#NC2020 The Trails

 Brian and I arrived home safely from our WONDERFUL North  Carolina adventure late yesterday afternoon. To be honest, I am glad to be home among my people, I am sad to be home in storm-ravaged Pensacola. Life has been disrupted by " Sally", and while Brian and I sustained very little damage from the storm, most of the people in our county sustained more damages. 

Rather on " borrowing trouble " { as my priest advises against all the time} I choose to focus on putting into words some memories from our 2020 trip. 

All photos in this essay are the work of either myself  The Pensacola Hippie  or my spouse, Brian. 

This was the trail hair of Daisy Lake Trail at Kanuga Conference Center, located just outside of Hendersonville. We hiked this trail on our final afternoon in North Carolina, and it was our most challenging trail. However, in my opinion, his was the most beautiful scenery we saw. I'm reminded of the hours I spent playing in the Appalachian woods of the Alleghenies while growing up. 

This is an oddly-shaped pine cone that we saw on the Kanuga hike. Neither Brian nor I recall seeing pine cones shaped like this, so I asked our resident botanist to identify the tree. The expert said this is from the White Pine tree. 

Anyone who knows me at all is aware that I am drawn to all things purple. I noticed not only the rich purple blooms, but also the lush green leaves. 

Also at Kanuga, I saw a big boulder stripped of vegetation and I had to pose with the non-Florida geological form. I miss big rocks. 

On Thursday morning, Brian and I hiked the trail around the farm at Carl Sandberg Home National Park. The goat yard and the house itself is closed thanks to COVID, but Brian and I enjoyed a wet let lovely morning hike around the property My heart was so glad to be in the mountains that a wee bit of highlands drizzle did not " dampen" { haha , see what I did there?} my joy at hiking in the Appalachians. 

Here is Brian standing next to an old gate post at the Sandberg farm. As the photos show, both of us hiked the property while wearing raincoats. Thankfully, the hiking boots we brought are waterproof and warm: our feet stayed dry. 

Our adventures on the trails also included a walking trail tour of downtown Asheville. This is a retro theatre that I spied as we hiked the mountain city of Asheville North Carolina. 

We stopped at a local Asheville distillery where we purchased some local gin and sat with locally brewed REAL ginger beer { for me and a peach soft drink { for Brian}. Asheville is home to many small craft breweries. By the way, the ginger beer went down my throat very smoothly! 

This is the huge church that we saw at the beginning of our urban hike. While I am pretty sure that  it is a Roman Catholic church I forget the church's name. 

The leaves on western North Carolina are just now starting to show their alternative colors. This was at Kanuga near one of the historic cabins. For some reason, the Daisy Lake trail had us end up at the main road, and then walking back to the truck on Kanuga Chapel Road. 

At first glance, we thought this to be a pipe, Upon closer inspection, we discovered that it is a tree trunk that had been completely hollowed out. 

There is more to tell, but I'd need to see you in person to share.  Western North Carolina is a magical place and I am grateful that Brian and I have these memories. 

Shalom....

~Sarah

The Mountains Called: and I Went

One of the many painted bear statues in downtown Hendersonville, N. Photo by The Pensacola Hippie. 

The mountains called. Brian and I went. We had a WONDERFUL time. Now we must leave. 

We've been taking a short vacation in southwestern North Carolina, about 3 minutes south of Asheville. We honeymooned here almost 5 years ago, and fell in love with the charming town nestled in the Appalachians. 

As much as I love Pensacola and the beach, part of my soul will always be a mountain woman. I grew up in the Greater Pittsburgh area, and Appalachian culture is dear to my heart. As much as it was tough growing up in a depressed steel town, the Appalachian foothills were my playground. As a child, countless hours were spent exploring the woods near my home. Additionally,  my maternal grandparents took a house in Avery County, in Northwestern NC and my family and I spent one week there on the summer. 

