The Mountain Thymes

Two years ago we went to Punkin' Chunkin' in Hayesville.  Vendors, music, and activities were set up in the quaint common and the chunkin' was held in a nearby field.  That day was brutally c-o-l-d and windy.  The hot Brunswick stew felt so good going down.  This year the Punkin' Chunkin' was held on the Payne's private airstrip and acreage.  The quaintness and small town feel didn't exist but things do change.  With all the extra land, a zipline was set up and one could take a small plane ride for only $15.  I tried to get Cliff to go up but he didn't want to. The chunkin' catapults were set up at the end of the airstrip so when a plane was taking off or landing, the chunkin' activity stopped for a few minutes so as not to take down the plane. Some of the hurls put the punkins 950' out in the field.  Behind the catapults were dozens of vehicles, probably those of the participants and the crew. During one of the hurls, the 8-10 lb

  We're in for our first fall cold snap with a freeze warning tonight.  Today was quite breezy toppling over some of the larger potted plants.  Downtown Murphy hit 57 in the sun so we were probably 54.  Cliff fired up the stove and split more wood.  I moved the wicker chair and cushions from the porch to my sewing room leaving space for the winter wood pile.  Porch plants are scattered in all the rooms including a few geraniums out in my sewing room.  Being the first winter in the sewing room, not sure how they will fare.  The wooly caterpillar, with its thirteen distinct segments of black and brown, have been a predictor of winter weather for decades.  I spotted one with brown sandwiched between black front and back.  We heard that a local spotted one that was all black indicating a cold snowy winter.  If squirrel behavior is a barometer of this coming winter, we're in trouble.  As part of my fall decoration, I placed a large straw bale topped with a pumpkin and

I believe she's gone....................migrated south.  This morning she appeared quietly around 7:30 perching on a thin branch near the back porch.  I just happened to get a glimpse of her.  Yesterday morning she chittered wildly.  I told her I knew it time for her to go.  She was the last to leave.  I sighted her once hitting a feeder in the late afternoon.  And as she did last year, she left again on Cliff's birthday. We've watched them and enjoyed their antics for six months.  During the months of July, August, and part of September, I boiled their sugar water daily and kept the feeders free of mold.  We sat silently on the open porch each morning with our coffee waiting for tiny wing sounds or chittering as they approached the feeders hungry after a night of deep sleep.  During the day, they tapped the red trumpet flowers, perched on branches, and chased each other fighting over territories. Our hummingbirds brought us such enjoyment, but now it's time fo

Earlier this week the weather forecast predicted a 50% chance of raining out the two-day fall festival.  Each day the percent changed so I quit watching, knowing that I would be attending, rain or shine. the open barn where Friday night concerts are held  inside the barn Different groups performed each hour from 10-4 both days. Friday evening as vendors were setting up their tents, Cliff and I attended The Lone Mountain Band performance in the Keith House.  We saw their performance last year at the Brasstown Community Center and enjoyed their concert.  Not only did they entertain the audience with bluegrass banjo, guitar, mandolin, and bass fiddle strumming, but they also charmed us with humor and yoyo demonstrations.  Never a dull moment. demonstration of wood turning on the workshop porch  handmade Christmas dolls and life-size figures   food vendors    more food vendors There were twelve different food vendors this year.  Saturday

Check out the guy wearing the light colored cap to the left watching the demonstration.  This is from last year's fall festival.  Cliff was sent out to 1000's of email addresses announcing the Folk School Festival.  Of course, nobody knows him but us! Forward Newsletter to a Friend Don't Miss the Folk School Fall Festival This Weekend!    Dear Betsy , Come on down to the Fall Festival this weekend at the Folk School! Enjoy music and dance performances on two stages, shop for fine crafts, view demonstrations, eat delicious food, and participate in activities for the whole family. Woodturning demo on the Woodworking Studio porch Date: Oct. 5 & 6 Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily admission: $5 adults, $3 ages 12-17, and free for children under 12. Location: Folk School Campus ( View us on Google Maps ) Parking: Lots of Free Parking, Donations Accepted (see below). Please Note: There are no ATM's on campus. Mos

mmmmmm.................gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes........................ Yesterday from the kitchen window, we counted eight Thanksgiving turkeys eating the dropped bird seeds in the front garden.  With such a lush forest this year, we've noticed an increase in wildlife this summer.  Turkeys are not graceful creatures.  Late this afternoon the same eight birds were trekking through woods when a neighbor's dog starting barking.  The startled turkeys took flight up into the trees banging into low branches causing feathers and leaves to fly.  When the turkeys aren't here, the deer nibble in the front garden. We're down to only two remaining hummingbirds.  The pineapple sage that I planted in late spring finally burst into bloom providing natural sweet nectar which the birds prefer over the sugar water. I cut off six good-size branches, rooted them, and planted them down along the vegetable garden, in the front flower garden, and on the west side o