Finding My Very Own Way to Grieve

I spent some time going back through the grieving practices of my family when I was small and into adulthood when I realized I hadn’t spent time finding my very own way to grieve. Thanks to The Porch Magazine for sharing these words reflecting that journey. Finding My Very Own Way to Grieve Published through…

PAGE Programs Offers Madison County Girls Connective Experiences

It was truly one of the glimmering little highlights of my summer to spend some time with Partnership for Appalachian Girls’ Education (PAGE Programs) and Asheville Artist Jenny Pickens to capture the vital work they’re doing with Madison County girls for the Hot Springs Tourism & Welcome Center. You can read the full article here….

Local Nonprofits Work Together to Maintain Trails and Educate Visitors

The story below was written for the Hot Springs N.C. Tourism Association. Hot Springs, North Carolina is one of over 40 trail towns recognized by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy that the 2,193 mile national scenic trail crosses through. During the ongoing threat of COVID, outdoor spaces received record visitation in 2020 as travelers sought safe spaces…

On Holding the Soft Body of Death

Thanks to The Porch Magazine for allowing me the space to place words to the experience of holding death after shape-shifting through this past year-and-a-half with it in a more powerful way than I ever have. What a journey it has been. I’ve found myself at so many points wanting to rush to make sense…

Stories with Elmer Hall of the Historic Sunnybank Inn

This piece was written for the Hot Springs N.C. Tourism Association in the summer of 2020 and can be found on their website here: “Where the Appalachian Trail Leads…” On a warm October afternoon, I walk up to the side porch of Hot Spring’s oldest and most well-known home, The Sunnybank Inn. Having been closed…

Nancy and Harold Long Carry Cherokee Stories in Heirloom Seeds

When looking at corn varieties and farming in southern Appalachia, there is no greater teacher on the subject than the Cherokee. Heirloom seed saver and registered member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Harold Long, alongside his wife Nancy Long, certainly have stories to share on the subject. “With seeds, there are so many…

Riverside Drive is Getting Spicy

One early spring afternoon I sit tucked away in a booth at the newly-redesigned downtown Indian street food eatery Chai Pani. Across from me sits the easy-going yet highly revered three-time James Beard Award nominated chef and founder Meherwan Irani. He’s sharing memories of how he met his wife (and restaurant co-founder) Molly while waiting…