From the Pisgah National Forest , to urban hiking in Asheville, to the Sandberg property to Kanuga I am one happy mountaineer. It is so nice to get on the freeway and head towards the city in the view of mountains that are among the most ancient geologic features on Earth. The leaves here are just beginning to show their autumn colors. 

North Carolina takes public health during a pandemic very seriously, and Brian and I enjoyed both a craft brew and a good Middle Eastern lunch { sitting OUTSIDE} in Asheville. 

Sarah at the brew place with the traveling " St Christopher" figurine. This little figurine ha put some long miles on during this trip. Photo by Brian. 

Brian and " St Christopher" at our outdoor lunch stop in downtown Asheville. Photo by The Pensacola Hippie. 

Of course we stopped at the downtown Hendersonville candy & ice cream shop that Christie introduced us to almost five years ago. Naturally we bought the darkest chocolate fudge they sold. It is delicious. 

St Christopher visits the sweet shop in downtown Hendersonville. Photo by The Pensacola Hippie. 

Brian and I feasted on a HUGE  home-cooked Southern breakfast every morning while we were here. 

Thursday morning's yummy breakfast. " St Christopher" joined us. Photo by The Pensacola Hippie. 

   It has been a whirlwind of a trip, and we made some great memories. To be honest, I am not quite ready to return home to Pensacola. But " home" is Pensacola and Brian and I have " our people" there. Yet it is hard for me to leave these sacred mountains-- where so much of my early formation occurred. 

Goodbye, Western North Carolina. We'll see you again. 

Peace,

~Sarah

 

And, Year 2020 Keeps on Giving

 My church's building, St Christopher's Episcopal Church in Pensacola, Florida. Front yard, with steeple in view. Photo by The Pensacola Hippie. 

The Year Of Our Lord 2020 is the year that keeps giving humanity unwanted gifts.  The pandemic-- where we all were asked to isolate  for two weeks in order to ' flatten the curve" has turned into a months-long ordeal. In spite of regulations, Americans refuse to heed the regulations set forth to protect everybody. 

States insisted that schools open, and more people catch the virus. People are getting laid off in industries across the economy--- usually with the lowest-earning employees getting cut first. 

The Atlantic storm seasons has been especially horrendous . The most recent storm TOTLLY changed its path---- wreaking havoc on the Alabama and western Florida Panhandle. As someone who lived through this storm, it was truly terrifying. The rains from the outer bands of " Sally " { By the way NEVER call me by that name: my name is Sarah} started arriving Tuesday evening. Rain did not cease until well into Wednesday afternoon. Brian and I had not shuttered our home { as was the reality for most of us here in the Pensacola area}. Without electricity, my spouse and I joined others for a front-row view of " Sally's" wrath.  Pensacola is located to the east of where the storm made landfall: so we fell victim to her angry east winds. The howling of the wind of a hurricane is something that is indescribable. 

Remembering IVAN 's coming ashore sixteen years ago, I felt the PTSD symptoms. Although this storm was milder than IVAN it shared many of the same characteristics. For instance, water was the biggest destroyer of property--- the winds made " Sally " a Catagory Two. 

Post-storm, and as soon as it was safe to do so, I went to my parents' house . They did not get the brunt of " Sally's" east winds , and retained their electricity. It was easier for me to deal with my storm trauma in a house with power than stare at the wall at home while my spouse & some neighbors chopped up a tree branch that had landed on our roof. 

Yesterday, as I was preparing for bed, I learned of the death of Justice Ruth Ginsberg. { may her memory be a blessing} If a pandemic and a hurricane were not enough in September of 2020, now one of my feminist icons has died ! To be honest, I am still processing this news: I'm trying hard to not " borrow trouble" by thinking about who will be put in RGB's place. Those thoughts will take me down a dark road, and I simply cannot afford the luxury of bemoaning right now. Rather, I choose to honor Justice Ginsberg's life and legacy by continuing to work for justice for ALL persons. As a female person, I owe so much to RGB and the women who caused GOOD TROUBLE . Due to them:

~ I was able to play school sports. 

