small town doc

In this day of fast-paced, assembly line, find a doc on a list, impersonal medical experiences, the home town doc is a thing of the past. Even more so now that a local dentist has retired. Dr. John Walton has been in the same little office for 32 years, on the side of the road by the movie theatre way before there was a movie theatre there, across the road from Home Depot and Wal-mart, when he started out the view was just trees.

Dr. Walton was never in a hurry, would sit and talk for as long as you wanted to. Over the years we have heard all about Dr. Walton and his family and activities. He used to work on wooden boats, he likes to go to Asheville, he likes to hike. We heard about his daughter who had a brain tumor when she was younger, all about his son going to college.

On my last visit, after checking on my new crown, instead of the usual chit chat, the doc disappeared into the next exam room. I looked over at Anissa and said, "Gee, I was going to at least shake his hand, tell him bye." She said, "Don’t even go there or he will lose it."

Then while checking out, Joan talked about how they watched Carrie grow up from a child into a 30-year-old woman… then she started in, glassy-eyed and sniffling.

The girls in the office, Joan and Anissa, upon finding out last fall about the impending retirement, started planning a memory book for the doc, and asked all of us patients/friends to contribute something for the book. I hope is it overflowing with good memories, just a small token of the impression he has made on all of our lives.

Dr. Walton,

You have an excellent 'chairside' manner. You always greet me like an old friend, asking about the family etc. At one point I wondered if you had notes in the chart like, "She worked at the hospital, she likes hiking - kids are Melissa and Carrie - ask where Buddy is working now".

You distract us by telling stories. One of my favorites is about when your son went to camp and forgot his toothbrush, a whole week - a dentist's nightmare! Stories about hiking, boat building, your family. When I get home from the dentist, Buddy asks, "What did the Doc have to say today?" Or when Carrie comes from the dentist, she calls and says, "Dr. Walton says Hi!"

Thank you for taking care of our family all these years. And thanks for not reporting us to the authorities when Carrie came in with a busted lip/tooth from her 'scooter accident'.

I hope you enjoy your early retirement. Continue on your quest to find the perfect hiking trail (one without bugs, snakes, or poison ivy) and let us know if you do. Enjoy the peacefulness of nature along the way.

Keep in touch, we are on Facebook and blogs and if you are lucky we will sign you up for Buddy's annual Christmas Letter!

The Tidwells - Buddy, Susan, Melissa, and Carrie

1963 memories

John F. Kennedy

U.S. President from January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963

We pause today to remember this great leader of our country. We are reminded of his legacy, hearing his speeches quoted once again, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." 

We are transported back in time to that fateful day in 1963 when he was shot. The black and white images run through our minds from the hours and days of sitting in front of the television, the assassination, the funeral. We remember the exact time and place we were when we heard the news. Where were you? 

In 1963 we were living in North Carolina, when my Dad came home from a 13 month assignment in Korea and announced we were moving to LA (lower Alabama, that is - flat land, cotton fields, peanut farms).

We moved into Army housing, and as it turned out, this was my most favorite place to live. It had all the things a kid wants - warm weather, paved streets and sidewalks for riding bikes, lots of neighborhood kids to play with, and the beach just over an hour away.

I got a new bike for my 9th birthday, it was beautiful, big and blue. I rode it every chance I got, I rode with no hands, I put playing cards on the spokes for that 'clickety-clack' noise. The houses on the street behind our house were on a little hill (if there are any hills in LA), so we would ride around the block and cut through between the houses on that next street and race down the hill into our back yard, out through the carport to the front and back around again.

Sometimes on Saturday we would load up the station wagon and head to the beach at Panama City, Florida. You could just stop anywhere off the road and walk over to the beach, with nothing in sight either way but sand. Good luck doing that now, you cannot even see the beach for the condos and hotels. We would play all day and sleep all the way home in the back of the station wagon, sunburned, covered in sand, and when we got home you could just follow the trail of sand into the house all the way to the shower.

