Deep Something

First Snows

November 22, 2024November 22, 2024 B. John 82 Views 0 Comments Appalachian State, Boone, Snow

The Western North Carolina Mountains had their first snow day today. Watching the webcams from time to time during the day brought back many great memories. There’s a magic to the first snow that roots itself deep in memory, stretching across years and places. In Kings Mountain, NC, where the winters were mild and snow was a gift rather than a certainty, the first flakes meant the world was about to change. As a kid, waking up to a white-coated street was like waking up on Christmas morning. School would call it a day, and we’d pile out of the house, sleds in hand, to the steep street just beyond our driveway.

Culture Fun Stuff Music

Let It Snow

December 2, 2009August 10, 2015 B. John 265 Views 0 Comments a.s.u., appalachian state university, ASU Jazz Ensemble, Boone, Let it Snow, NC

Coming from the ASU Jazz Ensemble, it’s a pretty appropriate song even if the mountains don’t seem to get as much snow as they did when I attended.

Featured General Kings Mountain Places Tampa

Favorite Season

September 30, 2009September 29, 2018 228 Views 0 Comments Appalachian Mountains, Autumn, Blowing Rock, Boone, fall, seasons

OK, I know that about this time every year I write something about Autumn being my favorite time of year. I know, Tampa, FL is not the place to be thinking about Autumn. I think we get our Autumn here in January, the time of year when these nasty live oaks dump a big portion of their leaves. Still, there is a rhythm that comes with the seasons no matter where one lives, and I love this time of year for the sense of “settling-in.”

Congress Crime Featured Gay Issues Politics Society

Open Letter to App. State Chancellor

April 29, 2009 B. John 351 Views 2 Comments a.s.u., appalachian state university, Boone, Congress, Fifth Congressional District, hate, Hate Crimes Act, homophobia, Matthew Shepard, Virginia Foxx

U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents the congressional district that includes my alma mater, and she has attended ASU events and activities to advance her political career and give her an undeserved credibility. Over the past several days, Rep. Foxx has made a number of inflammatory statements during the House’s consideration of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act. Today, Rep. Foxx crossed a line when she took to the floor of the House, claimed that Shepard was killed as part of a robbery, and called the hate aspect of the crime “a hoax.”

Culture Family Fun Stuff General Holidays Kings Mountain Places

Thanksgiving Summary

December 2, 2007September 29, 2018 B. John 184 Views 0 Comments Blowing Rock, Boone, North Carolina, thanksgiving

I know it’s a bit late, but I thought I’d write an update from our Thanksgiving trip to North Carolina.

Culture Family Fun Stuff Holidays Kings Mountain Places

Cold In Tampa

November 17, 2007September 29, 2018 B. John 197 Views 0 Comments Appalachian Ski Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone, Sugar Mountain, thanksgiving, Weather

It remains dry, but it’s been very cool the past few nights, getting into the 40’s. There could be some frost tonight north of here and inland. Lay’s nephews are over to spend the night, as two of them have birthday’s next week. We won’t be here. Lay and I will be traveling to North Carolina. While I’m taking the whole week off, Lay will be working Monday and Tuesday, so unfortunately, we’ll be on the road Wednesday. I am not looking forward to that.

Culture Family Friends Fun Stuff Holidays Places

Time In North Carolina

November 22, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 302 Views 1 Comment Blowing Rock, Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone, Cone Mansion, North Carolina

I drove up to North Carolina Monday to spend time with the folks over Thanksgiving. Lay is flying in Thursday morning, and we’ll drive back together either Friday or Saturday (definitely not Sunday).

Friends Fun Stuff

Remember The Late Night College Bull Sessions?

October 28, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 205 Views 0 Comments a.s.u., appalachian state university, Boone, Eggers Dorm, North Carolina

In Eggers dorm at ASU, because I was a Resident Assistant, I’d often find myself hanging out in the Resident Director’s apartment with friends chewing over the great questions of life. (At least when Larry “Rainbow” Johnson was the RD.) Anyway, I want to try to get back to just a little of that. While sitting around in same room isn’t so practical in this forum, at least this opens the discussion to a lot of people.