name them one by one

When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.
--Willie Nelson (b.1933) American country singer-songwriter

distant friends

Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.
--Washington Irving (1783-1859) American Writer 

Above: Sunset from The Beauty Spot on Unaka Mountain, Unicoi County, TN

smiles along life's pathway

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.
--Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English Essayist, Poet, Dramatist and Statesman

spring wonder

Only those who look with the eyes of children can lose themselves in the object of their wonder.
--Eberhard Arnold (1883-1935) German writer, philosopher and theologian 

One of my favorite sights of spring -- unfurling ferns fronds (aka Fiddleheads). Previous photos here and here.

I believe...

I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind.
--St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) French abbot

Above: Stained-glass detail, St. Dominic Catholic Church, Kingsport, TN

Happy Easter!

the path of life

Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our path, is the perfect preparation for a future only He can see.
--Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) Holocaust survivor and author 

Above: Erwin (TN) linear trail

heaven in a wild flower

To see a world in a grain of sand 
     and heaven in a wild flower 
Hold infinity in the palms of your hand 
     and eternity in an hour.
--William Blake (1757-1827) English Poet


Two links to share today... 

• A spectacular video to inspire, de-stress, and put things in perspective. (once the video starts, be sure to click the 'expand to full screen' arrow symbol to get the full effect)
• A documentary on the short-lived State of Franklin coming soon to PBS.  "Formed after the American Revolution, the State of Franklin existed before the State of Tennessee. When North Carolina ceded its western land to the federal government in the 1780s, pioneers in the area formed their own state. Named for Benjamin Franklin, the area included much of upper East Tennessee and spread from what's now the Tennessee-Virginia border to present-day Sevier and Blount counties. While it failed its statehood bid by two Congressional votes, Franklin existed from 1784 to 1788."

divided

The world is divided into two classes, those who believe the incredible, and those who do the improbable.
--Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish writer and poet

perspective

Life is like a landscape. You live in the midst of it but can describe it only from the vantage point of distance.
--Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974) American Aviator 

The Roan Landscape - five photos were stitched together to form this image of Jane Bald and Grassy Ridge.  Click to enlarge.

BTW, here's a pic of the first north-bound (NOBO) AT thru-hiker of the 2011 season to make it to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters in Harper's Ferry, WV. Here's a spreadsheet/list of the Class of 2011.

breathe

He lives most life whoever breathes most air.
--Elizabeth Barrett Browning  (1806-1861) English poet 

 Appalachian Trail as it crosses Round Bald in the Roan Highlands.

2,175 miles in 4 minutes. A really cool video of one man's journey from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. (h/t Bob Holmes)

Explore. Dream. Discover.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do... Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. 
--Mark Twain (1835-1910) American Humorist, Writer and Lecturer.  

Above: Sailboat on Watauga Lake 

just getting started

As long as you think you're green, you'll grow. As soon as you think you're ripe, you'll rot.
--Scott Horton 

A shot taken near the visitors center at Watauga Lake.  I turned the image into sepia, but thought it looked more interesting to keep the glowing green leaves as they appeared.  Another photo and directions, here.

recognition

God is to be recognized in all that exists, all that is charming, suffering, blooming or drooping.
--Sri Sathya Sai Baba (1926-2011) Indian spiritual leader 

Above: The unusual spring wildflower known as Dutchman's Breeches.

sweetness and seniority

I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.
--Elwyn Brooks White (1899-1985) American writer 

Above: Millstone Creek Falls in rural Washington County, TN. Click here for more information and directions.

farm friends

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.
--George Eliot was the pseudonym of novelist, translator, and religious writer Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880)

Home

Home. The word circled comfortably in my mouth like bubble gum, swished around sweetly soft and satisfying. Home. Try saying it aloud to yourself. Home. Isn't it like taking a bite of something lovely? If only we could eat words.
--Sol Luckman, artist and author 

Old homestead near Blountville, TN (click to enlarge).

live and learn

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
--Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) political and spiritual leader of India  

Spring on the campus of Milligan College.

It's Go Time

April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go.
--Christopher Morley (1890-1957) American author 

Red Trillium.