Category Archives: Autobiographical

The Sights & Signs of London

Posted on March 31, 2019 by aamontgomery

My husband Kurt and I returned Friday from London—the historic city that is roiling with the unanswered question of how the United Kingdom can maneuver itself from membership in the European Union and not wreck its economy. The jury remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Creativity, Ideas, Op/Ed Thoughts, Travel, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blooming Out of Season

Posted on January 31, 2019 by aamontgomery

Nearly a decade ago I planted two camellias in container pots just outside the front door of our home. I never thought they would live for long–in containers, mind you– in the mercurial climate of East Tennessee. But my sister, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Backyard Nature, Beauty, Blooming, Dance, Happiness, Ideas, John Irving, Music, Op/Ed Thoughts, Stage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

His Heart’s Eye Is Open

Posted on December 31, 2018 by aamontgomery

I grieve for each passing year that Daddy is not here to fervently hope that Clemson can beat Alabama for the NCAA football Championship. I grieve that he missed by 11 months seeing his great-grandson Lincoln’s endlessly fascinating face. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Autobiographical, Childhood, Courage, Family, Happiness, Ideas, Love, Op/Ed Thoughts, Wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What A Woman Needs: It Starts with Damn . . .

Posted on November 30, 2018 by aamontgomery

[On November 30, 2014, I wrote the following blogpost about how I grew up in a sheltered, no-cussing household, but found that, as I got older, I needed a few choice words to illustrate my life. Four years later I find … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Family, Knoxville, Women, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Finding Darcus

Posted on October 31, 2018 by aamontgomery

Since at least 1992, I have been searching for my grandmother, Darcus Montgomery. She gave birth to my father in April 1935, and only four months later–in early August–she died. Naturally I assumed Daddy’s mother died from childbirth complications, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Childhood, Courage, Dementia, Family, Happiness, Home, Knoxville, Love, Uncategorized, Women, Wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fearful Things

Posted on September 30, 2018 by aamontgomery

The last week has been excruciating. With tears in my eyes, I watched Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, an outstanding professor and psychology researcher, testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee of her gut-wrenching story of being sexually assaulted when she … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Childhood, Courage, Ideas, Op/Ed Thoughts, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ruining Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Posted on August 12, 2018 by aamontgomery

It all started with a discolored toenail and ended with losing most of my sense of taste. Yes, I went to my internal medicine doctor, who I have seen for years through my many episodes of gastro adventures. My first … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Courage, Food, Gluten free, Home, Knoxville, Op/Ed Thoughts, Women | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Under the Influence

Posted on July 31, 2018 by aamontgomery

A possible way forward in the middle of turmoil and strife: adventure, balance, curiosity, dreams, education, and being found together. Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Books, Childhood, Courage, Education, Family, Friends, Happiness, Ideas, Knoxville, Music, Op/Ed Thoughts, Tribute, Uncategorized, Wonder, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Backyard Excavation

Posted on June 27, 2018 by aamontgomery

After 15 years in a house we loved but that had grown too large for us, we decided to downsize and drag fewer possessions through life. We wanted to move to an area (1) we could afford, (2) in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Backyard Nature, Beauty, Family, Freedom, Happiness, Home, Ideas, Knoxville, Love, Music | 8 Comments

Big Hair, Blue Eye Shadow, and Cassette Mix Tapes

Posted on May 31, 2018 by aamontgomery

In February when I was packing to move into our new house, I found my record collection of 45s in a wooden crate holder I bought at the long-defunct record store we used to go to called Record Bar. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiographical, Creativity, Joy (Joie de General), Love, Music, Op/Ed Thoughts, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment