Snow at the Peaks

We had read online that there was four inches of snow up on the mountain. We didn’t have any snow in Altavista Thursday morning as we started west toward the Peaks of Otter, but as the road started to climb in Bedford County, we began to see patches of snow. And we could see snow on Sharp Top Mountain in the distance.

By the time we got to the Peaks of Otter Lodge, it was clear that for the second year in a row, we were going to have Thanksgiving dinner in a snow-covered natural setting.

You probably know by now that Larry and I love snow. When we visited Mountain Lake in Giles County last Thanksgiving, we were thrilled to find snow.

This year, the forecast for snow caused us a little concern because if it got too heavy, the Park Service would close the Blue Ridge Parkway, and dinner would be canceled.

We made it safely to the lodge, though, and enjoyed a beautiful buffet of roasted turkey, cornbread and apple stuffing, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, and so many other meats and side dishes.

It seems that now Larry and I have started a tradition: we must eat Thanksgiving dinner where there’s snow.

 Once we parked the truck, I got out my camera and started taking photos. We slowly walked to the lodge as I stopped again and again to try to capture the beauty around us.

This is the first photo I took of Sharp Top.

  

When we turned back around a few minutes later, clouds were rolling in.

 There seemed to be at least four inches of snow resting on the ground around the guest lodgings.

  

This is a view of Abbott Lake behind the lodge.

  

These red buds were a pretty contrast to the brown of the weeds and the white snow.

 Snow on trees—one of the loveliest ways snow decorates nature.

  

Another view of Sharp Top.

More views of the lake.

They already had their Christmas decorations up. A large tree stood in the lobby.

  

I especially liked these decorations because of the bears included.

Our table had a good view of the lake. A small tabletop tree stood beside the table. I took this photo with my phone against the light, so it's not a great shot. But I liked the rustic decorations.

Once we sat down to eat, facing the lake, the sun broke through the clouds and shined directly into Larry’s eyes. So we quickly adjusted our seating at the table. You never know when nature will change.

No, I didn’t get any photos of the food. But it was delicious. And I ate a lot. The first thing I did when I got home was to change into sweatpants. My nice dress slacks seemed to have gotten tighter just since that morning. Wonder what caused that?

Thankful

I'm obviously very thankful for this little critter. He's lounging in front of the gas logs.

This time of year, my thoughts, like many others’, turn to the things that I’m thankful for. I could give you a list of what I’m thankful for. But I thought instead I would tell you a story about a little adventure Larry and I had yesterday.

We went to Lynchburg to do some shopping and decided to eat lunch at a Japanese restaurant we haven’t tried before.

We’ve both had Japanese food before, and Larry loves sushi, but compared to what we were served and the way we were served Sunday, we got more of the “real” food we were looking for.

As we walked through the dining room towards our seat, I saw a lot of people using chopsticks and eating dishes I didn’t recognize.

Then the host left us with menus plus a paper sushi menu with pencils.

What were we supposed to do with these?

The waiter, a very nice young man who looked like he probably attended one of the local colleges, appeared to take our drink orders. I decided to be straight-forward.

“We’ve never been here before,” I said. “What do we do with these little menus?”

The waiter said we would order any sushi by filling out the paper menu. Everything else would be ordered off the other menu.

So Larry and I looked over the menus. We didn’t recognize a lot of the dishes. We laughed at our own confusion. Then I remembered I had my phone. I Googled a few things on the menu to find out what they were. For example, I learned that sashimi is raw meat or fish thinly sliced.

Larry wanted sushi with salmon, and I wanted a vegetarian roll with cream cheese, avocado, and cucumber. We filled out our papers. Then we decided on the main dishes: teriyaki steak and shrimp for Larry, vegetable tempura for me.

The service was so nice. We got our sushi and rolls, then onion soup, which I had never had but found delicious. A green salad followed with a dressing that tasted good even though we didn’t know what kind it was.

When the main meal came, it was on a tray, with a bamboo mat covering the bottom. It was a multitude of food.

I loved the dishes—the small ones for the sauces, the soup spoon perfectly shaped, the pretty plates.

No, I didn’t get any photos. I was concentrating on the food and atmosphere, but now I wish I had snapped a few.

