tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79469238308234814262024-03-14T01:26:10.763-07:00From The CabinVarious and sundry thoughts about life. Much about the mountains, it's people, visitors to the mountains, meditations on mountain life. Or anything else that may strike my mind while I'm at the Cabin. This place is a place where one MUST REST. A place to work up a sweat or lay in the shade. A quiet place. A good place.Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-42242545605688848962012-09-19T13:46:00.001-07:002012-09-19T13:48:08.212-07:00Rest For The Weary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of my life's pleasure is this place called "Pumzika Acres". If you are a regular follower of this blog you already are aware that this is a Kiswahili (language of East Africa) word and that it is in the simple imperative form, meaning simply, <u>"You Rest!"</u> Naturally, after my recent attempt to walk the "100 Mile Wilderness" section of the AT, I thought it would be a good idea to come out here for a few days and rest. Of course - after letting things go here for a year now, the first thing was a little bit of cleaning. In the picture below you see that I have pulled on a rubber glove to dig the last of the rats out of the stove. The medicine I put out last September has taken out at least a dozen of these fur-lined and industrious critters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">\</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eul5WWQjLnw/UFopbGmXUKI/AAAAAAAAB2k/eQYt5VgxgRo/s1600/CIMG5593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eul5WWQjLnw/UFopbGmXUKI/AAAAAAAAB2k/eQYt5VgxgRo/s320/CIMG5593.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OHAMeiT6R0/UFopgXlv4_I/AAAAAAAAB2s/VggRmcUvhUs/s1600/CIMG5595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OHAMeiT6R0/UFopgXlv4_I/AAAAAAAAB2s/VggRmcUvhUs/s320/CIMG5595.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see the ambitious plans that these critters had, as they carried paper, cotton, pieces of wire, immitation flowers, paper towels and cotton under the stove top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yU0CAkwyIc8/UFoptaMrErI/AAAAAAAAB20/EAkQnqzMMZo/s1600/CIMG5596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yU0CAkwyIc8/UFoptaMrErI/AAAAAAAAB20/EAkQnqzMMZo/s320/CIMG5596.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My missionary friend, Gordon B. spent the better part of the day burning up fallen limbs from the horrific gusts of wind we have had in East Tennessee this summer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0J2R6L-2_M/UFop1tPglRI/AAAAAAAAB28/yZn-Im1gbcE/s1600/CIMG5597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0J2R6L-2_M/UFop1tPglRI/AAAAAAAAB28/yZn-Im1gbcE/s320/CIMG5597.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I washed the dishes one day in water fetched from the creek. It was such beautiful weather outside!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V28usifZaRk/UFoqCAesVFI/AAAAAAAAB3I/TGgn6EEw1GM/s1600/CIMG5599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V28usifZaRk/UFoqCAesVFI/AAAAAAAAB3I/TGgn6EEw1GM/s320/CIMG5599.JPG" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As some old rotting pieces of lumber were tossed onto the fire, this young snake crawled out and headed straight for me. Fortunately I saw him before he saw me. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-drRhKUO0nwQ/UFoqKNwGaMI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/Etci5eyr1qc/s1600/CIMG5605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-drRhKUO0nwQ/UFoqKNwGaMI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/Etci5eyr1qc/s320/CIMG5605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One day my good friend (Ed W.) brought his accordion out and we sung til we could sing no more. This man is an accomplished musician who has written over 200 songs - some of which have been very popular in church music.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OWSzPqcIl6w/UFoqalQXxwI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/I4D0j4y3E-E/s1600/CIMG5611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OWSzPqcIl6w/UFoqalQXxwI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/I4D0j4y3E-E/s320/CIMG5611.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On one of our trips around the mountain (riding the Kawasaki Mule) we spotted this beautiful butterfly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LBcWcFwKNa0/UFoqnyffHNI/AAAAAAAAB3g/zxy_jgEviDY/s1600/CIMG5608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LBcWcFwKNa0/UFoqnyffHNI/AAAAAAAAB3g/zxy_jgEviDY/s320/CIMG5608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another butterfly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FT0lEUtRLYo/UFoqvHZUcgI/AAAAAAAAB3o/V4noMYT1YEk/s1600/CIMG5592_A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FT0lEUtRLYo/UFoqvHZUcgI/AAAAAAAAB3o/V4noMYT1YEk/s320/CIMG5592_A.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Across the creek we met Bonnie and Lee. Lee is a Baptist Preacher with a wonderful testimony. Very interesting couple.</td></tr>
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Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-25133862677446877772012-08-10T17:57:00.000-07:002012-08-10T17:57:50.670-07:00I'm Still Here!It has been so long since I have posted here on my "You Rest" Cabin Blog. "Pumzika", the Kiswahili word for "Rest" is what I have had to do because of the bout I have had with <u>Stage IV Colon Cancer</u>. "Stage IV" meant that it was spreading and doctors declared it could spread quickly to other vital organs if we did not get treatment immediately. It was discovered last October. I had surgery in November (the week of Thanksgiving). In January the doctors started treatment with a specially mixed Chemo-cocktail. In February I felt the need to get out here to mow and check on things at the cabin. I found that 3 of my neighbors had mowed the grass for me. I finished the treatments last month and doctors now say they see no signs of remaining cancer. Thank God!<br />
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Of course, the Lord had said to me in a dream last November just before surgery, "I'm healing you." The book of Joel reveals that in the last days "your old men shall dream dreams" - so I guess that means I'm now "old". I don't feel old yet - but I'm getting there. Ha.<br />
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I think it was late June when I took my brother (Lowell) and his wife (Janis) out to the cabin for the purpose of picking blackberries. What a wonderful time we had and together we picked a gallon and a half of berries. On another day I took Lowell out and we dug sassafras roots for tea. I've had two missionaries out here in July and August ... Gordon B. amd Jack M. both seemed to enjoy themselves. So the cabin has not been sold off nor forgotten. The main problem was that I had not the strength to compose my thoughts and take the time to write about these experiences during my time of sickness. <br />
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Here are a few pictures. Hope you enjoy them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowell Boarding The Mule</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymu3MgjpRRM/UCWrx-jeSoI/AAAAAAAABy8/VlgMVOgWLKc/s1600/CIMG5153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymu3MgjpRRM/UCWrx-jeSoI/AAAAAAAABy8/VlgMVOgWLKc/s400/CIMG5153.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowell Removing Thorns From His Hands</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janis Picking Blackberries</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrwn5UJNPhw/UCWsLQQxl8I/AAAAAAAABzQ/pWDBwjMsyGA/s1600/CIMG5160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrwn5UJNPhw/UCWsLQQxl8I/AAAAAAAABzQ/pWDBwjMsyGA/s400/CIMG5160.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treating Ourselves At The Fast-Food Place For Supper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLr4Ix-gvaQ/UCWsVGO7BXI/AAAAAAAABzY/LVvDxrzaggk/s1600/CIMG5157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLr4Ix-gvaQ/UCWsVGO7BXI/AAAAAAAABzY/LVvDxrzaggk/s400/CIMG5157.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Black Walnut Tree Loaded With Walnuts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4dmv01hfhg/UCWscmS-GlI/AAAAAAAABzg/uYfGPW-J8Ng/s1600/CIMG5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4dmv01hfhg/UCWscmS-GlI/AAAAAAAABzg/uYfGPW-J8Ng/s400/CIMG5247.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missionary Jack M, From Australia Sitting On The Porch Swing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqktXZLa9Ls/UCWspURxRlI/AAAAAAAABzo/Ftf3FHRIFiA/s1600/CIMG5323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqktXZLa9Ls/UCWspURxRlI/AAAAAAAABzo/Ftf3FHRIFiA/s400/CIMG5323.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recent Thunderstorms Meant We Had To Cut Logs Out Of The Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-23876882178538447522012-02-22T09:30:00.000-08:002012-02-22T09:30:06.594-08:00Break In's Are Downers!<div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1">I first posted this on my "<u>Fred Alton's Page</u>" without realizing it. I must be getting old. Old? Naaaaa. It's just the drugs I'm taking. Doc has me on 81mg aspirin every day - so I'm on drugs, right?</div><div class="post-header-line-1">Well...some of you know that I am on chemo-therapy for stage 4 colon cancer. So maybe I did have somewhat of an excuse. Anyhow - I'm moving this post to "<u>From The Cabin</u>."</div><div class="post-header-line-1"> </div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-543981092449852532"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Wednesday, February 8, I woke up feeling fine. I drove myself to Chattanooga to the doctors office for my regularly scheduled blood test and then back home by 9:30a.m. William W. ( good friend and fellow church member)was bringing me a dump truck load of driveway gravel and was bringing his Bobcat to help me spread the gravel and perhaps help me with a few other touches on making the grounds look better. When we arrived, this is what we saw!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen ripped off the window leading from the kitchen to the front porch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GiVbHZDI460/Tzk2CQjfzzI/AAAAAAAABtA/MPllEyN33F0/s1600/CIMG4680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GiVbHZDI460/Tzk2CQjfzzI/AAAAAAAABtA/MPllEyN33F0/s320/CIMG4680.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rocking chair had been taken from the front porch and placed in front of the bed-room window. Both glasses had been shattered.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tM8PqOPYfq8/Tzk2auiRYoI/AAAAAAAABtI/NqWptAPqWfk/s1600/CIMG4690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tM8PqOPYfq8/Tzk2auiRYoI/AAAAAAAABtI/NqWptAPqWfk/s320/CIMG4690.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the bedroom the bureau drawers had been opened and rifled through. It appears to me they were looking for a handgun? How foolish do they think I am?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now, while William dumped the gravel, I tried to find a board adequate to cover the window that had been broken. I found a piece of 5/8 Advan-tec - but it was too narrow. However, by cutting it with a hand-saw and stacking them, plus a piece of outside siding that had been in the scrap pile, I was able to seal it all up.<br />
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Naturally, my feelings sunk. I had no heart to eat. I managed to eat a pack of peanut butter crackers and drink a bottle of water. All that exertion had exhausted me. I think that's why the next day I still had no appetite and felt rotten. Checked the fever and it was too high. So - I was from the bed to the couch to the lounge chair for the next three days. Dr. Rick Moore, a friend and respected professor with a doctorate in Old Testament (who also happens to be a nephew) came by last night and prayed a special prayer for me. He is a rare individual who is in touch with God. Today, I'm much better. <br />
