The day before Thanksgiving, a friend saw a dog on the side of the highway. Later he was found in the woods. Since they had no place for him to stay, they reached out to me. Of course we took him in. Bless his heart. He was scared ad covered in ticks. The Friday after Thanksgiving, I brought him to…
Author: Pattie
Emmanuel: God with Us
Merry Christmas! It’s been a rough week. Friends from church lost their son in a tragic accident. His funeral was Friday. My oldest son flew in late Thursday night to be there for the funeral. He, my middle son and I sat together at the church. This family was a fellow homeschooling family and our boys grew up together. The…
I’m Here God
Sometimes, it’s a struggle to go to church. I just don’t want to go because I get so anxious that I feel physically ill. I didn’t want to go today. I went anyway and said, “Well, at least I’m here, God.” I share this in hopes that others struggling with these same things will know they are not alone. Healing…
Salem Lake Hike
This past Saturday, we hiked the 7 mile trail around Salem Lake. I am so blessed to have this little treasure so close to my house. I can spend a few hours on the water. I can cycle my bike around over 10 miles of trails, or I can just take a hike! This past spring they redid the ramps…
Dan River Paddle
The infrequency with which I write might leave some to believe that I’m not doing a whole lot. <giggle> I feel like I am going a hundred miles an hour most days. I work long hours, so I try to enjoy every minute I am off work. Household chores interfere with that, but they need to be done. Last weekend…
New River Trail
I love the New River. I have kayaked on the new river and hiked along the New River Trail a number of times. I have also cycled along the trail now twice. When we went there a few weeks ago, I figured all of the fall colors would have faded onto the ground. I was surprised to see there were…
Shenandoah Fall Foliage Ride
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to see the fall foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have lived near the Blue Ridge Mountains for over 23 years and not once have I made a trek to see fall along the parkway! This year, my dream came true. I rode 32 miles one day, hiked 3.5…
Gatlinburg Skybridge
Anyone who knows me knows that I am deathly afraid of heights. I don’t like flying in airplanes or climbing up tall ladders. I decided that I would conquer my fear for a short time and would walk across the Skybridge. I walked across it and back! I was shaking and felt like I was going to throw up, but…
Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee
I rode my bike 214 miles around Tennessee last week. I wasn’t sure that I could even ride 6 days in a row, much less ride 214 miles. I was probably the slowest and most inexperienced person at BRAT, but I finished. I surprised myself. Sitting on a bicycle that long, a person’s got some time to think. well, I…
A Confession of Addiction Don’t Fund the Habit
I grew up with drug addicts. I know all the tricks they use to get their next high. When my youngest son came home in May telling me that he had dropped out of school and gotten a job here in my home town, I wondered what was up. He knew from his upbringing that he needed a job before…
My Little Red Bike 