It’s Been a While

Since I last posted, I returned to Tennessee for three weeks to get my Southern home ready for an anticipated winter stay in what is definitely God’s country. Sure, I’ve stayed in cabins in the Adirondack mountains, paddled North Country rivers, and hiked through forests. But as I drive through the towns that sit on Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, this wild and almost primordial country takes my breath away.

Roads rise high, curve sharply, then to fall into a steep drop…all with no guardrails except for the sharpest curves (maybe). Every turn is more challenging and beautiful than the one before. I pass through untamed woods, then see a shack with trucks and various items strewn about before reaching a manicured lawn that extends to a massive ranch home. I encounter cows, goats, even an alpaca! as I drive slowly past fenced land.

The country and friendly folks call to my inner writer and now I hope to share all that is rural Southern through the eyes of this native New Yorker. The area lives its unique history while simultaneously navigating today’s world.

Some Changes

You may notice I simplified my “Blogs” link because I want to write about lots of other topics, besides the original four: faith, body and soul, caregiving, and writing.

For now, I hope to share my growing appreciation for Southern history and culture. My dear friends, Kathy and Stan, gifted me with the sign above that now sits atop my writing desk in Tennessee. Thank you so much, my fellow immigrants to Tennessee from Rochester!

Here’s a warning to you who may travel to this area. More than one couple planned on just a visit and left the state owning a new home. Surprise! Something about this area is downright real estate dangerous.

You’ve been warned.

Living in the Bible Belt

Churches, some small and some large, and mostly Baptist, dot the landscape every few miles. Huge white crosses rise from green fields and billboards quote Bible verses or hint at hell. “Where will you spend eternity?”

When I went to Crab Orchard Utility to set up my water bill, I arrived at a smallish building sitting on a rural road. It was just before Easter and a sign on the front door read, “Closed on Good Friday.” I can’t imagine our sprawling Monroe County Water Authority building closing on Good Friday. Yet here this is normal.

I discovered a wonderful Lutheran Church where I fell in love with the people and where the liturgical style of worship speaks to my soul. Here, you can take a peek: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shepherd+of+the+hills+lutheran+church+crossville+tennessee

Crab Orchard Stone

I love upstate New York’s historic cobblestone homes that dot Route 104 and environs. Our area is full of these hidden gems from an era long past that pays homage to our state’s geology.

On the Cumberland Plateau, their native stone is called “crab orchard,” and it’s a soft, flat, pinkish stone that’s used to decorate yards and homes. My son used it to build his massive masonry fireplace to heat his home while it beautifies his living room. Here’s a picture of the stone and how it’s used. https://duckduckgo.com/?t=h_&q=crab+orchard+stone&iax=images&ia=images&iai=http%3A%2F%2Fjandrgarden.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2FCrab-Orchard-Flagstone-Slabs-3-797×1024.jpeg …and from my own photo:

Stay tuned for a future blog where I’ll share the history of Cumberland Plateau’s homesteading from the 1930s.