Edgy Mama

I’m feeling inanely happy today, for no particular reasons, except that I love this eclectic town I live in, even though my post about a local girl scout attracted some psychotic troop leader who sent mean comments in all caps (delete, delete).

I’m happy because I love my job. Because I get to meet interesting people and hear their amazing stories and then write their stories so other people can read them.

And my kids are healthy and happy and adorable, most of the time, especially on Fridays when they don’t have any homework. And I own the cutest dog in America.

Sweet Dorkie Poo

My column for Mountain Xpress this week is about my no-longer secret crush on character Troy Bolton in the HSM movies.

Added bonus:  my story about young writers learning their craft in the boyhood home of Asheville’s most famous writer, Thomas Wolfe.

Here’s a story I wrote for Mountain Xpress’  Web site about the new Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act. In researching this, I was surprised by the far-reaching, seemingly unconsidered, consequences of the act for small businesses, crafters, and even libraries. Read the story and tell me what you think.

I ordered four boxes!

From her dad:

Wild (the kid’s name) has decided that she wants to sell 12,000 Girl Scout Cookies so that she can take her whole troop to summer camp. Will you help her? Pre-order your box of cookies: Caramel Delights, Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Thanks-A-Lot, Lemonades, and Daisy-Go-Rounds. We need your name, contact info, which boxes, how many, and you have to live in WNC so that we can actually deliver to you. Send pre-order info to info@freebornasheville.com

Yes, I’m pimping myself. I wrote this week’s cover story for Mountain Xpress on Echo Mountain recording studio’s expanding entertainment empire.

Here’s an excerpt:

Echo Mountain Studios bought the 9,600-square-foot Fletcher School of Dance building in 2006 from the school’s director, Ann Dunn, for $850,000, according to tax records. Scores of Asheville girls (and quite a few boys) danced there during its 34-year tenure at 175 Patton Ave.

The second-floor dance area that endured years of pounding from pointe shoes will now feel the stomping of boots and pounding of drums as musicians perform and record their work in Echo Mountain’s new studio—which happens to be next door to Echo’s original location.

“I was mostly interested in her parking lot,” Wilmans says. “Ann Dunn told me, ‘You have to buy the building if you want the parking lot.’ So I did.”

Here’s my column for Mountain Xpress: all about the importance (and fun) of hand washing!

The way to get the best sound? Film it in the bathroom!

Love this!

I’m becoming obsessed with YouTube. Like everything else, I’m eight to 12 months behind the rest of the world.

Here it is–the answer to that burning question in this week’s column for Mountain Xpress.