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Friendship's precious bounty
Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 01:44AM 
When I set out last Friday for East Tennessee, happy at the prospect of clapping eyeballs on my son again after so many months, I couldn't have guessed at the abundance of blessings -- in addition to that (obvious) one -- awaiting me.
As I wended my way north and west on I-26, navigating pretty awful traffic around Asheville where it tends to bottleneck until that breathless moment when your tires kiss the asphalt of I-40 and you head straight west, the day was beyond beautiful.
It's no secret: we get much less fall color in the Southeast than most areas of the country enjoy this time of year. Rule of thumb is, if it's dry and warm, the trees will be drab.
And believe me, it's still dry and warm. If it doesn't get cooler and moister soon, the leaves will skip their timid version of the pretty-color thing altogether and wither to brown, then begin dropping like flies.
The stragglers, stubborn hangers-on, generally give up and turn loose on a gusty day in December, leaving the branches bare and shivering, scraping a shy new-winter sky.
I'll witness that inevitable occurrence while wrapping Christmas presents.
But at the higher elevations in North Carolina, especially in the Great Smokies east of the Tennessee border, it looks like full fall. Not at peak color yet -- that's still a week or so away -- but much closer to autumn.
On Friday there was an added dimension of a feisty and capricious wind cavorting through the mountains, darting playfully around the patient trees and in-a-hurry trucks and cars.
And that made for a bit of magic.
Because as we travelers tripped along in the gorgeous sunshine, the mountains draped in their calico quilts lush and mysterious before us, every so often with a great whooosh it was as if a giant had taken a ginormous breath, then blown it out from just beyond the treeline, sending a flurrious torrent of leaves bursting out, over, and onto the highway.
You know how a snow globe looks when you shake it like crazy? It was like driving in that ... except it wasn't snow but golden leaves. Shining leaves whirling and diving and pirouetting across our path in massive clouds of buttery sun-saturated autumnal energy.
And as my car sailed through this uninhibited display of glorious fall joyousness, the flirty leaves catching in my grille and practically disorienting me with their mad dance, I was filled with what turned out to be justifiable optimism.
I knew it would be great fun to see my son in person -- he who calls me several times each week, although he is almost ridiculously busy, and never fails to say "I love you, Mom" just before we say goodbye -- and also see my daughter Audrey and enjoy her hospitality, and reunite with many old friends.
But I couldn't have really known -- could I? -- the extent to which the kindly hearts of new friends would be knit to mine.
Because after the intense activity of a soccer weekend and a Sunday full of church and dinner and Starbucks and more church and fellowshipping and a spot of late-ish shopping, my planned Monday lunch with blogging buddy Donna and her husband, Jim, at their new home was beginning to look like a peaceful oasis in the desert.
I hoped it wasn't a mirage.
Turns out it was an oasis so lavish, so refreshing, so replete with delights, I didn't want to leave.
I wouldn't bore you for the world but I'm not sure I can say enough about the thoroughly wonderful tenor of our visit.
To begin with, Donna (she of Cottage Days and Journeys) is all that readers of her blog would expect her to be, and then some.
Unbelievably talented. Incredibly warm. Outrageously unassuming. She's sweet and tart and funny and emotive and engaging and open and kind and amazingly tenderhearted.
Her husband, Jim, is the same. Exactly the same. These two are a single heart beating in two bodies. Their love and respect for one another is palpable and it is a privilege to experience.
The pair of them manage to quite literally twinkle with happiness and bonhomie while being utterly devoid of the smug self-serving smarminess that sometimes plagues extra-fortunate people.
Jim and Donna have been blessed with an intelligence and industriousness and ingenuity that has resulted in exquisite material rewards.
Long live capitalism! The master and mistress of Grey Havens could be its deservedly-proud poster children.
Their house is not only new-construction fragrant and charmingly decorated and meticulously cared for; it is bright and welcoming and cozy-comfortable and -- like its owners -- wholly unpretentious.
It is stuffed with treasures, all of them meaningful. The creators and collectors of those precious objects tell of their provenance with more gratitude than pride. Their tales are lighthearted and love-filled, meant to inspire.
And they do.
I nearly fainted when I saw the lunch Jim had prepared for the three of us. Such a complex and yet simple, uber-tasty salad, with the most succulent planks of grilled chicken on top! Eaten in the kitchen, looking out the window at the woods, the occasional scampering squirrel offering sweet entertainment.
And such conversation! Laughter and shared ideals ... the very best combination in all the world.
Later Jim let me pretend to use his Nikon SLR and I about died of desire for such an instrument of my very own.
Someday.
We looked at pictures of the grizzly bears Jim and Donna went to see in British Columbia, and that was so much fun I nearly expired laughing.
(And that witty old Marty! He certainly puts the "it" back into rabbit. He's even coaxed me into the rabbit habit. Any critter who takes the time to put my name in lights blocks rates -- and has -- my complete and endless devotion.)
Donna gave me a detailed tour of the house and its cherished artifacts, and I had such a time examining every little thing. If you ever meet a more creative and multi-talented and organized lady than Donna, I would like to meet her too because that would be quite the phenomenon.
But the word I imagine I will always associate most with Jim and Donna is generous. They are unstinting in sharing of their time, their attention, their worldly goods, their many talents, and their sincere encouragement.
Their generosity of spirit comes as naturally to them as breathing. I want to be more like that.
Believe it or not, there's more -- much more -- I could tell you. But I don't want to lay it on too thick.
