Rich: Tim Flock was one of a kind

It was such a sweet moment at the time and thrilling, too. Now, when I think about it, I’m sentimentally sad.I’ve seen Richard Petty a few times lately, and I guess that’s what brought back my memory. Petty is one of the great storytellers.

Rich: Sad happenings in a small town

Hemingway, South Carolina, is a tiny town of less than 500 people.There, one of my favorite people was born. She called Hemingway her hometown until college beckoned, followed by the state capitol and other glorious adventures.The joyous Mary Eaddy has the merriest of laughs.

Rich: Memories of mistletoe and more

I remember and cherish the Christmases of my childhood. They were simple and humble, with no fancy frills or garland.I often stood in the windows of the stores downtown, longingly dreaming of a Christmas tree with expensive decorations and huge bows made of red velvet ribbon.And the angel on top?

Rich: The flag

When my husband makes up his mind that he wants something, he is like young Ralphie in A Christmas Story. He does not give up. Remember when Ralphie wanted the Red Rider BB gun?He had all kinds of tricks up his sleeve to get what he wanted. And, just like Ralphie, Tink’s relentless.

Rich: The good publisher

In today’s newspaper world, one person works for two or three.They sleep less, drink much coffee, and rarely have time to fellowship with co-workers.I used to say that I believed one of the hardest jobs is that of a manicurist -- slumping over a small, white table and working relentlessly.

Rich: A Thanksgiving review

Something someone said about all the Thanksgiving that her eyes have seen made me think about a couple of holidays.In the mountains, it was always the tradition to kill a fattened hog after the first hard freeze so people could store the meat cold in their smoke houses.

Rich: The homemade dress

One of the privileges of our blessed life is the interesting people we meet, from carpenters to old-timey moonshiners to movie stars and country music legends.A beautiful woman who recently crossed our path is the daughter of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman. Notice that I listed Ms. Woodward first.

Rich: Taking chances and learning

Every family leaves a legacy of some worth that lasts three or four generations. Sometimes, one good man rises to see the need and wisely chooses his cases. If the man is strong enough in his teaching, then it most likely carries on for a few generations.

Rich: All the upset

In 23 years of writing books, I have never encountered such a situation. The new book in my Stella Bankwell series will be released on Oct. 29th.It’s a light-hearted, blue-skies mystery.The problem? Life’s not very light-hearted lately.Mercer University Press and I set the release date months ago.

Rich: My David (part two)

David Ford, a Wall Street billionaire, and I, a simple Southern girl who can’t always pronounce words correctly, formed an unlikely friendship.It began when my husband, Tink, and David’s wife, Pamela, worked on a television project.