The changing of the seasons is so gradual that it often goes unnoticed. However, spring is the exception as it is hard to miss. After being cooped up all winter long, every beast known to mankind (including man) rejoices in the warmth of the sun that spring brings with it. This winter has been especially harsh and thus the rejoicing especially joyous.
As I write, I am sitting on the front porch. The evidence of spring is all around me - the change in the vegetation, the movement of the air, and the fragrance that permeates everything. Mother Nature signals her coming out party leaving no questions asked. She may duck under a cloud or two, bringing raindrops to replenish, but she makes no bones about the vibrancy of spring.
With the breeze singing its thunderous song through the tree tops, the wind chimes pitch in with their harmonious tinkling. The gentle sway of the trees is nature’s reminder that the invention of dance was Mother Earth’s alone. The smells that the wind brings are indescribable. So many have tried to capture it for market, but none do it justice. I think the impossibility lies in the conglomeration of it all. No one smell from a bottle can encompass the awakening of Earth.
The most obvious of the smells are flowers. The bulbs have thawed from the long winter’s freeze to share the vibrant colors and smells of crocus and hyacinths. The daffodils are yet to bloom, but the long, skinny, deep green stems are gathering as much energy as possible for the final crescendo of yellow sunlight that will billow from their lengths in a few days time. If we had to select only one thing that represents spring, it would have to be the daffodil. I think it’s the happiest of all flowers with a close second being the daisy.
Green of every shade is sprouting from the depths where snow drifts held it captive for these many months. The yards and fields that were brown and covered in leaves are giving way to grasses spanning from deep green to lime. The reddish pink hue of the buds on the trees signals the tree’s desire to get busy with work yet again. It’s amazing what a few days of sunlight and warmth can do to the scenery.
I have the blessing of getting to enjoy spring twice each year. Living on the mountain and working in the piedmont affords that. In Mount Airy, the daffodils have trumpeted spring for a week or so. The cherry and Bradford pear trees are in full bloom. They seem to be about 3 weeks ahead of the vegetation here in Fancy Gap. Spring is such a beautiful time, and it’s wonderful being fortunate enough to have it extended each year.
The warmth also allows for yoga on the front porch. I love to sit on the edge of the porch in the sunlight and soak in as many rays as possible. Church for me is nature, so sitting on the porch and meditating is truly a religious experience. Watching the butterflies dance from flower to flower, listening to the birds sing to one another, and seeing the glimmer of light in the limbs and leaves of the trees as the wind blows is as spiritual of a journey as I can imagine. I do my best to absorb it all and carry it with me wherever I go.
The other day I came home to the smell of the grill. The scent brought with it the familiar feeling of warmth from sunlight. I’ve never had that sensation before related to the grill, but it was welcomed. I did my best to enjoy every drop of snow we had this year, but I think I’ve reached my quota for one winter season. It has taken all of these sights, sounds, and smells of spring to make me fully realize just that. Here’s to yet another wondrous season called spring!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The passage of time
It's crazy how the perception of time is so relative. A day can last forever at times, while at others, a year can pass in the blink of an eye. And of course the "tense" in which your viewing time plays a significant role. The past seems to be measured in minutes, while the present and future are measured by a calendar. This week I celebrated a major milestone anniversary that gave me pause to review life.
March 24th was our 25th wedding anniversary. Even as I type that, it takes my breath away. I cannot for the life of me imagine doing anything for 25 years, let alone being married. I remember celebrating Tony's parents' 25th and wondering if we'd have the privilege of seeing that day. With the various roller coasters we've ridden, there were definitely times when I had my doubts.
Considering the precarious start that we had, it sure would have led the average bear to place his bet on the "never gonna make it" vote. I was 18 and Tony was 17. We were seniors in high school. We had been dating for only two months when I found out I was pregnant. Before that, we both had dreams of college, a life outside the confines of a small town, and all that success that life had to offer. To say that we were devastated at the news would be an understatement.