~ I can own property on my own. 

~I can have my own credit card. 

... and more. 

But our fight for equality is not over. Transwomen & women of color still suffer discrimination. As a White cisgender woman, I realize that not all female-identifying people enjoy the same rights as I do. Following RBG's footsteps, I choose to educate myself on the issues that women of color and transwomen face daily. Most of the time I'm not correct, but a willingness to learn is key to successfully causing good trouble. 

Educate yourself { and others} Advocate. Never Give Up. 

By golly, we need to work TOGETHER to effect positive change. RBG would want progressive Americans of all stripes to unite Compromises must be made by everyone if we are ever going to move our society forward

For Jewish people worldwide, today marks a new year. 

L'Shanah Tovah

~Sarah 

Rosh Hashana 2020. 

~

Sneaky " Sally"

 A gas station in Santa Rosa County, Florida. Long gas lines are always the norm post-storm. Photo by The Pensacola Hippie 

Pensacola, and the communities surrounding her, got an unwanted & unexpected visitor Tuesday night. " Sally " which was predicted to visit the Louisiana/Mississippi coast, took a dramatic turn EAST and landed on the shores of Alabama. Pensacola, located directly east of where the storm hit land, got the easterly winds nd rain--- the worst side of any tropical system. 

I am at my parents' house . They never lost power and they have internet access. I'm heading home tomorrow , as we need to prepare for vacation. Our scheduled departure date is still Monday morning, and I need to complete a few last-minute tasks

Downtown was flooded as rain pummeled our area for hours. Thankfully, Brian and I live in a part of town that is over 100 feet above sea level-- we are not a flood risk. The hours of rain left much standing water on our yard & street, but the drainage & the sand in the yard helped dry our property & street where we live. Other parts of my City & County are not so fortunate.  Downtown was under water , and many trees fell both in our Northeast Pensacola neighborhood and the neighborhood where our church building is located. 

Santa Rosa County, where my parents live, did much better. Mom and Dad never lost electricity at their house, and had minimal yard and fence damage. However, the beaches are totally decimated. 

The main bridge between Gulf Breeze and Pensacola has been damaged--- it is unusable for the immediate future. News tells folx that it will be 60 days , but I am very wary of that timeline. the alternate route east from Pensacola is not easy for many Pensacola residents, so traffic on the interstate will increase soon. The state has lifted the toll for the newer bridge from Gulf Breeze to a point directly north of there, and that will help ease some of the congestion. 

Curfews are in place for all of Escambia County from 7PM until 6 PM. I am glad for this preventative measure, because many traffic lights are still out and it is easier to control potential looters during daylight hours. 

When I am here, I am able to use the internet to find information and to see how others are coping post-storm. Brian figured out a way to hook our TV to the generator so we can both charge our phones and watch the local news. Knowing where we can find gas helps ease some of my anxiety and I borrowed a book from my parents' house. 

Tonight, Jews will celebrate their New Year--- and I wish everyone a blessed, happy Jewish New Year. I am ready to kick 2020 to the curb. 

Shana Tova, Friends....

~Sarah

Travel in the Time of COVID

                                 Some of our face masks, all washed and hanging in our laundry room to dry.                                                              Photo by The Pensacola Hippie 

With the storm coming ashore in New Orleans, Pensacola is in for a rough couple of days of eastern bands of wind and rain from Hurricane Sally.  I am so grateful that we are not in the path of a direct hit, and my prayers are for all those on the Louisiana/Mississippi coast . 

I am using today to start getting ready for our vacation. This included doing some laundry-- including the washing of all of our face masks. In order to preserve the ear straps, I am machine washing them, but hanging them out to dry in our laundry room.  

