at muddy creek

trigger warning: this is, likely, quite a euro-centric question.

or, at least, a post-Mayflower-centric one.

but can you imagine what it was like

to be the first handful of Moravian settlers

in the rolling green forest and hills

of Piedmont North Carolina?

Bethabara.

Bethania.

Salem.

 1759.

it's just stunning to me and my modern sensibilities.

 in the midst of the wilds,

they attempted to (and succeeded, i think)

replicate what was familiar.

wooden houses,

glass windows,

streets and neighborhoods,

paper stars and churches.

 as is typical, music brought us here.

 specifically, Dori Freeman's music.

she and her father and grandfather

played for Across the Blue Ridge,

Paul Brown's everything-old-is-new-again NPR radio show.

 but first!

Paul Brown & his wife serenaded us -

i, for one, did not know he could play an instrument!

 so...this very quick & sudden national attention

has, i think, caught a shy songwriter

by surprise.

waiting in the wings

 she is already a mother -

but, i think, still much more comfortable

in the role of daughter.

making faces

 i found the generational shoe preferences interesting.

 i think she was a little overwhelmed

by the cameras pointed her direction.

fine, fine, fine video clip

 

 couldn't resist this snapshot

of Paul Brown, Cowboy.

another wee video clip

 such a lovely voice.

 

 the show took place at

Muddy Creek Music Hall,

kin to Muddy Creek Cafe'.

both are housed in the old Bethania Mill.

post-show

her set list with key notations, just to be sure

it's a small venue...not a bad seat in the house!

a smile!

we strolled around the village (hardly a town, really) afterwards, and i had to snap this picture of a Moravian star the likes of which i've never seen.  i'm used to the conventional white ones...this one was gun metal grey with ruby glass - gorgeous!  it matched the house...which is for sale, in case you're looking for a village to call your own.  wooden roof shingles included.

there were all sorts of interesting and one-of-a-kind outbuildings.  i'm sure they each have a specific function, but i've no idea what.

church steeple

 you're really not that far from Winston-Salem,

yet look at the view!

nothing but rolling hills from their back windows!

delightful, all around.