The other day I realized that it's been life as usual. How marvelous is that!

Ever since I didn't do well with my 6-minute walk, I've been inclined to *conserve* my energy... to save it. Then I thought, "What the heck am I saving it for! I'm gonna spend some of that saved up energy!"

It was a good decision. Pivotal - to realize it's life as usual.


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My home and car are about the same age (14 years) and neither ever gives me much trouble. It's all about responsible upkeep. So it was when I spotted this ad, which was specifically chosen to appear on my Facebook site, I checked my records and it was time to call the Adams brothers to empty the septic tank.

The Facebook ad:


Natural remedies that relieve gas and bloating

You never really think about gas and bloating until it happens to you. Gas and bloating can cause you to be uncomfortable and sometimes it is even painful. If you are in public when you experience gas and bloating, it can also be embarrassing.


Every few years, the Adams brothers come over from Coalmont, which is up the road a piece. It's kinda-sorta a stinky job I would imagine, but these brothers are downright affable. It's uncanny how sweet and happy and professional they are. I like them a lot.





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Earlier in the summer Mr. Campbell spruced up my yard with pine needles. (I think I created an unintentional pun in that last sentence.) The pine needles are easy and whether it's blazing hot or rainy, a sweet fragrance often engulfs my property.









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It was at that time I also hung my annual ferns - it's a Southern front porch thingy. Willow worked on them to ensure full and healthy baskets, which they've become.






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After several years of having the Morton Memorial gate installed at the front of my home - and not ever really being satisfied with the location I chose, Handy Andy, my occasional handyman, lugged the gate to my front porch where I think it looks splendid.





Several years ago, it was Andy who created the handrail to Olivia's apartment - doorknobs on metal rods. I still get a kick out of this.










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Every season I do a walk around to look for trees within reach of my home that might be diseased or frail or dying. That's when I ring up Isaac King. He and his family have been on the mountain and thereabouts for many generations. His grandfather was a legend for his skill with a chainsaw and the art he created. I met him about 35 years ago - went to his home and watched the woodchips fly.

Anyway, Isaac is the hunkiest man my eyes have ever landed on. I swear. My children are older than him for goodness sakes. And I'm not the least bit drawn to pretty boys. But Isaac is gorgeous in all possible ways with beautiful blue eyes and a smile to set the sun on fire and a kindness genetically wired into the hearts of so many of the people I've met on this mountain.

Unfortunately, he's hidden in the shadows in this photo. *sigh*






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There's a favorite artist of mine on the mountain. Her name is Heather Foley. She paints beautiful gourds, but I especially like her felt work. I recently acquired a flock of her birds. I like them because they're so happy feeling. I enjoy giving these little felt birds of happiness as gifts, which I just started doing when David & Olivia became engaged. The birds are sweet and cheerful and charming and I adore them.




Flock of Heather's Birds


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The following are photos of the neighborhood. Life as usual. Beautiful and serene.



Canoes at Clifftops Lake



Docks at Clifftops Lake


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Life as usual always includes an evening every now and then with Olivia and dinner at the Mountain Goat Market.




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I've been absent from JournalScape and need to catch up with my neighborhood here. Instead of writing new posts, I've been spending many hours sorting and culling a lifetime of journals I've kept... trying to organize. The process has offered me many moments of delight, but I've also wandered into periods of my life that brought profound sadness to my days. I want my life to read with integrity with true balance, but I'm culling portions that no longer apply to the *usual days* I now enjoy so much.

Yup. That's how I like it - Life as Usual.



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I think I'll take a walk around to see how my trees are doing - if any are threatening my home. :)