All endings bring beginnings

 Finally the end of August!

What a month it's been. Topsy turvy might be the best description. My dizzy spell one night echoed another blogger's, as well as my good friend Teresa (who just went back on taking Meclazine daily) and then hearing about my ex-hubby taking a spill onto his face ending up with 2 black-eyes (I didn't get to see the photo, just heard about it.) Otherwise in my health I lost a tooth and had to have the root pulled separately, got infected so went on antibiotics, then surprisingly got in to see a neurologist and got a new diagnosis. (The surprise was an appointment due to a cancelation.) I had a small accident of backing into my landlady's new car. I ate many meals with friends as well as continued to pick up low-cost lunches in little clam-shell containers. I hiked! Yes, a mile and a half to High Falls just before my 83rd birthday. Whew, that was so hard for me, but totally worth it. Birthday was celebrated low-key with several friends over several weeks sharing meals.

When talking with my sons, I learned some surprising things that are happening in their lives. 

The weather was most cooperative in finally giving 70s during the day for the last couple of weeks and down into 50s on Monday night...and continuing.

The view from where a bridge used to cross the Flat Creek in Montreat NC, date Aug. 20, 2025.

The old bridge (since I moved here in 2007) as seen in 2014.  Rhododendron railings were rustic, but difficult to be very secure.

Flat Creek bridge was given new railings around 2020-22.

After the storms of Sept. 26-27, 2024, the creek rushed down the mountain and the remains of the bridge are on the far side. The gravel road on the other side is a short access between two areas of the town's maintenance department. To the right of the bridge debris you can see the access ford where large trucks can actually drive across the stream. 

Taken 2 months after the storms, these vehicles belong to the maintenance workers for Town of Montreat. The access road bridge was repaired pretty quickly, further downstream. They've certainly been busy in the last 11 months. The rocks without any debris on them have all been added to stabilize the banks.

After: the following photos are all looking upstream, at the same bank and the leaning tree.

Rock can be moved as well, just more slowly. The bank used to have a huge pile of rocks just beyond the leaning tree, which surprisingly survived the flood.

Before: the next two photos were taken 3 weeks before the flood, Sept. 2024.

The big rocks just beyond the leaning tree, where the people can be seen.

Before:

This pile of rocks is no longer there.

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What are the new beginnings?

A disaster preparedness office is being opened in Black Mountain...which will probably have a name like safety preparedness or something more palatable. Rescue of anyone who'd been in damaged structures, or who'd been washed downstream by the floods was immediately recognized as a priority, then of course communication to the community   Then survival items, food, water and shelters. Having a plan in place for the possibility with climate change that any of this may happen again...and even being given a brochure that says "Have a Kit." That was given out at the lunch program to all the seniors. To actually be prepared to evacuate your home in case of another disaster!

The golf course has been partially repaired. Our town funds are stretched thin. But the vacationing people are our source of revenue, so having something for them to do is important. Fortunately the pool wasn't damaged, so families had that to do until school starts. Volunteers on our Beautification Committee have worked to have landscaping all over town look great.

Taken 3 weeks before the storms of 2024.

I wonder what other beginnings are coming round the corner.

But there is a strong foundation built on lots of rocks around here!

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Today's quote:

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

AESOP