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NO...don't worry! Just breathe an extra prayer. I'm going to be fine. In Jesus' Name.</div>Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-80176230718079311202011-09-30T15:06:00.000-07:002011-09-30T15:09:40.202-07:00A Rare Treat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Saturday morning, September 24, 2011 was a rare treat for me. Frances went with me to the Cabin for the day! Here are a few pictures of what we did.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frances sitting in the swing on the front porch. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frances asked me to collect these little flowers for her as we rode along in the 4-wheeler.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So delicate and fragile, just like my wife.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqIhhWRIu_Q/ToY6nco6dXI/AAAAAAAABjQ/QVvGCxbYM_s/s1600/CIMG3963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqIhhWRIu_Q/ToY6nco6dXI/AAAAAAAABjQ/QVvGCxbYM_s/s400/CIMG3963.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These golden colored mushrooms were so unusual...We did not try to eat them, but they sure looked edible</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQPeRxpV7Cs/ToY602s0rQI/AAAAAAAABjU/9VDJ4RCpcKY/s1600/Ginseng.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQPeRxpV7Cs/ToY602s0rQI/AAAAAAAABjU/9VDJ4RCpcKY/s400/Ginseng.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Prize For The Day - Ginseng!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0HjeIr9ZsM/ToY6-HC6dAI/AAAAAAAABjY/RthazVUcwis/s1600/Ginseng+Berries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0HjeIr9ZsM/ToY6-HC6dAI/AAAAAAAABjY/RthazVUcwis/s400/Ginseng+Berries.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginseng Berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yAt42KTdpA4/ToY4nTgrgsI/AAAAAAAABjE/t2vbYJl4ny8/s1600/CIMG3960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yAt42KTdpA4/ToY4nTgrgsI/AAAAAAAABjE/t2vbYJl4ny8/s400/CIMG3960.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here she is turning her water bottle into a flower vase!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3_dCWdx8XA/ToY46JqHcWI/AAAAAAAABjI/ZPuRWrJxD1o/s1600/CIMG3956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3_dCWdx8XA/ToY46JqHcWI/AAAAAAAABjI/ZPuRWrJxD1o/s400/CIMG3956.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Flowers - with seeds - can anyone identify these for us?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9i4a8F-WGow/ToY6dSeDVmI/AAAAAAAABjM/MZeozpfZtV8/s1600/CIMG3957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9i4a8F-WGow/ToY6dSeDVmI/AAAAAAAABjM/MZeozpfZtV8/s400/CIMG3957.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Toadstool</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzU9osTRS7Y/ToY7IsahnNI/AAAAAAAABjc/1ws9gfxO_RA/s1600/Ginseng_002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzU9osTRS7Y/ToY7IsahnNI/AAAAAAAABjc/1ws9gfxO_RA/s400/Ginseng_002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Ginseng...note the yellowing leaves and red berries.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-9912772893843657092011-09-16T14:32:00.000-07:002011-09-16T14:48:06.090-07:00Fall Is In The Air<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_a4kddPGPSc/TnO9Sjp1T8I/AAAAAAAABio/48DBXLF29a4/s1600/CIMG3919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_a4kddPGPSc/TnO9Sjp1T8I/AAAAAAAABio/48DBXLF29a4/s400/CIMG3919.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Serene View Near The Cabin Just Off Duckett Ridge Road<br />
Showing the beginning of fall's beautiful colors!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_M_UhI61rg/TnO9xEM70dI/AAAAAAAABiw/wKxcD98PzfY/s1600/CIMG3923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_M_UhI61rg/TnO9xEM70dI/AAAAAAAABiw/wKxcD98PzfY/s400/CIMG3923.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Shows Dead Leaves Created By Our Unusually Hot Summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure you have heard that a few times this week. "Fall Is In The Air" seems to be on everyone's lips around our neighborhood. As for me, I love this time of year! With temperatures dropping into the mid-50s and up to the high 70s I can now get up early and sit outside by the firepit. I look forward to the display of variegated color that will manifest itself in our forests for the next several weeks before cold weather sets in for the winter. I can now squirrel hunt in earnest without sweating and having to fan the gnats and "no-see-ums" that plague our woods during the last few weeks. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So far I have not shot the first squirrel and have hunted twice already. I should have 20 by now. It seems they have fled the country. One mountain boy told me he saw a squirrel the other day but it had a pack on it's back...indicating that this one was only hiking through and not a native of these parts. ☻ ☻ ☻</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3KqUj7F4Pxc/TnPC-7xUW6I/AAAAAAAABi0/taN2a3xsb6Q/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3KqUj7F4Pxc/TnPC-7xUW6I/AAAAAAAABi0/taN2a3xsb6Q/s400/untitled.bmp" width="400" /></a>Thought one of my friends (maybe you?) would enjoy seeing this picture of me putting the finishing touches on ye old outhouse?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-87241199580370948492011-08-28T16:44:00.000-07:002011-08-28T16:55:27.694-07:00First Squirrel Hunt of 2011Saturday, August 27 was the first day of Squirrel season for the 2011/2012 hunting year. I had a most wonderful time roaming the woods looking for squirrels. Only saw one, but he saw me first, so no meat for the frying pan yet. I did find that the squirrels are "cutting" on pine cones at this particular time of year. There was ample evidence that they squirrels are in abundance, but my skills seem to have failed me yesterday. Eyesight, agility, hearing, are all diminishing as I raced past 73 last month. Ha. But - there'll be another day, and I have lots of patience. <br />
<br />
It was also "Free-Hunting" Day in Tennessee. Any resident could hunt squirrels that day with or without a license. I don't know that this brought many hunters into the field. If our game and fish commission are really interested in a way to entice more hunters afield, they should consider lowering the price of the annual license and also lightening up on the required hunter safety class requirements. Note, I did not say "do away with" hunter safety, but I do believe it could be made easier and more affordable. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpYoMnXC3-E/TlrRG2-ejXI/AAAAAAAABiU/NvBqTZFH88k/s1600/CIMG3827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpYoMnXC3-E/TlrRG2-ejXI/AAAAAAAABiU/NvBqTZFH88k/s320/CIMG3827.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can Anyone identify this plant for me?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCxlbQGPR9c/TlrRUWIycsI/AAAAAAAABiY/Nik7u0xYTHM/s1600/CIMG3828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCxlbQGPR9c/TlrRUWIycsI/AAAAAAAABiY/Nik7u0xYTHM/s320/CIMG3828.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a slightly better shot.<br />
The berries are about the size of marbles. I did not taste them, because Ginny of "Let Your Light Shine" had posted about the Castor Bean plant and I thought they could be poison.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ObuKDyEZ_1c/TlrRhiO5NiI/AAAAAAAABic/VRyrtayomYg/s1600/CIMG3826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ObuKDyEZ_1c/TlrRhiO5NiI/AAAAAAAABic/VRyrtayomYg/s320/CIMG3826.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you recognize this plant? Poison Ivy?<br />
Yes, that's my rifle underneath, which I had laid on the ground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c2m8tL7JheA/TlrRwmt25GI/AAAAAAAABig/GTPLGmEoB6g/s1600/CIMG3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c2m8tL7JheA/TlrRwmt25GI/AAAAAAAABig/GTPLGmEoB6g/s320/CIMG3824.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes! That's a Wild Turkey Feather!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SqEMBAiBG8/TlrR-AC-qoI/AAAAAAAABik/nAuxz_P_ne4/s1600/CIMG3819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SqEMBAiBG8/TlrR-AC-qoI/AAAAAAAABik/nAuxz_P_ne4/s320/CIMG3819.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for Lunch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-82360258511157417952011-08-19T08:59:00.000-07:002011-08-19T08:59:32.495-07:00Barney CreekLast week a great and good friend that Frances and I met in Nairobi, Kenya came to spend time with my wife. She is one of those kind of friends that feels a lot like family. Since the girls wanted to shop, clean house (including painting one room) and cooking, I thought it best to get myself out of the way - so I headed for the mountains! Ha. The Cabin is my escape. There is not much to do here, so I spend a good bit of time reading the good book (the Bible) and wandering through the mountains. Occasionally I will help out with a church project or church "work day". In a manner of speaking - this was not a work day but a day to play. Day before yesterday, I went to Barney Creek to the site of the beginning of the Church of God with International Headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee. Today (August 19, 2011) we celebrate 125 years since the church was begun here in the mountains. Now there are churches in more than 170 countries of the world. To stand at this site and reflect on the humble beginnings of this group and realizing what great strides have been taken in those years is awesome. Only 8 people with a determination to take the Bible as their only rule for faith and discipline banded together on August 19, 1886 and formed "The Christian Union" in the Grist Mill of Elder R.G. Spurling. That was 125 years ago. The church moved from here to the home of W.F. Bryant near Murphy, NC - and then on to Cleveland, TN. Today there will be numerous vehicles in a caravan who will visit this site to pray and give thanks to God for the outpouring of the Spirit of the Holy on this small group of believers. This site is only about 8 miles from me when I'm here at the Cabin.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXCqF8xWWA8/Tk6D-pz-IDI/AAAAAAAABhk/iSWOhekwf84/s1600/CIMG3762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXCqF8xWWA8/Tk6D-pz-IDI/AAAAAAAABhk/iSWOhekwf84/s320/CIMG3762.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Paul Fritts and Me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Paul Fritts is the pastor of the Tellico Plains, TN Church of God, where I teach a young adult Sunday School class. He had asked me to come and help him make the Barney Creek site easier for visitors to access. William Wright brought his Bobcat. I met them at Hardees for lunch, then on to Coker Creek to the site on Barney Creek for a day of play.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOWPofkTWws/Tk6ENBW9IEI/AAAAAAAABho/MOvnY9966Hg/s1600/CIMG3765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOWPofkTWws/Tk6ENBW9IEI/AAAAAAAABho/MOvnY9966Hg/s320/CIMG3765.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wooden sign covers his initials carved by R.G. Spurling<br />
and the date when he built his home and Grist Mill</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqkdT5fXHfs/Tk6EYCzVfEI/AAAAAAAABhs/5CwO1PoAWvU/s1600/CIMG3767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqkdT5fXHfs/Tk6EYCzVfEI/AAAAAAAABhs/5CwO1PoAWvU/s320/CIMG3767.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your's truly, getting ready to play</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSS3GiGyCvE/Tk6E3PRCu0I/AAAAAAAABhw/VGUewlbt3Gw/s1600/CIMG3761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSS3GiGyCvE/Tk6E3PRCu0I/AAAAAAAABhw/VGUewlbt3Gw/s320/CIMG3761.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Wright, a third generation COG member<br />
and Pastor Paul Fritts of the Tellico Plains Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42iIH42zc5c/Tk6FDwSRj3I/AAAAAAAABh0/zFLbYS-35dw/s1600/CIMG1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42iIH42zc5c/Tk6FDwSRj3I/AAAAAAAABh0/zFLbYS-35dw/s320/CIMG1014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a picture of an old fashioned Altar Call during<br />
Revival at the Tellico Plains Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWU2sfXC_Q4/Tk6FP6u_mlI/AAAAAAAABh4/wMi_qhI5RMY/s1600/CIMG1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWU2sfXC_Q4/Tk6FP6u_mlI/AAAAAAAABh4/wMi_qhI5RMY/s320/CIMG1019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Fritts rests on the stage after much praying</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_qRfmFialk/Tk6F2ak8m2I/AAAAAAAABh8/BZqbO8SgLn4/s1600/A+Children%2527s+Choir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_qRfmFialk/Tk6F2ak8m2I/AAAAAAAABh8/BZqbO8SgLn4/s320/A+Children%2527s+Choir.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the youth choirs of the Tellico Plains Church<br />
and the Future Of The Church of God</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I pastored this church from March 1, 1961-February 1966 when my wife and two babies headed off to the missions field in Georgetown, Guyana, South America. I was there when the current sanctuary was built and dedicated in November 1965.Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-17903677334130852912011-07-16T07:17:00.000-07:002011-07-16T07:17:01.050-07:00Harvest Time Again!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5-C4-muUcI/TiGY2WeGGiI/AAAAAAAABgk/Z-ntzTp_h1A/s1600/CIMG3292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5-C4-muUcI/TiGY2WeGGiI/AAAAAAAABgk/Z-ntzTp_h1A/s320/CIMG3292.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laurel has bloomed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-selBW1ggDeg/TiGZJZfEnNI/AAAAAAAABgs/4DUEn-TgeBU/s1600/CIMG3294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-selBW1ggDeg/TiGZJZfEnNI/AAAAAAAABgs/4DUEn-TgeBU/s320/CIMG3294.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maintenance on the Weed-Eater is a MUST<br />
