Today's adventure was New Burn, NC and it's mumfest. We were lucky to plan a day of other things around it as it was more of a downtown street fair (in my opinion) then a full on mumflower fest. I suppose they are just celebrating its bloom as we did see quite a few out and about they they were very pretty. Our day started out with trying to find a non crowded, non hour long wait for breakfast (Denny's to the rescue!) The first stop on the way to the fest, however, was a gander at a small RV lot. We even found one that we liked and that would fit our truck (I am totally calling it the kitty clipper if we end up getting it)! As each travel trailer seemed to be Luna own playground, she had a fun start to the day. We decided to wander downtown new burn as well and hit some fun spots. In a church area, we found a bunch of halloween picture cutouts and a playground that luna loved. We also saw some cool items in some stores here and there and places that I want to go back for (mostly historical). The indian restaurant my other half found was delicious and totally worth staying longer so we can eat dinner there. It was a fun but Luna-long day (she was very much DONE by dinner time).
Oooh! I almost forgot the book of the week!
This one was a a deep dive into a fictional life within historical events. The blue-skinned people of Kentucky (yes, I went into a rabbit hole of google looking them up) were mostly derived from one frenchman that settled in those parts in the 1800s, married himself a wife of red hair and pale skin and a recessive gene trait of the same disease-methemoglobinemia. It wouldn't surprise me in the least that they were shunned and classified as colored by the population just like in the book (which caused it spread as they isolated and inbred). She also fuges around with dates to add in the historical treatments of the 1960s. There is a rape scene in this book where the main character-Cussy Mary Carter- fights back and wins (the husband-an arranged marriage made with carefrom her ailing father- dies and thus scorning them even more from the public as that husband's family was prominent). It has a happy...ish ending in which she finds love with one of her library patrons. The other major historical plot is the Kentucky packhorse librarians. This book showcases Cussy's career as part of the packhorse librarians and its positive outreach (that didn't discriminate). The third historical fact the author slid into the book was courting candles. From my understanding they were more for practical uses as the spiral spine holder held the wax in when melted, but apparently it was a thing for parents to use when they wanted to check out the courter to see if they were a good match! You will note the strength of character in Cussy, her courage, and passion for those around her and for the books she holds so dear; and the historical times it is set in (1930s) with her coal-miner father. Overall, I enjoyed the story pretty well. It has a slow pace to it with more heartache then happiness but as it showcases the people of the appalachian mountains, I am not surprised. I suppose it is in accordance to an inspiring story as she overcomes her own shame in being blue and finds happiness with herself and those she chooses to dedicate herself to.
