what grows up comes down

Monday always dawns too early. Still, once up, medicated, and in possession of coffee, the outlook for a day spent with Gloria is always good. It may be rainy and gray outside. When she smiles… well, I once wrote that she lit up an airline terminal on a stormy December day. I don’t mind waking up before she does. The reward is always there.


The tree-trimmers were back today. They took down several trees on the disputed piece of land and stacked the wood so that we can cut it and drag it to a better storage area. They did the same on the area along the road at the upper end of the property. They don’t have to do it. They can chip it all if they choose. We’re quite appreciative. That’s wood for next winter. I need to move it before the neighbor tries to claim it.

I talked with one of the long-time valley residents this morning. His father used to own the land on both sides of the road where we now live. He knows the history of the houses and lots, including the history of the house across the road. He recalls a previous resident allowing water rights to his one of his extended family but recalls no property transfer. I think this is going to become somewhat more complicated before it ends. The neighbor wants to live as if it were1900 and he was wealthy land owner. Gloria thinks differently. I hope she’s right.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is the local analog of Alsace-Lorraine, the disputed land and how little wood is actually involved. Just as with nations, small things and tiny parcels of land spark conflicts.
 
 
 
 
 

Twenty five feet eastward, flows Cassi Creek, water low, audibly pleasurable, and decorated with the colors of autumn. Those orange-red leaves were not prominent yesterday. I suspect that this week is the peak color period. It will be an interesting drive to Asheville.

The trimmers had a good day to work today. There was no wind, the temperature stayed around 65 F and it was clear most of the day. It is interesting to watch the bucket operator maneuver the hydraulic arm and bucket around hot wires, sharp ends of broken branches, and other obstacles. This is essentially the same type arm used on the space shuttles and space station. Consider all these difficulties, factor in wind, the natural harmonic oscillation in the arm, and add a chain saw in one hand and heavy, unwieldy branches in the other.

Cassi Road is narrow at best. At the point pictured, it is hard for two vehicles to pass without one clipping the fence or mailbox or without the other risking its tires to broken glass thrown by neighbors or from other vehicles. And just at this choke point, the neighbor’s dogs like to run into the road to chase particular trucks. The speed limit on this road is 30 MPH and very few people obey it. Nor do they seem to believe that the rules of the road require them to drive entirely within one lane.


Three high school girls were killed in a traffic accident today when they pulled out in front of a truck on highway 107, to our west, but east of Greeneville. Take your pick of which particular distraction resulted in the final loss of awareness needed when driving a car. Was it food or drink, alcohol, talking or texting on a cell phone, changing a CD or an MP3? Was it applying makeup, brushing hair, changing clothes? Take one from column "A" and as many as you like from column "B". Your guess is as good as mine. From what I heard they had already skipped school today. Not a great beginning and a tragic end.

If pattern holds true, the school will bring in grief counselors, students who did not know them, or who barely knew them, will wax hysterical and add their contribution to the pile of flowers, candles, stuffed toys, and other detritus that has become the norm for mourning people we really don’t know and never would have. There will be a cross by the highway instead of what there should be, as sign demanding drivers pay attention to driving. There will be a prayer vigil/candlelight memorial. If there is a football game this weekend, someone will pray for the departed and violate the 1st amendment knowingly and willfully. After all, just as the laws of physics don’t apply to teen agers behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, neither does the 1st amendment’s separation clause apply to those bent upon theocracy.

And it is all, the wreck, the memorial, the prayer, the pile, skipping school, all so absolutely unnecessary. Odds are these girls have skipped school before. That would have been an excellent time to clip their wings, remove their auto privileges. It may be inconvenient for them or their parents. But they might be alive tonight. Rather than providing grief counselors who will soothe the anguished brows of those who knew them not; the school should herd everyone into the gymnasium and show them a day of auto wrecks, ER footage of the young and stupid paying for their stupidity. This is a teachable moment. For a brief time the myth of invincibility has chinks in it. Rip them wider and teach them that they can be hurt, can be killed, and can be too stupid to survive.

But we won’t do it. It won’t happen. And tomorrow, when Mike and I walk, we’ll watch the same cars drive too fast, not paying attention, passing far too closely to us. It’s a just matter of time until the next wreck takes place and there’s a collection jar on the counter in some quick stop, with a picture of a dead teen and a plea for help with medical and funeral expenses.

Monday dawned far too early for me. My day has been wonderful.

For others the day is not so good.

Dinner tonight is chicken thighs baked in an Indian butter/tomato sauce, potato dumplings in buttermilk, and rice.

Gloria has found a jewelry design course at ETSU to audit next semester. She’s excited. That means lots of smiles. Yes, my day is good.

Rhododendron from the front yard, today, 1530