Especially when you use OLD gas from last year!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbFC9AIJO5c/TiGZZhRWsKI/AAAAAAAABgw/gvMyPSz9QT0/s1600/Bear+and+Hog+Track.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbFC9AIJO5c/TiGZZhRWsKI/AAAAAAAABgw/gvMyPSz9QT0/s320/Bear+and+Hog+Track.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the bear track just above the hog tracks?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wXec0miX71Y/TiGZjTwy2cI/AAAAAAAABg0/zYnKe2sC0ws/s1600/Bear+Scat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wXec0miX71Y/TiGZjTwy2cI/AAAAAAAABg0/zYnKe2sC0ws/s320/Bear+Scat.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear "Scat", a term I learned from friends up North</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1Rty4FVH4w/TiGaxtdntoI/AAAAAAAABg4/nhynFvIlY20/s1600/Bear+Track.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1Rty4FVH4w/TiGaxtdntoI/AAAAAAAABg4/nhynFvIlY20/s320/Bear+Track.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ol Bigfoot?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXp15WHILXA/TiGbRISMAxI/AAAAAAAABg8/RyB7mOnXzyU/s1600/Coyote+Track+%2526+Hog+Track.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXp15WHILXA/TiGbRISMAxI/AAAAAAAABg8/RyB7mOnXzyU/s320/Coyote+Track+%2526+Hog+Track.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coyote?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dED5QqWB8-8/TiGbh_j_uDI/AAAAAAAABhA/iTA4_FGXT7U/s1600/Home+On+Mtn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dED5QqWB8-8/TiGbh_j_uDI/AAAAAAAABhA/iTA4_FGXT7U/s320/Home+On+Mtn.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Home Across The Valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkXzLCTep9o/TiGbxn6rGqI/AAAAAAAABhE/b5bbW7JutuY/s1600/Rubbing+Tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkXzLCTep9o/TiGbxn6rGqI/AAAAAAAABhE/b5bbW7JutuY/s320/Rubbing+Tree.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rubbing Tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FzN2is6yUJk/TiGcCsmrunI/AAAAAAAABhI/fXahOqOahjk/s1600/Hog+Tracks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FzN2is6yUJk/TiGcCsmrunI/AAAAAAAABhI/fXahOqOahjk/s320/Hog+Tracks.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And What Tracks Are These?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Pumzika Acres has some potential harvest this year! From the looks of things we are going to have a very good hunt for deer, bear, and boar. My friend Ed, and I have used the Kawasaki Mule to scour and search the whole 700 acre farm and have located promising signs of big game. Here are a few pictures we snapped from the top of the mountain.Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-31974209513279242252011-06-03T13:44:00.000-07:002011-06-03T13:44:02.035-07:00Memorial DayAt the cabin we honored the fallen on this Memorial Day by having our children here at the cabin for a day of relaxation. We were sorry to learn that most either had to work or had other plans or were living too far away to come. However, we had son-in-law Curtis who grilled hot-dogs, Frances and Ruthie prepared grillin' beans, chopped onions and sweet relish, (with all the other trimmings) for a feast. We set everything up on the porch. Our solar system ran the oscillating fan! I had succeeded in getting rid of the rats and in cleaning out the mess they had made - and no one even noticed the three inch hole in the wall they had chewed. We had a wonderful time with those who were present, playing in the creek, teaching the kids about butterflies, sassafras tea, and polk salat. After lunch we went for rides in the Kawasaki Mule. Riding finished, we had a great big seed-less watermelon to split open. I almost (almost?) ate too much! What a wonderful day. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5c86TMyPyWg/TelC-eoW8BI/AAAAAAAABfM/CYr-Fa81qk0/s1600/Eating_003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5c86TMyPyWg/TelC-eoW8BI/AAAAAAAABfM/CYr-Fa81qk0/s320/Eating_003.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2fzyjIwx97Q/TelCmtO5LNI/AAAAAAAABfI/yppFqQAjJZg/s1600/Butterfly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2fzyjIwx97Q/TelCmtO5LNI/AAAAAAAABfI/yppFqQAjJZg/s200/Butterfly.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2fzyjIwx97Q/TelCmtO5LNI/AAAAAAAABfI/yppFqQAjJZg/s1600/Butterfly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on"> </div></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--u_i-sRVs9I/TelDecYtkaI/AAAAAAAABfU/q3fZDHyBV0Q/s1600/Fred%2526Ruthie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--u_i-sRVs9I/TelDecYtkaI/AAAAAAAABfU/q3fZDHyBV0Q/s200/Fred%2526Ruthie.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--u_i-sRVs9I/TelDecYtkaI/AAAAAAAABfU/q3fZDHyBV0Q/s1600/Fred%2526Ruthie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on"> </div></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8ppvaLFyWA/TelDOAQCnXI/AAAAAAAABfQ/sl8dZ9M9HiM/s1600/Creek_002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8ppvaLFyWA/TelDOAQCnXI/AAAAAAAABfQ/sl8dZ9M9HiM/s400/Creek_002.JPG" width="400" /><div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on"> </div></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cNgu2DB10c/TelDoDHTY_I/AAAAAAAABfY/h-xfs3FTUAI/s1600/Frances+Relaxing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cNgu2DB10c/TelDoDHTY_I/AAAAAAAABfY/h-xfs3FTUAI/s640/Frances+Relaxing.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-70370837772080944582011-05-19T18:43:00.000-07:002011-05-19T18:43:27.965-07:00Sassafras Tea, Polk Salat, a Hog Wallow and RATS!<br />
<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X46gsBvvKnY/TdXEXU8hOLI/AAAAAAAABeg/SNFZ0n3Ne_Q/s320/CIMG3155.JPG" /><br />
This is Polk Salat!<br />
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsJ0DoSdwb4/TdXEh1czqfI/AAAAAAAABek/hniPM337tQI/s320/CIMG3156.JPG" /><br />
More Polk Salat<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Sassafras. Note the leaves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Sassafras to dig. You only use the roots.</td></tr>
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This year's turkey hunt proved to be a very interesting time. Twice I drove through Tellico Plains and up the mountain to a friends far near a place called Rafter. No luck on the hunt, but did manage to rescue my friend's barrell of fish food which the bear had rolled off the dock and down into the creek. Then I've been to the cabin three or four times - mostly to ride the Kawasaki Mule. Three trips back, I spotted so much polk salat that I just decided to take a "mess" of it home for Frances to cook. I was not sure she would want to cook it because it is quite a process to make sure that you don't get poisoned on the stuff. She WAS DELIGHTED and made enough from the first picking to serve us four meals of those delicious greens. <br />
In addition, I spotted some sassafras growing right beside the trail and decided I would like some tea. Again, Frances WAS DELIGHTED. I dug enough roots that she made about 3 gallons of tea. For those who may not know, it tastes a LOT like Root Beer without the carbonated water. Today I dug more sassafras and brought home for her to boil and make tea with. Just in case you don't know, it's delicious hot or cold. <br />
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My friend, Eddie W. has not been with me to the cabin for about three months, but was available today. He has a great love for the outdoors too. We first drove along the trail where I had collected polk salat before and where I had dug sassafras roots. At the top of the mountain we got hung up on a high spot and had to rock the machine so the wheels would touch the ground. He climbed into the bed of the Mule and jumped a few times while I backed off. Then, do you believe I drove over the same hump in the trail? Well, Yes. And No - we did not get hung up again! Just having a little fun with ya. <br />
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After eating lunch we drove down a different trail in a different direction where we saw Polk Salat in abundance. I decided not to pick anymore because it looks like it's about gone to seed. I really don't know that much about it - but I don't think you are supposed to eat it after a certain stage of growth. With my friend along I was a little more brave as we jumped brush and logs and went down trails I had not explored before. What FUN!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you see the hog tracks in that mud?</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Then for our last trail we drove to the top of a knoll and looked down in front of the Mule and spied a muddy spot on the road with hog tracks in it! It looks like there are tracks all over that section of the mountain. I must go back again and get serious about harvesting a wild hog.<br />
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Back at the cabin - I'm having trouble with rats. I'm not talking mice. I'm talking rats. The rats have eaten half a bar of Zest hand-soap; they have chewed up one of my bed-spreads; they have chewed on my recliner; they had started building a nest under the kitchen stove! In the process they had chewed on one of my wicker chairs anc collected bambook to add to their pile of cotton behind the stove. I had set mouse traps to no avail. I finally bought some D-Con and some glue boards. Caught four BIG rats on glue boards and took them out and put them out of their misery - plus four mice. One mouse was found today, already dead. So the D-Con is working. I cannot imagine why, all of a sudden, the rats decided to invade the place. Whew! What a mess. If you have any suggestions - I need help!Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-38449338927946717522011-02-17T12:28:00.001-08:002011-02-18T06:42:05.041-08:00New Trails, Briars, and Hangnails<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crnnqRT7oRk/TV3cWFPYBDI/AAAAAAAABYE/PZTrP-iZSTg/s1600/CIMG2447.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crnnqRT7oRk/TV3cWFPYBDI/AAAAAAAABYE/PZTrP-iZSTg/s320/CIMG2447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574854185676440626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I drove along this mountain trail which had been a logging road a year ago. Brush and briars are beginning to grow along the trail.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HTdHcxmSxes/TV3dZoI5aUI/AAAAAAAABYM/wgo8WPolZw4/s1600/CIMG2448.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HTdHcxmSxes/TV3dZoI5aUI/AAAAAAAABYM/wgo8WPolZw4/s320/CIMG2448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574855346095745346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />The farther I go, the thicker it gets!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BNPsaovekTY/TV3eY0jhf1I/AAAAAAAABYU/iOYOxi8L-6U/s1600/CIMG2451.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BNPsaovekTY/TV3eY0jhf1I/AAAAAAAABYU/iOYOxi8L-6U/s320/CIMG2451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574856431760408402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Fortunately for me I remembered to put my cutlass into the bed of the mule. I purchased this "cane-cutting knife" in Guyana, S. America back in the late 1960's. It has served me well both there, in Africa, and now here in the Cherokee Forest!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kj-3_HenjQE/TV3htXIWEVI/AAAAAAAABY0/NQlZ7k77Ubw/s1600/CIMG2455.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kj-3_HenjQE/TV3htXIWEVI/AAAAAAAABY0/NQlZ7k77Ubw/s320/CIMG2455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574860083173921106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I would have had to turn around just half-way through - but my trusty cutlass helped me hack this fallen log in two so that I could drive the mule over it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzU_pEdPauE/TV3g_YC8L1I/AAAAAAAABYs/p-_VbdQYh_o/s1600/CIMG2457.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzU_pEdPauE/TV3g_YC8L1I/AAAAAAAABYs/p-_VbdQYh_o/s320/CIMG2457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574859293145706322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Somewhere in between fighting with the briars and cutting the fallen log in two pieces, I broke a fingernail. As you can see by enlarging the picture here...the hands also became very rough and dry.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n8-wVVmxgEI/TV6Ei4CzfAI/AAAAAAAABZE/Wyt9-upcfGo/s1600/CIMG2461.