A Return to Life as We Once Knew It.....

Well it's been a while (again...) since I've written- I've been wanting to, it's just a matter of making the time to do so. Alot has been happening. I've had some drama with my hillbilly neighbors- there were possom hunters in the woods behind my house (who hunts possums???) and they were shooting way too close to our houses. Not to get into all of the details (it's a long story) my neighbor began shooting at the hunters. To me- not a good idea! To him- it's self defense. So he shoots at the hunters and I think his shot is the hunters again. I was so fed up with it (it had been going on for hours now...) that I screamed to the hunters (knowing they could hear me as the shot was so close) "that's too close!!!". Now, first of all, I know that screaming that is a silly thing to do. But it's just what came out of my mouth in my frustration. But.... it was the neighbor's shot and he thought I was yelling at him. So then he proceeds to yell at me from his porch for about 5 minutes threatening to shoot me, my dog and my truck! My truck? Yes. Then my other neighbor Leo heard the yelling and came down (God bless him) and then the crazy neighbor came out ready to fight. I was actually pretty nervous, I thought he might have a gun. We ended up working it out- I explained the miscommunication and he then went on to tell me about the pride and joy in hunting and torturing animals, and it was really enlightening- I got to see how these people think, how their culture is, what they believe in. He told me they trap possums, feed them buttermilk and cornbread for a few months until they get "all fat and white and good and shiny", then they kill them and eat them and it's better than chicken. We talked about the mountain lion that lives in the area, and he told me of a mountain lion that tried to kill his grandmother's baby back in the day and she shot it. Anyways.... it was interesting to say the least.

I've been having a kind of rough time lately, just not feeling too well. Partly getting over being sick and fighting other colds and such off. Partly feeling stuck in a situation I don't want to be in. Job that is ok, I am grateful for, but would rather be doing something else. House I love but costs me everything I make, and I don't feel comfortable with because of crazy neighbors, bears and prowling mountain lions. The cold weather has really affected me alot more than I thought it would, and I think that was adding to alot of it. Yesterday it finally got warmer, in the 50's maybe, and I was done with work before dark and went running, then took the dogs for a walk, then made a fire and roasted marshmellows! It was so great. It made all the difference in the world. I didn't know how much not being able to be outside affected me. I need it. I need it often. So I'm glad spring is on it's way soon, but it's shown me how much I need warmer weather.

Blah blah blah blah. Enough about me!! But that's just a quick catch up. I'll share some more later...... I hope everyone is doing well.

And on the third day.....

Well I'm slowly returning to life after having a really rough time with the flu...... not fun!! I was on death's side of things (not literally, just felt like it) and boy, laying there lifeless for nearly three days gives you a different perspective on things. I think sickness is good for all of us every once in a while- sickness like that where you're so miserable and it's so opposite from normal life- and your spirit just has to be patient while your body is not functioning. I haven't had that for a while and it was actually good for me in the end- I probably just caught up on alot of rest that I needed for a while. Forced resting. I have alot to write about- alot to catch up on- of various subjects like possom hunters and Tennessee hillbilly dramas among other things. It's still cold here.... like I would expect it to be warm? It's mid-February. I've had enough cold weather. I'm ready to be able to be outside comfortably and easily. So I'll write again when I'm a little more coherent....

Thank you TLD.........


Not All Who Wander Are Lost.
-JRR Tolkien

Freedom lies at the heart of my willingness to lose everything.
-Alanis Morissette

Happy Snow Day! It started snowing yesterday and now at the house we've gotten I'd say a foot, although I haven't measured it. It's 17 degrees..... up from 10 when I woke up this morning! Yesterday when I was leaving work there was ice on all of the roads in town- cars were sliding everywhere- including me. We were all going 10-20 mph. Luckily the highway was ok- although mostly one lane. I started to wonder if I'd be able to make it home! The only other roads to take would have been much worse.
The mountains here are so beautiful. I've said it before, but I love to see the shape and curves of the earth as she rises up. When the snow is on the mountains, it seems you can see more of that- the different slopes of the land- little valleys and peaks all over.
All of the animals are happy. I think they all would like to be able to be outside more, but once it starts getting warmer that will happen. I wish I could have many more animals. I've been bringing vegetable scraps to the goats and chickens and ducks at my neighbors house. They are so happy to get fresh greens and fruit in the middle of winter! It's so fun to see them and interact with them. It's getting me one tiny step closer to having my own chickens, goats, etc. Some day.....
What a change it's been for the past 6-7 months. It's been a whirlwind over the past year+. Before I moved here I was free to go where I wanted. Now I feel that I don't have that. It's nice to have my own place and a job to be able to live, but it is also so nice to have freedom... I have to keep remembering that this is not the 'end of the road'...... this is what it is..... it's a beautiful area to live, wonderful to have a job and a home. I don't know if I'll be staying or going. I feel like I'm constantly moving. I don't know why I feel like there is something wrong with that. I guess because most people don't do that, and there is some sort of negativity with it, it seems. Many of the things I want in my life require being in one place for a while, and I just don't ever feel like I've found where that is. And it's hard trying to find a way to have land, animals, etc. I guess I'm feeling a little confused and restless. It's ok, just curious. Also having a house guest for the past 6 weeks hasn't given me much time or space to really focus on it. But everything has been a great learning opportunity. I am grateful for everything I have experienced and am experiencing- and I wonder where I'll be and what things will be like in the fall, next year, and in a few years.