The Big Move

Long time, no blog post, eh?  It's been three weeks since the big move to Asheville, North Carolina.  What an adventure!  We're all unpacked, have the house set up and are ready to go exploring our new hometown.


Before we left, I went home to Hernando (MS) to spend time with my family.  I just had to get a few pictures of the old home place, especially with the daffodils (one of my favorites) blooming.

This is the horse barn turned tractor shed

Per my request, my Dad built a bonfire and we roasted hot dogs & marshmallows for smores!

My Dad pulls the nieces around the yard.  Wish I was between the ages of 2 and 8 again.

My Mom, my niece, Drew, and I surprised Anna-Kate at her school during lunchtime right before I left. 

I had to see this sweet girl one last time before my trip.

 Drew playing in the big hall at Anna-Kate's school.

 Drew pointing at an airplane overhead!

Here's a few pictures from our move day.

When you put it like that, I guess this is really happening!

On the other side of the ordeal that is ATL rush hour traffic. John is driving the U-Haul.

From the side view mirror POV.  Please don't tell anyone I was driving & taking pictures.

We finally arrived in Asheville, God help our haggard souls, pretty late that evening.  We spent the next day or so unpacking.  It was pretty cold and on Saturday morning we woke up to ...

SNOW!!!

Hey, us Mississippians don't see snow on a regular basis.  So, when it makes an appearance, we enjoy the heck out of it.

A New Chapter: Relocating

Hello, friends!

It's been a long time since I posted because this past year I haven't done nearly the amount of travel for work as I have in the past; and I've also been extremely busy juggling work and music.

I wanted to let you know that I am relocating to another part of the South, so I will say goodbye to Mississippi for the time being.  I grew up here and have loved most every minute of it, yet I'm ready for a new locale. 

Me and my mandolin player, John, are moving to Asheville, North Carolina. We're going to reform the band and get to work writing new songs, playing to new faces and hitting the road.

It's a thrilling new chapter for me and I am excited beyond words to have a new place to explore, new culinary treats to discover and new friends to make.  That being said, it's been hard for me to say my goodbyes to all the dear friends I have made during my 7 (!!) years in Jackson.    

My last day with Mississippi Tourism is today. It's kind of weird...and I think it'll hit me later!

I plan on getting the blog up and running again once I get settled so that I can sharing pictures with you from my new place of residence.  And you know for a fact I'll have plenty of stories to tell.

You'll hear from me again very soon!

~ Anna

p.s. Here's a photo of our new place. (Can't wait for springtime to hit!)

What are you doing New Years?

That song, What Are You Doing New Years Eve? is truly one of my favorite holiday songs.

Last year round 'bouts this time, I wrote a postlet (sort of like a piglet or naplet) about choosing a word for the year.  My 2011 word...well, it's chosen but I want to do a little more thinking before I say it out loud. 

My intent for the new year is harmony and balance, strengthening my strengths and not frantically spinning my wheels.  So, if you know of a word that encompasses those sentiments, shoot me a message.  If that stumps you, too, well...dammit!  I'll just have to keep thinking in the meantime.

If you're interested in choosing a word for the year rather than resolutions that fall through the cracks by the time January is even over, go to Susannah Conway's website and find out a little more about it (she's got a 2011 sheet but I can't seem to find the link and am getting bleary-eyed) and download the (free) worksheet right 'chere or try this one on Christine Kane's website for her (free) downloadable worksheet OR here's another one if you want to spring the $10 to try it out. 

Here's a cool end-of-the-year project you can participate in called Reverb10.  Seems really cool (if you're into that kind of thing)!

Husband always asks this question of his friends and family as the year comes to a close and I, in turn, will ask you: 

What are the top 5 memorable moments that happened in your life this year? 

Of course, there's going to be lots of things that qualify, but what hits the top of your list?

