On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
Can you believe it is Thursday already? This week is flying. Over the weekend I went down the rabbit hole of ancestry research. Sunday night, Ancestry.com and its enticing green leaf tips kept me enthralled until after 3 am. I couldn’t seem to stop clicking just one more hint. Of course, once I decided to step away from the computer, it took me an hour to fall asleep.
Ancestry green leaf for tips.
My husband and I had been talking about driving through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and into Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to do some shopping. Monday morning, after 4 hours of sleep, I checked the week’s weather forecast and Monday was the only day with no prediction of rain. Sigh…Coffee to the rescue!
The weather was beautiful, sunny with a light cool breeze and we enjoyed the drive, taking advantage of the time to work on finishing the latest Baldacci audio book.
By the time we drove through Cherokee, NC and passed Newfound Gap on the North Carolina/Tennessee border, we were ready for lunch at one of our favorite picnic areas, Chimney Top. Stopping for a relaxing picnic is probably my favorite part of the drive.
Who says you can’t eat Keto on a picnic?
The restrooms are modern but housed in beautiful rustic stone buildings.
Recently videos have made the rounds of tourist getting too close to animals in the National Parks. One set of parents even ran and left their child to be tossed by a bison. There are signs everywhere warning people to keep their distance. This sign was on the inside door of the toilet stall. Unless one is blind, you can’t miss them.
Our first stop in Pigeon Forge was the Corning Revere Clearance center. It is one of my favorite stores. I love bargains and yes, I have a thing for kitchen stuff, think SnapWare. To my utter dismay, the store was empty..closed..gone. We even drove around to the front of the store, hoping for a “we’ve moved” sign. I pulled out my phone to find the location of the two other stores in the area, but the internet wasn’t loading so I moved to plan B. I would ask at a clothing shop in the same shopping center, it was the second store on my list.
In the clothing store the sales lady asked if I needed help and I asked if she knew where the Corning store had moved. The store didn’t move, it was closed along with every store in all 50 states! The company moved all of their business online. I fear this is going to be a snowballing trend in retail.
I found a bargain on a pair of jeans in the clothing store and then we moved on to my husband’s shopping spots-three discount tool stores, a camping outlet and his all time favorite, Smoky Mountain Knife Works. This place is huge! I didn’t take a picture as one would not do it justice. Here is a fun, short video from You Tube.
After all the shopping we began to think about supper. Pigeon Forge is pure tourist and loaded with restaurants but my taste buds had been salivating since we passed a Publix supermarket on the way to the knife store. Publix makes the best fried chicken. I went inside to buy a box while my husband set us up at a bistro table outside. We had everything needed except forks, but who needs forks for fried chicken?
After supper it was time to head back over the mountains. We were hoping the elk that hang out in the evening near the visitor information center at Oconaluftee would be near the road. They were reintroduced into the park several years ago and it has been successful. Often there are quite a few, but this time only 4 or 5. I took several shots of them. Photo bomb warning…..
By the time we arrived home, both of us were tired, but happy tired. Tuesday sped by after I got a sleepy, late start. Wednesday we met friends for breakfast and then I opened my computer and logged on to Ancestory and the rest is history! Pun intended. I’m now trying to figure out how my ancestors went from being part of King Henry VIII’s court to tenant farmers in North Carolina!
After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix
In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books where we frequently host the best in up and coming authors.
My 2019 goal is to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media. You can visit Real Life Books and Media You Tube Channel if you would like to view some of the mini-videos I have created for our church, Gateway Community in Titusville, Fl.
Old Things R New 
What a lovely trip. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
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I am glad you enjoyed the photos. WP had been making me a bit crazy with the new block format. I never know how it will look.
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Your trip sounds blissful and I enjoyed all of your photos:)
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Well who could resist going on in the search if they had learned they were descended from royalty? Thanks for the day out. I am going to buy some fried chicken from Publix soon.
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Those royals lived in too much drama. Just figuring out their names strains my eyes. I’m glad my ancestors came to America and became farmers. Much simpler. I do recommend the chicken!
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A lovely post, Onisha. I found you through Danny Kemp’s reblog. We have similar problems in South Africa with ill informed tourists who don’t keep their distance from wild animals.
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I don’t understand what part of wild some people don’t comprehend. Thanks for finding me. WordPress is cranky sometimes but I am going to try to follow your blog. I don’t know a lot about South Africa and would like to learn more about it. I am blessed to have Danny as a blogger and FB friend. He is a fine and insightful writer.
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it sounds like you are truly enjoying life and its many facets –
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It’s a choice to enjoy life, don’t you think? It certainly is more fun than being gloomy! Thank you for stopping by. I like your about page. Unfortunately, cranky WordPress wouldn’t accept my click on the like button.
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I loved that article, Onisha. It gave me a huge insight into your way of life and the area of America where you live. Thank you!
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Thank you, Danny. Your comment made my day!
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It was sincere because normally we only get glimpses of America in TV shows based around your big cities. The countryside, when we get a look, is fantastic and I’ve got to say–I’m envious of some parts. Your blog articles open it up to a different view. Loved it!
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The envy is returned. There are places in England I would love to visit. Like many, I satisfy that with glimpses of your country on PBS, which airs Masterpiece theatre.
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