Dave & Julia's new home. A 1960s retro with good bones and great landscaping. I told him not to touch those bushes, he agrees. They now have a little land for Olive and a little more space than their condo, and I have a place to stay when I come visit! Why does a house this size need five garages? That was a big selling point to Dave. They have a place for each car and the Corvette he's restoring and two for his brewing/man cave. Hardwoods throughout. Great fireplace! Can't convince them to restore and use the original metal cabinets, but at least convinced them to sell them, they are highly sought after. I, myself, do not like the mint green color, but I would definitely have refinished them. I would definitely get rid of that wallpaper! All in all in very good shape, just dated. Will post updates as they renovate since I'm not accomplishing much at my place to post. Olive exhausted from the move and dreaming about her new big yard! Tully on the other hand loves moving, all those boxes to play in! Congratulations guys!!
Why are the hurricanes coming to Western, NC?!!! The winds came Wednesday night and the power, internet and cell service left. So glad we voted that afternoon as power was out for over 200,000 and of course we were the last to get it back last night. Five and a half days with no shower or politics was starting to frustrate me! Our grocery stores in the three contiguous towns do not have generators, so the shelves were empty for days. Not that I'm complaining, was happy to eat out. Thank you mom for the gift of dinner at the Iron Key on Halloween! Good time to scrub the fridge. Hasn't been this empty since we bought it. Days of cleanup, lots of debris and limbs for non-stop fires since we could not use our new heating system which is electric. We did have the propane backup, though. Tired of listening to generators heard throughout the hills UGH. Behind on everything, two transports for dogs this weekend and sold a dozen afghans while I had no internet UGH. My pansies have been waiting in my car all this time to be planted. Bob's urologist appointment in Asheville is in just a few hours. Thank you for all the good vibes and prayers. At least the hurricane season is over! Now for more wind and ice to come.
We have a new restaurant in town that just opened a few weeks ago, which was a surprise when restaurants are having trouble staying afloat, but it was hopping and we got there late one evening. It is the local jail from 1932, and I had to laugh when I read the dog rules, if you don't have a collar and leash, they can supply handcuffs. It's down a side street off of Main Street which I had never gone down because there was no reason. I didn't even know it was coming, but the local printer told Bob about it when he was getting his print work for court one day and he surprised me with dinner. It still has the original front door, heavy metal and the key that opens it is framed above the bar. It is also a brewery, which if my nephew ever visits me I will bring him here for a taste test. This little outbuilding is solitary confinement and houses two prisoners. Cool metal door on this one, too, with a peep hole.Looking through the peep hole inside. 
Inside is industrial and open. I had an apple cider mimosa, yum! Had a mushroom black bean veggie burger on a brioche bun, that was awesome. Bob had a "real" burger and fries. Out on the main road down closer to our house is an old mill that was just bought, and they have big plans for this one, too. This place is huge and sits on the Pacolet River. I walked along the river and saw what I thought was a seal, only for an instant, then realized I was seeing otters, but they saw me, too, and were gone in a flash before I could even turn my camera on. The old bridge is the main road and our house is beyond that where the mountain is. It's really a nice walk along this river, which is rushing up against the rocks and has lots of birds and wildflowers along it. I have been walking the river just about every day at different times trying to find the otters to photograph with no luck, but one day!! This heron has been hard to capture on film, too, but today I got lucky!
The fall mantle. One plus from selling afghans, I get to pick from my stock as to what I want to decorate with for the season. This one is wool with very tight stitching in a zigzag pattern. Granny squares in the sunroom with some of my pumpkins. A crochet doily under the pumpkins. A delicate afghan in the reading room. Gray and green in an unusual pattern. My pumpkin harvest. Placing pumpkins throughout the garden. Another path accomplished thanks to Bob. More than likely the last Eden rose of the season. Starting to replace the coleus with viola and pansies. Crow compliments of Linda! Theodore and Penny Lane, canine guests at the boathouse. The dogs seem to enjoy their vacation more than the humans. Only two days in October are not booked at the boathouse, so maybe we'll get to take the boats out in November. It's been a very busy season. So much to do before the cold days come!
