I started the morning by going to the Smokey Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (ok, long name but a beautiful building.). Dr. Dennis Swanberg was going to conduct chapel and since I had sometimes watched Swan's Place on tv, I knew it would be a fun experience. He was a Baptist minister for 20 years and then left to become a minister of encouragement. He has made it a point to bring his message to troops overseas as well as people all over this country. He is very funny and his message is indeed one of encouragement. The hour and a half passed quickly and it was a great way to start the day.
After this I grabbed a really good turkey pastrami at the Motor City Diner and then walked down a couple of blocks to the square where a Tea Party was being held. Contrary to what is often reported on the national news, there were no lunatics, fanatics, or dangerous looking people. What I saw were small town American people from all over the area who were alarmed by the direction their country was headed. That they loved their country was evident. Patriotic songs were sung and speakers said their piece. Nothing way out of line, just a general concern and lots of smiles for those driving by. I do confess that I shopped during the speeches and listened to the music.
There was one sign which I absolutely loved and wished I could have gotten a picture of it. The sign said "Next time read the bill before you vote on it." Ok, now that's funny! I don't care what your political point of view is. You know politicians don't read all the stuff they vote on and we get the results of their ignorance.
I also stopped in a store which had a wonderful display of quality crafts made in the area. The shop owner was very nice and we discussed how hard it is for small businesses to survive and get the word out about what they have to offer.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Franklin, NC
Franklin is a small town with about 3500 people here for the winter population and about 35000 in the entire county according to the helpful lady at the Visitors Information Center. I have found everyone in town to be extremely nice and I have realized just how much I miss living in a smaller community.
Saturday night was a Concert on the Square and there were 2 singles and a group featured. The music for the night was gospel and, I think, 13 year old Nathan Phillips stole the show. His voice is amazing and the fact that he sang some of my all time favorites was an extra gift.
A childhood friend has a place up here and MH was kind enough to spend Friday and Saturday showing me around the area before she returned home to FL on Sunday. While we were sitting at the concert, a very nice lady put her chair next to ours. Now, this is where it gets really interesting. We got to talking as people tend to do at small town events. She has a daughter in law who is going to apply for a teaching job in , as it turns out, the district from which MH just retired a couple of years ago as head of HR. Names were exchanged, of course. Then we did the usual "where are you from" and she was from Fort Walton Beach FL. She is a member of St.Simons Episcopal Church there. I commented on how much I loved their annual craft fair and mentioned that a friend of mine had a booth there for years. She asked the friend's name. I told her it was BC and of course she knew BC. We talked about how sad it was that she had passed away this year and how much we both enjoyed wearing her handwoven clothing . It gets better. I mentioned that I had attended Shalimar UMC when I lived in that area. She asked if I knew Roger and Bronie who of course I did as R had served on the building committee with H. How wild is that? I do love discovering connections!!!
The downtown area is decorated with red/white and blue bunting and quite a few of the houses in the area are similarly decked out for the 4th.
Sorry for the lack of pictures but I was having such a good time, I forgot all about using the camera.
Saturday night was a Concert on the Square and there were 2 singles and a group featured. The music for the night was gospel and, I think, 13 year old Nathan Phillips stole the show. His voice is amazing and the fact that he sang some of my all time favorites was an extra gift.
A childhood friend has a place up here and MH was kind enough to spend Friday and Saturday showing me around the area before she returned home to FL on Sunday. While we were sitting at the concert, a very nice lady put her chair next to ours. Now, this is where it gets really interesting. We got to talking as people tend to do at small town events. She has a daughter in law who is going to apply for a teaching job in , as it turns out, the district from which MH just retired a couple of years ago as head of HR. Names were exchanged, of course. Then we did the usual "where are you from" and she was from Fort Walton Beach FL. She is a member of St.Simons Episcopal Church there. I commented on how much I loved their annual craft fair and mentioned that a friend of mine had a booth there for years. She asked the friend's name. I told her it was BC and of course she knew BC. We talked about how sad it was that she had passed away this year and how much we both enjoyed wearing her handwoven clothing . It gets better. I mentioned that I had attended Shalimar UMC when I lived in that area. She asked if I knew Roger and Bronie who of course I did as R had served on the building committee with H. How wild is that? I do love discovering connections!!!
The downtown area is decorated with red/white and blue bunting and quite a few of the houses in the area are similarly decked out for the 4th.
Sorry for the lack of pictures but I was having such a good time, I forgot all about using the camera.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Baby bird
This little one was discovered just a few feet from the villa. He was possibly 3 inches in length, if that long. He stayed very still . So still in fact that the dogs didn't even notice him--smart bird. I hope he made it safely through the night since he was gone in the morning . While I was taking this picture, without the dogs in attendance, the adult birds were giving me a very strong lecture about getting so close to their baby.
I love having so much of the outdoors close by without the city noises. I think I am a country girl at heart.
I love having so much of the outdoors close by without the city noises. I think I am a country girl at heart.
From the Porch
I am enjoying the beauty of the North Carolina mountains while escaping the usual summer heat of lower elevations.
This is the view from the villa's screened in porch. Mornings were in
the 60s and the views while walking were wonderful.