North Carolina, unlike FLORIDA, has some strict masking regulations . This makes me feel better bout our trip there. We are driving, and taking our own food & drinks with us-- no food stops at fast food joints in the interstate.  The place where we are staying while in North Carolina is a family-owned Bed & Breakfast that offers a huge breakfast every morning. We'll pack trail snacks, but d not plan to eat a meal until take-out after the day's activities. 

I planned our itinerary to include only outdoor activities. We will go to the Carolina Highlands to spend time in the mountains , so there is quite a bit of hiking. I have the carl Sandberg property on our list, but the outdoor trails are all that is open right now due to the pandemic. We are okay with this arrangement, as we prefer outdoor vacations anyway. The Sandberg House would be interesting, but it will e there after COVID { whenever that may be...} 

We plan to spend on day in nearby Asheville, and I found that the Botanical Gardens there are open to foot traffic. Additionally , a sweet friend gave us a map of the walking tour of downtown Asheville and we naturally plan to stop and sample a craft beer at one of the breweries there { using the outdoor seating option}  If we are hungry, we can get take-out and eat it on the way back to Hendersonville. Again, since we will stock our backpacks with good trail food, hunger should not affect us. 

Our truck will have enough wipes and rubbing alcohol , we want to keep our hands clean while we are out in public. 

I am glad that we can take this trip together-- a much-needed respite from our isolating COVID existence in Pensacola. 

~Sarah

 

77 times 7 : Forgiveness Math

                                                Morning sun photo by The Pensacola Hippie 

CW: Assault & Domestic Abuse  

.

.

,

.

Today I had the treat of tuning in via Facebook Live to the Saturday evening Mass at St James Episcopal Church in Hendersonville, NC{ Yes, the same Hendersonville that Brian and I will stay during our vacation in the Carolina Highlands. } 

First , let me mention that I had not heard Christie+ preach since she left Gulf Breeze, so I'd forgotten what an excellent preacher my former rector is & always has been. It was such  treat to see her online and hear her preach again. 

However, the lessons that are appointed for this week center around FORGIVENESS. Starting with Christ's commandment about how much to forgive a sibling-in-faith : 77 times 7 ! { I hate math! } The priest talks about how the number 7  symbolizes physical & spiritual wholeness .  So, perhaps Jesus is telling us that we must continue to forgive-- that forgiveness is a lifelong journey?  

Interestingly enough, I remember a conversation Christie+ and I had regarding forgiving some people who had done some spiritual damage to my soul. 

Regarding forgiving my siblings-in-Christ, she said { and I am paraphrasing} " Sarah, Christ commands us to forgive. However, it is not always wise to forget."

I am older and a wee bit wiser now, and looking back, I realize that it is true. As long as we humans hold onto resentment, anger , and other negative emotions towards what was done to us by another, we cannot be whole nor free. Forgiveness is essential for our psychological & spiritual health. For Christians, living according to The Way of {Christ's} Love  means that forgiveness is constant. We do not forgive others for their benefit. Rather, true forgiveness { or accepting another's forgiveness when we wrong people} sets US free. 

Yet forgiving someone does not  require that the person accept the offender back into their lives. Yes, reconciliation is possible and should occur in most situations. However, some situations require a " clean break" from the offending person. Reconciliation is not safe. 

For an example: I would NEVER advise a person to return to their abusive partner/spouse. Forgiving one's domestic batterer is essential: but to return to living with that person is dangerous. the same is with a person who harms a child. My forgiving my ex-neighbor who will face trail for some hideous behavior towards a child is essential for my  spiritual & emotional well being. It is not my duty to punish him--- he will have to face both the court and his maker to reckon for what he has done. Yet forgiving him comes with my keeping an even safer distance from this person. I don't want nor need all his poison, so I forgive but remain safely away from his drama. 

In other words, revenge is NOT mine to have against this person, but I surely am not footing the bill for his defense! If a clergy person told me that I had to welcome back to my life a person who had harmed me physically, I would find another church. { thankfully I've been blessed with awesome clergy} 

Perhaps we women are especially careful to separate forgiveness & reconciliation. I hear stories of women who are sexually assaulted by a person { gender DOES NOT MATTER HERE} in a position of power & are convinced that they must return to the toxic environment. 

