It’s that time of year again when all of the little ghosts and goblins begin to roam around looking for candy.

Whether you believe in Halloween or not, it is still an important time for children. When I was a little girl, we never imagined that it was an “evil” Holiday. It was just a time to dress up and pretend to be anything that you wanted to be; and to get candy!!

We anxiously awaited it each year, and planned our costumes a month or two in advance. Having little to spend for such things, we usually made all of our own costumes with whatever could be found. Our imagination knew no  bounds, and we used it fully. Some of our “costumes” would no doubt be considered “politically incorrect” today. But those were different times, and people didn’t worry about such things as much as they do today.

I never personally wanted to be any of the “darker” characters; I always wanted to be something “cute” such as a princess or some other fanciful thing.

We always walked on Halloween; and it was a really good time to stay with your friends so you could go together and then spend the night, and stay up half the night eating candy and telling ghost stories.

I have wonderful memories of Halloween, and I hope today’s children get to enjoy it as much as I did.

Happy Halloween to you all!!!

I took a trip through the mountains today and as always it brought my perspective back to reality.

Aristotle said,”In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” How true and profound.

As I was sitting in one of my favorite places today, I wrote:

As I sit here listening to the tumbling water over the rocks and feel the cool mountain air, while surrounded by the colors of nature, I am once more reminded how fleeting life is and how fast it passes us by. In another month or so, the beautiful fall colors will be replaced by a blanket of white snow. How fast the seasons come and go; as does our life. We are just here for a glimpse of time and then even our memory begins to fade. And the season of living goes on in someone Else’s life. We can’t undo yesterday, and we really can’t do much about tomorrow, but today, we can do what we can do. So let us do it with joy and pride; and hope that tomorrow does not find us regretful of what we did today.

Enjoy the seasons of your life!!!!

The day was cloudy and the rain started as soon as the parade started their trail toward the school house. As umbrellas popped open and people ran for cover, the band marched on. The fall colors of the surrounding mountains made an impressive background as the parade marched on through the light mist. People cheered and decided to ignore the rain as the parade made their way to the school house.

The vendors had already covered their wares and were hoping to wait out the rain. The choo-choo train still went happily on its appointed rounds, and children still lined up to take a ride.

Inside the cozy little rock school, there were quilts to be viewed, and the largest collection of arrowheads I had ever seen in one room. There was even a stuffed bear and a rattle snake. And plenty of pictures of the old mining company and railroad.

Even the kids were getting in on the action, with biscuit making at the 4H demonstration booth. It is good to see they are continuing the tradition of good biscuit making. (They were even giving away free samples).

To top off the evening, we were treated to a rendition of the “Porter Wagner” show featuring such stars as “Dolly Parton”, “George Jones”, “Willie Nelson”, and “Johnny and June Cash”. But when “Lee Greenwood” gave his rendition of “God Bless the USA” the crowd jumped to their feet and with “Old Glory” waving its colors in the back ground, we clapped and stomped with American pride still flowing through our veins.

We went home happy and even the rain didn’t dampen our spirits on this beautiful fall day in the mountains of Tennessee.

Yesterday I took a drive through the Carolina Mountains to see the leaves and fall foliage, but the colors haven’t started turning yet. They seem to be running a little late this year. But it was still a nice drive through the mountains, and I would encourage anyone to take the opportunity to get out and enjoy fall all that you can. It is so short lived, and it is certainly worth the time and effort to enjoy such beauty of the outdoors.