Author: Fred D
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Hear the Bells, not the Dissention
Peace and good will are prevalent during the Christmas season, but not for everyone. Tis’ a season of conflict and enmity for some. Christmas day 1863 found Henry Wadsworth Longfellow grieving over his son wounded in the Civil War battle of Gettysburg. Two years earlier his wife had burned to death in a fire. Consumed…
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From Diapers to Depends
Yep, that’s Litl’ Freddy 38 years ago (delusional dyslexia), grateful I’m not yet clipping Depends coupons to redeem 😊 . . . and here’s a sketch of Ole’ Freddy today . . . Notice any changes other than the hat covering the shiny bald patch on my noggin’? 😊 Before snuggling under the covers tonight,…
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Thankful Perspectives
The First Thanksgiving It’s estimated Americans will gobble down some 40 million turkeys this Thanksgiving . . . good time to be a chicken 😊 A customary Thanksgiving meal tradition is having each person seated around the table share one thing they’re thankful for . . . family, friends, faith, health, material blessings, etc. .…
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Seasons
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 Nature’s seasons mirror life’s course: Spring – Birth Summer – Youth Fall – Adult Winter – Death I’m in my AM season of life – Advanced Maturity…
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Fall > Winter in One Day
My oldest daughter Karin spent few happy days together with us 2 ole duffers last week. She got to see Smoky Mountains spectacular fall colors and the pristine beauty of winter’s first snow on the mountain tops in the same day. Here’s a few pics what was ours to enjoy in the special corner of…
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Smoky Mountain Fall Spendor
Ellie and I motored up to the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains today. Standing atop Clingman’s Dome at 6,643 ft you can see 7 states on a clear day … TN, KY, VA, NC, SC, GA and AL … on this clear day, from this height, all were joined in hushed peace. As Summer’s…
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Duffer and Youngster Hiking
As with all hiking adventures, certain requirements are necessary to enjoy the experience to the max. Last month’s Greatland wilderness hiking adventures with my son were hybrid Duffer/Youngster hiks, ofttimes demanding somewhat rigorous requirements … especially from this ole ragamuffin 👴. Ellie and my domestic Duffer hike to Bald River Falls yesterday was ‘rigor free’,…
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Last Frontier Farewell
“Parting is such sweet sorrow” Juliet’s lament bidding Romeo good night whispered quietly over the mountains as this ole Romeo turned the key locking our Last Frontier cabin’s door. Were it not for missing my lifetime soulmate waiting for me back in the Lower 48, I would have unpacked, turned the water back on, and…
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Cloud Dementia
Climbing towards Arch Angel Valley in the Talkeetna Mountains Range, ethereal mountain mists soon enveloped Grant and I . . . it was as though we had surreally time-traveled through a wormhole in the clouds to a silent majestic world of peaceful serenity . . . I wanted to camp out . . . forever!…