That was our perspective. Our parents had to be mortified. I was the youngest of five children. My brother had made a pass at college, but I was the last one that was a serious contender for being the first to get a college degree. Tony was the oldest and expected to set the precedent in his family. This turn in the road seemingly foiled all of those plans.
Fortunately for us, our parents overcame the initial shock and pulled together to lift us out of the rut we had dug ourselves into. My Mom got busy on wedding plans and we were married Sunday, March 24, 1985. Once we graduated high school, Tony's parents paved the way for him to attend college at Appalachian State University. Our parents did all they could in helping us get set up in Boone.
It was a scary venture to move to a place where we didn't know anyone nor had any family. But then again, in my naive mind, it was almost like a fairy tale of happily ever after. A new town where no one knew us or our "story", sounded refreshing after the humiliation that plagued us in Tazewell. It wasn't long before reality set in.
I was quite lonely as Tony went to school and work, and I tended to the affairs of the home. It was a time before unlimited long distance plans, cell phones, and internet. While I was surrounded by people, it was as if I was on a deserted island. The only person I interacted with was Tony, unless you counted the check out clerks at the grocery store. I'm not a person that's easily depressed, but the hormones of pregnancy on top of it all made for challenging circumstances.
Jennifer was born November 7, 1985 back in Tazewell. Fortunately I had nephews and nieces that I had been around to know how to care for her. But there were still times I struggled to know what to do as a Mother. On top of that, I struggled to know how to be a good wife. I didn't fully grasp the concept that when I got married and had a child, that my life as an individual was gone. My mind let me believe immature thoughts and those thoughts just festered and grew into poison.
That was the first of the multiple roller coaster rides my emotions led us on in our marriage. It does take two to tango, so I'll not take credit for all of our ups and downs over the years. We've both made mistakes along the way and have done our best to learn from them. We are a living testament of "that which does not kill us, only makes us stronger".
We survived both of our college educations, moving to "the big city" of Charlotte, crazy corporate jobs, and welcoming another daughter, Cassidi born February 21, 1995. Raising Jennifer in the city proved to be more adventure than we could bear so we moved back to the country once she went to college. We're in a little town in the mountains of Virginia, not far from Tazewell. It's great to be back to the small town environment. It truly does take a village to raise a child!
When looking back at the beginning of our marriage, some things seem like they just happened yesterday. Others seem like far more than 25 years ago. But one thing is certain. I am so grateful that I took the plunge with Tony McCann. We have grown up together and have beaten all of the odds placed against us. Sure, we still can have some knock down, drag outs. But we always kiss and make up.
The passage of time fortunately brought with it the passage of maturity in our case. It would have been nice if growing up had been easy and pain free. But we've found the best lessons learned come from the school of hard knocks- we're a little hard headed like that! And it seems we've passed that trait on to our wonderful daughters (sorry girls!). But like Tony always says, a good adventure keeps life from being boring.
Here's to 25 more years of adventure. I'm thinking we'll be a little slower paced and hopefully a little less hard headed. But I highly doubt the adventures will be any less exciting. Thank you Tony for sticking with me through thick and thin. Thank you for loving me and believing in my potential. Thank you for the inadvertent gray hairs and wrinkles that I know are just a byproduct of all the wonderful adventures, but are evidence that it's not just a dream.
Happy Anniversary! I love you!!
March 24th was our 25th wedding anniversary. Even as I type that, it takes my breath away. I cannot for the life of me imagine doing anything for 25 years, let alone being married. I remember celebrating Tony's parents' 25th and wondering if we'd have the privilege of seeing that day. With the various roller coasters we've ridden, there were definitely times when I had my doubts.
Considering the precarious start that we had, it sure would have led the average bear to place his bet on the "never gonna make it" vote. I was 18 and Tony was 17. We were seniors in high school. We had been dating for only two months when I found out I was pregnant. Before that, we both had dreams of college, a life outside the confines of a small town, and all that success that life had to offer. To say that we were devastated at the news would be an understatement.
