My latest road touring took me no further than a few miles from Sage Hill.

As I drove, one constant kept coming into view–barns–I love old buildings!
Even if they are dilapidated and falling away, they have character, a story, some say a soul—and who am I to dispute.

If you aren’t familiar with middle Tennessee it’s hard to get a clear mental picture of the land layout. A lot of wide expanses of farmland, valleys, coves, ridges, mountains on some scale This allows much to be hidden until you round a curve, top a ridge or find yourself at the base of a  mountain.

These facts along with the many rivers, streams, and creeks can make a Sunday drive Blogworthy!

Before I headed out of town I stopped by the park, which has a charming history…for another Blog perhaps. I love the Lancaster cabin and met a charming lady who snapped this pic. She didn’t want hers made because she didn’t have her lipstick on…well, I relate to that! I don’t go to the mailbox without mine!! It’s a woman thing!!

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I made my way up Icy Bank on my way into town and that is always inspiring!
A rather high point just above Sage Hill.

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Barns, Barns, barns…and some I missed!

My favorite!

On my way home I drove back over Icy Bank at sunset…Oh mercy….you have to see it!

And 10 minutes I’m home….time out was 3.5 hours.
Therapy of the best kind.

No place like home!

I hear a lot…Christmas is different this year! (truth is…only the celebration is different.) so, whatever your circumstance, make it festive in your way and REJOICE!!

My/our celebration activities are different in some ways also.

However, we all know you can’t stop destiny!

My only brother was a house-guest for 3 days/ a guest only in the sense I chose to pamper him…with bright, beautiful surroundings, delicious home-cooked food, and limited travel around my domain.

Sewanee, (University Of The South) is just out my back door…so, up, up and away we went…it sits on the very top of a lovely mountain.

Sewanee: The University of the South, commonly known as Sewanee (/səˈwɑːni/), is a private Episcopal liberal arts college in Sewanee, Tennessee. It is owned by 28 southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church and its School of Theology is an official seminary of the church. The university’s School of Letters offers graduate degrees in American Literature and Creative Writing. The campus (officially called “The Domain” or, affectionately, “The Mountain”) consists of 13,000 acres of scenic mountain property atop the Cumberland Plateau, with the developed portion occupying about 1,000 acres.

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The history, the architectural magnificence, the view (oh the view!!) and the joy ride to get to the top and down again!! ( a sharp, never-ending collection of S curves!

Back home-Cajun Bread Pudding w/hot buttered rum sauce!(talk about good)

A few highlights..Enjoy and Merry Christmas from Tennessee and Sage Hill Gardens.

Shadows…..

You can’t plan for them, can’t make a date for them, can’t really predict when and/or where they will show. Oh, I know there is a 12 o’clock shadow, the 3 o’clock shadow, and all that scientific boring stuff!!

I much prefer just snapping shots and discovering the shadows were there!

From my grounds tour of Sage Hill Gardens earlier.

PS: There have been great books written from a single photograph…

In bloom for all seasons, whether flowers, leaves, or pinecones….the table,
the china, the message it sends out…never fails to cheer and delight those who gather.

Simple or elaborate, it matters not, pick your bouquet and arrange it with joy…then share.

Thanksgiving is 6 days in waiting.

**Manners Matter** Speaking Grace, please and thank you…calms the nerves, softens the heart, and feeds the spirit.

What is your table wearing over the Seasons’ most special days?

Others dictation cannot decide how I celebrate and claim my joy for the gift of life, family, and friends.

Tea for two to kick off the party…and plan for another day…another celebration!

I wish you were here.

Tis the Season…to reach out and support someone.

There is always something to make me wonder…what is over the next ridge?
In the next cove? All inside the walls of the Tennessee Valley?

For every highway, country road, or long-forgotten path, there is always another connecting road/path that takes me to things I do not know, have not seen…ahhh, which direction to take!

I saw dozens of huge spreads with beyond fabulous homes and barns, however, I try to not photograph and/or share places that are obviously occupied.

Being a photographer (albeit self-taught, with the help of a few professional ones)  I can’t let a great shot go undocumented.

At all times I had taken winding roads to the top ridges, Sage Hill was below me in the valley.

A brief history…