Blue Ridge blog

Watching me watching you...

These guys would barely gave me a second look. After securing several 'safe' shots from my Jeep, I had to get out of the car, walk closer towards them, wave my hand above my head and yell, " Hey y'all, look at me dammit." Finally they did. Snap. This shot.

Lots going on this weekend and next, but there are a couple of happenings that are near and dear to my heart so thought I'd share 'em with you:

1- Scott's newest book 'They Hunger' is on the bookshelves. It's like Deliverance meets Eric Rudolph meets Vampire bats. Read on...

2- Mark Smith is Valle Crucis' Hollywood connection. Smith is a screenwriter and director and his newest film is 'Vacancy' starring Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale. The movie opens on April 20th. Watch the trailer. On a personal note, Mark's wife is my friend and birthday buddy. We were both born on April 9, 1963. Our daughters also share the same birthday as well as being spin class fanatics.

3- The Appalachian Roots Revival is next weekend. My paper is sponsoring the event. I will be there.

4- The Boone Music Reunion is next weekend as well. It is a get together of Boone bands from the late 70's-90's. The organizers have worked hard to collect and archive mp3's from 28 Boone, North Carolina bands. Wish I could be at the Gamekeeper. On a personal note, my college roomate, Ruth B. married Opposition guitarist Dave Hubner. Last I heard, Dave had achieved the rank of Lt. Col and was the TF-1-77 Commander based out of Germany. He had served at least one tour in Iraq. Ruth and David have two boys and are living who know where? I bet Dave still plays the guitar and Ruth is right there swooning. She better still have my pink sweater I gave her...

Sal's garden; everywhere you look is like discovering colorful Easter Eggs...

My treat for you today is a small collage of 3 dimensional follies by Sal Kapunan, a taoist hillbilly artist. Sal lives in the Grand Boulevard bungalow neighborhood adjacent to King Street in Boone. Just about as long as I can remember, Sal has decorated his yard, house, roof, wife and even the Appalachian Cultural Museum with his pumped up versions of whirly-gig yard art. Yes, he has a book which investigates most of his individual work, but this link takes you to a brief, yet thorough description of his kooky, whacked out art--and I mean that in the most delightful way. As I followed down his garden path today, I was blatantly aware I was trespassing, but only because his eye candy was too difficult to refuse. As I photographed his works I thought to myself, "This is a man who likes to see other people smile." I know it made me.

And speaking of candy. While doing a bit of Easter basket shopping, I fell victim to The Candy Barrel Yikes. Today my favorite candy in the whole wide world is the Neapolitan Coconut Slice.

A post with a little added bite...

Being friends with a horror writer means my life is just a little bit more colorful at times. Remember a couple of weeks ago when I mentioned I had a pleasant visit to an Ashe County funeral home ? The above poster to promote my friend Scott's new book, The Hunger, is the result of that romp through the graveyard. I like the campy 1950's movie poster style. And in staying true to form, he's offering up a couple of his teeth to a few lucky fans. Only Scott is capable of dreaming this stuff up.

Oh and, my mother wants your opinion. I know. I really had to do a double take on her email she sent to me this morning. Normally she gives opinions, and not asks for them. But because this is a matter of poor taste, something she obviously knows nothing about, she quickly went straight to the tackiest source she knows, me and you.

I am hosting a Tacky Tea on The 14th for the Tea society which is the opposite of a proper southern tea . Would you please ask your blog buddies for tacky foods I might serve?  The food must still taste good but which one would never actually have the audacity to serve at a real tea.

             Thanks, Mom

The only item I could think to share with her is the ever popular Velveeta Cheese Fudge. I'm sure if you offer up suggestions, I could twist my father's arm to take a couple of photos of the spread.

CORN!

Buddy it is some kinda hot up here! But I'm not complaining because, well, it is NOT snowing sideways. I've vowed never to whine about the excess of heat. Besides, heat makes the corn grow in the field behind the Mast Store Annex. And, it makes Scott's squash and turnip greens happy which in turns makes me happy because he shares his bounty with me. Scott's new book The Farm is out and as soon as I got it home, my husband stole it to read. Btw, I took the his publicity shot you see can see on the above link.
Oh, and there is more excitement on this hillbilly's horizon! I'm meeting my first blogger face to face tomorrow. If I don't post anything tomorrow, it will be all  Jane's fault. She is coming to Boone plum 'cross the hollow from Hillbilly, Please to meet lil ol me.