Nancy Keeps Watch

Nancy keeping watch on the corner.

Rockers by the Road

 

Free rockers needing a bit of repair out in front of the food co-op.

Golf Ball Diver

 Last week, Opal was offering golf balls by the dozen on the Celo List with a mention that she’d been retrieving them from the river. I was intrigued and asked Gretchen where Opal was finding so many golf balls. She sent the picture with this note:

“Our regular swimming hole is at the low water bridge on Rock Creek Rd. You can literally hear people tee off from there if the wind is right. But they get stuck in certain areas downstream from the bridge, and she can spot them from the hanging bridge and then go dive for them. When we have flood waters, there's some parts on the island down river where they get caught in holes. She calls it "golf ball island." She will spend HOURS doing this -- never tires of it. One day she found over 100 -- dove for each one, in strong current, probably 6-foot deep water.  

“But it's actually even a bigger family obsession; my parents live back in the golf course neighborhood 6 months of the year -- right on the river -- so when my nieces and nephews come visit, they all spend hours looking for golf balls in the river. Pre-Covid, Opal and her cousin have set up a blanket on the golf course and sell the balls right back to the golfers. It's pretty funny. “

Late summer throwback, gastroenterological tubers

 

Warning Sign

 

Rainbow to Johnsons

 Who needs a pot of gold when you have Bob and Forrest?

Brown's Creek Fishing

 

AMS Shop Building Demolition

In preparation for the opening of their new academic building, Arthur Morgan School and Celo Community assisted gravity in dismantling the former shop building.

 

Slo-mo battering ram action! Click here!

Vets and Flags in Burnsville

 

Burnsville celebrated Veteran's Day on Saturday with flags. 

Lots of flags.

Moonset over the Black Mountains

 Miika got to see this.

Biden Trucks

Because we're goofballs, and Trump shouldn't get all the trucks--or all the flags!

George soaks it in

Click to see pure joy face.

Sign o' the Time

 

Thanks to Carly for the spanky new sign at the food co-op.

Shedding Season

Tammy found this perfect black snake skin in the basement. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Miika sent this picture of a snake skin deposited on a tree trunk.

Theresa

 

Theresa Anderson left the world last week after some years battling cancer. She leaves behind a legacy of friendship, community involvement, and the impact she made on the lives of countless children through her 30 years of practice as a child and family counselor. 

 The published obituary includes this beautiful note: "She proudly belonged to Celo Community and 'could not imagine a more amazing place to live so many years.' She chose curiosity instead of judgement and shared her boundless love and wisdom with everyone she met. Through her example, she taught us the important work of making space in our hearts for those who struggle to find love or acceptance elsewhere, and to find ways to live fully in the present moment: listen to the birds and the katydids, stop and appreciate a flower’s beauty, notice the mountain ridges peeking through the fog."

 

She loved the river, and when people gathered on the bridge at Seven Mile Ridge Road to pay their respects as her remains were taken to the Celo Community Cemetery, we sang, at Theresa's request, this song. 

Rainy Monday Borscht

 

Spider Versus Twig

 

This spider made a large web in my shed. I tossed in a twig to see what would happen, and the spider would have none of it. "Out of my home at once!" 

It's worth clicking on this one to see it larger.

Tater Day

 

It was time for the taters to come out of the ground. At least, that was the opinion of the tater growers. We don't know what the taters thought.

If a tree falls

 

If a tree falls and no one is there to hear it, it could still take out a street sign.

The definition of mensch

Distribution Without Transmission

Assuming clean hands, of course.

Dance class on the pétanque court

Click here if you want to see it bigger.

A cool video that Jeff made

Jeff made this great video about artist Annie Evelyn as part of Penland's online auction. Click here if you want to see it bigger.

Making my deck safe for Crocs again

Deck scum is slippery when wet.

Art Is Here

In case you were wondering where it is. 

Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE from the top of Doc's Pasture

Applied photosynthesis for humans

Mike House with 107 bags of fresh produce donated by the Celo Community garden, Goldfinch Gardens, and Arthur Morgan School, heading in to Burnsville to share with people through the Dig In! Harvest Table drive-through food distribution program. 

A Wee Bit of Fun on the 4th

It's not the year for big celebrations, but a small, outdoor, appropriately spaced gathering can still be a lot of fun. Especially if your neighbor Ken shows up with some fireworks.

A little parade can be good, too.

Saharan dust storm, Black Mountain overlook

Socially Responsible Music Night

The Bob Early Band got together Sunday night for the first time in months. We did our best minimize the chance of transmission: we set up outside, stayed at least 6-feet apart, and those who could play with a mask on, did so.

And Carl practiced safe sax!

(Could not pass up a legitimate excuse to make that joke.)

 

Skinny Dipping Carrots

Damon sent this picture with the caption, "Mr and Mrs Carrot skinny dipping their toes in the water..."

Rally in Burnsville

It was kind of a thrill to see this sight in little old Burnsville as people gathered on the square to express outrage over the killing of George Floyd, frustration with the racial structures of power and privilege in our country, and also some hope for the future. I counted about 300 people on the square; there may have been more than that.

Many people brought signs with names of black people killed by police and lots of Black Lives Matter. The speakers were good, including several local ministers and the Yancey Sheriff, Gary Banks. Roberta Whiteside sang beautifully.

At one point in his talk, Bill Whiteside said, "We hold these truths to be self evident. That all men--and women--are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." He paused briefly, and then said, "That's all we want."

Sheriff Banks speaking to the crowd. He offered strong words about the failure of law enforcement in the death of George Floyd. When the speeches were over, a group of about 30 young people marched around the square chanting for about an hour. Everything was calm. People seemed glad to be there. I know I was.

Obladi, Oblada

Life goes on, brah...

Recommendation

Working from home? May I recommend adding a bike shop to your home office?

Deep Gaps

Two Deep Gaps at Ohle's Pond.

Maui Signs

When we visited Miles and Polly in Maui (back when), I got a kick out of the many warning and road signs that looked like this. Stickers on signs were a thing.

So I'm happy that we have our own Maui sign now.

Reporting from Trader Joe's

We had to go to Asheville to pick up flour for the co-op, so we stopped at Trader Joe's for a few supplies. The line went around two sides of the building, with 6-foot marks on the sidewalk to help everyone keep their distance. They were limiting the store to 30 people at a time.

People were polite, and everyone had a mask of some sort.

Tammy's line style.

Friendly signs reminded us of store etiquette. (This one is clearly not drawn to scale).

Trader Joe's with only 30 people in it is pretty darned chill. It turns out they play good music--I just never noticed it before.

You may be wondering about the parking lot. Yeah, it was still completely full.