LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, October 18, 2010

A Little Muted This Year

Some people seem naturally optimistic.  They enjoy the now and appreciate what they have.  Other people seem naturally pessimistic.  Whatever they see...it could have been better or bigger.  When something good happens they tend to think, "well, it could have been more."  My mother had a phrase for such people.  I often heard her say of someone, "He wouldn't be happy sitting at the feet of Jesus!"

This year's leaf color is not as spectacular as usual.  I hear people complaining all the time about it.  And yet, how can you look at these majestic mountains and not be filled with awe?  I want to scream at these people to open their eyes and appreciate the beauty rather than lamenting how much better it could be.


All the photographs are from overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  You may need to click and enlarge them.














27 comments:

Courtney at SL's No Ennui said...

Beautiful!!!!!!!!! I totally agree with you! We have heard nothing but negative, and so were floored when we drove up to Cleveland, SC this weekend. It's still beautiful up there!

I think you have peeked before we have nearer to Greenville, SC...

The Bug said...

I wrote a poem when I was in collge at Mars Hill (25 years ago) called Mustard Mountains - I sort of like the understated color myself. Still gorgeous!

Karin said...

Love your mother's comment and I've filed it on my hard-drive for use at just the right time! We're back to the beiges and greys, for our colors are all gone. Yet, there is a different beauty in seeing all the skeletal trees, interspersed with pine and spruce. Your photos reveal that you still have stunning colorful views!

IMHO, grumbling and complaining is just plain wrong!

Carolina Linthead said...

Amen! I miss you, beloved mountains...

Cicero Sings said...

The first time I heard a similar phrase was when one friend described another friend -- "she wudn't be happy of Jesus came for tea" was her rendition. It is true, the girl in question is never happy/content.

Your colors look pretty nice to me. Our leaves are almost all down now. Last year the leaves didn't get a chance to change or so it seemed. Just froze green/black on the trees before finally dropping-- so this year was extra nice.

Rudee said...

There is something to be said for subtlety. I wish I was there with you. I would not lament the muted display at all--I'd relish the opportunity to look upon the majestic mountains with you.

Anonymous said...

It looks quite beautiful to me. I think what I love best about the changing seasons is that it would go on even if we humans weren't here to see it. Since we are here, it's always a sight to appreciate.

Toni aka irishlas said...

Spectacular!! I so love the Parkway.

troutbirder said...

Just gorgeous Carolyn. We take every chance we get for fall "leaf tours."

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, I think they are incredible and the colors so breath taking! We do need to cultive an attitude of gratitude for what we have. Thanks for sharing your beautiful landscape!
Hugs, Noreen

KB said...

I couldn't agree more. Your mountains are majestic and brilliant.

I ran across a fascinating research study that seemed to show that some dogs are naturally pessimistic and other are naturally optimistic. It was a well-done study that seemed believable.

So, perhaps, the pessimistic people actually cannot help themselves. If dogs can be intrinsically pessimistic, I think that people can be too.

Despite the fact that the pessimists might not be able to help themselves, just ignore them and enjoy the beauty!

Barb said...

Ahhhh - I've been waiting for this, Carolyn! I love that photo of the fall color with the gray cliff! The mountains fading to the distance are wonderful. Your Mom was a wise woman. My Mom also had some gems that I now remember!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I would never ever complain about those views!!!!

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

I agree...it is a beautiful site to behold! One of God's great creations!!


~Beth

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Looks absolutely fabulous to me.... I think we'll get to see some of that beauty this week.... yeah!!!!!!!

Yes--it may not be as brilliant--but I still love it.... It's AUTUMN--a great season when you live where we do.

Hugs,
Betsy

KGMom said...

Gorgeous.
'Nuff said...

D.K. Wall said...

Ah, yes, the colors are muted this year, but the animals are still preparing for winter and the woods are alive with activity (saw a grey fox just this morning as I was leaving the house - his winter coat just coming in). And, we, of course, spent the entire weekend out in the beauty. Muted or not, I like the shear brilliance of our mountains no matter what the weather.

P.S. - Seeing your pictures, I realized it has been a while since I have done the Looking Glass Rock Trail. While I love the views of that exposed rock, the views FROM that exposed rock are stunning.

George said...

All I can say is 'WOW!'. I'll take these 'muted' colors any day. I hope we'll be enjoying some of these colors the next couple of days.

Folkways Note Book said...

The colors are not as flamboyant as last year -- I would say more of an impressionistic quality. Each year is different -- as it should be -- barbara

Jayne said...

Just gorgeous Carolyn! Thank you for sharing your views of the world here.

Jill said...

It is beautiful in any color.

Elora said...

Took me awhile, didn't it! Finally put two and two together....thought it made five but discovered two and two is YOU!

Hi! Great blog. First visit. I'm subscribing. Then going back in archives for fun when I get a few moments.

Love you, girl. Thanks for all your comments on mine! And you patience!

ROFLOL re: post on Vicki's blog! So true!

Elora

Taradharma said...

beautiful colors. I love your mother's saying, and it is so true for pessimists. I am by nature an optimist, and my pessimist father seems to think that it is a dysfunction. Funny, I seem to enjoy my life a lot...

Ruth said...

We have had a lot of wind and rain this fall so our leaves peaked and fell faster than usual. However, beauty is still out there in a single oak or maple or the brilliant leaf of the sumac. Your mountains are very scenic.

SouthernSass said...

You are exactly so right! The mountains are always breath-taking to me no matter what the season - with or without color. I only get to see them (maybe) twice a year and I am always amazed at their magnificent beauty! You are so lucky to live there and witness all of the seasons.

LoieJ said...

When looking at your pictures just now, I realized why the leaf color, muted or not, is so striking at the BRP. The golds, red-oranges and oranges are complementary colors, so there by both balancing the color scheme and enhancing it. Plus there is the added dimensional effects of all the levels of mountains in the background. Beautiful.

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments everyone.

Bug - The Mars Hill area is beautiful and there are times when the mountains look mustard.

Karin - My mother was full of those old sayings and most of them still ring true.

Robin - That thought comes into my head all the time. These mountains were here so long before we were and will still go on.

KB - We've never had a pessimistic dog, but our Lucy is the most optimistic dog we've ever seen. She thinks everything is always going to be good.

Herd - we love to go on the trail that starts off 275B. It is indeed a spectacular.