Haircuts & Wildflowers

These are wild flowers growing below the house. Me and the dogs have been walking down most mornings and it is pleasant to see always. 

Wednesday & Thursday were good 2 days off. We went riding up to Mt. Mitchell and enjoyed that time together. 

This is a state road off the parkway we found that passes through federal park land. It comes out at Mt. Mitchell Golf on Hwy 80. 

Thursday, the dogs got a haircut, then we went to Boone, as TC needed a new phone and of course we ate. Coming home, we came bac on Hwy 19, one of our favorites, as that it the road that brought us to Avery County so many years ago. 

Back to work for my 3 day run Fri-Sun. My back has been hurting since Monday and I am hoping it clears up soon. 

 

Service & Solitude

Christmas in July event in Spruce Pine NC 

Enjoying God's Creation and TC's hard work 

So, I am on my 3 day break from work and this is what I did. Well, I worked at Ashe Medics Friday, 12 hours, then I worked 5 hours on Saturday for a special event pictured above. I enjoyed letting the kids jump up in the ambulance and I enjoyed spending some time with my friend Chief Tim Jones of Fork Mountain FD, along with Spruce Pine FD & Mitchell County Sheriff's Department K-9 officer Jessie. Afterwards, I came home and watched a cowboy movie, cause it was too hot, then I cut all the grass. 

TC is spending the weekend with her niece Nickie, so it is just me and the dogs. I have enjoyed the solitude last night and today. 

 

Taking Stock

Bailey just kills me...

So, yesterday was a day off and I needed it SO bad. Been working some extra this past week or so, so I needed the break. Yesterday morning, I cooked breakfast and then cleaned the kitchen up. I enjoyed some front porch sitting and then, we went Jeeping in the Northern part of the county and stopped by Bonne & Clyde's in Loafers Glory for supper. 

Brody took a nap with old dad this afternoon... I can't believe he stayed there the entire time. 

Riding up next to the river, on Double Island road, well, it was just lovely...We didn't take the dogs this time so we could just enjoy it ourselves. 

And finally, we watched this movie last night and it was really good. Sad, but good!!! After facing a life tragedy, the lady takes stock of her life and finds life purpose by living off the land in Wyoming. Of course, one thing that this movie taught me was this, "Be Prepared". Through the good graces of a loving God, others were able to teach her to survive. Take time, slow down, notice more, that is the message I received. 

 

Garden & Growing

I enjoyed my 2 days off. Really, just piddled around the house. Did some more Jeeping, working in the yard etc. Below is a tree/bush that was around the frog pond that TC wanted gone. It use to be big, and I trimmed it back, then trimmed it down to nothing but the bottom ball...of roots. I like to never got it out. I hooked the jeep to it with a chain and finally got it. 

That night TC fixed a great meal. 

These next few pics is from TC. Brody looking at Mom out the window. He is doing so good and I am so glad he is part of out family. 

TC first mess of beans....

Her first squash and they were delicious. 

Now I am on my 3 day run at work and so far nothing too bad. Lots of transports to Mission and to home from BRRH, which is a good thing. 

 

Partners

This post is about partners. Since coming to Mitchell last April, I bounced around a little while on the 24 hour truck. Once I was assigned a 12 hour truck, I became T-Rex partner. We have been partners since mid September of 2022. Yes, we are coming up on our one year anniversary. I trust this man with my life. Here is the deal, he is young and fast and I am old and slow. I slow him down, and he speeds me up. It is a great combination. We share in each others lives. 

 

Jesus & Jeeping

Up the road from the house is Liberty Hill Baptist Church. They have a cross, that is sizable, and I can always see it at night. On this early morning, as I was walking Bailey, even through the fog, I could see the light of the cross. It reminds me that Jesus is always making intercession for us, as promised in Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

The boys playing 

Brody looking to stay cool by laying on the cool tile of the shower. 

After cutting grass yesterday and weed eating, we took a trip to do some Jeeping. After fueling up the Jeep, we went down the Parkway and hit some dirt roads and finally got the parkway on Hwy 80 and back up through Celo to Michaville and then the few miles back to the house. The dogs did great. 

We found a federal primitive road that led to a few campsites, then into some private land. Of course we turned around but also found this little creek that crosses the road. 

Good day yesterday, we finished up by eating the buffet at the Sizzler. Find day!!! I picked up a extra shift today. 12 hours on the day truck at Mitchell. Of course i had this scheduled prior to my decision to slow down.  

 

EMS Unknown

Look at the fuel gauge, yup it is at a quarter. A BIG no no is to allow it to drop below a half of a tank. It worked out and we were able to fill up with no issues, but when you work in a day truck, there is no one to in which to trade keys and such, so when you come in, it is the unknown. To be fair, this is in Ashe. 

I would like to share one other thing. This past Sunday, we really did have a good shift going, then came the call. All 3 trucks dispatched! 3 injured folks in the river, one is unconscious. I cannot go in to details, but this is such a tragic event. a tree fell, with unperfect timing. A Father, mother and son. The Father and son's life is forever changed. 

We had to enter the river, clothes and all and chainsaws had to be used to extract everyone from the river. Great response from Ledger, Spruce Pine, Bakersville Fire Dept. Thank God!!! Prayers for this family. These days are hard. Calls like this weigh on you for sure. BUT, someone has to do it!!! 

I have been working a lot here lately as we have spent out quite a bit of money, but I also know that I must slow down (at my age) or I will burnout. I plan on taking a few weeks and just work my regular schedule for a bit. 

 

Parades & Steak

4th of July Parade in Spruce Pine NC...Medic 53 

Came home from visiting Mom and threw this on the grill. It was yummy along with some White corn.