Taig an Droma
“The House on the Ridge”
In February of 2014, I became a resident of Knoxville, Tennessee. Knoxville is nestled in the Great Appalachian Valley which is situated between the Great Smokey Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau. I first came to Knoxville back in the early 70s as a student at the University of Tennessee. While there, I took a course in Economic Geography under Prof. Bill Cherry. (He was widely known for his grossly non-politically correct comments…which, of course, drew me to his class.) He described this area as a “hilly country valley”. Many of the locals just refer to it as “God’s country” (though why God would put it in the Eastern Time Zone, only He knows.)

Back in the fall of 2013, as I approached my announced retirement date, I started my search for my last house inearnest. It didn’t take me long (one weekend in fact) to locate what I have come to call Taig an Droma in lovely Holston Hills of east Knoxville. Holston Hills derives its name from its location looking down on the valley of the Hoslton River. The Holston, along with the French Broad Rivers, converge to become the Tennessee River. The confluence of the two rivers is about a mile southwest of Taig an Droma

The first month that I lived here, we had three snows. While one was just a dusting (but it still counts here in the South), the others were four and six inches. Now, this might have been normal back in my youth, but it’s been several years since I saw a 6” snowfall. And it was that much more enjoyable since I didn’t have to go to work or worry about downed power lines.

A bonus to the Holston Hills location is residing on one of the several dogwood trails situated throughout Knoxville. It is thus designated for the concentration of dogwoods in the area. I was delighted this spring when the entire area busted out in white and pink dogwoods. Along with the redbud trees and azaleas, it was one of the most colorful springs I have ever experienced.

Taig an Droma is a 1953 single story ranch sitting on a wooded acre and a quarter along with a detached 900 square foot cottage. With hardwood floors, original knotty pine kitchen cabinets and Tennessee marble (found only in the Great Appalachian Valley), I have come to love this house. And the large shady backyard is very agreeable to Dusty and Miss Sally.

Of course, local eateries are very important to me. Closest is Habaneros Mexican Restaurant, which has become my goto for south of the border cuisine. Next to them is Scott’s Place, your basic old time burger and fry joint. I’ve tried the one pound burger but the half pound burger is all I really need. Also a great steak and cheese, best on pumpernickel. For Chinese takeout I call the Wok and Roll.

While wandering the back roads, I came across Twisters Grill. When I first passed it I thought it was a Sherriff’s substation, but, on return discovered that it was as first rate old fashioned grill that the local deputies fancied. The menu included everything from shakes and banana splits to a bacon cheddar jalapeno burger to a grilled pork loin chops dinner plate. I stopped in and had the luncheon special – chili and tamale. And I felt quite safe with all the hardware in the room.

I also discovered Love’s Creek that flows along the road to the Twister. The creek is a cold running, clear water creek, being fed my many springs. It is lined with wild water cress. This takes me back years when I used to harvest wild watercress from the head of Panther Creek in Hamblin County. Along with some mushrooms, crispy bacon and the cooking grease to dress it, it made the best green salad I’ve put in my mouth.

Love’s Park and Greenway lies along the banks of the creek just north of Rutledge Pike about 5 minutes from Taig an Droma. Adjacent to Love’s Park are the remains of an old spring house feeding into the creek. Usually when I pass the park, folks are lined up to fill containers from the spring. I understand that there are some folks in the area that drink nothing but the water from Love’s Spring. For more information on Love’s Spring, you can read “Drinking In Love's Spring” from the Metro Pulse.

I’ve taken Dusty and Sally Mae to Love’s Park several times. While Dusty is fine basking in the sun, Miss Sally loves to wade in the creek and lay belly down in the cold flowing water. Recently when I was visited by my old childhood friend Allen “Junior” Green, we took the girls to the park. We all shared a few Krystals before taking a leisurely stroll around the park. I believe Miss Sally could have spent hours in the creek, but we eventually had to take leave.

One good thing about being in KnoxVegas is I get to dog sit with my grandpuppy from time to time. Many of you know about Clovis and have visited his page. When I moved in, I knew I had to get a doggie door for Dusty and Miss Sally. I first bought a large one with the hopes that Clovis might use it. However, Amy didn’t think so, “Besides”, she said, “he couldn’t get his big head through it!” Since the door was large enough to admit a small burglar, I returned it for a smaller one. One day, as I sat at my desk thinking Clovis was outside, he walked in. I thought that I was wrong about him being outside. However, the video doesn’t lie.

One last thought. I have recently delved into the world of Ancestry.com. (Thanks to my friend Pam Forney who had done some research on the Flew clan a year or so ago.) I now know much more about the Flew lineage as well as my Stuart lineage. (Seems that I may be more Scottish that I thought.) In light of this research, I have updated my ClanMcMuffin history page. If you would like to read more documented (as opposed to the undocumented but true history presented) information of the Flew sept of Clan McMuffin, click here.