I’m back from another fabulous residency for the Converse College Low-Residency MFA Program, and will have just a few comments right now, since the minute I walked in the door last night, I launched myself into the Packers-Eagles game (go, Pack, go!), followed by a martini, followed by a bad-but-satisfying episode of “Desperate Housewives,” followed by sleep…so not much unpacking got done last night. Plus, there’s the matter of that lingering Christmas tree….
Anyway, on the drive down, there was a visit to Biscuitville (of course) and a stop in Durham to enjoy a wonderful meal at Piedmont Restaurant (pork belly!).
The residency was held in Tryon, North Carolina, in a charming small hotel and conference center in the mountains: the 1906 Pine Crest Inn. F. Scott Fitzgerald was among the many famous folks who stayed there (while Zelda was treated in nearby Asheville). What a wonderful staff—always there to pour a lovely glass of wine or build a fire in the lobby—and what excellent food! The Inn is known for its gourmet restaurant, and I’m afraid I got a little too used to selecting dinner from a menu that included filet, shrimp and grits, and Carolina mountain trout. Breakfasts were equally tempting: Italian Eggs Benedict were especially memorable.
Still—it’s nice to be home again, washing dishes, making my own bed, enjoying Quaker oats oatmeal. Haha. More to come on the residency.
