BEFORE

......and now it's after. 

Next month marks the tenth year that I've been in Tennessee. When I bought this property, my main concern was having blessed peace and privacy. My expectations were realized. 

Living in a rural area has many inconveniences and unexpected annoyances, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've lived in big cities. I've had insane neighbors (no exaggeration). I would much rather be living among coyotes, raccoons, 'possums, deer, wild turkeys, wild hogs, owls, hawks, and.......snakes.

My nearest neighbors are cattle and cows. I'm admittedly a city sissy, but I learned to be tough when I lived in Texas.

It requires some psychological adjustments living alone in the wilderness. During my first two weeks here, my imagination became rampant after dark. 

The howling coyotes spooked me. The nearby forest seemed to be alive with unknown dangers - - restless spirits, wandering ghosts, evil witches.......and the grim reality of wayward ax murderers and bands of demented hillbillies.

Soon, I began to savor the deep darkness and all the wonderous magic that it holds.

I even got used to the occasional critters that invaded the house. Several 'possums and three snakes (so far). The first snake was discovered in my bedroom and it took two days before I could capture him (her?). The next two snakes didn't cause me to panic. Well, not much.

So what am I getting at? What is before and after?

I'm thinking about how much this property changed physically since I first moved here. It looks entirely different. New trees and shrubs have sprung up everywhere. Many old trees were toppled from violent storms. Some of which missed the house by inches.

I used to have a wonderful view of the forest from the back porch. Now it's obscured by toppled trees and rampant overgrowth. The lawn cutters trimmed everything away from the back porch, but the annoying obstructions remain.

I used to take wonderful photos. The forest is only a few yards from the back door - - and only a few feet from my bedroom.

I'll eventually take photos again, but for right now I'm posting older photos - - how it used to be.

Jon

Rising sun in the back "yard"

A group of extremely tall trees, only a few feet from my bedroom. Some have been destroyed by storms.

The neighboring cow meadow at the edge of my property. It's now completely obscured from overgrowth.

The back yard forest, as it looked two or three years ago.