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n8-wVVmxgEI/TV6Ei4CzfAI/AAAAAAAABZE/Wyt9-upcfGo/s320/CIMG2461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575039123425819650" border="0" /></a>I stayed out in the forest as long as I dared, heading for home just as the sun put a glorious cap onto the end of my day!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What a WONDERFUL day here in the Cherokee Forest in East Tennessee! I arrived at the cabin about 11:00a.m. to the music of a beautiful spring-like day - temperature about 60 - with partly cloudy skies. I could hear the creek gurgling gently in the background, with crows cawing overhead. The sight of the beautiful red cardinal feeding along the lower limbs of brush near the back porch steps seemed to make my steps lighter. Instead of the usual routine of going inside and opening all doors and windows to allow things to air out, I decided it was a perfect time to just sit in the sun on the back porch (which faces south) and soak some rays while sipping a cup of black coffee. I had made this pot of brew at home and poured it into my steel thermos bottle in anticipation of a back country trail-ride on the Kawasaki Mule, so did not have to enter the kitchen to turn on the stove. While sipping the last few drops from my cup, my neighbor from down the creek stopped by to return the pick/mattock he had borrowed from my tools in order to free himself and his car from the grip of that last deep snow. We have a rule between my neighbor and I: <span style="font-style: italic;">He can borrow anything that's outside as long as he doesn't forget where it belongs and will return it as soon as he is finished with it.</span> I think the snow was finished at least a week ago but he had either forgotten the rule or had been too pre-occupied with other things to bring the tool home earlier. ☻<br /><br />I finally grabbed the trusty little .22 caliber rifle which I had brought along just in case I spotted a squirrel during the ride (we can harvest squirrels until February 28th) and headed out slowly to explore the country. I drove along slowly, dodging mud-puddles in the road, looking for deer, hog, bear, or any game tracks or other signs of the presence of animals available to harvest. After about 30 minutes I spotted hickory nuts covering the ground. In my heart I knew that the squirrels ought to frequently be here, eating gourmet meals - but the evidence of chewed hickory nuts was largely missing. Just as I was about to give up on the idea, one of the squirrels saw me first. I saw him - but it was too late. He quickly scampered across the forest floor and out of sight. Maybe next time!Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-15311647472059897122011-01-08T12:53:00.000-08:002011-01-08T13:21:24.358-08:00One Last Attempt To HuntWell, today is the 8th of January, 2011. Tomorrow is the 9th and the last legal day to deer hunt for the season. Since tomorrow is Sunday (and I'm always in Church on Sunday) today was our last opportunity. I woke very early and was considering all the weather reports on TV as well as the WX channel here on the Internet when I finally decided the predictions were in our favor. At about 8:00a, I got a call from my friend, Ed, saying, "Let's go!" It didn't take me but a few minutes to put the mule onto the trailer and head out towards the mountains. It was still partly cloudy as we headed East - and then turned North for about 12 miles - so everything was looking good. Looking good that is until about two miles before our last turn into the woods. We looked up on the mountain to our North and saw that it was covered with a dark cloud and white snow! Should we go on? Yes. Of course. It was not snowing where we were and the temperature was 36 degrees. It didn't take long, however, until temperature began to drop down...35...34...32. Still no snow - to speak of - although there were a few flurries. Determined to take advantage of this opportunity we talked of other things ... keeping an eye on the thermometer ... and the skies. After winding into the mountains for about 12 more miles we noticed that the snow activity had started to pick up a bit. Five miles before destination (the cabin) I stopped and took this picture.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TSjSUQP6SzI/AAAAAAAABVI/zMf-9nDk-Aw/s1600/Snowing%2B-%2B8%2BJan%2B11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TSjSUQP6SzI/AAAAAAAABVI/zMf-9nDk-Aw/s320/Snowing%2B-%2B8%2BJan%2B11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559924985389796146" border="0" /></a><br />This cabin is just 5 miles from mine. The ground has already begun to look white here - but not too bad we thought.<br /><br />Once at the cabin, we both bailed out of the truck and started putting on jump-suits, "below-zero" boots and heavy coats and hats. The more I doggedly pressed on with additional clothing, the heavier the snowfall became! Finally, I said the magic word. I said, "Ed, what should we do? Do we want to be safe - or sorry?" He said, "Well...I think I'd rather err on the side of safety!" So --- take off the jump suit and heavy clothes and get back in the truck like someone who had good sense and head for home before we get caught out here and can't get home!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPevTG56K9aS7D_e_nuhnlFJvpQWa9I60XSnSyrCIyC1Y8z5GtYbQrfgOvrpzKeq54wNkNRFzGnE8wr0UZ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-27193906466848765592010-12-11T04:49:00.000-08:002010-12-11T05:28:06.374-08:00Stamps Baxter--Build Me A Cabin In Gloryland.<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D8BvClqXS0s?fs=1" frameborder="0" height="344" width="425"></iframe><br /><br />I found this delightful old song this morning posted on youtube by Nexar. It has suffered some criticism by folks over the years who said they did not want "a cabin" but were going to claim their "mansion". Yes, Jesus promised that He was going away to prepare a place for us and that in His Father's house there are many mansions. That's O.K. I suppose. However, who could ask for better than a cabin along the banks of the river of life? Do you think the Lord would let me bring my mule to this Heavenly Cabin so I could ride along the mountain ridges there?<br /><br />My brother Wil and I came out here to Pumzika Acres and rode the mule for awhile. Then back at the cabin I cooked us an 8oz deer-burger for lunch, topped with mustard, pickles, pickle relish and washed down with hot coffee! And I must not forget the tasty dessert we had by dipping a knife into the jar of Sand Mountain Sorghum Molasses and licking the knife clean. (Don't worry - they were plastic knives.) We had a very good and restful day.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TQN2h60cSGI/AAAAAAAABKw/qAk1dbSU4_U/s1600/CIMG1998.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TQN2h60cSGI/AAAAAAAABKw/qAk1dbSU4_U/s320/CIMG1998.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549409490947557474" border="0" /></a><br />It was so cold that we had to put ski-masks over our faces, and several layers of clothes to stay warm. Here is Wil in the Driver's seat on top of a ridge in the hunting woods. We had not brought a big game rifle because I had forgotten that the bear hunting was going on. Now the hunters send out their dogs, with GPS collars, and they watch the receivers from the warmth of their pick-up trucks until the bear gets close to a road! We learned this by talking to a bear hunter.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TQN2iSEswuI/AAAAAAAABLQ/SDDZsUZNHyM/s1600/CIMG2003.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TQN2iSEswuI/AAAAAAAABLQ/SDDZsUZNHyM/s320/CIMG2003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549409497189761762" border="0" /></a><br />This is my Brother Wil, who does NOT like the cold weather! There is a story behind that statement that may be the subject of another blog later.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TQN2iOU6frI/AAAAAAAABK4/r2S8p7eJ9To/s1600/CIMG2000.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TQN2iOU6frI/AAAAAAAABK4/r2S8p7eJ9To/s320/CIMG2000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549409496184028850" border="0" /></a><br />We found this Holly tree on a ridge-top. The bright red berries caught our eye.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TQN2iEK2-oI/AAAAAAAABLA/c-UhnGmkSME/s1600/CIMG2006.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TQN2iEK2-oI/AAAAAAAABLA/c-UhnGmkSME/s320/CIMG2006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549409493457500802" border="0" /></a><br />On the way home, it had warmed up to 30 when we stopped here to take pictures of icicles hanging alongside Highway 30 near Webb's store at Reliance, TN.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TQN2iQ0asaI/AAAAAAAABLI/v5EF4llL1FE/s1600/CIMG2013.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TQN2iQ0asaI/AAAAAAAABLI/v5EF4llL1FE/s320/CIMG2013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549409496853033378" border="0" /></a><br />As we drove south on Hwy 411 toward Benton, TN we saw this special rainbow just over the tree-tops! Since I had a leak in my metal roof at the cabin we had also attempted to repair it with a small can of roofing tar. This rainbow reminded me of the promise of God to us that he would not destroy the earth again with water! Does that include my cabin too? Well...maybe if I take care of it when I first notice the leaks, huh?Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-66392566216269690242010-12-03T17:23:00.000-08:002010-12-03T18:16:28.516-08:00The Fridg/Freezer Is Filled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPmaRMnFwBI/AAAAAAAABJ4/BidlvkDV_JQ/s1600/CIMG1986.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPmaRMnFwBI/AAAAAAAABJ4/BidlvkDV_JQ/s320/CIMG1986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546634036317110290" border="0" /></a><br />Frances' smile says she is proud of her harvester husband!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPmaRJsWYJI/AAAAAAAABJw/UlFMkUlvw0Y/s1600/CIMG1985.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPmaRJsWYJI/AAAAAAAABJw/UlFMkUlvw0Y/s320/CIMG1985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546634035533865106" border="0" /></a><br />Entire top shelf is full of deer burgers, roasts, tenderloins and deer steaks! The price of processing? $46.00 only!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPmaQ99aTwI/AAAAAAAABJo/YUxucCXEXL4/s1600/CIMG1983.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPmaQ99aTwI/AAAAAAAABJo/YUxucCXEXL4/s320/CIMG1983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546634032384200450" border="0" /></a><br />Bottom shelf is full of the previous purchase I made of seafood and beef.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPmaQntmTpI/AAAAAAAABJg/N4r0uiwbcLY/s1600/CIMG1984.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPmaQntmTpI/AAAAAAAABJg/N4r0uiwbcLY/s320/CIMG1984.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546634026412297874" border="0" /></a><br />Yessir! I'm one happy harvester (Thanks Mel) who is learning to live green!<br /><br />Today I drove to Vonore to Keith's Butcher Shop to collect the bountiful harvest I gathered in last Saturday. My wife seemed so proud to have this fresh meat. I had bought $700 dollars worth of steaks and seafood just a few weeks ago and filled up both refrigerator freezers here at home - plus put quite a few steaks in the little freezer here at the cabin. What a THANKSGIVING and soon we'll have deer meat on the table at home for CHRISTMAS. Of course I'll be back here to the cabin for New Year's Day and hopefully will be able to use some of this meat then to feed the great bunch of guys that come for our day out. We'll cook and serve breakfast food, sit around the campfire, play music and sing and also eat until we are stuffed! That's the way to break in a New Year. I'm told that whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you enjoy on New Year's Day - you will do that all year long. That's the way we started 2010 and it must have worked because we've had a wonderful year.Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-21221002689987405352010-11-28T19:03:00.000-08:002010-11-28T19:38:13.921-08:00I'm No Longer A HunterWhat a wonderful day November 27 turned out to be! Cold (25 degrees) when we started out, but warmed up to 52 if I remember correctly. We took a break at 9:30 by going to my friends house (who owns the farmland where we hunt) to make a pot of coffee in his electric percolator, while sitting by the gas heater. That was quite comfortable! Then our host decided he needed to go somewhere on business and left three of us to hunt. When we had been on our stands about 40 minutes I shot the little two point buck seen below! NOW I AM A KILLER! [Not to be confused with Jerry Lee Lewis, the original "killer". He called himself "the killer" because he thought he was the ladies man!!! He did have a few falling all over him in his younger days.]