I was in the 4th grade at the elementary school on the base, which was located in one of the housing areas. We would walk (single file in a line of course) down the sidewalk to the nearby playground for recess. Once a week we would walk to the swimming pool and swim during recess. It was on the way back to the school from one of these walks that a lady ran out of her house and told the teacher about the assassination of President Kennedy. When we got back to the classroom, all the teachers were in the halls talking about it, and in our class I remember some of the boys saying that since we now have no president, the Russians would be taking over the world. Boys!

I will never forget that year at Christmas my brother and I were 9 and 14, and no longer believed in Santa Claus, but on Christmas Eve my mother was feelin' good and insisted on us going to our rooms so she could play Santa Claus. We rolled our eyes and went back to wait, but my brother had a great idea. We climbed out his window and walked around to the sliding glass door to the living room and watched her carefully setting everything up. When it looked like she was almost finished, we hurriedly climbed back in the window, waited for the call, and came out looking very surprised!

The house we were in had all the modern conveniences - dishwasher, disposal, washer/dryer (this was the 60s - your tax dollars at work, I guess). My brother and I no longer had to take turns washing and drying the dishes, but just load up the dishwasher! We were enjoying all the advantages of living there until my dad decided to retire from the Army. This resulted in our move to the mountains, and what a change that was. No paved roads, no sidewalks to ride bikes, no neighbors to play with, cold weather, no dishwasher, no washer/dryer, no bathroom - What? no bathroom? Whoa! Yes it was back to nature and big-time culture shock, but that is another story.

"Moving to LA" (originally posted March 9, 2006)

nature's bling

oh to be a maple leaf
born anew each spring
sun dappled and wind blown
summer shade I bring

my finest season closes
with one last colorful show
green, yellow, orange, and red
before I wither and go

the tree of life lets go my grasp
on this my final day
beside a forest hiking trail
is where I want to lay

oh to be a maple leaf
born anew next spring
looking forward to the fall
to shine as nature's bling

WWYD

What would you do?

What would you do if you were told you had 12 weeks to live?

12 weeks left, on this earth, in your house, with your family

in a mere 3 months your earthly body will be gone

the sharp mind that holds all those memories, the beautiful spirit that has inspired so many students, that lovely person will just disappear

Sure the songs and movies make it sound like an opportunity to do some great things - skydiving, climbing the Himalayas, riding a wild bronco, but what would you really do?

Have you finished all your projects, scrapbooks and photo albums, are your affairs in order, is the calendar full of your scribbled instructions so the family will make it to all of their ballgames and dances and meetings, will they remember all the little things to do like writing book reports and finding lost shoes and washing football pants and ordering a cap and gown?

If you had lived long and are now winding down, coasting into the inevitable end of life it would be different, but you are still young and there are so many things yet to do and say and be...

Little things we all take for granted, like watching your kids grow up, seeing how they turn out, like holding that first grandchild in your arms.

What would you do? Cry, get mad, shout WHY ME? Why are all those murderers and terrorists and pedophiles and a whole world of bad people staying healthy while my frail body is racked with cancer? WHY ME? It's just not fair.

If you are a person of faith you can maybe justify it by saying that God needs you up in heaven with him, you are just the kind of person he is looking for, real angel material. (which of course you are)

What would you do if you had 12, well, make that 11 weeks now?


Just some random thoughts as the neighborhood mourns recent bad news, as we watch the family across the street going down their check list - family pictures made, cemetery plot chosen. The doctors' grim news last week really hit home in this community, everyone is pitching in with meals and fundraising and whatever can be done, but of course the ultimate need is for a miracle to happen, and while we are not holding our breath, we are all hoping...

cold clear water

The preacher said the water in Clear Creek won't wash away your sins, it is just a picture of what is happening in your life right now, it is up to you to carry it out, see it through.

But as each one got dunked into the cold mountain water to the applause of those gathered on the bank, I couldn't help but think of all those sins washing downstream.

There were 8 people who got baptised yesterday, one was our granddaughter, Racheal.

