We live in Jackson County, Tennessee. Many places across the country are named for Andrew Jackson, but Jackson County, Tennessee, was named for Jackson in 1801, long before he became President and long before he became famous for leading American…
Year after year, Ray and I think about going to The Hermitage–home of Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States and first President to live west of the Appalachian Mountains–on January 8. The Hermitage is free every January 8…
Sometimes problems seem so overwhelming that we can hardly imagine things ever feeling right again. Don’t despair. Hopelessness can turn to hope. Two true stories from the past few weeks have encouraged me. I have changed the names to share them with…
One hundred years ago today my grandparents-in-law, Earl and Maggie Notgrass, became the parents of a little boy, the only child they would ever have. They named him Wesley Biddle Notgrass. Wesley grew up in Columbia, Tennessee, where his daddy…
I got the question again the other day: “Is your name Charlene (pronounced with a soft SH, as in shoe) or Charlene (with a hard CH, as in church)?” Well, there’s a story about that. It goes all the way…
I hope you aren’t getting tired of hearing stories from New Harmony. I just learned so many lessons there this time. When we first arrived on New Years’ Eve, we took a driving tour instead of our usual walking tour.…
Ray is used to me saying, “I’ll be right back. I’m just going to take a few pictures of . . .” He’s so patient. After we checked out of the New Harmony Inn on New Year’s Day, he wisely…
I hope you don’t mind if I keep talking about Christmas. I grew up in a family that made sure our Christmas tree was down before New Year’s Day, but Ray and I never quit celebrating until at least the…
Now that we are back home from New Harmony, Indiana, I have some thoughts about our trip. First of all, we had a great time. We love to go there for several reasons, including these: We have sweet memories of…