It's been a big year for me with lots of stellar moments to whittle down into 5 little spots but here goes (in no particular order):

#5:  Growing as a writer...

a songwriter 

(recording a demo, knocking out gigs from the top of the state to the coast)

a foodwriter

(the Mississippi Culinary Trail, a regular food & restaurant column) 

and as a storyteller through photography, video and blog.

#4:  Our 1st wedding anniversary. 

#3:  My trip to Horn Island over the summer

#2:  Attending a Barefoot Workshops session that taught me how to film & edit (and I finished the film my own darn self!)

#1: Starting my full-time position this month

with the Mississippi Development Authority, Division of Tourism!

I am a Special Projects Officer in the Bureau of Film, Music & Heritage. YAY!

Be safe, have lots of fun and I'll see you in 2011! 

~A

p.s. bear with me while I change the design of the blog (it's bugging the heck outta me) and get my banner back up at the top. I have been in and out of town so it has not afforded me time to tinker with the thing.  hopefully this weekend, i can sort it all out. 

Mmmm...Friday.

How interesting that I previously mentioned Dr. Brené Brown's book and read along and low and behold, she's starting a new series of podcasts and another read along!  

Can't wait to hear what she has to share this time around.  

Happy Weekending!

QB and I are jaunting to the coast this weekend to visit a friend in Bay St. Louis - aka Praline Alley (praw-lean if you want to sound local and not get any more stares than absolutely necessary).

I'm looking forward to finding a good roadside stand along Highway 90 and hopefully they'll be "wahm."

I also want to explore Old Town in Bay St. Louis where, prior to Hurricane Katrina, there were shops, galleries and restaurants, that the local artist community has been building back up. This is where I want to go!

There is a lot of Creole culture in this area - it ain't all a New Orleans commodity - and if I'm not mistaken there's a building in the area where they found an old French cemetery underneath the floorboards.

I've been ok'd to work from home today and will resume work on the Culinary Trail. Technically, my deadline to have all finished and wrapped up was today of all days! Between the water situation and my hell-on-wheels sinus infection, not much has been accomplished this week. I'm ready to get back to work and explore more Mississippi foodways and stops.

Oh, and by the way, if you haven't noticed: I just LOVE the color RED. *girly sigh*

And on a completely different note, for those of you who might be interested in delving into what I'm going to call "Tools for Traveling a New Year," - or if you're wanting to make changes in your life (like setting an intention word for the year, etc), you might enjoy exploring these suggestions and blogs.

• Be present, Be Here by Liz Lamoreax. Liz is a photographer, artist and soon-to-be-officially-published writer who organizes the Be Present Retreats.

• Ordinary Courage by Brené Brown - the coolest, hippest PhD ever! She still has podcasts up from her spring 2009 read-along from her book I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power. The podcasts are terrific to listen in on.

Brené began this movement:

Make your own vision board for the year. You like mine?

• Louise HayYou Can Heal Your Life Kit

(Included in this kit: 24 affirmation cards, 150 word magnets that you can affix to the accompanying magnet easel (or on your fridge), a CD narrated by Louise, in which she offers words of wisdom that will fill you with hope and inspiration and a booklet in which Louise discusses the meaning and importance of affirmations and gives you exercises that will help you apply their power to your life right now!)

• I would love to take Susannah Conway's online class Unravelling at some point soon. It sounds really good and has been getting great responses. It really makes me want to delve even further into photography. "The original Unravelling: Ways of Seeing My Self e-course takes you on a photo safari into your own life to reconnect with who you are, where you’ve been and where you want to go next."

(this is my pic, above - San Francisco Bay 12/2008)

• Or you can start small with Zena Moon Candles created by Carla Blazek. They are really affordable (starting at $10) and she creates some of the best scents EVER. My favorite is the candle I was given last Christmas called "Radiance" - it smells of daffodil and honeydew melon. Heaven! She's got a blog, too, which is worth reading and she's got quite an inspiring background.
  

