The Whisper Space

“Anne reveled in the world of color about her.

“Oh, Marilla,” she exclaimed one Saturday morning, coming dancing in with her arms full of gorgeous boughs, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it? Look at these maple branches. Don’t they give you a thrill–several thrills?”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Saturday, August 31st, Keith & I packed up & headed to Johnson City, Tennessee, to see Skye & check out her new town:) We hadn’t seen her since May, so it was time!
The photo to the left was taken as we passed through Boone where she lived for 4 years & loved every minute. I’ve always loved that place too so it was sad not to be stopping:/

After meeting Skye & boyfriend Ben at her apartment(right on Main Street), we drove to Jack’s Grill for lunch. The photo of the ceiling was taken here. Everything is so colorful & unique! A feast for the eye. And the food was a feast too–very good:)

Since the weather looked threatening, Skye & Ben thought we’d like to see Jonesborough, a historical town about 20-30 minutes from downtown JC. We checked out a few stores & a museum, then decided it was time for Keith & me to check in at the Red Roof Inn in JC–& get a nap before supper:)

In the evening we met at Cootie Brown’s, where we ate outside & enjoyed the nice cool evening.
Sunday we met for brunch at Perkins. This Perkins looked pretty new & everybody was friendly:) Their pancakes are wonderful wherever:)
Next we drove out to Erwin to check out a railroad museum. We found the museum but it was closed. Still, Keith had fun taking pictures of a train working behind the depot. Then we drove a “back” way back into Johnson City. Skye & Ben checked out our motel room then we parted ways to rest before supper. In the evening we met at Logan’s Roadhouse, where Ben’s parents joined us–Dan & Terry. We really enjoyed visiting with them. Could have stayed longer, but it was getting late.

Monday morning we packed up & checked out, then met Skye at Hardee’s for a late breakfast before heading home. Ben had said his goodbyes the night before. We stayed for a while & talked, then said our goodbyes. It was so good to see her & see her in her element:) Hoping all goes well with her in this nice Tennessee mountain town:)

“That old September feeling, left over from school days, of summer passing, vacation nearly done, obligations gathering, books and football in the air … Another fall, another turned page: there was something of jubilee in that annual autumnal beginning, as if last year’s mistakes had been wiped clean by summer.”
― Wallace Stegner, Angle of Repose

Just back from a big “Go West” RV vacation with Keith’s brother & sister in law Denny & Nancy. Our ride was a huge Greyhawk RV.

Nancy, our guide & map-reader & weather gal:)She’s always thinking ahead:) And Denny was a trooper to drive most of our trip:)
We really enjoyed spending time with them:)

Monday evening I began feeling bad, had chills. I was very tired but figured it was normal after all our traveling. We packed. Tuesday Nancy drove us back to Milwaukee to catch our flight to Atlanta, then to Raleigh. I felt pretty funky the whole day but made it home ok. By Wednesday I was really sick, especially suffering with sweats. Friday Keith finally got me to the doctor. She diagnosed me with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Keith & I were both shocked. I’ll never know when I was bitten by an infected tick, but I am so grateful for a doctor who recognized my symptoms & gave me Doxycycline, a miracle drug. (My mama’s sister Margarette died of RMSF in the 1920’s before Doxycycline) Even weeks later I haven’t fully recovered, but am doing better. Was it a souvenir of my trip? Or was it a NC tick? It’ll be a mystery.

But winter lingering chills the lap of May.
Oliver Goldsmith
Posting this as we welcome in May with cool temps & late blooming azaleas. The trees have just put out their finest greenery in the last week.

Here it is, Sunday, April 7th.
I no longer work part time, I no longer work (away from home):P
I’ve retired & and am working on recuperating…
I’ve spent two & a half weeks recovering from arthroscopic surgery & tomorrow is my post operation appointment with Dr. Boes. My big push to have surgery, after suffering a torn meniscus in Dec., was to return to walking an hour a day to stave off the diabetes nipping at my heels:/

My well worn couch has become my friend & my enemy; I need it, but am tired of it:/ I’ve lived there for a while. Even now the aching knee needs to be elevated often.
I haven’t slept well since–two or three pillows placed here & there, tossing & turning to get comfy, 2 Tylenol & wishing before morning I had more–you get the idea.
Physical therapy is probably a given after tomorrow so am hopeful that will strengthen the joint muscles & relieve the pain.

But now I’m looking ahead, & what will I do with this time the Lord has given me. Definitely walking if all goes well, & what else….facing a different season in my life:/

Every day I’m looking through a new window:)

Abide With Me

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

“Slayer of the winter, art thou here again?
O welcome, thou that bring’st the summer nigh!
The bitter wind makes not the victory vain.
Nor will we mock thee for thy faint blue sky.”

William Morris

March holds the promise that winter’s days are numbered:)
This photograph was taken last March along the Slippery Rock Creek in western Pa.:)