A Bright and Sunny Winter Day in Asheville

Holly and I are still in Asheville (Monday) getting used to our new schedule. I went back to work this week, about 20 hours, which felt great. We left Hillsborough on Friday afternoon and headed for the mountains, our first Asheville trip for the new year. It's been a cold, gray w-e until today; it is finally sunny with clear blue skies. We are trying to get used to our new commuting schedule since I now work Tues-Fridays. Holly is going to work from the mountains on Mondays, and we'll head back to the Triangle late on Monday afternoons. Today, I've had the day free to go running around Beaver Lake and to do some errands around town. I just took some of that big carrot cake I bought previously from the Bone Marrow clinic, over to Susan and Donna's house. Luckily I got to visit with them a bit before they head off to work.

The Christmas season is now officially over for us. This morning, I took down the tree and Christmas lights, packing everything away until next season. I am sad to see all of those colorful decorations & lights go back into their boxes until later this year. I couldn't bear to take down the wreath on the front door so I am leaving that up until Spring. Why not be festive, at least at the front door?

I read a review recently of a book written by a woman about her experience with her Mother's cancer. The reviewer had some similar life experiences and had written a blog about her feelings, though she admitted that she hates the word "blog". She prefers to think of her blog entries as "little boats" that she launches with her feelings. I, too, have felt funny about the word blog, mostly because I don't want to be the kind of person who thinks that what I write is important. It started in June after my leukemia diagnosis with news & updates for my family, friends, and co-workers. But I have come to enjoy the process of recording my impressions of things. I plan to continue that as long as I have time & enjoy it. I don't expect anyone to read it now that the acute scare of my cancer is past. If anyone does read it, I hope you find it helpful & pleasant too.

Today's photo is from a hike we did along the Elk River just south of Arcata in N. California. The trees were covered in moss and even had ferns growing out of the branches.