Tag Archives: WV

Hallelujah!

October 19, 2009Thoughts, WVThoughts, WVwarren

We headed down to the Clay Center this weekend to check out the Lost Kingdoms of the Nile exhibit. From their website…

“The Clay Center is one of only two venues in the entire nation afforded an opportunity to present this exhibition. From the largest Nubian collection outside of Khartoum, Sudan, the exhibition includes more than 200 objects from the royal tombs of el Kurru, Nuri, and Meroë which date from the Prehistoric Period to the Roman era (3100 BCE to 246 CE).”

It was really incredible and I am so excited that Charleston has such an opportunity to see priceless artifacts from “back when God was a kid”. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take pictures in the exhibit so I got nuthin’ to show you.

Outside, however, is another incredible object that I think Charleston is fortunate to possess. The new sculpture called Hallelujah! by Albert Paley was installed just a few weeks ago at the Clay Center. The McGee Foundation donated a bunch of money to add the 60 foot tall sculpture to the collection of the Center and I am so pleased that they did.

The new piece has apparently met with mixed reviews. In fact, when I first heard about it, I too thought, “Great, another pile of rusting metal in the city”, but I was wrong. When we drove upon the Clay Center, it was striking.

Sure, it’s rusty, but it is a beautiful piece and, when seen in person, is oddly moving to me. Not moving in an “I’m about to cry” way, but in a “I’m huge and awesome” kind of way. Come to think of it, it also feels like it is in motion… definitely moving! Isaac critiqued it thus, “Dad, this is an awesome weapon…probably something the Transformers would use.” Indeed.

My pictures don’t really do the piece justice, especially with the gray background. Even so, it’s a sight to behold. So, what do you think of modern art in general? Do you dislike it all or can you see awesomeness in some pieces? Do you think it looks like a Transformer’s weapon or do you see something else?

Me Warren…you Jane

September 28, 2009Adventure, Fun, Nature, WVAdventure, Nature, WVwarren

I returned a bit to my primal-ancestral ways this weekend. Besides the urge I had to dance ’round a fire with a spear, I had an opportunity to swing among the trees. In Fayetteville, WV, there is a fairly new canopy tour among the trees in some of the most beautiful forest I have seen in a long time.

(yup…raining)

Anyone in this area knows that it rained cats and dogs this Saturday. The tour company cancels for neither man, no beast…only lightning. I guess the Post Office still has one up on canopy tours. Anyhow, we arrived in the pouring rain and prepared for our tour. My preparation involved hitting the restroom one last time and slamming down some health food…a Snickers bar.

The tour is 2-3 hours in length and there are no tree-side rest areas along the way. I suppose, since it was raining so hard, we probably did have some options but no one wanted to really go there when it came to going there.

So, we tied into our male-sterilizers…I mean harnesses and started the course. It was breathtaking. We whisked, platform to platform between what appeared to be ancient trees. At first, we started at near ground level. As we progressed slowly down the mountain, we quickly ended up in the tops of enormous hemlock and magnolia trees. At the highest point, we were 85 feet off the ground in a tree…not the top of the tree, mind you. It was far taller than that.

Hemlock trees are being decimated by a beetle that destroys entire forests. A portion of our tour fees goes to treating the trees to prevent their destruction. After standing high up in the tree, I am pleased they are dedicated to preserving such beauty. We could see all around. There were “fields” or rhododendron and mountain laurel. There were wild, rushing streams and rock formations formed long ago. It was incredible and a bit spiritual for me. It just felt like how life is supposed to be. I mean, the ziplining was a blast, but I think I may have enjoyed just looking out through the forest and seeing nature. The only noise was the sound of raining falling through the leaves (and down my back) and the rush of the streams.

(I am flying by…the photographer’s timing was good!)

So, as I mentioned, it sort of rained some….I think Noah once said that too. Anyhow, my pictures aren’t great, but I don’t think they could begin to do this trip justice anyhow. The Rivermen do a fantastic job and I can’t recommend them enough. If you have an urge to get outdoors, to have a thrill, or just do something different, try ziplining in WV!

