FANTASTIC FRIDAY!

Together Again....2026 is a great start for this fabulous but emotional Friday! 

We had not visited since October 7, 2025 and were looking forward to being with them again!

Even a sign on the road seemed appropriate for a visit the Heinzes!

Going 64 E towards Highlands after Franklin, NC we could follow our noses so to speak and enjoy the ride. Left on Walnut Ridge and up the narrow road a bit, we began looking for Lick Skillet Road for a good old laugh. Familiarity with roadways and jeep rides has a way to welcome all who have ever visited the Henize family,

Past the wooden cross and row of black mailboxes we turned right to head up Glennview Lane! Of course, passing the Garage Mahall had both of us and every one who has ever stayed there with a sweet memory and a catch in their throat. Think T-Cups!

Our granddaughter Lucy even zip-lined down to it from their house!

They were waiting on the front porch for us! After meeting their son Scott for the first time, we moved from swinging on the wooden porch swing we pulled up the wicker chairs for easy sitting and lots of chatting!

Before working in the insurance business, LEL, was a pastor and his life, as well as hers, was filled with serving others. 

They still have beautiful!stained glass windows in their home, plus books on on most every table. Margie just finished The Calamity Club and is trying to get hime to read it now!

A current story he shared was about their three kids, who remain closely connected. Karen (70), Bud (68), and Scott, aka Scottie, (65), all retired within one year of each other! His face glowed as he told the story! He winked as he said it was a way to have one of them with them every time they came back to the mountains lately! Now they even cook for them and drive them around!

Larry admitted that he would be 90 in October so he no longer was driving! Margie quickly interjected, "I am only 95 and won't be 96 until November! I can drive if needed!" (???) a

WORDS don't do justice for the time spent with these special friends!

As always, she rings the bell as we leave! Traditions have a way of remaining regardless of age! He might have waited on the porch but pastor Henize, Uncle Larry, aka Lawrence Eugene never misses a chance to say"Good Job" as a way to encourage his Muzzie!

A fantastic Friday like no other!

Sliding Rock-Brevard, NC Lucy, age 5, follows Mommy into icy plunge!

Boun-TEA-ful Harvest

While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22, NASB)

Autumn is visually my favorite season---the cooling temps also add to its seasonal charm, especially in the mountains. God's offering.
Roasted veggies. Caramel apples. Gingerbread. Pumpkin Roll. An autumn abundance.

What a bounty---apples , nuts and a canopy of leaves in the mountains of western North Carolina this past week. Everything in abundance.

Honey Crisp apples offering a snap and tingle in one's mouth from Barber Orchard off of Hwy 74N on Old Balsam Road just south of Waynesville, NC. Pecans and almonds from the "nut man's" white panel truck at the corner of Hwy 19 and Hwy 276 at the turn to Lake Junaluska, NC and a carpet of leaves as well as a canopy of color above us on the Henize property off of Walnut creek Road and Hwy 64 between Franklin and Highlands, NC.

"The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us." (Psalm 67:6) 

How this verse rang true for us and dear friends as we soaked up the crisp, clean mountain air of North Carolina. Carolina blue skies seem to emit a keeness of sorts as the temps begin to fall.

A boun-TEA-ful cuppa blessings for me......and my dear friends!

MOUNTAIN TIME: ADDENDUM

7/16/13 
Mountain people, who live in cadence with mountain time, experience life in a timely manner---"whenever." "Soonish." Business might open one day and not the next---just check our the sign.
 "ish" is it's own hand on the clock.

Store sign in Cashier, North Carolina---8/14/13

Regardless of "time zone" parameters,  you know you're on mountain time when you......

• sleep when you're tired, 
• wake up rested with fewer hours of sleep, 
• have sounds of a running creek, heard though an open window, to "lull" you to sleep, 
• are as delighted with a rainy day as well as a sunny one, 
• understand that the march of time slows down to a walk or a rocking chair's rhythm and even a turtle crossing the road can catch your attention. 

Mountain Time----somewhere between resting and relaxing with lots of "fixin' to" intervals in its measurements.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Mountain Memories

7/15/12 Isaiah 52:7 is the verse that comes to mind when I reflect on our trip last week to the mountains of North Carolina. 

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

All curvy roads lead to the mountains.

Perfect window treatment for the home of 2 "saints."

Aunt Margie and Uncle Larry, Sam and JoLynn’s kin, bring good news all over their mountain and exude good tidings all up and down their road---all 56 curves of it. Time with them is a "taste of heaven" from the beginning welcome to the final hugs. It’s easy to see why she’s one of the dancers in my life and her life partner encourages her (and others) to be all that God intends them to be. How blessed I am to have spent time with them once again and to share it with hubby and dear friends.

FLORAL WELCOME #1

FLORAL WELCOME #2

FLORAL WELCOME #4

Perfect setting and temps for morning cuppa and quiet time....for hubby too.

Mountain stream COLD---what a treat!

My kind of library. New life for the old courthouse in Sylva, NC...& they said it couldn't be done!

This view can distract even the staunchest bibliophile.

FLORAL WELCOME #3---can't manipulate pics

Downward view from the deck----Sweet memory of babbling creek.

42nd Anniversary

8/9/11


For 42 years--- it's been a great journey even through foggy and rainy times over bumpy terrain. For better or for worse. In sickness and in health.

The trek to the top. A great ride. A worthy view.

Another "anniversary celebrated."