New beginning

Here I am writing a blog. I don't have time to read other people's much less create my own and yet, here I am writing a blog.

I'll start with why.

I am 51 years old. Self-employed. Happily married. Reasonably healthy. Enjoying life. My wife and I purchased a small parcel of land near Sparta, NC last fall and have been spending as much time there as possible without getting fired from our jobs. We have fallen in love with the place. At the base of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great community. Great climate. Great weather. (If you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes.) Great neighbors. Great wildlife everywhere. Deer, turkey, coyotes, more birds than we can identify. No bears sited but the neighbors tell us they are in the area and have been seen on occasion over the years and according to the NC Dept. of Natural Resources bears do habitate close to where we are, a few miles from Doughton Park. Actually I'll be fine if we don't actually come face to face with Ursus americanus, just knowing they are there is enough. Thus the name of the blog. That's what we named our little slice of heaven. Bear Bottom.

I wanted to express my thoughts and feelings on our new life more for myself than anyone else. If others obtain a little something from my post then so be it. I'll try not to be funny or clever or wax poetic, although I may do all three, and then some, at the same time, without even meaning to. I'm doing this for me. If you choose to read then the weight is on you. My opinions. My choice. I guess the main reason for starting this blog is to leave something for my future grandson. We are expecting our first grandchild next month and I guess I just wanted a way to connect to him in years to come. A way for him to see inside his Poppy's mind and heart and soul. Maybe one day he'll experience the joy and peacefulness of an Alleghany snow fall or a brisk hike on a cold winter's day or the quiet solitude of a cool spring night sky. I want for him no more, no less than he wants for himself. I just hope I am around to help him understand his place in God's wonderful world and the importance of our stewardship in keeping it as safe as possible for future generations.

We just spent a couple of days at Bear Bottom and experienced rain and sun and deer and turkey with new little one's and a relaxation that is difficult to explain or put into words. Some of our friends can't understand the draw but we feel everytime we climb the mountain. We're home.

Read my mind and my heart little Emrick. Poppy is talking to you.