Blue Ridge blog

This is what I bring...

I turned the corner to see a place which always hides from the sun. The star was winning the seeking game this morning.
Normally this place on my road belongs under veil of dark trees except for a sliver of direct light slicing its way through branches and vines here and there, before the sun heeds to the call of trees further uphill.
I was surprised to witness this scene. This is what I bring to you today.

It couldn't get any better for a dog.
The pup delighted in high hay dampened by morning dew, fresh cow pies and a master unwilling to tether or be tethered. Serendipity flew in on the late July mountain wind as the pair made their way to the valle in hopes of achieving a day's worth of vascular health. The simple-minded dog welcomed the new challenges of bullfrogs, butterflies and a muddy bog while the lady greeted the simplicity of a walk to nowhere in particular with the wind and the dog determining her destination. It seemed ordinary, yet not planned as the couple hugged the pasture's fence line and gathered blackberries for breakfast.. And the woman learned it couldn't get any better for her either.

Ron Paul speaks in Boone, NC

As you may know, I don't like to feature politics on my blog. However, from time to time I have felt compelled to at least mention elections as they pertain to life here in the High Country. Tonight is no different. As I was covering a university event at the Broyhill Inn this evening, I remembered Ron Paul, former U.S. Presidential Candidate and current member of Congress, was to speak in a conference room next door. I was curious so poked my head in to perhaps catch a glimpse of Dr. Paul and listen to what he had to say.
The room was at capacity. I estimate the crowd to be between 250 and 300 people. I was immediately struck by the lack of local media presence. Dr. Paul may not be Obama or McCain, but he was a recent Presidential candidate with a significant following who I feel deserved at least a little spotlight. Besides, it isn't as if there was anything more important happening in Boone tonight. I know the media was alerted to the event. Afterall, I got the message of his visit depositied in my google alerts yesterday. So the only coverage poor Ron gets for his efforts is on my little photoblog.
Regardless, he is a bright gentlemen and set forth many compelling ideas for the future of our country. I was glad for the opportunity to understand his platform a little better. There is no substitute for listening and meeting a candidate in person and I think I will make a concerted effort to try and do so with each and every local candidate rather than rely on political advertisements to deliver their message.
There were several politicians hanging out tonight. Of note was Congresswoman Virginia Foxx who attended the event to support her fellow congressional colleague. I asked her if I could post a photo of her on my blog and she said, "Of course." Thanks Virginia. Additionally, I met Dan Soucek, a Republican candidate for the NC House, was there.

Endnote: Over the years I have covered many flavored politicians in the course of my duties as a  photographer and I can sincerely say I have enjoyed my encounters with all except for two...wait, make that three snakes that all left me with the immediate sensation that their blood ran black. Fortunately, all are long gone from office. 

(Yes, I intentionally bleached out the highlights in the above photos just to make a certain someone smile. Hope it works:)

***Updated Correction** The Watauga Democrat did have a reporter at the event that I did not recognize. Hat Tip to the WNC Citizen's Blog for reading my hometown online newspaper before I did. Although I standby my head count for the evening.

The Gardens of the Mast Farm Inn

I went into town yesterday to check my Mast Store mailbox then take the dog for a walk at the Valle Crucis Park. On our way home I noticed the gardens at the Mast Farm Inn beginning to take shape and stopped to get a closer look.
I met Miguel there. Actually, he sort of snuck up on me as I was concentrating on framing sunflowers and the barn in my camera lens.
"You like my flowers, man?" he asked.
"As a matter of fact, I love your flowers, man," I responded.
I have been derelict in what used to be my weekly jaunts to photograph the Inn and gardens but after seeing the Miguel's work, I made a promise to myself to return soon. And, I may convince my husband to join me for a cold one at Aunt Josie's bar.

Ce Soir

I worked today. Lots. And, I've been feeling like I've been letting you down by now spending the almost $4/gal. to travel the High Country scoring photos to share with you. In essence, yes, gas prices are even having an effect upon this little blog. Silly, but true. Still, I returned home to this now familiar deck scene.  I offer this carbon neutral view of the Blue Ridge Mountain this evening.
Annie is fine and so is my youngest daughter. But while operating the backhoe, Youngest accidentally ran over Annie's paw this morning. Annie yelped and scared my daughter who feared the worst. Within minutes, Annie was running around as if nothing had happened.

New Appalachian State sign

I'm sure this photograph will please only a handful of you readers, but in these parts, the changing of the official sign to accurately reflect App State's championship status is a big deal. And, I think it looks swell. The only thing I would change, if I was in charge of such things, would be to find some black and gold geraniums or maybe some black-eyed susans to plant in front--just to give it that special touch.

The sweet spot...

Annie & I took this photo today. Yep. I give her credit because while she nosed around the woods and a branch on our property, I weathered the stinging nettle and random insects to get shots of hummingbirds
hovering around a clump of bee balm. We were happy together in our simple quests.
Amy wrote a post about seizing summer. Carpe Summer!
Yes, I have been guilty of not celebrating the warm temps lately, but not today or yesterday. My husband and I worked, played and lazed in proper amounts. Without going into excruciating detail, I will mention the morning's work of sealing black top which constitutes the majority of effort I made this weekend. The best moment though was sucking frozen limeade, sweetened ever so slightly with a touch of blue agave nectar, through a straw after a day's labor.
This be our Yin and Yang or what we say around here is "Life's see-saw."

And, I did think of Amy's words as I spit a few waternelons seeds over the deck....

Carpe Diem, y'all.

I took this photo yesterday. The orange-y background is a brick. The warm tone is courtesy of the early morning sun hitting flower and wall. It is a sunny warm day here in the mountains and I have every intention of taking advantage of it. I'm going berry hunting...

Whoa. Check it out.

It never ceases to amaze me that I sometimes get paid to take a hike. Today I covered various assignments along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I traveled Rough Ridge (near Grandfather Mtn.) all the way to Doughton Park. The only thing missing from the day was having someone with whom to share the occasional natural delights. After climbing a particularly exhausting summit, I looked down and out and said over my shoulder to no one in particular, "Whoa! Check out that view."
Now it is late at night and as I post this, I realize that not only do I get to relive the moment from the comfort of my chair, but I also get to share it with you as well. Ain't blogging grand?

My blog is this:

I messed with some in-camera blur techniques and then high-keyed these cosmos to get a Hallmark Card-ish feel to the scene. I get no respect from some of my artsy colleagues for my experiments with nature. In fact, they (ok, just he) sarcastically referred to me as 'Screen Saver Girl.'

The blue on the right is actually a cement portion of the Lucy Brock School on the campus of ASU. The flowers are courtesy of some fine somebodies who cared enough to plant a tiny patch next to L.S. Dougherty for the summer folk and birds and butterflies to enjoy.

To my co-workers: Bite me:) I like me some nature shots even if'n it is in the middle of Boone. Call me a pedestrian artist and I'll take that as a fine complement. Although I reckon the term should be more accurately coined 'scrolled through' or 'clicked by' artist.

**Insert Update Here** 

I love my new nickname, ya know, "Screen Saver Girl." Don't yellow flag anyone at work. I'm just having fun here and so was 'he who shall remain nameless'. Note the smiley face after the words, "Bite me."

Summer life here in the mountains is fabulous and as I watched the tiny branches of my hydrangeas begin to bloom this evening, I started to get sad. I don't want summer to go away so soon. It is the same feeling I got the last day or two before Girl Scout Camp ended.  I just don't want to think about it. My lower lip is pooching...

And off on another tangent. Does anyone else think that Kate from "John + Kate = 8" sound just like Ellen Degeneres?