Socks, Socks and More Socks!

In the early 1800s, Fort Payne was built around the coal and iron rush - that was until everything went bust and people went elsewhere. The ones that did stay, had to find another way to make money. One might ask, how does a small town in Northeast Alabama bounce back? On its own two feet of course ... Literally! When living in the cold mountains, momma must put socks on those little toes running around the house and with a state full of cotton people got creative. So in the late 1800s, with just one machine in the basement or personal garage people started to sew. With every click click click back and forth of the sewing machine socks rebuilt the town of Fort Payne. For some reason I can hear Jeff reciting lines from The Three Amigos right about now (when they asked the people of the town what they were famous for and they said "we can sew"). From people's houses to manufacturers and mills, Fort Payne soon became known as “The Sock Capital of the World.” The town is credited for creating the athletic sock as well as decorative socks.

At one point, this teeny town nestled in mountain country was responsible for making one in every eight pairs of socks around the world. Up until 2000 virtually 75% of all socks in the US were made in the US! That’s when outsourcing to China really affected the town of Fort Payne. Two decades of sock production overseas has really affected this once booming high-quality, hosiery industry. Now the manufactures are only family mills, mostly because of wages. Workers In Alabama make $8 to $12.00 an hour, but in China they make $0.40 an hour (with no health benefits or business restrictions). There's no way Alabama can compete! Now it is up to the consumer to determine the sock industry. 

While doing research for this blog, I've come to realize losing socks in the wash is a "serious" issue. Over the years my passion for folding socks has faded and quite frankly, I have no time for things that cause me undue stress - thus socks tend to lie in a pile "waiting" for their mate. Short socks or tall socks, faded or new socks, socks with holes in them (heck I don’t even waste my time with them, they find the trashcan ASAP), colorful socks, white and black socks, printed socks or fluffy socks - I can lose them all! I have no idea how they "walk" away without their mates. Maybe there's a secret escape route. Maybe they are in fear of the "stinky feet" or maybe the cat is hiding them one-at-a-time under my bed. How about the sneaky sock that finds it way under the dryer and just when I think I've found a match it ends up being a fabric softener-scented bliss instead. Of course, there's always the white sock that found the red towel - and now it's officially the "pink" sock! And yes, there's only one - not a matching pair. There's the white sock that went hiking and found a puddle of mud, or the pair that went camping and sat in a dirty clothes bag for two days and whew .. oh heck no!.. I'm not even trying to wash that pair! Why do socks have to be so complicated?

Socks can have memories too: I have a bag full of baby socks (I know, I know, my kids are no longer babies) and I have Christmas socks and cat socks, and even fluffy dog socks. Some people sew socks as gifts and some people mend socks (my mending abilities tend to leave lumps and bumps in the toes - it’s a better idea to send them to the land of lost socks). Some people make sock monkeys or sock monsters. I have good memories of getting socks on Christmas morning as a child. I give them now as gifts every year to my boys; at least I know they will have matching pairs at least once a year.

Socks can go on hands to keep them warm - or to keep babies from scratching chicken pox (although now there's a vaccine for that). I hated wearing socks as a kid (still do to this day) and I would go barefoot anytime I could, including winter when it was snowing! I have memories of socks being lined up by the back door drying after my brother, David, and I would go out and play in the snow. We would wear two pairs of socks and play in the snow until we couldn’t feel our toes. My mom would have hot chocolate ready for us to warm up and two more pairs of clean socks to do it all again.  

I remember later in my mom's life she had a saying about socks. She recommended you start your day out with a pair of socks that don’t match. Why? This was to help remind herself it's okay not to be perfect. While I was in college I would purposely wear mismatched socks on days of tests to remind myself it's okay not to be perfect. As years have gone by and I've started visiting my doctors more often I would wear mismatched socks. Some of them would look at me oddly, others would bluntly ask if I was aware I was wearing mismatched socks. When you have a brain injury it's kind of "fun" sometimes to see how the brain doc reacts to mismatched socks. It's a good reminder though… especially to someone with my personality (the perfectionist type) … if you can look at your feet (and gasp) and can be okay, it somehow makes it easier to except the reality of imperfect moments. Maybe now that my mom has passed on - she is the one hiding all the missing socks to play "sock-ball" with the angels? Hey, you never know…     

People still make that pit stop through Fort Payne. It is the home to the band Alabama.There's a famous museum and statues of each member of the band stand still for the perfect photo op. Just down the road from Fort Payne is a Walmart packed with cash registers buzzing and in the clothing section more than half the socks are made in China. More importantly, you can still go to the "mom and pop" local stores throughout the town of Fort Payne and buy those unique and fun socks. Maybe you can even buy a extra pair just in case.     