Forgive? Yes. Return to relationship with that person? NO! 

All of us are given so much grace: we can never attain perfection and we will get hurt and hurt people. None of us are without sin-- but we have a God Who knows what " being fully human " entails. 

The Way of Love is paved with forgiving others and accepting forgiveness. Thanks be to God! 

Amen. 

~Sarah McCarren 

9/12-13/2020

Obligatory 9/11 Musings

                                               Candle lit. Photo by The Pensacola Hippie

We all know where we were and what we were doing 19 years ago this morning.  How can we forget?  Today I want to not only remember those who lost their lives in these attacks, but to also honor those who were on that plane, near or inside the Twin Towers and were at The Pentagon this fateful day. 

I remember feeling anger and fear.  I was in college at The University of West Florida and late to an 8 A.M. class. Although I did not see the " live" footage of the attacks, the replays still haunt me now.  I remember waiting in line to use the public telephone { this was before everyone carried a cell phone in their pocket} to call my dad. I remember silently riding back with him after he picked me up from college--- I needed to take a long weekend away from campus. 

Yet in the horror of the aftermath of the attacks, I saw a unity among Americans of all stripes-- that of which I had not seen since. For one part of history-- Americans were AMERICANS. We were not liberal versus conservative, people of color versus white people, rich versus poor. We were UNITED as a nation. 

Guess what? No matter the messages that the TV and talk radio forces upon us, we are still Americans. 

On this day, in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and during what is the ugliest political season in my 44 years of life on Earth, I continue to pray about unity. Additionally, I put my words into actions and work towards peace and unity for all. 

I love this nation. She is not perfect, but I do believe that we can overcome the divisions that plague us s much as does the threat of COVID. Perhaps COVID is " the great equalizer"-- the virus cares not what color skin, what age or gender, nor one's political leanings.  If there is any " silver lining" in Pandemic Life and on the anniversary of the worst domestic attack on US soil it is this : We are all human. 

Perhaps the best way that we as a people can remember those who perished today and honor those many who were physically there when those planes went down is to untangle ourselves from the debacle of Year 2020 and work together to make life more just for all Americans. 

Amen.

Sarah McCarren

Patriot Day 2020

A Lament Over Year 2020

 

Bitmoji of me cussing. Made by Ariana. 

Dear Wonderful ,Earth-Maker, Pain-Bearer & Life-Sustainer....

I know You re here, even among the chaos that is Year of Our Lord 2020. But to be honest, I struggle daily to find Your Hand in the chaos that has marked this calendar year. 

In January both my brother-in-law and sister-in-law died, leaving my husband feeling alone. 

RIP brother Dennis and Poopy-Butt Jack Dog. 

February was not ** too** terrible, I even convinced my home-body spouse to attend the Pensacola Mardi Gras Parade downtown, a first for both of us. Had I known what the rest of this year was bringing, I would have savored every second of " big crowds" . 

 March came in like a rabid lion and brought a deadly pandemic to our shores. This pandemic altered everyone's reality as we all retreated into our enclaves. Everything shut down for over two months, and " life" if one considers it life, moved literally online. beaches in Florida shut down, and no one could get their hair cut and/or styled. 

During most times of national and international crisis, American have traditionally looked to our President--- regardless of political party -- for assurance. No so for this crisis--- unlike George W. Bush who managed to rise above the horror of the 9/11 attacks and lead our nation in unity-- the current occupant of  1600 Pennsylvania Avenue purposely distorted truth about the seriousness of this new virus. As a result of his irresponsibility, people refused to practice safety measures and the virus spread. This President had intel that could have saved lives, but he chose to keep it top-secret and encouraged people to ' live life normally'.  

