A Home …

You can recognize an outsider in the mountains by their homes.  They usually have long driveways which make their homes almost unreachable after snows or heavy rains.  Locals know better.

This was our driveway.  Almost a half mile.  Several times a neighbor rescued us by clearing the snow or smoothing the gravel after a heavy storm.  Still 37 acres of south-facing cove was heavenly …

We built our house there – built it ourselves with lots of help from our friends.  We made it our home, and brought Megan there to celebrate life with us.

But after we left the house fell into disrepair.  A sometime summer home, it wasn’t cared for and was vacant when we tried to visit.

However this time …

Chris and Rachel have moved in with their three children!  It is a home again.  Different from the way we envisioned it, their spirit and love are making it into their home and my spirits were lifted again.

A Wonderful Welcome …

As I left Hayesville I chose the back route through the mountains on the chance someone would be at the Hiwassee Dam School where I taught high school math.  I had quit my job to finish my dissertation when Robin had new tumors and needed a job immediately.  400 students, K-12, where I was the representative of cultural diversity!  I loved it!  The rural mountain spirit was welcoming and supportive and hoped I could visit it again.  Newly trimmed and freshly painted, the main building still looked like I remember it.

A car was in the parking lot and I rang the doorbell.  Kami – the elementary school principal opened the door – and remembered me!  I was her 9th grade math teacher.  Still she had a warm smile and welcomed me.  She got out the old yearbooks for me …

And was delighted when we found my picture in the 1986 Eagle.  Again, I glowed and my spirits rose.