Stay safe everyone - Enjoy Your Journey! 

Excuse me while I remove my socks...

💜

Enjoy Some Mountain Music

Northeastern Alabama

Staring at the shade of the covered bridge you wouldn’t know there was a couple hiding in the cover of the bridge stealing kisses and whispering secrets as the water rushes underneath. The clip-clop of the horses hooves slow down as they take shelter from the rain within the picturesque bridge. The tin roof keeps the rain from dampening the spirits of many travelers who cross over the rushing waters below. There are 10 (famous) covered bridges in Alabama. One of which is the Old Union Crossing Bridge in Northeastern Alabama. Hidden within canvas of natural beauty are wild azaleas at the Desoto State Park. All levels of hikers are welcome here with 360 yards of boardwalk trails and over 20 ft of octagon decks overlooking the fragrant flowers. The sounds of nature can lure in even the most hesitant writer to sit down and follow the rhythms of the surroundings. Beautiful moss-laden trees gently move as the wind glides through the tall pine trees mixing in a little "bug juice" for flavor. Sandstone cliffs over 600 feet tall, the deepest gorge east of the Rockies, can be found at Little River Canyon. Several caves with limestone, gemstones and even some of the rarest blind cave-fish in the nation can be found along the Tennessee River. For those who might be a little more risky there's a Dude Ranch for that “Cowboy experience” and even a ski resort off of Lookout Mountain.

There are elements of romance and mystique surrounding the town of Mentone, meaning a “musical mountain spring.” A treasure trove of unique pottery - a combination of folk art, Appalachian and Cherokee blended together on site – would all be missed by someone in a rush to see the world passing by.

A rustic log cabin playing peek-a-boo with the rich greenery is calling my name for some meditation under the stars. The movement of the wind flowing to its own cadence; mixed with the skittish, mid-tempo bird song; the distant sound trickling of the waterfall is all how I imagine the inspiration for Bluegrass music. Distinctively acoustic mountain "hillbilly" music, no electrical instruments of any kind are used in bluegrass music. It reminds me of blues music because it's "lonesome music" and yet jazzy because each instrument (violins, fiddles, banjos, guitar, double bass, etc) improvises taking a turn. Singing is normally soulful, sometimes rambling, other times gospel. Some good examples of famous bluegrass musicians are Alison Krauss, Foggy Mountain Boys, The Soggy Bottom Boys, Steve Martin, and Earl Scruggs.

As I stare up at the sparkling sky it's as though I'm looking behind a theater-curtain at a play into the past. Ancestors of the Cherokee and the Creek tribes lived in these Appalachian mountains dating back as far as 8000 BC. In fact, a Cherokee named Sequoyah lived here for some of his life. He fought and was injured in the heartbreaking Battle of Horseshoe Bend as a young man. It was as a soldier he witnessed the white man using “talking leaves” as a way to communicate and write messages. Sequoyah, unable to read or write any language, decided to invent a language for the Cherokee. At first most Cherokee resisted. By 1825 the new language was adapted as the Cherokee syllabary of 86 symbols. Eventually the word was spread of this new language and it was used to help create at least 21 new scripts and 65 languages in other regions. It's also believed the Sequoia trees in California, named in 1847, were in honor of Sequoyah. Oklahoma and North Carolina still have Cherokee immersion classes taught today.

... An owl flies by, reminds me of my travels. I must continue West.

One thing catches my eye before I leave the Mentone area - I see an odd rock I must investigate. It looks somewhat like a building and yet shaped like a boulder. As I get closer I see something atop the rock but I'm still hesitant. I hear a subtle noise and there appears to be a door. I open the door and find a tiny church built into the boulder. Yes, a church built into a rock as solid as can be – half church/half rock! From the front of the church there is a giant rock - I think "Upon this Rock" from bible school; maybe this is what it meant. Tiny pews facing the front pulpit. I can imagine someone being married in this quaint church. I'm sure some bluegrass gospel has been played inside this church as well. Regardless, this rock has some stories to tell!

