Comin' to y'all from the Great Smokies - Appalachian country, mountaineer territory and all,
I'm not a fan of the South. It's hot, muggy, and there are a lot of bugs; many of which fly, and most of which bite. Oh, well, what we do for family.
Though the real South doesn't think of western North Carolina as the south - more like hillbilly country, as well as a lovely place to send the kids to camp. To a Floridian, it's cool and mild here in the summer, god help them.
Some highlights so far:
The Curb Market. This is a low building with vendors' stalls (kind of like a mountain version of Pike's Place Market) that I like to visit. The primary merchandise consists of jams, preserves, honey, etc.; birds' nests (couldn't tell you why); bad crafts and rag rugs. The rugs are woven from the leftovers from the tube sock factory in the vicinity, so they wear like iron. Here's a very nice lady who sold me a few, woven herself.
Mrs. Ledbetter
I feel like a true alien here. I have to ask people to repeat themselves several times before I understand them. This is the center of slow talk. I mean really slow. It's amazing.
It's very religious here, of course. Churches everywhere, and random signs like this.
I always like the juxtaposition of the cross and the Confederate flag, the symbol of white supremacy and human slavery. I was too chicken to stop and take the photo properly, so I took it through the windshield by the side of the road.
Tomorrow the hordes arrive for the three days of chaos, yelling and arguments that we call our family reunion. Do I sound excited? Everyone else seems to enjoy it though. Hello, family who's reading this: I love each of you individually and enjoy your company. It's when you all get together that's kind of overwhelming. Just saying.
