Happy Easter everyone!  I hope you’ve had a nice day, and have been able to enjoy it with family and friends.

I’m continuing my Smokies After Dark theme here today, and saved this one specifically for today because I love how it all worked out.  First though, the church featured here is the Oconaluftee Baptist Church, also known as the Smokemont Baptist Church, and more affectionately known as the Lufty Baptist Church or simply Lufty Church.  It’s not terribly well-known, and is essentially hiding in plain sight – or just out of sight – near the Smokemont campground on the North Carolina side of the park.  If you know where to look, you can actually see it through the trees from the main road, but it’s very easy to miss.  In fact, I hadn’t seen it myself until last year!  A friend shared a picture of it and I was intrigued because of the construction style of it’s steeple; it seemed quite unique to me.

It’s pretty darn tough to photograph though, admittedly.  As you can see from the picture, it’s tucked pretty tightly in the woods, and when the leaves are on the trees, there’s essentially no seeing the sky.  I figured I’d just set it up and see how it all worked out, and I was pleasantly surprised!

Starting from the left of the steeple, you’ll notice a bright oval in the sky, which is the Andromeda galaxy.  Andromeda is our closest neighbor.  Continuing clockwise, just above the steeple are the heart and soul nebulae – no explanation needed there.  And finally continuing on around clockwise, you’ll see the question mark nebula peeking out from behind the tree just to the right of the steeple.  The sermon practically writes itself.  🙂

More next week!

–Dan Thompson

Continuing scrolling for an additional message from Holly and I.

I have been debating sharing this today – mostly out of a desire to keep today’s post about Easter.  However, I feel like that wouldn’t be being honest, and Holly and I have always shared our life here on these pages.

This past Wednesday Holly and I bid farewell to our beloved cat Charlie.  Those of you who have been around Picture of the Week for a while will recognize him from our annual Christmas photo, and he’s even graced the content of Picture of the Week a few times over the years as well.  He found his way into our hearts about 16 years ago when he showed up at the back door of our old house.  I initially didn’t want another cat, but Holly started feeding him, and so I told her we might as well name him since he wasn’t going anywhere.  At the beginning of this year we found out he had cancer, and based on the prognosis concluded he’d be gone by summer at least – he almost made it to Easter.

Anyone who met Charlie would agree that he was a special cat.  He was big – a little over 13 pounds in his prime – but very gentle to us (not so much to the critters he used to bring us as presents), and always so loving.  He never once hissed at us or clawed at us; even when he played with us, he wouldn’t use his claws.  He’d as soon snuggle with us as eat, and was always close by it seemed.

Losing him has been extremely challenging.  Holly and I used to joke that we’d need counseling when he passed, and I’m not sure that’s far from the truth.  You just don’t realize how many interactions you have with your pets on a daily basis until they’re gone.  One of these days I won’t look for him anymore when I come through the door or come downstairs from my office.  One of these days I won’t wonder what he’s up to, before remembering he’s gone.  One of these days the house won’t seem so quiet without him.

But not today.

–Dan and Holly