I have always had a fondness for fungi. Lichens are a mix of fungi and algae that grow on rocks and trees.
My favorite forms of these little hybrid beings are the fruticose kind. These are shrubby and sometimes pendulent.
This beauty was on a fallen stick beside a trail I hiked this afternoon.
I love how its growth cascades off the former branch it was growing on.
Lovely color and form!
I am lovin’ this little lichen!
FLOW
My mama’s birthday is next week. She would have been 94 years old. Her favorite color was pink, so I am in the habit of looking for pink gifts in January.
I was stopped in my tracks by this lovely pink snowflake in front of a shop named The Funky Tulip.
It is a great day for swinging in a pink swing. It is almost 60° on the mountain!
I was drawn closer by the display pink decorations in the window.
Of course I had no choice but to pop inside. Pink and sparkle together gets my undivided attention.
I found more pink furniture and items inside.
If you love pink, this is your kind of place. There were other colors too but I ignored them.
I will keep thinking pink this month as I remember my mama.
Flower
I made myself go to one of my favorite places today.
Going there used to be a reward for getting my chores done.
But today I went with my clothes still in the dryer and unfolded towels in a basket.
I had not swept the floors either.
Why the switch from going as a reward to being forced to go?
FEAR
That foe is still here.
So I went to Evergreen Island to prove that I could.
Alone
Unsure but determined
Who will make me go if I don’t?
I heard the fear voice whispering…
later, tomorrow, when you have time, when there is no pain, when your new stick gets here…
I heard that whispering all afternoon until I wanted to scream.
I grabbed my trek pole, camera and keys and marched myself to the car.
If I fall, I fall.
If it hurts, it hurts.
Fear has kept me from Evergreen Island for many months.
But I got there today!
Do not listen to that whispering voice.
Ignore that fear!
Listen to your heart.
FLOW
Coyotes howled in the valley as I took these photos. A green spirit orb appeared.
This has happened before, the night of my daughter’s college graduation.
Believe what you wish.
FLOW
The pair of Storytellers’ Chairs have returned to the mountain fully restored and ready for more. I have been busy saving the stories as well. Legacy isn’t just about things.
In the 1960’s the chairs were a plush green. They sat in my grandparents’ livingroom overlooking Hibriten Mountain. My maternal grandfather was the main storyteller.
In the 1980’s the chairs were covered in a rosy velvet. They were in my parents’ home in Charlotte.
Now, they are a lovely blue and sitting in the family room of my parents’ dreamhouse in the mountains of North Carolina.
You may recognize the Zebra table nearby.
Having these important family heirlooms restored and placed here makes me feel like more time circles have been completed.
I have fond memories of times with the former owners of these chairs. I miss my precious relatives who are no longer living. I especially miss my mama, Dottie Ann/ Kiki and her younger brother Uncle Jim both of whom we lost in 2025.
These family pieces being restored and ready for more years with our family brings me both peace and joy.
Many thanks to Blue Ridge Upholstery in Vilas, North Carolina for doing such an excellent job for us.
READY FOR 2026!
FLOW
I appreciate holiday lights when the nights are looooooong.
I love these because they are beside a lake which reflects the colors.
This resort’s lake has ducks and swans that call it home. I was glad to catch a duck in a photo.
We saw both the real swans silently swimming this afternoon.
It is important to focus on lights in darkness. Just as it is crucial to look for hope during periods of sadness.
Look for the light!
FLOW in the glow
Sometimes we must make decisions that our people do not understand. The need inside is so strong that the pulls from outside must be ignored.
That is where I have been for the past year and a half. I know I belong on the mountain, despite the challenges.
My family gifted me a battery port and solar panel to keep me connected even during power outages.
This is the best give of all. Maybe they cannot understand my decision, but they support my decision.
FLOW ready for snow
One of our family traditions is to ride around town looking at Christmas lighting and decorations. We found a new favorite this year.
We visited the known hotspots along the main streets. There are two streets with rows of giant, blow-up Santas with an occasional snowman. There is a neighborhood of assorted lighted balls hanging from the trees. We even found a street of blow-up nutcrackers in town.
We visited the usual yard near us with dozens of the old-type of plastic lighted figures. (I have posted on this one before.) The choir on the bleachers was missing this year, but the snowmen, ceramic look-alike trees, toy soldiers, teddy bears, angels and a nativity scene were present in the presentation.
My husband and son found our new favorite while looking for something else. That is how life works!
This neighborhood was developed in the hundreds of acres of nature that surrounded our home for decades. I was glad to see the sparsely populated development in the previous woodlands getting into the holiday spirit.
Several of the yards were over-the-top lit up. There was even a lighted herd of deer where a real herd probably bedded down back in the day. They had a good assortment of Santas and snowmen and lights of all colors strung across roofs and trees. Just when we were getting to the deadend of the road, we spotted a bright glow on a hill.
Wowza! The over-the-top yards got topped by the most ecclectic grouping of lighted figures ever. These folks did not stop with tradition!
There was a gingerbread house with two dancing cookies.
The tree in the middle of the yard held colorful lighted ornaments. There were several angels. The gold one had flapping wings. The lighted mailbox’s door opened and closed. There were cute teddybears here and there.
The giant word JOY was behind the tree and Merry Christmas was down in front. Big lighted candles and snowflakes were scattered about. These images were fancy versions of the expected holiday decor.
This should have been more than enough cheer to spread, but these folks were not done yet. They had more to say this holiday.
Front and center of the glowing menagerie stood the three stand-outs of the ensemble. A golden Statue of Liberty glistening beautifully was noticed first.
Beside Lady Liberty was the silver Eiffel Tower, and beside it was a big, glowing Ferris Wheel.
There is a story here. I hope I get to hear it before I leave town. I will let you know if/ when I do. It is going to be difficult to stay away until I know what inspired such a display.
Merry Christmas readers. I hope you each have an over-the-top holiday with events full of twinkling lights and dancing cookies and liberty.
FLOW
I opened a special package this morning. The gifts were given by the two beautiful daughters of my soulmate, Sandra who died in July of 2024.
Sandra’s two girls were about the same age as my son and Rose. We went to the same church for decades. Our families were involved in many of the church’s children’s activities together.
This meant that we spent alot time laughing together. Things never go as planned when young ones are involved.I remember vividly when Sandra and I were supposed the be helping with the Christmas program. The two of us were sitting on the floor out of sight of the audience facing the stage. I think our role was to mouth the words of the songs for the young performers to mimic.
Mayhem broke out on stage. Angels were everywhere. Hay was pulled out of the manger and thrown. Lines were forgotten. Wings were bent, halos were tilted. I think someone picked up rubber baby Jesus.
One of us looked at the other and mouthed the word, ” Fiasco.” We both burst out laughing while doubled over on the floor of the sanctuary. Modeling singing and mature behavior became impossible.
This is who we were together. One word or facial expression was all we needed to communicate. Sandra’s photo is by my bed. I miss her every day. Sometimes when I see something hilarious I start to think…” I need to tell Sandra.”
Now, she is my angel. Her symbol for me is the hummingbird. She is missed greatly but somehow I feel her with me.
Her girls sending me these treasures is proof that she is still doing things here. How did they know to give me a Nativity pin and an angel? Maybe they heard the ‘Fiasco Story’ from her or maybe Sandra told them what treasures to share with her buddy Flower?
Thank you girls.
Flower
floweralley 