Oh the West Virginia hills, how majestic and how grand

September 23, 2009Thoughts, WVWVwarren

I have told people that we are hilly here in WV. I think most people don’t really understand what I mean when I say hilly. You see, there are very few spots of flat land in Charleston, WV and most of those are either in a bad flood plain or are underneath some business. The rest of the area is hilly. Some say you need a longer leg on one side to walk the hills and it’s true. We take our hills seriously in WV. I decided to take a video of my ride home from work one day. There are a couple ways I could go but this is my typical route. I am not sure that this video even does the trip justice, but I think you’ll get the idea…

(please holler/leave a comment if this video doesn’t work for you…some folks have had trouble…I can reset the webserver which may help)

I love the WV hills for sure and so did the author of our state song…an atrocious song, but one that honors our hills. Ok, promise me you’ll listen to that song and then I’ll share with you a few more WV songs…go on…have a listen…

(stop it at around 5:15 if you are easily offended…this is the only version I could find)

See what I mean? It’s a bit painful isn’t it?

Most people are familiar with the John Denver song, Country Roads. Have a listen to it:

Some folks fuss about this song but I don’t pay much attention to them. This is a great song and, for me anyhow, a real WV song.

So, John Denver’s song is a WV song, but in my mind, the WV song is this one:

(here’s an audio only version which may be clearer)

Emily and I went to college at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where this song was first introduced to me. Dang, it brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it.

So, I love my WV hills. My wife says they wrap her up and hug her every day as she looks out on them. I can’t think of a better way of putting it. I love my home among the hills!

Well, it is after 4:00

September 9, 2009Family, Fun, WVFamily, Fun, WVwarren

We took a trip to PA this weekend to visit with family and help with some home winterizing projects. I used to dread the trip from WV to PA (and even worse when we lived in TN) but as the kids have aged, we have found that a few movies, books and video games save lives. The kids travel very well and it’s become a non-issue for them to pack up and go. Emily and I count on a bunch of caffeine though as we always drive at night after we get out of work. It’s a 6.5 hour drive so that usually puts us in pretty late (especially when you consider that it follows a long work-day).

Anyhow, we count on caffeine and the groovy tunes to keep us going and it usually works very well. We headed up I-79 and drove until we got hungry. Subway usually agrees with our tummies so we pulled into one and ordered the usual. Emily ordered an un-sweet tea (she isn’t truly a Southern girl apparently). The feller at the counter said, “We don’t serve sweet tea after 4:00.” Emily said, “that’s nice, but I want UN-sweet tea.” They went back and forth several times saying the exact same thing. We were still in WV so one would think that we spoke the same language, but it was pretty clear that communication failed early on. Finally, the guy told her that they don’t serve ANY tea after 4pm.

(We got this one stuck in our heads!)

A lot of places in WV and elsewhere still have blue laws. I am familiar with them and couldn’t really care less as they don’t affect me. My wife without caffeine on a trip, however, does endanger my life. Green (tea) laws in WV must be overturned! We were in prime dinner time hours so I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t have sold their tea. And heck, they waste tons of food at Subway (as in all restaurants) so I can’t imagine that throwing out a bit of tea at the end of the day would have caused them much distress. No, no, I think there must be some moral reason why tea is banned after 4pm! If anyone can enlighten me on the issue, please feel free. My life may depend on it!

Ever hula-hoop on a hillside?

August 24, 2009Family, Fun, WVFamily, Fun, WVwarren

We went to a family reunion this weekend. It started a few years ago as a pig roast but after Aunt Margaret got into the liquor cabinet and decided the pig needed a drink too, we have toned it down some and now have burgers and similar picnic food. We always have a great time but it’s never really a reunion until Emily’s cousin and I blow something up or do something stupid.

This year, we opted for stupid…we started off by hula-hooping on a hillside. See, in WV, there is very little flat land. Any land that is flat is a flood plain and lately, that land is pretty soggy with all the rain. So, we decided to hula-hoop on the hillside. Isaac was the only smart one. He started off wearing a helmet.

The kid is a genius with a hula-hoop! He can walk around spinning it. He can walk and talk and probably could bake a cake while hula-hooping. It turns out, his sister is similarly gifted. Me, on the other hand…I am not so blessed. I got the rhythm and lubricated joints, but I just cannot hula…and especially not on a hillside.

Cousin “D” and I discussed it and we decided hula-hooping on a hillside was no where near stupid enough. The kids brought their razor scooters. We stood at the top of the hill and a dim light lit above my head. A-ha! I know stupid when I see it. Both my Mom and wife said at the same time, “He won’t be happy until he hurts himself or someone else.” Oh how I wish all of you could be known that well by somone.

