French Broad Log Jam

I sit here in my humble abode typing these words. My leave is almost done, so, I don't speak of a place being far away.

I told you, that is if you read the last couple of posts, that I keep up with the news here at home. Another subject other than the next county over's Sherriff, that I keep up with is the Log Jam. In a section of Transylvania County known as Penrose( That's down stream of Pisgah Forest and Little River and just before Blantyre)in the shadows of Fodderstack Mountain, is a big pile of logs jammed up in the French Broad River.

Reports put it as wide as 75 feet, as high as 12 feet and 25 thick. The river is cutting around it and taking the bank off of the sides. A man's property is getting washed away and that is all the more sediment going down stream. It's also a public waterway and that makes it a danger to anyone in a boat. No brainer. Oh, and a bridge is right down stream.

Well, powers that be decided something ought to be done and things got in motion. But then times are hard so money came in question. The Lady Governor coughed up some funds. Now, this News Story is dated 9 November. Those logs are still piled up across that river. I read in the local paper, the Transylvania Times, that it's still a matter of who is responsable, dated 19th January 2012. They were talking about a border, etc. Which, a border is cool, but these logs came from upstream.

I think they want to bring in a track hoe and move the logs. I thought at first a few sticks of dynamite would get it busted. I don't know what's what, but what's the hold up? Well, they did say Febuary.

In a world full of isms, I cling to Appalachiaism...
The Appalachianist

Henderson County's Brewing Rumble

I'm providing a link on my neighboring county's issue with their Shrrif's Department. This is a compliment to the previous post. This is an opinion peace. I like the writers style. He makes the point I made. We would make good friends.

Hey, my lucky number...13. Your's too. I've got 13 followers. My ego is bursting (I'm not dead). If you read this, give me a shout. Call me out on issues, lambast me. Then, "dance around the camp fire, hang around a while". I just looked at the weather back home and it calls for precious rain. I also realised Friday is the 13th. A black cat crossed my path today too. Do you think this is a good thing?

Cracker singing "Sweet Patatoe"


Lucky me
The Appalachianist

A Paradoxing Post

It's a little after 9 AM here on a Friday. It's cool outside. it's hardly been cold at all and hasn't rained in a few weeks. In a few days I go on my Mid-Tour Leave. I look forward to it, though I have nothing to look forward to. Colder weather, rain...My own bed. Oh yeah, grass beneath my feet, trees and hills...Dogs barking in the distance.

The Jolly Red Headed Giant hooked me up. He gave me his set for Christmas and I'm having fun with it. I believe he got it when it was on sale though.

I try to keep up with news back home, eases the boredom. This is a boring place. One thing I've kept up with is troubles for the Sheriff's department in the next county over, Henderson. A while back, the Sheriff decided to take a leave of absence because he had been diagnosed Bi-Polar. Some weeks later a concerned citizen, a man named Hill, went to the Commissioners about hearing tell of a pay off in a sexual harassment suit. It turned out to be credible. The Commisioners were unaware that the County's Insurance had paid out for a settlement. That's a little spooky, but, a county like Henderson is a complex thing. The Commisioners asked the Sheriff for answers, he decided to retire. Apparently it's not stopping there. This same man that approached the Commissioners to begin with went back to them about "rumors". Now he is petitioning for an investigation of the Sheriff's Department. In the meantime the Henderson County Sheriff's Department is doing it's job.

It's a paradox of our society. A cop catches a murderer or a thief. He's a "Good Guy". A cop beats up a drunk or sells the drugs he confiscated(thievery?). He's a "Bad Guy". Now, I don't have anything against Henderson County. This could be so, could be not. It's me making talk mainly. But the Libertarian in me says "Ha Ha! Why do we make people anymore powerful than they need to be?". Sometimes things get messy and people get hurt. Maybe there is no "Good Guy" or "Bad Guy", but a "Not a Bad Guy" and a "Not a Good Guy"? I have no conclusion. But I know Hill's not a bad guy. And I know that some people will treat him like one for simply disturbing the status qua. While all along he has forced nothing on anyone for "their own good", or imposed his belief for a "greater purpose". That is another paradox of our society, biting the hand that defends.

Last night I was thinking about what it's like to look for the brighter side of people. It's bright like a flame flickering from a candle. It dances in the dark to it's own rhythm, it is light and it gives a warmth...And it can burn. That's not a paradox, that's just life.


Life is full of paradoxes (Insert grinning Icon here).
The Appalachianist