Most of us are weary of the same old story, wondering how we can do more than survive, take charge of our communities, be more gentle with ourselves and others, and protect our families and way of life. None of the political promises or economic success models have worked in our small towns. Investments and funding often benefit the few and not the many. Nobody knows the answers anymore—too much is changing.
I have written for readers in and around central West Virginia for nearly 30 years. My words have appeared in publications at Glenville State University, The Calhoun Chronicle, The Hur Herald, The Trader’s Guide, The Charleston Anvil, Wonderful West Virginia Magazine, two local publications I no longer wish to endorse, and in Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine, which I produced and published for ten years.
I earned my Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from West Virginia Wesleyan College and hold degrees in English, Journalism, and Liberal Arts. During my three decades in the donut hole of West Virginia, I have served as a public librarian, college professor, editor, copywriter, news reporter, tutor, career counselor, and in various other traditional employment positions.
But I am happiest on the farm, in the gardens, fields, and woods, and working remotely from my home studio. I write about local issues, life in rural Appalachia, homesteading, self-reliance, and spiritual growth. Your free subscription will get new posts sent to your email address and/or feature this publication in your Substack app.
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Knowing how to care for ourselves and our families is a core part of our purpose in life. But we are also bound to contribute to our communities, help our neighbors, stand up to bullies, and hold leaders accountable. When you support TLR as a paid subscriber, you make room for more voices to be heard, more lessons to be learned, more questions to be asked, and more perspectives to be presented. If you can afford to do so, thank you for joining me as a paid subscriber.
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