Even though we are only a few miles north of the North Carolina border, thus one would think we would have rather temperate weather, we are 3,000 feet up on the Blue Ridge Plateau. Worse, we are right on the edge of the plateau with our rear property line running along the ridge that immediately begins a 1,500 foot drop.
Needless to say the weather here can be volatile at times, with large wind and temperature differences between our home and the Blue Ridge Parkway just a half mile away as the crow flies. In fact I have felt a significant temperature difference between our home and the neighbor's just an eighth mile down the road.
In the relatively short time we've lived here "on the mountain' we have experienced a variety of weather spanning all four seasons. From what I gather talking to the locals the weather around here has not been 'normal' since we signed the purchase agreement. Hopefully the community hasn't put two and two together and concluded that we are the cause of the abnormal weather.
Here is where I will post images and observations on the weather and its effects as the season's turn. Hope you enjoy the show and running commentary.
Cognitive Dissonance
While everyone else seems to have a honey-do list, that never empty glass jar filled with loving suggestions of things we might find our way to doing (respectfully submitted by our better half) both Mrs. Cog and I have our own Projects list. And while there is some cross pollination between the two lists, for the most part the ideas for these projects are germinated between our own two ears.
At least that's where Mrs. Cog tells me I get my inspiration. And I sincerely believe everything Mrs. Cog tells me to do is actually my own idea. Right honey?
I suppose that eventually we will run out of things we want to do here on the mountain. I just don't think it will be very soon. So keep watching this page for updates as we attempt to empty our respective honey-do jars.
Cognitive Dissonance
From Mrs. Cog
Sustainablilty!
When we bought our home on the mountain, we knew there was a great deal of work involved to repair and maintain the property. The somewhat elderly owner had moved out several years before and among other things, the vegetation had become quite overgrown (think rainforest.) As an added challenge, we toured and bought the place in the dead of winter. With the greenery dormant, we had no idea what most plants and trees were.
After we relocated, I was astounded almost daily to see what we actually have. When Cog was hacking back weeds and even some (gasp!) wild blackberries plants around the enormous overgrown kiwi patch, we found a different berry plant. HALT! I picked some and brought them inside and googled blueberries. I had trouble believing that is what they were. The berries were right, but blueberries grow on bushes and this was a tree. Indeed - they are blueberries... just starting to ripen.
I find I have focused so long on how to garden and put away seeds for next year and extra fresh food that I missed the obvious. Growing in our yard and renewing themselves each year are such a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers - perennials are a gift. In addition to the many fruits already growing here, I have also discovered grapes, echinacea, yarrow, chamomile... and this is just what I have been able to identify so far. I can only imagine what else is in store.