Sage Hill Gardens – Sustainable Living With Healthy FOOD

Sage Hill Road Blogging-Edition#61-Small Towns-USA

Bell Buckle, Wartrace, Lynnville, and Normandy, four of the small towns that stand out and do their part to help put and keep their towns out front and inviting!

Yesterday we decided to lock up and hit the road. After a week of snow and ice, the sunny day (albeit cold and a little windy)was a strong enticement.
Normandy was established in 1852 as a railroad town on the old Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad Line, later the Nashville, Chattanooga, & St. Louis Railroad.

Normandy Lake is also a fishing hotspot in Bedford County.

The Duck River

The Duck River, 284 miles long, is the longest river located entirely within the state of Tennessee.
Free flowing for most of its length, the Duck River is home to over 50 species of freshwater mussels and 151 species of fish, making it the most biologically diverse river in North America.

The Duck River drains a significant portion of Middle Tennessee. It rises in hills near an area of Middle Tennessee known as the “Barrens”, an area with enough rainfall to support a woodland but which white settlers found already deforested upon their arrival. (Several theories have been advanced to explain this phenomenon.) It enters the city of Manchester and meets its confluence with a major tributary, the Little Duck River, at Old Stone Fort State Park, named after an ancient Native American structure between the two rivers believed to be nearly 2,000 years old.

The dam is beautiful and has a back story. (for another post)

We discovered a large area that obviously was a major swamp at some point in time. There are hundreds of Cyptess stumps and some trees, the story goes that earlier inhabitants tried to cultivate it and had no success. (I wonder why? smile)

The little town is benifiting from major growth coming from Nashville, Franklin and Murfreesboro.
Coffee, Icecream shops, a super nice resturant, a great Boutique ( high end womens boots and semi-westernwear, very fitting considering the presence of so much horse activity

We made the rounds with a short stop in Wartrace and Bell Buckle, influx of growth in all three places.
Each have interesting histories and draws.

All being old railroad towns.

Still highly train active through Bell Buckle and Wartrace. A very long train comes through about every 20 minutes.
I counted one, had 63 container pods (Prime/Amazon) Trucking by train!

A good day!
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Ream ice in trees just north of Sage Hill. Normandy Lake

Cypress swamp in Normandy Normandy (Duck River Dam)

Great Art! Duck River ( with a duck)

Beautiful Old church.

Sage Hill Road Blogging-Edition# 60-December 31-2025

The day has begun, it is 11:30 A.m., and I’m comfortably settled by the fire in Cabella’s, while hubby shops for a set of binoculars.

That’s done, and we are on our way to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.

But first, lunch at the Cross Ties Cafe, the food is the best.
If you are in the area, check it out.

Turkey with Basil Pesto Panini got my vote, and the best Café au Lait outside of New Orleans, Louisiana.
46 Railroad Ave, Falkville, AL 35622

On to our destination.
A nice surprise to discover it has been totally renovated, beautiful and functional.

So many birds, about 20,000 so far, mostly Sandhill Cranes, 2 Whooping Cranes, and many ducks and smaller birds.
Whoopers are rare, so seeing 2 is a treat.

Sandhill cranes are between 2 and 5 ft tall, and the whoopers are a little larger.
Large groups make for an amazing sight!

When they take flight, they become highly vocal.

Lots of children on site today, that was a joy to see, they were really into the birds!!

Another lovely day trip logged and rated AAA!

Sage Hill Road Blogging-Edition#59-We Have A Tree!

The day was cold, wet, and beautiful.

The Tree Farm was wild and amazing.
A family affair, dogs, kids, lots of kids, and a dad who was comfortable with it all.
Each one was busy doing a chore, making wreaths, checking the gift shop, and big kids chasing after the little kids.
A 2-year-old, all decked out in a quilted coat, a warm hat, and no shoes — no one seemed to think it abnormal, and actually, it isn’t.
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A lovely way for children to grow, in a place built by their great-grandfather many years ago.

Delila (the dog) part Shep and Pyrenees was keeping watch with a knowing that everything was under control.
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Now-to make this tree Christmas-worthy! Come along and enjoy the fun!

Sage Hill Road Blogging-Edition#58 Christmas All Around. December 2, 2025.

Christmas On The Mountain Has Begun.

We’re back!! It’s been a while. The season (Christmas) and the colder weather have sparked my desire to move, to explore!