The war between those of us who want to keep the virus from spreading and others who believe that their individual " freedoms" are more important than the survival of other people. Even now, some people refuse to cover their faces: knowingly putting their so-called " rights" above caring for their human siblings. What is even more hurtful is that many of these Unmaskers consider themselves as people of faith. Maybe I am wrong, but especially we Christians are called to follow Jesus' example of putting others before self?  I don't like wearing masks, but I comply so to keep myself and others safe. 

Florida, my state, has a Governor who chooses to listen to the President than listen to scientists' facts and the desires of the People of Florida.  Our Governor INSISTED on re-opening schools , which we now see is causing a statewide spike in COVID cases . 

It has been months of ongoing weirdness, made even worse by the wildfires in the western part of the USA and the fact that it is Named Storm Season for another four or five weeks. Someone wiser than me advises me to not  " borrow trouble" by worrying about what will happen & her advice has been sound. 

 

However, this year just keeps throwing more shit to me and everyone else I love, and I am weary of  living in a perpetual state of anxiety.  I do my best to " observe and not absorb" all the news. Most of the time I succeed at keeping my sanity, but there are some days when I wonder if its worth the fight? 

My 90-year old grandmother is at the end of her Earthly journey---and all I can do from Florida is pray for her to pass peacefully and painlessly. COVID robbed my family of a chance to celebrate Grandma's 90 years on Earth and it looks like we will be robbed of the chance to formally celebrate a life well-lived. 

On some days, I feel like I am merely existing--- not living. Restrictions due to the spread of the virus have made human touch { even handshakes} prohibited.  Funerals are done online as to keep too many people from gathering together at once . Weddings and birthday parties are tiny affairs-- or postponed until *** after COVID***

By the way, when is after COVID?   No one really can answer that question. Whom can we trust in this dystopian world? Today during online Noonday Prayers, the Psalm that we prayed together went like this " :

I lift my eyes to the hills

from where is my help to come? 

My help comes from the LORD...

This pandemic has shown me that people in power cannot be trusted to act in the best interests of everyone. After the tragedies on September 11, 2001, our country UNITED as Americans-- regardless of age, ability, sexual orientation or even political party affiliation. My  hope & prayer is that we somehow come together as humans.

 In order to do my best to help reach this goal, I usually refrain from " talking politics" -- either in person or online. Yet it has come to the point in this disaster where  it is a moral issue for me  A public heath crisis should not be politicized -- yet those who are against mask-wearing and insist that the virus " isn't too bad"  are dividing us when we should be united against the common , invisible enemy of COVID. 

I'm weary of  keeping the peace by remaining silent regarding what I see happening to my state and nation. 

This pandemic has brought out the worst in people: I continually remind myself to seek out the GOOD in others among this ugliness. 

Creator of the Universe, thank You for al the good humans I know. Help me to find some patience as a vaccine is developed. Protect people I love from getting sick. 

Amen. 

~Sarah 

10 September 2020

Herons and Their Messages

                           Blue Heron on the boat launch dock. Photo by The Pensacola Hippie 

  I've found some semblance of " normal" during these surreal times while out in Nature.  Brian and I head out in the morning, before most people are awake and/or cognizant and enjoy some fresh air and a mask-free outing. 

   During my time on the water, I've become quite friendly with some of the shore birds. I am particularly fond of the resident herons who live there. Over the past six months they have learned to trust me enough to allow me to quietly paddle next to them for a photo opportunity. 

According to  http://www.blueheronenv.com/meaning.htm,  Cherokee tribes believe the following about the Blue Heron: 

According to North American Native tradition, the Blue Heron brings messages of self-determination and self-reliance. They represent an ability to progress and evolve. The long thin legs of the heron reflect that an individual doesn't need great massive pillars to remain stable, but must be able to stand on one's own.