That was our perspective. Our parents had to be mortified. I was the youngest of five children. My brother had made a pass at college, but I was the last one that was a serious contender for being the first to get a college degree. Tony was the oldest and expected to set the precedent in his family. This turn in the road seemingly foiled all of those plans.
Fortunately for us, our parents overcame the initial shock and pulled together to lift us out of the rut we had dug ourselves into. My Mom got busy on wedding plans and we were married Sunday, March 24, 1985. Once we graduated high school, Tony's parents paved the way for him to attend college at Appalachian State University. Our parents did all they could in helping us get set up in Boone.
It was a scary venture to move to a place where we didn't know anyone nor had any family. But then again, in my naive mind, it was almost like a fairy tale of happily ever after. A new town where no one knew us or our "story", sounded refreshing after the humiliation that plagued us in Tazewell. It wasn't long before reality set in.
I was quite lonely as Tony went to school and work, and I tended to the affairs of the home. It was a time before unlimited long distance plans, cell phones, and internet. While I was surrounded by people, it was as if I was on a deserted island. The only person I interacted with was Tony, unless you counted the check out clerks at the grocery store. I'm not a person that's easily depressed, but the hormones of pregnancy on top of it all made for challenging circumstances.
Jennifer was born November 7, 1985 back in Tazewell. Fortunately I had nephews and nieces that I had been around to know how to care for her. But there were still times I struggled to know what to do as a Mother. On top of that, I struggled to know how to be a good wife. I didn't fully grasp the concept that when I got married and had a child, that my life as an individual was gone. My mind let me believe immature thoughts and those thoughts just festered and grew into poison.
That was the first of the multiple roller coaster rides my emotions led us on in our marriage. It does take two to tango, so I'll not take credit for all of our ups and downs over the years. We've both made mistakes along the way and have done our best to learn from them. We are a living testament of "that which does not kill us, only makes us stronger".
We survived both of our college educations, moving to "the big city" of Charlotte, crazy corporate jobs, and welcoming another daughter, Cassidi born February 21, 1995. Raising Jennifer in the city proved to be more adventure than we could bear so we moved back to the country once she went to college. We're in a little town in the mountains of Virginia, not far from Tazewell. It's great to be back to the small town environment. It truly does take a village to raise a child!
When looking back at the beginning of our marriage, some things seem like they just happened yesterday. Others seem like far more than 25 years ago. But one thing is certain. I am so grateful that I took the plunge with Tony McCann. We have grown up together and have beaten all of the odds placed against us. Sure, we still can have some knock down, drag outs. But we always kiss and make up.
The passage of time fortunately brought with it the passage of maturity in our case. It would have been nice if growing up had been easy and pain free. But we've found the best lessons learned come from the school of hard knocks- we're a little hard headed like that! And it seems we've passed that trait on to our wonderful daughters (sorry girls!). But like Tony always says, a good adventure keeps life from being boring.
Here's to 25 more years of adventure. I'm thinking we'll be a little slower paced and hopefully a little less hard headed. But I highly doubt the adventures will be any less exciting. Thank you Tony for sticking with me through thick and thin. Thank you for loving me and believing in my potential. Thank you for the inadvertent gray hairs and wrinkles that I know are just a byproduct of all the wonderful adventures, but are evidence that it's not just a dream.
Happy Anniversary! I love you!!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A country traffic jam
A while back, I had started to blog on my myspace account. That didn't last very long. Recently, I went back to review some of the things I wrote there, and found this story. Thought I'd share it here.
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A County Traffic Jam (written Thursday, June 14, 2007)
I often joke that a traffic jam here in the country is FAR different than one in Charlotte. My usual response is that a traffic jam here is getting caught behind a tractor. But I have a few more to add to that:
1) Having to share the road with a herd of cattle - One day I was headed over to the spa and a herd of cattle had a 'jail break' in the middle of the road. I slowly started to creep through the herd when I got the bright idea that maybe I should beep! ACK! Bad idea - that started a stampede!! Fortunately, none of them head butted the car. There was one poor cow that got stranded behind me when the herd bolted. He eventually caught up, but I learned a valuable lesson!! Beeping in the city is one thing - beeping in the country ISN'T allowed!
