Being There

Judy. Remember that Peter Sellers movie, Being There, about Chauncey the Gardener, which was filmed at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville? While we decided not to revisit the Biltmore House while here, we did plan to enjoy “being here” in Asheville.

One of the reasons we picked this city for a visit was its proximity, not only to Atlanta, but also to some dear friends. And it’s a good thing! Seems like we were always running, and so glad we were nearby to do so.

We have two long-time friends within a three-hour drive who have been quite ill, so visiting them is a high priority. I have a close cousin, Sue, who lives in Charlotte, and who had some serious surgery last winter. I’ve been trying to get to see her for months, and we finally drove over to spend the night with her. Sue kindly passed on

Sue and her quilt

several family heirlooms, including a magnificent quilt she embroidered for her mother over fifty years ago.  

About a week after we arrived, we got a text from our son Stefan. Remember that new baby we dashed home to see? He caught a cold, which turned into a viral respiratory infection, and spent a few days in intensive care. Off we dashed again, to care for Oliver, Stefan and Sarah’s 2½-year-old, while they stayed with Baby Callum. I have to hand it to Scottish Rite, Children’s Health Care of Atlanta. They did a super job both with the baby

So many tubes!

and his parents. We loved spending so much time with Oliver, and, while I watched him on Sunday, Ted was able to go to our home church, St. Matthew’s, for the fortieth anniversary celebration. That afternoon Sarah, Stefan, and Callum came home, and we returned to Asheville on Monday.   

The photo Oliver will hate us for

While in Atlanta, I auditioned for a small, independent film, and was cast, so we drove back to Atlanta for the day’s shoot in our third week in Asheville.

We had no idea how much time we’d spend away from our little “Treehouse” Airbnb in the Montford Park section of Asheville. Lynn and Steve, the hosts, were always welcoming when we returned, and it was great to settle into our little house again each time.  

The "Treehouse"

Tennant Loop Hike

Migrating Monarchs

Thanks, Hannah!

Despite our travels, we still managed to go to the Y for yoga and workouts; visit the Arboretum to see the Monarch tag and release; take several hikes (and experience the Monarch butterfly migration); have dinner with Hannah, our friend from Oaxaca days (and receive some of the bounty from the garden she’s caring for); tour the Brian Boggs Chair Workshop led by my Facebook friend, LA; take in the Greek Festival just down the street; enjoy the meditative Celtic Eucharist at Trinity Episcopal Church; and just enjoy “being there” in the beautiful city of Asheville.

OPA!! Greek Dancers

In yoga and in theatre, we talk a lot about living in the moment. If ever I’ve experienced that, it has been this month, as we are “being there” in the various places we’ve dashed to from this Treehouse. It’s a gift.

A glimpse of excellence

Ted. We were recently invited to tour Brian Boggs Chairmakers in Asheville as the guests of one of their employees; a woman named LA whom Judy has known for years.

LA and Judy in the showroom

It was a real eye opener to see that traditional handmade craftsmanship still exists in the 21st century. In this shop, we witnessed works of art being hand crafted using many techniques that are hundreds of years old. 

Brian began making simple ladder back chairs many years ago in Berea, Kentucky. He now employs a number of skilled artisans in a workshop located in the River Arts District of Asheville. 

Brian's first chair

They begin with sustainably harvested hardwood slabs; walnut, maple, cherry and others.

Using traditional tools (no robots here!), many of which are over 50 years old, they turn, shape and bend carefully selected pieces of wood to fit the images created in Brian's mind. While they are best known for their chairs, they also produce tables and custom pieces of furniture. 

Pieces of wood are steamed before bending

An ancient lathe still has plenty of life in it

The final results are incredible. Check out more images and videos at their website: brianboggschairmakers.com

A Cio Rocker

The Land of the Sky

Ted. Our three months in Georgia has come to an end and it was a great visit. We got all of our medical check ups taken care of. We also did a bit more consolidation of those items that we still have in storage. No – we haven’t gotten rid of all of our possessions yet, but we’re working on it.

Our 5 ft x 5 ft storage unit

Most importantly, though, we were able to spend lots of time with family and friends.  

Ted & Mavis (94 years young)

Getting to know our newest grandson and hanging out with the other three topped it all. 

Callum (1 month old)

Now we have moved to Asheville, North Carolina for a month. Years ago, the city adopted a nickname based on the title of a novel about Western North Carolina that was written in 1876 by Mrs. Frances Tiernan and titled “The Land of the Sky, or Adventures in Mountain By-Ways.” As Judy said, “We’ve gone from Big Sky Country (Montana) to the Land of the Sky.”

In 2017, Lonely Planet crowned Asheville as the #1 US Travel Destination. The city is known for the arts, crafts, music and craft beers, all found in the shadows of ancient mountains. We haven’t been here for 20 years, though so are pretty much seeing it for the first time. The weather is noticeably cooler, and thus more pleasant than Atlanta which is good because there is lots of hiking close to town. Also, Atlanta is not that far away so we can quickly drive back, should the need arise. 

We actually have a number of friends and acquaintances in the area so look forward to seeing them.  We have already had a rendezvous with Hannah, whom we first met two years ago while teaching English in Oaxaca, Mexico (if curious, see our blog archives for Oct/Nov ’17). 

Hannah & Judy, Asheville NC 09/19

En Via teachers, Tlacochahuaya, Mexico 10/17

Our Airbnb is great, we have already connected with some Servas hosts, and a "things to do" list is growing hourly. I think we're gonna like it here!

View from Craven Gap Trail