Mid-April Ruminations & Cogitations

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

The subtitle to this post should be “spring is busted out all over in East Tennessee!” We have an abundance of natural riches here in our area right now, with a palette of springtime greens and blooms blanketing the hillsides.

Yes indeed, spring fever hit us squarely between the eyes, and the only cure was to take a quick jaunt up to Cades Cover yesterday to celebrate the glorious earthly changes of the seasons. Our alarm clock was set extra early, and we arrived just as the gate opened and the morning light rose over the famed Smoky Mountains. We drove a couple of loops around the cove road, made countless stops, and dutifully exercised our legs and shutter-button fingers. We also staked out a claim to a picnic table near a woodland stream, devoured our packed lunch, and gave thanks to a day without a worry in the world.

Meanwhile, back at the cottage - we're going to have a ringside seat of entertainment for the next five months! Construction has started to build a new home on the empty lot across the street from us. Though we will be temporarily inconvenienced with noise, debris, and traffic congestion, we’re looking forward to the end result. The lot has been an eyesore, with dirt is so pitiful that weeds go somewhere else to thrive. Out of self-defense, we’ll be patrolling the street for stray nails once the carpenters show up. (Mr. Jim had to buy a new tire recently thanks to other construction projects going on in the subdivision.) The new house will be featured in the area’s parade of homes this fall. We hope that it will sell quickly and we’ll have some lovely new neighbors!

Now that some milder temperatures have arrived, we have retreated to our porches, both front and back. It’s such a modest pleasure that has endured for us over the years, whether we live on country acreage or in a suburban setting. On our porches, we enjoy some beverages, read books, discuss current events, make plans, and marvel at the changing landscape. It is a simple thing to enjoy in these complicated, and sometimes unsettled, times.

I hope you are also enjoying the simple things in life right now.

P.S. "Flowers" is next month's theme for A Personal Photo Challenge. Please visit my other blog to find our more information and photography tips.