I must admit that the days when summer is slipping into fall are among my favorite. Returning from our walk, the sweet aroma from brewing coffee welcomed me home. I poured a cup and sat down on the deck to further enjoy the crisp air of morning. As I watched the steam rise from my cup, I pondered how I would spend this delightful day. As the end of summer draws near, the opportunity to enjoy fresh local produce also will soon come to an end. I decided to spend the day picking up a few bushels of local corn to put into the freezer and enjoy throughout the year.

I have always marveled at the versatility of eggs. Boiled, poached, fried or over-easy, an egg is delicious solely by itself. It also makes a wonderful addition to many dishes. But I find no dish more fascinating than the omelet. Because you can use almost any ingredients in an omelet, it allows for great culinary creativity.

There is nothing quite as healing to the soul as a leisurely morning spent with a good long-time friend. I so enjoy spending time with my dear friend, Lyn. She is like a favorite pair of blue jeans. She goes with everything, and still fits perfectly after all these years. It is amazing how we seem to have a taste for the same things. This particular morning, it was crepes. Luckily for us, we were near the wonderful Penny Path Cafe and Crepe Shop at the infamous Reynolda Village in Winston-Salem. Perusing the extensive menu of sweet and savory crepes, this morning I had to choose the peach crepe, topped with house cream and drizzled with honey.

The morning sunlight was streaming through the window, as the steam rose from my freshly poured cup of coffee. “Ding,” the toaster alerted that my bread was nicely browned, warm and ready to be spread with butter and homemade preserves made from strawberries picked just last month. I tossed a handful of fresh blueberries onto my oatmeal and drizzled a little local honey on top.

In the Carolinas, July is one of the most plentiful months for freshly picked fruits and vegetables. While I enjoy the many local farmers markets for their wide variety of delicious treasures, I also enjoy visiting pick-your-own farms, especially when purchasing large quantities to freeze or can. The only thing that can make strawberry preserves more delicious is enjoying them spread on a hot biscuit on a cold winter’s morning.

There was a warm breeze gently circulated by ceiling fans as the afternoon drew to a close. Gracie and I had the porch to ourselves for a moment, after a delightful tour of Charleston. I am glad that I made early reservations for dinner. We were the first guests of the evening at Poogan’s Porch. Gracie rested at my feet, while I enjoyed a refreshing lavender martini.

In that moment, all was quiet. Suddenly Gracie sat up at attention. Ears perked and tail wagged gently as she tilted her head to the right and then to the left. She turned her gaze as if watching someone walk down the steps, off the porch and into the yard. Looking out onto the lawn she gave a friendly, “arf,” tilted her head again and turned to look at me as if gauging my reaction. “What is it girl?” After peeking out through the banisters for one more look out across the lawn, she laid back down at my feet.

“Come on Gracie, we’re going for a walk.” While there are many amazing adventures across the Carolinas, our own neighborhood is a favorite. I know many of my longtime neighbors well, but there are so many new faces in our neighborhood. I usually make a point to visit new neighbors, welcoming them with a potted plant or other small gift. However, over the past year COVID restrictions have limited visits.

Looking out across the expansive lawn in front of Biltmore House, it is hard to imagine the grand view before me is only a small portion of the over 8000-acre estate. My sweet pup, Gracie, seems so tiny sitting on the lawn in front of the grand manor. The grounds of Biltmore Estates was an enormous playground for the Vanderbilts’ many dogs, including the most famous, Cedric. Often seen by his master’s side, George Vanderbilt’s beloved canine companion, Cedric, was a handsome Saint Bernard.

Ears perk and tail wags at the sound of, “Come on Gracie, we’re going on an adventure.” I don’t know which of us is more excited. Like folks across the country, we have been hunkered down at home for more than a year. During the pandemic, an unprecedented number of dogs were adopted as stay at home companions. As COVID restrictions ease, pet owners are looking forward to going out and socializing with their furry friends.

