Today, I feel a strong pull to be in the mountains, more severe than the usual beckoning. Work keeps me away, so I went on a walk instead, across the bridge that runs over the interstate exit by my apartment. Looking beyond the pavement, cars, and buildings, far off in the distance, I can see the Smoky Mountains. Well, not today, because it's hazy, but I imagined them there, and wondered why they were speaking so loudly today.

It's getting hotter. I walk outside and feel the symptoms of summer approaching, the constant dampness of certain areas of my clothing, the feeling of dirty hands- swollen and salty- personal attributes I have to accept for many months ahead.

Looking out from the city, I realize the mountains' allure is stronger when the seasons change.

Summer in the mountains means a cold but refreshing river and possibly a yellow tube. Lush green grass and trees. A soft path for miles upon miles.

It means other things, too. Bugs. The fear of snakes. A mixture of sunscreen and sweat in my eyes.

It's all meant to be taken in tangibly- good and bad.

It's not just any mountains that call, but the Smoky Mountains- soft, unintimidating, and welcoming from afar. Challenging and life-altering in their midst.

And there's not just any road to get me there, but the one through Townsend, past the Alcoa plant, the Drive-In in Maryville, the flea markets and antique shops scattered along the way, the boiled peanut man, the winding two-lane road through the smaller hills that opens up into that calm and peaceful valley- my favorite doorway to the Smokies.

I'm going soon, to properly welcome this looming southern summer.

I want to congratulate Dottie Byrd for winning the Mason Jar Painting Giveaway via Button Bird Designs. Her response to the question, "What do you like best about mason jars?" was my favorite.

Mason jars were part of my educational experience, My mother and my five aunts gathered to harvest and can or freeze the fresh produce from my grandparent’s farm. They made it into a party for themselves, and I found the laughter, the camaraderie, the female gossip, and their fun irresistible. I was constantly hanging around, snooping when necessary, outright joining in if permitted. I learned everything a girl could want to know and probably some things I shouldn’t have known at that age from that crew of wonderful women. So, in addition to the delicious contents of those old mason jars, I got myself some delicious womanly knowledge. I have a few of those old Ball jars in my kitchen and the sight always reminds me of those good times.

I like how she talks about learning "womanly knowledge" as a little girl through her mother and aunts. As a kid, I think that's the best way to learn, through experiencing something and not just being told something.

It also made me think about how much fun I have when I'm with my sisters. We've never canned together, but we cook and bake together at our parent's house for Christmas. A lot of laughter and yelling usually occurs over things like trying to interpret tattered recipes from 1945 or trying to find our way around our mom's cryptically organized kitchen.

It's not the type of behavior a young girl could probably gain any amount of growth from, as in Dottie's case, but we have fun at least.

Congrats, Dottie, for winning, for taking me on a trip down memory lane, and also for having one of the best names I've ever heard. Your mason jar painting is on its way.


P.S. You can have your very own for only $35!