Especially at this time of year ,when we are gathering together to talk with our neighbors beneath the brilliant tresses of maple trees, perhaps discussing the harvest, perhaps a season of plenty, native traditions appear like colorful threads in the tapestry of contemporary life.
Yes...this year in the valley near our home in Guaxule (the Cherokee name for Asheville, North Carolina) a black bear raised three cubs, the wild turkey family, male, female and seven chicks roamed undisturbed, rabbits scooted here and there while hawks kept an attentive eye. At least one coyote howled loud enough to wake visiting grandkids.
Life outdid itself right out our back door. ..but today it is more evident to many of us.
It's easy to get close to nature here; it's easy to let your imagination be IN nature just by looking out the window of a home I found for you, whether that be in the city, on a horse farm, or overlooking the roaring French Broad River.
I stood by the mighty French Broad River just this week..listening, watching...almost being able actually to see the greens changing to umber and red... quite an experience.
Did you know that Hernando De Soto's1540 chronicles reveal that this River is the source of the Mississippi? "In these mountains we found the source of the Great (Mississippi) River...the French Broad River...the head of the ‘Great River'...."
It's amazing to think that the River we all know, and some care for, is the source of the Mississippi. Equally amazing is another source in our bioregion.
As we journey through time and territory, that source reveals itself as the incredible energy of sense of place. It is so magnetic that few who visit, or are lucky enough to live here, are untouched. Despite rapid and potentially ill-considered urban development, magic happens here.
To keep the magic alive, many (including real estate professionals like me) seek the wisdom of those who first inhabited the lands we now call home.
I'll be talking more about this soon, so please check back...and in the meantime, tell me how the Fall Colors are in our neck of the woods...and if you ,too feel a sense of connection with Native traditions in contemporary life.
####
janeAnne, "Life outdid itself right outside our back door" Wow!
We have yet to turn the corner into autumn with our foliage. Yes, Wilmington has Fall foliage. Not like the mountains, but it is still a thrill to see the crimsons and golds of the ashes maples and oaks against the Crisp Carolina Blue Bacdrop
Ginger
Let's trade referrals.
We work the Metro Phoenix Arizona area includng many retirement comunities in the Sun Cities.
Steve Kersey
West USA Premier Properties
Dena~
Thank you very much for your kind comment. I would be honored if you would share this (and the entire series as it evolves) with your friends! You made my week!
Ginger~
You border our Asheville Autumn with color...you write..."crimsons and golds of the ashes maples and oaks against the Crisp Carolina Blue..." this is a season of plenty!
Steve~
I will check put your BLOG abnd get back with you...In the meantime, thank you for your comment.
Tricia~
You wrote..."..a place through time..." and that sounds like poetry to me.
I am thinking now that we are lucky to be in the practice of real estate..especially when Fall colors inpire us and our clients to verse. =)
Diane~
I have just been doing some research on First Nation Peoples in the Carolinas for an article I was asked to write for a journal here in the Asheville, NC area....Here are some links from archeolink that may be a good resource for you.
North Carolina Tribes ___A list of this state's tribes with links to tribal websites (where applicable) - http://www.bauuinstitute.com/Native/northcarolina.html
The Official Home Page of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians ___"On this site, you will find important information about the Qualla Boundary in North Carolina, which is the homeland of the Cherokee Nation. - http://www.cherokee-nc.com/
Swtext North Carolina 1d ___Several tribes are listed, accompanied by such information as location, history and population. - - http://www.hiddenhistory.com/PAGE3/swsts/ncarol-1.htm#Extract
Tribal Government Sources: Nations by State: North Carolina ___"The listing of tribes in these pages have been compiled in order to allow for easier access to information on the culture and history of the Native Peoples. - From Evergreen State College - http://www.evergreen.edu/library/govdocs/tribalgov/states/northcarolina.html
Tribes and Villages of North Carolina ___A list of native tribes, councils and communities with contact information and links to their websites where available. - Text only - From Karen M. Strom - http://www.hanksville.org/sand/contacts/tribal/states.php?whichstate=NC&title=North%20Carolina
###
janeAnne,
It sounds like your area is very beautiful and wild still. You've written so descriptively and wonderfully about it here.
I receive a daily email called 'wisdom of the elders' with a meditation and advice from the 'elders'~ native American elders. I have Cree on my Mother's side and Mohawk on my Dad's and I follow the advice and teachings that have been passed down for thousands of years.
The trees here are 80 % still green due to our summer weather which extended into just a few days ago (it was still in the high 70s and low 80s up until this week).
