News from the Mountain

By CAROL GUNTER

Please listen up everyone as Saturday, October 12th, starting at 5:00 PM will be Short Mountain School's Harvest Festival. This will be a grand affair so make plans to be there. Supporting the kids and the school are very important for our community so anything you can do in any way will help out tremendously. If everyone can do just a little, then that will add up to a lot. While you are there, take the opportunity to tell the teachers just how appreciated they are in teaching the skills our young ones need to succeed in life. There are such dedicated and talented teachers at our school who play such an important role in building the kids' self esteem in themselves to excel at anything they choose to do in life. Sometimes you just need to tell people about the fine job they are doing. Everyone needs to know this from time to time.

Jack and Ann Parsley from Georgia came up last Thursday and visited with Ruth Brown for a few days. Jack is her brother. They went to Kentucky to visit Ruth and Jack's sister Shirley (Trooper) a nickname I gave her because she has been through so much and is quite a survivor. They had a marvelous time visiting her. Later, Ruth, and Jack and Ann, ate at Cracker Barrel. You can't go wrong eating there can you? That is my favorite place to eat as it is so much like eating at home - plus there are no dishes to wash. I could really get used to that!

I noticed the trees on the mountain behind the house are turning some today. This is the 3rd day of October so, of course, this is to be expected. This time of year yard mowing has really slowed down and all I can say is thank goodness for that, because with so much rain that we have had this summer, I really couldn't keep the yards mowed and looking good like I usually do. Fall, thought, is quite a beautiful time of year. It seems to me to be a tranquil period of time to relax and gather your thoughts about how good God has been to you. I guess we never can thank him enough for all the blessings of family and friends that are there for us no matter what comes our way. 

Had a chance to talk with Betty Gunter on Monday. Her and her daughters Kathy and husband John Carpenter and Karen and husband Jerry Rollins just got back from a really splendid vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama and also Florida. They had a great time but, or course, glad to be back home. As we can all relate to there is "no place like home." I think I can probably get an "AMEN" to that!

I talked with a friend of mine Donna Lawson (Tony's wife) a few days ago. She is doing better now after being involved in a car wreck a few weeks back. Keep her in prayer.

Up here on the mountain, you are so grateful for that holler or that wave that lets you know you are acknowledged and cared about. For me, I just believe we have a special place here and hope it will always stay this way.

A terrific cousin of mine, Lou Davis Higgins, doing well as I talked with her Tuesday. She is a treasure to me and I love her dearly. She has never changed over the years. Always loving the Lord and doing his will in her life. She turned 94 years old back on August 26th. I know she has set quite an example for me of how we should live our lives for the Lord.

I think I am in trouble with the hummingbirds or little hummers that I call them around here. My sister has forever it seems told me to put out the feeders around May 15th and take them down around September 15th, and there lies the problem for me. I should have taken them down two weeks ago. The tow or three little hummingbirds still hanging around will fly up to the patio door as if they are trying to let me know I am behind schedule taking down the feeders o they can go south to a warmer climate for the winter. Oh well I got the message and the little ones have now left with their little bags packed. Will be looking forward to seeing them next spring. It is such a joy to watch them.

I saw Bobby Taylor at the store on Wednesday. I'm glad I didn't need any crackers as the last time I needed a box of them Bobby hid all the crackers in a big box on the table from me. We had a big laugh over that. He was going to sell a box of them to me for I believe $6.00. needless to say, if I'm ever needing a box of crackers now, no one lets Bobby know about it. 

I saw Gail Neal outside this week. So glad she is improving from the accident with her horse. Randy and Gail have their home and lawn decorated so beautifully this year. It is an autumn display you should take the time to come by and see.

Sure hope I get some fall cleaning down around here as I really flubbed up the spring cleaning thing. I am a person who loves being outside doing things compared to working in the house, so when spring got here this year, well the call outside really outweighed doing what I needed to do in the house. Maybe I am something like Searlet - I won't think about it this today - I will think about it tomorrow. Does anyone else experience life this way, too? Winter time will definitely keep me inside so there may be hope for me and the house yet!

Give me a call at (615) 563-4429 if you have any news for the column.

With God all things are possible.