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Frosty Morn
This was a slightly better morning for taking frosty shots. I slid across the low river bridge on Old Shull's Farm Road just as the sun was cutting a path between two ridges. The mist rising from the Watauga River was, well, impressive.
Too old to trick or treat:
Youngest was delighted to find a small assortment of Candy Barrel items on the kitchen table this morning. She does have plans to take some small goblins around and show them the finer art of Hillbilly Halloween-ing.
I was up at the Danner Cemetary yesterday when I noticed this leaf tangled up in the barbed wire nearby. Hanging Rock is in the background of the image. I don't know, I just thought to share this photo with you because the frost photos I tried to take this morning were pathetic. Plus, my toes froze in the process and put me in an ornery mood. 26 degrees. That's what the temperature was this morning. Grrr. I mean, brrr.
Ehh. Except for washing a load or two of laundry and cleaning some funk out of the dishwasher, I've done nothing worth mentioning today. Oh but wait, I did sleep late, take this photo on my deck and paint my toe nails an alluring shade of iridescent fuchsia. It is a no make-up, no bra, no do anything sort of day. Now excuse me while I go ponder the changing hues of my toes in the sunlight...
I'm not really sure what the sign says, but I'm sure this dude wants me to check the ballot in favor of Ron Paul for President. At first I thought Ron Paul supporters were kinda cute in a grass roots sort of way. Now they are plain freaky and annoying as hell as they spam my email.
The Wendy's intersection is historically a place for folks to preach or politic. Dipper Garrison frequently holds signs telling us 'God hearts us' as we sip our coffee and merrily pass him on Hwy 105. And sheesh, he did get a sewer for his efforts. So maybe standing on the corners of the Wendy's intersection isn't such a bad idea afterall.
Ya never know, maybe next we'll see Aycock or Wilcox taking advantage of this free advertising hotspot?
And speaking of colorful voices...
I found a new local political blog called Democracy Now! of the North Carolina High Country. Basically, it believes there is a mainstream media in Boone, which in itself is sort funny, but then promotes the idea that there is a corporate conspiracy to consolidate them into one stifling voice. While I agree there are problems with local media, I don't think consolidation is something I'd wring my hands in worry about. And, I have to laugh a little as I ponder the image of Steve Rondinaro, Ken Ketchie, Jonathan Hoffman, Tommy Wilson and Brittany Herndon-Swain sitting together with glee as they contemplate evil doings....
But I believe in the freedom to have a soapbox and am delighted that free speech reigns at both the Wendy's Intersection and on the Internet.
It has rained for three days straight and that has been just fine with me. A journey to West Jefferson revealed fog-shrouded barns. I always enjoy the vivid colors of the peak season, but the current burnt sienna leaves is perhaps my favorite color in the world.
I messed around with shooting raindrop on fallen leaves. Using a bogen tripod (ugg..I hate how awkward it is to adjust) and a Nikon 105 macro lens at f45 (I think) I captured these images. The camera's self timer was set to not only help keep the camera still when the shutter tripped but also so I could handhold a Photoflex pocket disc to put just a hint of gold on the leaves. I like the way the water droplets magnify the leaves' structure. When shooting leaves it is wise to approach them from all sides because the light dramatically changes from flat to specular depending on the direction.
And today, I celebrate 4 years of blogging. What a strange and unusual trip it has been. I remember the days when I would have to explain the definition of a weblog to people. Now, even my mother knows what a blog is...
My favorite spot in downtown Boone is on the grounds of the Jones House Community Center. Eh, the house is nice and all, but truthfully, it is the allure of the mature maple trees which frame the structure that strike me each time I pass by. I savor these trees....
Today is National Mole Day. So yesterday my youngest made a cake celebrating the occasion for her AP Chem class. As she decorated the top of the cake with a critter that looks a bit like this guy she turned her head, rolled her eyes and said,
"You're gonna blog this cake, aren't you?"
Later, she got around to opening a large envelope from a college to which she had recently applied. With only a slightest tone of relief in her voice she said,
"Well, I'm in. I don't have to study so hard for my french test tomorrow." She then paused, looked at me and laughed, "I know you're going to blog that I just said that."
And much later in the evening, after writing a grueling English paper and studying for the dreaded french test, she didn't look at me but quietly posed this question as she sat surrounded by books and papers;
"You're going to miss me next year, right?"
I nodded my head and said,
"And I'm gonna blog about that too."
The Apple Butter Gang of Holy Cross
Ok, so the colors in these altered photos are garish, but so are fall's colors this year. I dedicate this particular post to Gary of the NC Mtn Dreams blog who wants to be from here more than anyone I've ever known. Hope you can make the VC fair next year, Gary!
Pressing Apples
The late frost killed our apple buds, yet the folks from Holy Cross used their state-wide connections to hook-up with off-the-mountain apples. Hot Cider drinking at the fair is a tradition.
My Friends
I was hungry at 9:30 a.m. when my friend 'B' was simmering onions and peppers in the Sausage Factory booth at the fair. It was everything I could do to keep my face out of that skillet. Her husband, 'F' thought I might actually do it which is why he is looking slightly amused in this image. If you look closely, there are at least 6 of my friends working in this Holy Cross Booth of charity--and that doesn't begin to count their prodigy working on the front lines. This is my favorite place to visit at the Valle Fair. I wouldn't trade all the M&M's and beer in the world for these people...
A monster in our midst-the metal, not the man
This is one of the many talented vendors at the fair. The dude makes amazing recycled metal art. I would say much more about his really cool work, but nevermind...
Local kids doing their local thing
I delight in watching my daughters' friends perform. These are some of the Valle's best. I enjoy the comfortable feeling of walking right up to them and pointing my camera in their faces and seeing their looks of recognition mirrored back by a slight shy grin. Goodness grows in Valle Crucis.
Hunt Hill Overlook
The secret passage way to Hunt Hill Overlook of the Valle Fair is a 6 inch board crossing the creek. From there you climb the hill slipping and sliding through fresh cow manure until you reach the sitting bench. The view is worth the dung.
Hope you like the photos, Gary.
If more than 28,000 fans dressed in black and banging their golden bam-bams under a picture perfect autumn day doesn't inspire the home team to win, well, I'm just not sure what will. The fans showed up, but still not sure where the ASU football team is. Here's the ugly story. Our home winning streak may be dead, but not my love for Appalachian football. And in honor of Mountaineer fans, I've posted a photo album (on sidebar) of Black Saturday. I'm fiddlin' around with several different software apps to make photos take on more of an illustrative feel.
I'll share details later as well as photos of the Valle Country Fair....
**Note**
The first ASU fans camped out at the gates beginning at 10:30 in hopes of running through the gates to get the best seats in the student's section. There are several photos of kids running in the photo album as well as a photo or two of students waiting to get their etickets stamped.
And the Appfan blog has a great morning after post.
The is the view of the Linn Cove viaduct as seen yesterday. I'm unsure of the name of the ridge just below the famed architectural marvel on Grandfather Mountain, but frankly, Mother Nature is being downright distracting and demanding her own attention. What a diva!
And what a Saturday I have planned. Gonna do me some Valle Country Fair loving before I scoot to Kidd Brewer Stadium where I will be shrouded in black. Afterward, I'll return to the Valle where our family will partake in the annual Chicken supper at the school. If there was ever a perfectly planned autumn day, tomorrow would be it.
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