southern living

it's been a long time since i've posted on this blog, and recent updates in blogosphere (namely maury's blog resurrection) caused me sufficient blog envy as to push me back into blogging mode. there are a lot of things i've been meaning to catalog, and for as many things to write i've had as many excuses.

turns out excuses are lame. so i'm writing again!

first and foremost, i've moved to the south. and i'm not talking connecticut, it's technically new england but not really, "south." i'm not even talking delaware, the state no one (except my great-aunt, apparently, and john's parents' beach house) actually lives, "south." i'm talking several states south of the mason dixon line, south. i'm talking, if someone passes you in the street and you make eye contact get ready for a half hour conversation, south. i'm talking grits loving, barbeque loving, tempeh loving south.

wait... did i just say "tempeh loving south"? OH, yeah, that's right, i moved to asheville: hippie capital of the south east.

asheville is beautiful. for those of you who don't know, it's up in the mountains of western north carolina (wnc), about 40 miles north east of the great smokey mountains national park. it's far enough south that it doesn't suffer from debilitating winters that last 6 months, but high enough in the mountains that it still boasts beautiful fall foliage and occasional snow storms (that melt the same day). but don't let that fool you. i didn't move here for the weather... (or did i?)

asheville is one of the most progressive towns in the south. many of it's 70,000 inhabitants are transplants from around the country, drawn to the open, free spirit and insane amounts of street musicians. oh, and did i mention vegan food? yeah, they have that here. lots of it.

asheville is the kind of town that felt like home as soon as i arrived, which is impressive for a native new englander in a southern town. don't get me wrong, the southern stereotype is alive and strong in the surrounding communities (i come into contact with them a great deal at work), and no doubt this is the buckle of the bible belt, but people don't look at me funny if i'm wearing my patch pants walking around town, or question that i don't own a car and ride my bike everywhere for transportation, and dug up my whole back yard to make a vegetable garden, and *gasp* don't eat animal products. who wouldn't love a town that has a drum circle downtown every friday night, a bike recyclery where you can get free help and advice on fixing your bike, and unbelievably cheap parts (both new and used), a local whole foods type grocery store that sells bulk tofu for $1.79/lb, a thriving artists community and downtown art scene, and street musicians on every corner? well, i'm sure there are people who wouldn't love that, but i do!

so i'm settling up for a while. two years of travelling and living with one foot out the door is enough for a while.* besides, i'm out of dough. time to re-try my had at the domesticated arts and nesting.

*this is my current opinion and is subject to change without notice