Seeing other family generations gather together reminded me that something was missing - I don't know if they were looking down on us or not, but I can almost see the smiles on the faces of those gone before us - our own parents and grandparents - they would have liked this simple ceremony even if they were only 'sprinkled' Methodists. Sometimes it is no fun being the oldest generation left here.

It felt good to be part of a community, seeing old neighbors and new ones. The symbolism, the ritual, the cold water, the immersion, the faith, the fellowship, the love... all were felt on that creek bank on a warm Sunday afternoon.

daydreaming

do you ever dream
while sitting at this computer
that you were in fact at the beach
laid back, listening to the waves
watching the distant horizon
feeling the sand between your toes

do you ever wish
while pushing the grocery cart
that you were in fact climbing the switchbacks
on a steep mountain trail
anticipating the accomplishment
and the view at the summit

do you ever wonder
while biding time in traffic
that you were in fact sitting
in a classroom, learning something new
perhaps at medical school
or learning to paint or write

do you ever think
while riding amusement park thrill rides
that you were in fact on a rocket
gazing at Earth through your window
on your way to save the planet
from untold disaster

do you ever wonder
while living your mundane life
what in fact is your purpose
is there a divine plan
are you fulfilling your destiny
or leaving it all to fate

do you ever dream
while sitting at this computer
that you were in fact at the beach
laid back, listening to the waves
watching the distant horizon
feeling the sand between your toes

do you ever dream?


~photo 30 September 2007 - in the Smokies

one more time around

Sometimes life is like a turntable
Going round and round
Eat, sleep, work, day in and day out
SSDD

Sometimes life is like a broken record
Skipping over the good parts
Maybe stomping the floor will help
To get things back on track

Sometimes life is like a record player
Set on the wrong speed
Either flying along at 78
Or just a mellow 33, what will today be

Sometimes life is like a warped record
With bumps along the way
It could make for a fun ride
If you have a warped attitude

Sometimes life is like a scratched record
Watch out for those little glitches
Maybe a stack of pennies
On my head will fix this one

Sometimes life is like a turntable
Going round and round
Eat, sleep, work, day in and day out
SSDD

~Susan Tidwell 2008


~I was recently reading a list of obsolete things (like vinyl records) and was reminded of these thoughts from April 2008 so here it is, one more time around...

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

the last sugar cookie

there was that one pit-of-stomach moment
when she turned the calendar to October 25th
(just 2 months til Christmas!)
but it is just October, plenty of time

for now just enjoy the lazy days of autumn
the cooler weather and changing leaves

in the background
or is in the back of her mind?
there is a faint
click click click
kind of like a clock ticking
but more like the sound
when a roller coaster starts up that first hill
when the combined feelings
of dread and anticipation
threaten to take over

Halloween is a welcome distraction
happy little faces at the door

but the very next day
the calendar tells the story
the first day of November

oh no how did this happen
it can't be November already
she is not ready

but it is too late
she is at the precipice
teetering on the edge
falling
tumbling down down
like Alice in the rabbit hole
or Dorothy's house in the tornado
everything is going by so fast
is that pumpkin pie she smells
what are all those colored lights

finally she ends up
coming to an abrupt halt
in the bog
between Christmas and New Years
she looks around disoriented
and finds herself surrounded
by crumpled wrapping paper
and empty gift boxes

she turns to get her bearings
the house is quiet
is that a Christmas tree?

What happened to Thanksgiving
and did I miss Christmas?

the dishwasher hums in the background
washing away the last remnants of Christmas dinner

her eyes fix on a plate of cookie crumbs
on the hearth left from santa
the one lone sugar cookie with sprinkles looks so tasty
she reaches for it, takes a bite, and thinks
is this all there is left of Christmas
one stale sugar cookie?

the couch looks inviting and she is so tired
as she lays down she thinks
it is just as well she missed it

she doesn't like this time of year much anyway
all that cooking and shopping
and worrying about money
and wondering if anyone will like their gifts

she wakes up, confused, and looks around
instead of piles of opened presents
the clean laundry is stacked up
around her on the couch

where is the tree
and the leaves outside are just turning colors...
was it all a dream?

is there still time to make the holidays
fun and memorable and meaningful?

she finds some paper and starts making a list
the menu for Thanksgiving dinner, a grocery list

maybe some homemade gifts this year?

and baking with the kids
sugar cookies with sprinkles
lots of sugar cookies

~Susan Tidwell 2009

autumn blues

The peace of autumn creeps into Vogel State Park like the calm after the storm of summer. The seasonal blues are reflected in the lake, sky, and mountains.

