Inside Toby’s Deerstand, Paw Paw, Madison County, NC 2020.
I’ve never needed much of an excuse to stay at home. Rather, over the years, I’ve taken every opportunity to not leave our place. To wit, the question I’m asked most when I do venture into town is “I haven’t seen you in awhile, where you been hiding?” I’ve long recognized our land as my shelter, my quiet place, my spot to hunker down and avoid the outside world. I’ve always loved how these mountains embrace you in that quiet way, but only if we allow them into our lives to work their magic.