Faith, Folklore, and Friends

2009 is gone. It was old, weary, worn-out, ready to go. Good or bad, such as it was, it's over, dead, spent forever. It won't be back. It was a good year for us: more joy than sadness, new opportunites we welcomed, a bountiful garden, a facelift for our home. Some things we will remember and smile; other things, we will try our best to forget. We welcome 2010, a new start, a fresh beginning. The calendar is filled with blank spaces, ready to be filled in. It is our choice how we will fill those spaces. Some of my resolutions: 1. Be more thankful to God for his blessings. 2. Never take things for granted. 3. Have the strength to give up things that are not good for me. 4. Make a difference every day. 5. Enjoy the present, instead of waiting for the future. 6. Read more. 7. Listen more. 8. Say yes more than no. 9. Love more. 10. Don't be 'average'. 2010 may be the best year ever!!  Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all you might, f...

I am an avid book lover. From the time I learned to read, there has been one close to me. My bedside table is piled high with the ones I just have to read next. Here are some of my favorites: In 2000, Sam Venable of Knoxville published this beautiful book. I was privileged to meet the author at the fall festival held each year at the Museum of Appalachia. Since then, I have read the rest of his books, but this one is still my favorite. Our country is blessed with an abundance of wildflowers. I have enjoyed and appreciated the ones in Alabama with the help of this book and some good teachers! Sharyn McCrumb is another author from Appalachia that I adore. Her stories transport you to the mountain peaks and hollows and the life contained there. Her Rosewood Casket book is good enough to read over and over. What can I say? I'm a Southern girl. This book should be read at least every decade. James Michener is one of the great American authors. I have devoured his books, Alaska, Chesape...