When I first moved to Illinois from Tennessee and North Carolina, I realized that I did not pronounce several words the way that people there did. I’d always said that “ahrnges” grew in “Flahr-uh-duh,” but in that Yankee-land, they hardly understood me. I said that “a-kerns” grew on oak trees, but my students corrected me … [Read more…]
I truly enjoyed the Ralph reunion at the Old Beech Church, near Goodlettsville, Tennessee, on Saturday. I got to speak briefly with all my aunts and uncles—my mother’s three brothers and three sisters and their spouses. All were there except one in a nursing home, and I visited him before the reunion. I’d thought I … [Read more…]
Steve and I, psychologically speaking, are a perfect match: he is a younger brother with an older sister and I am an older sister with younger brothers. (If the idea is that he’s used to a woman bossing him around, I can assure you it hasn’t worked that way.) But the big difference is where … [Read more…]
Two weeks ago, my 81-year-old Aunt Deba and her husband called to wish me “Happy birthday!” I asked her if she remembered the day I was born, and she did. I’ll tell it in her words, but be sure to read it with an extreme Southern accent. “Of course I remember! [Uv coh-us I remembuh!] … [Read more…]
Through my father-in-law, I learned that “old” is ten or more years older than the person speaking. At age 75, he would bemoan getting in line “behind all those old people.” So I spent last week with old people–very revealing. Steve and I drove to Middle Tennessee, home of my youth, and visited some of … [Read more…]
The first day of Blog Every Day in May! Assignment: the story of your life in 250 words exactly! Grew up in Portland, Tennessee, with godly parents and two younger brothers. Became a Christian in 1957, baptized at the Clearview Church of Christ. Attended Lipscomb University in Nashville for two years, finished teaching degree at … [Read more…]
So there we were in Chattanooga, high school friends getting together to rehash old times and catch up on the year’s news. We missed one dear friend that usually comes, but the four of us who were there couldn’t quit listening and laughing. We’ve all made new friends, but we’re also keeping the old–the “gold”, from … [Read more…]
As I approached the end of first grade, I knew exactly whom I wanted to be my second grade teacher: Miss Lila. I had a very personal reason because she had dated my father in high school. I found that fascinating. My hope was realized when on the first day of my second year at Portland … [Read more…]