<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMbXpPzQOI/AAAAAAAABJI/my9dKDvGc5c/s1600/CIMG1964.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMbXpPzQOI/AAAAAAAABJI/my9dKDvGc5c/s320/CIMG1964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544805659246280930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMYqjCYXNI/AAAAAAAABII/KMCZAYz3PE8/s1600/CIMG1823.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMYqjCYXNI/AAAAAAAABII/KMCZAYz3PE8/s320/CIMG1823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544802685462011090" border="0" /></a><br />I bought a new mule for the hunt. Kawasaki Mule, 610XC!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMYqQb5-jI/AAAAAAAABIA/mgunRz6rJZg/s1600/CIMG1822.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMYqQb5-jI/AAAAAAAABIA/mgunRz6rJZg/s320/CIMG1822.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544802680468798002" border="0" /></a><br />Now, I'm ready to go get 'em!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMYm3IGdnI/AAAAAAAABH4/tvhQgCDJQdM/s1600/CIMG1821.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMYm3IGdnI/AAAAAAAABH4/tvhQgCDJQdM/s320/CIMG1821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544802622135236210" border="0" /></a><br />Three of the friends who joined me!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMYl_2wA6I/AAAAAAAABHo/471hvp37_Xk/s1600/CIMG1819.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMYl_2wA6I/AAAAAAAABHo/471hvp37_Xk/s320/CIMG1819.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544802607298511778" border="0" /></a><br />The trail leading into the hunting area.<br /><br />It has been at least 25 years since I last killed a deer. It's a bit dis-heartening to a person who is so serious about hunting to go year after year after year and keep coming home with nothing to show for their efforts except a few scratches from the briars and a thousand beggar lice hanging on their clothes. Why do you think we call this thing "hunting"? 'Cause that's what we do! We hunt. And hunt. And hunt again! I've often said to my friends, "I'm not a killer. I'm just a hunter." But from yesterday at 12:35p, right after lunch, I became a killer. The .270 Ruger is a deadly weapon. A nice clean shot high on the shoulder and this buck was on the ground. he kicked for about five minutes while my heart ran at break-neck speed. By the time my blood slowed back to normal the deer was not moving and was waiting for me to prepare him for the journey to our Christmas table - via the butcher shop!!! Boys and Girls, I WAS EXCITED! No, I'm Not a Hunter ... I am a KILLER!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMZu1GexsI/AAAAAAAABIw/92cEJnfXxRs/s1600/CIMG1831.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMZu1GexsI/AAAAAAAABIw/92cEJnfXxRs/s320/CIMG1831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544803858542151362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMZu9D9X6I/AAAAAAAABIo/MLvb1PkwC9E/s1600/CIMG1829.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMZu9D9X6I/AAAAAAAABIo/MLvb1PkwC9E/s320/CIMG1829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544803860679057314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMZuhpsltI/AAAAAAAABIg/wWJBsak9fN0/s1600/CIMG1828.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMZuhpsltI/AAAAAAAABIg/wWJBsak9fN0/s320/CIMG1828.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544803853321148114" border="0" /></a><br />Trees had to be cut to allow our machines to reach deeper into the forest.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMZudI9bzI/AAAAAAAABIY/7GNkMjzp2uI/s1600/CIMG1827.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMZudI9bzI/AAAAAAAABIY/7GNkMjzp2uI/s320/CIMG1827.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544803852110098226" border="0" /></a><br />We located tracks and other good signs of the presence of deer.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMZuOIPGPI/AAAAAAAABIQ/y9Ny4XddKuc/s1600/CIMG1826.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMZuOIPGPI/AAAAAAAABIQ/y9Ny4XddKuc/s320/CIMG1826.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544803848080529650" border="0" /></a><br />My good friend Ed Williams looking for more deer sign.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMbV_JYNoI/AAAAAAAABI4/kZSCF83F1kE/s1600/CIMG1963.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMbV_JYNoI/AAAAAAAABI4/kZSCF83F1kE/s320/CIMG1963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544805630765184642" border="0" /></a><br />My Stand, overlooking a beautifully wooded area where there were abundant signs of deer activity.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMbW1l1UfI/AAAAAAAABJA/H1bcIyWEVYM/s1600/CIMG1966.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMbW1l1UfI/AAAAAAAABJA/H1bcIyWEVYM/s320/CIMG1966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544805645380047346" border="0" /></a><br />My harvested deer! Although we had field dressed him on the spot, he felt like he weighed 250 pounds while we were dragging him out to the road. However when we put him on the scales at the butcher shop, only 71 pounds! What happened? ☻<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMbeORKAQI/AAAAAAAABJY/QZM8PAHb-Ho/s1600/CIMG1967.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMbeORKAQI/AAAAAAAABJY/QZM8PAHb-Ho/s320/CIMG1967.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544805772263293186" border="0" /></a><br />Good friends William and Scott showing off "our" deer!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMbeFRxPxI/AAAAAAAABJQ/sfBrzTf-7l8/s1600/CIMG1968.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TPMbeFRxPxI/AAAAAAAABJQ/sfBrzTf-7l8/s320/CIMG1968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544805769849945874" border="0" /></a><br />Ready to make the trip to the check-in station.Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-64480607258888952532010-10-20T08:52:00.000-07:002010-10-20T09:23:58.296-07:00Fall Colors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8S0hqmqXI/AAAAAAAABCo/TYe_tRoFYUA/s1600/CIMG1447.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8S0hqmqXI/AAAAAAAABCo/TYe_tRoFYUA/s320/CIMG1447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530159561033820530" border="0" /></a><br />A colorful shot across a field. I love the one hour drive that I make to the cabin. About thirty minutes of the time I'm in the Cherokee National Forest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8S0C_zNPI/AAAAAAAABCg/0opw4jr4Gt8/s1600/CIMG1442.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8S0C_zNPI/AAAAAAAABCg/0opw4jr4Gt8/s320/CIMG1442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530159552801223922" border="0" /></a><br />Red is visible alongside the road. Gold, green, yellow also abound.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8R4Io7EyI/AAAAAAAABCQ/B_2PLN7nXls/s1600/CIMG1434.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8R4Io7EyI/AAAAAAAABCQ/B_2PLN7nXls/s320/CIMG1434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530158523523732258" border="0" /></a><br />The last three miles of my ride is on gravel road. This colorful limb hangs over-head.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8R3ousmPI/AAAAAAAABCI/e5UPjnvK34Q/s1600/CIMG1433.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8R3ousmPI/AAAAAAAABCI/e5UPjnvK34Q/s320/CIMG1433.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530158514958014706" border="0" /></a><br />The view leaving the cabin.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8R3Md7nnI/AAAAAAAABCA/Zd5yzlYTDP4/s1600/CIMG1421.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8R3Md7nnI/AAAAAAAABCA/Zd5yzlYTDP4/s320/CIMG1421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530158507371503218" border="0" /></a><br />The creek at the cabin is moving ever so slowly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8R2o7f1hI/AAAAAAAABB4/qmPCeGz6So8/s1600/CIMG1417.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TL8R2o7f1hI/AAAAAAAABB4/qmPCeGz6So8/s320/CIMG1417.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530158497831835154" border="0" /></a><br />This is the only tree at the cabin showing any color yet. Maybe there is so little color right at the cabin because the building is down in a low place between two mountains?<br /><br />Why am I here? Because we have a friend who loves to do things for "Mama Frankie". Kathy came Monday to paint the den, kitchen and hallway of our house. I find that the best thing I can do to relieve stress for them and for me is for me to disappear...so out to the cabin and stayed until about 3:30p when a meat truck passed through the mountains selling meat. I bought $1,400 worth of meat for only $706, including tax. I stuffed as much of the meat into my cabin freezer as the little thing would hold, then was forced to take the remaining meat home. I barely managed to get it all stuffed into the freezer. I won't have to buy meat for at least four months.<br /><br />O.K. -- so the painting was still going on -- which meant that yesterday morning (Tuesday) I also got up and hurried out the door to escape to the mountains!Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-66094415059122287652010-10-05T04:37:00.000-07:002010-10-05T05:23:25.253-07:00VisitorsI have always loved company. It doesn't matter who they are, when they come, or what the circumstances. We had a saying at our house growing up that if we didn't have a bed we would "drive a nail in the wall to hang company on", meaning that we would make room for them to stay awhile. I can remember many times us three boys giving up our bed and sleeping on a quilt thrown on the floor to make room for guests. But it was always fun! Part of the fun was the good eats - cause Mama always cooked her best for visitors. Part of the joy was that sometimes the visitors had kids my age. Some were kinfolks - but not all. It didn't matter, we just enjoyed visiting with the folks.<br /><br />And especially do I love company when it's someone I haven't seen in a long while - like this visit Sunday night and yesterday by my 1st cousin, Terry Junius Jones and his lovely wife Trish, who now reside in Alabama. In town, I was awakened from my afternoon nap by their knock on the kitchen door (all strange visitors come to the front door). After a good visit at the house in town on Sunday night - we laid out our plans for Monday by calling my Mom and starting the day at her apartment for breakfast of mullet roe with grits! Junius' career has been commercial fisherman in the Gulf of Mexico. He brought these fresh frozen fish roe up to Mom because he knows how much she enjoys them. And we made her day by visiting with her and allowing her to cook for us. She still loves visitors too.<br /><br />Then we headed out to the cabin where I cooked deer steaks, baked potatoes, and had cake, cinnamon rolls and muscadines for dessert! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPPhd7EmI/AAAAAAAABAI/vXd9dzv5eVk/s1600/CIMG1270.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPPhd7EmI/AAAAAAAABAI/vXd9dzv5eVk/s320/CIMG1270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524526127256375906" border="0" /></a><br />Of course I made a fresh pot of coffee which I poured into a thermos bottle to keep it warm. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPP0FIqnI/AAAAAAAABAQ/LPkIg4YoaoY/s1600/CIMG1271.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPP0FIqnI/AAAAAAAABAQ/LPkIg4YoaoY/s320/CIMG1271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524526132252682866" border="0" /></a><br />Canned biscuits to go with our deer steak - unfortunately I left them in the oven just a minute too long but the visitors bragged on them anyway.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPqfTxV8I/AAAAAAAABAY/zlgiIT04U6A/s1600/CIMG1272.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPqfTxV8I/AAAAAAAABAY/zlgiIT04U6A/s320/CIMG1272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524526590533392322" border="0" /></a><br />These venison steaks cooked up to perfection! They went down well with the baked Idaho potatoes.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPqpbnHbI/AAAAAAAABAg/pLFi9Xzn1m4/s1600/CIMG1273.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPqpbnHbI/AAAAAAAABAg/pLFi9Xzn1m4/s320/CIMG1273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524526593250631090" border="0" /></a><br />These delicious cinnamon rolls were just part of dessert. A berry cake, made by daughter Ruthie - and muscadines - and scuppernongs topped it off.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPPj12HeI/AAAAAAAABAA/rSVQ-wRYj2I/s1600/CIMG1269.