Sunday Morning

West Virginia!

Image by me.

Out and About in West Virginia

Last week, my mom and I headed over to visit Lewisburg, West Virginia - the coolest small town in America.

Look - they even have flags to prove it -

Now, y'all may not know this but West Virginians don't really DO the things in West Virginia that regular people (read non- West Virginians or tourists) do. 

We don't ski.  We don't white water raft.  We don't stay at The Greenbrier....  you get the gist....

But casting caution to the wind, Mom and I decided to go to Lewisburg and act like tourists.

It was very beautiful.

We had lunch at Food and Friends.  Good food.  Great service.  Really crowded.  If you go for dinner, make a reservation.

Really cute buildings with great architecture:

Antiques, art galleries -

What looked to be a decent place to get a facial -

And you know, the requisite kitchen/cheese/coffee shop - Bella the Corner Gourmet.

If you are headed to West Virginia you may wanna stop on by.

Groundswell

This week I read Groundswell by Katie Lee.

I did this for three reasons....

First, I wanted another light, summer read;

Second, I've read several mostly positive reviews; and

Third, Katie Lee is cute, I usually like what she does and she's originally from West Virginia - and I feel a certain obligation to support my fellow countrymen....

Here's what Amazon has to say about it:

EAT, SURF, LOVE. A butterfly flaps its wings in New York City . . . and a groundswell forms in Mexico. . . .

Sometimes the biggest ripples come from the smallest events. Like the day that Emma Guthrie walks into world-famous movie star Garrett Walker’s trailer. When she steps through the door, she’s a novice PA who’s just dropped out of college after losing her scholarship. When she walks out, she’s on her way to becoming Mrs. Emma Walker—wife of an A-list actor. Soon, Emma has made the transition from nobody to red-carpet royalty, trading jeans and flip-flops for closets full of Chanel and Birkin bags, swishing past velvet ropes to attend every lavish party and charity gala on both coasts. With her husband’s encouragement, Emma pens a screenplay based on her life, Fame Tax, which becomes a blockbuster sensation. Through it all, Garrett is her ally and her mentor . . . until their relationship is thrown into question by an incriminating text message that Emma discovers on Garrett’s phone the night of the Met Costume Institute Gala.
Devastated by her husband’s infidelity and hounded mercilessly by the paparazzi, Emma must flee New York City to get away from it all and clear her head. Her destination? A sleepy coastal town in Mexico where no one recognizes her and there is nothing but unspoiled beaches for miles. Here, she meets Ben, a gorgeous, California-born surf instructor, who teaches her about the healing powers of surfing, shows her the joys of the simple life, and ultimately opens her up to the possibility of love.

From Manhattan’s hippest restaurants to the yacht-and-celebrity infested waters of St. Barts, Katie Lee’s debut novel is an irresistible insider’s glimpse into a glittering world—and a captivating story about how losing everything you thought you wanted can be the first step to finding what you need.

There isn't much that I could add to this description.  I thought it was very readable.  It definitely held my interest and entertained me.  It's a great beach, lake, plane or weekend read.  If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be swept off your feet by a rich, gorgeous, famous guy, you'll learn a lot about that 'world'. 

Pick it up if you're in the market for just this kind of book!

Kung Fu Hillbilly

This is "Diemon Dave" of Kung Fu Hillbilly fame.  He is, apparently, from West Virginia.

I just want y'all to know that I understand every word he says....

Hey, Lizard!

So I went to a little cocktail party on Saturday night and met a new friend.

How exciting!  

She and I were discussing the travails of being rednecks in a strange land - she being from the Tennessee mountains and me being from West Virginia. 

Teeth - or the lack thereof - is a wonderful example of our ease and understanding of redneck culture.  It was so nice to bump into someone who spoke the same language....

She related the story of visiting her old home and the conversation involving her acquaintance, Lizard, who had just gotten new dentures and the quote - priceless - of "Hey, Lizard!  I haven't seen you since you got your new teeth!  You look great!" 

And how flattered Lizard was that people noticed.

I told her that I usually have this conversation with people at wakes when I go home to West Virginia.

I'm not sure if y'all know this, but in certain segments of Appalachian society, teeth are optional and ofter saved for special occasions.   Since people generally dress up for wakes, they will put their teeth in as a show of respect for the newly departed. 

At other times, the non-dressed up times at home, teeth are often reserved only for - you know - eating. 

My papaw, for example, would routinely leave his laying around the house when they were not in use and it was not uncommon for him to say "Honey, go out on the swing and bring your papaw his teeth."

These were my formidable years - fetching false teeth off the porch.
Image:  Dentures by Damaged.

The H Word

You all may have noticed that I refer to myself as a "hillbilly" from time to time.  And I do and I am.  At least in my own head. 

A couple of weeks ago, during the basketball tournament, one of my college friend's Facebook friends posted a comment and referred to our team as the "Hillbillies" instead of the Mountaineers.

The top of my head blew off.

While it is true that I may safely refer to myself, my family, and any number of other people as hillbillies (if you're reading this, Matthew, I am talking about you), it makes me furious when non-hillbillies use the word.

It's not done.  Unless you are one, you may never use the word and not cause offense.

There.

I said it.

White people can't ever use the "N" word and those who are not of Appalachian descent may not use the "H" word.

Consider yourselves schooled. 
Image by Walker Evans.

Our Miners

Please pray for our miners and that their families may be comforted.

Think Hillbilly

 

You know, the West Virginian in me loves this.  

Image:  Nash Art.

Mountain Stage - West Virginia Public Radio

 

Hey!  Are you listening to Mountain Stage?  If you're not, quit sitting there and go figure out a way to tune in.

If you don't know about it, Mountain Stage is a two-hour radio show produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and distributed world wide on National Public Radio.  The show has been produced since 1983 and is recorded before a live audience, usually at the Cultural Center in Charleston, West Virginia.  Mountain Stage hosts diverse artists from the traditional to the very modern.  Over the years, the show has featured both established and up and coming artists, including Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones, Barenaked Ladies, Ben Harper, Paula Cole, Nickel Creek, Cassandra Wilson, Counting Crows, Phish and R.E.M.  Compilations of some of the best performances are available for download on ITunes, as well as free podcasts of recent performances. 

If you aren't listening and you'd like to be kept updated on upcoming shows, you can become a Facebook fan. 

Tune in.  Support good music and support West Virginia Public Radio!