The Storyteller | Mary Vee

As an author, I have learned that many experiences can be understood with enough research. Social media pushes the emotion of whatever is viewed. Anger. Rage. Joy. Loss. Tragedy. Triumph. Victory. Discovery, etc. Photo by Mary Vee, Oklahoma I mostly agree with this still, because as the days go by, I write about a situation then reach into my personal memories, pull up my true responses, and insert that response into the character. I can empathize with those who experience a myriad of situations because I can call up my personal similar emotion. You do too. Knowingly or unknowingly. You've cried, laughed, cheered at movies or while reading a book. Admit it. :) But there are some experiences that extend beyond our realm of experiences encountered so far. Photo by Mary Vee, Oklahoma For example, yesterday, my daughter and I drove through Oklahoma heading east. I am not from Oklahoma, but I've heard plenty about their colossal storms.  Tornado season ha

At this moment, I am hanging out in a border state in the United States. Guess what the hot topic is here?  Right, immigration and the separation of children. Arizona/Mexican border, PC-Katy McNiff I in no wise want to tackle a political debate here but want to discuss an interesting aspect of this topic brought up by the BBC. At the end of a very lengthy immigration article posted by the BBC the writer asks:  Was your family split up after entering the US? Are any of your family members currently being detained and kept apart? Email The question got me thinking.  The answer for my immediate family would be no, but the extended family, yes. However, it happened in another country. With modern technology, we can now dig back into our genealogy and learn amazing pieces of information about our own family. So, if you're interested, you can find out if your ancestors ever experienced a similar experience. Separation of families is not new. Stalin separated children

This Thursday is Flag Day in the United States. Photo by Mary Vee Tennessee Overlook near Johnson City No matter the good, the bad, and the ugly, living in the United States isn't so bad. I'm sure I think this because I grew up here, which makes it home.  Many of you have visited another country or two, maybe more. You saw the great sights, ate the food, and made great memories. Me too.  And for a moment I might have thought  I'd like to move to that country.  I'd probably have to learn another language. The culture would be completely different. I'd have to work around my savings, give up having the transportation I'm used too. Find a job. A place to live. Probably wouldn't be able to see my family as often. I don't know. Maybe it wouldn't be such a great idea. After a while, I'd find issu es with similar governmental decisions, etc. in the new country. I'd hear and read the complaints from those living there and even

Timing is everything. I've been a city dweller and have learned to live by the clock.  If I didn't, I'd miss the bus, train, subway, carpool, or get stuck in horrendous traffic especially during construction season. Oh yeah, this girl can survive in the city. Now that I am a rural dweller I see this life also runs on a clock. Like planting season. Why, rural folk even put calling the septic company to drain the tank on the calendar! And that's not all!  I've learned when the earliest time to safely walk on lake's ice, the best fishing spots, how to shop bulk because the nearest grocery store is far away, when to pick then can various fruits and vegetables, how to work a generator because the power goes out a lot of times, how to work a tractor mower and heavy duty snowblower, and much more. I can even make a dutch oven full of the best hearty stew you've ever tasted. This girl has her rural on.  In both city and country the workings can g