Three Years and Counting

Three Years and Counting

It’s the third anniversary of my gastric bypass surgery. I’ll be honest: I’d love to celebrate it with a hot dog and a milkshake. I splurge sometimes and have milkshakes, but my lack of a stomach can no longer process hot dogs so well. If I strip off the casing and...
Poetry Half-Marathon

Poetry Half-Marathon

I clocked in at 9:03 p.m. on Saturday night for the Poetry Half-Marathon, June 13, after a day that could only be described as chaotic. My hairdresser was out of town unexpectedly, and her first suggestion for getting my hair fixed the day before hadn’t panned out at...
Mountain Heritage Lit Fest 2026

Mountain Heritage Lit Fest 2026

May 29-30, 2026, the 20th Annual Mountain Heritage Lit Fest was held at Lincoln University in Harrogate, TN. Even though it has changed vastly over the years, it is still one of my favorite workshops to attend each year. This marked the last year for Patrick Wensink,...
Foxes in the Orchard

Foxes in the Orchard

I spent another delightful week at The Orchard Keeper in Speedwell, Tennessee, last week. I was working on writing. Trying to come up with something for the Chautauqua contests. I entered something, but I don’t think they are anything that will win any prizes. I’ve...
Michael

Michael

Before my Duran Duran obsession, there was my fascination with Michael Jackson. Although there were only 68 posters hanging on my bedroom walls, my admiration ran deep. I bought every paperback unauthorized biography I could get my hands on. Of particular interest to...
Interview with Charity McDaniel Hurst

Interview with Charity McDaniel Hurst

When I sent Charity these thirteen questions, I wanted to interview her for my blog, but I also wanted to find out information to nominate her for the Tazewell High School Hall of Fame because I just felt like, if anyone should be inducted to that body, she definitely...