Winter. It's not what I expected. When we moved south, we sold our snow blower, took one snow shovel and felt silly about it, and packed most of our winter clothes - more out of habit than anything. Now I'm so glad we did.
It's cold, man! Well, okay, none of my Iowa friends will feel sorry for me right now, but I remember Iowa winters that were milder than this one. We had a blizzard with 10 inches of snow before Christmas. Some roads in the mountains are still closed because of snow, and will be for weeks. We keep setting new records for days with temps entirely below freezing. Pipes freeze, furnaces go out, people shiver. "Wind chills below zero" and "black ice" are household words. And this is why we moved???
Worst of all, they don't have any warm clothes here. Not really. I remember that from Florida many years back, when I lived there for a while. You get a sweatshirt, and it's at best medium weight. Sweaters are light. Coats are thinnish. No wonder everyone is freezing! That's where I'm so grateful for my Iowa gloves, coats, sweats, and sweaters. They mean business! The only drawback is, if and when I want to buy new winter clothes, I will have to travel all the way north during the winter, which I'm not about to do. At least here it's supposed to thaw a little next week and get into the forties!
And did I mention driving in snow? It's not done. Period. When the wind blows, power lines come crashing down because of all the trees, and the power goes out. So far we have been lucky, but it's only a matter of time.
So I'm digging in, waiting for spring ... At least that is supposed to come earlier than in Iowa, though it can still snow in April...
Friday, January 8, 2010
Friday, November 20, 2009
Unsettled church situation
In one of my first few blogs from NC I shared that I had found a church home - a small church with a pastor from South Africa. In the past three months or so I've become quite close to the congregation of 25 or 30, especially to the women. I'm so grateful to the Lord that I was able to make friends so quickly in this way.
Last week the whole apple cart got upset when the pastor all of a sudden resigned due to an extramarital affair with a church member. These revelations have the power to shake mega churches, but when such a small church is involved, its very survival is threatened. So far we've been circling the wagons and seeking to react with love and forgiveness. But already people are planning their exit strategies.
For me, the next church may already have been decided. Last Sunday we had a joint service with them, and I liked it a lot. In size it's much more like my previous church in Iowa, and the vision is similar to my current church. Best of all, they are trying to start a House of Prayer that is affiliated with the International House of Prayer in Kansas City - something I've been interested in for years. So it seems that God is wasting no time in pointing me to the next step in my spiritual journey.
I don't relish the thought of having to make new friends all over again, and I certainly grieve over the hurt the small church and the people involved are going through. My prayer is about how to transition, and when, because I don't see any long-term future for a church without a pastor. It feels like a chicken with its head cut off. How sad! Yet how very much like God, to bring good out of evil and lead me to a church where they are doing the same kind of intercessory prayer I've longed and prayed for for years!
Last week the whole apple cart got upset when the pastor all of a sudden resigned due to an extramarital affair with a church member. These revelations have the power to shake mega churches, but when such a small church is involved, its very survival is threatened. So far we've been circling the wagons and seeking to react with love and forgiveness. But already people are planning their exit strategies.
For me, the next church may already have been decided. Last Sunday we had a joint service with them, and I liked it a lot. In size it's much more like my previous church in Iowa, and the vision is similar to my current church. Best of all, they are trying to start a House of Prayer that is affiliated with the International House of Prayer in Kansas City - something I've been interested in for years. So it seems that God is wasting no time in pointing me to the next step in my spiritual journey.
I don't relish the thought of having to make new friends all over again, and I certainly grieve over the hurt the small church and the people involved are going through. My prayer is about how to transition, and when, because I don't see any long-term future for a church without a pastor. It feels like a chicken with its head cut off. How sad! Yet how very much like God, to bring good out of evil and lead me to a church where they are doing the same kind of intercessory prayer I've longed and prayed for for years!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Fall in the Mountains of WNC
By now I've lived through most of the fall season here, and it really is as beautiful as everybody says - especially when it is sunny. By now the leaves in the higher elevations, like up at the Blue Ridge Parkway, have fallen, but down here in the lower elevations the colors are in full swing. They are, perhaps, a bit more muted than in New England - being yellow, red, and some green - but much prettier than in Iowa, which is simply yellow, if it has a forest at all.
