Life Renewed

Much of my week was spent doing some serious spring cleaning-windows, screens, nooks and crannies.  But as small as this place is, even that wasn't much of a project.  The rest of my time was spent shopping for a new truck in order to eventually get a bigger trailer.  I've long worried about being able to pull HOWEE at the high altitudes out west with the Silverado.  But with my ruling planet, Mercury, being retrograde and making communication, transportation and negotiations far more difficult than usual, all I did was gather information. 

Friday night I saw Bill Maher live at the Asheville Civic Center and had a ball!  For 90 minutes he gave us some side splitting laughs and political truths that seem obvious to everyone, except the politicians!  That kind of truth telling is refreshing as well as funny.  It was a good way to celebrate the end of retrograde Mercury.

Saturday morning, with Mercury direct, I went back to the car dealership where I had test driven a nice truck the week before.  It had a couple small scratches and needed tires then, but otherwise was in great shape.  On this day they offered me more for the Chevy than I paid for it and had put 6 new tires on this beauty, so I bought it!  It's a 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 HD, with a 6.6L Duramax diesel, Allison transmission and will put small houses, according to my super fine mechanic, Keith.  It will easily pull HOWEE through the high mountains in the west, and then some.  When I get back to Asheville in the fall, RV trading season will be in high gear and I should have no trouble finding the 5th wheeler I want.  And, Barbara, Trey and family are interested in buying HOWEE!  The grandsons love it and they all enjoyed "luxury outdoor living" when they came to visit in Florida.  It would be wonderful to keep it in the family, but if that doesn't work out, that's perfectly okay, too.  I don't think I'll have any trouble finding a new home for my little home on wheels that has served me so well.

Craig Weaver and friend

Easter Sunday at Jubilee! was standing room only for the 2 services I saw.  I arrived early for the 11:15, catching the end of the previous service and it was packed.  So was the 11:15.  The theme for today was "Awe and Enchantment" and both were evident in the happenings.  First was a christening which was so joyous there was hardly a dry eye in the house.  And the baby responded on cue with the right sounds and motions!  Then when we were invited to stand and wish each other "happy Easter", I spotted an old friend who I hadn't seen in quite a while, Craig Weaver and his lovely wife, Beth.  I went straight to him with a big grin on my face and when he recognized me, we grabbed each other for a huge bear hug.  We parted briefly, looked at each other then hugged again!  What a thrill!  Craig is from the Boone area and was a regular at the Lakota sweats we did at my place on Briarpatch over the years.  And since he was a sun dancer for 4 years, he often came there to do his sweats and vision quests for preparation.  We shared much sweat, laughs and tears over the years, not to mention many a good meal.  It was great to see him and Beth and we spoke again after the service. 

Following lunch and a short walk around town, I headed for Davidson River to enjoy the 80 degree + weather and the cool waters and shade.  I walked in the river for a long time, going slowly to enjoy the cool and to keep from slipping in for a full dip.  I saw 2 hellbenders, giant salamanders, each over a foot long, but the water was too deep to get any kind of picture.  Then I took the Burg up to sliding rock and yes, there were a few folks actually sliding in the more than chilly water.  Brrrr!  Even on a hot day in July, that water can chill you to the bone in no time.  I also stopped at Looking Glass Falls and a swimming hole near Coontree picnic area.  It was a glorious Easter and I enjoyed every moment of!

Sliding Rock

Looking Glass Falls

I hope you had a fine Easter, too, and feel the renewal of life in the spring time!  Thanks for stopping by.