Great read and great to read! Love that you listened to your soul and made it happen, with patience and determination - and the serendipity that flows from it. I've always wanted to live somewhere with forest and mountains at my back and the ocean (with a sandy beach) in front. Not found it yet. And not sure I'd move if I did. I'd probably end up a hermit if it weren't for nowadays-tech.
Thanks so much, Tommy. And thanks for your insightful questions. I have a strong feeling that now that I've shared this story, the dam will open. Onward!
Looking forward to it. And your first gave me an idea of how to tackle my own writing journey, making what I write about useful _and_ personal - avoiding the pitfall of 'lecturing'.
Your mountains are my mountains which I am not in right now. I love them and I am conflicted (does anyone live where they grew up?). I dream of even greener ones if you can imagine--The Yorkshire Dales, Ireland, Scotland. I haven't been to the first two and my soul is saying, "Go!" so I will as soon as I can, and with an open mind. And I'll feel how I feel. The first time in the Scottish Highlands I thought--"this is just like Fairview" (a part of Asheville that was "out in the country when I was growing up," now still country-ish but with many many more houses). I'll be open. And to go for it, first I have to divest from what I'm involved with now. Thank you for reminding me of the feeling I'm to take note of, Marsha. This post of yours is valuable and helpful.
Thanks for this, Jan. Interesting that you think those in the UK, Ireland and Scotland are greener. It's hard to tell on a map if Fairview is in the Appalachian Temperate Rainforest. I know Asheville is drier than the rest of the region at about 37 inches per year. My area, next to Gorges State Park (which gets +90 inches/yr) gets +100 inches/yr on average. Looks like the UK, Ireland and Scotland are pretty variable as well with some areas like Asheville and others much rainier.
You probably already know that Highlands NC was named by the Scottish settlers because of the region's similarity to the Scottish Highlands. Which makes sense -- the Appalachian mountain chain continues under the ocean and emerges in the UK!
When I told you a while ago that your way of life is my dream, dear Marsha, I wasn't kidding. This beautiful, eloquent essay brought tears to my eyes. Our mutual understanding that we are Nature and Nature is Home, plus your way with words, are why I'm here. 😘
Great read and great to read! Love that you listened to your soul and made it happen, with patience and determination - and the serendipity that flows from it. I've always wanted to live somewhere with forest and mountains at my back and the ocean (with a sandy beach) in front. Not found it yet. And not sure I'd move if I did. I'd probably end up a hermit if it weren't for nowadays-tech.
Thank you! Say what you like about Zoom, but it keeps me from being a true mountain hermit. 🤣
Great to read your story Marsha. Long may you and the cats enjoy those mountains and daily life in such a splendid display of nature.
Thanks, Rosemary. Appreciate you being here.
Marsha! Congrats on hitting publish and getting this out into the world.
Absolutely loved this essay and reading about your journey :)
So good: “Every day I feel like I’m walking on gratitude,”
Celebrate this one!
Thanks so much, Tommy. And thanks for your insightful questions. I have a strong feeling that now that I've shared this story, the dam will open. Onward!
Looking forward to it. And your first gave me an idea of how to tackle my own writing journey, making what I write about useful _and_ personal - avoiding the pitfall of 'lecturing'.
Your mountains are my mountains which I am not in right now. I love them and I am conflicted (does anyone live where they grew up?). I dream of even greener ones if you can imagine--The Yorkshire Dales, Ireland, Scotland. I haven't been to the first two and my soul is saying, "Go!" so I will as soon as I can, and with an open mind. And I'll feel how I feel. The first time in the Scottish Highlands I thought--"this is just like Fairview" (a part of Asheville that was "out in the country when I was growing up," now still country-ish but with many many more houses). I'll be open. And to go for it, first I have to divest from what I'm involved with now. Thank you for reminding me of the feeling I'm to take note of, Marsha. This post of yours is valuable and helpful.
Thanks for this, Jan. Interesting that you think those in the UK, Ireland and Scotland are greener. It's hard to tell on a map if Fairview is in the Appalachian Temperate Rainforest. I know Asheville is drier than the rest of the region at about 37 inches per year. My area, next to Gorges State Park (which gets +90 inches/yr) gets +100 inches/yr on average. Looks like the UK, Ireland and Scotland are pretty variable as well with some areas like Asheville and others much rainier.
You probably already know that Highlands NC was named by the Scottish settlers because of the region's similarity to the Scottish Highlands. Which makes sense -- the Appalachian mountain chain continues under the ocean and emerges in the UK!
"...repeated gifts of serendipity I never expected." Love it
When I told you a while ago that your way of life is my dream, dear Marsha, I wasn't kidding. This beautiful, eloquent essay brought tears to my eyes. Our mutual understanding that we are Nature and Nature is Home, plus your way with words, are why I'm here. 😘