Mountains of Art

Seven years ago I was lucky enough to attend the Bead Retreat created by Carol Wilcox Wells, an extremely talented bead weaving artist. Each year since then I’ve journeyed to

YMCA grounds, lodge, and beading projects

North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway area to learn new beading techniques and to be inspired by the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains and the artistic people in our group.  We stay at what I originally thought was an unlikely spot, the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly near Black Mountain. This is a lovely, peaceful expanse in tall trees, and near a trickling stream; it is home to bears, turkeys, and other assorted wildlife. From the front porch rockers you can see the mountains and the clear blue skies. It’s no wonder that we can’t wait to be back together each year. The location is also appealing because we can easily go into town for retail therapy and outstanding food.

Two of my favorite towns near the Blue Ridge Parkway are Black Mountain and Asheville. These artists’ colonies are alive with weavers, painters, jewelers, glass makers and other

Gentlemen, start your engines!

'Air Conditioner'

It was our first really warm day of spring and we were just not going to stay inside. As luck would have it, we spied an antique car show in the square that would soon host the Keller Farmers’ Market, and these cars were fun and funky. This car show also supported two good causes: Down Syndrome Partnership and Cook Children's Medical Center. Some cars were what we have been dreaming about for years while others reminded us of our misspent high school days. We were also treated to a view of one of the first car air conditioners ~ a canister that sat on the window and let the air flow into the car.

Thunderbird Convertible

The baby blue T-bird with the port hole and the Continental package was my favorite. Other cars we’d like to have gracing our driveway were the 1935 Ford Roadster and the British made Ford Anglia.

Ford Roadster

All of the cars were polished to the max, the music was rock and roll, and the folks were friendly. However, there was no food and we were getting

Ford Anglia

hungry. Rather than sample any of the numerous great places to eat in Keller, we wandered over to Haslet and ate at Lee’s Barbecue.

The decor wasn’t fancy, but the food was good and the owner personable. Watching basketball finals on a small TV while rolling silverware, the owner chatted with us and made sure we had plenty of everything including his homemade barbecue sauce. This little hole-in-the-wall joint has been around for 25 years and is listed in Trip Advisor.

Lee's Barbecue in Haslet, Texas

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