My Portfolio

My mother, Lorna May WALLACE (nee SPELLS) was an only child and the apple of her father's eye. She had often accompanied her parents on overseas voyages, usually to Europe, as Grandpa worked for Philips, the Dutch electrical company. She didn't, however, travel with them in 1934 when they bought her...

  The papers were scribbled on and dictation from Ethel Hodge about her family history.    

Since only one in ten graduates from stenotype school, I would have to say that this was my greatest achievement. The fall after graduating from Frank W. Cox High School in 1970, I enrolled in Princess Anne Business College in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for a one-year executive secretarial diploma program and graduated...

When you ask, as I know you will, "What did you do with the gift of me?" I want to have an answer.

Remember the day, Mom, when we rounded up the ladies and little girls of the family, and gathered around the table in the back yard at Ron and Kathy's house? The guys thought we were addled, but we didn't care. This was the year when we were finally going to do...

The Value of Truth What value can be set on truth?  It is of immeasurable worth to all of the world.  The person who possesses this priceless gift is easily discovered, because of his bright cheerful countenance. There is such value place upon truth that we never think how much it...

Big Will Walker’s House                   Big Will Walker’s house was a three room log house with two large rooms and a side room used as a bedroom.  A big fireplace heated the house and the cooking was done on a cook stove.  The household furnishings were either carried in or...

An Outstanding Moment                   Somewhere along the road of life somewhere between the beginning and end, there is an outstanding moment for everyone.  Sometimes there is more than one.  I have already experienced one of those moments.  It came to me at the age of 12 years.  I awoke early...

Traveling                   The nice pleasant days of Spring had come.  The weather was grand for play outside.  My sisters and I were taking advantage of our opportunities.  One day we were out with our umbrellas, very large “witchy” black umbrellas, playing rainy day.                 We had toured all the cities...

The Claws that I Shall Never Forget   Many years ago I lived in a little log cabin under a large maple tree.  It was on a little mountain road where all the travelers had to pass, and they would stop to rest under the maple tree.  I had a very...

Seeing is Believing                   In the late afternoon of a hot summer day, a friend and I were enjoying the shade of a huge oak tree while we watched the heavy traffic speed along the highway.  We were absorbed in busy conversation when we noticed a car reducing its speed...

My First Fish                   Spring was bursting out all over the place.  The Redbuds, dogwood and Apple trees bore witness to this fact.  I began to get in the swing of things, too.                 The urge to go fishing was uppermost in my mind.  I knew I would need fish...

                                                                                       My First Baptizing          A revival meeting had just come to an end at the Primitive Baptist Church and a baptizing was soon to be.  I had heard of revival or protracted meetings, but I had heard little about baptizing.  I asked no questions.  I learned the place had...

Miss-Interpretations                   One beautiful Monday morning in early spring, my sister and I had something that was weighing heavily on our minds.  We had been to church on Sunday and this matter was pertaining to the preacher’s sermon and we felt it was time that we were doing something about...

Lea’s Dream   The moon was shining brightly and I was on my way home.  Suddenly something went wrong.  Everything became dark and I was caught in a pair of strong arms.  It was useless for me to try to wrench myself free.  I was not in pain, but I was...

Knot Holes                 The weather was getting nice and warm so Anne and I decided to pay Hazel this promised visit.  It was a nice long walk and very pleasant.             After we had rested for sometime, Hazel showed us through her nice new home.  We passed from one...

Hospital Ghosts                   The world outside was shivering in cold while I occupied a spotless white bed inside a warm hospital.  Sometime during the wee small hours of the morning, my pains and aches were getting the better of me.  I decided I might feel as well if not better...

Herbert   The weather was nice and warm and all the plants and trees were getting dresses in their new clothes for summer.  I climbed over the fence and started down across the meadow to the creek to see what I could find.  Little did I realize that Herkie’s Brother Herbert...

Cops and Robbers               The evening sun had hidden its face behind the mountains, casting a beautiful sunset across the sky.  Darkness was appearing fast, and another day had almost passed.             Our daily farm chores had been completed for this day.  I had just finished mine and was making...

Camping at Hickory Nut Gap Cabin   One day in early spring, I heard a conversation that was not for my ears.  It went something like this, “It’s time to plant the potatoes at Hickory Nut Gap Cabin.”  This cabin was located in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, although this...