Last Sunday at Lake Tomahawk

 

The drake of the couple by the island took offense at the other pair swimming by...lots of honking and splashing ensued. 

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And yesterday I had breakfast (oatmeal and coffee) with a female red bellied woodpecker (outside the window just at my eye level in the maple tree!) She only had a patch of red on her head, while males have a full mohawk of red.

Public domain photo

Sharing with Saturday's Critters

Thanks to Jess Craven for this musical number for No Kings!

Some Holiday decorations

 

Sassafras on Sutton offers a decorated tree.

The trees decorated by businesses and various community groups used to be displayed in the Monte Vista Hotel...but now are throughout the town. When they were displayed side by side, we would vote on the ones we liked by putting dollars in their little gift contribution boxes. But it is hoped this way more will be donated. Not as much fun trying to see all the trees though!

Three Gnomes and a larch!

Some of our beautification committee got inspired!

And just look, AC, I now know what a larch looks like!

A tree in a window at Town Hardware

The Seven Sisters Mountains are decorated a bit with snow. More may be on its way!

Last week some goodies were left from a weekend event, and were offered with lunch as part of our pickups.  I needed them like a hole in the head!!

My branch from my Ohio son's tree...and some goddesses.

Winter Solstice is 6 days away!

Today's quote:

I went to a storytelling performance About Hanukkah stories yesterday afternoon. I was surprised to see The auditoriumhalf empty. They’re also were no decorations or examples of menorahs or Dreidels on display. Instead The entrance and lobby were completely focused on Christmas. I recognized some Jewish people in the audience That I knew. And it wasn’t until I saw the news at home about the shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia of a Jewish Hanukkah celebration that I realized maybe people were afraid to be in public with interest in Judaism.  A newsman did a video interview And commented to me about the lack of any Decorations related to Hanukkah with that being the topic of the performance. It didn’t make for good video. The Black Mountain center For the arts Failed some of its best supporters.

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Today's the birthday of The Bill of Rights of the US Constitution. See the background and George Mason's contribution on Open Yesterday's Pages.

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There are so many horrific stories of violence from yesterday. May all the families of those hurt or killed find some solace while grieving, and may we all support one another for better laws, better gun control, and better education and mental health support for those disillusioned souls who think that killing is the way for them to express themselves.

Sad at loss of Rob Reiner, so here's a photo of the cast of The Princess Bride.

From 2013 and ancient history

Beginning of sharing some older posts when I am not at my desk some of the time. 

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From the Way-Back-Machine... from my blog Living in Black Mountain January 1, 2013

Clockwise from top left, View from Blue Ridge Parkway, Snow going into Montreat, Light tree Lake Tomahawk, View from BMCA Clay Studio, State Street in downtown Black Mountain (copyright Barbara Rogers)

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A really old photo:

The prints, which were discovered in the Tularosa Basin in White Sands National Park, were made 21,000 to 23,000 years ago, the researchers found.

NOTE: they are definitely not all by the same person!

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Today's quote:

The human skin is an artificial boundary: the world wanders into it, 

and the self wanders out of it, traffic is two-way and constant. 

—Bernard Wolfe 

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About 42% of Americans over 55 will eventually develop dementia.

A new study has found the strongest evidence yet that a balanced diet, consistent exercise and social activity led to significant improvement in cognitive function. 

SOURCE: PBS 

Black Mountain's protest for No Kings Day

 Just wanted to share what the 660 people who showed up in Black Mountain today!

Christmas tree critters

 At the Monte Vista hotel's display of 24 trees to support charity here in Black Mountain, I found quite a few that sported critters. So I've kept them just for this post!

I kept noticing cute critters on the trees!

Buckeye Kennels had some great paper mache' dogs on their tree! They got a vote/buck for sure!

I'd never seen a stuffed doll red fox before!

Bears always come for honey

These fun bears were on the Black Mountain Chamber of Commerce Tree, along with Mr. Fox. On Facebook I commented that our really only contact with bears in Black Mountain are their bothersome love of our garbage. Someone answered that they should (the Chamber) have included little trash barrels on the tree!

A wonderful display of Christmas books - all antiques!

The rest of the trees (that I liked at least) may be seen later this week.

Sharing with Saturday's Critters

Today on Open Yesterday's Pages I share two stories:

Sandy Hook Shooting

and

The first college to offer Co-Ed Classes