I challenge you to stop for a moment and just appreciate everything around you. For those of you who have enjoyed the summer, you may not be so happy about the colder temperatures but I ask you to slow down for a minute and appreciate it. How many of us rush around so frantically that we often miss the riches of our own lives? We often find ourselves living in the future and missing out on today. We often find ourselves saying, "Where did the week go?" I don't know about you but I've said that a time or two. Have you ever done that? Personally, I'm stunned that November begins next week because I can barely remember what happened this month. When I catch myself saying phrases like that I try to put on the brakes a bit. I try to purposefully slow down. We have a lot of riches in our lives. No matter whether you live in a shack with a dirt floor or the largest of mansions, we all have riches in our lives that we often miss. The most important of these is "The Present Moment". Truthfully, it's the only thing that is guaranteed in our whole life and just think of how often we let it slide right by without so much as raising an eyebrow. When we do this, we miss out on our lives and the lives of those important to us. Seriously, do you really think at your graveside, we'll actually care that you were late to a meeting last Tuesday? No one will even remember those things that we so often stress about. I challenge you, as well as myself, to slow down this week and just observe your life. Enjoy it because it is the only one we have. The Fall colors have changed and how many of us missed it? How many of us missed a child's football game or spelling bee? These are huge things that shouldn't be missed. So slow down and look around....you might just find a pretty flower that everyone else seems to be missing. You can learn a lot from a flower. Who knew?Be well and love one another.
JD
Oct 282010
Oct 192010
Cades Cove is a neat place It’s not in my top ten, but it is nice. It’s surrounded by mountains that rise 2500-3000 feet above the floor the cove. This area is rich with Civil War era historic buildings. I toured many cabins, a few lavishly sized homes and several churches. It seems there must have been many more dwellings in the area to support the three or four churches that I saw today. For the curious minded, the Baptist and Methodist were well represented. 
If you think of “Little House on the Prairie, you’re getting a good idea of what the area looks like. This area was loaned to some settlers from the Cherokee. What happened to that agreement, I haven’t figured out. I’m assuming the Cherokee didn’t favor in the deal. (There is a large Cherokee reservation to the south of the national park.) Sometime during the Civil War, most of the settling families left the area. The inhabitants mostly favored the Union and this cove was becoming increasingly dangerous since this had grown largely into a Confederate area. The locals either decided or were encouraged to relocate. I haven’t studied this too much, so feel free to add your own comments to my blog. At press time, I’m rather limited in my ability to research more historical information.
The foliage has pockets of vibrancy but for the most part is mute.
I hiked up to Alums Cave (Bluff) today. I think it was 5 miles round trip. A nice moderate hike with decent color. I saw that the trailhead to Laurel Falls was very vibrant. I may check on that tomorrow. Rain is expected in the morning and I haven’t made plans for anything else but sleeping in.
Make it a great day!
JD
PS I will post pics upon my return from vacation.
Sep 012010
Over the past couple of years, I’ve kept a camera near me and have recorded some of my favorite shots to date. If you click “My Personal Favorites“, it will take you on a quick slideshow of the my favorite shots that I’ve taken up until this point. Some are better than others, but all bring back wonderful memories for me. Looking back on it simply refreshes my soul and reminds me where I’ve been, the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve gathered along the way. I thought I’d share those memories with you today. Many of you have watched along the way and you’ve been encouraging me every since. I cannot thank you enough for your kind words, critique and friendship.
As I go forward from this point, I’m mindful of the past and optimistic for the future. Each day is a new day with new blessings and rewards. I would encourage you to make sure you “get out there” and enjoy each day. If you take your camera along, be sure to share. I’d love to share in your journey as you have in mine.
Make it a great day!
JD
“Be the change you want to see in the world”
- Gandhi