The crumbling of the crisp white leaves outside reminds me I must move on…

The deep wooden paths lead to a four way break in the road. Uncertain which direction to take, I take a deep breath. I see some cars headed towards a small white building. I follow them out of curiosity. I sit outside and observe. Have you ever been in a small building where when someone speaks, or sings, and you can just feel the essence of the whole entire building surrounding you and everyone? Everything, including the materials of the wooden building, the people in the building, the stain-glass windows, the old wooden pews, the musty smell of the cloth materials, squeaky stairs, the noisy bell tower, and every page in the books seems to merge together as one entity. This is one of those moments. My memory starts to swirl …. 

The tiny white building is the Henagar Liberty Baptist Church. It is nothing fancy. The building is wooden and sits atop cement blocks. It reminds me of several Midwest churches. As a child my mom sang in a group called the Soteria Singers. As a result, we traveled around with the members of the group. While the adults were doing the sound check it was up to the kids of the group to explore - and you never quite knew what you were going to find. Sometimes bats (yes the creepy flying kind), sometimes it was the wooden boards in the balcony slowly bending with each movement, not knowing if your foot would break through or not; and sometimes it was the outside field where we would play hide and seek with the other kids - but we always entertained ourselves until it was time for our parents to sing. And yes, it made for some wonderful memories. You never know what small churches might hold inside … and for this church I think I can hear something rumbling the windows.

The Sacred Sound of Harp Music is a powerful capella four part harmony music. The Sacred Harp music consists of "shape-note" singing (triangles, circles, squares, and diamonds) instead of  fa, sol, la, and mi. The style was born in Colonial New England and has mostly disappeared except for the deep rural South. Sacred Harp music was popular during the civil war. Sacred Harp is not associated with any denomination, yet it is a deeply spiritual experience. This is about returning to a simpler time and fellowship.  Sacred Harp music is a distinctive type of singing - generally lead by one person standing in the middle of a hollow square formation with everyone’s voice aimed in the direction of that person. This is not about how well someone sings; but instead about the experience: about the sound, the heritage and the full gospel immersion. The term "sacred harp" refers to the human voice - that is, the musical instrument you were given at birth. In 1844, The Sacred Harp was published with over 500 hymns, odes and anthems. This is the foundation of the oral history and the tradition is keep alive today in various editions. Sacred Harp music isn't just music; it is a community where you feel safe and loved; it is a blessing and a hand to hold on to when you need to be comforted. During the past two decades, a revival has begun and with the release of movies like "Cold Mountain" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Forty Sacred Harp songs (yes 40!) have been recorded at Henagar Liberty Baptist Church - yep, this tiny church - for the big movies!

From the back of the building I can hear someone dedicate a song to those who are sick, shut in and unable to make it to church. Another hymn number is called out and a song is sung. I am able to tell there's something more to this style of music than just a "hymn book" or a "two hundred year old tradition." The previous song ends. Someone speaks of those who came before and those who will come after her; then another hymn number. Someone else moves to the middle of the circle and they proceed to sing. This style of singing is definitely unique; and must be learned. It's almost as if it's from another planet. The solid force of this music is so strong, so strange, extremely soulful, harmonizing and powerful. It almost feels as though one could walk on the air around them - although that may be from the humidity in the air. I grab a hand fan. Someone notices me and invites me to stay for a BBQ potluck. It's explained to me that the best place to sit during the singing is in the middle of the square. Their tradition is not a passive one; but instead a participatory one. The intense sonic experience of standing in the center of the square is considered a benefit of leading the singing. She offers to let me stand in the middle with the next performance. I politely pass. I do better hiding ..er.. observing .. in the back of the building. Thanks anyways. I sneak out during the next song.

…As I settle in for the night I am grateful for my memories - and my new virtual journeys. It's taken a while for my writer's bug to bite. I can hear a steady galloping rhythm in the distance of a horse. As the horse gets closer, the clumping of the feet sound oddly of a strumming guitar. The jingle of the horse saddle sounds of a tambourine. The waterfall nearby mimic sounds of a piano pinging playfully. It's obvious that music is a happy, lovely experience with copious volumes of harmonic expressions and inspirations and stories to tell. The forest, with different languages and songs of love, doesn’t seem that far away from the heavens above. As I drift to sleep I wonder where my journey will take me tomorrow as I travel West through the state. And for tonight, I will let the owl "hoot" as he tells me his sorrows and sings me to sleep.

Talk about making some mountain music!

