Black Mountain Library

  It's one of those old modern buildings...probably built in the 60s.

I used to love the earliest spring flowers that would bloom in this bed, which faces south. But all the beds were torn out and these well-behaved things were planted along with a lot of mulch. Oh well. 

Miniature roses? What are they thinking? Well, they are all on their last legs. I can't imagine why these were planted there.

Some great sounding talks are going to be way the other side of Asheville...I think I've found that library once, but it's just too far for me to drive, especially at night on the way home.

I've been talking (on my blog about Living in Black Mountain) about another Trompe l'oeil artist who goes to my church, Robert Tynes. Brad Stroman used to live in Black Mountain, and this painting of his is hanging in our library.

My favorite season is coming soon

 

It will be mi-October before the mountains have good colors,  if it's anything like last year. We shall see!

Here we have fall from 2013...

Today's quote:

Your personal boundaries have one very important intention: to empower you to create the kinds of relationships you want in your life.

Going for walks again

 My neighborhood. When the morning at 10 am has just 70 degrees out there. At 9 am it was only 66, a bit chilly for my August blood.

I love the slanted sunlight that has returned in the mornings as fall is coming near.

If you're very observant, the upstairs windows which are open are in my apartment, catching the cool air, as well as the "good" air quality this last Mon. morning.

Perhaps the last roses of summer, because I didn't dead-head all the rose hips after the big bloom in June. There are just too many for a hand held clipper, and apparently the landscape crew doesn't know that needed to be done.

My porch as August closes, and September brings first the rain from Ida (due the next 2 days from when I took this pic.) I will probably take everything off the railing and hanging if high winds are expected.

Today's quote:

As we move deeper into meditation, the state of our mind expands; thus, allowing us to create more space within our body.

Then and now and a video

 

And last week I posted this photo from the past, so during the week I drove by and got the "now" photo of it.

Comments included the fact that apparently the tanks from the filling station are still buried on the property, and to have it renovated would include removing them.

I remember another old gas station that was right across the street when I moved here in 2007, and it was still selling gas, and had a little quickie market as well. I had been surprised to see the staff was a middle eastern family, and realized they needed more business. Within a few years they went out of business, and the town square park was built, while a parking lot was paved right where their station had been. 

I didn't notice whether their tanks had been dug out first. Just might not have gone through town on the day/days that happened.

Another small old gas station has been refurbished into one of my favorite restaurants, Thai Basil. It's at the other end of the several blocks of downtown Black Mountain.

And on another subject...fat. Here's an interesting video about "A Brief History of Fat, and Why we Hate it.

Sharing with Sepia Saturday this week, where all things sepia are interesting!

Robert Tynes' show

 A friend, a fellow UU, and an altogether genial person, Robert Tynes has taught art at U of NC Asheville for many years. They offer a retrospective of his work until Sept 8 in the Owens Hall gallery. A couple of friends and I went to see it last week!

We were pleasantly surprised to meet Robert himself as we came into the gallery!

I'm sorry, I tried to get a pic of the titles, but they seem to have been shuffled in the camera. Or maybe I was...

Trump l'oeil is the technique of painting things so realistically that you think you can reach out and touch the real object rather than a painted one.

Helen was very pleased to learn this was the description of a painting in her home, by another acquaintance of mine who does Trump l'oeil, Brad Stroman. I think he moved to Santa Fe from Black Mountain and may have returned to the Asheville area again...will ask around. Another good painter.

It was a most enjoyable visit, though the parking situation on campus was stressful. And that was before students and faculty returned from summer break!

"Robert Tynes has been painting professionally for over 30 years. He has held over 25 solo shows and been included in over 150 group exhibitions. Tynes is currently Professor of Art at the University of North Carolina, Asheville where he has been for the past 24 years." Per his web site...but he retired a few years ago due to health.

Seven Sisters New Gallery

 

Now on Broadway in Black Mountain

 I was charmed as usual by the cards...my one gift I am sure to give all my family on their birthdays. With my limited income, I can't send them personalized presents, nor gift cards. But I probably do for the Christmas Holiday anyway...

But there's no Seven Sisters in places where they live...so I'll have to give gift cards for international stores. I'd sure rather give them local stores' gift cards...mmm, may have some work on that.

Today's quote:

“How happy is the little stone
That rambles in the road alone,
And doesn’t care about careers,
And exigencies never fears;
Whose coat of elemental brown
A passing universe put on;
And independent as the sun,
Associates or glows alone,
Fulfilling absolute decree
In casual simplicity.”

Emily Dickinson

Town Center

 

Town Square invites people to come see a big rocking chair for "The Little Town that Rocks."

A big community bulletin board on the side of Town Hardware attracts many newcomers to learn about Black Mountain.

 Today's quote:

We become what we think about.

EARL NIGHTINGALE

On Cherry St.

  

Something about a moose for this store...

I seldom go into the various "touristy" places where you can get things for your mountain "cabin" that might well be a second home, or vacation spot. Or maybe something to take home to the person watching your dog, or watering your plants while you're gone! I do that whenever I go someplace else!

There's a new Tee-shirt place where I used to like to shop for pretty women's clothes...a very tiny store.

Today's quote:

One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.

ARCHIBALD RUTLEDGE

Tapas

 

Nobody seems to know when they will open...
 

They have really revamped the spot that used to be "Song of the Wood" where hammer dulcimers were made and sold. 

It certainly will be nice to have an upscale place...which was described by one of the workmen as a wine bar.

Today's quote:

If you are apart from your family, you can decide upon a reminder together, and create a simple ceremony of connection that defies any distance.

Live your life as if your glass is half-full rather than half-empty, all you need is a change of thought.

Welcome to Black Mountain

 Entering our sweet mountain town usually means coming off I-40. Here's the welcome sign (behind the poles and foliage!) when coming from the east into town. People have been going 70 mph and suddenly are tasked with slowing down to 20. It's a challenge.

The main intersection of town is at State St (US Highway 70) and NC 9 or Broadway to the south or the direction toward the interstate...or Montreat Rd. as you travel north or away from the interstate.

Today's Quote:

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

SAMUEL JOHNSON