News from the Mountain

By CAROL GUNTER

Great weather we are having this Monday the first day of fall with the temps in the seventies today and it will be a splendid day to get out in the sunshine and enjoy anything you are wanting to do. Tonight it will be in the middle to upper forties for lows. Some good hot cocoa would really hit the spot for a person and an extra blanket on the bed a good idea, too.

I haven't seen any woolly worms/caterpillars this fall. Usually you see them scurrying on the road or in the yard by now. Others that I have asked have not seen them either. Do not have any idea why they are not around. Never heart of any cycle they have like the locusts. Told you about how some people believe you can predict how bad the winter season will be by their colors. One person told me the little aliens/or green men got them. Another person said he saw just one woolly worm and it was all black. That doesn't set well with me as it could very well be an omen of what's to come for us. The worm being all black could mean one more rough and bitter winter for us, if you go by this sign. We will just have to wait and see. Most of the spider webs up high again off the ground just like they were last year around here.

Talking with Aubrey's sister, Betty Sue, Sunday. She lives in Indiana and the weather people there are predicting another bad winter for them. They has over 60 inches of snow last winter. It was the worst winter they've had in over thirty years. Sure hope we do not have a repeat of our winter according to this. I think some people around here on the mountain believe wintertime is coming sooner this year as they have already been getting their supply of firewood. Better safe than sorry I say.

There are a few people we need to keep in prayer as there is power in prayer: Chloe Evelyn Bogle, Denise Stanton, Bobby Taylor, Edith Miller, Carlon and Mai Nell Melton, and Donna Lawson.

Mai Nell Melton able to be at church Sunday. Carlon didn't feel up to being there. We missed you, Carlon.
Talked with Brenda Neal on Tuesday for a while. Her and the rest of the family doing good.

Randy and Gail Neal once again have their place decorated so beautifully for fall. They were mowing their yard yesterday and they were probably hoping like I am the mowing may just be about over for the year.

Took the hummingbird feeders down a few days ago as there was only one or two little hummers coming around. One little hummingbird flying up at the top of our patio door yesterday as if to be saying maybe that he had his little bags packed - they would have to be little wouldn't they? - and was leaving and going south for the winter.

Want to give you Verse 2 of Wayne Gunter's poem, "Our Heavenly Home."
As we walk and talk about our time on earth,
Jesus said now we have a brand new birth.
A Heavenly body and a brand new home,
Where our children are safe and free to roam.
No sin or temptations to cloud our minds.
No pain or sorrow would you ever find.
Where God is our Master and we cannot Fail.
For God made a Promise when he sent his son,
If you believe in Him, our work is done.

Looking up toward the mountain wanting to see a few deer but none are up there as I'm out on our patio writing the column - only critters I have spotted is three really plump (I mean really plump) chickens that our new neighbors that live behind me possess and that triggers my thoughts of you guessed it chicken and dumplings. No, no I would not contemplate luring one of their chickens in my direction to satisfy my craving for how the chicken and dumplings would be. Been a while since I fixed up a batch of them. I think "Sweet Sue" will have to suffice for now.

Thinking about Aubrey's mom and dad both being such great cooks and of the wonderful chicken and dumplings they would cook up. Never felt like I left home as they always treated me like a daughter.

Regulars up at the store here lately when I was up there were Ronald L., Blake H., Bernie B., and Burley B., and also Ralph G. Everyone having a fun time as usual.
This could be classified as a perfect day and evening also to be out on your deck, porch, in a gazebo, or on a patio as I am finishing up my writing. Going to enjoy this blissfulness longer as we won't have too many of these kind of days left in the year to take in. so I encourage you to get out and make every day count to make you feel good getting outside and enjoy the beauty, calmness, and this quiet time that the fall season brings. Remember to reflect on how blessed you are with so many loved ones and friends around you that truly love you and are there always for you to count on when you need support. Never take them for granted - just love them, too.
If you have any news for the column, just give me a call at (615) 563-4429. Have a great day!
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
Psalm 34: 15-1