My latest adventure was this past weekend.

Gay and I drove up to the mountains where I lived for over thirty years. We made reservations at the Holiday Inn Express where we have received the utmost care from housekeeping each time we stay there.

We had planned to stay three nights, but the prices had gone sky-high. We had paid less that 100 dollars a night or a little over one hundred dollars, but for this weekend, the rooms were two hundred dollars plus tax, etc. We were told that although we are good customers the local hotel could not give us a discount. The prices are set by the big company.

I was disappointed and still don't understand why good customers are not given a little bit of favor. To stay three nights, Thursday - Saturday would cost over 600 dollars. Needless to say, we canceled Saturday night. During this time of year many things are happening in that area. Friday and Saturday nights in Hayesville, two concerts were planned. 

In Hiawassee, we first thought there was a vintage car show. The old cars spruced up to look like new, filled the parking lot at the hotel which we were told was completely booked.

But, we later learned that those cars were going to be a part of a grand parade down the main street of Hiawassee. The occassion was the birthday of the major event-setting for concerts and festivals, the Fairgrounds, on the lake where Barry and I often spent time listening to music and enjoying the wares spread before us during Fall Festival. 

At ten o'clock on Saturday morning, I needed to be across the main street for a workshop led by my friend, Scott Owens. We heard conflicting times as to when the parade would be blocking Main Street, but decided to make sure I was across the street by 9:30. 
My sister dropped me off and was to come back to pick me up at noon.

All was fine. Gay checked out of the hotel at 11:00 AM and found she could not get on the street because it was filled with old cars, a few floats, open convertibles, tractors, and horses. She simply parked in a lot overlooking Main Street and watched the parade go by. She said it went on for over an hour. 

At 12:30 she was able to cross the street and pick me up. But traffic was horrible. A group of us were going to meet at a restaurant down the way on Main street and we made it just in time before a mule drawn wagon approached. A long stream of cars crept behind the wagon. One of our group missed lunch because she didn't see the restaurant and drove past it. When she realized she needed to turn around she said the traffic was almost at a stand still, so she sent a message she would not be there.

I constantly gripe about the traffic in Roswell, GA, especially after three o'clock, but I had never had traffic interfere with my plans in the mountains. I had never been in Hiawassee when they held a parade on the main street that runs through the little town. 

In spite of the parade, and outrageous hotel prices, I had a very enjoyable time while there. 

It was good seeing many of my dear friends, and I am so blessed that Gay is happy to be there with me. These trips take a toll on me, but when I can come home and rest a couple of days, I am fine. 

No more trips now for awhile. As fall is approaching, I have plans for myself at home. So many things I want to do and soon will be able to do, I hope.

Hugs to my virtual friends out there. And hugs to my family and friends close by. What would I do without you?

Stu and Gay, my best friends and family 

Festival time in western North Carolina

Glenda Beall with writer Raven Chiong, new member of NCWN-West

This past weekend The Festival on the Square was held on the historic square of Hayesville, NC. Thousands of people attend this event each year, but everything was cancelled in 2020. The NC Writers' Network-West registered for a booth this year. Carroll S. Taylor and her husband, Hugh, volunteered to staff the booth, put up the tent and tables and take it all down on Sunday afternoon. They had a long, tiring weekend, but Carroll said she sold more books than at any other place she has signed books.

Carroll is a novelist with two young adult novels published. She recently published a picture book. Feannag, the Crow is filled with colorful illustrations by Doreyl Ammons Cain.

See more about Carroll at www.chinaberrysummer.com

Brenda Kay Ledford sits with Carroll in front of our banner. Visitors seem to take notice of the Books by Local Authors sign and wanted to take home one of our books. Brenda Kay also published a picture book recently and it, too, had colorful illustrations by Doreyl Ammons Cain

A larger photo of the booth with Brenda and Carroll at the front table.

I sat at the side table on Saturday and Sunday and enjoyed meeting people who stopped by. We wanted to show our presence in the community and encourage novice writers to join us and become a part of our group in western NC. We handed out our brochure with all our contact information and a form for joining NCWN. I expect to hear from folks who want to write and learn more about publishing.

We gave away a number of books and our anthology, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, was popular with visitors from other states. They wanted to take home a book by western NC writers. This book is still for sale by contacting me.   www.pcncwnw@gmail.com 

I signed up to teach another writing class in September on Zoom. I will give more details later.
Hope you all had a great weekend. I am suffering a bit from sitting in that hard chair for hours, but tomorrow I will be fine again.

I have been wearing a boot, not a pretty boot, for the past three weeks on my left foot. I awoke one morning to find my foot swollen and painful. I couldn't imagine what was wrong. I soaked it and the swelling subsided a little. But I went to a podiatrist and after an ex-ray he saw a fracture in a metatarsol bone. To keep my foot stable the doctor had me wear something that looks like part of a space suit. For the first few days, I tripped on the boot itself, and almost fell several times. Now which is worse, I asked myself, a fractured foot or a broken hip? After three days I could clump around the house without losing my balance. But I have come close to hitting the floor more than once. Tomorrow I see the foot doc again. I hope he will set me free so I can walk without pulling my back out with each step. We have a big, big weekend here in Hayesville. The Festival on the Square, sponsored by the Clay County Historical and Arts Association, will begin Friday night with a street dance. (Can't dance with a space boot on my foot) On Saturday and Sunday our Netwest writing group will have a booth where writers will be signing books and meeting people, promoting our group and I hope to tell some folks about Writers Circle. If you are in the area or can come for a weekend of fun, drop by and say hello. Hopefully I won't be wearing a boot.