The Wind Blew

The strong winds brought down most of the fall leaves over the weekend, but not before  I was able to get a few more snaps of fall!

                             I found this lovely scene on my way to the dentist one morning.

               This scene beckoned me on the way to a friend's for a "until we meet again" date.

                                                The sun was bright and the color was alive!

                                              Our Japanese Maple always brings a smile.

My neighbor's Red Maple was striking!

I love when the red and yellow are intertwined.

Well, back to packing! We have a contract on our house! Time marches on.

Moving Along

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” ― John M.

     Driving to the dentist last week I had to turn around and go back for this lovely scene of color.

Changes are coming! Jerry and I are moving to the small town of Brookville in the hills of northwestern Pennsylvania. In less than four weeks the moving company will take all of our belongings and settle us in our new home. Whew. What a month!

Although the decision  seems quick, the idea has moved around in our heads for years. Brookville is Jerry's hometown, and although none of his family is there now, he's always wanted to move back. Me, on the other hand, was not interested.

But God finally gave me peace about it after all these years and we found a home and we're packing up to be ready for the big move. Did I say we were packing. That's about all I've been doing the last three weeks.

“Gazing out from the mountains, the clouds are whiter, the sky is bluer, the air seeping into your lungs is as clear as the water roaring down from the snow, melting on the high peaks. A place where heaven is a little closer.”  Virginia Alison 

Just think of all the new territory I'll have to go out looking for pictures! I've always loved the mountains. As Jerry tells it: "They wrap me in their arms."

That trip I took in September through wild and wonderful West Virginia must have awaken a deep longing as I drove the country roads around the mountains. Every turn was a lovely scene waiting for my eyes.

"And if these mountains had eyes, they would wake to find two strangers in their fences, standing in admiration as a breathing red pours its tinge upon earth's shore. These mountains, which have seen untold sunrises, long to thunder praise but stand reverent, silent so that man's weak praise should be give God's attention." Donald Miller, Through Pained Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road

                                  I like these steps going up the tree trunk! A unique idea.

I had a delightful surprise when I told my favorite cousin, Rick, about the move. We had lost contact for many years, and came back together again about 10 years ago. He lives in Ocean City, with his wife, Jeri, and I hated telling him we were moving. But to my surprise he had his own news! "We're moving to Ohio." We both went to our computer to see how far away we'd be. As it turns out we'll be 3 1/2 hours away so our yearly lunch dates will continue! Thank you, Father!!!!!

“I like the mountains because they make me feel small,' Jeff says. 'They help me sort out what's important in life.” Mark Obmascik, Halfway to Heaven

So we'll be busy packing, giving away and throwing out over the next few weeks. Moving day will be here before we know it!

                                               I'll miss the color from our neighbor's yard.

High on a Mountain Top
      byLoretta Lynn

"High on a mountain top,We live, we love, and we laugh a lot
Folks up here know what they got, High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top

Where the rest of the world's, Like a little bitty spot
I ain't comin down no never I'm not, High on a mountain top
High on a mountain top

Where I come from the mountain flowers grow wild
The blue grass sways like it's goin out of style
God fearin' people simple and real, 'Cause up on the ridge folks that's the deal
Well my daddy worked down in the dark coal mine Shovelin' that coal one shovel at a time
Never made a lot money din't have much But we're high on life and rich in love

High on a mountain top"

Did I say I've been packing?

Autumn Finery Continues

Fall finally did come to Maryland! Following are some snaps from last week.

This pond is 5 minutes from home. I went by it the other day while out looking for fall color. Lovely!

This crooked tree had a lot of beauty around it.

I'm usually partial to red barns, but I love this one in the fall color.

A sunny, autumn morning and all is right.

This back road was exquisite in the sunshine.

Lovely grass with it's fluffy top against the yellow leaves.

Piney Run Park had it's share of fall scenery.

It's like driving through candy land.

The lane behind home was showing its stuff too!

I'd like to follow this lane to see what's around the corner.

A carpet of beauty!

Have a happy fall day!

