In 1908, John Campbell and his wife Olive Dame packed their belongings in a covered wagon (the RV of their time) and began a road trip that would change a multitude of lives. They were on a fact-finding mission to increase the quality of life of the mountain people in Appalachia, but in order to … Continue reading John C. Campbell Folk School
Inspiration
These Are the Days
These are the days we live in. The days of stress and the unknown. Hard days. Heavy days. Outraged days. It’s enough to make my blood pressure rise and my head throb. Running away crosses my mind often, but my feet stay put. My feet know that running away is not a good solution but … Continue reading These Are the Days
The Song of My Scars
When my boys where little, they were fascinated by scars. So much so that when they fell and skinned a knee or got cut, one way to ease the pain was to talk about what a cool scar this was going to make someday. Then they would take the pain in stride and tell a … Continue reading The Song of My Scars
Lessons from the Storm
When I stepped onto the path, the sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds racing across the sky. The birds were singing. Urgently. It was not their usual playful banter. My ears heard the differences without my notice, at first. Halfway through my walk, the sun had disappeared, along with the birdsongs. My … Continue reading Lessons from the Storm
Notes from the Editor
I just got our manuscript back from the editor. Y’all we have an editor! I cannot tell you how long I have wanted an editor. (In case you missed it, Melinda and I have co-written a book about caregiving which has been accepted to be published.) This weekend I sat and reviewed all the changes … Continue reading Notes from the Editor
Dear Kansas City
Dear Kansas City, What a ride you have taken us on. We have lived vicariously through you as your team has continued to defy the odds. You have graciously welcomed those of us, who are frustrated with our own teams, into Chiefs Kingdom. We have ridden your coattails into the super bowl as if it … Continue reading Dear Kansas City
Beauty and the Beast
Valentine’s Day. A day to celebrate love. Some feel it is a made-up holiday, by the card and candy companies. That may or may not be true, but it doesn’t matter to me either way. I am all for celebrating love no matter who decided to highlight it first. However, love is different than romance. … Continue reading Beauty and the Beast
Another Memorial Stone
Today, I heave another memorial stone upon the altar. There are 36 now. One for each year post accident. It doesn’t matter that this sacred memorial is only in my mind. That fact doesn’t make it any less holy, for it is in my mind that the events of that day are etched. Seared really. … Continue reading Another Memorial Stone
The Sound of Many Waters
From the time I was a little girl, I have loved the sound of running water because it calls to me. We had creek in our neighborhood that we had to cross on the way to the pool. I regularly dillydallied on the way home to visit with the creek. In the mountains, I knew … Continue reading The Sound of Many Waters
Resolution
To make a firm decision to do something. That’s the meaning most commonly used this time of year. But resolution has many meanings that do not involve losing weight, getting in shape, cleaning the house, or resisting whatever temptation is your nemesis. Over my lifetime, I’ve made many firm decisions to do things which never … Continue reading Resolution