Write At Cafe'

I pick a small cafe' in Hillsville to soak up the surroundings as my writing takes place
Sipping the hot creamy chocolate mocha while the steam tickles my nose
A memory of grandma's house during those cold winter days comes to mind
Her fire would melt the snow off my boots and the cocoa sweeten my soul
Peaking over my warm cup of brunette liquid the lunch hour traffic begins
Shyly scanning from my mind to pen I write
Interested or not the café fills the room grabbing the attention to taste the food;
a crisp grilled turkey sandwich with a cappuccino in a hand or fresh Soup of the Day
Touch of music behind blends with the atmosphere
A smile given gently across my face
The joy of this inviting drink upon my lips and the memories of love
I write to say outside cold remains while warm feelings play inside this cafe' .

"Beautyescape"

9X12
Acrylic
This is my first person figure
9/09

Ascending

Ascending
9X12 canvas
Acrylic

5 Days on the A.T.

Starting out in Damascus, VA me and Kathy stayed at a hostel there. There were some bicycle people there but we managed to find a bunk I noticed right then I would need a pad so I went to the outdoor shop and purchased a pad so I would not have to sleep on the board but my night was still restless and achy. I had my ear plugs in but the hostel was not like home. We got up and ate at the Cowboys known for their best blueberry pancakes but I needed something to last so I got the biscuits & gravy. Was delicious. Heading out was suppose to be 16 miles but we only made 12 miles a lot of up hills, hard on a girl that just started. Many streams, campsites, and woods. We made camp at a pond that night, hearing the frogs make their speech then silence then one frog would announce then again the rest would join. Night life sounds were different than the morning sounds, it was interesting. I am not use to sleeping out into the wild so I got very little sleep because very little padding on my bones. Being we were behind of schedule we had to make up the miles on day 2 so were ventured off going on the most extreme and high point in VA and that would be Whitetop elevation over 5000 ft. I came across a small snake in my path as my foot almost landed on it, he slithered away. After finally making it to the top we stopped to see the most beautiful sites Buzzard Rock was a picture taking moment and pictures cannot show the wonders of God's creation on top of that mountain. My pain was faded and forgotten for the moment. Going across the VA Highlands Horse Trail, Mt. Rogers Trail, Briar Ridge, streams, and more woods we meet up with the rest of the group. Their trail names are Skiddle, Nonails, Rawhide, and Moonwalker. I didn't get a name but was going to they did say Fireowl would have been a good one for me because I built such a good camp fire and plus not being shy on taking a close up owl picture. Me and the owl was just a few feet away. After going 16 miles the second day I was totally exhausted yet when bedtime came I was sore and tossed and turned all night. Its different being on the trail, you think of nothing back at home only what your crossing over or keeping your eye on the ground and looking at nature. Trying not to twist your ankle no more than you had. I wished it was a little more slow paced but they have to make it to Maine before the Park closes on them. To be a Thro Hiker you have to complete over 2000 miles in the same year. More power to the hikers. Their tough. I suggest anyone that wants to challenge themselves to do a Hiker's Boot Camp, testing you mentally and physically go for it. I am glad I went out there for it also made me aware of how I have it made at home and waste too much time by not getting outdoors more. 54 miles and I survived.

Hitch Hiker Vanished: Hear the Trumpets

This weekend while a friend of B.R.'s was driving down the interstate near Chilhowie, VA the lady driving was passing a hitchhiker something told her she should pick him up. Never doing this before she did. While driving he kept saying " I hear the trumpets, I heart the trumpets" then he vanished, gone. She called the police and they said they have had 6 phone calls of the same story.

BR told me this I just wept and still crying its glorious to know its soon yet I am crying because I hope and pray I will be going to Heaven. I thought at first people were leaving but no its the sound of trumpets coming, and their coming soon. I was curious and googled and found that there were other incidents of the same story but similar. I girl from TX her pastor received a phone call from a lady that picked up a hitchhiker and the hitchhiker said "Gabriel is putting the trumpet to his lips the Lord is coming back" she ran a red light and the police officer tole her he pulled over 9 people of the same line, another in Ohio, "I'm getting ready to blow the trumpet, Jesus is coming back" and disappeared. She too called the police and they had 6 phone calls of the same line. This is real, not made up. This is a sign for us to wake up! We are not perfect we are all sinners but do we believe in Christ are we saved, do you know Christ as your Savior, I do and I hope you will receive Him soon. Please respond back to this if you need prayer or you just want to talk.

Angel from Heaven is telling us this. We should take it in for I know I have.

Hanging Rock State Park, N.C.

Hike: Hanging Rock, N.C.

Moderate to strenuous these trails will lead you to a beauty above. 2500 ft nature speaks as each foot touches rock, sticks, creeks, and there at last the breath taking moments was worth it when at times I did not think I would make it. My first hike and this will not be the last.

Wind touches my skin
Hello out there
Sweat in winter months but you stare
Ah, only peace.

The Wedding Day

Memorial weekend with friends and family traveling from a far, to see this couple bind their love saying "I do". The ocean gives a wave and smiles. A perfect day for the two.

Scuba Adventure

60 ft. slowly descending
Ocean hugs me as I meet
For the first time under
Visibility of 40 ft.
The fish seem closer
Bigger they get
I say Hi for you must greet

Town & Country Living

Wednesday May 23, 2007 Susan Strong with the Southwest Times interviewed and published an article about "The Story Behind A Local Book Of Poetry". My book Free Of Me is on the front cover.

To be successful

Where in that moment of time do I realize that becoming successful has put me into a state of mind of disappointment. Tying one book signing after another nobody understands the time and effort the hard work yet wanting to reach to others to show they too can become an author. Pushing towards to the goals in which they have been reached I thought selling would be a breeze. Experience from start to finish I understand that rushing should not be an option. Where is the support have I missed the opportunity being raised in a family with no accomplishments still does anyone understand. A published author, how does that feel to me it is exciting but where is that feeling. All my energy goes into trying to sell, self-marketing is hard but I wanted to do it. This book, Free Of Me, has given me freedom. A relief yet I haven't felt accomplished. A author have I published to give or to reach out to speak to the hearts of others. I am trying. Am I successful I am trying.