"Falling" Around

" . . . and we all do fade as a leaf . . ." Isaiah 64:6

                                                                  I love the gold!

I borrowed a little time yesterday morning to drive around looking for fall color. It seemed to arrive overnight. I noticed a tree outside our back gate early in the morning and decided it was time!

From Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, Streams in the Desert 2

"We all do fade as a leaf . . . But how does the leaf in autumn fade? It is true that certain trees renew in their autumn foliage the same color that marked them in their budding time of spring, but with fuller, brighter hues. Nature does not die drably! She puts on her most gorgeous robes in autumn and dies gloriously. She goes down with her gay banners waving, smiles back to us as she leaves us. God speaks to His own comforting messages at all seasons and at all times.

"In Charles Kingsley's last hour he was heard to whisper, 'How beautiful is God.'

"If peace be in the heart The wildest winter storm is filled with beauty
The very trees and stones, all catch a ray of glory If peace be in the heart.

"He gave us the secret of victory. It is the peace of God, passing all understanding that makes all the way long a good journey. 'My peace I give to you.'"

Enjoy the fall scenes!

                               Just a country scene on a country road on a country morning.

This burning bush was quite attractive with the orange and gold behind it. A farm silo got in the snap too.

                                                                      Ah, fall color!

                                       Liked this low to the ground spread of red and orange.

                                         The horses in the far field were an added bonus.

                                                                   Just a nice scene.

 When I first saw this horse it was back in the trees under the color. Couldn't get a snap off quick enough to catch it there.

                                                           How do they do that?

I just might steal some time and go out again! Enjoy the fall beauty!

For a Little While

                                Last year's beauty found one fall morning as I drove around.

It's time to take a break from my blog posts. My blog was created February 19, 2009, and I've been creating new posts every week for most of that time.

Some changes are happening here on Ridge Road that will take a lot of my time. So I'm going to break away for a spell and concentrate on other things.

If you have enjoyed these weekly posts, there are a lot of old ones, of similar flavor, that you are welcome to read. And, when I get a nice snap or two, I just might post them for you to see. You can find old posts by date down the right side of the blog.

My posts are my witness to Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I write to encourage hearts and direct their thoughts to God and his creation.

God is at work. I'll resume one day and tell you all about what life is doing here on Ridge Road.

Those Words Again

               I hope to find some of this color soon! It's so hard waiting for the leaves to change.

I was sitting here waiting for the leaves to change color, and it started me thinking about snow. It just did. I decided I would do a Shutterfly book with my pictures of snow, and started the process this morning.

While I was looking through my journals to find quotes and stories about snow, my eyes feasted on other entries I've written down. My heart was encouraged and I laughed! so I thought I'd share some with you!

These are from Carol's Thoughtful Book, 2008-2009:

"John Bunyan was once asked a question about heaven which he could not answer because the matter was not revealed in the Scriptures. He advised the inquirer to live a holy life, then go and see."

"Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a fire?" C. S. Lewis

"Prescription for a happier and healthier life: resolve to slow your pace; learn to say no gracefully; resist the temptation to chase after more pleasures, hobbies and more social entanglements; then 'hold the line' with the tenacity of a tackle for a professional football team." James C. Dobson

"I am now officially too old to die young. It is the autumn of life and all of my organs have headed south. It takes longer to rest than to get tired. There is nothing left to learn the hard way. Life isn't about young and old; it's about dead and alive--and I'm alive." Charles Lowery

"Solitude is for me a fount of healing which makes my life worth living. Talking is often a torment for me, and I need many days of silence to recover from the futility of words." Carl Gustav Jung (oh how I relate!)

"I am sorry for men who do not read the Bible every day. I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and the pleasure." Woodrow Wilson

"Always do right. This will surprise some people and astonish the rest." Mark Twain

"Laughter is the most beautiful and beneficial therapy God ever granted humanity." Charles R. Swindoll

"Language has created the word 'loneliness' to express the pain of being alone, and the word 'solitude' to express the glory of being alone." Paul Johannes Oskar Tillich

"Little strokes fell great oaks." Benjamin Franklin

"It rained so hard that all the pigs got clean, and all the people dirty." Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

"The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those who sang best." Unknown

"Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. 'Pooh?' he whispered. 'Yes, Piglet?' 'Nothing' said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. 'I just wanted to be sure of you.'"

