Day 3: I Don't Know So Much!

I got a bean burger here, the General
store across from Day's shop.

I woke up at 5 because that is when my roommate gets up to go work out. I made it all the way to 5:15 before I forced myself up. So I got in a workout, had fruit and eggs and tea for breakfast, and then I got on the bus to head out.

On our way over we were told about Moses Roper, who wrote a damning slave narrative: "Narrative of the Adventures and Escape of Moses Roper, from American Slavery".

Our first stop was a tour of the Union Tavern, which really did use to be a tavern, a place that Thomas Day converted into his workshop and home. (Check out this audio tour of his shop!) This was an amazing tour where we got to see not only the beautiful objects that he created but also the workshop upon which he worked! You know I started touching all of his tools and standing at the bench like I owned it, and then the audio tour reminded me to not touch anything unless one of the museum guides was there to help me. I moved back, wondering how he could know I was going to do that!

Some facts about Thomas Day are these (There's a lot more, too!):

• His shop became the biggest producer of furniture in NC!
• In 1847 he won a bid to do a major job for the University of North Carolina; his bid was the highest!
• In 1827 NC passed a law prohibiting free black migration into the state, but in 1830 Day petitions the NC legislature to allow his wife-to-be, a free woman in VA, into the state.
• He owned slaves and he was an abolitionist that may have hid or transported self-emancipated slaves.
• In 1848 he bought Union Tavern, the largest building in Milton, NC.

The second stop was the Milton Presbyterian Church, where he built the pews that are still sat upon today! There was an explanation about how furniture that he made could only be called his if it had been in a family for some generations or there was a bill of sale. Well, there was nothing for the pews. But in the shop they found the template for them, so, yep; they're his! There was a reading of one of Day's letters by a reenactor. And, Ms. Twinkle was our guide through all of this!

Ms. Vanessa "Twinkle" Graves 

We then went to the Stagville Plantation, which was once the biggest plantation in NC. It encompassed 30,000 acres and 900 slaves. That is more black folks than live in Maryville, TN, our town of 27,000 persons!

We got to hear a lecture from Dr. Reginald Hildebrand, and, my goodness, was he good. Anyone who was lucky enough to sit through his classes is a bigger and better person for it if they were only a half decent student!

He gave us two documents. One was an outline of his lecture, and the other was a flyer for an estate sale. Spend a couple of minutes with these two documents and I dare you not to be moved.

His lecture was so stimulating. I came to the conclusion that slaves and emancipated slaves until around the 60s were an ethnic religion. He agreed, but said he'd never used that term before. Hope he gives me credit!

It was amazing to me how Dr. Hildebrand couched the journey of enslaved Africans in terms of a resistance to the desolation of the spirit. He said that once ripped from everything that was foundational to an individual, she'd have to replace that with something--or go mad! And he reminded us that there were many different peoples enslaved from different places and forced together. Out of this, he said, improvisation gave sense to the senseless and became a part of the DNA of the African American culture still to this day.

The way I took it is about art, obviously: The enslaved others would distill a thing through the remembrances, mis-remembrances, legends and myths of their previous culture, creating art in their craft. For them, creativity was a matter of survival because the hope that they had was meaningless to those who took, sold, and kept them.

After I talked to Dr. Hildebrand I walked away. There was another scholar behind me, a black guy from Mississippi. He got a full blown we are brothers handshake. I'm never gong to get the full black slap.

When we were done going through the Big House at the plantation we went a few miles away where the slave houses and The Great Barn are (The Great Barn in really great!).

There are so many remarkable things to see there, including Horton Grove, which were four room, multi level houses; this type of housing is anomalous in slave quarters across the south. The houses included brick nogging, which kept the places temperate and the rodents out.

Ok. Growth moment here. If you're a historian don't roll your eyes at my ignorance. If you don't know you don't know, right? Not all slaves were just cotton pickers or house servants! In fact, the wonderful structures that we saw--the biggest barn in NC--were built by enslaved artisans. How did that not occur to me before today?

But the barn for was the most remarkable. Not only was it a feat of construction, but to think that it was built on the eve of the Civil War by enslaved artisans who had the highest craftsmanship takes my breath away--literally! We had a guide, and she walked us through the types of slaves that would have produced this wonderful piece of architecture.

• the stone masons who laid the foundation
• those who cut timber
• those who carted it to the lumber mills to have it sawn
• those who sawed it
• the blacksmith who made the nails
• those who kept the animals that lived in the barn
• those who grew the food...

The list truly goes on. This was a subsistence farming situation where all of the individuals involved are enslaved.

I really did learn a lot today, and I'm developing ideas about how to get this wonderful and rich American history into my classroom next year!

Last fact for today: Nearly 1/3 of of  antebellum NC's population!

