Pumzikah

Okay Fred, huuurmph! Bishop Brannen!!!! If we can get on the road, we will start our day. (Don't you just hate it when folks get mushy), we are just taking him for part of the day Frances, turn him loose!
Okay now that that is out of the way, Fred is leaving Frances home to cook and prepare taxes while he takes us on a journey into the Cherokee forest where they have a hunters cabin.

Sherry & Frances friends for 50+ years.

Fred and FRances, lovers for 50+ years.

We got on the road, Fred drove (he was worried about my driving after my episode up in Tellico Plains). He is well known around here and doesn't want to tarnish a stellar reputation.

We arrive at the hunter's cabin after a beautiful ride over mountains on mostly one lane roads. Way back into the Forest we came upon a place called 'Pumzika Acres'. That is a word from an African Dialect meaning 'You Rest'. The word came to him in as religious experience, in a dream, during a rough time in Africa. It was before he knew any of the African language. He speaks Swahili pretty good now.

We built a fire, and Fred made coffee. To Sherry and I, there is nothing like coffee, and the smell of a camp fire. Fred also enjoys it, and we had some long talks. WE were so interested in his and Frances' lives since they were our neighbors over 50 years ago. We were engrossed in their experiences in Guyana then in Kenya, then the most of Africa where he became the Overseer.
WE were happy to know they knew folks from Guyana we knew.

This creek runs just infront of the cabin and is so restful. Clear and beautiful.

Fred and I finishing the coffee, but not the conversations.

Inside Fred put on chicken to fry and biscuits to bake. Chicken and biscuits in the heart of the mountains, HARD TO BEAT (Oh yes, and Molasses and butter to go with the biscuits also!)

Sherry and Fred washed dishes (I did take the frying pan outside and wash it by the creek).

Out on the porch, along with our talks and history lesson, Fred played the guitar and sung some. We joined in on the religious ones we knew, like ,"Folsum Prison Blues!". hahahahahaha!

Closing up shop to reluctantly to head back to civilization, Sherry snapped this one of two OLD Friends.

Fred took us the longer way back to show us parts of some beautiful creeks, campsites and swimming holes. (There were actually some kids in swimming in the Hiawassee River!)

We spotted these three deer before we left the forest. I love seeing the larger animals, I never tire of it. (Maybe if I was Dar and Mel with Black Bears in my yard I may think different!!!)

I took a quick picture. Sometimes I enjoy watching and wait until too late to take the picture.

We returned to Cleveland, Tennessee. We were greeted by a smiling Frances. (Yeah, the old folk smooched again, embarrassing to say the least. Makes a guy wonder how they acted after a month's separation!)

It was a Great day, Thanks Frances, for loaning us Fred for the day.

And thank you for coming by the log.

Nite Shipslog,

PS:

And they ask---Why I Like Retirement?

Question: What's the biggest advantage of going back to school as a retiree?

Answer : If you cut classes, no one can call your parents.

Question: Why does a retiree often say he doesn't miss work, but misses the people he used to work with?

Answer: He is too polite to tell the whole truth.