Barking at Rabbits

Hello, Blog Readers. I've recovered from what I strongly suspect was the flu. To tell you the truth, I've had enough of being sick and I'm not going to talk about it. I can't say that I have anything up lifting to say, other than God blessed this place with some good rain. You might not like rain, but here it means something. All of those postcard waterfalls you gawk at, well, the water has to come from somewhere. Not only is it not encouraging to see one slowing to a trickle, but it's not healthy for the ground. The last few years have been dry. Really, about the last four. It made things muddy. It replenished.

The weekend before last was a tragic one. My 26 year old 2nd Cousin died suddenly, from a suspected overdose. It was just three years ago as I was packing for Iraq that her Sister died of the same thing. She had gotten involved in drugs and a bad crowd, had kids with a bad fellar that relatives were raising. She was turning her life around though. She had started church, became Born Again and was supposed to check into Rehab this last Wednesday. The day after we held her Memorial Service. I'll always remember though, when she worked at the old KFC in town. Skye had an eyebrow ring and they made her put a band aid over it. This was back in my days as a family man. We were going through the drive through and I asked her about it. She explained while frowning and pulling it the band aid aside to show us.

Then this weekend has brought a passing of another kind. one of my Great Uncles (Other side of my family) passed yesterday. He was 90, I believe. He had recently caught a bug and it was hard on him. He had to do a stint in the Hospital. He was just as quick minded though. A few moths back after a surgery, I was told, that he had to remind the nurse that he had already had his medications. I hope that I'm the same when I reach his age. E.C was a WWII Marine, serving as an Artilleryman and ran the Machine Room down at the old paper mill. The one that ain't there no more. That's just it. Allot of information went with E.C. There are still two of my Grandfather's Brothers left. No one knows where one is at...The best I know. E.C lived a good long life.

I had a Great Aunt over in Macon County die a few weeks ago. She was 93. People, that's Living.

The rain might have replenished, but Blistery took over. Even Blistery get's it's day. And that Pup of mine, I think she wants t be a Rabbit Dog. I don't know what shes going to think when we show her a Bear.
The Appalachianist

Gloom, Despair and Agony on...

Me.
My camera is working. I've got pictures I plan to post, but not tonight.

Remember what I said last post about not needing any cough medicine? Well, I spoke. I need it tonight. This is the first time I remember being sick since Thanksgiving 2006. In the second half of my tour everything got easier. Less bugs and less spells of gut wrenching diarrhea. I tolerated the Iraqi food better than most others. But, none the less, I've got a run down, sore throat, flem thing. And, just in time, I have a busy Drill weekend ahead. Yeah, Gloom, Despair and Agony...Oh,it ain't all that bad.

But, I've come across some interesting stuff I want to share with you.

Charity comes home first, so, I'll start local. I read a peice in the Asheville Citizen Times today about how the Economic Slump has slowed the "growth" here in the North Carolina Mountains. Well, we could have figured that.

The other is from The Liberty Papers. With this crazy shooting the other day in South Alabama the local Law Enforcement asked for assistance from near by Ft. Ruckers Military Police. A possable breach of Posse Comitatus. It probably wasn't really a big deal. But it is of interest.

The darn Dogs are having a hissy...
The Appalachianist

Popcorn Icon

I'll be the first to admit this Blog hasn't been positive in some time. That's just something. It ain't design. Then, maybe this is not all that negative, but, sad.

Let me tell you. It's a part of culture here. People that make liquor here are held in a certain position of almost esteem. I don't drink, I've never been drunk and I've never done drugs.If you like you can blame that on both my not having a desire and spending all of my adult life in the Military. But allot of us here respect the Bootlegger. We have no disgust of them as drug dealers. There's a fascination that is well deserved with the Moonshiner. Quite simply, they're Rebels. And then, if you are from Southern Appalachia, there is someone within three generations of any side of your family that made it at some point or another. I'm the Grandson of two former Moonshiners. Knock on wood, I've not needed any cough medicine since I came home from Iraq.

Corn Liquor - Buck Owens - Corn Likker

One of Haywood County's most famous Sons has passed. Rest in infamy Popcorn Sutton, although you weren't bothering no one.

Popcorn was not "The Last One" as the producers of this clip say. Popcorn had become the poster boy of the Bootlegger. He is the closest thing to a pop icon that this region has ever produced. He surely looked the part to outsiders to the danger of stereo type and had natural charm that made him naturally likable. To tell the Truth, Popcorn didn't hide nothing. He was open as to what he did and what he was. Popcorn made liquor. He made liquor that he didn't pay taxes on that they were not going to collect taxes any how. He said he didn't want to go to jail and he won't.



It's a shame, he would have been a prime judge in my vision of the Southern Appalachian Corn Liquor Cook Off. We'll leave this on a bright side.
Southern culture On The Skids, Corn Liquor.


My sympathies to the Suttons.
The Appalachianist

Small Town Ruckus

A few weeks ago Buttholeville...AKA Brevard NC...Was in a knot. A better half of the County was in a knot too on account of the Police Chief being let go. Not only let go, but, let go while on vacation and then, without any given reason. OK, let me correct that, he wasn't let go, just placed on administrative leave without pay until further notice. The Chief responded that it was retribution. Some time back, before Hunting Season rolled around, the City Manager narrowly escaped a little trouble. Apparently he likes the Ladies but doesn't treat them like Ladies. To be exact, he touched a 22 year old mentally handicapped girl. He managed to get of with an apology to the family of the young lady. To make matters fair, avoiding any conflict of interest, the case was handled by the Sheriff's Department. And, then months later, all of this happened. People must have liked the Chief, because they got awfully angry over it when he was let go.But then, to make matters more suspicious, the 2nd in Command at the Police department was put on patrol with a Lieutenant placed in charge.

Then one pretty Saturday a bunch of people stood up at the Court House rallying in support of the Chief. The Chief, understandably upset, had said that as long as the city Manager stayed, he would not return. That bunch that runs the City took that as his resignation. Then, right about that time, another Woman came forward saying that the city Manager had acted in an ungentlemanly manner towards her. Finally, the Manager resigned. And as far as the City was concerned still, so had the Chief.

I suspect next time Election rolls around down there...Down there being Buttholleville...And you wondered why I call it so...The Mayor and Council might as well resign too. At least you would think. In County Elections we've failed to put all commissioners in with the genuine interest of the County and not Real Estate or being a member of the club.

What's this got to do with you? What's the moral of the story? I don't feel I can rightfully say. I don't think we've seen the end of it yet. But, obviously, peoples sense of Justice has been upset around here.

The Appalachianist

Nationalised Vulgarity

I didn't plan on posting another video, but, when I found this on Reason, I couldn't resist. WARNING! Vulgar language ahead. Otherwise, laugh, chuckle and be humored.

Nationalised CitiBank.

The New F***ing Citibank - watch more funny videos

I'll tap the keys again here soon enough.
The Appalachianist