Blue Herons have the innate wisdom of being able to manoeuvre through life and co-create their own circumstances. Blue Herons reflect a need for those with this totem to follow their on unique wisdom and path of self-determination. These individuals know what is best for themselves and need to follow their hearts rather than the promptings of others. Those with the Medicine of the Great Blue Heron may sit until the rest of us loose patience. And, when they follow the promptings of the heart, they are one of the most magnificent when they choose to soar.

Hmm.  Self determination. Self reliance. An ability to evolve. Ability to stand on my own thin legs while knowing what is best for myself & not needing to follow a crowd. 

All of the traits that I listed are either traits that I already possess { ability to evolve & knowing how to stand on my own two legs without needing to follow crowds} and what I aspire { more self determination & self-reliance} 

I am not sure exactly what Heron is trying to tell me, but I do notice her. 

During these strange times in human history, all of us have been forced to adapt to an uncomfortable , unnatural reality. On my worst days, such as today, the idea of " keeping on keeping on" in Pandemic Existence is daunting. 

Herons are usually solitary birds, preferring to hunt alone. yet they also can be quite social.  These birds, in spite of their small head size, are intelligent . I remember witnessing this trait of Heron a couple years ago while Brian fished in Fort Pickens. He had left some bait fish in his net and the Heron who lives there figured out how to use its beak to pry the fish from the net.  

According to Celtic traditions, Heron is full of magic because it lives in the marshland---that environment between the " land" and " water" ecosystems. Perhaps Heron brings forth the parts of my life that remain " both/and" . Maybe Heron is also trying to teach me that it is sometimes necessary to see situations in shades of gray. 

Today I give thanks for Heron. 

Amen

~Sarah

 

" Play Me Some Mountain Music"

 

       My happy feet walking a trail at Kanuga, near Hendersonville, NC back in 2016. 

In two weeks from today, Brian and I will be in Hendersonville in Western North Carolina. If we don't get stuck behind an accident on the Atlanta Bypass, we should arrive at our Bed & Breakfast at 4 PM Eastern Time-- after leaving at the butt-crack of morning. 

Yesterday, our priest encouraged us to think of a place in Nature where we feel the most connected to the Divine. Our congregation is observing "   A Season of Creation" , along with Christians of every denominational stripe from the first week of September until St Francis' Day , October 4. 

I live in one of the most beautiful coasts on Earth, and I encounter The Divine here often.

However, there is nothing that brings me closer to The Creator Of The Universe than hiking in the Appalachian woods of western North Carolina.  I feel safe and " at home" among the big , leafy trees, dark soil , big rocks and babbling brooks. 

I want to bathe in cool swimming holes that are fed by majestic waterfalls. 

My soul desires to rest my mind, soul nd body under a safe, sheltering canopy of leaves on BIG trees. 

I want to take off m shoes nd dig my feet into that sacred, ancient dirt.  In the morning, I want to sip my coffee on the front porch dressed in layers of a sweatshirt over a t-shirt-- shoes with socks & long pants. 

For me, some of my best memories of childhood occurred in Western North Carolina. I recall hiking up to the summit of Beech Mountain { near Boone, NC} with my brother. I remember trips with our parents to the Mile-High Swinging Bridge on Grandfather Mountain-- I was terrified in the best way possible I'm not sure if I want to walk across the Mile High  Swinging bridge again, but looking at the valley from a birds-eye view was incredible. 

I'm looking forward to our planned urban hike in Asheville, we plan to first visit the botanical gardens, enjoy a cool craft beer out on the sidewalk, browse the used bookstore there, and see the rest of downtown via hiking boots. Brian and I did not get to Asheville during our first trip together to the area, and we are both looking forward to this new experience.  Many people re trying to convince us to go to The Biltmore Estate  in Asheville, but I cannot justify the steep price of tickets { 65 dollars per person } at this time. And truthfully,  I am glad that we can spread out our activities in Asheville-- and not spend all day in one activity. 

During these strange times, nd especially during this hot and humid Labor Day at home I'm cheered by thinking of spending time with my favorite person in one of my most sacred places in all of Great Earth. 

