Rights and responsibilities of freedom
“It’s a free country” is a declaration people often use to emphasize a particular decision. When a small North Carolina town decided to ban the placement of old couches and washing machines from the townspeople’s front porches, a man opposed to the council’s decision huffed, “Well, it’s a free country, ain’t it?” He had a thoroughly American mind set: I should be free to do what I want to do.

Will my mind ever catch up with my body?
My mind and my body need to get in synch before I inadvertently injure, maim or kill myself. Somebody has got to inform my mind of my middle age, but so far, no matter how many times I say the words out loud, the brain wrinkle required to form a memory slips right out. Logically, I know I am too old to do something, but then, my mind convinces me logic does not apply here, and away I go.

Will my mind ever catch up with my body?
My mind and my body need to get in synch before I inadvertently injure, maim or kill myself. Somebody has got to inform my mind of my middle age, but so far, no matter how many times I say the words out loud, the brain wrinkle required to form a memory slips right out. Logically, I know I am too old to do something, but then, my mind convinces me logic does not apply here, and away I go.

Learning more about Blowing Rock
It has been said that Blowing Rock is an extension of Lenoir. I don’t have to remind you that the rock from which it gets its name is in Caldwell County, even though the town itself is in Watauga. On July 19, 1907, a story appears in the Lenoir News that gives some insight into the town a little more than a hundred years ago. Part one appears today.

Summertime reflections
Well, it’s officially here. It happened to us last Sunday. Summertime. According to the song the living is supposed to be easy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Like everyone else, I have lots of summer memories.Unlike most folks, most of mine are bad.

Describing what daughters do to their dads
Maybe I’m being a little presumptuous here, but I firmly believe a man cannot fully understand the concept of love and the complexities of the human heart until he has a daughter. The man who has been given the complicated task of being a father to a little girl needs to understand right off the bat that the job is by no means thankless, but it is endless. And emotionally dangerous.

This new kitten was hiding a surprise
I never should have looked in the box, but the sign read, “Free Kittens,” and I couldn’t resist. There was a little orange cutie squirming around in there. She had eyes that said, “I’m yours,” and I knew she would be, but we would have to convince my husband, John, first.

The marriage month matters
June continues to be a popular month for tying the knot of matrimony. We have a couple of wedding invitations and know several more couples celebrating their nuptials of late. When I go to weddings I always reflect on our own ceremony decades ago and its outcome. I think to myself, as my daddy used

Recalling the great debates
At one time, debating was a competition with some communities having debating societies. In 1907 several articles relating to a debate were published in the “Lenoir News.” They will appear in two installments. On September 20, 1907 under the title “Public Debate” we learn the beginning of the story.

Connecting the past to the present
The reading of old newspaper gives us an insight to life in a former day. The following short items, all from 1907, have some connection to the present day.