Aren't You Here for the Color?

 Presumably, the fact that you know someone who lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina and given that it is October, you must be here for the color. Friends, I am here to deliver with this post! Along with that, you will attend, albeit virtual, a Pumpkin Chunkin! And an award dinner and more, lots more. Too much more.....

Before we move on to more fun and excitement, I would be remiss if I did not mention the Mannix Vanilla Company that our friends own. In my last post, I wrote about their visit and what I neglected to mention is the fantastic gifts they left us with!! 

You too can have handmade vanilla products if you visit their website. Shipping nationwide is not a problem for these entrepreneurs! I've used it for both some tapioca pudding, and molasses crinkles. It is just wonderful so please check them out if you love supporting small batch creators. 

Finally, after months, electricians came and went with excellent results. In our bedroom there were two excellent fans, but Mr. Peck was not a huge fan of the lights that came with it so they came down. 

I'd purchased black fans months ago and one thing we have learned is that having patience is necessary in a rural area with not nearly enough tradesmen. 

So no more light nor dangling pulls in our future.

Another project was putting a fan on the front porch. They did a super job cutting a hole in the porch ceiling,

and it turns out the fan I selected months ago works nicely.

Wouldn't you know it, just in time for the it to be getting cold and yes, it has gotten much colder, but so far it only lasts for  a few hours in the morning. The warm sun is keeping my tomatoes producing and the strawberry plant is back in action as well.

Let's keep our eye on the broccoli's progress.

Hopefully using the same location as the cucumbers before will be a boon to our fall crop!

Another week, another soccer game that did not end in victory, however the weather was good and the boys played their hearts out! Or heads for that matter. (Grayson in blue shoes)

Laura asked me if I would help with the annual "Paint the Town Fall" event and I was happy to do so.  It turned out to be quite fun as I got to interact with the folks and in some instances take them to their location where they are allowed to paint in a designated section of one of the store-front windows. Got it? It will surprise no one that I took a bunch of photos of the entries, many of which were good. Age categories were used for the judging which I was asked to do as well. Since I am not nearly as organized as my lifelong sweetheart, he came along armed with a clipboard.

But of course, Anna Claire won in her age group. 

The town provided the paints.

Surprisingly there were lots of adults who tried it, wanting to do something out of the ordinary.

Above was really a team effort with two young ladies I encouraged to give it a try. Upon their return to our table they claimed it had been so fun.

Maria, a new intern with the town, came at noon so by 2:00 I was relieved of my duties which meant I have no idea who did this fantastic display.

The one on the left won first place for adults. Lots of small town fun happening around our area including the Punkin Chunkin on Saturday. But before we went to that, we met up with our dear friends Keith and Patty (l), along with his brother Dale and his wife Patty, at the Crown. They are in our area for a vacation.

What a fun time we had. Patty had earlier made a reservation at the Mason Bar to see, what she learned earlier in the day, a very popular band. Fortunately we were a little late and ended up further back which was fine by us because while the band is good.

they are also loud! 

I promised color didn't I? And I gave you electricians. Insert here....a walk along the river.

It's coming!! 

Before we leave downtown, finally the pavers are going in as I type!!

Woo hoo!!

Let's go to "Punkin Chunkin" shall we? 

Never heard of such a thing before? Neither had we so it was really a must for us to check it out. I've mentioned before, well really countless times, how casual life is here and this event was no exception.  Maybe I saw one policeman, but then again maybe not? No bag checks, just pay your $5 and you can freely roam. There are vendors and this adorable bounce house is but one amongst many.

So here's a funny little story, or at least to me it was. At the Mason Bar there was a woman who was dancing the night away by herself. Not a care in the world who was watching, she was having a great time all by herself. Next afternoon, she was doing it again!

So what the heck is a punkin chunkin? Pumpkins are loaded into contraptions and sent high and far in a team competition.

Spectators line the field. 

And pretty much stare into the sky.

There was this cute train for young and old.

All good fun!

Later on Saturday I attended a dinner to recognize area volunteers with the mayor as the emcee. My seat was not ideal for photo taking, but he's the fellow up front.

As you might have imagined the room was full of people of a certain age who have been helping people in any number of ways. Because of Laura, I was recognized as someone who helps out with town events. I felt a little awkward not knowing many folks, but I did have the good fortune to sit with the publisher of our newspaper along with his wife. They began dating nearly as young as me and my honey. 

Sunday, after the church potluck dinner and Bruce's twenty minute nap, we took a drive in the country to look at leaves. Well, actually we drove to David and D'Anna's house because we had been alerted to the fact that with the rain and wind overnight, leaves were falling like mad and if we wanted to see color, we had best get in the car! 

Oh yes please!

Everything was wet which makes the color even more exciting. The temperature was dropping, so instead of our usual porch seats, we chatted indoors, but not before I had to take this shot.

All of a sudden it is getting quite chilly. Yesterday morning we had a plumber over to fix a slow drain so while waiting for that to happen, I took a neighborhood walk and I was thinking that I was glad not to be playing pickleball. Well, today we did play with Keith and Patty and after a few games we thought we might have had enough; fortunately the sun peeped out for a while which helped to keep us playing. And winning.

That said, we've just turned the heat on because the house downstairs is 62 degrees! 

Heat please! 

David and Michelle arrive tomorrow afternoon for their first visit to Murphy and the house on Campbell Street.  We are most excited to show off the little town that we have fallen in love with. I will let you know next week what they thought. Until next Tuesday, 

I remain, your friend,

Gail