All in Columns
The Bucklesberry farm community does not hold a registered trademark on its name, unusual as it is. And it certainly is not the first to have this name. Not so unique, there are a number of places in North Carolina and across the pond (England) with variations of the same name, including "Buckleberry," "Bucklebury," "Bucklersbury," "Bucklesbury," and "Bucklesberie."
When visiting your local Farmer’s Market and roadside stands, be sure to seek out the Heirloom tomatoes like German Johnson or Purple Cherokees, they are often the ugliest tomatoes but they also often the tastiest!!
As with most things in my life, I’m a walking contradiction. It freaks me out to be the center of attention, yet here I am, publishing another personal column—on my birthday, no less. Standing in a room full of people makes me feel claustrophobic, but I’m usually in attendance for most big events in our community. All it took was a rise in temperature for all my contradictions to align.
Most nights about bedtime, my only sister will announce that she is turning in and say "Good Night." I will say to her "Say your prayers." She will reply to me "You too." And I will answer "Always." That's our ritual: Good night.
On Wednesday, states across this nation celebrated “Juneteenth,” one of the oldest known commemorations related to the abolition of slavery in the United States. The word “Juneteenth” is a contraction, actually a portmanteau, of the month “June” and the date “Nineteenth.” Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people of African descent located in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom from slavery in the United States.
Were you “born for corn”? That’s definitely a southern expression, but also reflects a love of the sweet summer vegetable. As we move into summer corn remains a star ingredient that will dominate every Farmers Market and dinner table in the south.
Writing, for me, had become as routine as breathing—so natural that I barely noticed its presence. But somewhere along the way, I'd forgotten the unique cadence of my writing voice, lost in the humdrum of daily life.
Have you ever played a team sport? If so, you understand it takes everyone working together to be successful. You win as a team, and you lose as a team. In soccer, you have eleven players on the field at a time.
According to an April 5th report by the BBC, on the morning of October 7, waves of Hamas gunmen stormed across Gaza’s border into Israel, killing about 1,200 people. Hamas also fired thousands of rockets into Israel
There are new strips going across the road on one of my neighborhood streets. There was no warning that they were coming. They just appeared one day without any public notice or explanation. They make a lot of noise when driven over and they create a bumpy ride for a few feet
It’s cucumber season and who knew the “cool” cucumber is good for more than just your salad!
Under normal circumstances, it’s often hard to understand our parents and why they made the decisions that ultimately sculpted us to become the people we are today. I think I am who I am today in spite of mine.
My grandmother, Lady Belle Parker, was one of the most significant influences on my life. She reminds me of the story of seminary students discussing their favorite translations of the Bible. After several students mentioned a variety of translations, one student told his fellow scholars:
Bursting with flavor, the juicy, sweet peach signifies the fresh fun of summer!! Great news, peach season is here! Whether you enjoy yours fresh, canned, or cooked enjoy them while you can. It is no secret a grocery store peach cannot hold a candle to a fresh in season juicy one.
My son is going to get his associates degree from LCC this year. I’m so proud of his accomplishments and how hard he’s worked at finishing the course work. It wasn’t easy, for either of us. As he’s my youngest, his impending graduation has left me feeling out of sorts. Incomplete.
As we approach graduation, it's truly remarkable to reflect on the journey we've shared.
In the next week or so, you will likely receive a letter asking you to join or renew your membership in the Friends of the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library. Although libraries receive support in the form of state-tax revenue, the Friends provide much support for the programming our library features.
Arguably the oldest named farm community in Lenoir County, NC, Bucklesberry is nestled along the north side of the Neuse River, a few miles south of the town of La Grange. Its geographic location has remained the same over time, but its boundaries have modified and county affiliation has varied as North Carolina's counties were formed and renamed during the last half of the eighteenth century.
School is almost out for summer and most of you at some point will be heading for the Crystal Coast. There’s no secret that hanging out at the beach just naturally makes you extra ready to snack! Be prepared with some healthier options and you will breeze through the summer and keep up your healthy habits!!
This is my last column for Mental Health Awareness Month. I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for joining me on this journey of self-awareness. It took me a long time to understand that the world I read about growing up and the reality I lived in are not the same.
