Heidi Fowler

Heidi, a Virginia native, has some amazing art on her website. Love her blend of subtle and obvious elements to make a statement about the depreciation of our natural environment. Too many words, too little art.







Via OA

Chickens

'Anderson Farms' started raising chickens at the beginning of this summer. A lot of the information I've used came from BackYard Chickens, lots of people there ready to answer and question. It's been my job to build the coop, feed the hens, clean the nesting boxes, and keep them safe from the neighborhood foxes. But who's complaining when Norma-Jene and Bessie-May (Good southern names) are laying an egg each a day? Not this farmer.




(Left is a store bought egg, right is Anderson Farms. Slightly smaller, but twice as tasty)

As if Everyone Knew Exactly What I Was Talking About

Took a 4 hour canoe trip down the Wolf River this weekend with the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain to look over their new land easements. Had a great day, saw some birds, picked up a few beer cans, and sang this the whole way down the river.

Shopping Spree - Orvis

The theme of this post (And future posts on other stores) is 'If I had some real money to spend, just on this store...'. Not all of this goes together, but it's all wonderful stuff and I would wear any piece in a second. So, without further ado...










Hat - Tartan Driving Cap
Jacket - Washed Tweed Jacket
Sweater - Tweed Cable Turtleneck
Shirt - Pure Cotton Twill Shirt
Belt - Ultimate Shotshell Belt
Pants - Scottish Tartan Trousers (To match the hat of course...)
Shoes - Gokey Classic Double Sole Mocs
Accessory - Beer Cozy (Thanks 10 Engines)

On Second thought that all goes together pretty well.

Foxhunting

Last February I went foxhunting with the Hard Away Whitworth Hounds in Faunsdale, AL. I was the guest of Jim Horne, my girlfriend's father, who has been teaching me to ride, jump, and play polo for the past year.


For those not familiar with American foxhunting, it is a sport in which riders follow a pack of hunting hounds, led by the huntsman to seek foxes, coyote, or other prey. There is no killing involved in the sport, only searching and chasing. We rode in the 'Hill-topper' group, dully named for riding at a slightly less break-neck pace and usually watching from the hills. The hunt was exhilarating, the scenery spectacular, and the day an amazing experience (Even without seeing any foxes).








Foxhunting also requires a certain attire for the occasion. Most recognizable are the bright red hunt coats worn by the master and 'Whipper-ins'. These must be earned through years of hunting or for exceptional deeds in the field. Below are pictures of my set up (Minus the stock tie).




(Still smells like whiskey from our family trip to Scotland 3 years ago.)

Fleet Foxes - English Houses

Vintage Gun Ads

Field & Stream has a great slideshow of vintage gun ads from the 40's and 50's over on their website. Not a big marksman myself but I really like all of these ads. Head over to the slideshow for tons more.

Sambo Mockbee - Citizen Architect

'Samuel “Sambo” Mockbee dedicated his life, as a teacher and as an architect, to creating architecture that not only elevated the living standards of the rural poor but also provided “shelter for the soul.” Mockbee was so committed to this pure act of service that, in 1991, he abandoned a full-time architectural practice with Coleman Coker and the firm Mockbee Coker Architects to accept a position at the Auburn University School of Architecture. It was there that he and long time friend and Auburn professor D.K. Ruth conceived of and founded the Rural Studio.' - Citizen Architect Website


I watched Citizen Architect the other night with my parents, both of whom are architects and have meet Samuel. (I could barely hear the audio over their 'Oh! We know that guy!' interruptions)

(Amazing bridge, leading to an amazing tower in the middle of the woods)

Years ago we took a family road trip to Newburn Alabama. The architecture was very beautiful and inspiring but also very emotionally sad. The situations that the residents of Newburn live in can range from 'Terrible' to 'Awful'. The rural studio is an amazing and life changing idea that can and has been spread all over the country, and subsequently the world.

Not only was Samuel gifted with skills in architecture, construction, and interaction with all maner of people, he also made incredible paintings and sketches.






Get more information about the amazing documentary 'Citizen Architect' at their website, and also check out a great article on Sambo on the Oxford American website.

Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy