Blue Ridge blog

The Edge of Light

The title of this post sounds like a soap opera and in a way, trying to find that sweet morning light that happens right where the fog and sun meet---was rather dramatic. On our way to the high school to drop up SAT bound eldest daughter (ick), I noticed simply fantastic light in the direction of Valle Crucis. I drove like a maniac down Rock Crusher Hill giddy with hope that today I might get a magical river shot. I jinxed myself...I visited all my favorite haunts but the light had hitchhiked elsewhere. I headed uphill on  DeWitt Barnett Rd and all of the  sudden the sweet light was right smack in the middle of somebody's driveway. So there ya go. Here is a photo of somebody's driveway.

Today was the first day of the Watauga County Farmer's Market. I saw all the regulars out and about purchasing produce and flowers. I bought some of last year's blackberry jam from Helen Day. I also purchased a jar of Iva Lee Hayes' Kraut. I personally don't care for Kraut, but my husband loves hers. I finally got to meet Tom of Bitter Greens Journal . We stood there in the middle of the Horn in the West  parking lot and mutually adored each other. I respect the hard work that he and his gang at Maverick Farms are doing. Leo was selling baby pea shoots--yummy. Alice, shared with me a some of her cheddar cumin bisquit--more yummy.

And then there was one....

But not this one. I took my youngest daughter to visit the baby ducks yesterday and sadly only the dark duck is still alive...for now. We walked around the entire pond looking for any clue (feathers, bones, floating bodies) to the mysterious disappearance of all the yellow ducklings. I felt as though I was reading the scene the way Bill Bass does in his book Death's Acre .  My guess is that either a hawk or owl carried them onto greener pastures. The dark duck blends in well with its surroundings so maybe its chances for survival are better. By the way, I'm reading Death's Acre and recommend it for those of you that can stomach truly putrid topics.

I met Gnumoon  for lunch at the Red Onion yesterday. I brought with me a serious coffee buzz and couldn't keep my thoughts together. But I managed. Go figure, we talked alot. Of course, we discussed our blogs and the impact that blogging has had on our lives. The connections we have built with folks like Melissa are refreshing in our little hillbilly world. We also talked about not-safe-for-blogging stuff that we deal with in our real worlds. I confided with her the meanest thing said to me by someone recently. Gnumoon agreed that it was not meant in a 'good way'. She also filled me in on the details about her horrible week .
It was a good lunch. Our next adventure involves spelunking and drinking.

Oh, and guess what? We both have these on the back window of our rides.

Rhapsodic

So, it is always a good sign that that the day will be good when I hear Bohemian Rhapsody on the radio on my way to work. "Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the fandango." That was me screaming at the top of my lungs while driving my Jeep this morning. And, I don't care what you or anyone else thinks about my car singing.

Ok, so I have been obsessed with the new ducklings at the Duck Pond this week. I have been by 3 times since Monday to check on their status. On Monday, there were 7. Now, there are only 4. I had such a hard time editing which photo to share with you. So, instead of playing favorites by posting a closeup of one very fluffy baby, I'll give the momma duck her mad props.

My youngest daughter has a blog. She has been blogging for several months now. I would share it with you except that I promised her that I wouldn't. She does allow me to see it and frankly, her layout is much better than mine. She even knows code which is something that I would never consider fussing with. What I have found interesting is that many teenagers at her high school blog. It is quite revealing to read some of them. Additionally, some of the blogs are 'homework' blogs where the students in one class start an anonymous group blog. On one site in particular, the day's notes are posted with open discussion in the comments. After showing me the blog, my daughter asked if I thought it was considered cheating to refer to the site. I told her that I didn't feel that it was so long as no one is posting their homework on the site for others to copy (which would in fact, be stupid). In fact, when I went through the blog, I saw that the children were having intelligent discussions about literature--hashing out ideas--all without adult interuption.

The sun needs to set...

After a tremendously busy workday, I am grateful to be able to take a photo of the sunset because that means that I shall be home soon and I will be at rest.

(Personal note here: Hey Robbie Rob, I will post the little duck photos tomorrow. I went by the Duck Pond again today and instead of 7 ducklings, there are now only 4. I'm wrestling with the whole 'Survival of the Fittest' thing. Mama duck was totally stressed out today. I wonder why? )

**Note to everyone else*** I am finally back online at home. Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Nice Kitty

When I saw this Mountain Lion at Grandfather Mountain , I was immediately struck by the markings on its face. They appear to me as though they may have been air-brushed onto the face. Mountain Lions are cats. I just don't want to run into them in my neck of the woods.

I am so glad that this weekend is over. No. Really. Eldest daughter was in charge of organizing her Health Occupations Club's annual 5k race Saturday morning. After much work by her, the race was held and considered to be mostly a success. Bad weather made the turnout a little less than she expected but overall, the club made plenty of money.

Afterwards, she zoomed off for practice for the Tui St. George Tucker 'Requiem' . She was in the orchestra and it was her first 'paying gig'. She had to sign a contract and all. Alas, she learned that professional musicians don't necessarily get paid all that much. But still, it was her 'first' so my husband and I celebrate that maybe she may recoup a bit of our investment. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

I went to see the concert last night. It was definitely not typical. In fact, during the first microtonal movements, several folks got up and left. Perhaps it was too dischordant for them.  Today, she has to grind through an 8 hour recording session. Tomorrow, she becomes a student again. I hope she remembers how to study...

My DSL modem has gone south. I do not have access to the internet from home. Bummer. Tomorrow I'm hoping that good 'ol Skyline will find replacing my modem as much of a priority as I seem to believe it is. Until then, I am limited to only brief postings. I hope to visit ya'll soon.