2) Having to share the road with the local dogs - On the way to the spa, there's this one house that has 2 dogs. They lay in the road 3/4s of the time. It's right in a curve, too. Knowing they're there now, I just proceed VERY cautiously through that area. And definitely DON'T use the beeping strategy!
3) Having to share the road with the local 'fowl' - Today I had to slow to a crawl just after the dog's house, because there was a rooster in the road. There's also a farm a little further back where guinea's live. I've had to stop on numerous occasions for them as the road seems to attract them.
4) Having to share the road with the local wildlife - Living on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we get to see lots of wildlife - turkeys, deer, ground hogs, raccoons, rabbits, etc. Sometimes they're closer to the road than others. Nothing worse than driving along and having a deer bolt out in front of the car. They usually travel in pairs, so just when your heart starts beating again after the first on, the second one jumps out! An added factor is the 'onlooker delay'. The speed limit on the BRPW is 45 which highly encourages 'site seeing', sometimes causing MAJOR delay!
So, that's the top 5 list if you include the tractors! I LOVE living in the country. I'll take this kind of traffic any day!! Oh, I did forget one other species - the SLOW native. Gosh knows the local neighbors here wish I'd move back to Charlotte!! I'm getting better, but my lead foot sometimes catches a few glares. One of these days I'll be a SLOW native!! Sooner hopefully than later!
Happy Driving!
(As a side note, it's been almost 4 years since we moved up here, and I still have a lead foot!)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A County Traffic Jam (written Thursday, June 14, 2007)
I often joke that a traffic jam here in the country is FAR different than one in Charlotte. My usual response is that a traffic jam here is getting caught behind a tractor. But I have a few more to add to that:
1) Having to share the road with a herd of cattle - One day I was headed over to the spa and a herd of cattle had a 'jail break' in the middle of the road. I slowly started to creep through the herd when I got the bright idea that maybe I should beep! ACK! Bad idea - that started a stampede!! Fortunately, none of them head butted the car. There was one poor cow that got stranded behind me when the herd bolted. He eventually caught up, but I learned a valuable lesson!! Beeping in the city is one thing - beeping in the country ISN'T allowed!
2) Having to share the road with the local dogs - On the way to the spa, there's this one house that has 2 dogs. They lay in the road 3/4s of the time. It's right in a curve, too. Knowing they're there now, I just proceed VERY cautiously through that area. And definitely DON'T use the beeping strategy!
3) Having to share the road with the local 'fowl' - Today I had to slow to a crawl just after the dog's house, because there was a rooster in the road. There's also a farm a little further back where guinea's live. I've had to stop on numerous occasions for them as the road seems to attract them.
4) Having to share the road with the local wildlife - Living on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we get to see lots of wildlife - turkeys, deer, ground hogs, raccoons, rabbits, etc. Sometimes they're closer to the road than others. Nothing worse than driving along and having a deer bolt out in front of the car. They usually travel in pairs, so just when your heart starts beating again after the first on, the second one jumps out! An added factor is the 'onlooker delay'. The speed limit on the BRPW is 45 which highly encourages 'site seeing', sometimes causing MAJOR delay!
So, that's the top 5 list if you include the tractors! I LOVE living in the country. I'll take this kind of traffic any day!! Oh, I did forget one other species - the SLOW native. Gosh knows the local neighbors here wish I'd move back to Charlotte!! I'm getting better, but my lead foot sometimes catches a few glares. One of these days I'll be a SLOW native!! Sooner hopefully than later!
Happy Driving!
(As a side note, it's been almost 4 years since we moved up here, and I still have a lead foot!)
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