News from the Mountain

By CAROL GUNTER

riday morning, January 22nd, with rain, freezing rain, sleet, and now all snow coming down big time. White-out conditions are prevailing now as I am looking out our patio for sure as the wind is whipping that heavy snow in every direction on the patio. Weather guys and gals have gotten it right and all we can do is watch the weather go from bad to worse. We're expecting 2 to4 inches or more of snow before it ends tonight into early Saturday morning. Temperatures getting a whole lot colder as the day progressed with north winds 15-20 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Even though the conditions are deplorable outside for man or beast the sign of all the snow on the trees on the mountain behind our house and all the evergreens around here being weighed down with the heavy snowfall, it is so breathtaking to see an event like this unfold and really captivates you with all that splendor of what nature can throw at you in such a short span of time as a winter wonderland is definitely in progress.

Saturday morning and so cold even the birds don't need to be out and about during this frigid time. Speaking of birds, don't see a one of them -- guess they're in their habitat wherever that may be eating a bowl of that "multi-grain cereal".

I'm sure a lot of you were watching this winter storm on TV as it was building up more steam after it left Tennessee. Saw up in Pennsylvania on that roadage of the freeway or turnpike that the commentators talked about and all those semis, SUVs, and other passenger vehicles that were at a halt. People stranded as that snowstorm took them over so quickly. Hours upon more hours of frustration it had to be for them. Food, water and other essentials take to them as law officials making sure the people were okay. I have been thinking what if someone was having a Big Mac attack while stuck there, and couldn't do a thing about it? Maybe someone would have managed to get them one -- I, myself, would have preferred a Whopper from Burger King and those to die for fries and if they were out of them, their onion rings are certainly a good substitute.

Ralph Gunter, Bobby Taylor and Ronald Lawson making the rounds at Short Mountain Market the other day and all were doing find. They are some of the regulars around there. Debby's birthday was last Thursday and a big ole' chocolate birthday cake cut so the ones there including me could enjoy with a scoop of ice cream on the side a piece of that cake.

Some people we need to keep praying for: Jody Reed (cancer), Ruth Brown is still doing better, Fay Pits is doing good, Chloe Evelyn Bogle maybe a tad better, Edith Miller is doing fairly well at this time, Denise Stanton has been having a rough time lately dealing with cancer, Luther Lawrence was involved in a tractor/trailer load of logs accident a while back and now has had a stroke so by all means needs our prayers, Betty Gunter is better and talked with her on Sunday as she is over the laryngitis and is not so weak. Carlon Melton is still having back pain with other health issues, Mai Nell Melton is coping with the loss of her daughter, Kathy, and there for her husband Carlon, Tracy Neal is doing better, Gracie Bratcher is about back to her normal self (Gracie you are a keeper). Wayne Gunter and wife Judy and family are all okay. Lour David Higgins is doing well at this time; so good talked to you Lou Davis as you have always been a joy in my life.

No sightings of the "little green men" or that "invisible Cow" (f they really do exist). This nasty weather hopefully is keeping them at bay, after all, they would have to keep the home fires burning with all the cold weather I would imagine. Have seen strange and unusual footprints in the snow on our patio that after checking them out seem to be "foreign" to me.

If you have any news for the column, just give me a call at 615-563-4429. Have a great day!

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Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Colassians 3:15