Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Other Side of the Mountain


Yesterday Liz came and took me to see the house she and her husband are building on the other side of our mountain. Their view is to the west and they'll see the sunsets we miss.


They've been careful not to cut too many trees and their house is surrounded by some beautiful woods but they still have some sunny areas for gardens.

It's been almost forty years since we built our house but I remember the excitement of the raw space and the very great pleasure of imagining the completed structure and the (eventual) landscaping.  
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product on the other side of the mountain and to sharing some of my daylilies, iris and other plants, just as my neighbors shared with me all that time ago. . .

And suddenly I realize -- I'm now older than the 'old lady' down the road who gave me many of those plants. 

Aye, law!



15 comments:

Merisi said...

Yes, time inexorably moves on, albeit on soft paws, but every now and then it sneaks up on us in the most unexpected ways.

Thérèse said...

Exciting and it will be a good reason to go and visit Liz to enjoy sunsets together.

Thérèse said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

A nice lady threw in some iris bulbs and a few paper whites when we bought day lilies from her years ago. I always think of her when they come up each year in the spring. You are so nice to share flowers with your neighbor. Just remember, time flies when you're having fun Vicki.
Sam

KarenB said...

Yes, time does creep up on us all.

On another note, my husband and I were talking about moving down to your neck of the woods. It probably won't be for 4 or 5 years, but that will happen sooner than it seems!

Brian Miller said...

nice...love that they were conscious of the trees...and what a great view as well....hope all goes well with the rest of the building process...

Barbara Rogers said...

A great reminder of how we slip into becoming the "little old ladies" that we grew up with...they wore these ugly stockings and shoes, and shapeless nylon printed dresses, and had blue hair! Well, we're not quite like they were!

NCmountainwoman said...

How DID we become old ladies? It's always a treat to receive plants from old friends.

Mary Maupin said...

Aye, law is right!

Stella Jones said...

You will be able to visit and watch the sunsets and maybe one day they will come visit with you and watch the sunrise. Lovely to share plants with neighbours isn't it. How exciting to build a house in a spot you chose. I've never done that and can only imagine the pleasure.

katy gilmore said...

Oh it is beautiful on both sides of your mountain! And it is really a thrill to build a house - and even to see that photo of studs and rafters and potential!
That moment you mention - "I'm older than...." - that happens all the time now. Very strange - and pretty wonderful to be here to have the moments.

Darla said...

Well, I guess forty years *will* age you, eh? ;-) I like that photo of the curving tree… Since I'm not a "morning person," the idea of watching the sun set over the mountains would definitely appeal.

Jime said...

Well hell fire I been in Cali-for-nia for near on 43 years and your blog helps me remember what I forgot about them thar mountains of West by god North Carolina.

You can take the boy out of the country but not the country out of the boy.

Vicki enjoy your new neighbors and share the sun rises and sets, flowers and friendships.

Vicki Lane said...

I have so many plants that remind me of the giver -- and it's wonderful to be able to share,

Karen B -- keep us posted where you decide to land!

Barb -- yep, I've avoided the blue hair and thick stockings but the clogs I wear are pretty ugly.

Jim -- so glad my pictures take you back home.

Glenda C. Beall said...

Just yesterday I was going through old slides and found pictures of the growing of our dream home in south Georgia in 1974. Building your home and being able to chose the spot as we did in the woods on our family farm, was a thrill I'll never forget. And I hated leaving that house, but love these mountains so much. So glad your friends left trees. I am surrounded by tall, glorious trees and I love them all.