Faith, Folklore, and Friends

On our recent trip to Clifton, Tennessee, we visited the home of writer T. S. Stribling.   Stribling was born in 1881 and spent his childhood in Clifton and Florence, Alabama.  Tom wasn't much for manual labor and aspired to be a writer, causing some to think he was just lazy. He earned his teaching degree at Florence State College, then went on to law school.  He earned a law degree and practiced law for a year, then moved to Nashville, where he started writing seriously.  Later, he lived in New Orleans and made his living writing Sunday School literature. His first novel was published in 1921, followed by a new one every year for a while.  His greatest writing may have been a trilogy started in 1931 with The Forge .  In 1932, Stribling wrote The Store , which won the Pulitzer Prize.  The trilogy was finished in 1933 with Unfinished Cathedral .  All these books were set in and around Florence.    Many, many pe...

Clifton, Tennessee, has beautiful houses and old trees along Water Street, which runs parallel to the Tennessee River.  It is lovely.  It is usually quiet and peaceful, but that changes in September each year when masses descend for the Riverbend Festival. The best thing about this year's festival is that we got to spend it with some fun people, the best being my lil' ole sister.  She recently lost a beloved pet, but now has some new ones, including a cat named Silas M. Robertson.  We also got to visit with my nephew, Jason. Some people always bring their pets to festivals.  My dog has never been to one; I have enough trouble keeping up with my purse and camera.  I don't think he would like it, anyway.  This woman was dancing with her dog later; I'm guessing her significant other wouldn't cooperate.   The stuff of festivals--sorry you can't smell the fried onions and funnel cakes.   It ...