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPPj12HeI/AAAAAAAABAA/rSVQ-wRYj2I/s320/CIMG1269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524526127893585378" border="0" /></a><br />Delightful Trish was offering to help clean up the dishes but I insisted that it was my job today.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPPT2mOhI/AAAAAAAAA_4/h7AFuoN354E/s1600/CIMG1268.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPPT2mOhI/AAAAAAAAA_4/h7AFuoN354E/s320/CIMG1268.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524526123601771026" border="0" /></a><br />Took them outside to the fire pit where we had a camp-fire going. We needed the fire as the weather was a cool 41 degrees this morning - and only up to 55 for a high.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPPCxAsWI/AAAAAAAAA_w/gsvyl3wrLII/s1600/CIMG1267.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TKsPPCxAsWI/AAAAAAAAA_w/gsvyl3wrLII/s320/CIMG1267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524526119014936930" border="0" /></a><br />Sitting here and re-hashing stories from our past times with Grandpa and Grandma Jones consumed a good portion of our day. We also took the vacuum cleaner apart and put it back together so I could vacuum the floor inside. The gas heater was not working properly so Junius helped me take it out of the fireplace box and into the truck to take to town for repairs. And finally, just as I was finished with the dishes - can you believe it? - the water-pump stopped working. Our last item of work was to remove it and place it in the truck to take to town for replacement. Yes, we had our inconveniences - But we had a GREAT time with our visitors!!!Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-74939833501380193052010-09-18T12:31:00.000-07:002010-09-18T13:36:58.394-07:00Visitin'This morning I got up with one of my sick friends on my mind who is in St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville. He had a need for gastric by-pass surgery. Twice I had been to the hospital to see him in the last three weeks and he was not aware of my presence...but after talking to his dad last Sunday and learning he was now getting up out of bed and able to talk, I decided I would go see him again. On the way I met a mutual friend and together we went to visit and pray with Gary. We had a good visit.<br /><br />Afterwards, I decided that I would go to the cabin and spend the night. Since this was on Wednesday, I decided to visit the little Baptist church pictured below - which is three miles from my cabin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUt4VWFPI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/PP00e9LhS1M/s1600/CIMG1208.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUt4VWFPI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/PP00e9LhS1M/s320/CIMG1208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518339696860992754" border="0" /></a><br />This is an old fashioned country church. The people are friendly and welcome all visitors. It was Prayer-Meeting night, so I knew they would be having church. I have now attended the place enough times that they will call on me to sing or testify or combination thereof.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUtuxk73I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/FQVBw2hpKgY/s1600/CIMG1207.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUtuxk73I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/FQVBw2hpKgY/s320/CIMG1207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518339694295052146" border="0" /></a><br />See the two benches on the front of the church? That's where two or three of the men were sitting when I arrived. As I expected, the stood up and welcomed me. More deacons, arrived, the Pastor arrived. I learned that they were in Revival services. As we sat there and talked - all the deacons and the Pastor and the Evangelist took out their cigarettes and smoked. As a child I had been taught that smoking was a sin. I chuckled to myself about that when the Pastor said, "It's time to pray." Cigarettes extinguished, they invited me to join with them under the shed out front for prayer over the time of worship and preaching just ahead.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUh5bYdxI/AAAAAAAAA_A/GwnURUuTkqw/s1600/CIMG1205.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUh5bYdxI/AAAAAAAAA_A/GwnURUuTkqw/s320/CIMG1205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518339490996320018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Under this shed there were 16 elders and deacons taking prayer requests and lifting them up to God in concert prayer. This is very normal in our area for our "holiness" churches but a little unusual for Baptist churches to have these "concert" prayers. Some things in the Baptist church are very different from the way we do things in our church, the Church of God. One of those things is that generally we preach against smoking, drinking, cursing, etc., and etc. while it has been reported to me that the Baptists do not. They even allow drinking (in moderation) among most members.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUDIEIHEI/AAAAAAAAA-I/RXVUe_BN5NA/s1600/CIMG1196.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUDIEIHEI/AAAAAAAAA-I/RXVUe_BN5NA/s320/CIMG1196.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518338962349366338" border="0" /></a><br />The preacher was a bit old fashioned in his approach and laid his coat down on the front seat. After he had read his text and prayed, he walked the aisle (as you can see in the picture above) while waxing warm in the old fashioned way of preaching. Wish you all could have heard him. I was surprised to hear the evangelist preaching against long hair on men. I loved it. There were "Amen's" coming from every corner.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUDb7wcoI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/ltQVm4Ejd2Q/s1600/CIMG1197.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUDb7wcoI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/ltQVm4Ejd2Q/s320/CIMG1197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518338967682970242" border="0" /></a><br />I spent a very quiet, very pleasant night at the cabin and rose "a great while before day". I got the picture above as the sun sought me out on the back porch where I was reading my Bible and drinking my coffee. The smell of sausage and canned biscuits mixed with coffee had really permeated the air around the cabin and I could hear birds and see a squirrel playing in the trees. After cleaning some boards off the front porch I swept both porches and enjoyed the great weather! It was 62 degrees at 6:00a.m. and didn't start getting warm until almost 12:00.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUg3shejI/AAAAAAAAA-o/hrZ4SqKawgI/s1600/CIMG1202.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUg3shejI/AAAAAAAAA-o/hrZ4SqKawgI/s320/CIMG1202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518339473351473714" border="0" /></a><br />After cleaning up the dishes I locked the cabin and went for some walk/ride/picture-taking moments. Above is Possum Grapes. The woods are full of them here this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUDtVlFII/AAAAAAAAA-Y/vMaAqzqQT40/s1600/CIMG1199.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUDtVlFII/AAAAAAAAA-Y/vMaAqzqQT40/s320/CIMG1199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518338972354679938" border="0" /></a><br />When I saw what appeared to be beautiful fruit from the road, I had to get closer. I thought it might be a fig tree - or even some yellow apples. I stopped the truck and walked over to the tree only to discover that it was not fruit at all - but was what I was taught to call "buckeyes".<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUhTwqGaI/AAAAAAAAA-4/Uldm_NUPcGw/s1600/CIMG1204.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUhTwqGaI/AAAAAAAAA-4/Uldm_NUPcGw/s320/CIMG1204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518339480885008802" border="0" /></a><br />If you peel off the exterior hull, this is what you find. If you see "buckeyes" out of the shell and you don't know better, they look just like chestnuts. I need to find and take pictures of a chestnut tree so that you can see the chestnut is covered with sharp prickly outside covering whereas the "buckeye" has a smooth outer hull.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUC4P1j0I/AAAAAAAAA-A/rqP5pQ-mr9A/s1600/CIMG1195.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUC4P1j0I/AAAAAAAAA-A/rqP5pQ-mr9A/s320/CIMG1195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518338958103514946" border="0" /></a><br />Just as I pulled up to a quiet place and took out my gun, I looked down and saw that someone had been here before me. I do not like to see litter on the forest floor. It's so easy to put that trash in your pocket and carry it home to the trash bag. Don't let me get started on that subject or this blog will not hold all of my words. ☻<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUCQvUK6I/AAAAAAAAA94/7uwbS3-30a0/s1600/CIMG1194.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TJUUCQvUK6I/AAAAAAAAA94/7uwbS3-30a0/s320/CIMG1194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518338947498126242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just a few steps further and I saw something I was looking for! See that huge acorn? The squirrels love them! I'll be back soon. Hopefully with squirrel meat for the freezer!!!Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-8141146806712391652010-08-24T07:05:00.000-07:002010-08-24T07:30:10.939-07:00A Lazy Hazy Day of Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSGa_NrmI/AAAAAAAAA7I/xgGjL7X9Fns/s1600/CIMG1050.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSGa_NrmI/AAAAAAAAA7I/xgGjL7X9Fns/s320/CIMG1050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508977776969756258" border="0" /></a><br />On my way to the cabin today I was reminded of why these mountains are called "The Smokies". Many mornings, especially in the fall when the temperatures begin to cool down some, the fog makes the hills look as if they are covered in smoke. To me they are beautiful this morning and I know that soon the sun will rise and burn off the clouds to reveal a beautiful day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSINRnOkI/AAAAAAAAA7o/jnhy92da2SE/s1600/CIMG1054.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSINRnOkI/AAAAAAAAA7o/jnhy92da2SE/s320/CIMG1054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508977807648569922" border="0" /></a><br />Looking to the West, I take in the beauty of the Hiwassee River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSZCfx8JI/AAAAAAAAA7w/r6L869IU-t8/s1600/CIMG1055.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSZCfx8JI/AAAAAAAAA7w/r6L869IU-t8/s320/CIMG1055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508978096812978322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Shortly after arrival at the cabin today I made a pot of coffee, grabbed the peanut butter and jelly, a bottle of cold water from the fridge, and my Bible before stretching out in the new swing! What a wonderful day for relaxing... that is ...until it started to get so hot!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSZx1o89I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/7-2knp_RsVM/s1600/CIMG1064.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSZx1o89I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/7-2knp_RsVM/s320/CIMG1064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508978109521130450" border="0" /></a><br />But today I had a solution to the heat! I put together the pedestal fan I had purchased at Big Lot's last week and plugged it into the power source (Five batteries in series with a 2000 watt inverter) and there was instant relief! I'm excited about this because I did not know if the fan would drain the batteries too quickly. To my utter delight the green light, indicating how much power I had remaining, stayed lit the entire six hours that I was there! This will be a pleasant surprise for Frances next time she comes with me to the place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSmS7lYBI/AAAAAAAAA8g/AH-xQOo_FB8/s1600/CIMG1066.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSmS7lYBI/AAAAAAAAA8g/AH-xQOo_FB8/s320/CIMG1066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508978324562862098" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a view from the other side of the fan! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSZ6TkjtI/AAAAAAAAA8I/Go-QgrVNm2E/s1600/CIMG1063.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSZ6TkjtI/AAAAAAAAA8I/Go-QgrVNm2E/s320/CIMG1063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508978111794155218" border="0" /></a><br />While I was reading, I looked over into the truck and this beautiful butterfly was spreading his wings in a great display of natural beauty. