Loose Leaf Notes

Fun at Dogtown Roadhouse with Richie and The Wildlife.

Like a whirling dervish meets Jackson Pollack I dance blue on a big empty canvas Through rock and roll, disco and punk in and out of bumper cars at Paragon Park Across the floor of the Surf Ballroom I shuffle the Philly like Mustang Sally Hula-hoop past my girlfriend Jayn who’s strolling down a sidewalk […]

Floyd: The Hollywood of the Blue Ridge.  After working on his second independent film shot in Floyd, that’s what Floyd Countian Jason Gallimore calls it.  First it was horror thriller, now a romantic comedy (both produced by two different film production companies). I stopped by Oddfella’s Cantina, where some of the movie scenes are set, […]

On an Indian summer Sunday, we celebrated our friend Jayn’s birthday at Villa Appalaccia’s “All Things Olive.”   I learned that if I picked a fresh olive off a tree and put it in my mouth, I’d quickly spit it out.  The flavors are dependent on the oils, vinegars and herbs that the olives are […]

It seems I’m running out of fingers to count the number of people in our community who have passed away this year, all at ages where death is not expected.  It seems a door that was left ajar is now open and some of the best in Floyd community are walking through.  John Dancing Crow […]

These are scenes from Kindness Rocks, a memorial celebration of the life of Samuel A’Court Ashe Bason, a local luminary who passed away in August from a lung infection brought on by other health complications.  The gathering, held at the Floyd Eco-Village, included a display of A’Court’s art and musical instruments (many of which he made), along with […]

Toasting originated in ancient Greece and developed from the practice of a host pouring and drinking wine before serving guests to show that he wasn’t trying to poison anyone. The chant that the Bratwurst Trio led Oktoberfesters to do – Eins, zwei, drei, g’suffa; Zicke-Zacke-Zicke-Zacke Hoi, Hoi, Hoi –sounded more like a frat party cheer […]

I don’t know if I’ve ever posted drunk on my blog before.  There’s a first for everything.  It was raining. I was hungry and the wine at Villa Appalaccia was just so good.  I probably shouldn’t have done the wine tasting before I ate lunch. I’m such a lightweight when it comes to drinking.   […]

– The Anonymous Floyd Sign Master Strikes Again.  Another one HERE.

Scenes from the second annual Floyd YogaJam. Look for photos and a story in this week’s Floyd Press.  Read more about the YogaJam HERE.

Gyroscopic fire dancers Emily Williamson and Barb Gillespie performed at intermission at the 5th annual Floyd Family dysFUNctional Picnic, founded by the late Tom Ryan and in honor of him this year. Held at the Pine Tavern, the picnic featured catered food and Republic of Floyd (also founded by Tom) merchandise for sale, including Tom’s […]

A’Court Bason (10/5/1957 – 8/17/2013) was the Lao Tzu of Floyd (along with his older brother Will).  He was a self-described butterfly mystic from Across the Way, the English translation of his home farm, Travianna, or what he liked to call Kooky Town.  He came to Floyd with his family at the age of 13.  […]