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Saturday, October 16, 2010

The simple things...

Sometimes the simple things in life make a huge impact on our lives.  Whether it's the simple beauty that surrounds us or the simple kind acts of others. 

I find myself surrounded by nature's beauty.  Fall has brought about the changing leaves in vivid shades of red, orange and yellow.  I smile each time we're outside and Megan and I attempt to catch a falling leaf.  Or it could simply be when we are driving, with the windows wide open, and inhaling the crisp fall air.  I now understand my husbands claim that fall in East Tennessee is the best. 

Listening simply to the stories of days gone by, are another favorite of mine.  I love to hear Rick tell me childhood stories of growing up here.  We can pass something as simple as a wooden box, and he share with me the story of his Papaw being a beekeeper.  Never once does he remember his Papaw wearing any protective clothing, but neither does he remember him every being stung.  But he can clearly remember himself being stung, while cutting tobacco, and grabbing a handful of yellow jackets.  This he tells me is the last time he ever cut tobacco.

And a simple act of kindness can mean so much...over the last few months I have talked about wanting to have chickens.  I've never in my life owned chickens, but now I do.  One day while driving by the barn I noticed chickens, 6 hens in total, that his dad got for me.  And somehow I now have a rooster, although no one seems to know where he came from, but I will gladly keep him.  :-)  Such a wonderful thing for him to do, and it means the world to me.  So today we went and bought cracked corn, and I fed my chickens.  This is going to be another learning experience for me, but a happy one! 

The next time you think that the simple things don't matter, give it a second thought...it may mean the world to someone.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Lessons Learned.


During my short time living here, I have learned many lessons quickly!  The first goes back to a teenage thought...ever have one of those dumb ideas that you thought sounded good?  Luckily for me I didn't have to learn this lesson the hard way thanks to my wonderful husband.  As a teenager I always thought it would be fun to try "cow tipping", because of course cows can't run fast right?  When I mentioned this to Rick, he laughed of course.  He said that maybe that wasn't such a great idea.  Not soon after moving here I got to witness just how fast cows can run.  My father-in-law was rounding up the cows to take some to the market.  There were about 7 men in that field, circling around the cows.  Well all of the sudden those cows took of running, and the sound was amazing.  Of course I was watching on the other side of the fence, tucked safely in my truck.  But I have a new found appreciation for them, and now I just stop and talk to them as we drive by the field.  And of course they give me that "who's the crazy lady" look.  My second is all about nuts, we have more nuts around here than at my last family reunion!  Hickory, Acorn, Chesnut, Walnut...the list could go on for days...and they all end up in the drive way.  Have to ever tried walking down a gravel hill, with a bunch of nuts under foot.  It's like walking on marbles!!!  Need I mention that I'm not nearly as graceful as I was in my younger days.  So I provide humor for the family, arms flailing every which way, trying not to land on my bottom.  But I can identify which type of nuts that are taking me down....and have even ventured to try tasting a few.  Not bad...maybe a little salt to help the flavor.  And the final lesson learned so far is how hard it really is to chop firewood.  The only house I can remember living in with a fireplace as a child was my Grandmother's.  And magically the wood just appeared, it was always there no matter.  Never have I been in a position where I would have to gather wood.  Well over this last week that is just what we've been doing.  Hubby gave me a quick lesson on how to swing an axe, and cut me loose.  First swing, my whole body felt shook, and my hubby just laughed.  Seems that Hickory is one of the hardest woods to chop, nothing like setting your wife up.  But I was determined and after about 15 swings I finally loosened it up and got it to split!  A few days later my father-in-law was helping us, and he was splitting wood like it was as soft as butter.  Give me a few weeks and well see how it goes! 

Friday, October 8, 2010

Life as I know it now....

So I've decided to start blogging about my new life.  For those who know me, I have always lived the city life.  Even during my twenty years in the service, I've always been surrounded by people.  After my husband and I retired from the AF we moved back to his home town in TN.  This is a total shock to my system....never have I lived anywhere where I didnt' have neighbors right next door.  Now granted we have a neighbor about 1/4 of a mile up the road, and I do me up.  Did I mention you need 4 wheel drive to get to the top of that hill?  No bus stops here, we have to drive Megan the 2 miles out to catch the bus.  At night there is deafening silence, unless it's summer and you hear those crazy katydids (sp?).  But as my husband likes to say it's beautiful music to his ears.  So to say it's been a learning experience is an understatement, and I will have lots of stories to share.  Come join me on this adventure!