Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge

The beautiful weather on the day after Christmas beckoned Bill and me to Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge to see what we could see.  Sandhill cranes were there, but not as "up close" or abundant as some years.  The cove in front of the viewing platform hosted only a few ducks and those were too far away to id. Of course reports were heard of Whooping Cranes having been seen in the last two weeks but they didn't show up for us. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful afternoon of bird-watching. Sandhill cranes, blue herons, bald eagle and white pelicans.

Sandhill Cranes and Herons

Two Cranes strolling by

A very large flock of white pelicans seen from the viewing platform at the Cherokee Removal Historic Site, Tenn River near the confluence of the Hiwassee. A bald eagle can be seen in a mid-range treetop.

We usually leave by way of Blythe Ferry Rd back to Hwy 58. Where the road crosses a cove, we often see flocks of sandhills. These are just a few of the large flock there today.

Peas for supper

August 27

Peas and fried okra

Sliced tomatoes garden fresh

Good supper tonight.

By the French Broad

We are camping beside the French Broad River in Hot Springs, North Carolina,

Serenaded by cicadas and the full throttle of the river after days of rain.

A campfire is crackling, we are sated with food and drink.

What a paradise this was for the indigenous who made it their home for generations.

What a paradise this must have seemed to the English and Scots who settled here.

What a paradise it is now for a world weary traveler who makes it home for tonight.

All cares are tossed in the river or carried away on woodsmoke.

Worries are lifted to heaven on the song of the cicadas.

For a while the world is in harmony with spirit, paradisal possibility is realized.

By the French Broad

Campfire Wednesday night

Campfire Thursday morning

Splitting Wood

French Broad flowing full

Hot Springs downtown

After a leisurely start to our day, we headed out to hike along the Laurel River trail.  Our goal, the end of the trail on the banks of the French Broad. We experienced 4 beautiful miles each way. 

Melton Hill Lake

A few images from this week at Melton Hill Lake:

We spotted this eagle in a tree beside the road.  He sat for a long time so we could take a picture.  However, I only had my cell phone, so I wasn't able to get a good zoom.

A beautiful morning walk:

 Same campsites seen from across the lake:

3 pounds of bluegills; 3 tons of fun

Butterfly pea vine

Rose Pinks

Wild Potato Vine

Wild  Potato Vine

Picnic with good friends

Being Known

On July 15 I had the privilege to lead worship at Trinity UMC, Lenoir City.  My sermon (though I hesitate to call it that!) is posted on the right - "Being Known." The theme is that change occurs in generational time and what we must do to extend the life of the church into the future. May we not lean BACK on the greatness of our past, but lean FORWARD to the greatness of our future.

Audio File on the Trinity website:
http://www.trinityumc-lenoircity.org/worship.html

Country Quiet

Wind rustling the air,
Bees humming, birds singing, insects buzzing.
Even quiet isn't.

I have never mastered the art of meditation and my prayer life is inconsistent at best. I have always found it hard to slow down the business of ordinary life and allow a space for the quiet. Gardening helps me do that. Even though working in the vegetable garden or flower beds is physically demanding at times, it helps me find the quiet space.

Psalm 23 Meditation

Meditation on Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 

A loving God has created a world with sufficient resources so that not one of his children needs to lack the basic necessities of life: food, clothing, shelter and love.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 

The beauty and abundance of nature should be accessible to all.

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. 

Communing with God through nature or in relationship with others restores the mind and spirit and leads to harmony and peace in mutual relationships.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.

Dark times come to everyone, but no one is alone. God's Holy Spirit is the comfortor.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Even in the face of all the evil of this world, God provides abundance, enough for all.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

God's Goodness and mercy will prevail. He will never abandon His children.

Riding down the lake this morning, enjoying the wind in my face, the beauty of the shoreline and the calm water, generated this meditation.  The picture is from a similar day last year.

Melton Hill Lake, August 2017

Gentle mist slowly

Rising over calm water

Fleeing morning lake.

(June 19, 2018)