held up my hand and said, “Siyo! We are from the Cherokee Tribe across the mountain. We come in peace!”</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God bless Jim’s heart. He immediately fell into the perfect role and reaction as he held up his right hand and said, “Siyo! I am peaceful as well. I am from the Cherokee tribe, too. My wife and I left our tribe in Florida and came to this mountain range to build us a new cabin to live in during the summer. We are your friends. My wife is not here. She is out gathering food.”</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Flashing Jim a huge grin of appreciation, I introduced each of my grandbabies by their Indian names and then wished him well and told him we would travel on as we hoped to meet some of the others that lived up on this mountain. (I, on my end, was hoping to get the same wonderful response from the other couple. Plus, to be honest with you, I was glad that Jim’s wife was apparently at the grocery store as I did not relish meeting her looking this goofy. I had been told she was a school teacher and, as a former school board member, I was hoping that when we did meet, we could have a nice, adult conversation without me looking like an idiot with black, green, red, yellow and white Indian symbols all over my face.)</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After bidding this 'friendly fellow Cherokee' farewell, my tribe ventured on up the trail toward the next cabin. As we started walking we saw this gorgeous woman coming toward us with a well-groomed little dog on a leash. Oh good grief! Surely this was not Jim’s wife! But…I was in too deep to dig out now. When she was abreast of us, I raised my right hand in traditional Cherokee greeting and in a very serious face asked if she was friend or foe. The children had gathered shyly around me again in a tight circle, staring intently to hear her answer.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This magnificent creature opened her gaping mouth further and with a very heavy Italian accent asked me what I meant. In shock, I told her we were from the Cherokee Tribe and was she Cherokee? </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I am not a Cherokee person! I am Italian! I am from Italy”, came her response filled with laughter. No one had mentioned that Jim's wife was from Italy for heaven's sake!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I simply could no longer go on with the ridiculous charade. Beet red under my heavily painted face, I extended my hand and introduced myself as her neighbor from Misty Hollow and the three little Indians with me were three of my five grandchildren. I told her I was a bit embarrassed to meet her under these circumstances.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span></span> </div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She was so gracious, said she loved the play acting as she taught kids and hoped we were having a great time; in fact, running into us had made her day. She and I promised to get together soon and and I took my little tribe and wandered on up the road, thrilled my new friend has such a delightful sense of humor.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we were headed toward the next cabin where the couple from Chicago lived, my little Savannah was unusually quiet; she looked sad. Since this is my grandbaby who wears her feelings on her sleeve, I wanted to get to the root of her problem. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Savannah, is something wrong sweetheart? Are you okay?” Now keep in mind here little Savannah always pronounced her letter 'C' with the 'S' sound.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
</div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yea, Nana. But I was just thinkin’ and wonderin’ why that woman is not Sherokee like her husband. That's sad."</span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Post Script: Just as I was preparing to shoot this video prior to leaving on our trek across the mountain, all three of the children were grinning like 'possums. I then told them in the olden days many Native Americans were wary of having their pictures taken and would not because they believed doing that could steal their soul and disrespect the spiritual world. I nearly became hysterical watching those grins disappear in a nanosecond and the serious looks cross their faces. </span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"></span> </div>
<div id="fb-root">
</div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="/linda.blevins.376/videos/vb.1113712701/10204749131944180/?type=3">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/linda.blevins.376/videos/10204749131944180/">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/linda.blevins.376/videos/10204749131944180/"></a><br />
Posted by <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2463857266675743402#" role="button">Linda Blevins</a> on Thursday, June 18, 2015</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
</div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2463857266675743402.post-59043165710781641492015-10-13T12:03:00.004-07:002015-10-25T07:02:14.479-07:00Snug as a Bug in the Mud on a Rug<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are blessed to have a creek that runs beside both Bear and Jake's Cabins up here on the Roan. The area of the creek up beside Bear Cabin</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">has a small waterfall that feeds down into a pool that provides so much fun for the kids and me. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One hot summer day when my puppies were spending the weekend up here at the cabin and activities were lagging I heard, "I'm bored". Like a streak of lightening, one of my brightest ideas to date</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> shot into this blonde head of mine. I told the kids to get their swimsuits on and meet me at the pond. PRONTO! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we were all standing pool side it was noted that the pond, usually filled with water, was thick with mud due to the lack of rain over the past week or so. It was then I informed the puppies we were going to take a mud bath...LET THE FUN BEGIN!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hit the pond and a mud bath ensued. I told the kids women paid big bucks for expensive mud treatments like this in lavish salons. Then we imagined the mud pit was a grape vat in Italy and they learned how grapes were stomped to extract the juice for the wine making process. I would be hard pressed to find an orifice on a body that had not been invaded</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with mud.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAnmrq7harjXYvu9G23RMloPdxNddFMYz9kqTwHX9tMmDGUKgfS0tMIGQAQAaroVKYoMg4BN2rfyZ00BC28-XMb0CqP_fydN3nXvRZ0yjOExq19JFAjX-QjQGtM4ON5tlb_6wp3n7y1o/s1600/Blog+Photo+Ry+and+Nana+covered+with+Mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAnmrq7harjXYvu9G23RMloPdxNddFMYz9kqTwHX9tMmDGUKgfS0tMIGQAQAaroVKYoMg4BN2rfyZ00BC28-XMb0CqP_fydN3nXvRZ0yjOExq19JFAjX-QjQGtM4ON5tlb_6wp3n7y1o/s400/Blog+Photo+Ry+and+Nana+covered+with+Mud.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I decided to capture this photo for the Mom's shopping in Ashville to enjoy, Emmett insisted he would take it and Savannah refused to be in it. "You are crazy, Nana, if you think I want people to see me looking like this!", my six-year-old grandbaby wailed. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
Linda Blevinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568193704179755811noreply@blogger.com0