Marriage, Festivals, and Life

It has been a minute since my last post. So, let's catch up! Johnny and I celebrated year #22 of marriage a little over a week ago. We don't have one of those "it's been a rough ride" stories, because the truth is, it hasn't been. I have often kept from saying that because I felt guilty. Partly because I hear people all the time talking about how tough marriage is, and they say things like "If someone tells you it is not, they are lying." I always hated to say, "Well, we have liked it and it hasn't been that tough." So there, I have said it. I understand that not everyone's story is the same, but it seems like you are only allowed to tell your story if it has lots of struggles. Our circumstances have thrown us challenges over the years but our relationship has been a source of strength and rest. Our marriage has truly been a gift. Does Johnny irritate me sometimes? HECK yes. Do I irritate him? Of course. But at the end of the day, I know his heart. He knows mine. There is no one else that I had rather grow old with!  #Untildeathdowepart

We also had our year anniversary of living the "homeless" life! Random fact here: did you know that if you do not have a permanent address that matches where you sleep every night you are considered homeless in many of our little American systems? I finally found a way around all of that to keep my pay sources from being denied when shipping/billing addresses don't match or when you are trying to get insurance, tags, licenses... Whew! In many ways we are only under an illusion that we have freedom. Our original thought was that we wanted to do this for a year. I am so glad we aren't having to return back to normal life this year. We love the tiny living life and have no desire to return to normal house/jobs anytime soon. John Gannon and I were just talking yesterday about how it is exciting that we have no clue where we be living in the winter! We have just got to keep everyone's bones in tact. Hoping for no broken bones in the Cox house this year! Need an arm sling, crutches or a leg scooter? We have got it!

We finally got moved to Big Frog about two weeks ago. Having my own bathroom again is delightful! Johnny has been busy every day doing things and when we look around, there is still so much that needs to be done. At least he won't get bored! There is a sweet little lady across the road in a wheelchair that has filled us in on a lot of the history of where we are. She says she likes to be outside when we are playing and watch us. She says she can hear all of chatter when we are playing volleyball and badminton. Come raft and camp with us this season...and let us whip your family at a game or two!

The boys and I have checked out a few weekend festivals in the area on the weekends while Johnny worked. We went to the Ocoee/Hiwassee State Park Ocowassee Festival.

 They had a few stations teaching kids about history and primitive living.

This lady taught the boys how to make corn husk men and play the Native American game of stickball. She explained this is how they solved conflicts among tribes and that it often ended in cracked skulls. Obviously she had no idea who she just handed those two sticks to. I was hoping their competitiveness would stay at bay.

 These guys showed us many of the tools and weapons during the Revolutionary time period. They demonstrated hatchet throwing and...

the boys favorite was when they acted out what you would do if you only had a hatchet and knife and someone was running at you with a bayonet. We have one more chapter to go in American History this year. I must say that we have had some great discussions about life, values, and war this year. Why do we keep repeating history? Power/ego, greed and territory are obviously matters the human heart will also struggle with.

John Gannon is still holding his reins as safety monitor and activities director for the family. We are hiking a trail and he pulls out nature cards with a challenge for us to find something that meets all the criteria on the cards. When will he stop wearing goofy socks and glasses? I still shake my head at what he wears sometimes. On the bright side, he obviously has a solid identity!

Jackson knows I love moss. I would love to have a mossy yard instead of grass. It feels so good and doesn't require mowing. When he sees large patches of it, he always tells me to go touch it or play with it, and he grabs the camera if I have one with us. I am so thankful for these boys!

We also went to the Ramp Tramp Festival. Ramps are wild onions that grow in Appalachia. The festival commemorates the "tramp" up the mountain to harvest the onions. They cook lots of things with the ramps at the festival and have music/craft booths. It proved to be a great cultural experience. Appalachian culture is unique and you are almost certain to be met with "Youins (pronounced yinz) been here before?" I forgot my camera so we don't have any pictures from there. Here are some other pictures from the last few weeks.

We made a trip to Athens the other day to the Mayfield plant. It is so good--and they give you way too much!

Upper Ocoee River

 Go Forth Creek

Cherish your time. Take the time to have meaningful moments with those you are around every day instead of sticking to your routine. Encourage others. Love others. Live a little bit--you'll be dead soon enough!

Live a Meaningful Life!