The road ... paved with zombies.
Hit the road headed southward on I95 with the "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" audio-book ... and I must say it was a fantastic listen! Brains, ninjas, and high tea...how can you possibly go wrong? I can't wait to crack open "Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Slayer" on the next leg of my journey.
On my way southward I visited farmer Horseshoe at Moondance Farm. His real name is Alex, but he's been called Horseshoe (or just Shoe) for just about an eternity. I'd never met him before, but he is a pen-pal of my mom's and his organic farm was on my route southward. When he heard I'd be passing through he insisted I stop by for for a beer and chat. And so I did.
Shoe grows both food and ornamental plants for markets in North Carolina. He mostly grows organic and heirloom stuff. He also has lots of chickens, who live in an incredible chicken wonderland in the woods. He has a long tangled beard, a sun bleached pony tail and bright blue eyes... and he walks everywhere barefoot, especially in his garden. He greeted me with a hug and we drank Corona with lime juice while touring his gardens, coops, barns, and green house.
Shoe is a special kind of person. A really good person. A true nurturer, a hard worker, someone who is gentle and soft spoken. He's very shy about his speech-- a true Appalachian dialect-- but to me he sounds like poetry. Before I left he loaded all kinds of goodies into my car. More heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplants... and a few herbs and other special plants. I offered to pay him, but he said all he wanted was a big smile. I gave him what he asked for, as well as a hug... and threw in some banana bread I'd baked the night before.
I spent the night at not far from Shoe's place at a friend's family homestead called "Down Yonder Farm." I arrived there before they did and let myself into the old house and got settled in my usual bedroom. A wild storm came up that evening- violent and windy with heavy rain- and we ate our dinner with the doors and windows open- cool air and moisture thrilling out senses. Before bed we talked music, rescued a possum and a frog from the dogs, and listened to the post-storm peepers off in the woods.
I love visiting Down Yonder. It's one of those too few places in ones life where you know the door is always open. I can always walk in there and be welcome, comfortable, and at home... even though the place isn't really my home and the folks aren't my parents, even though they're old enough to be.
At 6 a.m. the next morning I was roused by the braying of the donkeys who yodel like maniacs at the sunrise. We drank our coffee together and then I wandered out into the yard to watch the deer and a few cranes out by the lake. By 7:30 we were all in the barn doing chores. I like to think I helped... but I was mostly playing with the 3 week old filly who's mane was as soft as any baby's hair. By 8:30 I was on the road again listening to tales of Elizabeth Bennet attacking zombies, and by afternoon I was in Georgia.
Today I spent some good time reading my book and schmoozing, and then I helped my mom in the garden. We put out some herbs, kohlrabi, lettuce, and cabbages, but mostly did a lot of clean up. I'm sore and my back in sunburned.
Thus far... good vacation. Great.
On my way southward I visited farmer Horseshoe at Moondance Farm. His real name is Alex, but he's been called Horseshoe (or just Shoe) for just about an eternity. I'd never met him before, but he is a pen-pal of my mom's and his organic farm was on my route southward. When he heard I'd be passing through he insisted I stop by for for a beer and chat. And so I did.
Shoe grows both food and ornamental plants for markets in North Carolina. He mostly grows organic and heirloom stuff. He also has lots of chickens, who live in an incredible chicken wonderland in the woods. He has a long tangled beard, a sun bleached pony tail and bright blue eyes... and he walks everywhere barefoot, especially in his garden. He greeted me with a hug and we drank Corona with lime juice while touring his gardens, coops, barns, and green house.
Shoe is a special kind of person. A really good person. A true nurturer, a hard worker, someone who is gentle and soft spoken. He's very shy about his speech-- a true Appalachian dialect-- but to me he sounds like poetry. Before I left he loaded all kinds of goodies into my car. More heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplants... and a few herbs and other special plants. I offered to pay him, but he said all he wanted was a big smile. I gave him what he asked for, as well as a hug... and threw in some banana bread I'd baked the night before.
I spent the night at not far from Shoe's place at a friend's family homestead called "Down Yonder Farm." I arrived there before they did and let myself into the old house and got settled in my usual bedroom. A wild storm came up that evening- violent and windy with heavy rain- and we ate our dinner with the doors and windows open- cool air and moisture thrilling out senses. Before bed we talked music, rescued a possum and a frog from the dogs, and listened to the post-storm peepers off in the woods.
I love visiting Down Yonder. It's one of those too few places in ones life where you know the door is always open. I can always walk in there and be welcome, comfortable, and at home... even though the place isn't really my home and the folks aren't my parents, even though they're old enough to be.
At 6 a.m. the next morning I was roused by the braying of the donkeys who yodel like maniacs at the sunrise. We drank our coffee together and then I wandered out into the yard to watch the deer and a few cranes out by the lake. By 7:30 we were all in the barn doing chores. I like to think I helped... but I was mostly playing with the 3 week old filly who's mane was as soft as any baby's hair. By 8:30 I was on the road again listening to tales of Elizabeth Bennet attacking zombies, and by afternoon I was in Georgia.
Today I spent some good time reading my book and schmoozing, and then I helped my mom in the garden. We put out some herbs, kohlrabi, lettuce, and cabbages, but mostly did a lot of clean up. I'm sore and my back in sunburned.
Thus far... good vacation. Great.