Can it really be a year since those boys came into our lives?  It is so hard to believe that a year ago, those two boys wandered onto the deck of Cannon's Corner in Dillsboro.  What a sad story.  They'd been wandering a month since their human had died.  The son who lived with her had drug problems and wasn't taking good care of himself let alone these boys.  The evening before the boys wandered onto the deck, the son died of an overdose and the boys were all alone.     Thank goodness their human made sure the boys were up to date on their shots and were wearing their rabies tags, otherwise like so many lost animals...they would have had no history.       Now they are making history and friends.  It feels like they've always been with us, they are just those kind of boys.       Please... 10/16/2012

  Maybe because my Mom and brother are coming for a visit this weekend that I’m conscious more of thinking about Dad. She and Dad used to come see us here in NC in October every year. It’s shocking to me that 16 months have gone by already since he passed away June 9, 2011.   Over this past weekend I started thinking about one of the things Dad and I found we had in common, shortly after we thought we had nothing in common (you know…teenage years, those years that you just can’t get your parents to behave in the manner they should, lol). Dad loved music too and the genres he gravitated towards were just as eclectic as mine. When we all owned record albums and were looking back on 8-track tapes as seriously old fashioned, my Dad started dubbing cassette tapes from his albums. Not just re... 10/14/2012

  Sure, occasionally I have unrealistic dreams of sleeping in but surprisingly not very often.  The early hours of the day are my favorite.  Except for the dog commotion during dog-breakfast and their early morning routines, the world is silent and speaking volumes at the same time.  I have the privilege of listening to the birds as they greet the day and absorbing the sounds and changes in light as everything gradually transforms into the full light of day.   Mornings at home in Balsam, NC are often accompanied by these gorgeous sunrises that so many people never realize they are sleeping right through.     This sunrise actually happened yesterday but there's another one going on right now too.  No one will ever convince me that I don't have a great life.  Challenges?  Hardships? Stres... 10/12/2012

  Autumn is in the air and on the ground here in the mountains of Western North Carolina.  There's nothing quite like finding that first colored leaf of the season.       Typically the second and third weekends of October are the busiest of the Colored Leaf season here in the mountains.  It looks like this season will be quite popular with travelers, they are already here in full force enjoying the moderate temperatures and incredible mountain views. 10/12/2012

  MoonDancer Realty recently joined a second MLS group so that we would have better access to an extended area for listings and buyers.  Part of the change involved a reprogramming of our electronic key so that it would open the lockboxes of the new area.   The Office Manager was good enough to ride along to preview a listing to show in the morning and to make sure the key would work.  On our way to the listing in Balsam, a couple of wild turkeys were helping themselves to a little garden bounty.  The Office Manager was fully engaged in keeping an eye on the turkeys.       These mountains in Western North Carolina?  It is such a great place to live.     09/26/2012

  Just like humans, no two dogs are alike.  Some dogs have wise old souls from the time they are born.  Riddick is like that.  He's a thinker.  Not much is done impulsively.  He studies situations, ponders his options and resolutely makes his decisions.   Do you see it too?           The eyes have it.     09/21/2012

  When my brothers and I were little kids growing up in Warren, Michigan we used to blow on dandelions for good luck.       I can only imagine what my parents thought when four little children were introducing all those seed pods for what are considered weeds in the middle of suburban yards.   LOL 09/19/2012

The plans were to go to the NC Mountain State Fair this evening but the weather interfered. No big…we’ll go tomorrow. Instead, I pulled out one of my mom’s recipes…Mom’s Cheddar Corn Souffle. Turned out great. 　 　 　 BEFORE BAKING… 　 AFTER BAKING…     Souffles are easier than most people think. Just measure out all your ingredients first and set aside before you start making your sauce. Go ahead and beat the egg whites. Then everything goes together quickly. Good luck. 09/08/2012

  Usually it is the photo within the photo that intrigues me.  The dogs almost didn't get their bowls of water this morning, the sun (Monica's Gift) distracted me from the task at hand.  Every morning, every season, no matter what the weather is doing there is always the sun to greet us on the deck.       Today the jewels that adorned the sun caught my attention and while the dogs whined and cried for attention and water, I shot two dozen photos...only two came close to catching what my mind envisioned.       Don't worry about the dogs...they're fully hydrated and lounging on the deck now.     08/30/2012

  It's easy enough to tell that autumn is coming to the mountains of Western North Carolina very soon. The shops all have their summer clothing on markdown and the evenings have been in the 50s.  During my walk I can tell that the underbrush is getting a little thinner and there are starting to be leaves on the ground and touches of yellow in the trees.  One of the truest harbingers of autumn though are the Buckeyes.  They started dropping in earnest about a week ago.       When we had our retail businesses, Leslie used to love to bring big bowls of the buckeyes to the store.  We'd put a sign in the bowl marked "Free Good Luck".  People loved them.  They couldn't believe they were getting such a wonderful souvenir free but often just by seeing the buckeyes triggered happy memories in so... 08/26/2012