Our Deepest Fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our Deepest Fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that
other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
~Marianne Williamson

My Own Ponder Heart

Initially I wrote: "I am currently starting a new job." That doesn't quite fit. Let me try it again.

I am currently taking a leap of faith. Actually quite a few leaps have taken place.

There have been several leaps of faith materializing over the past several months. The leap didn't happen overnight, yet in many ways it has felt like it did. It is exciting and daunting, as all leaps tend to be. It's a strange feeling to have planned, waited (impatiently, I might add), to let the timing simmer to the right temperature for the precise chemical reaction to occur; and suddenly, the time is now.

So, alls I have to do is live it?! That's the best option I've had in some time! The opportunities coming my way are further steps in fulfilling my dream of being a creative and getting paid for it.

It was not an easy decision. Ok, yes, it was. It is scary and exciting, especially as the economy of our country goes down the tubes; but, I hate to dwell on that. (Don't get me started on my soap box on that topic!) The Lord brought these opportunities to me and the transitions happened before my very eyes.

While I will continue to work with the Mississippi Humanities Council,* I made the decision to officially launch a freelance business in music and film**, and accept a part-time position with the Culture & Heritage Development area for the Mississippi Development Authority and Department of Tourism.***

Wow.

For some time, one of the main things that I've wanted to do is be able to work in the arts in Mississippi and get to know the state better by traveling to most every corner. (I've also wanted to travel more, period, but that's beside the point at the moment...)

*It's thrilling for me to work for the Mississippi Humanities Council, which supports so many incredible research and community programs across the state. What is fascinating to me is how the Humanities Council truly rounds out the arts and development programs throughout the state and sadly, doesn't get half of the recognition it deserves. It is truly an incredible organization. I cannot stress enough to please be aware of the local Humanities Council in your own state and find out, and most importantly PARTICIPATE, what they are doing to preserve your regional culture, heritage and community.

**My freelance business, Anna Kline, Creative Project Management was a culmination of about 3 years worth of work and exploration in music and film. I have quite a few projects that I have been hired to do. Just recently, I changed the focus and scope of my business to include all the new projects I've been acquiring. Not a bad problem to have, eh?! I am currently finishing my first short film as well as collaborating on several other projects in music licensing, film production and PR.

***Thursday (yesterday) I was officially hired by the Mississippi Development Authority/Department of Tourism to work with their department of Culture & Heritage Development.

MDA has many facets. There is a Film Office, Culture and Heritage Division and Blues Trail, among others - but these are my favorite! :) (I have worked with the Blues Trail folks when I coordinated Malaco's Blues Marker Ceremony in April 2008.)

I will be working with Mississippi's Literary Trail and also with the Film Commission eventually. From what I understand, I will be traveling to the location of famous Mississippi writers and creating itineraries for potential travelers - recommending sites, restaurants and other pertinent information and taking photographs as well. Potentially even video footage, too.

Today I purchased my first real camera: an Olympus e410 kit that comes with 2 lenses. I have no clue how to operate it yet (I know how to work a camera, but this one has all kinds of bells and whistles). It will arrive sometime next week.
I am so excited and can't wait to get started!!

As Nanci Griffith sings, "...the asphalt is burnin' tonight." I'm ready to be where the rubber hits the road.

My first assignment is to complete the itineraries for Eudora Welty. Here is an quote from Eudora Welty as she talked about her job with the Works Progress Administration as a Junior Publicity Agent in Jackson:

"It took me all over Mississippi, which was the most important thing to me, because I'd never seen it ... [The experience] was the real germ of my wanting to become a real writer, a true writer" natural wonders. "there’s so much more of life that only words can convey.... "

She feels that southern writers care deeply about place. Nevertheless, she fears this subtle element may be escaping. Photography has a profound influence on Welty’s mode of writing, teaching her that “Life doesn’t hold still.” (by Carol Ann Johnston)

If you've made it this far, then you will now know the true purpose on this blog.

I will report about my adventures
across the state and beyond,
as I explore

Soulsville USA.