Jo
Hi janeAnne,
Wow. Those photos are amazing. I bet this is a great time of year to be outside visiting with neighbors and friends. I would also bet that standing next to the river is breathtaking if one considers the power it has and how it has changed, yet not changed over so many years.
I like to go out to a small lake here in the area (more like a big pond) and sit there thinking about how quiet it is and what it would have been like to sit there so many years ago before the area was heavily populated. Our leaves have yet to change drastically. The pine needles have started dropping so it is coming soon. :)
Hi janeAnne - we just cannot wait for our visit next year to the Asheville area again, and even more so because we'll be able to be there for longer next time than this past summer. Our hopes are for 2 weeks, instead of just less than a week. That's our plan. And we'll certainly be looking forward to seeing you again!
"Life outdid itself right outside our back door" We are so lucky to live where we do here in New Hampshire, as this really does happen right outside our back door every day. The fall foliage around me is ever changing by the hour, and it's so beautiful to see. I'm so close to ocean here at my house, that my trees stay green longer than most of those around me - so I get to enjoy all the color all over the place, and then watch them unfold here in my own backyard all over again!
Ann
janeAnne,
Very nice and picturesque. My son, who travels throughout the Us has named Asheville among the best places he would like to live. His other choice was Washington (the state). BTW, I absolutely love your new photo! Looks like a glamour shot.
Leigh~
We have gorgeous trees in and around Asheville. Some say this is the time of the year when they are "the most gorgeous" (we do have the Leaf Festival happening this weekend, you know)...but I say..(playing on the Gertrude Stein quote) that a tree is a tree is a tree!...
Sally~
History and culture as you say, are elements to consider, seriously...I think they provide context for contemporary life and life styles...and thus also provide a format for making wise choices. As real estate professionals, you and I know how important that is. Thanks for recognizing and commenting on this, Sally.
Jo-Anne~
I woulld be interested to hear more about the daily emails you get from the Elders...and about how Native Peoples' traditions are alive in your region...and how the effects of Native wisdom are expressed there...
Stephanie~
You commented that "...great time of year to be outside visiting with neighbors and friends..." and you are so right! It is also a great time of year to talk with visitors...when are y'all coming on over?? =)
Ann~
You are a poet!....about trees and color and LIFE (I suspect) You commented, "...all the color all over the place, and then watch them unfold here in my own backyard all over again!..." verifying me that even in NH, "Life outdid itself right outside our back door"
I am so looking forward to your next visit to Asheville...
Karen~
Your son is right about Asheville...and he's not alone...Asheville is on the Top 10 list of most desirable places in which to live repeatedly...not only is it attractive...but it is amiable. Let me know when you'll be in our backyard...I'll show ya'! around.
Stephanie~
After your read parts II and II of this Series, i bet you and your family will be on a road trip to visit Asheville =) and I'm smiling!
Gary~
As you know, Autumn in Michigan is splendid! My Dad, a native of Michigan found it to be magical...so now we know at least 2 places on Earth that have the Fall Muse in full force! =)
Joan~
Thank you so much for your kind words. I try to bring a sense of what we real estate professionals can be all about to what I write. I like to think that we have the gift to show properties in the larger context of history. I have found this gift in your BLOG..which is why I subscribe to it =)
Steph~
I had to smile broadly when you mentioned that your daughter would rather go to North Carolina than Disneyworld! I think this may be one of the greatest compliments we here in NC could possibly enjoy. Thanks for sharing...
This just seems appropriate to this post :
Dena~
I see you are looking at the glorious tree in the neighborhood near me here in Asheville...luckily, where our streets are named after trees, mostly they still stand...(we have lot our chestnut trees)...
janeAnne
Love the pictures, especially the full river. Oh where oh where is the water?
JaneAnne~
It's easy to get close to nature here; it's easy to let your imagination be IN nature just by looking out the window of a home I found for you
Isn't it beautiful to look outside the window and see hawks flying and deer playing. It is a wonderful place you talk about and from your description I can tell you have looked out those windows many times and have been a part, and a witness, of nature!
Susan~
Good to hear from you! How are things over in your part of NC? Well..after days and days of sunny skies, we have had a HUGE rain...where oh where was right!..now let's see what happens, next...
Barbara-Jo and Bill~
Lots of folks from down your way head up to the Asheville area mountains this time of year to be awe-inspired by COLOR! Hope our photos help out (I'm smiling)...and come on up for a visit!
Bill~
Now if we can just not be rained out of LEAF Season, eh? I agree, we do seem a tad behind this year...and of all things, my perennial mums who showed up by my back door last year in August have just arrived...so..what do you think? climate change?