Otter Falls

A picture from today's hike to Otter Falls, in Seven Devils, NC

Just a short hike. "You’ll be fine," my friend Christy told me, "it’s a nice smooth path just some steady upgrade." Only after we'd finished the hike and returned to the parking area did we see the word "strenuous" on the sign.

Hmmmm ...

But I am fine.

(It really wasn't all that strenuous. But I'm grateful for a couple of strategically placed benches along the path.)

https://www.sevendevilsnc.gov/parks-and.../page/otter-falls 

This Bunny

 

This bunny has been hanging out at my house the last few days. It didn't even flinch when I walked out on my deck. Have I been adopted? Honorary member of Clan Leporid perhaps?

Makes me happy to keep my yard wild.

Marking the Beginning of Summer

 

Today, May 1, is May Day, a celebration of spring. 

But to my Celtic ancestors, the day was "Beltane" and it marked the return of summer. 

"Beltane" roughly translates as "bright fire." Among ancient Celtic tribes, homes' hearth fires would be extinguished and people would gather for the lighting of a large fire, called a "neid fire." From this fire, two bonfires were lit and the tribe's cattle were driven between the bonfires into their summer pastures. Fire was seen as a purifier and healer, and the bonfires were meant to cleanse the cattle of disease, ensuring their future health and the health of the families they would feed. 

Members of the tribe would walk or dance around the neid fire then, as they returned to their individual homes, they would bring flame from the neid fire to light their hearths anew. In this way, the community were all connected to each other by the sacred, central fire.

Descendants of those ancient Celts no longer observe Beltane in quite the same way, of course. But Beltane/May Day is an important celebration nonetheless. In Asheville, NC, the Beltane sunrise is celebrated with dancing up on the Blue Ridge Parkway, at the Tanbark Ridge Overlook. I've attended a couple of these celebrations - as observer, not as dancer! - with The Asheville Morris Dancers and Ashgrove Garland Dancers. (Both Morris Dancing and Garland Dancing originated in England and are therefore not "Celtic." But who cares?) It's in the 40s in the upper elevations of the Southern Highlands, so its doesn't feel like summer. But it's a fun way to anticipate the warmer days of summer, and you just can't beat the thrill of seeing the sun finally peeking over the ridge!

The Shot Heard 'Round the World

 

My 4g Grandfather, William Foster (Forrester) born Ireland, 31 March 1748, patriot-soldier of the American Revolutionary War

"By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, on the battles of Lexington and Concord, April 19, 1775

Now the Work of Christmas Begins

x

When the song of the angels is stilled,

when the star in the sky is gone,

when the kings and princes are home,

when the shepherds are back with their flocks,

the work of Christmas begins:

x

to find the lost,

to heal the broken,

to feed the hungry,

to release the prisoner,

to rebuild the nations,

to bring peace among the people,

to make music in the heart.

x

May we be the compassionate ones, the healing ones, the loving ones, the peaceful ones now and into the new year.

x

~ Howard Thurman

Pieces of My Heart

 

Yesterday I had a conversation with a close friend back in Florida whom I dearly miss. All the years Greg and I spent on the road and I'm frequently homesick for Columbiana (OH), New Paltz (NY), Belfast (ME), West Springfield (MA), Swannanoa (NC) ... and sometimes, for the road itself. 

Add to that list my native state of Florida.

I feel very much "at home" living in North Carolina; after all, it's where my Irish ancestors settled six generations ago. But the meme is accurate: there are pieces of my heart scattered all over the place.

At The Lagoon

 

Daddy's favorite view of Biltmore. I have stood at this very spot many times, and in many seasons of my life. But today is the first day I've summoned the courage to visit post-Helene.

The nearby French Broad River, having carved new banks in the flood, is a little broader these days. And the trees are bare ... but aren't they always at this time of year? The ducks are quietly paddling around and the Canada Geese are noisily honking - as always.

Nature allows itself to heal itself.