Lakeview at noon on Mon.

There was one or maybe two camp busses or vans in the parking lot. So all those campers had come to swim for a while.

I get a bit more exercise since the pool opens to the public at 11, and my lunch isn't until 12. So I have to park further away since all the close parking is taken by the pool visitors now.

I may feel the sun's heat just before noon as I walk about 1/3 of the way around the lake, but these people were actually playing tennis that day!

Today's Quote: Actually from July 22!

Happy birthday to Emma Lazarus, poet and playwright (22 Jul 1849-1887) [from a poem written to raise funds for building the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty] 

Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, / The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. / Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, / I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Colonial (and mountain) kitchens had these

Hollow log storage

Ceramic jar

Thanks to the Swannanoa Valley History Museum!

Today's Quote:

When we hold space for someone, we offer to be a container for the overwhelming feelings they may be encountering.  

What Does it Mean to ‘Hold Space’ for Someone Else?

It means that we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control.

Porch flowers July

Rose bushes in the foreground are coming back a bit, lots of rain not helping much.

My old gardenia bush is pushing out lots of flowers now...it had a slow start, and the blooms are pretty simple, but oh, the odor finally is such that I can enjoy as I pass by.  Often I have trouble smelling flowers, and the first few that bloomed were very difficult to smell.  I'm grateful when I can smell a delightful odor!

The St. John's Wort blooms have now turned to these interesting pods.

I happen to enjoy marigolds, though I know some people don't

Downtown concert in Black Mountain

After a few showers earlier, which dried quickly, it was a nice hot evening...with a little breeze sometimes.  We have regular Thursday night outdoor concerts during the summer, and usually out at Lake Tomahawk. But the retail outfits downtown wanted the concerts there, so that maybe they could have some business in the evening.  Of course I've noticed at 6 most of the stores just close, so it was nice to have some of them still open.

There was no sun at 5 minutes before the concert was to start, but there also weren't many people! I ended up being the front row, just having arrived earliest. The pavement gave off a lot of heat, and it was kind of uncomfortable.  Maybe it felt better later in the evening, but I left early because I was tired.

 Caroline Kelly and her band were pretty good, if you like country music.

 These were the way to go to an outdoor concert...stadium chairs might be the name.

 The lower half of Cherry Street was closed as well as Sutton most of it's short 3 block length.

If you didn't bring a chair, there was the curb or leaning against buildings or posts.  There was one sweet couple who danced a slow dance, over in front of the Depot (yellow building behind them.)  There was also a bouncy house set up down that street for children, as well as sidewalk chalk for them to decorate the street.

By Lake Tomahawk

My friends, Jeff and Diane live in the mustard yelow house overlooking Lake Tomahawk.

I've never seen anyone playing horseshoes on the courts.

Ladders and a little spray pump greeted me the other day as I arrived for lunch upstairs, behind those windows protected by plastic.

Yep, the building was getting a first coat of paint.

I wonder when they will do these railings!

Today's Quote:

If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.

ADRIENNE GUSOFF

Straight-away Cafe'

On US Highway 9 south of Black Mountain, is one straight portion of road, known as the straight-away, among many a switchback on the way to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.  And there's a nice little restaurant there, which has live music on Sunday afternoons.

We sat out on the porch, under this strange sign. I guess that nobody really wanted it.

For a while people were also sitting on this section of patio under just some trees, until it rained.

It's a place to relax and not be in any hurry, and we did enjoy our food, as well as some super company. I don't know when I've enjoyed conversation more!

Quote for today:
Knowing where you came from helps bridge the gulf that divides your past from your future.

Comfy chair by the fire

The little card tells an interesting story not of just this rocker, but the cabin from which it came.

The wood of Rhododendron bushes forms many beautiful railings...this is the first time I've seen a rocker made with it.  I'm guessing the basket woven slats are from split oak.

Thanks to the Swannanoa Valley History Museum!

Today's Quote:

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.

HELEN KELLER

Kitchens used to have these...do you remember?

Not sure what this squeezed.  Do you know?

 My mom had a meat grinder like this, before we bought all our hamburger at the store. Since my dad's father had worked at a meat packing plant, they probably knew a lot about meat. Poppy was an accountant, and so was my father.

Another interesting one, but I don't know what product it used...

Oh dear, I wish I knew what this was for...

My friend, Martha, used to always grind fresh coffee beans before making a cup...in the 2000s even!

Thanks to Swannanoa Valley History Museum

Today's quote:

Keeping the sun inside of you, when you are missing it on the outside, is a way to say hello to the sun and let it warm your soul.

 Madisyn Tayor

You'd be surprised to find this car parked outside...

And here it was, right in the parking lot by the Clay Studio in downtown Black Mountain NC!

 

I imagine I would have done a double-take if I saw it driving down the interstate as well.  Fortunately it was parked, and I got to look with my mouth open in awe.  Do you remember when these cars were part of the American traffic, along with many fish-tailed vehicles?

Today's Quote:

​The trick, it seems, is to be able to hold
both things very close – the gratitude
and the misery – and then,
with a semblance of faith,
to let them fly.

​ELIZABETH AQUINO

Ducks Napping and Nielsen

 A few weeks ago I  answered some questions on the phone about my newspaper and radio preferences, by Nielsen.  Then they sent me a survey of my TV watching.  It's a little booklet, not very difficult except for us channel surfers who watch about 3 different shows at the same time.  I mostly behaved and only watched 2 at a time. I needed something to do while the commercials were on.  Of course Nielsen prefered their customers to buy their products, but they are out of luck with me.  And I did this the week of the first 20 Democratic candidates having their shams called debates.  I could only watch 30 minutes of each night.

Anyway, I did ship off the completed form, and decided it's not really worth me paying for the TV part of my cable...I'm happy enough with just the internet.  So I'll be spending that money elsewhere soon.

 I parked next to this big white vehicle, only to see some mallards napping in front of it.

They stirred a bit, then settled back down with a wary eye on me and my phone camera.

Today's quote:

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER