Isak's New Rig

 

Isak Pertee, proprietor of the highly-recommended High Lonesome Timber tree service just got a new, super-cool rig. It drives around on tracks, can definitely go places where you wouldn't be able to put a bucket truck, and it extends way up there.

Polka Dot Ice

 

Miika found the elusive polka-dotted ice below the foot bridge on the way to Ballew Fields.

Reporting from Spruce Pine

 

Happy Holidays!

Reporting from the Parkway

 Last week's trip to the Clingman's Peak rainwater collection site involved some spectacular above-the-clouds action.

Really?

I know some people will pay to have their house washed, but can you actually make money cleaning dryer vents? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Jen and Chad spotted this one--what does it mean?

More Jacks, More Lanterns

 

Once again, Philip and Beca Mitchell and their friends brought Halloween fun to the whole neighborhood by creating 105 Jack-O-Lanterns and putting them on the bridge. It's so much fun to be outside with a crowd of people, enjoying the evening and admiring the ingenuity of the pumpkin carvers. Here's a sample. 

Cats were big this year.

 

Gotta have a Pi pumpkin.

 

Hamilton! My name is Alexander Hamilton. And there's a million things I haven't done, but at least I've been immortalized on a pumpkin.

 

Cat toast?

 

Zonked!

 

More zonked!

 

Boo!

Goodbye, Dear Ron

 

Thanks to the Rolett family for the beautiful memorial event for our great neighbor Ron Rolett. Miika arranged for it to be at the Riding Center, which seemed like the perfect place. 

A series of Ron's friends and family talked about his extraordinary kindness and concern for others, his career in public health, and his love of a good story. 

I was slightly disappointed, however, that the Order of the Palmetto was not mentioned. 

 

October Chill

Jeff and hoarfrost on the road up to Clingman's Peak (next to Mt. Mitchell) on Tuesday, October 18. It was cold for mid-October.
 

 

 The quilt of autumn was still pretty spectacular that day.

Spruce Pine Potter's Market

 

It was great to have the Spruce Pine Potter's Market back IRL this year. If you've never taken in this great local event, make sure you get there next October. It's in a great space in an old industrial building in Spruce Pine. We live in an area that's home to some of the finest potters in the country, and it's remarkable to be able to see this much beautiful pottery in one place.

Holy River, Batman!

 

Last weekend, Holy River brought their harmonium, percussion, various other instruments, voices, and expert use of a sound system to the pavilion at the Celo Community Center for an hour of drones, rhythms, and powerful singing. Thanks, y'all.

Another crazy rainbow

 

Hmm, you don't see these straight line rain "bows" very often. This came from Carol Smith in Cabbage patch.

A Well-Populated Marigold

 

Miika spotted this Marigold that was both feeding a bumblebee and harboring a ghostly spider. Click to see bigger!

Kalen and Plasma

Kalen at Festatoa, attracting electrons in a plasma ball.

Billy Speaks some more

 See Robin's post below for more!  And go to Billy's Digital Sketchbook for lots of other images and links to the exhibit catalog, a podcast, and more.

Billy Speaks!

 

Billy Bernstein talking about his work at the terrific 50-year retrospective show that's up now at Toe River Arts in Spruce Pine. The show has lots of Billy's glass work, and many paintings, which may be less familiar to many folks.

A Beautiful Specimen

This is an outstanding exemplar of the annoyingly destructive tomato hornworm.

Flag Situation

 

More Unusual Atmospherics

 

Dana caught this amazing sunset rainbow. She said she wasn't the only one who pulled over to take a picture.

Gil still has it

 

Sun/Cloud/Mountain

Miika sent this recent sun/cloud/mountain interaction.

Bon Voyage, Herbie!

 

Beautiful memorial gathering for the inimitable Herbie Walters last weekend.

So many stories of Herbie as mentor, teacher, professional listener, friend, grower, peacemaker, dancer, life enthusiast, etc. Food, music, dancing, and frivolity followed.

I love this moment when there are layers of different greens climbing up the Blacks, and then, up near the top, it's not quite spring yet.
 

Nancy Demonstrates Bamboo Shoot Peeling

Nancy demonstrates bamboo shoot peeling. Because you can eat those things and there are a lot of them. After they are peeled, you boil them for 20 or 30 minutes to soften them and to remove the unhelpful cyanogenic glycosides. After that, they can be used in stir fry, salads, etc.

Baby Dinosaurs of Spring

 

OK, they are baby robins, but you have to admit...

I mean, click on the picture to make it bigger. They are kind of freaky.

A Report from Billy

"I was unable to photo, but thought  you should know. Yesterday a large white van parked at  the end of White Oak. The sign painted on the van, International Nepalese Full Gospel Church. A half dozen or so young people got out and were enjoying the sun and taking pictures of the mountains."

More Woodpecker Action

Woodpeckers be peckin'

 

Miika reports impressive pileated woodpecker activity this spring. This is one day's work on a 16-inch diameter log!

Mountain Gardens Fire

 

As many people know by now, Mountain Gardens, the botanical wonderland and herbal apothecary created over decades by Joe Hollis and many friends was hit by a fire that destroyed the main common building, which housed the library, the herb shop, and the kitchen. The plan is to build a similar structure in the same spot. If you would like to contribute financially, there is a gofundme page here.

The website also says this: "We are in the process of creating a list of things people could donate as well. Check back soon. It will be posted and updated here. If you would like to help with the clean-up, we will be having group work sessions on Wednesday afternoons and some weekends. Thank you to everyone who has contributed."

Happy 2/22/22 form our Piedmont correspondent Bobby Schopler

 

Bobby says: "Wish a happy two two two two two to everyone from me in a tutu too."

Two from our correspondents

 

Bob sent this friendly butternut from the produce section.

Snowplow: 3
Mailboxes: 0

From Barb

What the what?

 

This business appeared overnight in the snow outside my house.

Plastering in Pretty Light

Paul plasters in the tiny house behind his house during pretty afternoon light.