Anyhow, I jumped on the scooter and headed down the hill. The first few rides were fine but I quickly discovered that the front wheel bore too much of my weight on the wet ground. Finally, just like my Mom and wife said, I was able to finally be happy. I sunk the front wheel in deep and the scooter stopped. I was not so lucky. I went head over heels and did a very dramatic roll down the hill. Now that’s stupid!

(click for a video)

I want you to notice the whole row of adults watching the geniuses ride down the hill. Just like a car wreck, they had to watch!

The Stop Sign Artist of Charleston, WV

August 21, 2009Fun, WVFun, WVwarren

I like art. Most of the time, I like pretty mainstream stuff, but can appreciate all sorts of things (I am flexible like that!). Last July, someone in Charleston expressed their creativity on some stop signs in my neighborhood. In my neighborhood, graffiti is almost unheard of so you can imagine the excitement I felt when I saw it.

No doubt, some of the more uppity folks were offended. Our city is really great about cleaning off any graffiti that might show up. I only captured one of the art pieces before they had cleaned everything up. I was sort of sad. Not in a “they’re defacing the Mona Lisa” sort of way, but I like clever stuff.

Now, I hate the idea of what traditional graffiti means…”We own this area” and the like. That sort of thing makes me mad. The seniors (and sometimes juniors) at the local highschool typically go around and paint their graduation year all over everything. That makes me mad too because they are thoughtless and careless and their work is sloppy. I really dislike that mindless defacement. Anyhow, the stop sign graffiti was pretty clever though so I was sad that I didn’t get to enjoy it a little longer (and didn’t get to take pictures of it all).

Lo and behold, a week or so ago, the artist struck again! With all of the rain (it’s pouring again today), I think the city is a bit slower to clean things up so I got pictures! I don’t have anything particularly thoughtful to say other than, “Thanks, Stop Sign Artist of Charleston, WV. I appreciate your work!”

But Stop Sign Artist, I do not think I am ready for this…I barely know you!

Blackberries!

July 10, 2009Adventure, Food, WVAdventure, Food, WVwarren

We have a secret spot where we go to pick blackberries. Of course, blackberries have thorns so our screams probably make our location a little less secret than it otherwise would have been. Still, we go blackberry picking every 2-3 days while they are in season. Last night was our first venture to the patch.

Emily and I are coming up on our 15th wedding anniversary and we’ve known each other almost 20 years. I have known her parents about the same length of time. Last night was the first time we have taken them along with us. It was hard to decide whether I knew them well enough to trust them with my secret location. Finally I broke down and we all went picking.

Last year we went so much that we were overrun with berries. Don’t tell Emily but I am hoping for the exact same problem this year. With the first batch, Emily made a blackberry pie last night. I have breakfast lined up for the next few days for sure!

I plan to make some blackberry cobbler and some blackberry wine as well. My dandelion wine is looking great so I am going to try my hand at blackberry too. It’s funny to be making wine since neither of us drinks, but it’s the adventure that I enjoy!

Anyhow, blackberries are in season in WV and I have the stained and scratched up hands and arms to prove it! Are you getting berries where you are?

On the river

June 18, 2009Adventure, Family, Fun, WVAdventure, Family, Fun, WVwarren

We got a canoe many years ago, shortly after we were married. At that time, graduate school left us with very little free time so we didn’t use the canoe much. Then we started having babies and, though I tried to work out a safe way of buckling a car seat into the canoe, we decided not to take wee little kids on the river in a canoe. Since we moved back to WV, we have been itching to get on the river with our canoe.

I grew up near the Allegheny river and we canoed on it quite a bit. My hometown was very rural. In fact, if you drive up to the edge of the Earth and then turn left and go 25 miles, you’ll get there. Anyhow, we did lots of outdoorsy stuff and I had missed that in Nashville. Now that we are in WV, we have more opportunity to be in Nature.

So, when we got the call to go canoeing with Emily’s aunt and uncle, we jumped. They canoe often so showed us a fun launch on the Little Coal River (it’s WV…there is lots of coal here, of course). The river was up some and moving pretty quickly from recent rains. As we looked on the river, Isaac said, “Uh…I am not comfortable with this!” Abigail quickly came down with an upset stomache as well. They were both so funny and cautious (a definite good thing!).

We finally got the kids in the canoes and got ourselves launched and had a wonderful time coasting down the river. There were few distractions and the lack of sound actually made my ears ring a little. It was wonderful. The kids settled down and we just coasted…and relaxed…and talked. I loved being back in Nature (with a capital N for its importance!) and hearing birds and the water gurgling. I loved hearing my kids chatter about the river and their thoughts. I loved to see my son take his turn in the front seat, paddling pretty well.

