Closer To The God's

The Black's north of Asheville, mostly in Mitchell County are the tallest range of all of the Appalachians, home of Mount Mitchell. I had heard that the Catawba Indians would climb up onto them before War in order to be "closer to the God's". Most likely it was the Sara, wich joined the Catawba's after being decimated by Small Pox. How true that may be I don't know, I don't have but so much knowledge of the Souxian People's east of the Mountains. This is not the veiw from the Black's, it's the Balsam's. Devil's Courthouse to be exact. From here you can see the waters of the French Broad, the head Rivers of the Savanna, the Tuckaseegee, and even part of the Little Tennessee. I wasn't closer to the God's, just God. Looking out over his country.
There has been a number more of good bye's. At least some of some sorts. My now retired(and proud of it!) NCOIC treated me to Dinner(that's the noon meal) Saturday. Several of the retired guy's of my old Instructors group came. My old Command Seargent Major(CSM) came all the way from down at Greensboro. He had spent seven months in Iraq(and two tours of Vietnam as well) and had som good advice for me. My retired NCOIC's son in the Gaurd just did his second tour of Afghanistan(also one of Iraq, the Gul War and Panamma too). It was really good to see everyone. They are a great bunch of guy's and I'm glad to have served with them. One of the guy's that is still in is wondering why he's not on the list to go. Give it time and he will be. Just because we're ot together anymore doesn't mean that we're not together, if you know what I mean.

It didn't stop there. My Mothers side of the family is pretty big, Aunt's, Uncles, Cousins, second cousin's, and a few little thirds. There's a bunch of us. They had a get together for me. It was supposed to be for my Aunt's Birthday, but, it was a suprize for me. I knew for sure when those don't usually come to anythng was there. And, my Aunt reached over my head and put a cake down in front of me. They had all gotten me something. A new pocket knife, a modified 5.56 cleaning kit, enough toiletries to last me for some time(two of my Cousin's and an Aunt was already planning a schedule to send them to me), a CD Walkman, Crosss Word Puzzle Books(I've never been big on them, but, I beleive they will be very mind occupying from time to time), a Crucifix(my Uncle said it would be a little protection) and one of my cousin's got me a Penthouse Magazine. LOL! Leave it to him. I was sitting next to my Mother when I opened it, I knew of it was from him I better peak first. I noticed there was a little yellow ribbon on the cover. Also, yep, you guessed it, a little reveiw of The Drive By Truckers inside of it! It was pretty good. I've not been hugged by so mny men before in my life. I know I'm sick of good bye's, but, I try to look at it as an "I'll see you when I'm done".

My Ex's Aunt came by to see me and gave me a four leaf clover. She also gave me some good advice about keeping my house from getting too damp while I'm gone. Remember, this is Transylrainia. It was really sweet of her. They're good people and I'm glad to have know them.

Today was beautiful as you can see from the picture above. But, unfortunatly, it was tragic. One of my Second Cousin's had a Drug Overdose last night. She was taking off of life support today. She was young, pretty and sweet. She had a little Boy, and a new Husband(wich I nothing about). I don't know why. I don't understand it. I was thinking about her hte other day. She was working in a gas station I frequent one time and I hadn't seen her. I think she was 25. May God rest her sweet soul.

There's another picture below....