The usually busy lake is quiet, the sandy beach deserted, pedal boats rock in the cool breeze, waiting to be stored for the winter. Bundled up hikers stroll 'round the lake trail.

The campground is overflowing with escapees from suburbia, families gathered around campfires, cups of hot chocolate warming their hands, as the smell and smoke of wood fires drift up the valley.

in search of sand ...

in search of sand...

sand therapy between our toes

sand warm 'neath the beach blanket

sand covered sea shells

sand underfoot on long beach walks

sand like sifted sugar white and soft

sand soupy for dreamy drizzle castles

off on vacation in search of...

rest and relaxation

peace and quiet

sea and sun

but mostly

sand


This time of year when everyone else is heading to the mountains, we are off on vacation to St. Joseph Peninsula, Florida - 9-1/2 miles of empty sugar white beaches, 1750 acres of wilderness, no internet, no cell phone coverage... we will be 'out of touch' with everything but nature!

slow motion

I'll take the slow road,
finding surprises around each bend,
like an old barn
or a row of mailboxes
wildflowers and white picket fences
rebel flags defiantly blowing
in the Southern breeze

I'll take the slow road,
with the yellow road signs
that foretell the future like
Narrow Bridge Ahead
Railroad Crossing
or just a curvy arrow

I'll take the slow road,
by pastures of grazing horses
bales of fresh mown hay
rows of corn intertwined
with green runner beans and
bowed heads of sunflowers

I'll take the slow road,
with stop signs along the way
that suggest I should
stop to see the view
stop to smell the flowers
or even pick a bouquet,
stop and stick my toes in the creek
that runs under the narrow bridge ahead

The interstate highways are
straight, smooth, fast, convenient,
all the things you might look for in a road,
if you like fast lanes
and lots of traffic,
and watching billboards pass by
is your idea of scenery

Not me,
I'll take the slow road every time.

~Susan Tidwell 2007

"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything." ~Charles Kuralt


~webshots photo

parting ways

hiking partners for many years,
they walk along hand in hand
when they reach an unexpected fork

she squeezes his hand one last time
and says, Go, find what you seek
and watches as he fades from sight

she walks alone for the first time,
discovering her own pace
no longer a follower

as the space widens between their paths
she finds herself looking forward to
what lies around that next bend

she is drawn to the peace of the trail
the forest envelops her, the cool breeze
is her companion now

will their paths ever cross again
or were they just two people
who shared a trail for a while


~ photo Smoky Mountain hiking trail

sunrise senses

sitting on the deck
waiting on the sun to rise

feel the coffee warming my hands
cool wind on my face

listen to the birds, squirrels,
distant rat a tat tat of woodpecker

see the moon setting on one side
as the first rays peek over the ridge
colors light up the sky

a time to reflect and appreciate
all that I see and have and do and am

what is this day
not the plastic baskets at the store
or the new dresses and shoes and bonnets
or the egg hunts after church
green grass stains on new white shoes
and chocolate on lace dresses

but this
peace and beauty of nature
at my own personal sunrise service

Mother Nature is going through the change

Brilliant maple colors

jig saw quilt -halfway done!

Picnic anyone?

Once again the driveway is our best seasonal indicator.

~

Mother Nature is going through the change

She is trying on different outfits,
What to wear today?
Tired of her boring green summer attire
she is ready for a change.

The hot flashes of red oak leaves,
the mellow yellow of the poplar,
let's see, today should the maple
be green or yellow or orange?

Her mood swings are evident in sudden
bursts of wind, like pitching a tantrum
tossing around brown leaves and tree limbs
expecting someone to clean up her mess.

