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Putting Up Hay–An Appalachian Memory
We're finally having some truly warm weather with days that might even be what you would call "hot." And as summer approaches, I've seen some folks in the area start to put up the first cutting of hay. When I was a kid, the first cutting typically came pretty close to...
Remembering Those who Made THIS Possible
It's Memorial Day. I have the pleasure of a day off work and the duty to remember why. I have family members who served in the armed forces, friends, neighbors, acquaintances. There was my Uncle Judd who lost half a lung in World War II. Gail Phillips who had a piece...
The Face of Appalachia–an Inspired Poem
Tim Barnwell is a local photographer who has several books that do an incredible job of capturing Appalachia. "The Face of Appalachia" is the first of three that ventures into the hills and hollers to preserve a way of life that I hope never dies. Midway through,...
Appalachian Wednesday–Stack Cake
Once upon a time, people in Appalachia were poor and didn't have much. (Now too many of them are poor and have lots of stuff, but that's another post.) When it came time for a wedding there was no question of going down to the bakery to flip through pages of glossy...
Writing the "Hook" for My Obituary
I generally try to come up with blog posts all on my own. Well, mostly my own. But today I'm shamelessly borrowing from my friend Jamie Chavez who brought Harry Stamps' obituary to my attention in one of her posts last week. This is the BEST obituary ever written....
A Visit Home–Touring Laurel Fork
I spent last weekend in West Virginia visiting lots of family and just soaking up the ambiance of my favorite place. I'm the seventh generation to grow up on the land where my father still lives. I'm hopeful at least one of this batch of nieces and nephews will keep...
Raccoon Rock–A True Appalachian Tale
I don't have to look far for inspiration for my Appalachian novels. Most of the members of my family are storytellers and they have plenty of stories to tell. Last weekend we loaded up in the car and drove around French Creek just so I could refresh my senses with the...
At Last–Three Book Contract!
I returned from a visit home to WV to find my three-book contract from Bethany House awaiting me. Last time I returned from a WV trip my agent contract was waiting. Seems like visits home are good for my writing career! Which is appropriate, because while my primary...
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