simplicity

Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.
--Plato (428-348 BC) Ancient Greek Philosopher

Quiet and Calm

Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.
--Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Roman Catholic saint

Covered Bridge at Farmhouse Gallery and Gardens, Unicoi, TN.

no limits

[The Christian message is that] “no ground is more holy, no work more sacred, no life more worthy than any other. Every moment, every place and every interaction is sacred and holy, infused with the Spirit’s presence."
--Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree (b.1944)

soar

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.
--Helen Keller (1880-1968)

Sitting on the dock of the bay

Sitting on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I'm just sitting on the dock of the bay
Wasting time
--Otis Redding (1941-1967) American soul singer. This well known song was recorded just three days before the airplane crash that took the life of the "King of Soul" at age 26.

Above: Blue Heron sittin' on the dock on a rainy day at Warriors' Path State Park, Kingsport, TN

potential

If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.
--Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor, scientist and businessman

A view of Ramsey Creek within the Buffalo Mountain Camp outside Johnson City, TN. Directions and photos here.

knowing where to stand

A good photograph is knowing where to stand.
--Ansel Adams (1902-1984) American photographer

The trick to photography is knowing where to point the camera. You can have all the best equipment, but that doesn't guarantee compelling photos. You can know all the techniques, settings and theories, but still, it takes an eye to see through what is, to what could be. All photographers get in ruts - so the challenge is to see things fresh and to find new perspectives and new places to stand. For this photo, I was focused on the various textures appearing on the forest floor: the crinkly, the pointy, the smooth and the soft. For links to helpful articles discussing composition, click here.

Just for fun...here's the video for REM's 1989 hit "Stand" (gotta love cheesy 80s videos). Hard to believe REM was once considered 'alternative'.

character

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
--Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) 16th US President

Soaring

The spirit that does not soar is destined to grovel.
--Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) British Prime Minister and Novelist

A beautiful stand of trees near the Green Mile within the Cherokee National Forest. Sadly, when we arrived, we found this area was strewn with trash and debris. Such beautiful trees and creeks, mountains and trails -- and these lazy, irresponsible, despicable people show such disrespect and disregard for God's creation and our community. I like to think I'm pretty forgiving, but I have very little patience or understanding for people who would do such a horrible thing. And to be honest, I really think part of the blame lies with the Forest Service itself. The access gates leading into the forest roads throughout this area were wide open, inviting every idgit and Neanderthal to venture in with their trash. Arrrgh. Thanks for letting me vent. I know I'm groveling, but it's hard for one's spirit to soar when surrounded by such stupidity. (At least it didn't affect my alliteration abilities).

Details: Nikon D90 with Sigma 10-20mm lens at 11mm, f/20, 1/50 sec., ISO 400.

love is stronger

To live in the hearts we leave
Is not to die.
--Thomas Campbell (1777-1844) Scottish poet

Today I remember and celebrate the life of Steven Hunter -- a Milligan College student who died unexpectedly four years ago today. Steven meant so much to so many of us. I was fortunate to have him in class and serve as his pre-law advisor. I first met him in the spring before he transferred to Milligan for his junior year and we met briefly and talked about law school and his schedule. Months later, when he arrived on campus, I remember passing him on the sidewalk and saying, "Steven, right?"
He smiled and said, "That's amazing."
"What?"
"That you remembered my name."

Well, there was something unforgettable about Steven. He stood out and made an impression. Moving here from Ohio, Steven fell in love with Appalachia. He just couldn't get enough fly fishing and hiking. He was gracious -- quick with a 'thank you' and a kind, encouraging word. He loved to laugh and goof around. But if you got him talking about his family and his faith, you'd quickly realize that he was a serious young man with deep convictions. He had a beautiful heart. I'm very thankful to have known him -- and my thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful parents today. I'll end this with Steven's own words. On his Facebook page, he described himself this way:

I am a lover of simple things; my banjo, rocking chairs, and mountains to name a few. I am doing my best to live a life that pleases the Lord, trying not to stumble too much. I do my best to live by my motto: "No worries." Why waste time? It's all in the Lord's hands.

To see my previous posts about Steven, click here, here and here. Below is a video tribute I put together.

worship lessons

The happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American philosopher and writer.  