With my sister visiting from Germany, we've been out hiking and walking every chance we've got, and the timing couldn't be more perfect. The weather is cool in the mornings - it froze a couple of times - but in the sixties and seventies during the night time. Once in a while it rains, which is nice, too.
The only thing that seems to be missing is the large number of tourists everybody has been talking about. There are a few, but nothing like what I expected. A sign that the economy hasn't really recovered yet, I guess - and it is affecting local merchants. In fact, my favorite tea room will be going out of business soon.
I wonder what November will bring...?
With my sister visiting from Germany, we've been out hiking and walking every chance we've got, and the timing couldn't be more perfect. The weather is cool in the mornings - it froze a couple of times - but in the sixties and seventies during the night time. Once in a while it rains, which is nice, too.
The only thing that seems to be missing is the large number of tourists everybody has been talking about. There are a few, but nothing like what I expected. A sign that the economy hasn't really recovered yet, I guess - and it is affecting local merchants. In fact, my favorite tea room will be going out of business soon.
I wonder what November will bring...?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
From Flatlander to Mountain Woman (Ha, ha)
One of the attractions of moving to NC had originally been the proximity to the ocean. "Only five or six hours to the ocean" - I said to myself, and I saw us whizzing down the freeway to Myrtle Beach all the time. Well, even though I still hope to go sometime, it seems that the mountains closeby win out over the beach far away. Who needs driving for hours and spending a hundred bucks a night in a motel if we have some of the most scenic tourist spots right in front of our door? We can pick just the right, sunny days for our outings, get to stay home if it rains and sleep in our own beds, not to mention cook at home if we like or go out, if we want.
In Iowa we complain about our hills (especially if you are a bicyclist). Contrary to public opinion, Iowa isn't completely flat, but the landscape is gently undulating, with a few bluffs near the river banks. But it's no comparison to the Appalachians. In our NC county alone the elevations vary from between 1,800 feet to 4,200 feet. A little further, and the mountains rise to 5,000 or 6,000 feet. Pretty puny compared with the Alps, the Rockies, or the Himalaya, but for a flatlander like me it means: Those are real mountains!
So the first thing I've been doing is to get equipped. Trail shoes with traction, walking stick, water-proof hat and jacket, backpack for lunch, water, etc. I look cool! Never mind that I always seem to forget the camera and would be in serious trouble if a bear came along ("let him have your lunch"), I'm becoming a bit better equipped with each outing.
I may look cool, but what gives me away immediately as a flatlander is the shape I'm in - or rather, the lack of it. If the path goes up and up, I have to stop every few feet, seemingly to admire the scene, but really to catch my breath. I'm completely out of shape. Perhaps I need to start training on the hill behind our subdivision and hike up and down there every day.
Today we traveled less than 45 minutes to a NC State Forest, parked the car, and hiked to two different water falls. One of them, called Triple Falls Water Falls, is particularly spectacular, with the water cascading in several stages. With the recent record rainfall of close to a foot in some areas, the streams have plenty of water, which added to the appeal of the water falls.
By the way, we saw the very first leaves turning and falling to the ground...
In Iowa we complain about our hills (especially if you are a bicyclist). Contrary to public opinion, Iowa isn't completely flat, but the landscape is gently undulating, with a few bluffs near the river banks. But it's no comparison to the Appalachians. In our NC county alone the elevations vary from between 1,800 feet to 4,200 feet. A little further, and the mountains rise to 5,000 or 6,000 feet. Pretty puny compared with the Alps, the Rockies, or the Himalaya, but for a flatlander like me it means: Those are real mountains!
So the first thing I've been doing is to get equipped. Trail shoes with traction, walking stick, water-proof hat and jacket, backpack for lunch, water, etc. I look cool! Never mind that I always seem to forget the camera and would be in serious trouble if a bear came along ("let him have your lunch"), I'm becoming a bit better equipped with each outing.
I may look cool, but what gives me away immediately as a flatlander is the shape I'm in - or rather, the lack of it. If the path goes up and up, I have to stop every few feet, seemingly to admire the scene, but really to catch my breath. I'm completely out of shape. Perhaps I need to start training on the hill behind our subdivision and hike up and down there every day.
