Mincey’s Musings
Year One, Week Nineteen

In his book, Who You Are When No One’s Looking: Choosing Consistency, Resisting Compromise, Bill Hybels says that character can be determined by what we do when no one is looking. Character is sometimes confused with reputation, but reputation is what other people think of us. Character is not the same as success or achievement—character is not defined by what we have done, but who we are.

I have a knack for making anything into a fun adventure; even working in my grandparents’ huge garden when I was a kid.

“It’s time to go a pickin’,” my mamaw said when it was time to go to the garden. Green beans were my favorite things to “a pick.” As I dug through the vines, I pretended I was searching for buried pirate treasure and the cows in the fields behind us were keeping watch.

In adult years, it was only yesterday. In child years, it would probably seem like forever. Whatever measure you live by, the days when my children took the path between our former house and their Mamaw and Papaw’s are long gone. As I drove past the path, I brought my vehicle to a sudden stop, visualizing my children running through the grass. I have an aged and worn photograph I had taken of the two siblings as they covered the distance that lay from our house to the grandparents; but I don’t really need it to spur the memory. I realized today that it is forever etched in my mind’s eye.

The new "Job For Our Heroes Act" is a provision allowing chiropractors working within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to perform physical exams on veterans needing a medical certificate to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

“The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is committed to improving the health of our veterans by removing barriers and expanding access to chiropractors in the VA as well as other federal programs,” said ACA President David Herd, DC.

A peaceful form of summer entertainment is sitting out in the yard watching fireflies do their light show at dusk. And who hasn’t as a child stalked and captured “lightnin bugs” in a jar? Fireflies are real standouts of the insect world, so let me illuminate you (yes, humor).

“Burlington-the end of the line” the motormen would call as the streetcar would cross McCalla Avenue and loop around a set of commercial structures. Passengers who had boarded on Knoxville’s South Gay Street would disembark and make their way home or perhaps stop at one of the shops at the end of the line. In time, an entire retail district comparable in size to a small town would evolve along McCalla on both sides of the streetcar crossings. People continued to shop in Burlington long after the last streetcar had run.

There is a vegetable salad I have been making since back in the 70s. Green Pea Salad. When I think of Green Pea Salad, I think of my years in a sewing factory and that reminds me of Arlene. She was on a perpetual diet. Poor soul, she couldn't lose an ounce. It was a time when Weight Watchers was on top of the diet schemes. They are still around. Arlene very carefully ate every morsel of every dish she was allowed to have on their diet plan. I have watched her chase that one last green grape around her plate.

U. S. Representative Diane Black says that hard work and accountability are Tennessee values she learned from her parents. Black, a registered nurse, small businesswoman, and former educator, is a candidate in the 2018 gubernatorial election.

Black recently took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for Historic Union County. Below are our questions with her direct and unedited responses.

At the May Meeting, Union County Commission received the proposed budget, accepted several resolutions, contracted to save money and time, and approved the Mayor's appointment on the Board of Health.

Sheri Hensley, my daughter, and I had a great book signing Saturday at Okie’s in Maynardville.

Sheri did the cover illustration for More Tales. Look for us next Saturday, May 19, 2018 at the Plainview Spring Festival. The festival is being held at the Plainview Community Center from 9 am until 6 pm. We’ll plan to be there signing from 10 am until 1pm. We’ll be at the west end of the building near the deserts. If the deserts are anything like last year you won’t want to miss the opportunity to sample more than one.