I wanted to try the chopsticks and took them out of the wrapper. I couldn’t figure out at first that I was supposed to pull them apart (don’t laugh). I fiddled with them a little, but I couldn’t seem to get the hang of it.

Larry brought his chopsticks home and practiced this afternoon. I think he wants to go back soon for more food.

So why is this something to be particularly thankful for? I spent time with my husband, we ate good food, and we had fun experiencing something new. We might have been a bit embarrassed by our lack of knowledge, but we just joked about it and had a good time.

These little adventures—these moments of life—they mean so much to me nowadays. I no longer wait for the perfect time to have the perfect day. Any day can be made an adventure, don’t you think?

Blessings to all of you, and if you celebrate Thanksgiving, have a wonderful holiday!

Note: This week, instead of posting on Thursday, I’ll post on Friday.

Visiting Mountain Lake

Can you stand one more post about out trip to Mountain Lake? I hope so because today I’m sharing more photos from our Thanksgiving visit.

As I’ve mentioned before, Larry and I spent our honeymoon 10 years ago at Mountain Lake. We stayed in one of the cabins high above the main lodge.

Mountain Lake is a lake that sometimes nearly disappears. When we visited in 2003, the lake looked like this:

Now it looks like this:

You can read about this phenomenon of the lake waxing and waning here.

The Lodge is where we ate our Thanksgiving dinner. 

In the main lobby, there was a fire going in the fireplace. But there were so many people around, it was hard to get in a position to get a good photo of it.

I liked the simple décor in the lobby.

We walked around outside, exploring and taking photos before dinner.

Here’s Larry. He said his face was too numb from the cold to smile. He’s kindly carrying my camera bag.

Here I am in front of the gazebo.

This is the gazebo. You can see it in the photo above from 2003. I liked the way the ceiling was put together.

Here’s the boat dock. As you can see from the second photo of the dock, there’s no water for it right now.

There are benches around the grounds to sit and enjoy the view. That particular day, it would have been rather cold. It was 22 degrees Fahrenheit when we arrived a little before 11 a.m.

I loved this snowy path.

There was some ice around, though. We slow-walked across it. At one point, we were making our way down a hill with ice. About halfway down, I told Larry I was scared. Ever the calm one, he said, “I know, but you have to keep going.” And I did.

Ice on the driveway. At least this wasn't on a hill.

Anyone up for a game of chess or checkers?

There are areas around Mountain Lake that would be fun to hike. And I noticed a sign that said we were just five miles from the Appalachian Trail.

If you’re ever in Giles County, Virginia, I urge you to visit Mountain Lake. There might not be water in the lake, but there is beauty all around and a cozy Lodge to relax in.

Snow and some randoms

Happy Friday, everyone! Nancy, of A Rural Journal, started a meme called Random 5 Friday, and I’m hooked. Even though Nancy is on a break, I still find it fun to share random facts with you each Friday.

One

Larry and I enjoyed Thanksgiving at Mountain Lake in Giles County, Virginia. If it wasn’t the best Thanksgiving ever, it was close to the top. We had a wonderful time.

The closer we got to the top of the mountain, the more snow there was.

Two

It snowed in Altavista on Wednesday, but not for long, and it didn’t stick. Up at Mountain Lake, there was snow! Larry and I are like kids when it comes to snow—we love it. We were so excited to walk around and enjoy the soft crunch of the white stuff underneath our feet.

It wasn't deep, but it was snow.

The barn with a background of trees glittering in the sun at the top of the mountain.

Three

We had a fabulous meal. There was a full array of food on the buffet, and a man stood at the carving station, ready to slice off turkey or roast beef, or both.

I had turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, a green salad, and butternut squash.

Yes, I cleaned my plate.

They had a lot more selections, including cornbread stuffing (which Larry said was the best stuffing he had ever eaten) and pecan stuffing, but that’s what I ate.

We had two baskets of different breads on our table, with honey butter and a cranberry relish to spread on them.

The dessert table was lovely, but by the time I got to dessert, I could only eat a small lemon cake.

We both ate too much, but we did manage to stop before we were miserably stuffed.

