Sigh, Classic and Romantic?

The green of excess is upon me
Like deer in fir thickets in winter
Stamping and dreaming of men
Who will kneel with them naked to break
The ice from streams with their faces
And drink from the lifespring of beasts.
He is moving. I am with him

Down the shuddering hillside moving
Through trees and around, inside
And out of stamps and groves
Of laurel and slash pine,
Through hip-searing branches and thorn
Brakes, unprotected and sure,
Winding down to the waters of life
Where they stand petrified in a creek bed
Yet melt and flow from the hills
At the touch of an animal visage,

Rejoicing whenever I come to
With the gold of my breast unwrapped,
My crazed laughter pure as good church-cloth,
My brain dazed and pointed with trying
To grow horns, glad that it cannot,
For a few steps deep in the dance
Of what I most am and should be
And can be only once in this life.


-James Dickey, Springer Mountain


One of my favorite poems.
Blogger kind of bumps some of the stanzas around a bit.

I'm really interested in using/finding products that promote natural/organic formulas. I'd like to hear what some of you may use. Currently, some of the products I like are: Almay 97.8% natural foundation, eyeshadows (didn't like the mascara). Garnier is now making a 94% biodegradable shampoo that I really like. Yes to Carrots night cream is good, as well as the Burt Bees lip and hand products.

Unfortunately, I can't find a safe mascara or blush that I like that has a natural base without fragrance, dye or paraben.
I'm quite devoted to my morning/night ritual of boring Noxema too.

I'd love to hear what you guys are using.

So, I've been in Tryon, NC for a writers residency. My third residency in fact for graduate school. Only a couple more to go.
I became quite fond of Tryon and the little town of Landrum, a hop, skip or puddle jump over.
I stayed at the Pine Crest Inn which is famous for Hemingway and Fitzgerald lying their heads to rest there many moons ago. Personally, that wouldn't have made want to check in at this inn, but I guess to others it could be an attraction..

I admit, I was more interested in the history that roams the property. Cool facts: Doctors used to prescribe patients with TB to stay in Tryon because the air quality is very good. The Pine Crest Inn (or near by neighbor) has a beekeeper.
Tryon is where the divine Nina Simone grew up. Her house is open to the public for tours. It's a small two bedroom house, nine people including Simone lived inside.
Also, a friend that stayed in one of the original homes (the upstairs of the large lobby/bar/dining house) told me right away that her room and hallway leading up the narrow velvet carpeted staircase reminded her of The Shining.
She also is able to see spirits and had several encounters with a man and woman in her room.
The spirits were friendly, one raised a hand in hello and the other stood by the window.
She's told me before she's able to see ghosts. Personally, I think this is a gift.

(My first residency at Converse was in the original dorm buildings and several of us had encounters in that building. I got super sick after the first night too. A lot of negative energy hanging heavy in those hallways. Beside the fact that my room's closet was freezing while the room was very warm or that a friend down the hall had her windows open, the most negative feeling resided in the staircase connecting the dorm to the dining hall, admission hall building.
I found out later that there is also a small theater there too and the lady that the theater is named after lurks in that staircase. Every time I used the staircase to go to the dining hall, I felt like I was going to be pushed down the stairs. I do not say that lightly, my friends.
I researched when I got home and found that the negative spirit residing in the staircase was not the only one present on campus. Thank goodness, I was just a visiting graduate student. I've heard that since last winter, the dorm has been torn down.)

Local pub, Elmo's has a FANTASTIC Carolina burger. I had two while I was there (with a side of onion rings, of course :)
The Tryon town mayor will pull over on Main Street, hop out and introduce himself to the "visiting writers". Super nice guy (he also coaches the high school cross country team, I know this because when he jumped out of his truck he was in spandex running pants and track jacket.)

I got home one before it snowed like mad in Rock Hill. (sorry the photos are out of order, I'm still getting used to blogger).
For reason, they canceled school here for three days. Really?