Alabama Book Summary

Alabama Book Summary:    

Note: I am adding a typed version (legible) of my book summary. I am still learning how to scan everything correctly into my blog and currently you are on my learning curve. At the bottom of this blog I have attached the pictures. I am anxious to get a moving through this state and hear any feedback from anyone who will give some.

This summary is very "by the book" without much added flare. I'm excited to share my next journals with you as well. Stay tuned.....   

Date Visited (Researched): From June 15th to July 31st, 2020

Note: I actually lived in Anniston, Alabama for 3, maybe 4 months in 1993. In fact, I was moving to Virginia on the day of the "Greatest Snowstorm" on record (for Alabama) - 13 inches of snow!

I'm at a point in my life where I just want to try and learn more. It's honestly a struggle to sum up everything I have learned and put it into words for someone else's enjoyment and for it to make sense - but I want so much to try.

Alabama is someplace where you can walk the grounds of events that changed lives forever. Around almost every corner there's a unique place, historic buildings; a bridge to cross or stairs to climb; and every last tree has a story to tell or a whisper to be heard. History buffs will be delighted in discovering all that Alabama has to offer. 

What I enjoyed most:

I really enjoyed doing the research! My perfectionist side of me is struggling with how to organize all my information and them making it relatable to share with others. There is so much to share - but I don’t want it to be boring, nor do I want to sound like a tourist magazine: but I finally decided I just need to pick up a pen and write. Travel increases cultural awareness, empathy towards others, historical insight and it's also a lot of fun!

What I found most interesting: This one is about me; not Alabama. Confidence is definitely a journey I must achieve on the inside. Yes some cheesy saying, I know. I grew up thinking my highest goal in life is for me to give the most of me that I can give. But as much as I give of myself, I also have to take time for myself or my tank will run too low. I also have to accept help when I need it. When I think of time for myself I feel selfish and yet my journaling, researching, and drawing have given me true benefits. As odd as it may sound, I'm thankful I have a reason to turn off the TV everyday! Small changes can make huge differences.

Next trip I would like to:  I would go during the fall. The summer days are too hot and humid! Spring and fall bring wonderful weather; although I must make note of "Dixie Alley." This is tornado alley and they tend to get raging tornadoes - the kind that destroy entire towns! The reason I would pick autumn though is because of the fall colors. Northern Alabama has an abundance of canyons, waterfalls, caves and hiking trails (several are ADA approved), and every tree you can think of (okay so 30 species of trees thrive here - maples, dogwoods, hickory, poplars, etc). Each tree will line the paths as the birds arrive from the North. Autumn also brings an abundance of festivals statewide: shrimp festivals down south, Bluegrass festivals to the North and BBQ championships all about. All festivals include the opportunity to learn history, traditions, and storytelling. If you mingle with the fishermen, farmers and locals who live there you may have the opportunity to experience their Southern Roots and Traditions as well as making current memories. History is still very relevant in Alabama and most people enjoy including you in their kaleidoscope of memories.  

Page 2:

Every town has a tale to tell ~ some cities are big, some small, some quaint, others eclectic, some historic, some are party towns, some just appear to be a dot on the map …. but every single one has a story to tell!

I'm going to start in Northeast Alabama (AL) and work my way around the state.

Update: I started to write a rough draft on NE AL and it turned out to be over two pages alone so… I’ve discover it’s like a professor asking for a 2 page report and I hand in a 10 page report (and yes I have done that before)! I want to share everything especially when travel brochures can be a bit one-tone or even tone-def. Granted, I do love those beautiful experiences of a glorious vacation but I'm enjoying those off the beaten path stories nobody hears about and real life history. You get the point… 

Taking pride in the past:

There's so much to learn - if only someone will listen. People of the South love their History – the good, the bad, and yes even the ugly. They also like sharing their Southern roots, traditions, storytelling and culturally diversity to express their worldview. To understand Alabama one can’t just look on the map and see the highlights or ask Google where the “hot spots” are to go. One must sit down at “Billy Bob’s Backyard BBQ” and spend an hour chatting with the locals or spend an afternoon on the wharf helping the local fishermen as they bring home the daily catch of the shrimp. There's an abundance of museums throughout the state, as well as festivals year round. All of this is to never forget their history.

Alabama’s state motto is: Audemus Jura Nostra Defendre” which means “We Dare Maintain Our Rights!” 