" Mountaineers are always free." West Virginia State motto, and true for every Mountaineer in any state. 

Amen. 

~Sarah

Some Western North Carolina Memories

 This is Labor Day weekend, 2020. Since I am a Florida resident, I've learned to dislike " holiday weekends": all the tourists come and crowd the parks & beaches along the northwest Florida Gulf Coast. This year, with the COVD threat, it is imperative that Brian and I stay home as much as possible. 

            Forgive me: but Western North Carolina is one of my favorite places.  

            On this hot and humid Saturday in 2020, I'm looking forward to our trip to Western North Carolina.  Her are some photos of memories I've made in the two most-recent trips to Highlands Paradise.

This is the stature in the outdoor chapel at Kanuga. I snapped this photo back in 2016 when on a " work trip" for Episcopal Church Women.  I'd not much spare time, so I went on several mini-hikes each chance I got. As much s I love the Gulf Cost, part of my soul will be Appalachian. 

This is the Episcopal Church in Hendersonville, located literally right across the street from the bed & breakfast that Brian and I use. 

There is something inexplicably sacred about the old , old mountains of the Eastern United States. I grew up in the foothills of the Appalachians, and still remember endless hours playing in the woods. Brian took this picture of me when we were on our honeymoon  to the mountains back in December 2015. 

 Kanuga Lake: I snapped this photo one early morning before breakfast at the ECW Province Four Retreat. I'm hoping that Brian and I can hike the circumference of the lake on this trip. 

Kanuga Chapel. In 2016, I DID spend some time here on my " work trip". e used the chapel for both worship & business space. 

This is another view of the outdoor chapel at Kanuga. 

These are photos of the visit to Looking Glass Falls at Pisgah National forest, near Hendersonville. As a child , I'd spent some time in the northern end of Pisgah swimming in cool swimming holes near beautiful falls. It is my hope that Matt { my brother} , Brian , and my Dad will some day show the nephew & niece the water magic of the Pisgah waterfalls and swimming holes. 

 Brian took this shot during one of our hikes. As you can see, I am totally representing The University Of West Florida in this photo. The big smile on my face says it all: I love Western North Carolina! 

 

 

Here is a photo of Looking Glass Falls, in Pisgah National Forest, near Hendersonville.  Water is definitely me " elemental sign"   s one cannot see powerful falls such as these in the flatlands of the Gulf Coast. :) 

Both Brian and I are planning to make more wonderful memories during our too-short trip to the Carolina Mountains. We've added a day in nearby Asheville this tie, nd we look forward to new experiences there, including sampling some of the craft beers! After all, St Brigid of Ireland is my patron saint and stories say she turned water into home brew beer! 

Peace to all...

~Sarah

Labor Day Weekend 2020

Saints : Then and Now

 Icon written by unknown artist of St Brigid of Ireland. She is my " sister saint". 

 During this week's Godly Play session online, the children were asked to wonder who in their lives is a " saint" . They were asked to create a story about their saint. 

  Who do you know as a ' saint? 

  A " saint" can be a person who is still alive-- or someone who has died. some saints are known by everyone-- but most saints are known by God alone. 

  I am blessed to know several saints. Some of these, such as St Brigid of Kildare { Ireland }, are recognized by the Church Universal. 

My home altar... with items that honor my Celtic roots  The St Brigid Cross in the shadowbox is an authentic one that my parents brought back for me from their trip to Ireland & Scotland. Brigid and I have a unique sisterhood that transcends time & space. She is recognized by the Church.  Photo by The Pensacola Hippie. 

I am blessed to have several people in my life whom I consider " saints". These ordinary people bring out the best in me: and help me to grow into the person God intends for me to become. Some I've known for my entire life, and others are new to my circle. The saints I know are not perfect people, but each does their best to live out the Gospel in a way that is tangible. Saints I know focus on others: they choose living as a servant.  

I give thanks for the " saints" and Saints . 

Amen. 

~Sarah