Friday, April 29, 2005

Beautiful Reliance

Check out Fletch's photos from along the Hiwassee River in Tennessee. Beautiful.

Ah, the music!

It's MerleFest. Doc Watson will be there, and I sure would like to see him. There is a spectacular lineup of other performers, as well. I've always wanted to go to the Fest, but won't this year either. Just not good with crowds any more.
But oh, do I still miss Merle! I saw Doc and Merle several times back when I was living in DC and then NC. The Smithsonian Folklife festival, several bluegrass/folk festivals around VA, WV....I truly believed that Merle was the best guitar player ever.
My Merle story is from a friend of mine who was living in a house in Chevy Chase with several other Southern gentlemen; one night he was awakened by music from downstairs and went down to complain. 'It's Merle', one of the Sams said; 'I don't care who it is, shut up!' said the other Sam, and stormed back upstairs.
Next day he was told that a couple of the guys had met Merle Watson playing in a club downtown and invited him to the house. He was glad to come pick a few licks in their kitchen. The sleepy Sam missed it all. It was around the time I was hanging around that house quite a bit, so I guess I missed him too.

Another mountain blog:
Smokey Mountain Breakdown from Hartford, TN. Thanks to South Knox Bubba for pointing this one out. (Don't miss the possum dinner.)

Monday, April 25, 2005

After the frost

Despite the rainy, cold last few days we've been seeing the beginnings of the wildflowers. Trilliums are showing up all around. Lots of pink ones of various shades, but a few white ones too..... Posted by Hello
...and the first ladyslipper. There are dozens coming up in the woods around the house, but this one is a few days ahead of the rest in blooming. Posted by Hello
Tiny white violets have followed the violet and purple ones. Posted by Hello
Lilacs. We have only a couple flowers but the scent is heaven. Posted by Hello
Figs. This photo was taken a few days ago; the leaves are crispy now after the frost. Hope the fruits survive.... Posted by Hello

Friday, April 22, 2005

Come and gone

South Knox Bubba has been covering news from the president's visit to the Great Smokey Mountains. (Well, there was supposed to be a visit. The Cades Cove tour was canceled because of weather.) But Bubba , who lives near the Knoxville airport, got a spectacular photo of Air Force One.

Monday, April 18, 2005

Monday cat blogging

Biker kitty: just couldn't resist this one.  Posted by Hello

Ode to dogwoods

NPR chooses music for dogwoods. Lovely.
(Via Subterranean Homepage Blues.)

Ours just reached full flower today. Posted by Hello

Sunday, April 17, 2005

A party in downtown Murphy

Opening of a real estate office, great excuse to bring in the Dale Earnhart car and give away barbecue and treats. Posted by Hello
Kids, cars, and cotton candy. Posted by Hello
Bluegrass music in the sun, what better? Posted by Hello

A couple more photos from Chattanooga

The Bluff. At top, Hunter Museum, reopening this week with a new addition, part of Chattanooga's 21st Century Riverfront project. First exhibit: paintings by Georgia O'Keeffe. I may have to visit again, soon! Posted by Hello
Tennessee River. Posted by Hello
View from the bluff. Posted by Hello

Back home:

Shadows on a porch afternoon. Posted by Hello

Thursday, April 14, 2005

A day trip out of the mountains.

Beautiful downtown Chattanooga: Tennessee River and the Tennessee Aquarium. Posted by Hello
A spectacular tree.  Posted by Hello
Building next to the beautiful old Walnut Street bridge (now pedestrian only). Posted by Hello
Sculpture in the art garden in Bluff Arts District. Tried to get the 'flying man' sculpure that Fletch had on his blog a few weeks ago, but missed the photo somehow. Posted by Hello
Chickamaugua Lake, dam in distance. Posted by Hello
Lots more wildflowers at these lower elevations. Posted by Hello

Sunday, April 10, 2005

Spring is here Posted by Hello
After a lot more rain, Persimmon Creek is muddy and it shows in the spillover from Cherokee Lake into Hiwassee... Posted by Hello
Top of Hiwassee Dam. Posted by Hello
Redbud up close. Didn't know til recently this is a leguminous tree...but it's obvious from the flowers. Posted by Hello
Hiwassee River just below Hiwassee Dam. Posted by Hello