First Day Hike-- Green Gorge Loop Trail on Signal Mountain

hiking with the retired guy on the first day

Thanks (Gracias) to Bart Stewart for sharing about this trail yesterday on social media. It's a new (to me) trail. I knew I wanted to get out and hike somewhere today, so trying out the trail he posted yesterday seemed the perfect idea.

It was!

The loop has several access points, 3 bridges that cross Shoals Creek, goes close by the creek for much of the hike, has a great tree canopy, and has rocks and other fun things to check out.

The gurgling of the water, the singing and chirping of birds, the fresh air and the cool breezes today made for a perfect hike for the first hike of 2025.

Additionally, we ran into someone I knew from Welcome Home of Chattanooga. We chatted for a few minutes. Then a family passed us by that I recognized, but it took a moment for me to recall their names. That's the age thing. :) There were other people on the trail, but no one else that I knew. 

Though it was 37 degrees Fahrenheit while we hiked, it was not too cold. I dressed in layers and had one of my hiking hats on.  

To be so close to homes and streets, yet have the full feel of being in nature was a true gift. How have I not heard of this trail before?!?! If I lived on the mountain, it would definitely be a go-to hike. 

There were spots where the water was so still and serene.

My favorite bridge was the first one. When we got to the other side, there was a sign that told us "no running or jumping". Thankfully, I didn't break that rule..... today. :)  Truthfully, it's not a bridge I would feel comfortable running over.... it dips. As for jumping... I see the temptation. 

I saw some really neat trees along the path. (see the photos below)

Not everyone is a nature person or one that enjoys getting out in the colder weather. 

No shame. No condemnation.

We live into our unique beings.

Below are a few links I've found for the trail:

• Map of the trail
• Seeing the Scenic City
• Green Gorge Trail-- All Trails
• Patten Park, Signal Mountain (video by Pam, the hiking nurse)

My photos from today's adventures:

first bridge-- we went over it and went counter-clockwise

plaque on rock to left of map kiosk

"Patten Park"

The Green Gorge Loop Trail allowed me to try a new trail, get into creation, breathe in some air, and enjoy the Creator. There was some good silence and solitude time too. Outdoor and nature therapy is a huge part of my being. I'm grateful to have gotten some of it in today!

May the adventures continue, 

Deb

My Stained Glass Journey-- it's only just begun

I have always loved stained glass.

I grew up in a church that had beautiful stained glass windows (St. Mark's Episcopal, Dalton, GA).

I traveled to Spain in 1984 and saw LOTS of stained glass windows on a tour of cathedrals there.

Churches that I have served have had cool stained glass in them. Interestingly, there were two churches in my first appointment that had similar stained glass. I am thinking it was a popular scene.

I started buying some stained glass pieces and have a colorful butterfly (made by a friend), a Celtic knot, a Celtic cross with the liturgical seasons around it (Riley commissioned it for me from our friends in Lake Junaluska), a bamboo piece for Bamboo Encounter, a lighthouse, some smaller pieces. We were gifted a cool Celtic cross this Christmas that is now hanging in our sunroom.

I don't know how or where this love for stained glass began. However, as I reflect on it, I remember the windows that lined the building on both sides of St. Mark's Episcopal. Maybe that's where my adoration for the beauty of the light came, the creativity, the craft. 

The first piece I made was a honeycomb in a class. We had a choice of two projects. I chose the honeycomb one because "bee" is what my name means in Hebrew. In that class we learned how to cut, grind, foil, solder. We left that evening with our creation. 

I didn't think about it too much after that. I hung my creation in the window with a suction cup (like you are NOT supposed to do, but I check it often and "pop it").

I don't know what came over me to make me want to make stained glass ornaments for the family for Christmas, but it did. So, I contacted the person that had offered the class I took and the adventure began.

I needed simple patterns to start my new adventure. I chose a Santa hat to start my new craft. I changed the pattern after making a few of them. Then I added a stocking pattern to the batch. I really liked it. It was a simple 2 piece design. I did a couple of trees for a few people at the end. I didn't cut these pieces, but I did grind and foil some of them. 

I found that the time doing stained glass was therapeutic for me, calming. I also came to realize that it was becoming a spiritual practice for me because it drew me closer to God, the Divine. How, exactly, I don't know. I only know that it did and does. Maybe it's the Creator connecting with the creativity in me, the creation. Again, I can't fully explain it. All I know is that there is a holy connection when I am working on the glass pieces. 

As I continued my ornament making, I found myself thinking ahead to "what's next". One thing that I wanted to do was to start making pieces that I could use as a fundraiser for PFLAG Chattanooga. Before I sold anything, however, my teacher wanted me to make a larger piece. So, my next project is Cliff. I have a 38 piece pattern that I will be working on. I will also likely start some smaller pride pieces.

Here are some photos of my stained glass journey-- from cutting the pieces, to foiling, to soldering. 

