A is for Appalachia! The Alphabet Book of Appalachian Heritage

WELCOME!

My love affair with words began when I was old enough to hold a pencil.  I can remember sitting on my great grandmother Lucy’s lap with paper and pencil in hand.  I would scribble what I thought were words and then wait in excited anticipation for the magic of hearing her read aloud what I had written.

 “Whose name is that, Grandma, Lucy?”

 “Aunt Pat,” she’d respond.

 “And what does that say, Grandma Lucy?”

 “I love you,” she’d smile.

 In rapid succession I’d scribble and she’d read; I’d scribble and she’d read:  words, phrases, and names of relatives.  The wonderment of putting pen to paper and actually creating words sparked in my young soul a yearning to write.  So I write… because I want to… because I need to… because I have to… and because I love to.

 My love affair with Appalachia took root in me as a youngun’ and continued to grow as I matured into an adult.  Like most Appalachians, I always had a strong sense of home and belonging; but it was only when my Uncle Bill, Dr. William Plumley, began his doctorate program in Appalachian studies that I felt a thirst to learn more about my rich mountain heritage.  So I studied about the ancient mountains in which I grew up because I wanted to… because I had to… because I felt a need to… so that I could write a book that would encourage Appalachia’s children to be proud of their people, their place, and their heritage.

 I hope you enjoy your visit to this website and that it will encourage you to write about what you know and what you love.  I also hope that your time spent here will promote in you a sincere appreciation for the people and the place known as Appalachia