This image of Crabtree Falls was taken with a wide angle lens (at 11mm) -- which tends to distort the image. In this case, it made the waterfall look wider than it is. But I like this particular perspective - the way the falls fill the frame. Although the lighting wasn't ideal, I did like how the sun lit up the water splashing at the top of the falls.  Put this one on your 'to do' list if you've never visited before!  :)

clean and bright

Better keep yourself clean and bright. You are the window through which you must see the world.
--George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish literary Critic, Playwright and Essayist

tread softly

But I, being poor, have only my dreams. I have spread my dreams under your feet; tread softly, because you tread on my dreams.
--William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) Irish poet

MacRae Meadows and Grandfather Mountain

'Tis the gift to be simple

If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
--Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-born American Physicist

This quote reminded me of Copland's American classic, "Appalachian Spring" -- to listen to the most well known portion ("Simple Gifts") click here. See my previous post about this song here.

keep dreamin'

When our memories outweigh our dreams, we have grown old.
--Bill Clinton (b.1946) 42nd President of the United States

Above: The Appalachian Trail as it crosses the Roan Highlands along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.

hibernation

Perhaps I am a bear, or some hibernating animal underneath, for the instinct to be half asleep all winter is so strong in me.
--Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906-2001) pioneering American aviator, author


Don't know if you heard this about Roan Mountain, but they'll be doing a lot of repaving and other restorations work up there this summer -- the road from Carver's Gap to the Cloudland Parking Area will be closed for a year starting this spring. However, they will open the road from June 6 to July 7th this year so people can visit the Rhododendron Gardens. Click here to read the JC Press story.

Speaking of construction -- some of the most popular sites within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park will be closed at various times this year for renovations -- including Cades Cove and Clingman's Dome. If planning a trip, be sure to check out the park's website before you go.

carpe diem

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake.
--Francis Bacon, Sr. (1561-1626) English Lawyer and Philosopher

Patriot snowman standing guard outside Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals State Park, Elizabethton, TN

warming words

One kind word can warm three winter months.
--Japanese proverb

A barn at the Tipton-Haynes historical site in Johnson City, TN.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost (1874-1963) American poet

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site

The only thing you're taught about President Andrew Johnson in school, is that he was the first president to be impeached. To be honest, I wasn't even sure why he was impeached -- and I knew nothing about other aspects of his presidency or the man himself. And although he hailed from Greeneville, TN, I don't think we really celebrate or claim this east Tennessee president because of the dark cloud of impeachment. But after touring his home and national historic site, I have an appreciation for (and certainly a much better understanding of) our 17th President.

For a man with no formal education, Johnson certainly met with success throughout his life. Going from alderman to Mayor, State Representative, State Senator, Governor of Tennessee, US Representative, US Senator, Military Governor, Vice President and President. His life contained many contradictions: a Democrat, yet he was elected Vice President under a Republican president. A Southerner, yet loyal to the Union. A slave owner, yet opposed to secession. Indeed as military governor in 1864, Johnson issued a proclamation freeing all slaves in Tennessee.

During his presidency, Johnson sought to implement Lincoln's reconstruction policies. Congress had other ideas - and the conflict led to his impeachment. The Congress had set a trap for him - declaring it unlawful for a President to remove from office any official confirmed by the Senate. When Johnson suspended Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, impeachment proceedings began. He came within one vote in the Senate of being removed from office. Perhaps the best known accomplishment of his Presidency was the purchase of the Alaska territory from Russia for $7.2 million -- widely considered a 'folly' at the time. Following his presidency, Johnson became the only President to return to the US Senate.

The President's home (above) is open for self-guided tours -- across the street is the impressive museum and visitor's center celebrating his life. Be sure to watch the short video narrated by former Senator Fred Thompson. A short drive from downtown brings you to the national cemetery where he was laid to rest, wrapped in the flag and with a copy of the Constitution under his head. Click here to visit the official website of the historical site. More information here.

inner things

In a way Winter is the real Spring - the time when the inner things happen, the resurgence of nature.
--Edna O'Brien (b.1932) Irish novelist and short story writer

The stalks of dead weeds in the snow.