Posted by Suzanne McMinn on September 10, 2007 @ 6:30 am
Fluff & Nonsense
Spruce Knob, highest point in West Virginia.
West Virginia’s lowest point is the stupid new “Open for Business” slogan the governor recently put on welcome signs posted on roads leading into the state. (Read more about what I have to say about that here.) Due to all the heat the governor’s been taking, he’s offering a poll–vote here for West Virginia’s state slogan! (Wild and Wonderful!)
The farm was about all I knew: our green meadows and hilly pastures, our storied old men, the great rolling seasons of moon and sunlight, our limestone cliffs and trickling springs….But before I grew up and went out into the world–and a bloody thing I found it–we were all at home there in our faded cottage in the meadow, all of us safe and warm. Sometimes now, a quiet sense comes to me, the cool mist blowing in my face as though I am walking through islands of fog and drifting downhill slowly southward until I feel the mountains behind my shoulder.
–Louise McNeill, 1911-1933, West Virginia Poet Laureate
I’m pretty sure that’s what Louise would do…..
(Winner of an autographed copy of Michelle Willingham’s Her Irish Warrior–#2, Kim A! Email me!)
6:50
am
Congrats, Kim A!
What a lovely picture
7:52
am
Wow, nice way to start Monday morning: discovering you won Friday’s book give-away! Thank you to whoever picked #2 for you, Suzanne.
That’s a lovely photo, perfect for that excerpt from Louise McNeill.
I hope “Wild and Wonderful” wins the vote!
-Kim
8:49
am
8:51
am
Shoot! You have to be from West Virginia to vote in the straw poll. Oh well. I tried for you, Suzanne.
9:04
am
Congrats Kim A!!!
Hope everyone had a great weekend. Sruce Knob is a beautiful spot. I’d been to Caanan Valley and Blackwater Falls, which are both beautiful places to go if you like nature, but never there til a few weeks ago, when we drove through Senaca Rocks, and when it first opens up and you seethe face of the mountain, it takes your breath away. Or it did mine anyway. Did you notice that the pines that grow on Spuce Knob only grow branches and needles on one side? My husband said that’s because it’s so high up and the sun only reaches one side. It was cool looking. As for the WV sign, I put my vote in to go back to Wild and Wonderful. You don’t know what’s really here til you go exploring, then you see that slogan is just perfect. Suzanne, I finished you book last night. Fantastic. I was so happy for Calla and Dane(JD)!!!!! Once I started I couldn’t put it down, which you know is a good sign. You guys need to get you a copy and read it from eHarlequin. It is definately worth your time and money. I can’t wait to find out what happens next in Haven. Hope everyone has a great day
LeAnne.
11:59
am
Congratulations, Kim!
“Wild and Wonderful” sounds like the perfect state slogan for WV!
1:38
pm
Gorgeous photo! Reminds me a bit of Alberta
2:08
pm
Big congrats Kim!
I can’t vote either but I’ve heard he got a lot of flack about that slogan here in Pittsburgh. Deservedly so!
2:39
pm
Troublemaker that I am, I went in search of WV zip codes and pretended I lived there. *g*
6:40
pm
How do they know if you live in West Virginia? Regardless, I voted for Wild and Wonderful.
8:51
pm
Congrats Kim!
10:01
pm
I tried to vote but couldn’t. I never thought of finding a zip code.
Way to go Tori. Congrats to Kim A. Enjoy the book. Havea great evening and 
to all. 
10:02
pm
Oh yeah, I enjoy seeing what your mood is every day, Suz. What a neat idea.
11:26
pm
Lovely picture and quote.
Wild and Wonderful sounds more like West Virginia to me!
9:16
am
Gorgeous picture - what a view!
I was unfamiliar with McNeill, but her words are beautiful.
7:40
pm
Leanne, I thought that was because of the wind at Spruce Knob (that the branches are only on one side)?
7:58
am
10:19
pm
Imthink Wild Wonderful is the best slogan it describes our state