Without the history of Alabama the United States could have taken a much different route: from Helen Keller, Sequoyah, the Tuskegee Airmen,  Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and John Lewis: all who stood up and help pave the way for equality (including women's rights, ADA rights, language rights, All human rights) and civil rights. Yes, there IS a sense of pride – and with every retold story, every gathering, every "come as you are" potluck, every tear shed - there is pride.  

Beautiful Land to Explore:

From the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to the countless waterways “scribbled” throughout the state there are beautiful canyons and spectacular waterfalls to explore. Flying over-top you can see numerous valleys and patchwork fields made of cotton that look as though they've been dusted in snow; no, no, no - it looks as though a bag of flour has been spilled all over the fields! 

Page 3: 

To the North you can find the “long neck” abandoned excavators standing tall looking like hidden Brachiosaurus dinosaurs peaking through the trees. Buried within them are rusted, old deserted cars – maybe bitten by T Rex – all costing too much to remove, thus becoming a part of the scenery once those mines ran dry. Today the extinct dinosaurs have been replaced by "fancier ways" of mining by using water underground. Flying to the South one would find sugar white beaches and crystal clear waters of the Gulf Shores.

Round-trip Airfare from Medford to Birmingham Fall of 2020 is $274.00 Per Person

Key inventions:
Scientists in Huntsville helped propel the first man to the moon, the railroad system in Birmingham meant cotton and steel (among other things) could be transported out of state; first windshield wipers and later the first airbag. Also the first 911 call was made in Haleyville (inside city hall building); AL is where Mardi Gras originated (Not Louisiana) in 1703, and in 1836 it was the first state to recognize Christmas (the rest of the US didn't until 1870).

Main Crops: 

Cotton “Fields of Gold” / Peanuts and Pecans
Tobacco / Fishermen: Shrimp

Mining: Iron, ore, limestone, coal

Production: Only Mercedes factory in US - (because of all the steel produced in area) and Steel, Railroad, and Quilts- yes quilts!

And Music Production:
Blues / Southern Jazz Heritage / Bluegrass Mountain music
Fame Studios of Muscle Shoals - which recorded everyone from Hank Williams to Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Percy Sledge, Willie Nelson, Nat King Cole, Lionel Richie, and countless others. Jimmy Buffet grew up in Mobile and Emmy-Lou Harris was born in Birmingham. Needless to say, Alabama is the birthplace of a number of classic recordings. And I almost forgot the Band Alabama! Whether you enjoy the gospel sounds of Harp music or the "Boogie Woogie" rumble of jazz you should be able to tap your toe throughout the entire state!

Food:
All that excitement might just make you hungry so be sure to try one of their famous dishes:
BBQ Pork, Ribs, Chicken, & Brisket or something Fried - Everything: chicken, catfish, shrimp, pickles, okra, green tomatoes, pork chops, country fried steak n biscuits, to Homemade collards, Gumbo, Crawfish boil, hush-puppies, sweet potatoes, shrimp n grits, cream corn and Casseroles - of any kind, chicken salad on croissant, banana pudding with vanilla wafers, Sweet Tea, Lemonade, Boiled Peanuts, Pecan Pie, Homemade fudge, Are you hungry yet?!

Below are the pictures of the Alabama Book Summary Pages 1-3 

Alabama Book Summary - Page 1 

Alabama Book Summary - Page 2 

Alabama Book Summary - Page 3

Alabama Map drawing

Day 1 - Alabama Map Drawing 

Day 1 - Map Drawing (it's probably day two - but it's the first day I took a picture; I'll get better at this in the future - I promise). When I decide on something to draw I look up a reference picture and examine it for awhile. I use it on my phone as a guide on how I should draw each item. Sometimes things turn out my first try; other times they take many many tries! The shading in the mountains took forever to get it how I liked them in my final picture!

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Day 2 - Map Drawing 

Note: The map outline of each state is already in the book for me. I am just drawing in additional features I found interesting during my research. 

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Day 3 - Map Drawing

When I am drawing I use pencil. Sometimes the shading disappears; this frustrates me a lot since I generally spend a lot of time putting details into the shading. It also allows for new discovery in finding different ways to shade or another way to look at the picture itself. I started to use pen to fill in the outline. Sometimes the pen is too heavy and changes the appearance. It's all a learning process for me since this drawing thing is all new to me.It's fun but it can be challenging and frustrating at times. 

 

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Completed- Alabama Map Drawing 

I think one of my biggest challenges is knowing when to stop drawing. I would put something in every blank space if I could squeeze something in there. I'd add a tornado down the middle of the state or a glass of sweet tea someplace ... everywhere following the tornado! I think the map is full though and I must press on to the next step of my process. 