Today, the mountain was calling my name, so up. up, and away we went.
The base of the mountain, Sewanee (University of the South), is the old town of Cowan, a thriving RR town in its day, and it still has a grand Depot to honor its history.
And, it still has the spirit to celebrate!

Leaving Cowan starts the climb to Sewanee, where you’ll find the most beautiful old buildings, the school, churches, commons, and the Inn.
Quaint little dorm houses to grand homes fit for the queen.
Just a sprint on up to Monteagle, where you’ll find Goat Tracks. What can I say about that! You have to go.
The wall art is a treat unto itself, celebrating a tradition with art, art that warms the senses and makes me smile.

Yes, it was cold, windy, and foggy, really foggy, note the difference from the base of the mountain compared to the mountain top.

Rambo(the stray cat) was on the front porch chair when we arrived back home.
He made a hasty retreat when the car lights hit the porch. All in good time!

See you next time~

art bea

Sage Hill Gardens-Road Blogging-Edition #57-9/25/2025

The backroads, the old buildings, homes, barns, and churches. History.

You are invited to travel the backroads with me!

I feel sad to see the speed of the disappearing landscape all around us.
Even sadder to discover some who were born and raised here, in this small country town of Lynnville, TN, and could not answer my questions.
But I digress!

I go for the history that I know, the joy of getting there, and the food!
The town has a rich RR heritage.

Soda Pop Junction is housed in a fabulous old building (1860). Its beginning served as a drugstore and saloon, under the same roof!
Soda Pop Junction was born in 1998. Their award-winning hamburgers( local beef) and milkshakes keep folks coming from all around the globe.

Road Blogging-Sage Hill gardens–Transition Edition #56-August,25-2025

In the last blog update, I teased you with our new purpose for Sage Hill Gardens.

After 23+ years of growing food, producing a product, and holding many productive events.
In the background, the question always lurked: when and how will it come to an end?

Downsizing is a term/act that has not served us/me well.

Shutting it all down and going off to play for my remaining years was akin to making a square peg fit into a round hole. Never going to happen!

So, the path we have chosen, or the one that chose us, serves to keep us involved with the same thought we started with. (care for the land, meet our needs, and give something back)
while eliminating the daily demands of hard, physical work.

In essence, this decision rewards the elements of nature that made all the past years successful.

**Our focus will be on the Monarch butterfly, Honeybees, Toads, and Dragonflies.

I look forward to having you all join us in the “fun” and educational purpose.

With love and appreciation,

The Sage Hill Garden family.

BeasBeatitudes-Sage Hill Gardens-August 21,2025-Transition Edition #55

The first draft of Sage Hill Farms began as an idea while I hiked Pisgah Mountain in North Carolina in 1999.

Over the next four years, doodle paper stock, no doubt, was the highest the market had ever seen!
I worked through every possible scenario on paper.

With two retirements to get through, my idea had a small chance of becoming reality. Until one day, it all fell into place.
In 2003, we found ourselves in Lincoln County, Tennessee, via hubby’s AT&T transfer.
(It would not have been my first choice, but it was close to my home grounds, and so be it.)

The first garden stake was planted in late August 2003.

Sage Hill Farms was a successful, commercial herb grower/producer until the end of 2018.
All commercial activity was retired, and the name was changed to Sage Hill Gardens.
(We revamped into private food growers and teaching others how to do the same.)

With each passing year from 2018 to 2025, production has been less and less, by design and life demands.

I find it only fitting to put all those years to rest on the birthday of Sage Hill.
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But wait———-Sage Hill is not going to sleep forever. A short nap and she will be back with a new purpose and lots of passion!

This new venture came to me in a discussion about selling and opting for a smaller home and grounds.
That idea got no traction!

In the next blog post, I will introduce you to our new purpose. Stay tuned!
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Meanwhile, I’d like to share one of Tennessee’s State Parks that inspired us to plant Native grasses 15 years ago.
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Henry Horton State Park.

We were there on Tuesday, the renovations are amazing, and more to be done.

A portion of the grounds, including the golf course, has been planted with native grasses for wildlife, attracting beautiful birds and butterflies.
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The grasses at Sage Hill are exceptional!

Today, while cleaning a wildflower spot, we discovered 3 offshoots about 3 feet high-exciting!
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Native Grasses at Sage Hill.
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The Stylish Gardener-Road Blogging-August 12, 2025-Edition #54

Hohenwald is a city in and the county seat of Lewis County, Tennessee.
The name “Hohenwald” derives from German meaning “High Forest.”
The town was founded in 1878 and later merged with a town named “New Switzerland” to the south. New Switzerland was founded in 1894 by Swiss immigrants in conjunction with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway.

Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, died and was buried seven miles east of the town at Grinder’s Stand in 1809.

Hohenwald is also the home of the Elephant Sanctuary, the largest natural-habitat sanctuary for elephants in the United States.
The 13 elephants that call this amazing place home live a peaceful beautifully cared for life and dine like royal elephants should.

On 3,000 acres of elephant proof surroundings, with a Warming barn to protect them from the cold in winter and a staff dedicted to making life comfortable, healthy and fun.
I am in awe of and came away profoundly touched by the history and the many traits that man and the elephant share. So much to know!

If you choose to visit, be aware you view them in real time on video in their natural habitat, doing their daily routine, unaware they are being watched.
It is not a zoo like setting. It is their sanctuary, a place to live out their life with dignity and security. ( the two oldest are 67 and 69 years.)

One hour and 30 minutes west of Sage Hill. (Driving the back roads can add miles and minutes to any trip, but the rewards are worthy!)

The Rockhouse Coffee Company serves up some tasty fare and great, no junk drinks.

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The best Chamber folks I’ve ever met, really into the job, friendly, informaative and actively open to ways of bringing more attention to their town.

They have the October Fest each year to celebrate the German heritage of the town.

We had a great conversation about the October Fest in Cullman, Alabama (another city with German Founders) she plans to visit and perhaps find some comman ground for cross promot.
I hope so.

Sights, Sounds, and Flavors of the Mountains-Edition # 53-Road Blogging~

One probably does not think of the mountains when Pizza is on their mind.
However, one has never had pizza at the Mountain Goat Market, if that applies!

Locally sourced produce.
Fresh-baked breads.
Homemade desserts.
Drinks without all the nasty stuff, and a crew that works in harmony.
No long waits and never a disappointment on any level.

From Sage Hill, up the mountain to Sewannee, TN ( University of the South), on to Monteagle is about an hour.
The drive is a exciting as the food. A winding mountain road that is pure pleasure to drive.

If you haven’t been— go.
If you are not close by, make a road trip!

It’s a good thing!

! Pizza

The Roads Less Traveled–Road Blogging–6/6/2024–Edition#52

One can cover many miles and cross many county lines, all while soaking up the serenity of “the backroads.”

The winding curves, ridges, dips, coves, and hollows are all minutes away from some quaint little town with a rich and interesting history.

Lynchburg was our first stop. (1801)
The home to Jack Daniels Whiskey. A long and winding history that has survived the test of time.(1866) The first registered distillery within the US.
(for many years now, owned by the Brown and Forman group.)
I have, for many years admired the way it was preserved, and on the face of it, most won’t notice until it’s too late, but change is happening and it isn’t pretty.
But for now, go, soak up the charm, and if you are hungry, look around, choices are plentiful. It’s all as good as the next one. You can’t make a bad choice!

We opted for Southern Perks, one of 2 best coffee choices around and too many great foods to list. (not your average coffee shop!) Five stars+!

Miss Mary BoBo’s, began in 1908 when Miss Mary assumed ownership of the historic Salmon Hotel.(built in the 1820s) It was built over a natural spring.
Miss Mary ran the boarding house until her death in 1983.One month shy of her 102nd birthday!
It sits on the National Register of Historic Places and was visited by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1940.

Lodge Cast iron cookware is Headquartered in South Pittsburg, TN, just a few curves and ridges away…happy to have them in Lynchburg also. (my favorite)

Always a surprise as to who one will run into in Lynchburg…this trip it was LSU fans and other Louisiana wanderers ! (nice tour bus)

The courthouse…love old courthouses! The craftsmanship is beyond words.

On to the next stop, Tullahoma, TN., quaint with a commercial face that often overrides the treasure of uniqueness. ( chartered in 1852)
A major military history-worthy of the read.

Here you can find Aldi, Ollies, the best of medical resources (for what it’s worth) Arnold AF Base and…The Celtic Cup…(a jewel among the stones of Coffee Houses!)

The Celtic Cup Coffee House (youtube.com)

By this time I was tired and happy to take my celtic Cup and let the man behind Sage Hill Gardens do the driving!
(he thinks he is a better driver, depends on who you ask! Well, he did train under a badge, so maybe??? )

Life is good, generous, and worthy of the road time! ( no matter who drives!)