I played around with where to place the "2024" and used fish swivel hooks for placement and for the hooks for hanging. I bought "S" hangers to hang them. 

the first ornament I made-- my first Santa hat

my only attempt to put "fancy" dots

my only patina project

the 2nd Santa hat pattern

I am grateful to my teacher who has answered my questions, helped me fix my mistakes, taught me that glass is forgiving... that there is no major "mess up". You can fix almost anything. That has helped me grow in grace--- who knew that stained glass would teach me about grace?!?!

I am a beginner. In truth, I hope to keep a beginner's mind. That way I will continue to learn, to be open, to try new things. 

I will share my progress and projects as I continue.

Deb

2024 in review

Normally I would have already written this, but the last two days of 2024 were fairly busy at the family businesses, so I didn't have time to do it.

Therefore, I am looking back today, January 1st on 2024. I have my calendar to help me remember everything.

For the past two years, I did a thing where I picked words for the year. For 2024, the first words I saw were: 

• Change
• Power
• Connection 
• Gratitude 

Here is the post for 2024 mantra.

As I reflect on 2024, there were significant changes that happened-- my Dad passed in April, my son graduated in May. As far as the other words.... power-- not sure how that played out; connection-- I am always grateful for the connection of family and friends; gratitude-- I do have much gratitude for people, nature, the Divine.

January

• We celebrated my Dad's 84th birthday. Something told me it was going to be his last one. Unfortunately, I was right.
• My great niece turned 2.
• Our son flew back to NYC for his final semester at SVA (School of Visual Arts)

February

• I started chair yoga on Fridays at the Hixson at the North River Civic Center
• I bought my 3rd motorcycle-- a Honda Rebel 250 (the smallest bike I've owned, but still a bike)
• Emmaus team meetings for an upcoming Women's Walk

March

• We celebrated our 20th Anniversary
• I participated in a Women's Emmaus Walk
• Dad fell and needed some extra help, so I spent more time in Dalton after the Emmaus walk
• Went on a hike and hammock trek at the end of the month at Big Soddy Creek Gulf

April

• I had my first "unit sale" at work because we had been "stiffed" by a tenant. I hope that experience was my first and only one. I learned tons through that entire experience, but it wasn't the most fun.
• Dad passed 
• We took a family trip to FL to see Riley's sister and nieces

May

• Taught a class about labyrinths and praying the labyrinth on World Labyrinth Day
• Our son graduated at Radio City Music Hall so we went to NYC for that and then brought him (and his belongings) home (we drove up there, spending some time in cool places along the way)
• the retired guy had a significant birthday -- three quarters of a century

June

• Annual Conference
• Mission Trip to Costa Rica
• Represented PFLAG Chattanooga at several places

July

• Spent the 4th weekend with friends and enjoyed their pool
• Started working on stained glass ornaments --Christmas gifts-- for the family

August

• Represented PFLAG Chattanooga at the 1st Pride Festival in Athens, TN

September

• the retired guy and I went to Holbox Island in Mexico..... and were able to see a bit before we sheltered in place due to a storm that became a hurricane
• gave a talk at an Emmaus Women's Walk

October

• Went to a Camp reunion in Mentone, AL
• Attended a 4 Day Academy at Camp Sumatanga
• Turned 60

November

• Took Mom to Blairsville, GA
• had my first official spiritual directee since I received my certification
• went on 1st truck tent camping adventure at Chester Frost Park overnight.

December

• Christmas at Mom's
• a quiet New Year's Eve

There was quite a bit of walking and hiking in 2024, but no bicycling. I didn't get a single mile in. Though that is a major drop from the past several years, it's okay. 

2024 exercise statistics (from Runkeeper which didn't always keep accurate accounts nor did I always track my steps)

Walked-- 71.96 miles

Hiked-- 47.64 miles

Total hours-- 60:28

My overall exercise regime was less in 2024 than in 2023, but I did add in chair yoga for a few months. 

I preached about 13 times this past year (some of that was multiple services in the same day at the same church). I did two weddings and one vow renewal. I did one funeral. I served another year with Welcome Home of Chattanooga as volunteer chaplain. I served on the CACPC board.  I continued serving as PFLAG Chattanooga president. I facilitated another year of outdoor worship with Bamboo Encounter.

I met quite a few folks for coffee throughout the year and a few meals here and there. Coffee is a love language. :)

There was quite a bit of business stuff to take care of after Dad's passing. There are probably still things that need to be done. Little by little. Day by day.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about Dad. And that's okay. He was and is a significant person in my life. After all, he's one of the reasons I am here. :)

As far as self care goes in my life, in addition to exercise, here are other things I do to stay whole:

• I spend time in the hammock
• I have a Spiritual Director
• Cliff and I spend quiet time on the deck many mornings
• I am in group spiritual supervision
• I am in a clergy group
• I ride the motorcycle for decompression
• I write
• I take photos
• and the stained glass I started as gifts? that has become a self care practice and a spiritual practice as it draws me closer to the One who created me and allows me to decompress

We went to Blairsville more than what is listed, but less than in years past.

I donated O- blood several times through out the year.

There are TONS of photos of Cliff from 2024. Cliff is such a loving companion. 

This review doesn't come close to sharing all I experienced this past year, but it's a "bird's eye view" or at least a bullet point view. 

Peace on the past and looking forward to the future with hope, 

Rev. Deb