"Writing is not easy for most of us. Dr. Gaines Dobbins . . . was a prolific writer. Someone said to him: 'You must enjoy writing.' He responded, 'No. I enjoy having written.' (I identify)

Now, have those leaves changed color yet?

On the Mountaintop . . . for Real!

"In the beginning, when this great universe lay in the mind of God, like unborn forests in the acorn-cup; long ere the echoes waked the solitudes, before the mountains were brought forth, and long ere the light flashed through the sky, God loved his chosen creatures."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

                                                                        Spruce Knob

There I was, all by myself, on top of the world! 4863 feet. The highest point in West Virginia. And it was a long drive to the top!

Spruce Knob was one of the places I wanted to go as I drove through Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. The sky was a striking blue and the temperature was pleasant. I wanted to have a "mountaintop" experience in the land of wild and wonderful.

Half way up the gravel and dirt road, two work trucks passed. Other than those trucks, I was virtually alone on this winding road and slow drive. Just when I was beginning to wonder if I'd made a wrong turn, another work machine, leveling the dirt, came by. I flagged him down and said: "I think I may be lost." He replied, "You're not lost. You're right here." It made me smile.

I'd been on top of Pike's Peak in Colorado once, with a friend, but this was the first time I reached the summit alone. That last 1,000 yards started my heart a fluttering! No railings protected the side of the road coming back down, and I got as close to the other side as I could. I also came down the wrong side of the dirt road when I left. I wasn't taking any chances! and I was very glad there was no wind.

We often talk about having a "mountaintop" experience, whether it's on top of a mountain or in the coziness of our home. John Hamby says: "It is from the mountain top spiritual experiences that we gain the encouragement and strength to face the difficult times."

I've had my share of "mountaintop" experiences with the Living Lord. Nothing can compare to knowing God is with you and helping you each day. Yet there's something to being on top of the world, alone, and looking at God's creation.

I did find a blacktop road for my descend back to level ground and stopped at a restaurant for an ice cream sundae! I needed to celebrate! I was back down to earth!

My four days driving around mountains and winding roads were thrilling, and God didn't disappoint with the beauty of His creation.

I chose a trip to West Virginia so I could visit a dear friend I hadn't seen in 35 years. We had been sister-in-laws in my 20s and stayed in touch until my early 30s. With life changes we lost touch. Then, in 2014, I found her daughter on Facebook and was reunited with my friend, who was now a sister-in-Christ.

What a glorious time we had being together and sharing our hearts.

God always seems to surprise me with the desires of my heart! One morning as I began the day I came upon a cow with two new born calves! You know me and my baby animals! What a way to start my day!

My lodging was at an Inn in the valley and provided quiet, calm and a refreshing view. They had their own family of deer which I was happy to watch as they lingered in the field. I stayed in the "Garden Room" at the Inn and came back each day to sit in a garden and rest.

In the lower part of the forest is the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and it is against the law to use a cell phone. For an hour north, south, east and west there was no cell service. I admit, when I was at the top of Spruce Knob, I was wishing I had cell service!

You never know what you'll find around each curve in the road. When I came up on this old gas station and the little green truck I just had to stop and take a picture.

I loved this farm I came upon with the mountains completely covered with fog. One of many curves in the road that provided delicious scenes!

I even found this house snuggled up to the mountains and decided I could live there!

It was a wonderful few days away from the grind of life to appreciate a little bit of heaven in the mountains of West Virginia. All of this wouldn't have been possible without Jerry staying home and caring for Mom. He gave me his blessing to go and have fun. And that's just what I did!

"Does not all nature around me praise God? If I were silent, I should be an exception to the universe. Does not the thunder praise him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not mountains praise him when the woods upon their summits wave in adoration? Does not the lightning write his name in letters of fire. Has not the whole earth a voice? And shall I, can I, silent be?"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon