Lon and I took a short trip down to his deer camp in south-east Georgia for a few days at the beginning of the month, where we have our camper set up for a getaway "B&B". We always enjoy our time there in the woods, with the quietness and God's creation all around us. Time in the past has been spent on relaxing, reading, crafting, scouting for deer activity, hunting, visiting with other camp members, backwoods 4-wheeling, sleeping and just being plain"sorry" as Lon calls it, over the years. This trip was no different, as our intent was to get out of our usual routines for a quick low-cost vacation. It has been a busier month so far than I had realized. First we enjoyed a day trip to Lumpkin, Ga. on the 30th of October(previous post), then a trip to Hiawassee for a birthday surprise, Nov. 4th (look below for post)with this trip to the woods landing on Nov. 5th, rounding out our travels thus far. We have one trip planned this month and that should be all for awhile.
I love going to stay in the camper in such peaceful surroundings. Even though the preparations and journey will cause me to not come at times. Being away from home can be both exciting and tiring, as more is required of my energy and time. To do not only the everyday routine activities, but also those things necessary for travel. I wondered while there with so much to do back home, should I have been away from it. Remembering that my home tasks will always be there whether at home or away, left me with an important realization. So the best thing I could do was simply set the thoughts aside and take full advantage of my reprieve from them. The opportunity to spend time with family and Lon may not always be available, so I need to seize the days at hand. Time is an item always in demand, something we seek for more of, the very thing that we are guilty at times of wasting. But know one thing it will pass by as surely as the ticking of a loud clock on the wall. A sound that could be easily ignored with practice, but will serve as a noisy reminder if we let it ~ to seize each moment of time we have to live.
Another way for me to look at trips away is, I personally gain a fresh perspective on my life and a renewed commitment towards my purpose or calling on my life, when I am away from it's daily demands and influence. An added bonus for me also is the amount of free time I acquire for personal pursuits like reading, crafting and journal writing. Sleeping out in the fresh unpolluted air of rural America is not without merit either.
We recently purchased our own 4-wheeler for ease of hunting for Lon and "play therapy" for me, after years of enjoying Daddy's. Which led to sore bones on day 2 of our backwoods adventure. But my, o, my it was fun riding trails through the woods, feeling the air in my face and the Fall sunshine on my head. It was just the two of us, Lon and I enjoying the quiet stillness of the woods when we stopped for a rest near his deer stand. Not a sound could be heard, not even the rustling and chattering of squirrels that frequently visit him when he is trying to hunt. By the way how do you like my ansemble for the trip? Now when I tell you that I go hunting with my sweetie, there will be no more doubt for you scoffers of the past.
Surrounded by the hush of the deep woods around us, it's beauty untouched my human hands, crafted instead by heavenly ones was beyond words. You just have to experience it to truely understand it's drawing of your soul to it. There were some other hands or should I say feet busy also nearby his deer stand. They had been very busy as you can see by the size of their construction.
The leaves were just beginning to change into their warm hues of Fall. It seemed unusual that in the course of 2 days that week, I witnessed 3 phases of colors. At deer camp it looked like the beginning of changes, back home we left the woods around Heartland Farm a jump ahead, about midway in their march towards spectacular color. Then at Mom's the day before the North Georgia Mountains looked to be at full peak. All due to the temperature and geographical differences in each area.
While there I was able to check off a few more Fall Favorites off my list, hiking in the woods, camping, and deer hunting. The last night we were there Lon shot a doe, which will give us meat for our freezer stash to eat this winter. It reminded me of the people who lived in this area before us in history. They were very much dependant on what food sources they could find to feed their families. If you were not a good hunter or woodsman your family could and often did go hungry. Back then there wasn't much trading available and no supermarket to stock your cupboards with , like we have to shop in now. I believe society as it is today would not survive, for most lack the skills to feed themselves. Growing, foraging and hunting are lost skills that were once past down from father to son.
The interest in simple living is bringing back the teachings of many skills and ways of doing things that were taught to Lon and I. Library books are helping to further our learning as is meeting new people who are willing to share what they are already doing, that which we hope to do in the future. I am so glad I grew up in the era when it was still a lifestyle for my parents and grandparents, being able to learn first hand from family is a great gift that I treasure. Thanks Moma and Daddy. You can't stop being a student I believe and I am still learning with each new interest we embrace for Heartland Farm.
To me the equation for living is easy:
Simplified living = simple pleasures =
abundant life = fulfilled purpose.
You just can't beat that!
Deborah
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