Postcard from the Smokies
Up on the ridge between TN and NC and I've got a little twang in my voice
A few clifnotes:
Since we’re such western folk, Phil is getting this skirt to wear with her galoshes (this is what my cousin Kathy calls boots and so henceforth and forevermore, boots are galoshes in our house) and Stefano will be wearing these until the cows come home.
Mountain fashion has to feel personal but also practical. My cousin Kathy was also wearing these galoshes everywhere which look fashionable but also allow her to carry on at the farm.
It’s COOL in the morning, crazy HOT and humid in the afternoon and CHILLY at night. You have to dress for three climates if you’re leaving the house and not coming back. I learned this the hard way.
Mountaineers know how to drink. And they make the best beer and wine. We did a family night at Sierra Nevada Brewery and a lunch soiree at Point Lookout Vineyards and WOW. Yankees just don’t do it like they do in the south.
It’s become so clear to me as I get older and visit cities across the country what a distinct personality each city has. Asheville is HIPPIE, not HIPSTER. Which is a huge difference that I didn’t realize until literally walking the streets. We stopped into this local, small batch, organic elixir and meadery which was just as pretentious as it sounds. No, but actually the woman working was very kind, but the products were wild even for me (someone who is borderline pretentious with organic GOOD food, I’m working on this - okay?).
Extended family is the undiscovered treasure of the new world. My Uncle Bob and Aunt Nancy (who I think are actually just cousins?) have lived amazingly adventurous, colorful lives. My only regret was not having more time to ask more questions. Additionally, my cousin Lori is a retired homeschooler (her children are in their 20s and 30s) who has been through the trenches, has all the resources and guidance I could ever want and she also is eager to lend a hand should I need it, talk about God answering prayers.
I know this has been heavy on the sentimentality and light on the fashion this week but it’s been hard for me to dig into clothes when I’m so involved with my family and it could be a good reminder to stop worrying about so many things that are “of this world” and to focus on what really matters. Stay in the moment as long as you can, take in the scenery; I’m convinced there is not a more beautiful place in the country as Hendersonville, NC. Stay tuned for next week’s when we bring four new babies into our family, and that’s a cliffhanger I’ve been saving for you for WEEKS.
Love you all,
Megan
I love this so much🥹♥️