Spring Time in the Mountains

Last fall I took a picture of these same trees on Wall Street in Asheville, NC, as they were shedding their beautiful yellow leaves preparing for winter.  As I walked up the street this morning toward Jubilee!, it seemed only appropriate that I take another pic of their bright, new green.  But getting here was a little more challenging than anticipated, so I'll come back to Jubilee! and Asheville shortly.

Friday morning in Florida was a quick and uneventful hookup and getaway, leaving within 5 minutes of my ETD.  But within 90 minutes, my oil pressure gauge on the truck started fluctuating then slowly headed toward zero.  I quickly got on the GPS for an auto repair place when the gauge hit zero and I pulled off the road.  I figured my best course of action was to call Good Sam and get towed in, so I conusulted the GPS for my postion and just as I was about to write it down, the screen went black and wouldn't come back on!  So with Good Sam on the phone, I walked the road looking for street signs until they could get my position fixed.  They were slow, I was getting impatient so I cranked up the truck and the oil pressure was back.  Good Sam directed me to an auto repair shop 2 miles away and I cautiously headed there.  Nope, they didn't do oil pump repairs so they sent me to another place nearby.  The guy asked me if the valves were clacking and I said no.  He said it was probably just a bad sensor and the oil pump was okay.  Feeling very frustrated with myself for overreacting, I decided to hit the road and listen for the valves. 

Meanwhile, I discovered that the left tail light on the trailer was burned out and other drivers were giving me no slack at all when I tried to change lanes.  So I left the interstate to find an RV place - no bulbs - then an auto parts store.  Found a bulb, fixed it and back on the road.  I'd lost about 2 hours of driving time so I hadn't gotten very far, yet I was feeling very tired.  About then I spotted a bald eagle soaring overhead, which boosted my spirits and I kept on truckin'.  Saturday was a much better day and I made good time in spite of strong cross winds which left me with a crick in my neck. 

After arriving on Saturday afternoon and setting up, I went to see my cousin William and deliver some fruit.  It was really good to see him again, even though the visit was short due to my having a dinner engagement with good friend Hugh.  And it was windy and cold here!  Brrr!  So last night the little electric heater couldn't keep up and when I arose it was 55 in here!  Everything in here was colder than it should have been, including me!  So I cranked up the central heat which had it very toasty in short order. 

Singing bowls, burning sage and other sacred objects, Jubilee!

It's very hard to describe how good it felt to be back at Jubilee!  Seeing the smiles, hearing the music, smelling the burning sage, feeling my heart glow and fill with joy - wow!  There was a cute little girl laying on the floor across the circle from me, gazing into the eyes of a little dog also laying down.  What a sight!  I realized that this is where my heart finished healing last fall and that is what allowed my heart to be open again.  And because it was healed and open, I met someone and fell in love.  And now this love brings me more happiness every day than I thought possible just a few months ago.  Thank you, Jubilee!, I am forever grateful!

The day was warm and sunny when I left and there was a little parade going on.  I called it a hippy parade, as that's what it reminded me of!  There was lots of ink, numerous piercings, brighly colored clothes and big smiles.  It's soooo good to be back!  Across the street was my favorite book store, Malaprop's, so I went in and bought the latest book by my favorite author, Jean Auel.  It's been 9 years since her last one and boy am I ready.  It's also the last in the Earth Children series so I hope to savor it and not fly through like I did the others on their first readings.  We'll see! 

Part of the audience for...

...a street musician on Pack Square!

My afternoon tour of down town ended near Pritchard Park where I had left the Burgman.  Wanting to ride a little, I headed for the Grove Park Inn to do a picture walking tour of one of my most favorite place in the whole world.  I do love the place and always have! 

The dogwoods and redbud trees are blooming, tulips are showing their colors and spring has sprung in the mountains.  It has also sprung in me, thanks to loving and being loved by a very fine woman. Spring fever and love sick is quite a combination and I love it!  Life is GOOD!