Dam, Heart, River, Fog, Fence

At the base of the Norfork Dam is Norfork River, famous for Rainbow trout fishing.  They have a wonderful area where children can fish but it is a catch and release area.  Why?  There is a fish hatchery right there and I guess they don't want them all caught before the Norfork joins the White River, also famous for Trout fishing, Brown and Rainbow.

It was raining as we came through after Hubby heart check up...yep, he still has one.

I asked him to stop.  I wanted pictures.

In the rain?

I don't care.  I want pictures.

These steps took me to Dry Run Creek.

 to see this

and this in the rain.

The steps back seems much steeper but

if you notice my little orb is with me.

 The fog was rolling in but there were people fishing every where.

The minimal flow pipe was running along with two flood gates.

The pictures do not do Norfork River justice.

The beauty was breathtaking.

I kept moving closer and closer to get a good shot.

The fog was winning but I finally got the flood gates.

 And I got a rock.  Did that surprise anybody?

This is the power station below the dam.

Sometimes power is generated, but here's the kicker

The power is bought by another state!

The power plant in enclosed with a chain link fence.

For Good Fences at Run*A*Round*Ranch.

Fog

Slipping into the valley
on "little cat feet"*
the fog curved
sensuously
around over
every shape

Within the invisibility
it left behind
you could
almost
hear a feline purr
of satisfaction

* words from a Carl Sandburg poem
for Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads

Before...

our collective family had cattle, horses, cancer, Alzheimer's, and heart trouble we did much river playing. Today we went again to some old favorite spots.  We caught a few fish but released them.  It was beautiful.

The boat that has set unused met White River today in Guion Arkansas, still a sand mining town and the place where Hubby grew up. 

The bridge that connects Izard County with Stone County was not here when we were residents.  If you wanted to cross the river you had to drive onto a state owned and operated ferry.  If the river was too high or too low you didn't cross. The citizens liked the isolation but things always change.

The boat unloaded was tested by Hubby while we readied things to be loaded.  The sun was warm but it was late afternoon so the weather was not as intense as it has been.

We flew up the river in the inboard motor boat that Hubby had considered selling.  Glad he didn't but it is difficult to take pictures when the speed does not allow you to open your eyes.

I risked a picture over my shoulder as we flew up the river.  Toni's hair will show you the speed along with the wake we left behind us.

Even the backwards shots showed the idea conditions for water reflections on the river.  

We fished on a creek off the river until sundown brought the fog with it.  It was time to head to the ramp.

Sundown, fog and speed...another shot over my shoulder told me I should have my life jacket on.

We beat the fog and the dark to the loading ramp.

A Blue Heron patiently waited for dinner in the river weeds. 

As we landed a gentleman greeted us seeking help. He had started to launch his boat and had some engine trouble.  He removed the cover, found an active wasp nest and in his hurry to retreat he had lost his motor cap in the water. Hubby motored over.  The men shined lights in the water as Andrew dived under to retrieve the man's motor cover.  My heroes.

Loaded, tired, happy with darkness and fog dropping their curtains we headed home.  On that ride we saw four large Buck White Tail Deer, one doe and a rattlesnake almost big enough to swallow a fawn. Pulling the boat, we could not go back to retrieve the snake...big monster.  He not only would have made a good hat band but I'm guessing maybe a belt too.

It was a good day and a good time to reacquaint ourselves with White River.

Foggy Morning

Dusk...

As Ki and I stepped out for potty business, the deer were drinking from the spring.  I saw a few but this was the best shot.  We know why our winter garden hasn't fared so well.
The deer spied us and white-flagged as they left.  I heard the twang of wire as they tipped the fence leaving.

Sunday night the moon had lighted the valley but tonight we were wrapped in tight fog.  You could almost hear it moving.  I half expected to see the ship-wrecked sailors march through our valley as they did in the movie "Fog". 

Ki attended to business as I stood lightly dressed, feeling the fog actually touch me.  A coyote called from the new pond and waited for an answer.  Was it a call to mate or to hunt?   The beauty nor the music was not lessened by my lack of understanding.

I hear cattle lowing from the next farm, and the calls of night birds were sprinkled here and there.  In the distance, a owl calls to the night.

The night was dressed heavily in fog.  No stars nor moon to see but the sounds were mysterious and almost hypnotizing in this valley we call At The Farm.

Attitude of Gratitude

I think someone slapped me on the way out this morning...slapped me and made me look closely at the beauty.  This morning, I realized how lucky I really am as a white tail deer stood in the road and looked at me.  Was even luckier when I saw this sunrise in the foggy field.

It was almost a prehistoric scene or the way I imagined one might look.  No signs of civilization, only the fog softy wrapping the land like a baby in mamma's hand pieced quilt.  Many people are unable to view this every morning and it hit me how truly blessed I am.

Then I saw this magnificent Sparrow Hawk, I think, and he waited for me as if he knew I wanted a picture.

The hawk became a little nervous, leaving his tree to light on this fence post...how amazing in that?

This appreciation could have something to do with the latest issue of MaryJanesFarm Magazine.  This issue was based on an attitude of gratitude with many guest writers.  The magazine is amazing.

It really made me think.  We have a home, humble as it may be,  paid for.  We own land, which is something many people may never get to experience. My husband and I have jobs while many do not. We have our health, a little worn, but we are still relatively healthy.  We have two wonderful daughters of which we are very proud and three fantastic grandsons.  We have cattle and horses...our dream came true. We have an extended family that works well together.

I never thought I would say this, but I am glad I was slapped this morning, made me wake up and smell the coffee, so to speak.

Last but not least, I am grateful for all my loyal followers!  I have almost reached two hundred and I am delighted!  Thank you!

A Deep Fog

took me back millions of years.

I could see dinosaurs lurking in the fog.

I heard the leathery wings.

The ground trembled with the footsteps of giants.

Then the fog cleared.

I knew I was alone.