Heather Raynbow Timney

Welp! On October 26, 2019, I woke up on the beach. Last thing I remember, I was surrounded by some of my closest friends and they were sharing love and singing beautiful songs to me. It lulled me into such a peaceful sleep. Now, I’m listening to the waves crashing hypnotically on this endless sugar sand beach, collecting the best tiny seashells and soaking up some sun!

Matt is here fishing and mom is up at the house baking and making one of her creative Thanksgiving dinners; filet and lobster anyone? That sure brings back some great memories. I think I’ll just settle into this beach chair and reminisce a bit.

Did I ever tell you about how I used to dress Matt in dresses and bonnets? Haha. He was my little doll baby! Oh my gosh, that makes me think of having slumber parties, spending summers at the shore, and later spending quiet nights in Blackbird drinking and dreaming and writing. Man we sure broke some hearts. Oh man, don’t even get me started on the infamous crab boils and my parents great record collection. You KNOW those tunes ended up on one of my many famous mixtapes!

I remember packing up my fluffy butt kitties Henna and Zack and moving to Asheville in the late 90’s. I got a job at All Pets Animal Hospital and (deep breath)…so…much…cuteness! You know it wasn’t long before some of those sweet babes came home with me (or home to Delaware). Oh, sweet, sweet Mona. Then I got a job at Mellow Mushroom and started meeting some of the more colorful characters downtown and making new friends that would eventually hook me up with the Wild Hare Catering gig.

Downtown Asheville at that time was like a vagabond playground. Dancing and revelry at Broadway’s, holed up in my tiny studio at 58 Broadway writing poetry, haunting used bookstores, catching a show at Vincent’s Ear, late night theater and poetry readings under the bridge by the train tracks or in old abandoned buildings. We prowled the city and beyond in search of adventures, setting out for long hikes in search of waterfalls or rock outcrops overlooking scenic valleys. Circling bonfires, laughter like smoke rising into the night. 

I remember those long days and endless nights traveling city to city with a crew of backstage pirates catering to super stars and not-so-super stars, pulling shifts as Dr. Timney in the butcher shop of a local natural and organic grocer; night after night after night firmly rooted among my peeps at Scandals and O’Henry’s slinging drinks and laughter and so, so much love. The best karaoke and drag shows anywhere. The best people. Period.

Oh my gosh and the Houston Place house…finding that place was a dream come true. My forever home! That amazing garden year after year extending onto the porches, pots filled with vegetables and herbs because we would run out of space in the yard. I finally had my dream backyard sanctuary, laying on a blanket in the sun, listening to the waterfall, feeding the koi fish, chillin’ by the fire pit, and sooo much room for sweet baby cats, dogs, chickens, lizards...and the occasional bear friend! Oh man, the impromptu dance parties and, of course, costumes were always encouraged. 

These waves make me think of all the rafting and tubing trips we’d take, laughing our butts off through the rapids and storms, zipping down the river like little punch-drunk otters. So much FUN! What an adventure, so full of love and laughter.

Now here I am reunited with my legion of sweet babies that I had missed, especially Django, aka Baby Man Friend, aka Manfredson, aka Cutes the Killer. I just want to kiss their little faces off and squeeze those sweet cheeks… OMG GIVE ME THOSE FUZZY BELLIES! aagghh. Sigh. Where was I?

Anyhoo, I can honestly say that I lived a fun and creative life full of adventure and I want to thank all of you, my friends and family, for that - I love you all so much. But, I’ve gotta go eat some good ‘ol Maryland blue crabs right meow! Y'all know I can tear up that sweet crab meat with just the right amount of Old Bay (I mean a bucket-full…) 

If y’all want to come to my grand finale party, it will be on Sunday, November 24, 2019 from 4-7 PM at the Native Kitchen and Social Pub, 204 Whitson Avenue, Swannanoa, NC 28778. Get ready to take a walk down memory lane in style, so wear purple and/or a costume and bring your best stories of our shared memories! 

P.S. Y'all know I love flowers and nature, but I love animals even more. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Brother Wolf: https://www.bwar.org/

P.P.S. When you’re missing me - look around you. Hear me in the laughter of friends. See me in their smiles. Find a tiny leaf, a pebble or shell. My love for you all can be found in all the things I treasure. Now get out there and enjoy life. Have fun. Be nice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Heather Raynbow Timney, please visit our floral store.