Suffice it to say, like a sunshine-gilded wind-animated shower of bright yellow leaves in the mountains, a billowing cloud of blessings settled onto and around and over me when I met my new friends, Jim and Donna.
I hope everyone reading this is lucky enough to meet them someday.
Thank you, my dears! Thanks ever so. You know all the reasons why.
Reader Comments (20)
What a beautiful spot and how blessed you were to meet another blogging buddy - and to have them be so special just adds to it all!
My dear, you have managed to make me weep this morning. But in a good way! After grabbing a tissue, I sit here smiling and feeling so very fortunate to have stumbled onto your blog earlier this year and then be able to actually meet you! Jim and I know a "treasure" when we see one, and you are one with capital letters! I am humbled by your description of us. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your trip to visit with us and bring your energetic and loving spirit into our lives. We are greatly blessed to know you and count you as a friend!
I see I worried needlessly, I'm so pleased that the two or should I say the three of you had such a wonderful visit. I met a blogging buddy last spring and it just didn't happen, so hence my worrying. I worry too much, but then again that is who I am. Love all your beautiful photos, and all those fabulous weathervanes.
@Mari ... it was truly an event I'll never forget. God is so good. Someday I hope to write a post about the wonderful occasion when I meet YOU!
@Donna M. ... you know me ... I could've blogged all night about our visit. I had to cut it off and go to bed, but only after I'd told it like I'd seen it. Thanks again and now go get well!
@Irene ... I know what you mean, luv. Meeting Internet friends can be dicey and no one is more aware of that than I. I've gotten so lucky TWICE now ... with meeting Sue from Oregon, and now Donna, that I feel charmed. Like I said to Mari an inch or so up ... someday it's YOU I'll descend upon (or ascend, as the case may be, as far north as you are, LOL) to hug your neck and sit at your table! Cover your ears because I'll talk them right off. Don't look now but there's a trail of earless billy goats behind me.
I Knew you'd All enjoy the visit! She's a Doll on the blog and so are You! A collision of Wonderful people...Can't get Any better then That!
Hope you checked your back seat...Marty might have tried to stow away for and Adventure!!Hahaaa
hughugs
What a lovely trip you had...I so enjoyed the imagery of the snow globe...but the one you traveled through being filled with golden leaves.
Thanks for sharing the wonder of your life!
Blessings,
Ann
http://www.stnicholasandchristmas.com
@Donna ... how I wish you could have been there to collide with us as well! Marty would've run and hid, I do believe. Donna M. told me of how she "found" me through you, and I think I "found" you through SkyWatch, but I can't remember! I only know it was a happy serendipitous day ... one that led to more just like it! I feel so blessed!
@Ann ... thanks so much for stopping by! You are always welcome.
This is my first visit and of course, I came from Donna's. I love the way you described your trip and you are a wonderful writer.
My son is heading to UT to watch football this weekend and I hope he'll be able to capture some beautiful foliage photos for me to enjoy.
Sounds like a perfect mini-vacation and so glad you and Donna met!
@Debbie ... I'm so glad you clicked on over to IHATH! Your son will have a wonderful time in Knoxville this weekend. Can't miss. Everything is just gorgeous. Here's to beautiful pictures!
Very sweet post!
@Jeanette ... thank you! I'm glad you stopped by to read.
I have imagined sweet Donna and her hubby to be just as you've described. It's so nice that you were able to visit with them and share your visit with us. Thank you!
I came over from Donna's blog to read about your wonderful visit with them. I didn't realize what a treat I was in for. Not only was I treated to fabulous photographs but a post so creatively written I felt that I was traveling down that highway experiencing the leaves blowing around me.
How wonderful that you got to meet Donna and Jim and had such a great time.
Waxing poetic and bubbling over with happiness you are! I think i'll change my name to Yoda. Glad you had such a fun time. Friends are treasures.
@Brenda ... it was truly a thrill and such an unexpected delight. I am so grateful.
@Ann ... you are too kind! Thanks so much for stopping by. I like your blog too!
@Hobbit/Yoda ... friends are indeed treasures. I'm so glad you're one of mine.
Absolutely wonderful, friends, the house, the food, everything.
(I'm sorry to say that one thought I had while viewing all these lovely pictures was ... "I'm so glad I don't have to dust all those lovely things.")
I have downsized so much of the 'things' that I had in our previous house and even since we moved here 13 years ago.
What a wonderful way to share your time with Jim and Donna! I came here from Cottage Days and I'm so glad I did. I have met and spent time with several blog friends and always had a great time with them. I look forward to meeting more sometime - maybe you. Maybe Jim and Donna.
~Adrienne~
@Debbie ... I hear you re: dusting! I asked Donna about it. She said Jim helps her so much that in fact, he does most of it. They're a true team. The result is more than worth it because these two are seasoned collectors and they like to display their treasured finds!
@Adrienne ... I'm so glad you clicked over from CD&J as well! Please come back!
Oh good! I can post a comment and see the pictures. I know that words are beautifully expressed and so it's no wonder that you made Donna cry. Thank you for telling us in a more thorough way all about your meeting.
Hello -
I came here at Donna's suggestion and I've found a new place to sit and enjoy your way with words and wonderful photography! Donna and I have quickly become friends through our blogs and she has offered my sweetheart and I their hospitality if we ever head their way. Your words and descriptions and photos made me want to pack my bags and head east! This morning! I'll be back to enjoy more that you share.
~Adrienne~