The Mountain Thymes

 Thirteen years ago on this date, I walked out of my fifth-grade classroom, turned the key to lock the door for the last time, and walked away with mixed emotions.  Twenty-two years of doing what I never thought I would do.  Teaching children and watching them transform was enriching.  As I walked away knowing that I would miss the children, I kicked up my heels and thought about never getting up with the five o'clock alarm or doing lessons plans again!  The next morning Cliff scooped up Maxine and put her in the front seat of the U-Haul.  I drove behind him for the next nine hours until we arrived at 79 Clay Durrett Rd in Murphy, NC, my sanctuary with nature's wild life and mighty oaks. Where did the time go?!  Started collard greens a few weeks ago at the dining room window. Since the huge oak tree finally shed its leaves, the plants get full sun.  Today I'll transplant them out in the kitchen garden and in the containers.  Earlier this fall I pulled all the old plastic o

 It's 7:30 a.m. and as dark as midnight!  And one of my older lady friends from pre-covid yoga classes texted me at 5:15 this morning!  This time of year I peacefully sleep until about six when I slowly return from a hibernating state feeling refreshed. Normally around 7 I can pull back all the winter drapes as the light begins to awaken my birds and the Carolina wren greets me with his good morning song.  This morning dark heavy-laden clouds opened up with an inch of rain in forty-five minutes.  The only saving grace is that the temperature is a balmy 54, not the cutting cold freeze that comes with winter temperatures.  It's been a crazy December with fluctuating temperatures.  Some afternoons I'm in short sleeve t-shirts and capris, doing yoga in the afternoon on my deck under the leafless trees.  Other days I'm in long jeans, sweatshirt, and cozy warm socks.  We're coming into the winter solstice, the darkest time of the year, a difficult time for me, especially

 Low twenties damp and raw feeling when we got up this morning at six. The only reason I got moving was because the dentist was squeezing me in at eight o'clock.  Saturday morning, always on a weekend when an event calls for a dentist or a doctor, while flossing my crown popped off its post.  Luckily the crown dropped on the floor.  I placed it in a sandwich-size ziplock bag and put it where I could keep an eye on it and away from the trash.  That night we had to attend Cliff's Station 25 Christmas party.  Cliff and I wear masks everywhere we go.  That worked for covering the missing bottom front tooth until....... it was time to eat.  The members are pretty respectful of each other and sat either with their families or small groups all around the room.  I just kept eating so nobody could talk to me.............. Anyway, crown was cemented back on this morning.   Our December weather actually has been quite mild between cold fronts.  Last Friday  I was able to do my yoga outsid