Thanks for taking the time to visit and when you leave, I hope you will feel you have visited a friend. I've come to realize that perhaps my greatest talent has been making and keeping friends. I've been told I have a warm smile and a kind heart. I believe this to be a blessing and an innate quality gleaned from being a native of Logan Co., West Virginia.
My friendliness has been my guide through life. I'm Hillbilly to the core, and you best not forget it! Hilbillies are proud, honest and a clannish bunch of people. We talk strange too, especially to people from other places. (We talk normal once they leave the room.)
I'm not sure I should let the truth out, but I also own several pairs of shoes. Just ask my friend Lisa in Florida who also shares my passion.
A word about not having teeth. You should probably bypass my picture below so you won't have a distorted view of an honest to goodness Hillbilly. I've broken all the the rules and kept all my teeth. They are probably whiter than most folk's underpants and I have to admit that I just didn't like all those black holes that Hillbillies get at birth.
Now once a Hillbilly accepts you into the Clan, plan on becoming our personal, spiritual and emotional duty for life. We don't let go of friends! Hillbillies will raise your children, drive your mother to the hospital in the middle of the night, provide confidential information on the cheapest taxidermist, and be insulted if you don't accept an invitation to share their dinner with them. They will probably drag you off to church with them too. (Plan on it!) We believe in the Good Lord and we will shoot those who don't! We like to tease alot too!
Hillbillies like celebrations that center around eating! We were taught to make homemade breads and to prepare vegetables like fried poke, pinto beans, pickled corn and leather britches. If you are confused about these country dishes, don't worry. You're not a 'Billy and probably never will be.
Hillbillies will also stay up all night with you when you lose a loved one. They will cook all day, fill your refrigerator then go help dig the grave. We'll even provide you with a place to bury your family or friends if needed.
I graduated Man High School in 1970 and moved to Huntington in 1972. I completed my bachelor's degree from Marshall University in 1992. There, I gained more wonderful lifetime friends such as Dr. Ambrose, Teri, Stan, Bobbi and Kim. The friends I've gathered from my Huntington community are too numerous to mention. Y'all know who you are. (Hillbillies are expected to say words like y'all and ain't.)
I have been involved in the automobile industry most of my life helping people obtain loans for their automobiles or campers. I am currently a Finance & Insurance Manager for a dealership that's been around since 1977. I have made so many friends during my working career that it's stunning even to me. Imagine that; I get paid to make new friends!
I like to collect things too. I've gathered over six hundred Christmas ornaments and I also collect autographed books. I also enjoy collecting signatures on things like pictures, cards, art, etc.
I promised God many years ago that when I found a penny I would share the knowledge of my blessings with others. I tend to find pennies almost daily and I'm taking this opportunity to tell you that I've been blessed indeed.
Did I mention my precious little friends named Tossy and Uncle Sammy? They are both Himalayian Persians. Tossy, a seal-point, is named after my sister's childhood teddybear and Uncle Sammy, a flame-point, arrived on the 4th of July with his white fur, blue eyes and red ears. (Yes, he's actually red, white and blue!)
I enjoy traveling when I'm not camping and have visited many of the States. I've visited Texas, Lousianna, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Mexico, Arizona, Hawaii and Florida. I'm sure I've forgotten to mention some and I've also traveled to Mexico, Canada, the Virgin Islands and England
I've bought ice cream in St. Thomas and shopped the basket markets of Nassau. I marveled at the beauty of Megan's Bay in Puerto Rico and felt lost in time touring the old El Morro Fort. I've felt the course sand between my toes of the Hawaian Islands and bought coconuts from children on the road to Hauna in Maui.
I've braced myself from the winds standing atop the high cliffs overlooking the ocean from the West Country of England, shouted inside her castles and admired many of the ancient churches and forgotten gravesites. I've enjoyed pastries made with the famous clotted cream in Devon and tasted cakes and wine during an early morning fox hunt.
I've walked the halls of Exeter and watched the guards in front of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. I've heard Big Ben chime at noon and marveled at the structures of Stone Hinge.
I've witnessed the changing of the guards in Washington, D.C. and cried over the rows of white crosses in Arlington Cemetary. I've felt the spray of water on my face from Niagara Falls and developed a love for peach fudge during a parade at Canada's Niagara on the Lake.
I've dropped coins in the donation box at San Xiavier Mission in Tuscon, Arizona and witnessed a shootout at highnoon. I closed my eyes as I parasailed the waters of the Florida Keys with my friend Jan and petted one of the famous six-toed cats at Hemmingway's house
I've witnessed a boat parade from the Pavilion in Baltimore, MD and stood on the "X" in the road where President Kennedy was shot in Dallas, TX.
I've bought blankets in Mexico and cringed at the poor children begging for coins in the streets.
I've had my body soaked in the mineral waters of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and fallen asleep during Swedish massages at Safety Harbor Spa in Clearwater, FL.
I've watched rockets soar from Kennedy Space Center and have shaken the hands of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. I've enjoyed horseback riding in Ohio and Lousianna and watched a movie from a ship in the middle of the Carribean.
I was born a West Virginian, but now I'm here by choice. It holds my heart and is the only place that takes my breath when I see her glorious colors during the fall or marvel at the snow laden trees in the winter.
Thanks again for visiting this Hillbilly gal's site and if you get a chance, visit my webpage entitled "True Story". Remember...
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