The locals complain about how warm it is. HA! This weather is great. Frequenting the pond are 8 Canada geese - 2 parents and 6 babies. They are a source of fascination for the dogs but only for watching. For some odd reason they don't bark at the geese--just the golfers. It could be because the geese don't hit golf balls in their direction. I also observed 2 beavers who are working very hard to build a dam in this pond. It's amazing what large branches they can tow across the pond in their endeavor.
A large turtle with a shell that appears to be about 12 inches across was spotted yesterday and a couple of fair sized fish. I have wondered if any of them have been hit by the golf balls as some of the golfers can't seem to make it 1) to the hole instead of past that to the water, or 2) tee off with a strong enough shot to clear the water for the next hole. I think I could retire on the number of balls in that pond if I could retrieve them and sell them. The birds spotted so far are lots of indigo buntings, finches, a rufous sided towee and of course the inevitable sparrows.
This is the view from the villa's screened in porch. Mornings were in
the 60s and the views while walking were wonderful.
The locals complain about how warm it is. HA! This weather is great. Frequenting the pond are 8 Canada geese - 2 parents and 6 babies. They are a source of fascination for the dogs but only for watching. For some odd reason they don't bark at the geese--just the golfers. It could be because the geese don't hit golf balls in their direction. I also observed 2 beavers who are working very hard to build a dam in this pond. It's amazing what large branches they can tow across the pond in their endeavor.
A large turtle with a shell that appears to be about 12 inches across was spotted yesterday and a couple of fair sized fish. I have wondered if any of them have been hit by the golf balls as some of the golfers can't seem to make it 1) to the hole instead of past that to the water, or 2) tee off with a strong enough shot to clear the water for the next hole. I think I could retire on the number of balls in that pond if I could retrieve them and sell them. The birds spotted so far are lots of indigo buntings, finches, a rufous sided towee and of course the inevitable sparrows.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Knit in Public Day Great Fun!!!
We came, we knitted, we ate, and we had a great time. We so need to do this again soon....after some rest.
We had several new people join our knitting group to celebrate WWKIP. Wonderful to have them and I think everyone had a great time. We started at the Farmer's Market, then went to Barnes and Noble bookstore. California Pizza Kitchen was the spot for lunch. We were supposed to go to the library for the next couple of hours but between work, dogs that needed to be let out, and just being tired, that didn't happen. We did manage to gather again at Brew HaHa for frozen lemonade / coffee and the most wonderful desserts--cake balls.
Since we had pretty much pigged out all day, we elected to skip supper and go home and collapse.
It might be noted that the 3 year old, Harley, hung in there all day and was in better shape than most of us at the end.
With all of that knitting activity, I am not sure how I only managed to get 4 rows done on the prayer shawl I'm knitting but that was the total production for the day.
Thanks goodness tomorrow is a day of rest. I'll tell you about the concert last night later.
We had several new people join our knitting group to celebrate WWKIP. Wonderful to have them and I think everyone had a great time. We started at the Farmer's Market, then went to Barnes and Noble bookstore. California Pizza Kitchen was the spot for lunch. We were supposed to go to the library for the next couple of hours but between work, dogs that needed to be let out, and just being tired, that didn't happen. We did manage to gather again at Brew HaHa for frozen lemonade / coffee and the most wonderful desserts--cake balls.
Since we had pretty much pigged out all day, we elected to skip supper and go home and collapse.
It might be noted that the 3 year old, Harley, hung in there all day and was in better shape than most of us at the end.
With all of that knitting activity, I am not sure how I only managed to get 4 rows done on the prayer shawl I'm knitting but that was the total production for the day.
Thanks goodness tomorrow is a day of rest. I'll tell you about the concert last night later.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Saints Pig
Never let it be said that we miss an opportunity to celebrate a
winning team in strange and wonderful ways.
This pig was reclining in front of Magnolia Cafe which serves some
really great food at very reasonable prices. I would like to show you
the fabulous turkey sandwich on toasted pita complete with avocado
slices and sprouts I would show it to you but I finished it before I
thought of you and a picture. You're going to have to get your own.
winning team in strange and wonderful ways.
This pig was reclining in front of Magnolia Cafe which serves some
really great food at very reasonable prices. I would like to show you
the fabulous turkey sandwich on toasted pita complete with avocado
slices and sprouts I would show it to you but I finished it before I
thought of you and a picture. You're going to have to get your own.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A Bit of Summer
This greets me in the kitchen. I love having a bit of the outdoors to look at while I'm washing dishes or cooking. Ok, the cooking part is something of a stretch, but it is the kitchen after all and I might cook sometime.
The tall lacy looking flowers are curly leaf parsley that is going to seed. The purple flowers are Purple Coneflower and actually the green is the same thing. It just decided to be green in the midst of all the purple flowers. The green plant showed up about 4 years after I originally planted the Purple Coneflowers.
The vase was one I found several years ago and it and the orange dressed mermaid given to me by friends, make me smile. Not a bad way to start the day.
The tall lacy looking flowers are curly leaf parsley that is going to seed. The purple flowers are Purple Coneflower and actually the green is the same thing. It just decided to be green in the midst of all the purple flowers. The green plant showed up about 4 years after I originally planted the Purple Coneflowers.
The vase was one I found several years ago and it and the orange dressed mermaid given to me by friends, make me smile. Not a bad way to start the day.
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