We have been dumped on with rain the past few days and yesterday Doug & I decided to check out the Clinch River. It was up 6-8 feet and the steps that we use to walk down to the river where we swim in the summer, are underwater, between the two trees to the left of Doug in the first picture. It was blustery and cold and sleeted a bit during our excursion. We drove around on a back road and then out to the highway where we were surprised at the amount of flooding along the road. Where there once was a stream that you couldn't even see, now for as far as you can see, it looks like a lake or river! One of the effects of global warming is the extremes in weather: we have been in severe drought conditions for the past few summers and now we are getting inundated!
Rabbits cookin' coffee -- that's what the locals call it. But here in this little hollow in East Tennessee, when the hills surrender their misty hostage to reveal the stalwart cedars growing by the stream in our pasture, I know there is no place on earth I would rather be. The welcome mat is out! Come and sit on the porch and chat with me awhile!