Miss Mary’s meatloaf. There are many things that bring people together at Haywood Street Congregation in Asheville, North Carolina, Miss Mary’s famous meatloaf is one of them. Helping to lead the Downtown Welcome Table ministry, Mary is the central figure in the Haywood Street fresco. The fresco depicts how the Haywood Street ministries brings community together to feed the body and spirit, and the Haywood Street Congregation’s mission, “Relationship, above all else.”

The warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze make it difficult to remember the chilly winter days only a few weeks ago. Turning my face upward to feel the sun, I notice a flock of birds flying above. They have recently returned from their winter homes. I imagine the things they have seen on their journey, the change of colors and terrain. From their aerial perspective, the landscapes below often resemble an abstract painting of colors and patterns. There are, however, hidden art and messages to be seen only from above. These are not only found in ancient Mayan ruins or in midwestern crop circles. Many of these hidden art forms and messages are found right here in the Carolinas.

When thinking about exotic plants, the Venus Flytrap tops the list. This carnivorous plant is intriguing to observe as it attracts, traps and consumes its prey. The “trap” is made of two hinged lobes at the end of each leaf. These lobes have an aroma that attracts insects looking for food, such as flies. They do not attract insects that are looking for pollen or nectar. Each lobe is equipped with hair-like projections that when stimulated cause the two lobes to snap shut, trapping insects between them. The traps are edged with small bristles that interlock when the trap shuts, ensuring prey cannot escape. The unusual character of this plant stirs the imagination and even inspired the horror story, “Little Shop of Horrors”.

It is no surprise to find magnificent works of art within the walls of the grand cathedrals of Italy, Michelangelo’s frescoes at the Vatican, the works of Giotto at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi. It is expected that such impressive architecture would be home to these amazing treasures. But sometimes the most beautiful treasures are found in the most unexpected and ordinary places.

My travels in Ashe County, North Carolina, took me along winding dirt roads, past hillsides of grazing cattle, to a quaint little country church, Holy Trinity Episcopal, in Glendale Springs. This charming white-clapboard country church is surrounded by a neatly manicured lawn and white picket fence. Standing outside, one would imagine the interior to be modestly furnished and equally quaint. Few would imagine based on its external appearance, that within its walls are amazing works of art that rival those of Italy’s great cathedrals. Yet, one step into the chapel and you will be immediately mesmerized by the grand fresco of The Last Supper by Ben Long.

fter a week of cloudy skies, the sun streaming through my window this morning is the first sign to a change of season. Days are getting longer and this morning the sunshine beckons me to enjoy one more walk of the season.

Heading out with no definitive destination in mind, I find myself heading toward the Blue Ridge. There are many hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This scenic route meanders for 469 miles through North Carolina and Virginia. The Blue Ridge Mountain range traverses eight states from Pennsylvania to Georgia. It gets its name from the dense forest that releases hydrocarbons into the atmosphere, giving it a distinctive blue haze.

Bare branches make intricate patterns against a crisp blue sky. While some may miss the beautiful green canopy of summer, today I treasure the opportunity to see what the foliage often hides. It is true that many birds migrate to warmer regions during the winter months; however, the Carolinas are home to a variety of species year-round.

Pausing to sit quietly, I close my eyes to experience the sound of the forest around me. As the sun peeks through the bare branches and warms my cheeks, the melody of the forest warms my heart. The unique and distinct voices of various species blend together in harmony. With eyes closed, I recognize the familiar sound of a male and female Cardinal chirping back and forth to one another. One speaks, and then the other, a conversation with purpose. I wonder what they are saying? Have they just met or are they longtime mates?

While past visits to Old Salem have been bustling with visitors, horse-drawn carriages and museum staff dressed in traditional eighteenth century attire, today due to COVID restrictions, the shops are closed and the streets are empty. This rare opportunity to walk these historic grounds in solitude presents a unique perspective. Without modern distractions, the past steps out to speak.