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17 october 2000

sunday was good, too

Okay, so where did I leave off...I think it was Sunday. Yep, on Sunday, Wilma and I drove up to Mt. Airy for the splendiforous Autumn Leaves Festival. This is one of my all-time favorite city festivals, as it's manageable but fun, and shows off Mt. Airy at her best.

For those of you who don't know, Mt. Airy is the town on which "Mayberry", of the Andy Griffith Show is based. They reversed the name of Pilot Mountain, as well, to refer to the "big town" of Mt. Pilot in many episodes.

Alright, so Wilma and I are strolling down the street and enjoying ourselves immensely. The weather couldn't be better, the smell of yummy Southern food is all over the place, and every other booth is selling fried pies! I partake. After all, when in Rome...um, eat fried pie.

That's the thing about Autumn Leaves. Sure, there are the usual hot dog and funnel cake vendors, but there was also truly local food. One tidbit was so delectible, in fact, that you will be reading a review of it tomorrow. The only tragedy was is that these people don't operate a restaurant, but are serving their specialty to help raise money for a local community center. Say it ain't so! I'm begging you, add a deli to the place!

You'll understand when you read the review.

Wilma also did some shopping, and left with a spiffy new hat. She needed something to wear for our upcoming Christmas photograph, and there was a lady there who designed and sewed pet hats and bandannas. We don't know what she's going to be for Halloween, but I'll let you know when she decides.

Life is good in the fall. I've always thought I'd really have to work to have a bad autumn. In the North Carolina foothills, after all, it's a last foray into warm days with pleasant nights. "Sheets" (thanks for the metaphor, Bob!) of birds cover downtown at dusk as they eat last meals for their migration. The leaves are just beginning to change down here, and will be at peak in about two weeks. Because it's been a very wet summer, it's looking like a rich color season --- plenty of reds, deep oranges, and plums. The Appalachians die with fireworks shooting out of her head.

It looks like an alright way to go.