Mountain Momma
I had a bit of a wake-up call this week as I read over a fabulous collection of kid’s nature activities compiled by the folks at “Take a Child Outside” week.
The list of splendidly simple ideas for exploring the world beyond the back door gave me a whole new perspective on playing outside, ways to engage and interact with the natural world that never would have dawned on me.
This must be the place
I know a lot about nothing.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with everything. How many dimples are there on a golf ball? — Ranging from 330-500, depending on model. What’s the deepest point in the Pacific Ocean? — Mariana Trench at 35,797 feet.
Mountain Momma
I recently took stock of our craft supply cupboard and realized it’s looking a little paltry.
At one time, I was proud of the run-of-the-mill pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks and multi-colored pom-poms in our craft stash. But that was before a Michaels craft store opened in Waynesville, and now, I find myself wandering the aisles craving must-have craft supplies I was once blissfully ignorant of.
This must be the place
I was born half-fish.
No, not the mermaid kind, but close. As a kid, I grew up on Lake Champlain, a 125-mile long body of water sandwiched between New York, Vermont and the Canadian province of Quebec. Pristine waters flow from the Adirondack Mountains to the west and the Green Mountains to the east, ultimately heading north and merging with the majestic Saint Lawrence Seaway.
Shining bright: Amateur performers wow audience, judges at Haywood’s Got Talent
Even before the lights went down and the curtain went up, one thing was already clear: this wasn’t going to be easy.
A daunting job had been laid in the laps of the audience at the annual Haywood’s Got Talent competition last Saturday night in Waynesville. The audience — collectively — held the swing vote in which of the dozen performers would take home the gold.
Mountain Momma
I credit my older sister with teaching me many of life’s important lessons. Like not wearing white heels after Labor Day, or not mixing gold earrings with a silver necklace.
This must be the place
He slinked by, turned and glanced at me.
“Well, hey there, you must be Jack, eh?” I said to him.
This must be the place
I had never heard anything like that before.
Sitting on the porch of my grandfather’s camp on Lake Champlain, a voice echoed from the small portable tape player covered with paint specks and years of winter storage dust.
Mountain Momma
If you’re lucky enough to stay home this Labor Day weekend, revel in the fact you live somewhere other people — lots of other people — love to visit.
By Friday, droves of tourists will be here. In our house, we approach these prime time tourist weekends the same way others react to the weatherman’s call for a wintery mix: hit the store and stock up while the getting is good, because by Saturday, the inventory of hotdog buns and selection of sweet pickle relish will be severely depleted.
Mountain momma
My kids have been in training all summer for the Haywood County Fair.
They haven’t been raising giant pumpkins nor whipping their dairy cows into shape for the show ring. Nor have they been boning up on their bingo skills, perfecting recipes for the cake walk contest, or even rehearsing comedy routines for the variety show.