Today we traveled less than 45 minutes to a NC State Forest, parked the car, and hiked to two different water falls. One of them, called Triple Falls Water Falls, is particularly spectacular, with the water cascading in several stages. With the recent record rainfall of close to a foot in some areas, the streams have plenty of water, which added to the appeal of the water falls.
By the way, we saw the very first leaves turning and falling to the ground...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Guns and Rain
When I was signing in at the outpatient clinic for my mammogram, I noticed a line on the fairly short form asking:
"Are you carrying a weapon?"
And, "If so, has security been notified?"
I had noticed a sign at the entrance saying "No concealed weapons permitted" but never expected this on an admission form. They sure wouldn't ask this in Iowa, or Germany, for that matter!
For someone like me who is at least a semi-pacificist, this passion about guns is frightening. In South Carolina, just a few miles from here, a mayor got into trouble with the NRA because he joined a group called, "Mayors Against Illegal Weapons." Note - this was about illegal weapons, and they wanted him to resign over this. If I were to name the three biggest passions here, it is God - Country - Guns: or perhaps in reverse order. It seems to have escaped some of them that perhaps Jesus wouldn't have toted an assault rifle or concealed weapon, because he said to love your enemies, and he advocated non-violence.
The other thing I learned today is about rain. It's impossible to say how much rain the county gets because it varies everywhere, but the average is 58 inches a year. Iowa City has about 30 or 36 inches a year. I didn't realize I would be moving into a much wetter climate!
"Are you carrying a weapon?"
And, "If so, has security been notified?"
I had noticed a sign at the entrance saying "No concealed weapons permitted" but never expected this on an admission form. They sure wouldn't ask this in Iowa, or Germany, for that matter!
For someone like me who is at least a semi-pacificist, this passion about guns is frightening. In South Carolina, just a few miles from here, a mayor got into trouble with the NRA because he joined a group called, "Mayors Against Illegal Weapons." Note - this was about illegal weapons, and they wanted him to resign over this. If I were to name the three biggest passions here, it is God - Country - Guns: or perhaps in reverse order. It seems to have escaped some of them that perhaps Jesus wouldn't have toted an assault rifle or concealed weapon, because he said to love your enemies, and he advocated non-violence.
The other thing I learned today is about rain. It's impossible to say how much rain the county gets because it varies everywhere, but the average is 58 inches a year. Iowa City has about 30 or 36 inches a year. I didn't realize I would be moving into a much wetter climate!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A Trip to Atlanta
We just came back from our first overnight trip since moving to Hendersonville, NC. Here are some of my observations, in no particular order:
1. No matter which way you're driving to Hendersonville, you're driving through some gorgeous scenery. I love the mountains more each time I drive through them. On that account Hvl wins hands-down.
2. As soon as we got the "flatland", we were hit with the reality why I don't like living in the South: the heat and humidity. Even at temps in the 70's and 80's it seemed pretty unbearable. Hvl. was humid, too, but cool, in the upper sixties. It felt good to be home!
3. On the downside, gas is much more expensive here. In both Georgia and SC they charged $2.16, and here it's 2.49 - a difference of 33 cents per gallon, and that along the highway! NC is a high-tax state in other ways, too - a high state income tax of 8 %, a sales tax of nearly 8 %, and even necessary groceries being taxed. Both the county and the city have already sent us a property tax bill, even though we just moved in. I wonder what they are doing with all that money??
4. Shopping is fabulous in Atlanta, and even along the way - we stopped at an outlet mall and bought a coat, other clothing, several pairs of shoes all in about an hour. In Atlanta we strolled through a fancy mall and saw quite a few stores we don't see everywhere - including a Lindt chocolate store. I went in, looked at the wide variety - overpriced, in my opinion - and walked out, not having bought anything, to the admiration of my husband at my restraint. I bet the poor sales lady was disappointed.
5. That evening, we celebrated a birthday, and I got to ride in one of those fancy stretch limousine with a bar and a long bench. One thing is sure - there is no lady-like way to get in and out. I wonder whether these fashion models and film stars take lessons on how to step in and out graciously in the light of the cameras?
6. All and all, though, I much rather live in Hendersonville than in Atlanta!
1. No matter which way you're driving to Hendersonville, you're driving through some gorgeous scenery. I love the mountains more each time I drive through them. On that account Hvl wins hands-down.
