- Bluebelle, Church Life, Daily Life, I Never Thought I'd Be In This Situation, Jinx, Mrs. Orr, Photographs, Reflections
Paths of Freeze
Upon our second awakening this morning, the sun showed the crushed glass rug of frost all over everything, and my bones felt as if someone had injected crushed glass into the joints. Second awakening? Oh, yes. Our first awakening of the day was at about, ohhhhhh, 0230, when the dogs began snorting around outside our bedroom and demanding some attention. We got up to let ’em out and and see what might be yanking their emotional chains. They ran straight to the maple tree in the back yard and started leaping up on it like trained coon dogs. I shined the flashlight up into the bare branches and expected to…
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Happy Birthday, Sissy
Today is my sister’s birthday. The only human being in all creation who shares my DNA, my memories of our childhood, and the mysterious fabric of what it meant to be raised by our mother. Happy Birthday, Sissy. I love you very much. ~ Bubba
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Santa and the Bad Man Behind Blue Eyes
For over seventy years, a sweet tradition has been observed in this region. Every year, the “Santa Train” snakes its way through the steep ridges and hollows from Pikeville, KY down to Kingsport, TN, stopping along the route at several locations. Santa Claus rides the train, and from the back of the train he throws candy, winter clothing, toys, stuffed animals, and other gifts to the children who await the train. The tradition started all those decades ago as a way to bring Christmas to the wretchedly poor children of isolated hamlets of Appalachia, and through the years has featured a special guest to ride with Santa and help distribute…