Day 2+: Chapel Hill, NC

Okay. So another multi-day post. It's not that nothing is going on. It is just that blogging is hard! My kids complain about it all of the time. I fell your pain, kids; I feel it.

A couple of days ago I helped paint at Southland Books, which is expanding in some direction. It was fun because I got to work with the kids and help a neighbor.

And then other stuff happened. I worked out a bunch--I got a bunch of runs in. And made some art: crocheting. I'm practicing and making nice progress.

Of course, sometimes I'm making some pretty crappy stitches. Notice here how the block is just cattywampus. It is just bad. But this is the first time I've tried this stitch, which is a half double crochet. I know it doesn't look like it, but is is supposed to be!

And other stuff...

...then today I drove from E. TN to Chapel Hill, NC. It was only about six hours, but it could have been shorter. I was making really good time when I came upon a sing for a folk art museum. Well you know I had to stop!

There was some historical stuff, which I found really amazing and wonderful. But it was mainly a venue for contemporary crafters to showcase their work, like this whale. I now have ideas about my kids making something like this for the school.

But it really was the historical stuff that got me excited. I love this gate. I so want to make one. I guess I need a wooden fence, though.

There was a lot of fabric and glass stuff, and there were things made out of corn husks or other fibers. But there were no instruments. There were a lot of carvings and displays about carving.

This case was my favorite, and this figure of the guy walking and carrying his load was my favorite piece, easily! There is so much to the piece. It could be read as naturalistic, but the roundness and curviness of it suggests it is stylized. It is a remarkable mix of both, and just a beautiful object!

The museum itself was on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is such a pretty road that I can see how people would make a trip of it! I don't know if there a bunch of museums like this on the road or not, but it would make fiscal sense if there were. Plus it'd be a lot of fun for those traveling on the road. Maybe there can be a folk restaurant, folk laundry, folk farm. You know, folk stuff for all.

And eventually I got here, to the hotel where the workshop is happening. I know I keep mentioning it, but it really is amazing that I get to be a part of "Crafting Freedom: African-American Entrepreneurs of the Antebellum South". This is going to be special because of the NEH workshops I've done I can see bringing this material back to my classroom, especially into two classes that I'm teaching next year. I the fibers class I'll talk about Elizabeth Keckly, and perhaps we'll read her book. And in the STEAM class I'll definitely reference Thomas Day.

We had a dinner, and then we got right into the study! There were lots of introductions, but it is so hard for me to take in a group of persons like that. I really won't remember any of their names, but I will remember some of what they said, which may be the purpose. Who knows.

We had a lot of nuts and bolts talks, and we watched a short video. Plus we had some lectures, but there wasn't much material covered.

One treat that we had was a young actress who came in and read a letter from Ms. Keckly. She did a great job, in costume and all.

It is always risky to get a roommate at one of these, but it worked out great this time. I'm rooming with a 25 year old high school teacher. He is an avid biker and works out. So we've got some things in common, including only buying clothes at used clothes stores because why not.

In our conversations we came up with these nuggets:
I don't get riled up  because I just know the right thing to get rattled about.--Anderson
You can't combat poverty with police.--Me

This is going to be fun!

Summer 2017! Day 1+

So it's really day five, but this is the first blog post I'm making. I'll catch you up and then share today, which was really fun and adventurous!

I don't know who this imposter who lives where I used to live! Overlord there?! I doubt it!

I'm the Overlord here, where I currently teach. I know so because it is on the mail that I get. I cannot imagine what the front office says as they're sorting mail directed to "Overlord Runge." I didn't start it, you know. My boss did. I just accepted the title that she gave to me!

I sometimes get end of the year biddings into the summer in the form of cards and gifts. I got a lovely card from a middle schooler. While I openly admit I sometimes struggle with this age group, this girl does not fall into that category. I'll be teaching only high schoolers next year, so I won't get her for a couple of more years, but I bet we stay in touch!

In the last month my kids used the lost wax method to make aluminum objects--we smelted aluminum!--built and ran a hovercraft, and on the last day made some slime. School Teacher Coolness Level 10--assured for a couple of years!

My schedule for next year is set and wonderful! Thank you, CBA, for having me and allowing me to continue to mold these great kids!

The sad moment of the year is when I wore these boots for the last time. I took them to the cobbler here and he just looked at me and said I got my money's worth. Just let 'em go. He did commend the last cobbler who resoled them in FL. But he said I'd worn the lining out, and once that goes that's it. Bye guys. I'm sending them to a friend who works in leather, and I hope that he finds something to do with them.

I finally finished the big drawing I was working on. I'm all set up for the next one!

Since I'm teaching a fibers class next year I'm reacquainting myself with crocheting. I never did anything great with the craft, but grandma and ma certainly did. I don't think my mom does anymore, and I'm certain my grandma doesn't!

