I am pleased to announce my manuscript, titled Trails of Tennessee: Taproots and Timeless Recipes, has been approved for publication by the editorial board of University of  Tennessee Press. The book is due to be released April, 2019. Based on our seventeen state-owned historic sites and what they ate from their agricultural yield, my book idea began with a song I wrote (and love), Trails of Tennessee.  Click on www.trailsoftn.com 

The Sam Davis State Historic Site

The drive south on I-65 from Nashville to The Giles County Historical Society in Pulaski, Tennessee has a charm all it's own--even in January; its rich, undulating barren acreage-keeping secret its fruitful future.

Bruce, my husband, and fellow adventurer, and I drove the leisurely hour and a half stretch of highway to see the Sam Davis State Historic Site Monument and learn more about the life of young patriot and Confederate hero, Sam Davis.

We were given a friendly, thorough tour of the historic city and spent the afternoon enjoying three memorials erected in honor of twenty-one-year-old Sam Davis, his life and times. We understand, now, why he chose to be hanged rather than reveal the name of his commanding officer to the "Federals."

In the words of Sam Davis:

If I had a thousand lives, I would give them all here before I would betray a friend or the confidence of my informer?

The town of Pulaski is a gem. The historic district is, indeed, a study in 19th century architecture.

Women Who Make A Difference Luncheon Kingsport, Tennessee

I so enjoyed speaking at the July 5th Greater Kingsport Tennessee Republican Women "Women Who Make A Difference" luncheon. Peggy Snapp. President of GKRW, presented me with a lovely certificate as we celebrated July 4th with my DAR award-winning song "Wives of the Signers" (of the Declaration of Independence) and toasted the steady hands and hearts of the women who helped birth our country. A typical July 4, 1776 luncheon was served along with Abigail and John Adams' favorite dessert, " Apple Pan Dowdy." Our friend, brilliant photographer, Jeffrey Stoner brought some of his unique images, and dear friend, Carol Heimbach was on hand for the celebration. Several candidates for the Tennessee senate attended. I'm casting my vote for Tony Shipley and his lovely, talented wife, Susan.

"The Story of Abigail Adams"

My first non-fiction children's story "The Story of Abigail Adams" will be published in February's edition of Focus on the Family's 'Clubhouse Magazine.' !!! Clubhouse Magazine is geared toward kids 8 -12 years old. "The Story of Abigail Adams" is based on my National Society Daughters of the American Revolution First Place Award-Winning Song, "Be Like Abigail (Ode To Abigail Smith Adams.)" Clubhouse Magazine, and Clubhouse Jr. Magazine are excellent publications for young minds. I'm honored to be able to contribute. Thank you, Eva Marie Everson! To God be the glory! www.clubhousemagazine.com

Clubhouse Magazines

Rocky Mount State Historic Site

Last week, Bruce and I took a drive up to beautiful East Tennessee. Rocky Mount State Historic Site was built by William Cobb in 1772 and served as the territorial capitol of the S.W. Territory between 1790 and 1792. Cobb hosted First Governor of the S.W. Territory, William Blount here until Blount moved to Knoxville. Our re-enactor and Executive Director Gary Walrath, and his wife were very informative. We thoroughly enjoyed the journey along the trails of Tennessee. The small building is the kitchen, where a slave, Ruth, shared her skills and recipes. Loved it!

Slave Kitchen

Rocky Mount

                                

Executive Director, Gary Walrath with re-enactors.

                                                       

Fort Nashborough Luncheon ~ Wives of the Signers

On the beautiful campus of Vanderbilt University, in the University  Club where we meet monthly, my Fort Nashborough Chapter celebrated the last Daughters of the American Revolution luncheon of our season with an awards presentation. I believe Fort Nashborough received the most recognition for outstanding service of all the chapters in the state of Tennessee. We also welcomed several new Daughters including my friend, Kathy Saine, and her daughter, Katie, who is considered a new 'Junior.'

My song, "Wives of the Signers," a tribute to the wives of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, won 1st Place in state and nationally in the American Heritage Music Composition category - which I sang as a salute to the wives of the signers.

Wonderful Ebraile  and William Mwiserwa received our Community Service Award for their work with missions in Rwanda. Their heart wrenching, inspirational story of escape from Rwanda--but not without losing 70 members of their family--unfolded with not a dry eye in the house. 

 

Toasting God and the wives of the signers singing my award-winning song, Wives of the Signers

 

 

 



Bruce, me, our Fort Nashborough Regent, Ellen Jordan, Ebraile and William Mwiserwa

 

 

Bruce, Susan Winchester, Helen Mackie, Debbie Laidlaw, my friend and new Daughter, (on my right) Kathy Saine, and her daughter, Katie, and Jennifer Watts-Martin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



On Writing Well

     Every so often the Lord speaks loudly to me in his still small voice. One ear is always tilted in his direction, but I'm generally preoccupied with the "here and now" rather than "hear, and then..."  As I continue writing, working on several projects -- while others wait in the wings -- the Lord whispers through a book I'm savoring: On Writing Well.

     My recent "find," On Writing Well, by William Zinsser is, of course, on writing well. Zinsser taught writing (non-fiction) at Yale back in the '70's.  I stumbled on one of his audio cassettes and after listening to it several times, bought his book. It's invaluable. Zinsser, in his 90th year, now blind, is still teaching, talking to students, and expounding on his theme:

4 Principles of Good Writing:
1.) Clarity
2.) Simplicity
3.) Brevity
4.) Humanity

One of Mr. Zinsser's favorite books is Walden;or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau.  I just  checked it out of the library. Having been a huge Ralph Waldo Emerson fan (did you know Walden's Pond was on Emerson's property in Concord Mass.? Neither did I.) I had resisted reading Thoreau because he seemed too 'wordy.'

While preparing snacks for watching the Superbowl, I stopped to look for something casual to wear. I couldn't find a thing! Bruce said, "Why don't you wear the tee-shirt you bought at Radnor Lake?" Great idea.  So, I pulled the Radnor tee out of my drawer,  and what do you suppose was written on the front below the Lake scene? A quote from Henry David Thoreau's book Walden....the same quote I just finished reading in his book...the one William Zinsser suggested as a study in On Writing Well.  "We need the tonic of wilderness, - to wade sometimes in marshes where the bittern and the meadow - hen lurk..." ~ Henry David Thoreau.

The Bible says "He who dwells in the secret place of the Lord Most High God abides in the shadow of the Almighty"(Psalm 91.) I need the spiritual tonic of the Most High God, and God's natural wilderness on which to feast my eyes and refresh my mind.  I'm inexpressibly relieved to know I have both along the trails of Tennessee and, through it all, still hear God whisper loudly and clearly telling me I'm on the right trail... a happy trail!

Now, back to those chicken wings :)