The Mountain Thymes

 Our hummingbirds have migrated back to Central America.  The last female was spotted at the kitchen window feeder on October 9.  All the feeders have been soaked in a soapy solution with a little bleach, dried, and packed away for another five months until I pull them out around the middle of March.  With our night temperatures dropping and cold fronts bringing cooler fall weather, I hung a suet out on the back porch where I could see it from my recliner.  It didn't take long before my downy woodpecker returned and landed on the suet block.  You learn a lot from watching the forest animals.  Our chipmunk has been making more rounds on the porch looking for food to store.    Today we had two chipmunks pouching the seeds as fast as they could.  Squirrels sit and eat the seeds leaving the porch a mess with husks while chippy stores the seeds until his cheeks bulge, then scampers back to his hole.  This past spring I found little clumps of sprouts in my wine barrel gardens and all the

 Our mountain temperature was 36 degrees this morning at 6:30.  We actually had a sunrise this morning.   Such a welcomed sight and Cliff is beginning his good week.  I made us a nice hearty beef stew for lunch.  The sun was still shining!  After lunch we headed to Morganton, GA, about 24 miles from Murphy.  We've never been that direction but I wanted to visit Serenberry Vineyards for a wine tasting.  My designated driver took us over slow curving country roads with pastures and farms and rolling hills.  The drive was beautiful.  Now we have a new direction for our Sunday drives in the country.  And the sun was still shining. The vineyard has an outdoor patio and fire pit to relax by.  The ride was so peaceful and the people so relaxed and laid back.  This place is a keeper.   Brought in a few plants and covered a few because tonight is supposed to drop into the low 30's.  Some plants like the mustard greens and collards don't mind the cold.  We should be back to normal Oc

                                                     Moon flowers climbing on the tomato trellis                                              Sunrise serenade morning glories.  But they need sunshine to thrive.  The moon flowers attract night moths and do well on the dark dank dreary mornings that we've had for months.  On the other hand the poor morning glories aren't sure what time of day it is................... Cliff is having  a very difficult morning with the nausea and pain.  He is not speaking kind words about the chemo this morning. It's a good thing there are no children around.  Another remedy for a botched up yellow cake.  Cut up fresh strawberries, no sugar added, and cover it all with whipped cream!!  Delicious!!

 Happy 77th Birthday, Cliff.............. Unfortunately, he spent the morning at the cancer clinic getting his chemo.............. My sleep last night was interrupted with two hours of restless tossing and turning so today I struggled to stay focused.  After the clinic we did a quick Walmart run, grabbed a bite out and headed home so I could make a birthday cake, package-mix style.  My weary brain forgot to add the melted butter.  I noticed the butter still sitting on the counter when the timer buzzed to check the cake.  Oh, crap!  I've been misplacing and forgetting things much more often.  Very bothersome.  Then I discovered I didn't have enough confectioners sugar to make frosting so we each cut a piece of cake, scooped mint chocolate ice-cream into the bowl and squirted whipped cream over everything.  Everything tastes better with ice cream and whipped cream.   Tomorrow Cliff does his second scan.  Friday we're scheduled to see our doctor and next Tuesday he has an onco

 Late last week Jen called to tell us she was going to visit us for few days, without Mark.  She is between jobs and thought this would be the opportune time to visit her niece on the way to Murphy.  Tuesday afternoon we drove to Blairsville for the afternoon farmers market but the rain deterred vendors from setting so we went to Cabin Coffee where we sat on saddles with our drinks.  Cliff and I hadn't been there in years so this was a nice treat for me.  Then we browsed in a little artsy craft shop.  The weather had us wondering if we'd get back to the Kia before the clouds opened up again.  When the rain let up we went back to Murphy and walked the park. Back at the ranch Jen and I made a delicious broccoli soup for our light supper.   Blood pressure time.  She was okay just asked him to take her BP.   Visiting Carolina Crafters, a wonderfully eccentric antique shop. Lauria and I spent time in this shop when she visited.  It's a great place.  Many retro items and things t