After moving four times in six months I’m ready to dig my feet into the dirt and stay grounded for a good long while; however, if I do need to move again it will be much smoother than the start.…
A Cry for Cherokee
One of the final factors that convinced me to make the move to Asheville was the close proximity of the Cherokee Reservation. I’ve long been interested in Native American culture and thought living close to a reservation could be one…
Right is Rarely Wrong
I found myself recently at a right-wing, conservative, Republican rally in the South. Me, long-time resident of liberal Massachusetts who believes in peace and spiritualism and independent thinking in a group of people who will vote for a candidate based…
Uninvited Wedding Guests
A friend of mine and I decide to go to a local restaurant. It’s a weekend night and there’s a wait. We leave his name at the door, walk around the corner of the building, and pull ourselves up to…
Mowing the Lawn
Growing up with a brother who was four years my elder, I always felt that I balanced myself between traditional “girl” and “boy” activities. I could play quietly with my Barbie dolls or help my brother sumo slam his WWF…
Trunk-or-Treat
During our first Halloween living together on a military base my then-husband and I hadn’t planned on celebrating or giving out candy, but when I saw the dozens of children parading around the neighborhood in costumes I felt guilty and…
My New Pick-Up Line
A middle-aged man with bronzed tan and gray-blue eyes came into the bookstore one day just to hear the song I was playing by a local band. He stayed long enough to make a purchase. “Are you in the frequent…
Five Things that Changed in a Month Without Internet
Every time I’ve gone away on vacation I’ve chosen to turn off my cell phone, stay in a place without TV, and intentionally leave my laptop behind and every time I came back feeling refreshed and happy. I realized in…
What I’ve Read
Working full-time in an independent bookstore, I find myself reading more than ever before. I finally have not only time, but motivation to make reading a daily part of my life. One of the many perks of my job is…
Montreat, What a Treat
Fall has finally descended upon Western North Carolina. Nights are sharp and cool. During the day the sun shines bright through brilliant gold, red, and orange leaves. The landscape in the distance is a patchwork of color climbing up rows…