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSmwRPx1I/AAAAAAAAA8o/9UbB2PSM7G8/s1600/CIMG1067.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/THPSmwRPx1I/AAAAAAAAA8o/9UbB2PSM7G8/s320/CIMG1067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508978332438349650" border="0" /></a><br />TODAY - As I had not taken the lawn mower, nor tried to repair anything, nor attemped to do any kind of work - I decided to drive down a different road instead of passing it by as usual. Oh - am I glad I did! I FOUND A PERSIMMON tree! Persimmons are a real treat for deer and other wild game. I'll be back to this tree in about six more weeks when the fruit begins to ripen! I've looked everywhere for one of these trees - and FINALLY!Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-63904466895803611872010-07-21T08:34:00.000-07:002010-07-25T18:12:57.129-07:00Know-How<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TEccOfqdMwI/AAAAAAAAA3M/c_Q7mghNxOM/s1600/CIMG0742.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TEccOfqdMwI/AAAAAAAAA3M/c_Q7mghNxOM/s320/CIMG0742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496392905572299522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Above: Two good friends who have some know-how! On your left is Gordon Bloodworth, veteran missionary and President of Discipleship College in Eldoret, Kenya, East Africa. On your right is Jack Darnell, retired military man and retired building contractor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you ever wish for "know-how"? I certainly have. One of the reason's why I tear things up (or perhaps render them useless) is because I tackle projects when I don't have the "know-how". On occasion I manage to tackle and complete one of those projects that I don't know how to do - but I spend far too much money and far too much time in the process. Such was the plumbing project I had to do here at Pumzika Acres lately. I had even hired a professional handy-man and crew who did a tremendous amount of work - but had to leave for other commitments before finishing the task. Frankly, I was dreading the completion of the task. However - God sent someone by to help me! It was going to be a difficult task because of limited crawl space. I loathed the idea of having to crawl around under the house, cutting and re-attaching pipe because I had failed to winterize in time and the pipes froze and burst. From the amount of water - discovered on New Year's day - I just knew I had at least six leaks to find. So procrastination had become my method of dealing with it all. Thank God, it is now in operation! I promise you that I WILL winterize before the first freeze this winter!!!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TEcWNrYTKoI/AAAAAAAAA28/qJ0rawIKVFM/s1600/CIMG0740.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TEcWNrYTKoI/AAAAAAAAA28/qJ0rawIKVFM/s320/CIMG0740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496386294467734146" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jack Darnell, explaining to me how "simple" it will be to attach these pipes and "fix" everything!</span>Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-73060257959959771742010-07-05T07:46:00.000-07:002010-07-05T08:26:12.592-07:00Spider, Ferns, Birds & NeighborsThe birds have now hatched and flown!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDH5DdFLKlI/AAAAAAAAA2k/5YYmlttABJk/s1600/CIMG0618.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDH5DdFLKlI/AAAAAAAAA2k/5YYmlttABJk/s320/CIMG0618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490443258482600530" border="0" /></a><br />Are there two hungry mouths here?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDH5CDFZjuI/AAAAAAAAA2c/sSSznCFRolA/s1600/CIMG0617.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDH5CDFZjuI/AAAAAAAAA2c/sSSznCFRolA/s320/CIMG0617.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490443234324352738" border="0" /></a><br />I went to the cabin on Satruday, July 3, with the intentions of doing nothing but relaxing. Spent most of the six hours I stayed there just reading and/or sleeping. Mixed nuts, peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich with creek-water from my newly purchased Sawyer filter was sufficient nourishment.<br /><br />Frances had said it might not be the best time to go if I wanted solitude because this was the 4th of July week-end. Some of the neighbors have been known to drink a bit and play loud music - but I decided to go anyway. I was surprised that none of my camp neighbors were there when I arrived. Everything was totally quiet except for the song-birds and a crow now and then. Late in the afternoon one of the neighbors, Eddie the mountain man, came by and told me that Mike, my neighbor across the road, had taken a fall on a construction site, had a concussion and had been in the hospital on life support. Last report he was going to be taken off life support and would recover. Another neighbor, Rick, from a half mile away came by on his 4-wheeler and stopped for a nice chat also.<br /><br />When I finally got bored I picked up a rag and started to wipe down the lavatory and tub/shower where we had been working on installation of the same, and came across this interesting spider. I do not know for sure what kind he is - but I do know that I don't want him in the shower with me! Don't worry - that one is dead now. Of course I will keep looking to see if he might have had any brothers or sisters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDHxBjsQGdI/AAAAAAAAA18/Rmb0ACCDvsM/s1600/CIMG0648.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDHxBjsQGdI/AAAAAAAAA18/Rmb0ACCDvsM/s320/CIMG0648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490434429804354002" border="0" /></a><br />A Brown Recluse? That board is six inches wide<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDHxBLVdx9I/AAAAAAAAA10/dyLO9lxOmrY/s1600/CIMG0647.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDHxBLVdx9I/AAAAAAAAA10/dyLO9lxOmrY/s320/CIMG0647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490434423266330578" border="0" /></a><br />Found him in the bathtub in the grime which has collected from all the drilling we had done.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDHxA0g4mKI/AAAAAAAAA1s/IX2fJHxmRU0/s1600/CIMG0646.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDHxA0g4mKI/AAAAAAAAA1s/IX2fJHxmRU0/s320/CIMG0646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490434417140209826" border="0" /></a><br />In the tub he lookd very big!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDH18s7mz3I/AAAAAAAAA2U/eVEkSepcfSk/s1600/CIMG0650.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDH18s7mz3I/AAAAAAAAA2U/eVEkSepcfSk/s320/CIMG0650.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490439843943468914" border="0" /></a><br />I don't recognize this plant. Gotta try and find it in my book. It's just across the creek among the tall grass and weeds<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDH17tAZl5I/AAAAAAAAA2M/sN8uilwewfg/s1600/CIMG0653.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDH17tAZl5I/AAAAAAAAA2M/sN8uilwewfg/s320/CIMG0653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490439826783704978" border="0" /></a><br />There are hundreds of ferns all around the place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDH17RN_iRI/AAAAAAAAA2E/jQFzz1aUm58/s1600/CIMG0651.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TDH17RN_iRI/AAAAAAAAA2E/jQFzz1aUm58/s320/CIMG0651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490439819324524818" border="0" /></a><br />Ferns are thick here, covering about a 1/2 acre.<br /><br />We need rain here! No rain in the forecast until Saturday - and then isolated thunderstorms.Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-45753168263827861572010-06-01T06:09:00.000-07:002010-06-01T18:00:01.567-07:00Memorial Day - 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWr9eJBZAI/AAAAAAAAA0k/Tj7ZxpJ48yY/s1600/CIMG0506.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWr9eJBZAI/AAAAAAAAA0k/Tj7ZxpJ48yY/s320/CIMG0506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477973594317349890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ruthie, our second-born daughter, (left) called on Sunday and wanted to know if she and her family could go to the cabin for a Memorial Day outing! I'm always glad when the kids enjoy the place and welcomed her to be there - although I had plans to be there working on water leaks and finalizing plumbing installation. As it turned out the plumber called and said that "since it's predicted to rain" he would like to wait until we have a dry day to complete our work because the ground under the house gets wet when it rains. Of course I could do nothing but agree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWshcDm3GI/AAAAAAAAA00/53AeWUYrzyI/s1600/CIMG0526.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWshcDm3GI/AAAAAAAAA00/53AeWUYrzyI/s320/CIMG0526.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477974212233059426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was just the right kind of day for an outing to the cabin. Well, it might have been even more fun if there had not been as much rain, but we had both cabin porches when the rain fell. :D I went up early and opened the doors and windows, lit some candles, did some minor straightening up of things and sat down to wait for the children. We had two or three rain showers but nothing that kept us from doing what we wanted to do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWqRYuF5lI/AAAAAAAAA0M/0f2M6_rxNuw/s1600/CIMG0496.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWqRYuF5lI/AAAAAAAAA0M/0f2M6_rxNuw/s320/CIMG0496.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477971737436350034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Son-in-law Curtis Crocket set up a grill on the back porch to burn the dogs and burgers. Ruthie brought lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, mustard, pickles, relish, cole-slaw, chips and dips and drinks. Her two daughters (Lydia, aged 25, and Chloe, aged 5) were there. Lydia's two year old son (Julian, aged 2) was there. Frankie's daughter, Kimberly (aged 27) was there with her daughter, Hailey (aged 3). Kimberly brought two of her friends, Josh and Shay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWqSC4lFGI/AAAAAAAAA0c/kAehyS5s-CI/s1600/CIMG0516.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWqSC4lFGI/AAAAAAAAA0c/kAehyS5s-CI/s320/CIMG0516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477971748754625634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was thrilling to watch the children's reaction when I started throwing pieces of a bun into a stump hole in the creek and they could see the small fish churn the water to eat. Then someone started teaching Julian how to skip rocks on the water. There are plenty of flat rocks available. Hailey and Chloe led the charge in wading the creek. Lydia was right there in the middle of it because she got soaked. Chloe climbed up the roots of the tree right in front of the cabin porch! Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Roscoe (Curtis' dog) also had a blast chasing the rocks the children were throwing. Curtis says the dog has broke a tooth catching rocks that way!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWqRlp9ctI/AAAAAAAAA0U/5_ydhn0wTjY/s1600/CIMG0505.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWqRlp9ctI/AAAAAAAAA0U/5_ydhn0wTjY/s320/CIMG0505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477971740908679890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was also able to show Chloe what a dragon-fly is. They look very menacing with all four wings and long body which looks somewhat like a stinger - but they are totally harmless. In fact they eat mosquitos.<br /><br />Grandmother Frances had sent a coloring book, a toy car and a "ring toss" game for the little ones just in case it rained. She didn't want them to be bored. Needles to say, none of the man-made toys were used.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWshJLWefI/AAAAAAAAA0s/d-6UKZfq_Ek/s1600/CIMG0509.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/TAWshJLWefI/AAAAAAAAA0s/d-6UKZfq_Ek/s320/CIMG0509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477974207165266418" border="0" /></a><br />Thank you Ruthie and Curtis for all the hard work you did to make everyone's stay at the cabin pleasant. I believe all had a grand time - including ME! Thank you too, Ruthie, for helping with the clean-up. You are such a sweetie!!!Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-26294113068468133702010-05-27T06:55:00.000-07:002010-05-27T07:14:49.172-07:00Wild Hogs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_581SXQWeI/AAAAAAAAA0E/NS3WuRoItFg/s1600/CIMG0475.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_581SXQWeI/AAAAAAAAA0E/NS3WuRoItFg/s320/CIMG0475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475951451833391586" border="0" /></a><br />The trusty lawn-mower / Bush-hog!