Matheson Cove Snow

Snowflakes flutter
like white feathers
across the Shewbird Mountain,
the Matheson Cove glowing
under a satin sheet.


Reba, Rena, and Robenia
grab Ma Ledford's dishpan,
scoop snow under the pines
sparkling with cotton balls
to make snow cream.


Granddaddy Bob hitches ole' Kate
to the sled and snakes wood
off the ridge for the fireplace.
Ralph, Reuben, Robert, and Ray
hurl snowballs against
the Devil's Post Office,
a cave where lovers left letters.


Clouds bleed over the hills,
a Full Wolf Moon casts
gold on Chunky Gal Mountain.
Rondy hitch-hikes from the
Civilian Conservation Corps
to spend New Year's Day
with his new bride, Blanche.
                --Brenda Kay Ledford

I wish my blogger friends a very happy New Year!

Historic Hayesville Holiday

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the town of Hayesville.  Snowflakes twirl doilies and cast a glow on the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian chain in western North Carolina.

The old red-brick courthouse dazzles with wreaths.  Christmas lights sparkle on evergreen trees around the town square and on every street corner you'll hear silver bells.

It's Christmas time in this little town.  Ornaments glitter like gold at the gazebo.  Decorations grace storefronts, homes and churches. Tidings of joy fill your heart.

To celebrate Jack Frost's favorite season, don't miss the Christmas parade in Hayesville.  Floats, classic cars, and horses lap the town square.  Hayesville High School band marches and plays festive music.  But the best is last.  Santa and his reindeer make the grand finale as the jingle bells resound on the mountain air.

Grab a cup of hot chocolate and step back to a simpler time.  It's like a Norman Rockwell painting coming to life in this mountain hinterland.  History wraps garlands around the little town and its red-brick courthouse.

This old courthouse was built in 1887 and has long served as the heart of the community.  Singing conventions were held here and picnics spread under the maples.  Farm families traveled over dirt roads on Saturday to trade at the dimestore and Cut Worm Phillip's country store.  Others got a soda float at Tiger's while children played on the courthouse grounds.

Finally, Christmas in Hayesville has a special magic.  It's a festive flavor of an old-fashioned holiday that makes the holidays warm and sweet.  The true meaning of Christmas fills our hearts with hope.

I wish all my blogger friends a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year!