Author Archives: aamontgomery

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About aamontgomery

Seeing new possibilities in everyday things

Independence Day

Posted on August 31, 2017 by aamontgomery

Recently I have been listening to Gretchen Peters’ recording of “Independence Day”, the song she wrote that was a huge hit for country music star Martina McBride in 1995. Well she seemed all right by dawn’s early light Though she … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Courage, Freedom, Happiness, Knoxville, Women | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

When Elephants Fight

Posted on July 10, 2017 by aamontgomery

When elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers. ~ African proverb As I was having lunch with my husband at our local health food coop, Three Rivers Market, I looked inside my drink container’s lid and this quote was written … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Childhood, Courage, Family, Ideas, Music, Op/Ed Thoughts, Travel, Women, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Retro Communications

Posted on June 30, 2017 by aamontgomery

When I graduated from South (Knoxville) High School, I wanted to be a history teacher in the mold of my two favorite history teachers from South. My Tennessee history teacher Mr. (Fred) Ridinger Jr. served under General George Patton in … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Childhood, Ideas, Women, Work, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Daddy’s Mountain Roots

Posted on May 31, 2017 by aamontgomery

Since my father passed away in early December last year, I have been considering what tree I should plant to celebrate the person he was, in gratitude for the life and values he gave me, and to remember the unconditional … Continue reading →

Posted in Beauty, Blooming, Family, Home, Op/Ed Thoughts, Tribute | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Do Justice to the Ones You Love

Posted on April 30, 2017 by aamontgomery

A few weeks ago, my husband Kurt and I watched “Kedi”, a thoroughly delightful movie about the historic street cats of Istanbul, Turkey. These cats have no defined owners, they are not picked out at animal shelters or pet stores. … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Courage, Creativity, Fabulous, Happiness, Ideas, Love, Op/Ed Thoughts, Screen | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Also Known As . . .

Posted on March 31, 2017 by aamontgomery

When I was born in East Tennessee, oh, quite a few years ago, my parents Roy and Arzelia Allen named me for a dear friend of theirs named Anna Marie. In the Southern way, their friend was called by both names, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Books, Childhood, Courage, Family, Freedom, Home, Joy (Joie de General), Knoxville, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Give Me a Young Man’s Wisdom

Posted on February 28, 2017 by aamontgomery

[I wrote this original blogpost two years ago. Though much has changed since April 2015, it is amazing how much has remained the same–and I find this post eerily relevant to our country in February 2017.] Sometimes I find the most extraordinary … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Childhood, Courage, Freedom, Happiness, Ideas, Joy (Joie de General), Love, Music, Op/Ed Thoughts, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Going On

Posted on January 2, 2017 by aamontgomery

Why are all the real things, the important things, so easily mislaid underneath the things that hardly matter at all? — Jeanette Winterson, from “Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days” Over the last year I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Autobiographical, Dementia, Ideas, Intuition, Love, Op/Ed Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Remembering Darcas Montgomery’s Exuberant Son

Posted on December 10, 2016 by aamontgomery

[On December 2, 2016, my dear father Roy Rotha Allen passed away at the age of 81. His health and memory had declined for years–but his health failed more precipitously over the past 14 months. Although Daddy had been hospitalized lately, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Childhood, Courage, Family, Home, Knoxville, Love, Music, Screen, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love, Honor, and Compassion

Posted on November 7, 2016 by aamontgomery

Grandfather, Sacred One, teach us love, compassion, and honor that we may heal the earth and heal each other. ~ Native American Ojibwa Prayer Perhaps growing up poor gave me a natural affinity for Native Americans and other people who were … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Beauty, Books, Childhood, Courage, Family, Freedom, Friends, Ideas, Love, Op/Ed Thoughts, Photography, Women, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment