Karen

When I was in the 8th grade, I read a booked simply titled, Karen. It was written by Marie Killilea, Karen's mother. It was a true story about the first 10 years of Karen's life. It was written in the early 50's.

Karen Ann Killilea was born three months prematurely at a time when such babies rarely survived. As a result of her prematurity, she developed cerebral palsy. After she was diagnosed, Karen's parents decided to raise her at home, contrary to the advice of doctors to commit her to an asylum and forget her.

After visiting at least 23 doctors, they found one who taught them to use physical therapy with Karen (then a radical concept). They did so, spending six hours daily on her therapy for more than 10 years. Karen learned to walk with crutches, write, and use her arms and legs.

The book is simply the day to day struggles that they faced as a family. I laughed, I cried. It was the best book I ever read and I read it every summer for 6 years.

Back in 1992, I wanted to find a copy of it. None of the local libraries had it and that was before I was even aware of the internet and things like e-bay and Amazon. I scoured book sections in every antique store I could find. I was joking around that Christmas and told Allen I gave up. I was just going to ask Santa Claus to bring it to me. He was always telling me "If you believe, you will receive." So I tested his theory.

Well, my dear precious "Santa" set himself to work and found an original hardback copy of the second printing from 1952 with the original dust jacket still on it. He found it without the aid of the internet at Prentice Hall Publishers in New York City. We won't even discuss what he ended up paying for it.

But he was able to sneak it in and hide it from me. I was completely unaware that he even remembered me wanting it.

On Christmas morning, we were done opening presents and were cleaning up the wrapping debris from the floor. Allen calmly says, "What's that under the secretary? Did a present get shoved there by mistake?" I went over and looked and there was a package wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with a string. Since I handle all the kids gifts, I didn't know what was going on. I looked at him with a "what's this" look and he told me to open it. You guessed it...it was my book. I cried.

I still own the book and I still read it once a year. It is the ONLY book I own that I never loan out for others to share. It's too precious to me to take a chance. Karen and her families bravery to face everything that comes their way is such an inspiring story and touches my heart every time I read it. And every time I read it, I'm reminded of the love my husband shows me by going out of his way to make sure my wishes are granted.

If you want to read a funny, humorous, inspiring book, find a copy of Karen and read it. You will be very glad you did.

Homemade Halloween



I remember with fondness many years of dressing up and heading out for trick or treat. Back then, we didn't have a lot of money for extras like store bought costumes or trick-or-treat bags. We simply dressed in things Mom found around the house and we carried pillow cases for our treat bags.

Each year, I went as either a gypsy or a housewife. The gypsy always had big gold hoop earrings. We would take the rings from Ball or Mason jars and tie yarn on them. Then we would loop the yarn around our ears. Wah Lah....instant earrings. We would also wear extra jar lids as "jangle" bracelets on both arms. When we dressed like a housewife, we would wear one of Mom's house dresses and stick a pillow in the top to give us bosoms. We would put a belt under the pillow to hold it up. By the end of the evening, everything was slipping and we just sagged. We always put a head scarf on and tied it under the back of our hair. Either costume was so much fun because we got to wear rouge (never even hear that word anymore) and bright red lipstick.

Back in WV, late October was so cold, you usually had on layers of clothing under your costume to keep you warm. But by the end of the evening, you were so hot and sweaty, you couldn't wait to get home and out of the costume.

We would have to wash and get our PJ's on when we got home. Then we were allowed to lay in the floor and dump our goodies out and "trade" with one another. Some things my siblings liked that I didn't so we would swap and deal.

Those were some good times and some wonderful memories. Gladys and Walter across the road always gave apples and Orvel Marcum always gave the big size Snickers and Milky Ways.

I polled some of my friends and the majority of them also grew up using homemade costumes. They went as ghosts, princesses, boys dressed as women and one guy even dressed up like Aunt Jemimah. What fond memories. Many of them remember their grandmothers always making popcorn balls for Halloween. Have things changed that much over the years or have we? Do we now take the easy way out because it is faster and we live life at a higher speed. I don't know, but I know I miss those simpler times.

My cousin Connie said it best " I think our homemade ones were better and more creative than store bought ones. And we had just as much, if not more, fun with our costumes."

Some weird things going on out back....

There are some weird happenings in my back yard. Not sure if it the after effects of a full moon or the prelim to a strange Halloween. Either way, check this out.

This was early morning yesterday and I think it made the river look down right eerie. Made me think of Madame Rue (Love Potion #9) and Witchy Woman (by the Eagles). 'Course I also thought of a little CCR with "Bad Moon Rising". Anyway, it was just a tad spooky when I went out to get the newspaper.

Now, I just can't explain this next one. I love tea roses. So I bought one in the spring. It was my favorite rose. A pale yellow with peach tips. So I've had beautiful yellow/peach roses all summer. As summer ended, it started dying off. But it still kept some green leaves.

About a week ago, I noticed some buds coming back. But now, when they bloomed, I had one pink rose and one pure yellow rose. Where did that all come from? There was no pink on this plant all summer. But now I get one single pink rose and the one that is yellow, has no peach. But I only planted one plant. Strange.

Miscellany Monday

..... Why do we lay in bed tossing and turning and when we give in and get up, we are so sleepy we can't focus. I wake up every morning around 4:30 and can't go back to sleep. After staring at my clock until 5:00, I break down and get up only to yawn and stumble around for the next 30 minutes.

..... I'm not anti-sports or anything, but sometimes I think we are going over board with it. My Saturday paper had the first THREE section headlines relating to sports stories. My 11:00 news wasn't on until 12:00 because the sports commentators hashed over a call in a pro football game and discussed details of things that I could not have cared less about.

..... An exciting week coming up. Baby shower on Wednesday night for little Colby James. Visiting with family on Friday night at my son's house. Playing tourist Saturday and visiting the unique craft and antique shops in Wears Valley with family who will be down from out of town. Eating at Apple Barn Saturday night.

..... Then Disney Princesses on Ice on Sunday with my two granddaughters.

..... Need to decide what kind and how many cakes to bake for the cake walk at Trunk or Treat. Also need to figure out how to get them to the church when I'll be in Wears Valley that day.

Hope everybody has a blessed week!

God's Coloring Book

Dolly Parton sang a song many years ago called God's Coloring Book. The song ends with the words:

He is all around me

He's everywhere I look

And each new day is but a new page

In God's coloring book.

If you drive through the Great Smoky Mountains, her birthplace, it is easy to see where the inspiration for that song comes from. Friday, Allen and I took a journey through our mountains in Tennessee and words cannot describe the pure beauty and grandeur that we saw. Today, I hope you enjoy these photos of God's coloring book.

Rest in Peace....

A couple at our church lost a daughter and her husband this week in a tragic accident. They have been left with shattered lives and a small granddaughter who is almost four and has lost both her parents. My heart grieves for them and what all they must face. My post today is to ask all of you to remember this family in their time of need.

In Loving Memory

Amanda Rebekah Adams

November 17, 1983 - October 19, 2010

Birthplace: Knoxville, Tennessee

Resided In: Sevierville Tennessee

Amanda Rebekah Adams, age 26 of Sevierville, along with her husband Jeffrey Lynn Adams, Jr., passed away Tuesday, October 19, 2010 as result of an accident. She was preceded in death by her father Gary Standifer. Amanda is survived by her daughter Amber Renee Adams; mother and step-father Jeri and Cary Clark; brothers Brad Standifer and wife Carrie, Andrew Standifer; nieces Sarah and Madison Standifer.

Jeffrey Lynn Adams, Jr.

January 18, 1984 - October 19, 2010

Birthplace: Bluefield, WV

Resided In: Sevierville Tennessee USA

Jeffrey Lynn Adams, Jr., age 26 of Sevierville, along with his wife Amanda Rebekah Adams, passed away Tuesday, October 19, 2010 as result of an accident. He is survived by his daughter Amber Renee Adams; son Joshua Adams; parents Jeffrey and Lena Adams; sister Constance Adams; nephews Parker Adams and Nathanial Tall; grandparents George and Lula Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Amber Renee Adams Educational Fund to the Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, P.O. Box 15994, Knoxville, Tennessee 37901 and/or the Joshua Adams College Fund, at any branch of Sevier County Bank.

Funeral service 2 PM Sunday in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Compton officiating. Interment will follow in Beech Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-5 PM Saturday at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)



Fun-filled Friday

Twenty-nine years ago around this same time, my husband and I visited the Great Smoky Mountains with his parents. That was my first trip there. I was enthralled. The majestic grandeur that surrounded me just took my breath away. The leaves in their fall beauty was a site to behold. We drove to Cherokee, went out to Cades Cove, walked around the streets of the quaint little town nestled at the foothills of the Smokies. We went to Oconaluftee as well as Mingus Mill. We took the scenic drive through Roaring Fork Motor Trail. I saw my first bear and walked through the clouds on top Ski Mountain.

In the evenings, my in-laws would retire to their room at The Alpine shortly after supper, leaving us free to roam the streets of Gatlinburg on our own. We would take the trolley from the hotel into town and walk up and down the streets, visiting the many shops. I remember having to have Karmel Korn and buying Stick Candy and Orange Creams from McCutcheon's Candy store.

I fell in love with the area. It was so hard to leave and go back home. For the next 7 years, we would visit here for little short weekend jaunts about 2-3 times a year. In 1988, we made the decision to move here and have never regretted it.

Living in The Mountains is like having your own little piece of heaven. We have been here 22 years now and the one drawback is the fact that we don't get the pleasure of "going on vacation" to the mountains. So we occasionally take day trips in the area to do the things that brought us such pleasure.

Today will be one of those days. We are playing hookie from work. (Can you play hookie if you own the business?) We are going over into the mountains and enjoy our day together. I'm so excited. It is always a wonderful day when you get to play hookie and have an all day date with your husband.

I hope you all have a fun-filled Friday and a blessed weekend.