I grew up in South Carolina. But currently I live in California. At the height of our fire season, and with strong winds forecasted for the upcoming week, PG&E the utility company who provides electricity for much of the state, has announced rolling blackouts to minimize the risk of wildfire. As I prepare for the … Read more
I’ve become fascinated with uncovering the roots of my past. In my adventures through note and written record, I find folks said to be family. Many are strangers to me, ancestors of which I’ve never heard. Sifting through books and collected papers, names leap off the pages, make an impression, and attach to me. I … Read more
When I was a girl growing up in the South, we lived in the country until I was 7 years old. The view out my front window was my grandparent’s house across the road. Their yard was decorated with looming oaks, Granddaddy’s car shed, Granddaddy’s plowed field, and the dense woods that wrapped us snug … Read more
I can still hear daddy singing it… Little Brown Church in the Vale. It’s one of those songs that always takes me back to a simpler and sweeter yesteryear. And when I open my heart to listen, I picture a small brown church set safely in deep quiet shadows. Nestled in a damp cluster of … Read more
The year was 1907. A brief survey of news headlines from that year reveal a handful of noteworthy events. The Chicago Cubs won the first of their two World Series’ before their infamous championship drought. Albert Einstein labored over the theory of relativity. Ford rolled out the Model R for the first time. Oklahoma became … Read more
Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to connect with former journalist and best-selling author, Heather Blanton. I was immediately impressed by her work. At that time, I knew Heather was talking to Hollywood, and I wasn’t certain she’d have time for an interview, but there was no hesitation in her reply. Heather graciously and promptly … Read more
“An apple is an excellent thing—until you have tried a peach.” George du Maurier It’s summertime. Can you smell it? The sweet aroma of freshly picked peaches—there’s nothing like a juicy, mouth-watering, two-napkin peach. And nothing says “the South” like this iconic stone-fruit. Recently, I had the privilege of purchasing a small case of fresh … Read more
One of the most popular attractions in Tennessee, The Grand Ole Opry, made its first mark in history on November 28, 1925, when the show first aired on WSM out of Nashville. It was a Saturday night, just two short days after Thanksgiving. Families and friends gathered around the radio as the show echoed across … Read more
About ten years ago I had the privilege of meeting today’s guest author, Gloria Glasgow, at a writers group while visiting my family in South Carolina. I remember being very impressed with her work that night. Gloria has recently published her book, To Blossom out from Hiding. Gloria has dedicated many years as an educator, … Read more
In an earlier post I wrote about the magnificent Biltmore House and Gardens in Ashville, North Carolina. The grand estate consists of 250 rooms and covers four acres of floorspace; it is the largest privately-owned home in the United States. Today’s post will introduce you to the individual who was responsible for the Biltmore Estate. … Read more