There Really Is A Shorty!

Posted by AR on March 4th, 2010 filed in Fall and Winter in the Mountains, Fun Stuff
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On the way to work this morning, I looked up and saw this sign on the side of an old building. I had to photograph it. Somethings just beg for attention. This shouted, “Hello” in its best Southern voice. By the way, there really is a Shorty . . . somewhere.

The Call of The Wild

Posted by AR on March 2nd, 2010 filed in Fall and Winter in the Mountains
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Today Cocoa, and Chip, and I finished reading The Call of The Wild by Jack London. They loved it, and I’m still trying to decide why I put myself through it. Now, they want to read White Fang. I thought you would enjoy reading one of their favorite sections from The Call. Imagine them listening, wide-eyed, as they think about Buck (London’s lead character which is 100 percent all dog) and his adventures: “Buck was afraid that Thornton would pass out of his life as Perrault and Francosis and the Scotch half-breed had passed out. Even in the night in his dreams, he was haunted by this fear. At such times, he would shake off sleep and creep through the chill to the flap of the tent, where he would stand and listen to the sound of his master’s breathing . . . . Faithfulness and devotion, things born of fire and roof, were his; yet Buck retained his wildness and wiliness. He was a thing of the wild, come in from the wild to sit by John Thornton’s fire, rather than a dog of the soft Southland stamped with the marks of generations of civilization.”

After reading these words for the second and third time, I guess Cocoa is right, these words truly are words of deep feeling and meaning.

Leading Out of The City

Posted by AR on March 2nd, 2010 filed in Fall and Winter in the Mountains
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Earlier today as I was heading north of the city, I discovered a new wooden bridge, which crossed over train tracks that lead out of the city and on to South Carolina. I stopped, got out of the car, and took this photo really quick before something came speeding up the bridge behind me!

Snow in The Mountains

Posted by AR on March 2nd, 2010 filed in Fall and Winter in the Mountains
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I just sent this photo to the editor of the local newspaper. Every once in a while, he runs my photos in the newspaper. I’m convinced this fulfills the “Jan Karon” side of my life. Years ago, small town editor began running portions of her first book (that she could not sell). The guy would pay her fifty bucks each week for her short newspaper column. That’s the way she got her start—writing for the love of it and very little money. Soon, people where buying newspapers just to find out what her lead character Father Tim would do next.

Of course, that was so long ago and . . . . well, let’s just say that she makes a lot more money than that now.

I love This Dog!

Posted by AR on March 2nd, 2010 filed in Paw Prints
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I’m crazy about this dog. I love her eyes; they’re so like I want to be—calm and sure. And yes, it is still snowing at  For•rest Cottage. In fact, a short while after this photo was taken, I looked out the window and realized the entire driveway was covered in snow. More photos to come . . . .