So I've been through the YouTubes and found a couple of books, but nothing was getting me to go like this current book I'm using. So I'll just keep practicing away over the summer. I'm going to bring a flock of expert knitters into the classroom next year, so the kids will have a lot of knitting help. I've found a woman up in Knoxville who gives crocheting lessons, and I'm going to talk her into coming, too.

I set up in my living room. I binge watch shows and practice away. It's a good life because I get to "go away," as we called it in my Art and Mindfulness class.

Ultimately I want to crochet critters in the round. In my search for books at the library the librarians told me how many of them crochet there. And one even showed me the dragon she just made. They are really encouraging me.

And I'm certainly working on instruments. These are true labors of love. But if I'm not feeling any love whatever I am feeling goes right into the craftsmanship. Did you ever read "Like Water for Chocolate"? Do yourself the favor and pick it up!

I have a few instruments going, but it is really these two that I need to get done. I've been struggling with both, but now that I'm not I literally don't have the time because I'm leaving.

The one on the right without the top is white walnut, and it is turning out even better than I imagined. The one on my left is my version of a TN Music Box. But, like I told the musician that is getting this, I don't do corners. So he said do a Runge version of it. I call it the TN Blues Box, in part because the musician wanted a 1+ fret, which allows him to play the blues.

I was vacillating between painting the decorations that are burned into the wood or not. But once Val finished the strap and gave it to me I knew I was painting it!

I laid out six colors to choose from, and once I did that the color became obvious. So I just went to town. It was quite a process because I had to do three layers of paint on each section. But the patience and effort was worth it. Now I have to sand the color back so that it fades and looks old. Then I'll put on two coats of shellac, maybe three, and then I varnish it. I hand wipe 7 coats of varnish on. Then the final coat is wax. I use Trewax in a ruddy hue. In my mind it really looks great!

Corrine came up from FL on her way to somewhere or the other, and it was a treat to get to visit with her. We stayed up way too late catching up, and then we got up pretty early to go up in the Great Smoky Mountains to hike. I invited one of the STEAM LaBrats to join us, and I'm so glad she did. She was our official guide to Spruce Flats Falls and Girls Scout Island at Tremont. And she was our in to the super secret activity at the end of the post!

We all proclaimed long before we got to the flats that we were going in the water. And it was hot and muggy hiking up the mountain to get to the falls. But once we were there the air temperature dropped a bunch because of the falls. But not one of us faltered!

Splish splash we were in! We had conquered the cold of the water. There was one other family there when we got there, but we were the only ones who went in. The water was cold, to be sure. But it wasn't so frigid that it was uncomfortable. It was just refreshing, like midday cup of iced tea.

Okay, so maybe we didn't run right in over our heads, but we certainly got there. My favorite part was just sitting in the water as the falls tumbled down, crashing on rocks and the water in pleasing cacophony. Words will fall flat when in telling the magnificence of communing with the woods, water, falls, rocks, and great folks I was with. So go to the flats and try it for yourself!

Going into the water was relaxing and just fun. I've always loved floating. And in the rivers up here, where there are a lot of rocks and not so much water it is pretty easy to just plop down on a rock so that my body is submerged as if I'm floating; it is one of the most pleasant feelings I can get, mostly underwater with the water caressing me as it passes by. It really is like a ritual bath, and we all need those now and again!

But standing under the waterfall is a different thing altogether. Whose ever heard of a ritual shower, anyway. Still, we took the obligatory under the falls pictures, and we all kind of enjoyed it!

Super Secret Part! Which really wasn't so super secret, but it certainly was super!
On our way up to the falls Rachel went to say hello to someone, but that someone wasn't there. So after we left the falls and were heading out she found that someone.

As we walked up to her, the SSS--Super Secret Someone--she was in a full power stance facing away from us. She was engaged with a couple of folks, obviously talking about birds and such. This I know because it turns out that Tiffany is a bird nerd of the highest order! She is the Citizen Science Coordinator at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Rachel had worked with her before, and that was clear when Tiffany broke her power stance to fully embrace Rachel in a power hug!

Bird banding begins, basically, by birds being bound in a net and bagged. Tiffany uses the secret retrieval method to get them out. And then she went through the process of measuring, weighing, and recording all sorts of data that creates some indignant birds! But Tiffany explained one of the studies being done, and it is significant to the park. So, some ruffled feathers? Yeah. But necessary!

Birds that didn't have bands got them. Bird bling, I heard Tiffany exclaim after a successful banding.

Okay. Rachel. A girl who does a lot in the world. I mean she has volunteer hours to spare. She does more than anyone I know, literally. At one point I told her to go be a kid--go fly a kite--I may have used more colorful language, but I really meant it! Just go play in the world, like when we were in the falls; she made paint and painted a bit. But balance must be struck in the universe, and so when given the opportunity to work with Tiffany again she jumped on it! Scribe away, Sister Girl!

And the day ended with this gorgeous sunset after 9pm. Yeah, summer is easily the best!