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Cold Mountain
“Cold Mountain is an extraordinary novel about a soldier’s perilous journey back to his beloved at the end of the Civil War. At once a magnificent love story and a harrowing account of one man’s long walk home…” That’s from a review of the 1997 book that was made into a popular movie with Nicole Kidman…
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Kicked by the North Chick
North Chickamauga Creek State Natural Area is a wild patch of public land surrounding a deep gorge that dives down and across the boundary between Sequatchie and Hamilton counties. It features a rugged hike over about a 10-mile section of the Cumberland Trail, so named becuse it runs along the eastern escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau. The trail–a…
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Fire(works) on the Water
Last week, we put our hiking boots aside and climbed into kayaks. Since I recently began offering short, 10-minute or so pieces on getting outside in Chattanooga via the local NPR station, WUTC-FM, I’ve had reason to look even more than I naturally would for fun, accessible outdoor activities here. In Chattanooga, there are almost…
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Chatta-versary
Time flies. On this date in 2018, Bill, I, three cats and all our worldly belongings headed for our new life in Chattanooga. Our stressful, action-packed, 28-day sprint through the worlds of home-buying and home-selling would come to a close by sunset. Not a minute too soon. We began the day in 2018 with one…
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Silver Celebration
Twenty-five years of marriage isn’t just a milestone, it’s a cause for celebration. And on our 25th anniversary last month, we celebrated in the most perfect way possible–for us. Not a party. Not a cruise. Not expensive gifts or travel to an exotic location. You might say we went “ranching.” Over the last four or…
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Looking Back at 25
Bill and I met in 1993, when we both worked at the Knoxville News-Sentinel. He in circulation, me in the newsroom. About 18 months later, we were married. I don’t know if–in the swirl of finding and buying a house, planning a wedding and a honeymoon–lots of marrying people imagine a future when that marriage…
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I Know That My Redeemer Lives
I haven’t posted in a while, I know. Today was Easter Sunday, and it was exceptional, one to remember for multiple reasons, so here I am. The exceptional and memorable part wasn’t all good. About 8 a.m. today, Bill got the call that his older sister, Mary, had passed away. She was about 16 years…
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The Top 18 of 2018
‘Tis the season: As a year winds down, lists pile up. Top-grossing movies: Topped in 2018 by “Black Panther” (Haven’t seen it). Biggest food fads: Avocado gelato, anyone? (I’ll pass) Best moments in sports: Way too subjective–forget that. 2018 has been a game-changer for me with a list of blessings way longer than I deserve,…
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100 Years Ago Today
Allie Johnson was born 100 years ago today in a very rural part of Middle Tennessee. Her birthplace was near Center Hill Lake, only the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wouldn’t build Center Hill Dam and create that lake until 1948, 30 years after she was born in 1918. While Allie was her name,…
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Overnight on LeConte
It’s not for everybody. Climbing up almost 3,000 feet of elevation gain over 5.5 miles from the Alum Cave Trailhead to the 6,593-foot summit of Mount LeConte on a damp day, only to spend the night in a primitive cabin before hiking back down the next morning. Fortunately, everybody doesn’t want to do it. Just…
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Sometimes You Meet the Nicest People
Throughout my career, my line of work–in one setting or another–has steadily called for writing professionally. Often, the storytelling variety, which is my favorite writing to do. If you don’t know what it’s like to have writing be part of your job, I’ll let you in on a secret: It’s a great way to meet…
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Ten Tips to Take to College
Labor Day: It’s both the unofficial end of summer and beginning of the school year. Despite the wide-ranging starts of school—whether elementary, high school or college—once we’re past Labor Day, the rhythms of life tend to settle in on the academic calendar. This Labor Day weekend is the first I’m spending as a member of…
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