I've been reading, and re-reading, Clint Smith's remarkable book, How The Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America. This series of posts is the outgrowth of my underlined pages and margin notes, inspired by Smith's stories, prompted by his questions. My words will be an attempt to reckon with the … Continue reading How The Words Were Passed: Reappraising
It's summer 1964, time to show my daddy some love. I chose a full sheet of cardinal-red construction paper for my card stock, and folded it in half. My nine-year-old self selected this snapshot of me sporting my favorite, mom-made dress--a pink and white striped frock with poppin' pink buttons--and all set to enter the … Continue reading Father’s Day 1964
I began this blog years and years ago, in large part because of a smile. Or rather the loss of my dad's smile. Sifting through his letters, photographs, and public documents was a constructive way to move through grief, and the resulting stories led to many discussions among family members, known and newly discovered. Norman … Continue reading The Truck on the Bus
This week's #family history challenge--What's Your Favorite Discovery--from Amy Johnson Crow's #52Ancestors52Weeks sparked a vivid memory. In mid-January 2009 I discovered first hand what our nation's capital is like in winter. Washington, D.C.'s humid air wraps your body in a vise; a cold breeze off the river increases its grip. I walked briskly from the … Continue reading Grandma Serena Had A Cat
Donald C. Minor to his daughter, Marilyn--1954 This letter written from my Grandaddy Minor to my mother, Marilyn, made me chuckle. Though decades old, its mixed sentiments about the holiday season could have been written in just the last few days. As 1954 drew to a close, Donald Minor paused before heading to bed to … Continue reading Letters from Home:
Shoots, Roots, and Leaves 