What does it feel like to celebrate Grace?
Perhaps it is feeling like all the stars are in perfect alignment and everything is happening for your benefit. When I travelled to England and Ireland for the first time, that is how I felt. Everything went into place smoothly.
In today’s world, things may appear to be out of sync, chaotic. So taking care of ourselves, and taking time to relax our bodies and minds is important.
There are Fall Festivals now taking place all over this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth. Some claim the Appalachian Mountains, of which the Blue Ridge is part, are the oldest. For me, these mountains speak to my heart, and that is what is important to me.
It is a joyful endeavor to create art surrounded by and immersed in this inspiring scenery. Photographic art, stories, poetry, songs and lyrics, flow forth amidst the flora and fauna. And the homemade apple pies and pumpkin muffins.
There is the tiniest of hummingbirds that visits the wildflowers outside the kitchen window of my home each morning and at sunset. The bushes with their small, bright orange flowers sway softly as this miniature creature maneuvers swiftly through the dense foliage.
The butterflies are flourishing from the abundance of wildflowers on the side of this mountain cove and the meadow below my home, where the tall and stately poplar tree named Eleanor lives and reigns.
These forests have seen many human travelers over the centuries. The Cherokee Nation have called this area of the world home for millennia. Then several centuries ago, European travellers like William Bartram walked these mountains, hills and valleys.
When the skies are clear at night, thousands of stars reveal themselves and twinkle. No telescope required for viewing. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is easy to see the Milky Way from summits such as Waterrock Knob.
Artists are dreamers with visions, here to help create Heaven on Earth. While each soul has their own path, the journey is what helps create the artist’s particular version of art.
For me, God’s handiwork here in the Blue Ridge Mountains calls to me daily. This time of year, the season of Autumn, holds a special place in my heart, my DNA. It is my happy place.
For me, living here in these mountains is the meaning of Celebrating Grace.
Featured image, “Celebrating Grace”, part of the Healing Spirit Art © Collection of positive, inspirational, life-affirming fine art photography, writing, and music 🎶 by Teri Leigh Teed.