Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was my fourth cousin, but more importantly than that he was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, and gospel music. He won the Grammy Awards seven times as well as earning the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Doc Watson was born in Deep Gap, North Carolina on March 3, 1923, and passed from this life into the next on May 29, 2012, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at the age of 89. Doc was blind from infancy. He grew up on a farm and was encouraged at an early age, by his father, to learn to play the guitar, banjo, and harmonica. He often picked out tunes he heard on the radio or on old records. He introduced a flat-picking style which elevated the acoustic guitar from a rhythmically strummed background instrument to a leading role in bluegrass, country, folk, and rock music.
Doc’s Appalachian culture and roots enabled him to be presented to become the region’s unofficial ambassador to the world stage. He made appearances all across the country and recorded his first solo album in 1964. Je also recorded an album with his son, Merle in 1965. In 1973, Arthel “Doc” Watson received his first honorary doctorate. He continued to perform his musical talents until 2012, when he made his final appearance at MerleFest. MerleFest was started in 2009 in honor of Doc’s son Merle who passed on in 1985.
Doc Watson recorded over 40 albums; been awarded eight Grammys; held honorary doctorates from University of North Carolina Asheville and Berklee College of Music as well as Appalachian State University at the time of his death. He also received the North Carolina Award, the North Carolina Folk Heritage Award, a National Heritage Fellowship, and the National Medal of the Arts; been inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor; and was honored with a life-size statue on King Street in Boone, North Carolina.
After a day hiking in the Greenway, Coleman’s mom surprised in by stopping at the local airport, Gastonia Municipal Airport. She was curious to see if it would be possible for him to tour the airplanes. Upon asking a couple of people she found out that not only was it possible, but that one of the pilots took us out and allowed him to sit in one of the airplanes. He was so thrilled, he grinned from ear to ear. He didn’t say much, lately he’s been getting shy around people. However, you could tell it by his facial expressions how happy and excited he was to be able to see the airplanes, to Pull Up a Seat in an airplane, and to watch an airplane take off.
While hiking at the Anne Springs Close Greenway, we stopped by to visit with the horses. I took plenty of photos during our hike, most of the horses we’re approachable and really do not mind the many visitors to the Greenway looking at them or petting them. Then sometimes you see a horse that really wants to get a Close-Up view of you or let you get an extremely Close-Up view of him.
Is this Close Enough? Okay, I’ll Cooperate. Is this Better?
The Chiweenie is a mixed breed dog; a cross between a chihuahua and a dachshund. These types of dogs are compact, energetic and loyal. My eldest son has had Dinah since she was a puppy approximately around 2012.
Chiweenie’s go by several other names, some of which include Choxie, Weeniehuahua, the German Taco, and the Mexican Hot Dog. These other names I had never heard previously referred to the mixture. They make excellent apartment dog, however, they are better suited for small or single-person households. They are an affectionate and friendly breed. It is said that this breed can be rather happy, but I have not ever experienced that trait with Dinah.