It was my first time to go to the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. What a fun day Jake and I had.  We walked through exhibits of quilts and basketry and woodworking and 4H projects and animals. We watched pink piglets racing (So cute!) and a chain saw artist make a bear (Piercing loud! Never want … Continue reading Fairs and Farms →

Miss Broom. Remembering her makes me smile.  It was an unexpected meeting.  The paths of our lives crossed for a few days all because of two calamities: a personal adversity of mine and a natural disaster in Europe.  It was the spring of 2010.  Jake and I were living at a remote camp in Ethiopia and … Continue reading Miss Broom and Joan →

Dear Greta Sue, You are heavy on my mind this morning, since today is your birthday. I wish I could talk to you to make sure you know how much I loved and admired you. I am remembering the first time I met you.  You were living with your family on the Wetzel farm in … Continue reading A Letter to Greta Sue →

You’ve probably never heard of the word ‘growlery’.  But when I heard about it, I liked it immediately because it was just what I needed.   -                 -                       -                       -                       -                       - The long, warm summer days of July, along with my house and heart, were stuffed-crammed with wonderful family-people and happy activities.   Day after day was busy, and I grew tired, … Continue reading A Hotel Room →