2. As soon as we got the "flatland", we were hit with the reality why I don't like living in the South: the heat and humidity. Even at temps in the 70's and 80's it seemed pretty unbearable. Hvl. was humid, too, but cool, in the upper sixties. It felt good to be home!
3. On the downside, gas is much more expensive here. In both Georgia and SC they charged $2.16, and here it's 2.49 - a difference of 33 cents per gallon, and that along the highway! NC is a high-tax state in other ways, too - a high state income tax of 8 %, a sales tax of nearly 8 %, and even necessary groceries being taxed. Both the county and the city have already sent us a property tax bill, even though we just moved in. I wonder what they are doing with all that money??
4. Shopping is fabulous in Atlanta, and even along the way - we stopped at an outlet mall and bought a coat, other clothing, several pairs of shoes all in about an hour. In Atlanta we strolled through a fancy mall and saw quite a few stores we don't see everywhere - including a Lindt chocolate store. I went in, looked at the wide variety - overpriced, in my opinion - and walked out, not having bought anything, to the admiration of my husband at my restraint. I bet the poor sales lady was disappointed.
5. That evening, we celebrated a birthday, and I got to ride in one of those fancy stretch limousine with a bar and a long bench. One thing is sure - there is no lady-like way to get in and out. I wonder whether these fashion models and film stars take lessons on how to step in and out graciously in the light of the cameras?
6. All and all, though, I much rather live in Hendersonville than in Atlanta!
Monday, September 7, 2009
End of the summer season
As you are well aware, with Labor Day a change of season is in the air. In Iowa it meant Hawkeye Football games, high school football, cooler weather, sweat shirt weather, etc. There is a certain routine I was used to.
Here Labor Day means the craziness of Apple Festival (see previous post) with its traffic jams. I can't wait until all these tourists are gone and the town is ours again (spoken like a true local!) But they'll be back in October for leaf season and clog up everything for several weeks. Aghh!
What seems weird though is that I don't know what to expect of the coming fall and winter season. Since we moved into this house in the summer, it feels more like a summer home than anything. It's hard to imagine needing a furnace or being cold in here. How cold will it get? Will I need my Iowa winter clothes?
Some of my friends and neighbors will disappear (temporarily) and go to their Florida homes. They think it weird that we moved here to escape the Iowa winters since they think the winters are too cold.
Which football team do I root for now? How do I follow the Hawks, since it's unlikely they'll be on ESPN? Will the kids be out trick-and-treating in our community which prohibits soliciting? Will the condo association have rules about Christmas decorations?
One thing is sure - activities are picking up. I started to attend a few activities in conjunction with a large pentecostal church, in addition to my main church, signed up for several volunteer opportunities and am thinking about having people over. It's amazing how many people we've met in the past two months - some of them we know well enough that we could even ask them a favor, if need be.
So we're taking it one day at a time, and we'll discover what fall has to offer in the Carolinas (besides apples).
Here Labor Day means the craziness of Apple Festival (see previous post) with its traffic jams. I can't wait until all these tourists are gone and the town is ours again (spoken like a true local!) But they'll be back in October for leaf season and clog up everything for several weeks. Aghh!
What seems weird though is that I don't know what to expect of the coming fall and winter season. Since we moved into this house in the summer, it feels more like a summer home than anything. It's hard to imagine needing a furnace or being cold in here. How cold will it get? Will I need my Iowa winter clothes?
Some of my friends and neighbors will disappear (temporarily) and go to their Florida homes. They think it weird that we moved here to escape the Iowa winters since they think the winters are too cold.
Which football team do I root for now? How do I follow the Hawks, since it's unlikely they'll be on ESPN? Will the kids be out trick-and-treating in our community which prohibits soliciting? Will the condo association have rules about Christmas decorations?
One thing is sure - activities are picking up. I started to attend a few activities in conjunction with a large pentecostal church, in addition to my main church, signed up for several volunteer opportunities and am thinking about having people over. It's amazing how many people we've met in the past two months - some of them we know well enough that we could even ask them a favor, if need be.
So we're taking it one day at a time, and we'll discover what fall has to offer in the Carolinas (besides apples).
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