The Appalachians are on fire. I am on my hands and knees, collecting documents that are irreplaceable before we evacuate. I’m fighting to think straight, control the panic. Acrid smoke has been hanging around our mountain community for days now, chased by strong winds from the wildfires in western North Carolina and northwest Georgia. The Rough Ridge … read more Where there’s smoke
Tag: water
A spooky hike
Yet another day of sunshine and 80+ degrees. I put aside the work I couldn’t finish, and went to do the toughest hike in the community. Fall colors relaxed my eyes as the dry leaves crackled under my feet. But something was strange… The forest was silent. Completely silent. I puzzled over it, then realized that … read more A spooky hike
Water and words
[Oct. 25] We had just about an hour to spend in downtown Charlotte. We spent it walking in The Green, a public space smack in the middle of highrises, just an acre and a half but filled with grass and art. A central fountain meant for kids to play in was dry, probably to conserve water during the drought. … read more Water and words
Shifting light frames
The sky has been strange lately, like it can’t make up its mind. Rain, or not rain? Clouds move in and out, the light changes, but no rain. This kind of light, though, frames single objects in a particular way that makes it easier to see beauty. Today I was hiking along a lovely and … read more Shifting light frames
Sunday therapy
Finally, a day off. Slept in. After I made coffee and brunch I was free for a few hours to write while Tom was reading. Like a normal Sunday. We came up with an ambitious agenda for the afternoon and evening. We wanted to go to the playfield so that Tom could walk on the track, … read more Sunday therapy
A path to Lullwater
Tom wasn’t done with rehab today until nearly 5 p.m. I wanted to beat the rush hour traffic, so I drove into town early and went to explore the vast park just across the street from the rehab hospital. Lullwater Park is part of the Emory University campus, and technically is only available to students and … read more A path to Lullwater
To get to the other side
Why were all the cars stopping? I was on my third lap of 12 at the playfield, just hitting my stride. I’d been half an hour late for most of the day, kept trying to make up for it, kept failing. On the road next to the playfield, cars were slowing down and stopping at a certain … read more To get to the other side
Water solvable
Are you unhappy? Or maybe just feeling like your life isn’t all that stellar? I have a sure cure for that – just 10 easy steps! Go to your utility room, and find the main water shut off valve. If you don’t know where it is, find out as soon as possible. Turn the valve … read more Water solvable
Don’t let this happen to you
The bath was hot, the lavender salts were fragrantly soothing, and I was truly relaxed. Ahhhh… CLANG! It sounded like something large had fallen over, but I heard it through the heating vent. I listened and heard a soft hsssss, like the heat had come on. I really, really want to stay in the bathtub. … read more Don’t let this happen to you
Swimming in beauty
Before my aneurysm, I went to water aerobics and swam laps in this pool. I was very purposeful – get in, get the exercise, get a shoulder massage from the whirlpool, get out. It was only when I began to use the pool more slowly – in the open area outside the lap lanes – … read more Swimming in beauty