As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many families and children are giving thanks for all their blessings and sharing those blessing with children in need by packing shoeboxes with Operation Christmas Child.

I would like to thank everyone for all the kind words and positive comments regarding my first article. I wasn’t sure how my story would be received, and I loved reading all the words of encouragement that you left for me. Several have asked for more of my perspective on Autism and while I only know how it affects my everyday life, I am happy to share more of how I see the world. My parents have told me that there is a saying that if you have met one person on the Autism spectrum then you have met one person on the Autism spectrum. That is most definitely the truth.

Peacocks are often used as a symbol of pride and vanity. The male peafowl are known for their piercing calls and their extravagant plumage. It can be quite the sight to see a peacock preening in full strut.
The preening peacock’s full tail feather display not only attracts the peahens, but it gets the attention of any creature in his vicinity, including humans.

Sandra Kay (White) Nunley attended the University of Tennessee from 1966 to 1972. She graduated in June 1972 with a B. S. She received her professional certification in September 1972. She returned to UT in the summer of 1974 through 1975 for additional coursework, receiving credit for 45 hours.
From 1974 through 1981 Sandra worked for the Douglas-Cherokee and Mountain Valley EOA Headstart programs in Sevier, Claiborne, Campbell and Union counties.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Fear is a form of worry. We worry about so many different things. Ninety-five percent of the things we worry about never happen.
Then suddenly multiple things happen that we were not worried about, which creates a huge emotional storm in our life. Often when something bad happens almost every aspect of our life is impacted. We feel like we are being bombarded and attacked on every front.

Did you remember a crush you had on somebody when you read the title?
If so, I hope it brought a smile to your face, but that is not the kind of puppy love I am referring to. Actually, I was thinking of something much better: real puppies.
There’s just something about a sweet baby animal. As a kid on a farm, I was around baby cows (heifers) and chicks.
Also, my Mamaw Jo always had cats, so there were the occasional kitten liters from time to time.

This makes a fine beef stew or beef barbecue. Give it a try. Season ribs on both sides with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add ribs.
Cook, flipping once, until browned, about five minutes per side. Transfer to slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low until beef is tender, about eight hours or overnight.
An easy variation is to omit the veggies and vinegar, replace beef broth with 1 cup beer, 1 cup barbecue sauce and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Continue with recipe as directed. Makes a barbecued pork dish.

I’m sitting on my front porch this morning enjoying a cup of coffee as my mind wanders back in time to a spring morning in May of 1955.
My father, my three brothers and I were heading to Sharps Chapel to help our grandfather, who we called Pap, plant his tobacco crop.
Pap was getting old and couldn’t work as he had in the past.
Dad stopped at Bill Graves’ General Store in the Chapel, pulled up to the only gas pump, cranked up three gallons of gas to the top and let gravity put it into the tank of his 1932 Ford Model A Truck.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer Interpreter, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Tree leaves are most appreciated when they go through their fall color blitz that we enjoy every year. But they should also be appreciated for all they do throughout the year, including creating food and fiber through the miracle of photosynthesis, and through their death their provision of a raw materials needed for next year’s growth of new leaves. Going from dead leaves to nutrients that can be taken up by a tree requires an amazing recycling system.

Nestled in the historic community of Paint Rock, Tennessee, alongside Kingston Tennessee, exists a wonderland fit for royalty known as Whitestone Country Inn.
You don’t have to trek through a rabbit hole to get there, but with all the choices of what to see and do, you may think you have; especially after you catch sight of a friendly white rabbit.
The room choices boast breathtaking views of the lake, pond, meadows, and sometimes, all of those. With so many options for exploring the property, you won’t want to spend the day inside.