I have decided to blog for a couple of reasons. First and foremost I just have these crazy ideas and random thoughts I need to share. Secondly, I need a place to vent or proverbially throw up. So here it goes.
I currently live in what you can call a city (Raleigh, NC) but spent my childhood in a small unincorporated town called Rainelle in Wild and Wonderful (you notice I did not use Open for Business) West Virginia. I haven't been home to visit in a while and had a great opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with extended family as well as celebrate my Grandmother's 77th birthday. Which driving anywhere on a holiday is in of itself a CRAZY thing but I decided to go for it. My family visit was very nice and I was able to see family that has been MIA for years. Anyway, you know when something is out of place? Kind of like when you have recently visited your local Food Lion store and the bread and peanut butter aisle has been moved clear across the store to the beer aisle. I don't disagree that a late night of beer drinking does not bring on a midnite craving of PB&J but who decided this? I have been conditioned to get the peanut butter in the condiment aisle and the bread in chip aisle. As I digress.....let me tell you about Rainelle. In its hay day it was a booming coal and lumber town. When you see pictures of what it used to be it really makes you sad. Now Rainelle is a quiet mountain town with really no outside draw. If no one told you about it you wouldn't know it existed. All of the main street buildings are becoming dilapidated or torn down. The streets are narrow and cracked, there are a few small grocery stores, one stop light, and even a McDonald's. Yes, I said McDonald's. It was a huge deal when the fast food giant came to town. Rainelle is one of 'those' towns where the big news is the new fast food restaurant. Here is where the out of place comes in. About a month ago my mom sent me a Google alert for Rainelle, WV and the title of the article is 'African Lion Alleged to be in WVA'. That is just insane. What is an African lion doing in WV and a loose African lion for that matter? After reading more about it I found a fitting forum thread started called 'Which is worse, an escaped lion or inbred hillbillies with guns hunting the lion?'. My thoughts exactly! Come to find out "officials" from the Tiger Mountain Refuge in Rainelle was on the scene of the sighting to help humanely capture or find the lion. They are a non profit that locates and rescues exotic animals and provides them with safe, permanent homes. What are they doing in Rainelle? I am just so confused. So while visiting this weekend I had completely forgotten about this loose African lion incident and while traveling down Main Street I see a very large, HOT florescent green hippo sitting top of building. It kind of reminded me of the big dinosaurs in Pee Wee's Big Adventure yet situated in a sleepy mountain town instead of the desert. This building houses the refuge's thrift shop. From what I understand proceeds from sales go to helping their big cats. So, while it seems I may be poking fun at the organization I'm not. Its really more of the situation. I happen to be an animal lover and after scouring their site it seems they are in need of a few things. Please visit their site and give if you are able. www.tigermountainrefuge.org
Two other things of interest while in WV this weekend. I got a tattoo and a speeding ticket. Second thing out of place like PB&J is the tattoo parlor on Main Street in Rainelle. No need to point out the obvious... its very strange a tattoo parlor has made its way to Rainelle. From what I understand he is doing great business because he just moved buildings and its bigger and better than the previous (may I mention its across from a funeral parlor- ha!). After little convincing, myself, my aunt and my cousin visited the shop on Saturday night. We all three got tattoos. This is my 3rd and first for my aunt and cousin. All of my tattoos have meanings or reasons for them being there. I can tell you that my new tattoo doesn't necessarily have a meaning but it has significance. This will be one of the most memorable Thanksgiving holidays of a lifetime. I still can't believe my cousin got a tattoo. For those that know her I am sure that it will surprise you too! If I were a betting woman I would of lost alot of money that night. Don't you find as you get older family no longer seems just family but more like friends? Thanks Lisa and Mandy! And although it's strange to find a tattoo parlor in Rainelle, WV Dave at Red Dragon does awesome work. I recommend you stop by and see him.
Last thing....being 30 I kind of prided myself in not having a speeding ticket because I surely deserve one. Thanks to a very kind State Trooper in Winston Salem, NC my speeding ticket cherry has been popped. 72 in a 55 to be exact. I am considering hiring a lawyer but haven't received the numerous unsolicited snail mails from Winston Salem lawyers yet who I am sure want to help me get out of my speeding ticket. I am just waiting.....
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