Sunflower Photobook

Sunflowers Captured By My iPhone 8

By Laurie Bower Epps

I knew I was in need of headshots since my last photoshoot was in either 2012 or 2013. Impulsively, I clicked on a link embedded on Facebook to have professional sunflower pictures done. I chose sunflowers because they're one of my favorite flowers. But again, things didn't go as planned. My youngest is so cute, she sort of shanghai'd the appointment. But I'm sorta glad she did, because these are the type of photos that you blow up and hang on the wall. So buckle up, fashion just got cuter.

Our NC Mountain Adventure

Country Road near Linville Cavern

By Laurie Bower Epps

For my daughter's 20th birthday, I asked what she wanted, and she told me, "Mom, take me on one of your adventures." Unable to resist, I gave her three options and being a geology major, a jaunt to the mountains was somehow, perfect. 

This outing, I chose specifically due to my childhood memories from this region near Marion, NC. Come get lost with my sweet girls and I. The pictures are truly spectacular. Unfortunately, not too far away, wildfires are ravaging the hillsides covered in woodland areas. For now, these areas are fairly safe, but that could change with the worst of the damage a mere 30 miles or so away. Respectfully, I ask that you pray for the residents of Lake Lure, NC and the firefighters trying to contain the blaze.

The Wilhite House

View from McDuffie Street

By Laurie Epps

At the corner of River & McDuffie Streets in Anderson is the prominent Wilhite House. For those that don't live around here, that's a busy intersection about half a mile from the public library. The sign boasts it's the home to the man who discovered Ether but it's shell looks more like a creepy ghost story. From my daughter, I've learned that local school children are making up haunting tales about the old place. As for me, I can't dismiss it's historical significance.

Significance

Dr. Philip Abney Wilhite, owner of the grand house, was a young medical student when he administered ether to a young black man at a party in 1841. The drug anesthetized him, and the other party guests believed him to be dead. This was the beginnings for anesthesia as we know it today since the boy awoke unharmed.