News from the Mountain

By CAROL GUNTER

Evidently it took a little time for the birds to realize they had bird seed in those feeders. There are now usually several birds feeding at one time. Thought I was going to have to put a bush or a small tree on top of the stand where the 4 feeders are hanging. If you remember, Aubrey, had our trees cut down so not a tree in our yard is standing anymore. Thank goodness those birds have accepted the stand and all is well and I didn't have to do the redneck thing to improvise on putting a top on it to make the birds feel right at home.

Pretty day today as it is going to be warmer than the upper fifties we had yesterday. Wind not too much a deterrent from getting outside and do a few projects. Sure hoping the winter blues we've been having will fade on out gradually now. The weather girl said this morning winter not over exactly as the frost factor could still be around till April 10th to April 15th on average. A little more patience on our part for the time being and before we know it we'll get the spring planting and projects outside going in high gear for those especially like me that like to get out and enjoy nature and the beauty therein. Stepped outside this morning and it seemed that I smelled spring in the air and what a joy that was. Intent to do a lot of that sort of thing as the days turn warmer and capture everyone's attention for better things to come and the wintertime is history one more go around.

Several wagons being pulled by mules came through by our house Friday afternoon. Guess you could call it a mule caravan. Every now and then when the weather is just right these mule trains as I call them come by. Wondering how old those wagons the mules are pulling with passengers aboard are? They're probably antique like me. Mule day in Columbia coming up this weekend, so I imagine people are getting the fewer for that. Always heard mules are stubborn creatures. Remembering when Aubrey would tell me I was stubborn as a mule. Yes, he was right just like he was about so many things. Quite a remarkable man that I've never seen the likes of before in my lifetime. Still thanking God for Aubrey and always will. The mountain not the same anymore without him but how fortunate we have been to have had "Big John" here with us for so many years. What a legacy as he left his mark on honesty and treating others they ways he wanted to be treated. A man who worked by the sweat of his brow day in and day out. Because he was so unique and in a category all his own created by God where-ever he traveled, people remembered Aubrey and admired and respected this man that cast such a long shadow that can never be matched. What you saw was what you got. No put on or pretense about Aubrey. As I've said before, only once in a lifetime does a man like Aubrey come along. Once more, I have to say how fortunate have we all been to have known him and hopefully learned from his example of living life the right way. Always loving and missing you Aubrey, and looking forward to being happy again someday, when I'm finally back with you. A treasured dream I constantly think about and I know it will be fulfilled, when it is my time to leave here. God is taking good care of me until then.

Some people we need to keep in prayer: Carlon and Mai Nell Melton, Edith Miller, Denise Stanton, Charlie Mai Daniel, Dona Lawson, Reed Vanderpool, the family of Hoyte Hooper, and also, Ella Richard (Carlon Melton's sister)

I have been told my very credible sources (Clyde and Bobby) the aliens / little green men, that invisible cow that appears and then disappears, and the 10 ft tall rabbit named Harvey are all vacationing in Bermuda or the Bahamas. Probably not Bermuda as all I can think about is that Bermuda Triangle that could suck them all in and they would only be told about then in history books on every known continent from now until time as we know it is gone. A tear or two could possibly fall, if that happened and it would certainly be a tragedy we might not recover from in the long run.

If you have news for the column, just give me a call at 615-563-4429. Have a great day!

The Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6