When I woke up this morning I knew which photo was going to be posted today...until I got back from my walk and went out onto the deck to fill the water bowls for the dogs.           Spiders exhibit true mastery of weaving and I'm fascinated by the intricacy of their efforts. 08/25/2012

Sometimes the only time I can find to write posts to this blog is in the wee early hours or in the way late hours of the day.  Lately my AR companion has been Charlie...he respects that it is "quiet" time for me and doesn't pester at all.     Occasionally he'll come to the side of the chair and stretches out his paw but mostly he snoozes and occasionally wakes up to let me know that he thinks he might be the luckiest cat in the world.       08/25/2012

The insect world is under control here in Balsam, NC lately thanks to some froggy friends.  This is the first year I can remember such a healthy frog population around the house.      Some of them have been here long enough to not scurry away in terror.  They were pretty patient for the photo shoot but I'm sure the flash had to have bothered their little bulging eyes.       They sing all night long and then find a place to sleep during the day.  Must be nice!     08/22/2012

  The other day I spotted this itsy bitsy spider not too far from a rain spout.  I took a few photos while Leslie hid stayed behind a glass door!  The little hairs on this spider's legs probably made the hairs on the back of Leslie's neck stand up, lol.  To be completely honest with you, not really being a student of spider studies...     I couldn't tell you if we are looking at the spider's face or ahem...  Enjoy your Sunday!   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~+++++++++++++++~~~~~~~~~~~~~~++++++++++   08/18/2012

Certain things are really hard to photograph and I don't know why it has to be that way. Mushrooms are so intriguing and the really interesting parts might be the stalk, sides or underneath the cap.  Try finding a nice two foot tall mushroom...very frustrating.        I spotted this little guy on my walk in Balsam the other day and I'm not saying I blame him for his height because that wouldn't be very nice...especially since he's so cute otherwise. 08/16/2012

  When we still had our camping and backpacking store, Venture Out in Sylva, we used to have really interesting conversations with our customers.  I remember one time talking about poison ivy and the various cures for the horrible rashes.  Our customer, who grew up in this area, pointed out that wherever poison ivy grows...jewelweed grows close by.  Sure enough, over the years I've noticed that in our area starting in late July...jewelweed starts cropping up near the poison ivy.  Unfortunately, poison ivy starts growing earlier that  :-(   "Not a problem", she said.  She grew up with a mother who would harvest the plant and drain the fluid into ice cube trays (remember those!) and would freeze it.  Since the cure is a topical application of the jewelweed fluid, early in the year when th... 08/10/2012

  For many years, I walked on our road daily until stumbling in the dark last year on a small rock . The injury took time to heal and changed my morning schedule…AR blogs took precedence. Balance is important for more than just not stumbling on rocks…I loved walking. It kept me centered, focused & in shape. The routine is good for my soul and body. A week ago for whatever reason, I reached for my walking shoes and started up again. All I can say is Ahhhhhh. Our road ranks close to perfect for walking. From a visual perspective, it’s serene with mature growth trees and native plant life lining the roadway while birds swoop down to pick delectable breakfast snacks. From an auditory perspective, bird song, creeks babbling, and wind rustling leaves preclude the necessity for wearing ear bud... 08/04/2012

We all have the occasional stressful week and arrive at the weekend feeling battered, bruised and bewildered.  We are luckier than many though...our home in Balsam, NC is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Parkway Park Service property.  Gazing at these beautiful trees brings calm much quicker than anything in a capsule form.       Have a wonderful weekend.   08/04/2012

  Charlie has been in his new house with us now since the end of May. As I watched him stretched out to his full glorious length on the floor directly beneath the ceiling fan, I realized just how far he’s come in those couple of months. Charlie used to live in the guest house with his son, Little Monkey. The day came when Little Monkey who had never enjoyed the same robust health as his dad, passed away unexpectedly. Who knows what time of day…he’d seemed fine in the morning when I gave him his breakfast but that evening when I came to feed them dinner, Little Monkey had died. Charlie of course, was very confused and sad. Since we couldn’t leave Charlie in the guest house by himself, he came to live with us and the four little dogs. In the beginning he was shy and cautious but now he se... 08/03/2012

  This flower took over a month to shed its kerchief here in Balsam, NC.  There's only one plant on the property like this and it's been here for more than 28 years.  There's a stalk that's probably 3 feet tall and then this bud which explodes into the shape you see here.  Maybe one of you in the Rain with the extra sensory flower powers of identification can help identify it.  Until then, I'm calling it "Ma in Her Kerchief".     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~     07/31/2012