Four

We went by the gift shop and bought a pottery ornament shaped like Virginia with the name Mountain Lake Lodge on it. This is the second time we’ve been there, and we’ve had a wonderful time each visit. I wanted something to commemorate this visit.

At a fenced off lookout near the Mountain Lake Lodge.

Five

I find being in the mountains restful for my soul. That’s the only way I can say it: my soul feels at peace when I look across the blue mountains.

I’ll share more photos next week. I probably went overboard with the picture taking, but I wanted to capture every piece of beauty I saw.

I give thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate! I hope you enjoy time with family and friends and make new, warm memories.

And to all my readers: I am thankful for you.

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

― Cynthia Ozick

Larry

I give thanks for Larry.

I give thanks for Chase Bird.

I give thanks for my mother and Larry’s mother and the rest of our family.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Leaves and pine needles caught in the fence around the raised bed garden.

I give thanks for the familiar pieces of life.

I give thanks for the new and surprising.

I give thanks for the animals and trees and flowers and skies.

Trees at sunset. November 9, 2013.

I give thanks that I have a home.

I give thanks that I always have plenty to eat.

I give thanks for clean water and clean air.

I give thanks that I have access to good health care.

I give thanks for books and words and color and light.

I give thanks for my blogland friends.

I give thanks to God for all that He has given.

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”

― Meister Eckhart

Counting blessings on a walk

Thanksgiving is this week in the U.S., and I find it’s a good time to remember the blessings I have.

I try to count my blessings every night before I go to sleep, but I think it’s good for me—perhaps for all of us—to take the time to really think about what we’re thankful for.

I am chiefly thankful for Larry and my family, which includes our Chase Bird.

Today’s post focuses on blessings that I thought about as I walked around my yard on Sunday, enjoying the sunshine and taking photos of things that caught my eye.

It was a cold day, only getting into the 30s, with a breeze blowing. Before going out, I put on a coat and a knit cap and slipped on my gloves.

I was thankful that I had warm outerwear to put on to protect me from the elements. I was thankful for the gloves that Larry gave me a year or two ago.

They keep my hands warm, but if I have to take photos, the mitten-like top folds back and my fingers are free.

I was thankful that we had such beautiful trees in our yard and that their shapes were fully visible to admire and photograph.

I was thankful for Larry’s hard work in getting up the many leaves that fall from those trees. This is one batch down by the street, waiting for pickup by the town. Such town services are another thing to be thankful for.

I was thankful that I found a few acorns. There aren’t many this year, but I hope the squirrels and deer are able to find the ones that are there.

I also found half a nut in the yard with the insides gone. Larry thought it was a hickory nut. I hope it fed an animal a good meal.

I was thankful for the blue sky behind the trees. Fall is a time with so much less humidity than during the summer, and I love seeing the true blue of the sky.

I was thankful that I had the ability to walk around. I was thankful that I had a camera to capture some of the beauty. And I was thankful that I had a warm home to return to.

When you go for a walk, what blessings do you see?

Giving thanks for things I often take for granted

  In a continuation of my posts on giving thanks, I’m writing today about things that I’m thankful for that I often take for granted:

• I always have enough to eat. I have gone though financially difficult times, but I have never gone hungry.
• I have access to clean, safe, healthy food.
• I have plenty of clean, safe water to drink.
• I live in a solid, warm, safe house. I have never been without a place to lay down my head at night.
• I have access to health care.
• I have the means to pay for my health care and prescriptions.
• I am able to get treatment for the health problems I have.
• I am in good health overall.
• I had the opportunity to get a good education.
• I have a job, and I like it.

To those of who celebrate Thanksgiving, have a safe and happy holiday. And to all my readers, may we always be grateful for the gifts in our lives.

Giving thanks for good treatments for mental illnesses

In honor of Thanksgiving on Thursday, I’m writing some posts about what I’m thankful for.

In my last post, I gave thanks for my husband. In this post, I’m giving thanks for some of the things that have helped me with OCD, depression and anxiety.