(You’re kidding, right?)

So, we’ll get back on the river soon. We’ll look for chances to slow down and relax together. We’ll fish and drink too much pop and eat too many marshmallows and we’ll enjoy life the way it is supposed to be!

Symphony Sunday

June 8, 2009Family, Fun, WVFamily, Fun, WVwarren

The WV Symphony is based here in Charleston and is really first class. As a part of their community outreach, they hold Symphony Sunday each year at the University of Charleston. The university is situated on a beautiful campus along the Kanawha River directly across the WV State Capitol.

(Note my artistic shadow on the poster…uh…I meant to do that)

The symphony sets up on a stage at one end of the green the rest of the area fills with people and vendors (classy stuff mostly) and activities for the kids. Symphony Sunday is really an all day event where local children’s orchestras and community ensembles get an opportunity to perform. There are kids’ activities all day long and it’s a great family affair. They have special dinners and brunches and so on leading up to the event.

So, “the event” is the evening performance of the WV Symphony followed by a fireworks show. This year, the theme of the event was “A Pirate’s Symphony”. Mostly, the performance was comprised of music that sounds like it would be good in a pirate movie…you know eerie stuff that shivers yer timbers and makes you yell “Arrrrrgh”. Indeed, I had a strange craving for rum all evening. Anyhow, there was one funny song that made me laugh when it began. They started the song, “Holding out for a Hero“. Emily asked what movie it came from and I said, “Footloose”. The kids both immediately chimed in, “Shrek”. Huh…yup, I guess so. But I knew the real right answer!

Anyhow, the kids got some ice cream and completely enjoyed the frozen joy from ear to ear! We sat along the river eating ice cream and talking and listening to the music. A regular armada of boats anchored in the river and also enjoyed the music. We dreamed about pirates and the looming attack from all the “ships” waiting to send their crew to land. It was a perfect night and we had a tremendous time.

Finally, at around 10 o’clock, the barge from which they launch the fireworks moved to the middle of the river as the final songs started. We watched and waited, not sure which point in the final number would signal the launch. We had an unimpeded view of the men in the cage on the barge controlling the launch. As “Stars and Stripes” got midway through, the fireworks kicked off and we were delighted by the sight! It was magnificent!

So, summer is officially here and we are ready! Do you have some similar event that you enjoy that signals summer at your place?

Still boiling water

June 2, 2009WVWVwarren

We live in the city limits of Charleston, WV. It’s mostly a civilized place but like many cities, it is falling apart, slowly. We were out of town this past weekend to visit my family in Tionesta, PA (where it is still cold). We got home around 4:30 on Sunday to see the water company digging up the road near our house. There was a water main break out front. Actually, there was another water main break out front. Not too long ago, we had a break that allowed me to get some history. I was talking with the crew and they said the main in front of my house was installed in 1939. Yikes! No wonder it finally gave it up. That pipe is ancient in dog-years! If you drive down the road in front of my place, you will see patch after patch in the road (which was re-paved 2 years ago?) where water main leaks have been fixed. I don’t fault the crews who fix the leaks. In fact, I would put the guys who do the work even with Spiderman and Hulk Hogan (in his younger years). But, like many cities across our country, our old infastructure is failing at an alarming rate.

So, we got home on Sunday and the crew was delivering “boil water advisories” door-to-door, up and down the street. I guess there is a danger of contaminants like e-coli, the swine flu and the clap getting into the water from the rupture. We were basically instructed not to use the water for anything except flushing the toilets. Now I can go a day without a shower but much longer and my “manly scent” starts to be overpowering. I get cats and dogs following me around the neighborhood. Vultures circle overhead searching for the “food” that recently gave up the ghost. Luckily, Emily’s parents live close by and were unaffected by the break so we have been able to shower at their house.

We have boiled a bunch of water for cooking and so on but it is a real pain in the hind-parts. My father-in-law joked, “how do you like living in the country?” I responded, “I bet they freakin’ have water in the country!” It’s pretty funny how paralyzed a person can be when city services go bad! Of course, I grew up in the country so I know a loss of electricity can mean the well pump won’t run, but still!

Anyhow, we’ll continue to boil water and de-funkify at the in-laws until the water is deemed clean. I will do my best to keep the vultures at bay!

Anyone else ever have similar stuff go on at home? Does your water ever go out? How did you cope?

My Home Among The Hills

Life in WV!