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An Expert in the Small Things

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When I grow up I want to be an expert in the small things.

A few little things I found the last two days while walking the dog:

Golden Raspberries. These were from a neighbor. I didn’t even know golden raspberries existed. I’m on a mission to  plant my own for next year. How amazing to even have the opportunity to plant something that grows into a fruit…think of everything that has to align for that to even happen.

raspberries

Peeling paint on a mailbox. I love how some areas have faded from red to yellowish-orange. It’s perfectly aged. I should leave a note in the person’s mailbox letting them know how much I appreciate it, just so they won’t consider re-painting it one day.

mailbox

A sunset on Hospital Hill. I thought it looked like the clouds were doing the backstroke.  Or maybe aliens trying to break through the atmosphere. Either way: awesome and worthy of a photo.

sunset
You can start today.  We can become experts together. The great part is that we don’t need money for classes or a degree. It’s free for all. A free-for-all.  And if you need a diploma on your wall I’m sure I can make something up for you.

Anne Shirley can be helpful too. She always nails it:

 Dear old world, you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.

Installing Windows in the Old Train Depot

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The old train depot is finally coming along. Brett started cleaning it out recently after it sat empty for the winter after it was moved to our property. Here’s the inside:

The train depot windows

Last year my sister was upgrading the window in her house and we took all the old ones home to keep for a future project. We’ve had to cut them down and rework them a little but they’ll fit eventually. Here’s one on the side:

depot1

The plan is to make it a sweet little potting/garden shed/playhouse with a picket fenced garden surrounding it.  I’m not sure how far the garden will get this year but I think I could at least start experimenting with it!

Read more about the Old Depot Project here. 

Summer Sunsets: Infinity of Earth and Sky

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“…as if the day in leaving had gathered all of the golden sunshine into one last lingering flame to burn away the weariness of the day – for twilight is a time of peace and tranquility – and the dusk is filled with memories as night is filled with stars – and they burn even more brightly as the darkness deepens – and this we share and understand – because we have so much in common.” – Letters of Chickadee Hill by Winston O. Abbott

Tonight the town was glowing with this pinkish light:

Sunset View of Bryson City, NC

Another sunset at Naber’s Drive-in by the Tuckasegee River:

Sunset View of the Tuckasegee River near Nabers Drive In

And another sunset reflected in the rails of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad:

Sunset View - Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

From Schoolhouse Hill:

sunset6

From the Tuckasegee River near Darnell Farms:

Tuckasegee River at dusk

From the Hemlock Inn’s porch:

sunset5

Not a sunset, but it still looks like infinity from above the clouds:

Cloudy view in the Smokies

If anything, this:

“…perhaps it would be an exaggeration to say that all aches and pains will vanish beneath the warmth of the summer sunshine – but I do know that there is a miraculous healing power available to all who will let the spirit become absorbed in the infinity of earth and sky – I have learned that the refreshing coolness of the rain can wash away the dusts of doubt that settle upon the spirit – and the summer breezes can dissipate the wisps of selfishness that often come between us and our better selves…” – Letters of Chickadee Hill by Winston O. Abbott

 

A good sunset can make me feel totally at home in this world. A gentle timekeeper. A dozen can go by sometimes without remembering to take notice.

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