Mother Nature is going through the change
after the brief flash of colors
it will be time to pull out the quilts,
get in the firewood, hunker down for a long winter.

~all photos taken 3 November 2008 here at home

sunday drive

the open road is calling
feel the wind in your hair
the sun on your arms
see the layers of blue mountains
smell the fresh cut hay
watch the ribbon of road
narrow into the horizon
through the wavy heat lines

It is American as apple pie, ingrained for generations, centuries even. We have been encouraged to travel, see the country. Go West young man! See the USA in your Chevrolet. Get your kicks on Route 66.

With the price of gas, we no longer just hop into the car and drive around. Sure it is easy enough during the work week to not run to town for every little thing, to save up all errands for one trip, saving on gas and money.

But on Sunday, it is a different thing altogether. On Sunday, the sun is shining, the road is calling…



We went in search of waterfalls and found Desoto Falls, Helton Creek Falls, and beautiful daylilies.



~photo album here

round and round

Sometimes life is like a turntable
Going round and round
Eat, sleep, work, day in and day out
SSDD

Sometimes life is like a broken record
Skipping over the good parts
Maybe stomping the floor will help
To get things back on track

Sometimes life is like a record player
Set on the wrong speed
Either flying along at 78
Or just a mellow 33, what will today be

Sometimes life is like a warped record
With bumps along the way
It could make for a fun ride
If you have a warped attitude

Sometimes life is like a scratched record
Watch out for those little glitches
Maybe a stack of pennies
On my head will fix this one

Sometimes life is like a turntable
Going round and round
Eat, sleep, work, day in and day out
SSDD



Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

our Older sister

Has it really been 6 years since your big 60th birthday party? Let's see, that would make your age...

Do you remember the party your loving family gave you? Do you remember the coffin and baby pictures and rocking chair and all those friends and family who came to see how you were holding up?

Remember when...

Remember having Anthem,
and only one dog and one cat?
Remember Buddy with long hair
and always a hat?

Remember a tall dark stranger
riding up your drive?
Remember him meeting the folks -
will he survive?

Remember simpler times,
simpler ways, the PK days?
Remember vacations,
honeymoons, and chalets?

Remember our Disney World
camping trip?
Remember cookouts, hamburgers,
and potato chips?

Remember being pregnant
at the same time?
Remember our life-changing
year of '79?

Remember the adoption
you signed up for?
Remember hearing 'It's a girl!'
at the grocery store?

Remember watching
our babies play together?
Remember wishing
for good camping weather?

Remember the parenting
class we took?
Remember bandaids and pets
and story books?

Remember picnicking
at Fall Creek Falls?
Remember playpens,
highchairs, and overalls?

Remember hiking trips
and shopping trips?
Remember car seats
and tents that drip?

Remember Thanksgiving dinners
and Christmas Eve nights?
Remember security blankets,
sleepers, and nightlights?

Remember when I had
no sister named Kay?
I do, and I
just want to say,

I'm glad you're
my sister til the end
But just as much,
I'm glad you're my friend.

~Susan Tidwell 2002


Happy Birthday, Kay!

from your sister and friend

Love, Susan

impatience

the sun was warm
and set me free
the first one out
for all to see

but what is this
so white and cold
why is the breeze
so crisp and bold

what have i done
what did i find
let me back in
i changed my mind

~photo 27 February 2008 - the first forsythia bloom of the season has a unexpected snowy welcome on Burnt Mountain

~featured on Georgia Blog Carnival #30

nature's souvenirs

observing nature, hiking along life's footpath

six-word memoir prompted by Bonnie

~photo taken while hiking in Nantahala River Gorge 9 February 2008

cold weather captives

my toes are prisoners
of boots and sox
never seeing
the light of day

they wonder what
have they done wrong
to be locked up
this way

will they ever again
have any fun
walk on the beach
bask in the sun

can they expect
a pardon soon
or plan an escape
by light of moon

or should they just wait
to be set free
with time spent dreaming
of sand and sea




~photo Florida vacation 9 September 2007