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While away for a long weekend, Carlos and I ventured into a little shop in Saluda that had some very cool art and some kitschy things, too. I noticed a pillow, and said to Carlos: “I love this pillow… it says, ‘I love you more today than yesterday. Yesterday you really got on my nerves.’” From across the little shop, a howler monkey screeched: “What did I do yesterday?” The shopkeeper and I had a good laugh at that one, and then I bought the pillow.  |
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Even he knows you can’t stop a pandemic by not getting a
vaccine, not wearing a mask, and then taking three steps back to last March
when this all started. |
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Jeff Bezos says he heard from people that have been to space
saying the experience changes you. So, um, is he not coming back as a greedy self-entitled,
making money off the loser class pig? Asking for a country. |
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I am not a gin fan—sorry Maddie—but while staying with Neal
and David for a long weekend, David suggested a gin martini made with Monkey 47
Dry Gin, and it was delicious. I may be a convert …. |
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According to legend, over 300 years ago a young Cherokee Indian chief fell in love with a fair Indian maiden. They often met on top of the rock ledge overlooking the valley below. When the young chief was called to war, the maiden promised him that she would wait for his return from their favorite rock ledge. But after she learned her love had died in battle, she climbed to the edge of the rock and jumped off. Native American legend has it that on moonlit nights, you can see the ghost of the maiden on Jump Off Rock. I don’t know about that. But the views of the valley are spectacular. Plus, the day we were there, rain was coming, as you can see in the first photo below.    |
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Our friends
David and Neal collect a great many things and have them on display in their
homes. Normally, it all gives me anxiety because it’s so much … I tend to like
a less is more approach. But
their Piano Room at the new house, even filled with artwork and tchotchkes,
was my favorite room in their house. Of course, that might have been because
Carlos never met a piano he didn’t want to play and would serenade us each
afternoon. |
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Neal and David also have two of the most adorable dogs, Abby
and Marley, who are lovelies … well-behaved lovelies. Marley has a blue eye and
a brown eye and the most expressive face. I tried to get them to come home with
us, but, alas, they love their Daddies too muchand weren't too sure about cats. |
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Saluda has been taken over by The Gays …and not just Neal and David. A gay couple opened a little coffee/lunch spot called the Wakey Monkey, which Carlos, in his juvenile, adorable brain, instantly dubbed the Whack-y Monkey. In addition, to the Wakey Monkey a gay couple purchased an abandoned inn up the hill from town and are refurbishing it and plan to open the inn again soon. The Gays; we make everything better.  |
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And, while y’all know I am not a real big fan of what goes on
inside most churches, I love looking at the buildings, and the Episcopal
Church in Saluda is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in a long while. So peaceful … |
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And while we’re on the subject of religion, I’d just like to add that I could worship at the altar of Christian Mazzilli. That’s all.   |
