rest your mind

Leisure is a form of silence, not noiselessness. It is the silence of contemplation such as occurs when we let our minds rest on a rosebud, a child at play, a Divine mystery, or a waterfall.
--Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979) American bishop of the Roman Catholic Church

Laurel Falls outside of Hampton, TN -- One of the most beloved and visited waterfalls in east Tennessee. Click here for directions. While you're in the area, you might also want to stretch your legs and rest your mind at Coon Den Falls and Dennis Cove.

look and trust

Simply look with perceptive eyes at the world about you, and trust to your own reactions and convictions. Ask yourself: "Does this subject move me to feel, think and dream? Can I visualize a print - my own personal statement of what I feel and want to convey - from the subject before me?
--Ansel Adams (1902-1984) photographer

A small waterfall on the way up to see beautiful Margarette Falls in Greene County, TN. The hike to Margarette is one of my favorites - and the main waterfall is one of the most beautiful in all of northeast Tennessee. Click the link above for directions and details and click here for more photos.

curious light

The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist

A single bee balm flower alone in the deep woods, back-lit by the sun hitting a fallen tree in a nearby clearing.

abundant life

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.
--Eskimo Proverb

I post this today in memory of Shirley Swink and in honor of her husband, Bill. Shirley fought a long, difficult battle following her stroke with grace and courage. In her life, Shirley dedicated herself to her family and her church. She was sweet, and kind, and generous. And joyful. When I think of her, I picture her laughing and grinning ear to ear. She was full of life and a joy to be around. Throughout her long illness, Bill was there by her side -- Never complaining or thinking of himself. He gave himself completely to Shirley's care and in so doing, he showed us what love looks like in action. Today Shirley was laid to rest - but we will continue to rejoice in all of the precious memories and goodness she left behind. And as we thank God for sharing Shirley with us, we also thank Him for Bill and his powerful witness to love.

Summer School

Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher.
--William Wordsworth (1770-1850) English Romantic poet

neon glory

Noticed this salamander on my driveway Friday night, so I set up the lightbox to capture him in all of his neon glory. Although he began life as an eastern newt, this tiny little guy (about 2 inches long) would now be called a red eft -- he can live up to 15 years in the wild and can grow to a length of 5 inches. Click here to read my previous post about this interesting critter. Click here to read more from Wikipedia.

When in doubt wear red.
--Bill Blass (1922-2002) American fashion designer

faith

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
--St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Priest, philosopher and theologian

Seeger Chapel on the campus of Milligan College.

stretch

By confronting us with irreducible mysteries that stretch our daily vision to include infinity, nature opens an inviting and guiding path toward a spiritual life.
--St. Thomas More (1478-1535) English lawyer, author, and statesman

holy curiosity

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.
--Albert Einstein (1889-1955) physicist

At the summit of Unaka Mountain, looking up.

time well spent

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.
--John Lubbock (1834-1913) English Biologist and Politician

providence

In the designs of Providence, there are no mere coincidences.
--Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)

Howard Johnson Field

Howard Johnson Field is home to the Johnson City Cardinals, a rookie league affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. Built in 1956, its stands hold 3,800 people. The most unique attribute of the stadium is the steep, curving bank in right field (click thumbnail photo to enlarge). On long fly balls fans enjoy watching fielders attempt to negotiate the hill and make the out. But what a complete nightmare for the outfielders! Parking is free and tickets are cheap -- so stop by and catch a game. Click here to learn about the namesake of the stadium.

Directions: The ballpark is located at the corner of Legion and Cranberry Streets in Johnson City, TN. From I-26, take exit 23 to East Main. Turn right onto Legion Street, the ballpark will be on your left. Map.

No competition

Art is the unceasing effort to compete with the beauty of flowers - and never succeeding.
--Marc Chagall (1887-1985)

Ridgewood Barbecue

I'm venturing into some dangerous territory here. Forget Chevy's, apple pie and hot dogs, in this area barbecue is king. People will defend their favorite Barbecue joint as if it were a family member. So having acknowledged the danger and sensitivity (yes, even the peril) of rendering an opinion on this subject, I'd like put forth my humble opinion (and simple truth)...the hands-down, greatest barbecue to be found anywhere on this planet is at Ridgewood Barbecue near Bluff City, TN. Thank you.

If you're visiting the Tri-Cities and can only visit one restaurant, look no further. The homemade sweet and tangy barbecue sauce will change your life. The pork sandwich itself is smoked and succulent (maybe I should write reviews for a living), and not dried out like other places (I'll refrain from naming names). I like to start out with the Blue Cheese and Crackers for an appetizer. You're saying, that's weird -- to which I say, this is no ordinary blue cheese dressing. Trust me. For the main course, I order the barbecue pork sandwich, complete with cole slaw on the sandwich. It comes stacked high and falling out the sides. The homemade fries are delicious -- and big enough to easily be shared by two or three. The baked beans are out-of-this-world-amazing.

If you go during peak meal times, expect to wait (As well as have a tough time finding a parking spot). I recommend going early or after the main rush -- but even then it'll be crowded.

Their hours:
Monday thru Thursday, 11 am to 7:30pm
Friday and Saturday, 11 am to 2:30 pm; 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
It's closed Sundays and most holidays.
Their address: 900 Elizabethton Highway, Bluff City, TN 37618 (map here)
Their phone number: 423-538-7543

For reviews, directions and discussion from barbecue aficionados, click here and here.
To learn about the history of Ridgewood, click here.

a new birth of freedom

Let us readopt the Declaration of Independence, and with it the practices and policy which harmonize with it.
--Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) Sixteenth US President

fortune's accomplice

A lot of people approach risk as if it's the enemy when it's really fortune's accomplice.
--Sting (b.1951) songwriter, singer, musician

Name that snake!

Time for a pop quiz... Name that snake! It was about three feet long, shy, slender and living near a stream. Here and here and here are helpful snake identification websites.

Share the road

Impart as much as you can of your spiritual being to those who are on the road with you, and accept as something precious what comes back to you from them.
--Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) 1952 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient, German medical Missionary, Theologian, Musician and Philosopher.

Brian walking down Clark's Creek Road near Sill Branch Falls and Pine Ridge Falls.