Cold,Gray Day at Carvins Cove

Such days have a certain raw beauty for me...

What the Day May Bring...

I read this poem aloud this morning though I barely needed to look at the printed page...I've loved poetry since the day my third grade teacher, Mrs. Gray, introduced me to Carl Sandburg. As I reflect on the sudden, but not completely unexpected, death of a relative today I ponder this poem yet again.

Because I could not stop for Death (712)

by Emily Dickinson
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –
We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –
Or rather – He passed us –
The Dews drew quivering and chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown –
My Tippet – only Tulle –
We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground –
Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity –

Building Character....

I've heard it happens to most everyone at least once....

Waking up to

A brand new day...

Mount Airy, NC aka Mayberry

I have loved the Andy Griffith show since I was a child - I wanted to marry him when I was a kid, heck, I'd still like to marry the Andy on the show. The local CBS station has shown Andy Griffth reruns for years and they dare not cancel it. TV lore has it that Andy Griffith based the show on his childhood in Mount Airy, NC though he has denied that over the years. No matter, a couple of weeks ago I took a bus trip to Mount Airy, NC to enjoy the fall colors and delight in all things "Andy".
A huge granite quarry is located in Mount Airy as evidenced by the many granite buildings in the town...

Painted sign ...
"Barney's" car and yes, that was a mighty comfortable tour bus...

Wally's Service Station stuffed with all sorts of Mayberry memorobilia and ice cold Nehi sodas...
Cinema on Main Street..
Source of any John Deere item you could ever desire..

Arcade and wedding chapel???

Snappy Lunch - Home of the Famous Pork Chop Sandwich and no, I did not have one for lunch..
The barber looked much like the Floyd on the show...
Maid's quarters in an historic home we toured...

Rustic, outdoor decor...

Granite home lovingly restored...what a fun day.

Outer Banks

Bikes awaiting riders at the Inn at Corolla Light..

One of the many fantasy horses dotting the Northern Outer Banks...

Dusk in Corolla...

Produce market along the way...

Bridge near Pea Island...

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse...

Visitors Center near Orcacoke Ferry...

On Orcacoke Beach...

Orcacoke church...

One of the many family cemeteries in Orcacoke...

Oyster shell walkways...

Home on Howard Street...

A suitable end to a quick pictorial tour of Outer Banks. I will return...