Please follow the highlighted route and a bit of awesomeness

That's what Steve-o the garman says when we use him to guide us to destinations not yet travelled. Oh that life could be so simple. Please follow the highlighted route. Yes, I want a garman for life. Or maybe not. Maybe I actually like not having a pre-determined path. Maybe I like making twists and turns, taking off in direction that I didn't anticipate.

Anyways, we headed up to the mountains on Monday for a day trip, dogs in tow.  Steve-o the garman was not on. We were heading for Mount Mitchell State Park and we needed nothing of "please follow ...." we had the Innate Male Sense of Direction on hand to guide us. Well, enough said, really, as I'm sure most folks know that the innate male sense of direction is not, clearly not, infallible.

But all is well that ends well.

It's stunningly beautiful up in the mountains. The mountains feel so ancient. And they are, really. We were lucky enough to be able to get up there in the peak of fall colour. Blazing with oranges, reds, and yellows. Then at the top of Mount Mitchel you are in a spruce forest. The smell is incredible. I wish I could bottle it up and post the smell here on my blog. I love these mountains that roll away in ridges of smoky blues.

It was what I needed. The Blue Funk Fairy has been having an extended holiday in my studio. I tell her to go away, you are not welcome here. But she hasn't been listening. Until now. I think I needed to go away for a day. She apparently does not like not having company. I've actually been quite productive this week. There's a load of bronze pieces in the tumbler right now. There are even some new designs.

I feel some of my work changing. Not all of it. But being surrounded by so much beauty here has me wanting to try new things. Things that are more muted and earth bound. Look at that lichen up there. I can't remember what kind it is. But I find the ruffled edges and the grays and pale green breath taking. Another ancient thing, lichen have been living peacefully with the spruce on Mount Mitchell for millenium. See there really isn't room for you Blue Funk Fairy. There are too many other things competing for my attention.

In a bit of awesomeness, I got to meet Kelley on Sunday. She and her mother were on their way home to Atlanta from Chapel Hill. So it was just good luck that we could meet in Greensboro for coffee. I felt like I had known her forever. So much laughter so much fun. I hope will be able to laugh together again and soon. I wish I could meet all of you as well. So if you are ever in the Triad give me a shout. For that matter if you ever in the mountains give me a shout. Any excuse to get over there :-)

I started this blog post on Monday night and here it is Wednesday already. Where did the time go? I need Steve-o to highlight my route for me. So much is happening right now. My mum's taken a turn for the worse and it could be hours it could be days. Who knows? It's been nearly a year since her cancer returned with metastases in her liver, lungs, and everywhere. She's been very ill for months. I'm not entirely sure how to feel. Maybe numbness is a good thing.

So I think I will just meditate on the circle of life and ancient things.