Blue Ridge blog

weather and tales...

Anybody in North Carolina or Eastern Tennessee knows this photo was not taken today. Remnants of Hurricane Fay have been filling our wells for the last two days. I probably could have taken some moody photos of say, ducks swimming on a rainy day, but all my time this week has been spent getting my work ducks in a row in hopes of making a successful journey to Red Stick, Louisiana. I'm sure I'll be twittering the experience as well as copiously capturing the fun times all on pixels.

On the home front: Annie's paw is better but her run in with my daughter's car has modified her behavior and I'm in big trouble. I heard a strange noise at the front door this morning and couldn't figure out what was the cause. Later, as I left for work, I noticed chunks of wood chewed out of the lined wood panels. I'm not sure the damage can be hidden. I sprayed cayenne pepper laced water all over the door to stop the dog from causing more damage but still, I dread revealing it all to my husband. Eh. I'll see him in New Orleans and maybe we'll discuss it over beignets or bourbon--to lessen the blow, don't ya know.

Keeping the battle on the field...

Thank you, LSU . We like y'all even when we play you. I remember when y'all thought Ritchie was a 'good little quarterback' and stuff. 'member back then? That was a good time and a good game. Let's have another for 'ol time sakes. K?
And I think we can all agree that now there is even less of a reason to go to a Western Carolina Football game. Wonder who's bright idea that was seeing as it isn't easy to fill the Catamounts stands as it is...?

He's got your weather...

I've got nothing for you because I've got a mean case of football fever. I've been following Jeff Crum's weather forecast as well as links to some hyper-motivating video links about the upcoming game. OMG, I'm ready to play the game tonight.

August in the High Country...

It is late August therefore the Joe Pye weed rules the misty morning banks of the Watauga River. While the waters in Valle Crucis may be calm, the streets of Boone are anything but as the students rock and roll back to campus. Yo! And I love having them back. Yesterday while running the downtown, I could almost feel the extra push of hormones surging through Boone's veins. Hippie Hill was populated. The Klondike Bar was over flowing. And then because the population of the county tripled overnight the town's arteries became clogged and I was able to run faster than the car traffic. Eh. It is what happens.

Today I'm easing into house projects because I really don't wanna. Instead of folding laundry, I'm flipping through the pages of a hair style guide. I'm considering a rather radical change to my mane... For right now I'm keeping my idea to myself in case I chicken out, but I'll give you a hint: It will look very appropriate on the Appalachian State University football sidelines.

I'm around...

I actually got my rear out of bed this morning early enough to wander through the Valle and shoot little Bambis as they skipped through  fields. But, I liked the sun filtering through the fog and trees while this horse was oblivious to the background beauty, so chose to post it instead.
P.S. This is on Preacher Billings Rd.

On the home front: My husband and I are doing swell as empty nesters. Unfortunately, the two nights we have had alone we were greeted by unexpected visitors. This is a rarity in our neck of the woods. Just so you know, tonight I'm turning off all the lights and sitting quietly in the dark if anyone shows up.

So, I have a new not-so-secret fantasy that I probably shouldn't talk about...
But here it is anyway. It is my desire to break into ASU's bell tower and program it to play this tune while everyone on campus stops and performs this dance. It would be the coolest site ever.
I know, I'm just dreamin'.

Kalmia cow

 

I offer you a foggy cow photo because <shrugs shoulders> this is what I shot this morning. After a long break from my Nikon, I was itching to get back to it. I've always appreciated the morning light on Poplar Grove Rd. as I make my way into work each morning, but this scene is smack dab in the middle of a huge curve and I'm normally too lazy to park and trek it down to the field.
Got my daughters situated in their colleges so I should have more time to photograph and blog...

**Update**
Yes, I did procure some Firefly vodka while down in the lower Carolina...both the sweet tea and muscadine infused variety. In fact, l enjoyed a sweet tea w/lemonade while on my deck yesterday. And then today: Look! Here's a story about it in the Big City newspaper. I'm such a friggin' trend setter.

Time

 
It is time for this child of mine to kiss me and take her leave.
My youngest, the one with the cocoa eyes and naturally curly hair who, on occasion, may still be caught walking around the house with her 'Big Pillow' snuggled to her chest, is way eager to make her way down the mountain to a distant coastal college in search of her fortune.
Of course I am saddened to see her leave. After all, we fought especially hard to keep her sweet in those angsty teen years and recently she has returned to being full-time fun again. Yet, if you could  see what I see,  the excitement building within her, a pressure cooker of possibilities, moments away from exploding herself all over the universe if trapped one more day under our roof, then yeah, you'd know like I do, it is time.
Oh, but she is not going solo. "Big Pillow" is joining her. He'll be in good hands.

The posting pretty pictures will resume in due time, but I too am on a quest. I was informed by a kind southern gentleman that a new adult beverage is currently making a splash in the lower Carolina called Firefly Vodka. It is a muscadine potable infused with sweet tea. I've heard tale that when mixed with ice cold lemonade, even hard core yankees develop a southern drawl.

A sign even well-meaning tourists may understand...

What do you think? Message received?
After several incidents of Annie following road walkers because she's curious, sweet and just wants to have fun... do you reckon most folks will get the idea? Note: A big bucket of water is nearby as well as shade. Obviously I blurred out my cell phone number because I don't like to talk on the phone much and would prefer not to get random stranger phone calls.
Annie doesn't seem to like the idea much, though. She'd rather go play with anyone who happens along.

Parkway Day

After a brief rainstorm last night it suddenly became freakin' gorgeous up here in the mountain and shows no signs of letting up. I'm wearing my trusty ASU hoodie but will probably shed that in just a few. If you want ideal summer mountain weather, come up here now. Highs in mid-70's. Lows in the low-50's. Me? With low humidity comes stellar blue skies and long-range views. It is a Parkway Day for me, Baby!

This sunny photo was not taken today

This is one of the photos I'm going to return to look at again and again when I'm feeling sun deficit in the month of February.
Just so you know, this is not my garden. I went to the Goodnight Farm in Valle Crucis and nabbed some product shots.

And here's a link to a completely bizarre story. You know the lady who paid tons of money to have her pet pit bull cloned? Well, it doesn't surprise me in the least that she is from Avery county. But that Mormons and mink-lined handcuffs are involved is completely bizarre . Me thinks she took Hillbilly stalking to a new level.