February in our mountains.

February in our mountains.  The snow crocus are lifting their heads, the days are beginning to seem a little longer and the morning fog dances in and out.  We always make sure that between the rains we have plenty of bird food and deer corn out, just to keep everyone...

Winters, another of the beautiful seasons in the mountains

The thirteen scales on Old Turtle’s back represent the thirteen cycles of the moon in each year.  I have heard the Cherokee call our Winter, Gâlû, and the month of January, Unolvtana for Windblown. I simply refer to our winters as another of the beautiful seasons we...

Have a Blessed New Year

Here we are again, a new year is upon us.  I am not one for resolutions but if you are, now would be the time.  What else is it time for?  That depends are where you are.  Some of the things I do to get ready to face a new year?  For me it is about starting the year...

Mountain Christmas Traditions

As I started to take a look at what traditions were a part of the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains for Christmas I noticed a pattern of changes. Railroads, coalmines, return of solders from war all effected the way celebrations and traditions were handled here in...

Hidden among the caves

Recently my husband and I had a wonderful day of adventure by taking the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad out of Bryson City.  Having never ridden on a train before this was quite the treat, relax, watch the world go by and hear a narrative of what this part of the country was like way back.

Winterize your mountain home

If you are one of our valued part timers you may already have started this process.  Winterizing your home so it will be ready to enjoy in the spring is so very important. Turn off your hot water tank at the breaker and drain it.  Shut off the main water valve to the...

MURPHY, a North Carolina jewel

A dozen years ago an October evening walk through downtown Murphy, NC convinced me that we would enjoy the later part of our lives right up here in the corner of GA, NC, TN.  The surrounding mountains and the sense of a peaceful small town was right up our alley. As...

Cherokee Heritage in North Georgia & North Carolina

The Cherokee Heritage Festival is upon us.  For me, this is the start of a fascinating season here in our area.  This particular festival demonstrates dancing and wears from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.  It is a great weekend, free to the public and meant for...