LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, July 6, 2012

Fridays Are Golden

Like the rest of the middle and eastern US, we are still in the midst of a hot weather dome that seems not to move.  Record-breaking high temperatures and fierce storms continue.  Many are still without power and there does not seem to be any respite in the near future.

We are so much luckier than many others.  We have not lost power and are able to keep our house comfortable.  The temperatures drop a bit at night here in the mountains so early mornings can be quite pleasant before the sun heats up the air.

So the Golden Girls get some romping in very early and then become slugs the remainder of the day.  I've always found it interesting that the two of them are almost always together.  In this warm weather they are not often in their beds, preferring the cool hardwood or tile to the softness of the warmer beds.


End-to-end they lie beneath the window.




In the middle of the floor, barely touching.




Lucy snuggles just a little bit as they lie near a chair.




End-to-end once again.

I have no idea why the two of them are so often lying together.  There is ample floor space but they each seem to prefer the proximity of the other.

The dangers are not over across our country.  The wildfires are being contained but still cause major challenges.  Last night a string of severe thunderstorms shattered across the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  At least two people are known dead.  The storms hit the most popular (and beautiful) Cades Cove area and the extent of the damage is unknown.

About 56% of our nation is in a drought situation causing fear for more wildfires in the future.  Farmers across the nation are looking at parched fields.  The crop yields will be dramatically reduced.

It was hot enough in Chicago to buckle roadways and traffic is being rerouted in many places.  More than 200,000 are without power in West Virginia, 70,000 without power in Virginia, and 45,000 without power in Maryland.

So as we approach this weekend, our hearts are with the suffering not only here but around the planet we share.  And our hearts are filled with fear for the future.

Our quote today comes from the late Barbara Jordan who prophetically said,

"This is the great danger America faces.  That we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups:  city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual.  Each seeking to satisfy private wants.  A spirit of harmony can only survive if each of us remembers, when bitterness and self-interest seem to prevail, that we share a common destiny."

I hope we can all come together in the midst of the bitterness and self-interest that does indeed prevail right now.  Let's help one another so everyone can share in the richness of this wonderful country.


HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE!  AND DO SOMETHING TO HELP YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS NOW.





16 comments:

Cheryl said...

Ellie and Lucy are secure in their togetherness. Just love those Golden Girls......

Oh how I feel for you all....the intense heat, the fires....my heart is with you.

We, on the otherhand, had torrential rain last night.
It is moving North where a months rain will fall in 24 hours.
Homes will be flooded today :(

In a perfect world our rains would put out your fires.
Your heat would dry up our waterlogged land.

Oh dear, like you I fear for the future.......

Berts Blog said...

I love to see the girls. they are so tight, what a wondeful relationship they share. Looking at them, helps reduce my concerns for our countrys desperate needs for nature to take back control.

Have a cool, wet weekend.

Bert

Maery Rose said...

My two girls are not so close. Maybe it's the big difference between a terrier and a golden mix but they still work things out better than our government does. A country so divided and so selfish makes me worry but since that does no good I just try to do what I can close to home and hope those who claim to know God will sometime soon see the light.

Ms. A said...

Hearing all the struggles is very concerning and disturbing. Seeing your girls is heartwarming and a very welcome break.

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, Love seeing your golden girls snuggling together-so precious. Our Hunter was snuggled up with his cousin last night-so cute. We are now getting some of the annual monsoon moisture, I'll send some your way. Stay cool dear friend.
Hugs, Noreen

Betsy Banks Adams said...

So true, Carolyn... It has been a rough summer for so many. We got lucky --with no damage, but I'm grieving losing all of the trees and other things (including lives) in the Smokies... How sad is that!

We all wondered when we had the mild winter this year what the summer would bring. WELL--now we know!!! Tain't fun!!! Hope you stay safe and cool...

I'm like your doggies... I'd find a cool place and sleep through summer if I could!!!!! ha

Have a nice weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

carolina nana said...

I hold my breath each afternoon and wonder what the weather will bring to our area. Seems it can't just rain anymore,it has to be a bad storm.
My son is concerned that there might be some major things wrong with that house also. If he does make an offer and they accept it there will have to be lots of inspections.
Stay safe for the weekend
Marilyn

Carolina Linthead said...

Oh, I love these pics so very much! My wife and I are like this...needing space, cooling off time, etc., but reluctant ever to be out of touch. The pic with Lucy snuggling up to Ellie broke my heart and stitched it back together again. I have to believe that love will, in the end, save us...Lucy and Ellie personify this. Thank you so much for sharing them with us!

Arkansas Patti said...

So sorry the welcome rain you got came with an attitude. Cades Cove is a favorite place of mine.
We finally got some rain last evening after over a month of hot and dry. Phew. There may be a break in sight.
Love the shots of your bookend girls. They sure are devoted.

Folkways Note Book said...

I am glad to hear that you have your electricity. I feel that the people without electricity will be OK eventually but what a arduous experience it must be for them. Your dogs are sure great buddies! -- barbara

Rudee said...

We moved two patients into the hospital last night so they could get relief from the heat. Though they had power, they had no central air and fans were not doing the job of cooling them.

It's been awful in Detroit and thousands are without power here, too.

I love that the girls are always in close proximity to one another.

Kathleen's Blog said...

Hi

I love your blog. I feel for you all in the intense heat and threat of fires.

I am in Newfoundland,Canada---an island in middle of the North Atlantic Ocean.

We have been having hotter and dryer than normal conditions here as well. 30 degrees Celsius--that is unusually high for us.

I love the photos of your dogs...they are both beautiful. Your photo of the mountains is lovely.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Barbara Jordan was one wonderful lady who said it like it (sadly) was and still is in many parts of the world today.
Ellie and Lucy seem to have gotten the idea of harmony better than many humans. Good for them and may they be a wonderful example of staying together.

Lise said...

Ellie and Lucy are beautiful, clearly very much loved:)

I feel the same way you to about our country and ourselves...I do hope we are able to find again the solidarity that joined us together as a united people when this country was founded.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I worry about all those who are not safe from the heat/fires. Heartbreaking for sure.
Love the photos of your girls....so glad they are cooled off.
xoxox

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments everyone. I do appreciate them all.