Ice teeth

The spring on Grindstaff Road mysteriously produced this set of ice incisors last night. There are forces in the world that just defy comprehension.

Easier to understand but no less impressive is this ice-encased leaf that was almost under the stream of water coming from the spring.

Last night's fun

Gene Joule and Jim Zitney in the final match of the 2012 Mao Tse-Tung Ping-Pong Tournament. Jim, a first-time contestant, was the winner. Now in its umpteenth year, the tournament is one of the great ongoing Cabin Fever events. Thanks to Steve and Beverly Hill for generously organizing and hosting year after year. (Long-time followers of the tourney might like to know that Bobby and John were beaten in the semis by Jim and Gene, respectively.)

Marvin Gardens

We've been spending some of our Thursday evenings at The Pizza Shop in Spruce Pine playing Quizzo--a team trivia game written and hosted by Alan and Wendi Gratz.

One of this week's questions was, "Two of the yellow spaces on the Monopoly board are Atlantic Avenue and Ventnor Avenue. What is the name of the third yellow space?" Our team member John Geci eventually came up with the correct answer, Marvin Gardens, with the help of many incorrect suggestions from his team and this diagram. I was happy we got the point, but even happier with this drawing.

If you are interested in playing Quizzo, it happens every Thursday at The Pizza Shop. Maximum team size is six. Reservations are recommended (765-4583). This isn't a beat-the-buzzer game; answers are written down. 

Mt. Mitchell Trail

 Mt. Mitchell Trail, a few hours uphill from Black Mountain Campground, Sunday afternoon.

Hiker and philosopher Cary Stickney with fallen red oak and big old rock.

Horseshoe crab pirate

We were at Tybee Island in Georgia for a week, and Tammy spotted this pirate, perhaps left over from Hallowe'en.

Note the excellent use of beach detritus, in this case the shell of a horseshoe crab.

DJ is 80!

Today is January 11, 2012, which means that my remarkable mother, Donna Jean Dreyer, is 80 years old. Here she is at Tybee Island, Georgia, blowing out the candles on her birthday pancakes.

Happy New Year, y'all

Thanks to everyone who helped put on and everyone who attended and everyone who couldn't attend and everyone who didn't want to attend but thought something nice about the thirtieth iteration of the fabulous Dreams Die Hard Diner--here to serve you once a year, since January 1, 1983.