 

 

Hurry Up, Why Don't Ya!

So what's the delay?? 

Some may wonder what takes so long between posts....

As I contemplate starting this blog for the 50 states I struggle with what format I should use. Part of my hesitation is because I spend so much time learning about each state. I want to share the enjoyment of my knowledge with others without making it seem like a textbook (this is for my purpose just as much as it is for yours). I also don't want to make it seem like a boring slide show from some distant crazy relative you're forced to sit through, about some vacation you'll never go on. I realize this project is for my enjoyment and quite frankly, I am shocked at how much enjoyment it has actually given me. I've had many mindful moments to stop and really think about the past, present, and the future throughout each location I'm researching. I thought I would start by explaining the process I'm taking.

Step 1: Smithsonian Channel has a great series called Arial America. This show allows me to see a "flyover" of the state along with a narrative of some good information about the states history. This is the show that made me want to do further research on my own. Okay, let me rephrase that; this is the show that made me realize my boys were probably not as invested in my project as I am, and that I should just go for it ~ it's okay; now I get to have "fun" and add some twist and turns to my project. 

Step 2: Once I get a general feeling about the state I read and I then I write anything I like about the state (sounds like fun so far right?). Since my brain injury, my eyes like to skip around which means my reading takes longer. In order for me to remember things I find that writing things down really helps. I have composition books to scribble in ~ and many scribbles there are! The more research I do, the more things I find interesting, the more I write down. Ironically, 10 pages pass in my composition book and I realize when I'm writing the same stuff down from 10 pages ago. I suppose that reinforces the learning process though.

Step 3: Now somewhere about the middle of the state, in probably the middle of the night, a chord will strike (although it may just be a note from an instrument here in the house) I have the urge to draw. My drawing adventures started this spring during Covid. Previously it was set in my mind I couldn't draw so I never really slowed down to try. I spend a week or so drawing on my map of the state and then venture back to my research. In the future I am going to post these as I am drawing so you can see the progress I am making.

Step 4: This is when I realize I've forgotten some of my research, so I do more and I write more down ~ but I really enjoy doing the research. It's very calming (now) ~ I used to hate it when I was in college. Reflecting back I think that is partly due to the fact you need to give credit where credit is due. Unfortunately, I have not kept proper footnotes - but I will try my best not to plagiarize anyone's work. As I do the research I find more things to look up, more places to explore. Since Covid has happened, several museums have made virtual tours and on-line aids for teachers (which everyone has access if you dig long enough). I watch videos, I read, I read some more. I re-read. I have things read out loud to me. I've had college teachers refer to this process as "going down a rabbit hole" because it can be a waste of time.

Step 5: "Participate in the state." Make food from the state (Well, Jeff does this one). Order postcards, stickers, or souvenirs from the state. When I'm virtually traveling through each state I'm try and find a unique bar or winery that stands out and I will order something from them to put in my photo-book. Unfortunately, I don't think I can order beer across state lines to try. I want that "unusual place" though - not those places everyone already knows about. 

Step 6: I watch Smithsonian Arial America - Again. I know this seems a bit redundant but for me the 2nd time around makes a lot more sense than the 1st time. I can now picture in my mind which corner of the state everything belongs. The placement of the rivers, lakes and mountains make more sense as well as the history of the resources of the land.

Step 7: Time to write my story to go with my knowledge. I also draw more pictures. This is when I try to connect my knowledge with the family and make it fun. Something needs to connect in my mind that says "gee, that sounds fun ~ let's go down that wild and crazy road with the family."

I have to say I've been a little shy about what I'm doing. It's a bit hard to put myself out there and be "exposed" for everyone to see. I've learned during my Alabama research that my "filing system" of my note-taking is poor to say the least. It makes trying to explain the ideas in my head very challenging and frustrating. I now understand why students give up on writing and walk away. I've never had this problem before and at times I've wanted to quit - but I won't.  It just means I have to find a new way for my broken brain to rethink ~ and that's okay. I love what I am doing. 

I tell Jeff almost every night that this research, and drawing, really makes me happy. The challenge of re-writing and retelling in a brand new way is exciting to me. 

At the moment I have at least 10 blogs started (yep all going in just a little different direction~ silly brain!!) .. so just hang in there with me.. 

I'm a work in progress.

Love you all! 

Christina