On the Road Again...

Tomorrow I leave the mountains for Florida and I sure have had a grand stay!  It actually started here back in May at Cedar Mountain.  While there, Alan and Hugh came to visit and we had a blast!  I came to the Asheville area on August 10 from Hot Springs, not all that far from here, and first stayed at Lake Powhatan (aka Bent Creek to the locals).  Besides numerous visits to Reeves Cove, where I grew up, I also saw Davidson River, the Blue Ridge Parkway from Graveyard Fields to Mount Mitchell, the French Broad River and of course downtown Asheville.  And my favorite place of all, the Jubilee Community, my new spiritual home. 

One highlight was my 45th Enka High School reunion, at which I saw many old friends.  Of course our numbers are dwindling as we age, and that makes it even more special to see the folks who are still here.  During my stay, I got to see and spend time with Hugh Huntington (long time friend and brother-by-choice); Wayne and Mary Caldwell, (Wayne is now an award winning author for Requiem by Fire); William and Joyce Propest (favorite cousin and his wife); June and Hester Cagle (another favorite cousin and wife); Henrietta Case (favorite cousin);  Wiley and Pat Salter (Reeve's Cove neighbors); Marcia Crook Howell (high school classmate); Jada Moonstone (new friend from Jubilee); Gail Setzer Cyr (good friend from high school); David and Madeline Rickman (good friend from high school); Jan Wynns (good friend from Raleigh).  I also met 2 delightful ladies at my favorite pub, Jack of the Wood, named Liz and Lena.  Not to mention my good neighbors at the RV park and all the fine mountain folks I spoke with at grocery stores, gas stations, Wal-Mart and restaurants.

Joyce and William Propest

During this part of my walkabout I discovered where I belong - the Asheville area.  I was born here and haven't spent this much time here since the summer of 1968.  The following year I graduated from UNC, got my commission in the Air Force and left the mountains to wander for.all these years.  I thought I'd found my home in Boone back in the '90's, but I wasn't able to make it last.  It was, however, the longest I'd ever lived in one place - 13 years.  The place was fine but the people were lacking, or maybe it was just me, since I traveled so much that making and keeping friends there was tough.   

My heart has healed a lot since I've been here.  Thanks in large part to Jubilee and my friend, Marcia, who lost her husband last January.  Jada  introduced me to chanting, which helped a lot, too.  Yet it was Jubilee that helped the most.  Howard Hanger, the Leader of Ritual there,l and his messages on Via Negativa, Yin/Yang, the fall season, a time of grief and sadness and accepting that.  Seeing the brightest light during the darkest dark.  Connecting with spirit during times of deep sadness and sorrow.  Oh yeah.  It's okay.

Jada at Jubilee

So I take a lot with me as I leave here.  Lots of good memories, pictures, and the hope of returning in the spring, if the Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise. 

I'm very thankful for this place and for these people.  And thank you for stopping by....the adventure continues...