I’m thankful for:

• My first therapist, who recognized the depression I had and referred me to a psychiatrist.
• My first psychiatrist, who diagnosed me with OCD and depression and started medication treatment.
• Anafranil, the first medicine I took for OCD and depression. It lifted me up enough to begin to have hope in life again.
• The books Brain Lock, by Dr. Jeffrey Schwarz, and Freedom from OCD, by Dr. Jonathan Grayson, which have helped me to help myself.
• My family doctor, who treated me for depression and referred me to my current psychiatrist.
• My current psychiatrist, who also diagnosed me with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder and who gave me hope that I could feel better.
• The medications available to help.
• My current psychologist, who is helping me with my chronic depression with an active, intense therapy.
• Exposure and response prevention therapy, which I’m doing on my own right now and which is helping me with my OCD.
• Researchers who are working to help people with depression, OCD, anxiety and other mental illnesses.
• Fellow bloggers who have taught me about living a fuller life.
• Readers of this blog who have supported and encouraged me in my journey.

  What are you thankful for in helping you in your own journey of recovery, healing and working for a better life?

Giving thanks for my husband

The winner of the $10 Amazon gift card is Elizabeth. I have emailed you the code for the gift card. Congratulations, and thank you and all my readers for your support of this blog!

***

I’m going to use this time before Thanksgiving to give thanks for some of the many blessings in my life.

Today I’m giving thanks for my husband.

Larry and I recently celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary. I am forever thankful that I married him.

Words that describe Larry include stalwart, dependable, honest, intelligent, trustworthy, generous, kind and capable.

He had a long career with state government, and he’s now enjoying retirement.

He’s been busy with some renovations to the house, and he’s doing a great job. He’s meticulous and creative in his work. When he’s come up against obstacles, I haven’t worried and I’ve told him not to worry, because I know he’s going to figure out the problem. And he always does.

Larry is smart and analytical. He is also very softhearted and kind. He loves the cats as much as I do and willingly and wonderfully shares in the care of them.

He is a quiet man, and when he speaks his mind, I listen, because I know he has given the subject a lot of thought.

Larry is very supportive of me in my struggles with OCD, depression and anxiety. He has willingly learned more about the disorders. He’s patient with me sometimes beyond measure. And he can make me laugh when I need to laugh.

He’s not perfect, as I’m not, but he’s my best friend and my beloved husband.

Who is one of the persons you are thankful for and why?

I am thankful

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I am going to try to be very consciously thankful for all the blessings I have. So many times I forget about gratitude. The holiday reminds me how many things I have to be grateful for.

My life isn’t perfect, but no one’s life is. We all have our burdens to carry. Mine seem too heavy to bear at times, but I have found that remembering what I am thankful for gives me a better perspective.

I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful for his generosity, companionship and friendship. I am thankful for his forgiving nature. He is a good husband to me.

I am thankful for our cats, Samantha (Sam) and Chase Bird. I am thankful for their companionship, their affection, their funny antics and their presence.

I am thankful for our cats that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Waddles and Thunder Cat. I am thankful for all they taught me and for making my life better.

I am for my husband’s daughter and her husband and children. I am thankful for his relatives.

I am thankful for my extended family and relatives, the good, bad and the ugly. I have learned from them even in difficult circumstances.

I am thankful that I have enough to eat. I don’t worry about where my next meal is coming from. I am thankful that I have access to healthful, safe food.

I am thankful that I have a home. I can stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and I sleep in comfort.

I am thankful that I have a job, and that it lets me do what I love to do—find out stuff and write about it.

I am thankful that I have health insurance, which allows me to get the medical treatment and medications that I need.

I am thankful that there are a variety of ways to treat OCD, anxiety and depression. I am thankful for my physician and for all those working to help those of us with these disorders.

I am thankful that Sam just pulled me away from writing this post to play a game of “swat that ball.”

I am thankful for music.

I am thankful that I am able to walk and run and move around. I am thankful for meditation and yoga.

I am thankful for books, beautiful books. I am thankful that I have access to so many.

I am thankful for my love of writing.

I am thankful for animals. I am thankful for trees and flowers and mountains and rivers.

I am thankful that I started blogging and have made connections to people who understand the whole OCD thing.

I am thankful for the spirit that connects all of creation.

To those who celebrate Thanksgiving, have a wonderful holiday. To those who don’t, enjoy your day too. I am thankful for all of you.