The Native North Carolinian

Yesterday, I mean, about the diapers and then wine. She’s wearing the dipes just fine, and I haven’t opened the wine yet, though my cuz did tell me that the higher the alcohol content, the sweeter a wine usually is. Since I like mine sweet, I had to check and that one is 12.5%. I just love small print. I reckon I need to carry around some sort of reading magnifiers just so I can read wine labels.

Reading the internet is much simpler: I just hit ctrl + until the font is just right for me!

Guess what’s coming to Charlotte, and attracting the attention of young girls all over the Mid-South Region? It’s not Britney, Lindsey or any of those other stars who are in and out of the drug rehabs. (Hannah Montana is coming later, but I am not putting her on that list). Nope! It’s the Pop Warner Regional Championships, and my cheer leaders will be there. And that means I will be there, too. In a stroke of anti-brilliance, they have scheduled the competition for the day after Thanksgiving but we’re still excited and we’re still going and yay! Go Jets!

I mentioned that we use pick up trucks here in North Carolina, and I thought it would be fun to talk about a couple of other products we use a good bit of: Bengay and duct tape. Sorry, there’s no link for duct tape because there are just so many brands, including one called, ironically enough, duck tape. Why do I say that is ironic? Well, because only a redneck calls is duck tape, ya’ll.

Because why would you tape a duck? Really, how could a duck possibly need fixing in a way that duct tape could help? If his feathers fall out, he’s gonna freeze to death anyway, and if you’ve shot him, that’s not exactly an injury he’s gonna recover from, ya know? Just cook him and be done with it.

Enough of the duck, let’s get back to the tape. It’s called duct tape because you use it to construct and repair ductwork. Well, that was it’s intentional purpose, but we have raised the use of duct tape to an art form. If you follow the link up there you will find Halloween costumes, and here are some duct tape prom dresses and also a wallet. But we don’t just use it to make stuff, we also use it to fix just about anything, from cars to televisions. I personally have used it to repair books, toys, aluminum siding, drywall and more. It’s the stuff of awesome fix-ness around here. Love me some duct tape.

Oh, you are probably wondering about the bengay by now. We use that, because sometimes, teh duct tape doesn’t work. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. And when that’s the case, you know what happens: some redneck with a broken tv lifts it into the bed of his pick up and hurts his back. Then he spends the rest of the day wincing, eating boiled peanuts and watchin’ the race on t’other tv.

Here’s a quick and easy craft idea that you can use on your next visit to the beach. Visit the craft store and buy some paper or canvas picture frames. You’ll find them with the foam shapes and such, since they are made specifically to be decorated. While you are there, get some craft glue. I like Aleene’s tacky glue for this sort of thing. The thickness makes it stay put instead of drip, no matter how you need to hold your item, and this is important, as you will see shortly.

Ok, frames? Check. Glue? Check. Go to the beach. Spend the day making memories, playing in the sand and surf. Don’t forget to snap a few pics–you’ll need them once you get home! Before you leave, gather up a mound of sand and small shells. Spread the glue in a goodish layer on the frame, and then press the frame into your pile. Put a fair amount of pressure on it, so that the frame sinks a bit into the sand and shell. Now, pick it up and admire it.

See the shiny parts? That’s from the silica in the sand. Did you know that glass is made from sand? From the makeup mirrors ladies use to touch up their lipstick to the glass you drink your iced tea from, it was once all sand!

I posted not too long ago about beach cruisers, and I was thinking it might be interesting to talk about some of the other toys we enjoy here. Of course, our climate dictates that we get to enjoy some things year round that are considered seasonal elsewhere. For instance, where else could you play with kites at Christmas but on or near the beach?

And what about horse shoes? I’ve actually seen people play that with toilet seats and small trees. And cornhole, whose name sounds so much worse than it really is. I’ll try to keep on the look out for more things like these as I go about my business.

So I was checking out the Van Halen tour today, and I notice we’re not on it. In fact the southerest Eddie is coming is DC, which really, can hardly be called south, can it? Does he think we only listen to blue grass and steel guitar down here? Or maybe he came in the spring and I missed it. That’s possible. Musta been while I was listening to Flatt and Scruggs. And, is southerest really a word?

Admittedly, I don’t know nearly as much about Carolina Sports as my friend marcus, but no North Carolina blog would be complete without at least mentioning the Carolina Panthers. This NFL is relatively new on the scene, but they have a decent record, and my cousin like them.

Ooh, you can tell I don’t really “do” football, can’t you? I guess I better stop before I hurt myself. That would be so not pretty. But the Panthers’ next home game is the 28th against the Indianapolis Colts. Check ‘em out.

I just posted yesterday that it was supposed to finally cool off, and it has. It feels absolutely blissful!! And now that the beaches are emptier, and the air is cooler, it’s the perfect weather for riding beach cruisers. There’s always a breeze there by the water, and in the fall the visibility is incredible. If you don’t have one, you can get one for less than $100 from xyzbikes.com. Leave that Carolina Blue number alone. It’s got my name all over it.

P.S. Yes, I know they in California. It’s ok–they ship by FedEx.

Here are some opportunities for fun around the state this weekend:

Summer Fun in Salisbury
Thurs - Giordana pro & amateur bike races. Fri - 60’s Night Out outdoor festival, live music, kids’ fun. Call 704-637-7814 for more info

Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby in Cherokee
Featuring fly-tying exhibitions, fish-cleaning stations, food, music, door prizes and trophies.
828-497-8126

Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair This is a biggie, ya’ll, celebrating it’s 51st year!

Mineral and Gem Festival also in Mitchell County

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Flat Rock.

My boys and Dh are very excitedly plannng a camping trip next weekend. They’ll be going to Tabor City to Jellystone Park. The older girls and I will be going to Carowinds as soon as they get home.

Hehe, I don’t “do” camping, but Kim does. I was reading tonight about her family adventures in getting ready for summertime fun.