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_581GkacDI/AAAAAAAAAz8/os6RM_LlWjw/s1600/CIMG0465.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_581GkacDI/AAAAAAAAAz8/os6RM_LlWjw/s320/CIMG0465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475951448667353138" border="0" /></a><br />Near the picnic table the hog sign is amply evident!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_5801q5A2I/AAAAAAAAAz0/wUwvyDRG8Qw/s1600/CIMG0458.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_5801q5A2I/AAAAAAAAAz0/wUwvyDRG8Qw/s320/CIMG0458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475951444131119970" border="0" /></a><br />Near the out-house it looks like someone is<br /> trying to plant a garden.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_580rCJnSI/AAAAAAAAAzs/owUmploxqDg/s1600/CIMG0456.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_580rCJnSI/AAAAAAAAAzs/owUmploxqDg/s320/CIMG0456.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475951441275886882" border="0" /></a><br />Wild hogs keep tearing up the yard - Bad!<br />You think I may be able to shoot one?<br /><br />Yesterday I mowed the grass here at the cabin. When I arrived, I found ample evidence that wild hogs have been rooting up my backyard. The problem is that water collects here and doesn't drain properly. It's near the out-house (toilet for you who don't know what an out-house is) and seems to me that when it rains and makes a temporary "bog", the odor of the wet spot attracts the pigs. I keep thinking that I'll get some time to stay here for three or four nights and in the process can get the opportunity to kill one. That meat would be mighty tasty next time we have a cold winter's morning.<br /><br />Also I threw a belt on the lawn-mower, so must get it to the shop and have the belt re-installed and tightened a bit. I know. I know. You don't have to tell me I should not use the lawn-mower as a bush-hog, but ... I was trying to follow the suggestion put out by that famous cable guy, "Git 'er done!" I had lopped off some limbs that kept knocking my hat off and was trying to mulch them with the lawn-mower. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">Put a smiley face right here!</span>Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-80614148745670219142010-05-17T17:10:00.000-07:002010-05-17T18:00:24.688-07:00A New Water Tank<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_Hjc8UmfFI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Cd93O-tTAVg/s1600/CIMG0377.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_Hjc8UmfFI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Cd93O-tTAVg/s320/CIMG0377.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472405108600241234" border="0" /></a><br />This is the OLD Tank.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> Saturday while I was out, Kenny Key (my neighbor here in the mountains) called Frances to say that he had at last come into possession of an empty detergent tank that holds 275 gallons. I had almost given up hope of getting a new one and was considering ways to go about modifying the old tank I had and make it usable. Kenny had promised to get me one "next time they throw one away" at his work but that was last fall and still not tank. These are commercial/industrial cleaning detergent containers that the company he works for uses in maintenance. They are very sturdily made - of heavy gauge plastic, and enclosed by a frame of aluminum metal bars that are 1/2 to 3/4" square. (My old tank was encased in heavy duty wire.) When the detergent is all used up they have no further use for the tanks, so they have become popular among our community of "deer shack" owners. They are ideal water tanks, to which we attach a water hose and 12volt pump to make water available in the kitchen sink and in the bathroom.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_HjcoMagwI/AAAAAAAAAyc/iZ3uCkQ7h0o/s1600/Mother+%26+Dr.+Wendy.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_HjcoMagwI/AAAAAAAAAyc/iZ3uCkQ7h0o/s320/Mother+%26+Dr.+Wendy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472405103197192962" border="0" /></a><br />Mom talking with Dr. Wendy, her audiologist.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So - after taking Mom to Chattanooga this morning to have her hearing aids worked on - I hooked up the little trailer and went to load the empty tank and take it to the cabin. I called three different men that I thought might help me load the tank since it is a bit on the heavy side...plus it's awkward to move it by one's self. However, since all the men were busy or out of pocket - I decided to tackle the project alone. I packed an apple, an orange, two boiled eggs, three slices of bread and off I went. After fighting off the pack of dogs Kenny has at his home, I was able to drag, lift, pull and push until I had the tank on my trailer.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_HjdQF8y4I/AAAAAAAAAys/tEorQ9FliTs/s1600/CIMG0378.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_HjdQF8y4I/AAAAAAAAAys/tEorQ9FliTs/s320/CIMG0378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472405113907497858" border="0" /></a><br />This is the NEW tank - halfway across the porch. You can see the trailer attached to the truck in the background.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Heading out to the cabin, I ran into a heavy shower of rain - and just decided to go back home and wait until tomorrow. By the time I was back home, the rain had moved on out - so - with Frances' encouragement I loaded up again and headed for the cabin. This time the weather cooperated and I was able to offload the tank and drag it across the front porch and out back where WE will install it later. ☻ I dared not drive the pickup through the yard! Since I was alone I did not want to have to walk that mile to the top of the mountain to call and say I was now stuck in the mud!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_Hjd5E688I/AAAAAAAAAy0/VsCnRnJ0KkQ/s1600/CIMG0382.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S_Hjd5E688I/AAAAAAAAAy0/VsCnRnJ0KkQ/s320/CIMG0382.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472405124909036482" border="0" /></a><br />This was the raincloud I was facing! Does that make you want to go home? It did me!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Now all I have to do is find time and energy to repair the water leaks under the house caused by my negligence during the winter. I failed to take the hose that feeds the house loose from the tank, then the PVC pipes froze and burst. It's really not that bad - but I promise you - I will drain the pipes and put anti-freeze into the toilet bowl before the next freeze.</span>Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7946923830823481426.post-68260956404493290442010-05-15T17:09:00.000-07:002010-05-15T17:58:15.935-07:00Turkey Season is OverSo all you turkey's can come out of hiding now. It's been said by many hunters in one way or another - The wild game can read and they subscribe to the Tennessee Hunter magazine. Therefore they know all the starting dates and ending dates of legal hunts. When you go scouting a few days before the hunt begins you will see plenty of available game. But from day one they take vacation and don't come back until the day after the season closes! It's a joke, I know - but I'm almost a believer now.<br /><br />On the other hand, it may be that I'm more interested in the scenery than I am in the hunt itself. Just being out here gives me an indescribable sense of pleasure. I went up Thursday and spent the night after hunting for a couple of hours. I moved to the back porch of the cabin - and since I remembered I had a new pair of anvil loppers - I decided to cut back a few pieces of brush that were blocking my view into the forest behind the cabin. So - here was some of the results of my work.<br /><br />I picked up a book I had bought a couple of years back called "Trees of the Carolinas". From it I decided that this is a wild cucumber tree. It has a beautiful bloom on it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-87hC83dUI/AAAAAAAAAxk/D48Fm-Zd-Fs/s1600/Wild+Cucumber+Tree.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-87hC83dUI/AAAAAAAAAxk/D48Fm-Zd-Fs/s320/Wild+Cucumber+Tree.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471657511192327490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-87gw0-u7I/AAAAAAAAAxc/JQxYX7ZxKK4/s1600/Cucumber+Tree+-+2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-87gw0-u7I/AAAAAAAAAxc/JQxYX7ZxKK4/s320/Cucumber+Tree+-+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471657506327411634" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The above two shots show a wild cucumber tree. The blooms are beautiful white, similar to a magnolia tree. Both pictures are of the same tree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-87hZGPFFI/AAAAAAAAAxs/j5ajk1Mo00M/s1600/Young+Cucumber+Tree.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-87hZGPFFI/AAAAAAAAAxs/j5ajk1Mo00M/s320/Young+Cucumber+Tree.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471657517137204306" border="0" /></a><br />This is a picture of a young plant just coming up out of the ground. These are very near to the back porch. There was a huge one just off the front porch but, alas, this year's rains have washed it down stream.<br /><br />I also decided that we have several varieties of beech trees around the cabin. One is called the "Blue Beech" or locally called "Musclewood" or "Ironwood". We have beautiful flowering mountain laurel as well. The are just ready to burst into full bloom. Sorry but no pictures of the "Musclewood". Next time.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-8-ul915GI/AAAAAAAAAx0/h-9k3xRdC9k/s1600/Bible+Study+Table+%40+Cabin.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-8-ul915GI/AAAAAAAAAx0/h-9k3xRdC9k/s320/Bible+Study+Table+%40+Cabin.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471661042464842850" border="0" /></a><br />It was a lovely day in the mountains, so I pulled up an old rough table, pulled out my laptop and the "Truck Bible" for a good two hours study session. Each morning I always spend time reading the Bible and praying. For several years I read 12 chapters each day and 20 on Sunday. Following that discipline I was able to read the Bible through four times in a year. Nowadays, I'm back to reading 3 chapters per day - and 5 on Sunday. At this rate I will read the Bible through in one year. How long does it take? I'm an average reader and it takes me fifteen minutes to read three chapters. Of course some are longer than others - but we're talking averages here. If you have never read the Bible through, I highly recommend it. If you have the self-discipline that it takes, it will be an exciting adventure. I'm still learning something each time I go through.<br /><br />May I give you a couple of hints? One thing, don't worry about pronouncing every word correctly. Most people have that problem. Secondly, when you are reading along and suddenly realize that you are not understanding what you are reading, do not fall to the temptation to go back and try to get the sense of your reading. Just focus on where you are at that moment and go forward. A good slogan that works in my mind is: Ever forward; Never backward! Thirdly, you will need to keep a record of where you are. There are many printed froms available for checking each chapter as you read them. You can start your own record. I keep my "Bible Reading record now on my laptop. I simply type in the passage I've read today - and insert the date beside it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-8-u4319mI/AAAAAAAAAx8/Y_ax4175cow/s1600/Back+Porch+from+Woods+-+2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-8-u4319mI/AAAAAAAAAx8/Y_ax4175cow/s320/Back+Porch+from+Woods+-+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471661047539955298" border="0" /></a><br />This is the view from the woods, looking at the back porch. Since my friends Jack and Sherry Darnell were here I have opened up more of the woods behind the cabin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-9CKWYxPRI/AAAAAAAAAyM/cC03tkBJW_k/s1600/Trail+leading+away+from+Cabin.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JdwOqmmG3So/S-9CKWYxPRI/AAAAAAAAAyM/cC03tkBJW_k/s320/Trail+leading+away+from+Cabin.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471664817854037266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the view looking away from the cabin. After an hour of reading and studying I got up and walked this trail around the perimeter of the property. What a wonderful place God has given me to rest. Thanks for letting me share it with you.Fred Altonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12740055638280779519noreply@blogger.com1